DKIE CH64: The Vice-Deans

A day’s plan lies in hard work.

After sitting for a while in the courtyard, the two began their respective cultivation.

A faint luster flowed over Luka’s entire body, while Quill was the exact opposite. Feeding on negative emotions, he always seemed to be shrouded in a layer of dark mist.

In the melted snow, their reflections, one light and one dark, looked like a Tai Chi diagram at first glance.

Luka inspected the condition inside his body. Having absorbed tens of thousands of golden lights, the little figure had already lit up half of its body.

“What a marvelous feeling.”

His soul felt as if it was attached to the body, rather than in his sea of consciousness.

He could even feel the little cross-legged figure’s position shifting bit by bit, migrating towards his heart.

It was in the process of moving.

Once the little figure was completely rooted in his heart, he should be able to possess a heart as powerful as Quill’s, one that could escape even if his body were torn to pieces.

After one cultivation cycle, Luka opened his eyes and subconsciously looked across.

The sound of rotating gears entered his ears. The bio-mechanical half of Quill’s body began to disintegrate bit by bit in the gray mist, while his own flesh and blood continued to grow.

His facial features had matured a lot, and his short hair, shedding its disguise, returned to a silver-gray.

The texture of his hair, which looked both soft and sharp, made Luka unable to resist reaching out a finger.

It was cool to the touch.

Like a snowflake drifting down onto his head.

A pair of grayish-white eyes suddenly opened.

Caught in the act, Luka gave an embarrassed smile. “Long hair suits you better.”

His youthful appearance with short hair had a sharp, handsome quality, but it felt quite at odds with Alex’s true temperament.

This look now was just right.

The remaining flesh and blood that had not recovered, wrapped in the mist, was replaced by bio-mechanics again, but his long hair was not put away.

Luka suddenly asked again, “With such a sudden change in temperament, will it arouse suspicion from Lilian and the others?”

Quill: “They’ll get used to it.”

Someone’s eyes had turned red, and he didn’t see them asking any questions.

Luka nodded.

That’s right, if anyone asked, the excuse was just that boys change as they grow.

His gaze shifted to the remaining gift bags on the table. The return gifts for the Dragon Clan and the Elven King couldn’t be delivered for now, leaving only the ones for the Saint and the ferret.

Luka sent a message to the Saint to arrange a time to meet.

In the afternoon, Quill went with him to the Holy Tower. As they passed through a relatively prosperous street, Luka noticed that not many people on the road paid attention to Quill, and not many looked at him either.

“Tier 10 is a watershed for mages. Your strength has been soaring recently, you should be close to crossing the line,” Quill said, walking calmly down the street. “The deeper your magic power, the closer you are to the laws of nature, and your presence in the eyes of ordinary people will be greatly reduced.”

Luka’s knowledge about high-tier mages was rather limited.

Hearing this, he recalled the scene of his first meeting with Rio; it seemed to be the same then.

Quill continued, “As long as you leak a little of your aura, or they have a preconceived notion that you are here, this weakening of presence will be nullified. Want to try?”

Luka immediately waved his hand. “Better not.”

He looked at the crowd ahead, a sense of anticipation in his eyes.

After Tier 10, one would be a true great mage, a rare sight across the entire continent. That meant he would also completely join the ranks of top-tier powerhouses.

Choice was indeed important. The cultivation threshold for the path of faith was high, but once crossed, it was a smooth road.

After the snow, the Holy Tower, adorned in white, appeared even more solemn and magnificent. Today, there were several more powerful auras in the tower; clearly, there was more than one person inside.

The Saint hadn’t mentioned anyone else would be there today, and Luka’s steps paused slightly.

It was very warm inside.

Besides the Saint, there were four unfamiliar faces.

One wore vintage glasses and had a strong academic air about him. The woman closest to him had an arrogant expression and looked difficult to approach based on her face. Of the other two, one always stood in a shadowy spot, wrapped in a black robe, making it impossible to tell if they were male or female.

The last one looked the youngest, with monolids and smiling lips, but his expression was exceptionally cold.

As Luka looked at them, all four were also observing Luka.

As they sized each other up, Luka became thoughtful. They were only looking at him and not Quill, which meant the Saint had not informed them of Quill’s true identity.

“Have a seat.”

The Saint was as gentle as ever. There was a pot of warm tea steeping on the table.

Before sitting down, Luka greeted them first. “Good day, Your Excellencies.”

The four nodded slightly in response.

In the next second, the small figure wrapped in the black robe suddenly appeared silently in front of Luka, extended an arm, and said, “Sign.”

The voice was so quiet it was barely audible.

Luka was completely baffled.

The Saint cleared his throat. “This is Professor Dylan, a vice-dean of the First Magic Academy. Dylan has had a difficult life and was raised by demonic beasts in her childhood, so she’s not very good at interacting with people.”

The academic-style man couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Dylan is very fond of you. Not only has she bought all of your works, but she even wanted the Saint to put you on his household register and raise you as a son.”

Hearing the first half of the sentence, Quill was still frowning. Hearing the second half, he was like: “?”

The black-robed figure quickly stuffed a piece of paper into Luka’s hand.

Luka unfolded it. It detailed how much she loved “Pampered Three-and-a-Half-Year-Old” and stated that demonic beasts do occasionally have feelings of affection for cubs. It also said that she had been following and supporting him since before he was famous and had bought several rooms full of merchandise.

Considering Dylan’s upbringing, Luka found it easy to understand why she would become a fan of his.

She was what was commonly known as a “mom fan” due to emotional transference.

Under Dylan’s intense expectation, Luka signed his name.

She immediately squatted in a corner, her back to the crowd, her shoulders trembling.

Luka: “This is…”

The academic-style man said, “That’s her signature smile.”

“…”

The Saint didn’t engage in small talk today and began to introduce the others.

The man who had just spoken was named Edmond, also a vice-dean of the First Magic Academy, mainly teaching Nature and Science.

Luka didn’t interrupt and listened quietly.

The academy was certainly not solely dominated by the Holy Court. These four were probably the Saint’s absolute supporters.

“Lois, a professor with a lifetime honorary title at the First Magic Academy…”

The man with smiling lips introduced himself. “Lanny. I’m in charge of the logistics department.”

Luka was a bit surprised. This man with the aura of an assassin was actually in charge of logistics.

The Saint: “The academy is still investigating the whereabouts of the Sword of the Sage. They will inform you in a timely manner if there are any problems. You can also contact them at any time if you need help with daily matters.”

If the identity of the wielder of the Sword of the Sage were exposed now, the Holy Court would absolutely not allow him to grow. It was necessary to have people from inside the academy to help manage the situation.

After speaking, the Saint gave Luka an imperceptible nod.

Luka understood. The matter was of great importance, and the accusation against the Holy Court still required concrete evidence.

With a thought, a flash of sword light appeared, and an incomparably pure fire element bloomed throughout the space.

The four people in the room stood up almost immediately. The Saint’s usually calm gaze was also filled with complex emotions when he saw the longsword that appeared out of thin air.

They could almost imagine, through the blade, how the ancestor of humanity had wielded this very sword to dominate in a long-forgotten era.

“Put it away,” the Saint said.

Luka was puzzled. Weren’t they going to try to verify its authenticity?

The Saint shook his head. “I’m wearing an outer robe from the Holy Court today. It just cursed quite a bit.”

A single curse from the Sword of the Sage was worth more than a thousand probing words.

“…”

Only then did Luka realize that the blooming fire elements had formed a string of curses.

This was a bit awkward.

He cleared his throat to change the subject and took the rare opportunity to say, “I have two personal matters that I’d like to ask you professors for help with.”

The four, who were still fantasizing about the past glory of the Sword of the Sage, snapped back to reality upon hearing this.

“During the hunt some time ago, I was allocated some land, all in rather barren cities. Academies are already being built there now. If you are willing, we can start a student exchange program.”

“We could even have teachers from both sides co-teach in the future.”

Luka laid out his plan quite seriously. “The human race is unique in theoretical knowledge, but lacks combat skills. I can guarantee that if they were to go to the battlefield now, the demon folk from Klin Sentry Tower, who have received little education, could each take on three of our own.”

After he said the last sentence, the gazes of the professors turned sharp, but they did not deny it.

“Co-teaching will allow us to learn from each other’s strengths and make up for weaknesses, and effectively prevent the hiding of private knowledge.”

“I don’t need you all to teach personally. I would be very grateful if you could help me connect with teachers and students from other academies to participate.”

“It’s all for the children!”

When Luka had first said he wanted to ask them for help with personal matters, apart from Dylan, the other three professors had been somewhat displeased.

To be like this on their first meeting, what would he be like in the future?

However, halfway through Luka’s speech, their expressions gradually warmed up.

To be able to think of these things immediately showed that he was genuinely concerned about education at his core, and this was indeed a matter that would benefit both sides.

They heard that with the help of the Dragon Clan, there were now several safe zones in the demon realm.

Even the exceptionally cold Lanny showed a bit more of a genuine smile. He looked at this still-youthful face, “Aren’t you a child yourself?”

A low chuckle, unique to powerful figures, sounded.

The Saint also smiled. His smile froze slightly when his peripheral vision caught sight of Quill’s drastic change in temperament.

It seemed the astrologer had said that this person’s consultation was about matters of marriage.

Out of the blue, why would he think to ask about that?

As if thinking of something, the Saint looked at the obediently seated Luka. A guess he had once had was gradually confirmed, and his smile completely vanished.

With a wave of his hand, the fiery curses that had been floating in the air and were about to disappear solidified again.

Quill: “…”

His gaze sweeping directly past him, the Saint asked Luka, “What’s the other matter?”

With someone paving the way, Luka quickly followed up. “I would like to give a speech at the First Magic Academy.”

Celebrity speeches were common. With his achievements today, he could easily lecture at any institution of higher learning. However, going to the First Magic Academy was still somewhat difficult.

Luka emphasized, “The theme of the speech is still related to education.”

He briefly outlined his ideas. After a short discussion among the four professors, Dylan finally said in her characteristic mosquito-like voice, “Go back and wait for news first.”

Time flowed like water.

Luka thought he would get an answer soon on whether the proposal was accepted, but several days passed without any result.

It was ten days later when he saw one of the vice-deans of the Magic Academy again.

Dylan came to inform him. When she sat on the stool, she only used a small portion of it, her legs primly together. Upon meeting, she handed over half a sleeve and a pen.

Luka was confused. “Didn’t I just sign one last time?”

“I changed clothes,” she replied in a voice like a buzzing mosquito.

Luka and Quill exchanged a glance, confirming that neither of them could see any difference between this outfit and the last one. They could only conclude that she probably had a large stock of identical black robes.

Dylan didn’t waste time with transitions.

“On the morning of the sixteenth, go directly to the Revelation Auditorium after entering the academy.”

Luka felt relieved. As he signed, he said, “After all this time, I thought there was no hope.”

He was already preparing to choose another suitable academy. Austin Magic Academy and Rose Sword Academy were both under his consideration.

Dylan said softly, “The school’s upper management couldn’t reach a consensus. It was actually a game between the Saint and the Holy Court. Do you know what the Holy Court’s capital is for rivalling him?”

Luka subconsciously said, “The Tree of Life.”

Dylan shook her head.

“That’s only part of the reason. A long time ago, the Holy Court had a very powerful Saintess. It was from that time that the Holy Court truly began to rise. At the end of her life, she sealed herself under the Tree of Life.”

Luka frowned.

Perhaps it was from her reign that the Holy Court became corrupt and chose to collude with and help the Tree of Life.

“Sealed herself,” he mulled over these words.

Quill: “In the past, the leaders of various races would do this. However, because their bodies could not withstand the passage of time, most chose to leave behind a few strands of consciousness, so their power was limited when they acted.”

“…If that person’s body is still intact, this final move might be comparable to her at her peak.”

After all, one could still self-destruct before death.

Dylan was a little surprised by his understanding and nodded. “Once the conflict becomes irreconcilable and civil war breaks out, the human race will inevitably decline.”

“No wonder the Saint is still constantly making trade-offs even though his strength crushes the Holy Court’s,” Luka sighed. “He has it tough.”

In the shadows, Dylan said, “You have it tougher.”

Wielding the Sword of the Sage, he was destined to stand on the opposite side of the Holy Court.

“And you also have the hidden danger of the Demon King.”

Dylan stood up abruptly. “The communication stone manufacturers whose interests have been encroached upon by the network also hate you to the bone. In short, you have it tough, you have it the toughest!”

She would not allow Luka to be surpassed in any aspect!

Luka: “…”

Thanks, but some comparisons are really unnecessary.

Luka had given several speeches during the hunt and was adept at it.

On the morning of the sixteenth, he arrived at the main auditorium of the First Magic Academy on time.

He was the only one allowed to go for this speech. As previously agreed, it would be broadcast live, and several deans would be present, so there was not much need to worry about safety.

There hadn’t been much publicity for this speech on campus, and factions like the Disciplinary Department, which were backed by the Holy Court, were even less likely to attend.

But on that day, the auditorium was still packed to the brim. It was full inside, and people were still waiting in line to enter outside. Some lecturers and professors sat in the front row, having also come to listen to the speech.

In truth, they weren’t very interested in the speech itself.

The academy was not short of lectures by famous people; they had even drunk the spiritual chicken soup of legendary great mages.

The reason they came was their keen interest in Luka himself.

There was a Q&A session after the speech, and they had plenty to ask about the terminals and the recently popular “Weird Tale Travels.”

Luka stood on the stage, looking at the unfamiliar faces below, and his greatest feeling was:

Get up from where you fell. This time, coming to the academy, he was finally not in a pit!

Many students in the audience were already holding their terminals, ready to record and upload simultaneously.

Seeing that it was about time, Luka stood up straight and began to speak:

“Good afternoon, teachers and students. It is a great honor to be here today.”

There was no doubting the quality of the teachers and students at the First Magic Academy. The vast auditorium automatically fell silent.

“It is said that the young people of the continent are getting worse with each generation. I believe this statement is not wrong.”

A bombshell at the opening. A student immediately stood up.

Luka raised his hand. “Don’t be so quick to object. In terms of magical proficiency, the present is not as good as the past. The number of contemporary great mages is significantly less than before.”

“It’s not just the mages who are regressing. Every time ancient magic runes, enchanting methods, or old alchemy manuscripts appear, they cause a sensation. Why is that?”

He had relied on Quill’s enchanting methods to successfully attract Cullen’s attention back then.

The students below looked at each other. In their hearts, they all knew the answer.

Of course, it was because no one studied them anymore, so they were lost.

“A thousand years ago, we relied on beast-drawn carriages to travel between major cities. A thousand years later, it’s still the same. Besides transportation, the same is true for all other industries; there has been no progress whatsoever.”

From below the stage, a student raised his hand.

After Luka nodded, he stood up and said loudly, “In terms of military weapons, we have made progress! Most of the people who study magical elements now are weak and can’t even afford to eat. How can we be convinced by their so-called research results?”

The people around him secretly expressed their agreement.

Luka: “You’re right.”

“So I plan to use the money earned from operating the terminals to establish a Magic Rune Academy. At the same time, I am also discussing with some academies to add a Magic Rune major to institutions of higher learning. In the future, our education system will be able to produce more professional talent.”

“This way, everyone can progress together.”

There was no lengthy speech, just a few simple sentences that left the student who was waiting for Luka’s rebuttal stunned in place.

Someone would provide the money, someone would provide the effort, and they wouldn’t have to do anything, yet they might be able to enjoy the fruits of this research.

The lecturers and professors below also began to whisper among themselves.

The recent terminal recruitment drive had built up a lot of momentum. There weren’t many platforms on the terminal yet, and they themselves wanted to develop one to upload and get a piece of the pie.

Unfortunately, there were too few people proficient in magic architecture.

The low-magic children they had always looked down on now seemed to have their uses after all.

Luka quietly gazed at the audience below.

He was very clear that for this speech, no matter how different their ideas were, no one would jump out to object.

In the past, there must have been people who realized that knowledge of magic runes was constantly falling behind, but who would be willing to pay and put in the effort just to pave the way for others?

The law of the jungle had distorted many of the most basic principles. In the modern era, you wouldn’t find soldiers with high-tech weapons looking down on scientists.

Only by becoming a community of shared interests would talent in magic runes be truly valued.

His current investments were nothing compared to the gratitude of these talents in the future.

Luka spoke again, his words extremely clear, and with the blessing of faith power, they sounded incredibly infectious:

“The foundation of innovation lies in different types of talent. I believe that knowledge of magic runes will once again shine brilliantly in this era.”

“And you, you will be the most outstanding generation!”

After a brief silence, everyone, lost in their own thoughts, finally broke into thunderous applause.

It was unknown which dean took the lead in standing up, but more and more students stood up to applaud.

Not just in the auditorium, but in the internet cafes outside, some who already revered Luka subconsciously started clapping when they saw the live broadcast. The news that he was about to invest in creating a Magic Rune Academy began to spread like wildfire.

In the midst of this tight and enthusiastic applause, no one realized—

A new era of civilization had officially begun.

Luka’s Diary Guide:

Saving the spiritual civilization of the demon realm, starting with me.

The demon race likes to use their hands, the human race likes to use their brains. Learning from each other will surely create a different kind of spark.

Alex’s summary: Fight evil with evil, fight violence with violence, teach each other how to be a person/demon.

Luka: …

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