Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 918 - 853: Grand Finale

"In the end, they succeeded. The Spellcaster organization known as the Salvation Association saved our home. They found a new orbit for the planet, and our homeland became what it is today." The human lecturer stood at the lectern, explaining the contents of the history textbook to the students. The blackboard was less than two meters from the windowsill, and the warm sunlight filtered through the window panes into the classroom, captivating the students’ gazes and leading them outdoors... 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

The mingling of multi-racial crowds intersected at the crossroads of the streets, and road signs painted in multiple languages swayed amidst the bustling masses. Elves shouted in front of a potion shop, while at the alchemy workshop diagonally across, the sounds of a quarrel between Dwarves and Dwarf Demons could be heard. A Mechanical Demon Puppet performed a street show by the plaza fountain, while a Lich, caught for illegal charges and fraud, was being hauled onto a pumpkin prison cart by a Dryad. A Demon Race preacher in a golden robe was delivering a sermon, a jittery human blocked a passing Hatred Fusion Monster, and from above, a Witch and a Harpy, struck by misfortune, fell from the sky. They landed in the web of an Arachne and kept bickering incessantly even as they were entangled in silken threads. A Holy Spirit, sharing a joke with a Resentful Spirit friend, accidentally offended a passing Minotaur with a slur; after reporting to the authorities, they all underwent educational "counseling."

The ruler knocked twice against the blackboard, drawing the students’ attention back to the lecturer. The automatic chalk sprang into action with the teacher’s narration, while the power model in his palm was magnified throughout the classroom, making it easily visible to the last row.

"Our home lies on one of the Gemini Stars, a pair of celestial bodies orbiting the [World Pivot]. We live on this Earth, while the other star has shown no signs of life according to observations. Historical records indicate that before the Gemini Era, the timekeeping system adhered to a 24-hour day, unlike the current 22-hour day. Wipe that look of surprise off your faces, and stop fantasizing about two extra hours of sleep. The past and the present indeed differ, but that doesn’t mean the past was better."

"As the new generation, you were born into an era that is chaotic yet full of opportunities."

"You have abundant time and educational resources to study magic and supernatural forces. You have many choices..."

"Delve deeper into research, and upon graduation, join the magical research circles of the Magic Academy as apprentices and assistants to great Spellcasters, exploring the mysteries of the world..."

"If you have faith, joining the Legion of Holy Light is also a good choice. Nowadays, the entry threshold for the Holy Light is quite low, and those zealots of the Holy Light impose nearly no restrictions on new believers. Joining the world’s largest, most mixed-bag organization is an unpredictable challenge. It is said that the upper echelon of the Holy Light has retained its original cohesion and strength—back in the day, the Holy Light was quite formidable."

"Some of you may not be curious knowledge seekers or staunch believers. Among you, there are those who seem more mediocre than extraordinary, timid and tender-hearted. Druids, in particular, tend to be gentle souls. These humble and optimistic lovers of nature have created the largest preservation zone of the Gemini Era. You won’t need to worry about idleness either; the Queen who oversees the Druids is spearheading plans to restore the planet’s environment."

"Then there are the radicals, those who chase madness and rebellious middle school delusions. Don’t rush to cover it up or put on a proud face. There’s a fine line between madness and genius. Ordinarily, I’d refrain from dwelling too much on this topic; my professional integrity as a teacher reminds me to shield you from corruption. But alas, I was paid to speak..."

"Andrei Academy—it’s unfortunate news, but yes, that place you’ve read about in those childhood horror bedtime stories is real. Compared to your younger selves, your minds have matured considerably, but you must remember that Andrei is an extreme choice. If you go there, you’ll either end up in the annals of history, or in prison, or possibly both."

The lecturer noticed the sky dimming quietly and concluded the lesson.

"It’s ’Midnight’ rest time now. After lunch, remember to approach your afternoon practical studies with care. Some of you are already perilously close to the passing line. Though our academy adopts a relaxed teaching style, its academic evaluations are notoriously stringent."

The human lecturer, carrying his books and preparing to leave, poked his head back into the room one last time.

"And another thing! If you fail your courses, don’t even think about asking me for leniency—I can’t help you. Don’t let it get to the point where your undead great-great-grandfather comes knocking on my apartment door day and night over something like this. Be decent, my lovely students."

The bell tolled, and darkness enveloped the bustling urban landscape. People had grown accustomed to this phenomenon. Columns of light from the ever-lit World Pivot provided illumination, while the street shops had long since turned on their neon lighting fixtures.

The sunlight was fully obscured by Mars overhead, bringing about the daily eclipse, the "Midnight," lasting approximately two hours. As nighttime is not suitable for labor, most people use this dark yet sweet time to rest. In the darkness, those who emit their own light shine the brightest.

Loveday crouched atop a grotesque gargoyle protruding from a building. At Midnight, his body emitted a gentle, ripple-like glow. Standing at this height, the Star Spirit gazed down at the dreamlike bands of city lights with a dazed expression.

"Don’t stare directly at those dazzling lights," a later-arriving Templar Warrior warned Loveday. "Light pollution—the frequency of this term’s appearance is becoming increasingly common."

Loveday heeded his friend’s kind advice and redirected his gaze to the colossal beam of light. The golden light column pierced through the heavens and earth like a gate, resplendent yet not blinding.