Chapter 139: Joining and Departing the Academy

When Lando and Lorel arrived, the student council building was bustling with activity, a stark contrast to the Headmaster’s building across the lake, which stood dark and deserted as if long abandoned.

Noticing Lando’s curiosity, Lorel broke the silence. "That is the Headmaster’s building. The Headmaster rarely visits the academy, so aside from the maintenance staff, it is usually empty."

"Oh."

"Let’s go. When you meet His Highness the Prince, just answer what is asked of you. Don't say anything unnecessary," Lorel cautioned.

"Understood, senior!" Lando nodded respectfully.

Upon entering the student council building, people frequently stepped forward to greet Lorel, indicating that the latter held a significant position within the organization.

The two soon reached the top floor and arrived before a massive, ornate door. Lorel knocked gently, the crisp sound echoing down the hallway—a testament to the quality of the door’s material. After a brief wait, the door opened a crack, and Lorel pushed it wide, leading Lando inside.

A massive floor-to-ceiling window immediately caught the eye. Bookshelves lined the walls on either side, packed with volumes. In the center of the room, near the window, sat a desk where a handsome, sunny-faced young man was reviewing documents. Seeing the two enter, he looked up and flashed a brilliant smile.

"This must be Junior Lando. I have wanted to meet you for a long time, but I never had the chance. Today, I have finally succeeded! Haha!"

Gentle, approachable words, a hearty laugh—truly a natural-born leader. Lando thought to himself, though his outward expression was one of overwhelming flattery, appearing almost too excited to speak.

After a few more pleasantries, the Prince asked with a tone of concern, "By the way, you were at the Necrotic Caverns, weren't you? I heard that many seals were broken and high-level undead wandered into the first and second levels. You weren't injured, were you?"

*Here it comes,* Lando thought. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I was lucky. Not only was I uninjured, but I also turned a misfortune into a blessing and managed to subdue two powerful undead creatures."

"Oh?" The Prince seemed intrigued. "May I see them?"

"Of course," Lando said, then added with a touch of hesitation, "though it is a bit cramped in here."

"No matter, let's go to the training hall."

The three moved to the student council’s training hall. At the Prince’s gesture, Lando released the two undead creatures he had kept stored in his summoning bracelet.

*ROAR!*

A low, guttural growl echoed through the hall, but neither Prince Gige nor Lorel showed any alarm. They examined the two undead creatures that had suddenly appeared.

The first was a massive bone beast—not the little one that usually followed Lando, but a new catch from the caverns: a terrestrial dragon, five meters long and three meters tall, possessing the strength of a level five creature and exuding a fierce aura. The second was a bone warrior, much smaller at two meters tall, wielding a giant axe and also possessing level five strength.

Prince Gige nodded inwardly. Both undead creatures were quite strong; cultivating them to level six would not be difficult. What was even more impressive was that Lando had managed to contract them despite the level gap. He was quite satisfied, and his assessment of Lando shifted from "a lucky commoner" to "a useful tool."

"Excellent. If these two are cultivated well, reaching level six won't be hard. By then, you will be considered an expert throughout the Imperial Court," Prince Gige said, as if joking.

Lando seemed sheepish. "Your Highness, I still have a long way to go."

In truth, the Prince was not wrong. In the Imperial Court, Necromancers were the mainstream profession. Those at level seven or above were called Grand Necromancers, and their status would undergo a radical transformation. Such powerful figures usually held their own territories and rarely acted personally, so level six was often the limit of what ordinary people ever saw, earning them respect wherever they went.

"I am not exaggerating. To possess enough death energy to contract level five undead immediately after awakening—you might be only one step away from an ancestral awakening. How about it? Interested in joining the student council and working for me?"

Lando seemed stunned for a moment, then nodded frantically.

Prince Gige smiled slightly. "Very good. From now on, you are one of my people. Just stay by Lorel’s side for now."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

After Prince Gige left, Lorel said to Lando, "Actually, the work in the student council isn't complex. Come with me; you can help me handle some simple tasks first."

In the following days, Lando followed Lorel around, running errands for the council. Although the menial tasks were irritating, there were benefits—at the very least, his authorization level for the library was raised, and he could now freely enter the first three floors.

As time marched on, Count Tolancy, the father of that youth Nickta, seemed to have stopped bothering Lando because of Prince Gige. Lando did not know if the Count had given up or was waiting for an opportunity, but he did not intend to wait quietly. After all, his time was precious.

Lando prepared to do something to increase his standing in Prince Gige’s eyes. If this Prince was determined to groom him and keep him under his wing, intending for him to spend his time safely at the Central Academy until graduation, Lando would be left in the dark.

After carefully "consulting" via his mind-space and having a lich scout the area, he formulated a simple plan and found Lorel.

"You want to go home?" Lorel asked, frowning in surprise.

"Yes, senior. I actually come from a nameless town and have been an orphan since I was young. The people there raised me. Now, I wish to return and repay them slightly. With my current strength, it should be easy as long as I speak with the Lord of Kaelbone City. Although I could write a letter, I fear the Lord might not take it to heart, so I would rather go in person."

Seeing Lando’s reasoning, Lorel had no grounds to object. Talents who knew how to repay kindness were more trustworthy.

"Be careful when you go. It is best if you tell no one. Go and return quickly; do not linger. You must know that the Count’s lingering anger has not yet dissipated."

"Yes, Senior Lorel, I will be careful."

"Good. Don't bother asking the teachers for leave; I will find an excuse to handle it for you."

"Thank you, senior."

Lando left Lorel and calculated his plans, ensuring nothing was missed.

That night, a figure in a cloak showed a token to the academy guards and was allowed to leave. At the same time, Count Tolancy received a report: the lucky commoner he had almost forgotten was leaving the academy alone, seemingly headed somewhere.