Chapter 97. Dekan is Strong but Overly Cautious (1/2)

“Dekan, actually, it’s like this.”

Professor Anno coughed lightly twice,

“At the end of every year, our two schools have an exchange event. So, there will be some other students who will also be heading to Tristine Magic Academy tomorrow, on Monday. You will be going with them. You can rest assured about your safety.”

“There’s such an event?”

Dekan scratched his head.

But on second thought.

He was more concerned about information from outside the school.

He really hadn’t paid much attention to these school activities.

The Knight Faculty hadn’t even issued a related notice.

“Usually, it’s the outstanding second and third-year students from the Alchemy Academy who go, and occasionally students from the Mage Academy, since it’s a technical exchange. Then, at the beginning of the next year, students and teachers from their side will come for a return visit.”

Professor Anno looked at Dekan as he said this.

In fact, if you really wanted to talk about the most outstanding technical talent among the students, it would have to be Dekan.

Even though he wasn’t in the Alchemy Academy, but in the Knight Faculty, which was full of brutes.

But Dekan, as a technical personnel, was already beyond the level of the school.

So, it wasn’t really necessary for Dekan to take up a spot.

Anyway, he was going to visit Tristine Magic Academy as a special guest of the Card Makers’ Association.

Professor Anno couldn’t help but feel a little proud of Dekan.

Even if this guy was the most sinister student he had ever seen.

“By the way, do you have a list of the students visiting this time?” Dekan asked.

If his dear sister from another mother, Mi’e, was a teammate, that would be pretty good.

Although the two poison masters were a perfect match in research, Dekan had never tried to cause trouble with her before.

Wait, that’s not right.

He wasn’t going to cause trouble.

He was going for a visit and to secretly maintain peace.

“I don’t have a specific list here, but I know that Her Highness Princess Iris is going, so there will be a 7th-rank Knight-Captain escorting you this time.”

The reason Professor Anno was sure that this trip would be very safe was precisely because Iris was among the travelers this time.

Therefore, with an additional 7th-rank Knight-Captain as a guard, even if the Resurrection Church dared to attack, they would definitely be repelled.

In addition, the people in Tristine City also attached great importance to receiving Her Highness the Princess.

So the accompanying personnel would receive the same level of security protection.

It was almost impossible for there to be any danger.

If there really was an irresistible danger, even if their three-person team was complete, they wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Mmm… then I’ll go by myself.”

Dekan stroked his chin and thought for a moment, then said.

There was now another possibility for the Resurrection Church’s target.

But the probability was not high.

Once a member of the royal family was kidnapped, the king would never compromise with the kidnappers, but would turn into a mad dog and hunt down the kidnappers to the death.

This was an unwritten rule of the Norton Kingdom’s royal family.

But no matter what the Resurrection Church’s target was.

Since the Resurrection Church had ill intentions.

Then Dekan decided to go and meet the Resurrection Church.

Bringing Cornelia and Cloix along might actually deter the people from the Resurrection Church.

Scaring the fish away would be bad.

Dekan was kind-hearted and couldn’t bear to disrupt the plan that the Resurrection Church had painstakingly managed with huge manpower and resources.

Besides.

Since Morion could deal with the Resurrection Church members alone.

Then Dekan could too.

Sometimes it was like that, a strange sense of rivalry between men.

“Dekan, I have great faith in your talent, but please don’t think I’m being long-winded. You must not offend the Ice Snow Princess.”

Professor Anno looked at Dekan, who was thinking about something. He couldn’t feel at ease no matter what, and instructed him again.

“Alright, you can put your mind at ease. I’ve always been prudent in my actions.”

Dekan came back to his senses, a brilliant smile on his face again.

The interest in his eyes grew stronger, unable to hide his anticipation for the trip.

“Now that you’ve said that, I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep well…”

Professor Anno covered his forehead, not wanting to see Dekan anymore.

He already had a bad feeling.

Finally.

After President Relun handed some tickets and documents to Dekan, Dekan bid farewell to the two and left the office.

“Anno, why do you look so worried?”

President Relun observed Professor Anno’s gloomy expression and couldn’t help but laugh.

“I hope I’m just overthinking it.”

Professor Anno let out a long sigh and stood up.

He prepared to leave the office with Relun.

“Don’t worry. I see that Dekan has always been well-mannered and courteous in the real world. He’s a good young man.”

“…That’s true.”

The one who gave Anno the most trouble was Dekan, but the top student Anno was most fond of was also Dekan.

But this was the first time Dekan was being sent out on an assignment.

Professor Anno wasn’t sure if Dekan would pull some big stunt.

He hoped Dekan could at least be a bit more restrained in the mortal world.

…

Monday morning.

The sky had not yet fully brightened. A faint golden light shone through the morning mist into Dekan’s room.

A few crows seemed to flit past the window, their sharp cries piercing the long sky, making Dekan, who had just woken up, feel exceptionally refreshed.

It seemed that something good was going to happen today.

After making some preparations, Dekan shouldered his bag and set off immediately!

He felt like he had been on a high-intensity travel spree recently.

The life experience since coming to the academy could only be described as a perfect score.

Dekan had originally planned to bring the Cat Teacher, but then he thought about Cornelia having to face a week of classes alone.

He was worried she would have a hard time adjusting.

So Dekan assigned an important mission to the Cat Teacher—

To keep Cornelia company more these few days.

But now that Flora was there to play with Cornelia, she probably wouldn’t be lonely.

Mmm, now he was starting to worry if she would be led by Flora to skip class…

Dekan shook his head.

Forget it, he wouldn’t think about it.

He believed in Cornelia’s perseverance.

Dekan arrived early at the Alchemy Academy’s school building, which was also the designated meeting point for the academy’s visiting team.

There were already students waiting there early.

Dekan saw his good friend Mi’e at a glance.

He quickly greeted her and walked over.

“I was worried there wouldn’t be any acquaintances this time. It’s great that you’re here, Mi’e. Ah, and Her Highness Iris.”

“Hmph, hmph.”

Mi’e smiled without saying a word, leaving the conversation space for Iris and Dekan.

And Iris averted her gaze, mumbling a few words in embarrassment.

She had also only found out yesterday that Dekan would be joining their team.

Although their visiting purposes were different, they would be traveling together on the round trip.

“Her Highness Iris, please don’t hold my childish actions against me. My teacher always taught me that a true master always has the heart of an apprentice. So that day, I was indeed sincerely asking for your guidance.”

It was a rare opportunity for Dekan to chat with Iris.

He thought he might as well take this chance to resolve her inner conflict.

Dekan truly felt a little guilty for scaring Iris into fainting in Mi’e’s dormitory last time.

“W-were you really not mocking me at that time?”

Iris would never forget the final smile Dekan gave her at the Card Makers’ Association that made her want to crawl into a hole.

Later, she would often see Dekan’s smiling face in her nightmares.

“Huh? What are you talking about? I made a good card, of course I would smile.”

Dekan showed a puzzled expression.

“…”

Iris was half-believing and half-doubting Dekan’s explanation.

Although Dekan looked extremely sincere now.

But Iris had witnessed the process of Dekan conquering a Shadow World.

This person’s seamless acting was like a mask he wore at all times. Not half a word of his could be believed!

But, if you don’t believe me, and I don’t believe you, we will never believe each other.

After hesitating for a long time, she sighed.

“Forget it, forget it. I’ll believe you. Actually, I wasn’t blaming you in the first place. It was indeed me who was too embarrassing…”

Iris said helplessly.

Whenever she recalled the few lines of poetry Dekan had recited at that time, she couldn’t help but cringe.

She had actually recited them so proudly!

“What magnanimity from Her Highness Iris! I feel that the line ‘Holding the stars and plucking the sun and moon, there is no one like me in this world’ suits you better.”

Dekan looked at Iris with great admiration and praised.

“Holding the… you’ve had enough!”

Iris unconsciously wanted to recite this cool and boastful line again.

But she suddenly realized that she was almost led astray by Dekan again.

This guy was definitely trying to add to her dark history!

Mi’e: “Iris, if you want to get along well with Dekan, you must always be on your guard against him.”

“What are you talking about? I’m completely unguarded around you.”

Dekan said to Mi’e with some disappointment.

“Hee hee.”

Mi’e raised her hand to cover her small mouth and giggled.

Iris: “Huh, I was just curious. Are you two very familiar?”

Dekan: “Ah, we chose the same elective course and happened to be group partners. We also have similar interests and hobbies, so we hit it off right away.”

Mi’e: “That’s right.”

Iris nodded.

“Since you are Mi’e’s friend, then you are also my friend. Please get along well with me in the future.”

Iris said to Dekan with a serious expression and clear eyes.

Dekan was slightly stunned.

In that case, it would be a bit embarrassing to mess with Iris in the future.

But it was true.

From the very beginning, he had never found Iris annoying.

She was a very friendly person.

Plus, very magnanimous.

Dekan sighed as if relieved and laughed freely.

Dekan: “I’m happy to be your friend.”

Iris: “I… am too.”

It seemed this was the first time Dekan had shown a genuine smile to Iris.

When Dekan was with his friends, his expression was never disguised.

Iris could see that Dekan’s demeanor had changed, but she couldn’t say what had changed.

But she was sure that it was a good thing.

She felt as if a knot in her heart had been untied.

…

As the three of them chatted in the early morning, the personnel for this trip gradually arrived.

To Dekan’s surprise, the leading teacher was the familiar Professor Morgot.

The one from the Alchemy Academy in charge of live broadcasting and business cooperation.

It seemed there was big business to discuss on this trip to Tristine Academy as well.

In addition, the 7th-rank Knight-Captain responsible for protecting the princess had also been waiting at the school gate early on.

So, Dekan, Mi’e, and Iris followed the team to the magic airship transportation center located at the border of the Royal Capital.

A magnificent magic ship with iridescent colors was floating on the spacious and spectacular open ground.

A gangway connected the platform and the cabin. After Dekan stored his bag in the luggage compartment, he went to the first-class cabin with Mi’e and the others.

This time, they were going to take a wind magic airship to Tristine City.

By airship, it would only take three hours to reach Tristine City.

Although the speed of the airship was not that fast, the distance between the Royal Capital and Tristine City was relatively short.

In the Norton Kingdom, there were only magic airship routes between a few large cities not far from the Royal Capital.

Remote places like the border could not be reached by magic airship.

First, there was not enough energy. Second, the cost was too high, and safety could not be guaranteed.

“By the way, since Iris is traveling, why wasn’t it a chartered flight?”

Dekan thought for a moment and asked.

He had already unceremoniously dropped the honorific for Iris.

“The tickets could be booked several months in advance, and the school only pre-booked a fixed number of tickets. At that time, the school had not confirmed that Iris would be going.”

Mi’e explained.

Although Iris could indeed use her noble status to make this wind magic airship her private plane.

But there were many merchants and travelers who had booked their tickets early on.

It would be too tyrannical to just ask others to cancel.

Without knowing that someone would attack, there was indeed no need to go to that extent.

…

An hour had passed since they boarded the airship.

The speed of the wind magic-powered airship was not as high as the airplanes of his previous life.

The flight altitude was also only a few hundred meters from the ground.

So it wouldn’t make people’s eardrums uncomfortable.

The sky was as bright as satin, and the wind magic airship sailed through a sea of clouds.

Dekan looked out the window leisurely. The azure scenery of the sky made his mood exceptionally relaxed.

For a moment, he was too lazy to think about the Resurrection Church anymore, only wishing to enjoy the comfort and beauty of the journey.

At this time, they were already far from the Royal Capital’s territory and had reached the neighboring province.

In another two hours, they would arrive at the magical city of Tristine.

Dekan sat in the passenger cabin, leisurely flipping through a book.

Since Dekan’s ticket was added for him at the last minute by the Card Makers’ Association.

His seat was not with the group from Heavenlit Academy.

Even without an acquaintance to chat with beside him, he wouldn’t feel bored.

If he was really lonely, there was an old fellow in his heart he could chat with at any time.

PART 2

Mhm, looks like she’s sleeping.

Safe.

A few minutes later.

The originally calm and peaceful journey was suddenly broken by a scream.

The sound seemed to come from the direction of the cockpit.

Then there was a violent shaking. The entire cabin became bumpy, and then gradually stabilized again.

The sound of fighting came from the cockpit direction again, and the ship’s guards rushed to the very front of the ship.

And the 7th-rank Knight-Captain walked to Iris' side, ready to protect her at any time.

“What’s going on?”

“Is someone attacking the cockpit?”

A sense of unease enveloped all the passengers.

Even by guessing, they could figure out that something bad was about to happen.

Dekan raised his eyebrows.

As expected, they’re here.

If the Resurrection Church was going to make a move.

The first key node would be on the magic airship from the Royal Capital to Tristine City.

This was an excellent opportunity for a hijacking.

Whether they wanted to abduct Dekan or Iris, now was undoubtedly the best time to strike.

If Dekan were to plan a hijacking operation, he would do the same.

Although Iris' side didn’t know that the Resurrection Church was secretly planning something for this trip, the 7th-rank Knight-Captain accompanying her would have no problem protecting her safety.

So Dekan didn’t need to worry about her.

And so, the chaos continued for a while.

The ship’s guards who rushed towards the cockpit were like small stones falling into a deep abyss, with no echo.

Just as everyone’s panic and unease reached its peak.

“Well, well, good morning, ladies and gentlemen.”

A clear voice rang out in the cabin.

A man in a formal suit was seen dragging the body of a ship’s guard out from the cockpit direction.

The guard collapsed on the ground, his life status unknown.

He might already be a corpse.

And the man’s white suit was stained with some horrifying crimson, and even his neck was stained with someone’s blood.

His steps were calm and composed, a gentlemanly smile on his face, but there was no smile in his eyes.

He surveyed the passengers in the cabin.

That cold gaze was like a butcher looking at his own pigs.

“N-no!”

“I don’t want to die!”

The faces of the tourists in the cabin had turned pale with fright.

They began to whisper among themselves in a panic.

Even though the man in the formal suit hadn’t stated his purpose, everyone knew that this ship was in great danger.

And the lives of the passengers were likely already in this man’s hands.

The 7th-rank Knight-Captain in charge of protection had already drawn his weapon in an instant.

However, the man in the formal suit was not flustered at all. He just showed a card.

【Spark of Ruin】

【Category: Spell Card】

【Grade: Purple Rare】

【Rank: 5】

【Passive Effect: If the carrier is killed, it will trigger an extremely strong fire-attribute explosion damage.】

【Note: An early masterpiece of Minos from the Resurrection Church.】

“Despicable!”

This made the Knight-Captain’s pupils shrink. He gripped his sword, but could not make a move.

“If you don’t want all these passengers to die tragically, please calm down, Mr. Knight-Captain.”

The man in the formal suit said to the Knight-Captain with a smile.

“Also, if you dare to get any closer to me, my companion in the cockpit will make this ship plummet straight down.”

At the same time, the man in the formal suit showed another card.

But this card was displayed with a wide arc, as if he wanted more than just the Knight-Captain to see it clearly.

Especially when he aimed this card at Dekan, the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful arc.

【Sentinel’s Alert】

【Category: Spell Card】

【Grade: Blue Precious】

【Rank: 3】

【Passive Effect: When the carrier is attacked, suffers an abnormal status, is controlled, or loses consciousness, other teammates within the range carrying this card will receive a warning signal.】

【Note: Fireproof, theft-proof, and sneak-attack-proof】

This card was used to warn Dekan.

Do not attempt to use curses, poison, or mental control.

Obviously, the man in the formal suit had other accomplices who had hijacked the cockpit.

The Knight-Captain said nothing.

He just moved a little closer to Iris.

If they really encountered an extreme situation later, he would choose to protect Iris and then jump off the magic airship with her.

From this height, with magic and body enhancement, he, at the 7th rank, still had a way to land safely with Iris.

But if it really came to that.

He would have no way to take care of the other passengers and students.

Most of them would die.

“Relax, relax. Why so serious? Our target is not Her Highness the Princess. No one wants to be hunted down by His Majesty the King.”

The man in the formal suit sneered and finally looked at Dekan.

“Student Dekan, could I trouble you to come with us? The fate of everyone on this ship is in your hands.”

“…”

Dekan was still looking down at his book.

He seemed to be listening, but didn’t want to respond.

“My, my, Student Dekan, you are in a good state. Your mental fortitude is much better than others. But we will not harm you, after all, you will become our future companion.”

The man in the formal suit looked at Dekan with satisfaction.

In the Royal Capital, they couldn’t abduct Dekan, but once they left the Royal Capital, it was a different story.

Dekan closed his book, looked up, and glanced at the man in the formal suit.

A faint, disdainful smile hung on his face.

“Do you think I would sacrifice myself for these people I don’t know?”

Dekan asked in a cold tone.

As if he found the man in the formal suit’s question absurd and ridiculous.

“We have seen your performance in the Shadow World. You would never harm innocent people, and you would even offer them a helping hand. However, this is your greatest weakness.

Of course, if you choose to abandon them and protect yourself, then you will be even more in line with our teachings.

No matter what you choose, you will fall into our embrace.”

The man in the formal suit seemed to be performing a one-man show, enjoying the feeling of being watched by everyone.

He spread his arms, leaned back slightly, his smile becoming more and more unrestrained.

“Sigh, you despicable and shameless guys.”

Dekan sighed, as if he was really tired.

It was the feeling of being one step behind, of resignation.

“Promise not to harm any innocent people, and I’ll go with you.”

Although Dekan’s tone was still calm, his words were filled with a sense of powerlessness.

Can’t kill, can’t control, and the other party was probably prepared for pain shielding.

Even Dekan was helpless.

The other party was too well-prepared.

“Dekan…”

Iris bit her lip, her eyes full of unwillingness.

She felt very desperate.

Although she would not be in danger, she could only watch as her friend, the rising star of card makers in the Norton Kingdom, was abducted by the Resurrection Church.

Who could have thought that the Resurrection Church would suddenly attack at this moment?

And with such meticulous preparation, they had coincidentally seized Dekan’s weakness.

Otherwise, with Dekan’s own strength, he would never have been forced to compromise by them!

“Don’t worry.”

Mi’e gently grabbed Iris' trembling hand.

She felt that it was unlikely for Dekan to compromise so honestly.

Even if Dekan didn’t pull a big stunt.

At the very least, he wasn’t the type of person who would easily compromise with criminals.

You could always trust an award-winning actor’s acting.

“Clap, clap.”

The man in the formal suit clapped his hands with satisfaction.

Then he bowed slightly to Dekan and extended his hand.

“Then, Student Dekan, could I ask you to hand over your cards to me for safekeeping first?”

“…”

“Please don’t blame me for being petty. Your methods make one have to be on guard.”

“Hehe.”

Dekan seemed to find it somewhat absurd and sneered twice.

Taking advantage of the fact that he could threaten him now, he used all the passengers as bargaining chips to force him to hand over his cards, making him completely lose his ability to fight.

It was truly a seamless hijacking plan.

It could indeed force him into a dead end, pulling out all his fangs.

The feeling of being targeted was really uncomfortable.

“The choice is in your own hands. This is our greatest sincerity.”

The man in the formal suit showed a victor’s smile.

He seemed to be sure of what choice Dekan would make.

After all, if Dekan had any other way, he wouldn’t be talking to him so nicely.

“Alright then.”

Dekan felt that he had stalled for enough time.

He stood up without a word and gave the man in the formal suit a big slap across the face.

The crisp and loud sound instantly spread throughout the quiet cabin.

Not only was the man in the formal suit stunned, but the other passengers were also stunned.

“You?”

The man in the formal suit looked at Dekan with a stunned expression.

Because he had shielded the pain, he couldn’t feel the burning sensation on his cheek.

But with such a forceful slap from Dekan just now, it must have left a red handprint on his face.

Even without looking in a mirror, he could imagine how ridiculous he looked now.

“What are you pretending for? You think hijacking a plane is cool? Don’t you know you look like a clown?”

Dekan looked at the man in the formal suit with the eyes of someone looking at garbage.

“Hee hee…”

Mi’e covered her mouth.

Although she had prepared to laugh in advance, seeing the man in the formal suit’s stunned state and his half-red face.

She still couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

This was the authentic flavor!

Mi’e’s light laugh seemed to have broken the man in the formal suit’s last defense.

“You bastard!”

The man in the formal suit roared.

He was no longer as elegant as before. In a fit of shame and anger, he grabbed Dekan by the neck, raised his leg fiercely, and kneed Dekan in the stomach.

“Ugh…”

With a painful groan, Dekan’s body went limp, as if he had lost consciousness.

For some reason, the man in the formal suit felt a little pain in his knee.

That kick just now didn’t feel like kicking a person at all.

He let go, letting Dekan collapse to the ground like a piece of garbage.

And Dekan’s condition was also not right.

He just fell to the ground stiffly like a doll.

Man in formal suit: “?”

He was suddenly alarmed.

Something’s wrong!

Could this Dekan be a fake?!

If Dekan was a fake.

Even if he had so many hostages…

But the person he was threatening hadn’t even come. Wasn’t he just threatening empty air?

Before he had time to lift up the fallen Dekan to observe, he saw Dekan’s body turn into a card.

【Substitute Doll】

【Category: Summon Card】

【Grade: Purple Rare】

【Rank: 3】

【Effect: Can perfectly imitate the appearance of the user】

【Note: This card must not be used for illegal activities】

This card was not rare. High-rank challengers would occasionally choose to use this card to confuse enemies when exploring Shadow Worlds.

But this card had a relatively big weakness: the doll’s combat power was extremely weak, and it could not use magic cards.

Considering its expensive market price, whether it was cost-effective was a matter of opinion.

“Aaaargh!!”

The man in the formal suit held his head, tearing at his hair, his eyes already bloodshot.

Although this airship was still under his control, the plan to capture Dekan had already failed.

Letting the cooked duck fly away, he didn’t know how he would explain it when he got back.

He had clearly confirmed that Dekan was chatting and laughing with Mi’e and Iris before boarding!

When boarding, he and his companions had also been taking turns keeping an eye on Dekan!

Where did it go wrong?!

When did this bastard replace himself with a doll?

He definitely couldn’t have missed it!

Could it be…

This kid never intended to board with his real body from the beginning?!

What a psycho!!

Who the hell would be so bored as to even guard against the air!

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