Chapter 178: Hyperion Looks Really Human Next to Lance

"That's excellent." The president listened intently to Lance's speech, nodding seriously.

He was more than just a leader of the student council. He was a supportive figure who constantly cared about the members' well-being and personal growth.

Monaster said, "I'll notify the Yaloran delegation for you. I'll have to trouble you to handle that task tomorrow."

Brimming with enthusiasm, Lance nodded. "Not a problem! Is there anything else you need us to help with?"

Monaster replied with a smile, "Asina and I are already halfway through the troublesome tasks currently on our plate. Handing them over now would just result in a loss of efficiency. If any new issues arise regarding the academic delegation later, I'll call on you then. As for the remaining odds and ends, Lance, you should go visit your father today."

Frey looked at the other two sitting by the sofa and said, "You two go ahead. I'll stay behind to help the president and vice president with anything else that's needed."

He knew Lance was planning to take Hyperion to meet a mysterious woman capable of protecting her today. It made perfect sense for the two of them to go together.

Lance and Hyperion quickly said, "Thanks for the help, Frey."

If the three of them were to split up while ensuring everyone's safety, the only viable arrangement was for Frey to go alone while Lance and Hyperion went as a pair.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Monaster and Asina, Lance and Hyperion left the Student Management Council headquarters. The space grew much quieter once they were gone.

Asina returned to her desk and got back to work. The paperwork had piled high like a mountain, promising a busy few days ahead for both her and the president. Meanwhile, Monaster briefly assigned a few tasks to Frey, who then also left shortly thereafter.

***

Frey walked alone down the third floor corridor of the old Liberal Arts Hall. The only sound in the vast, empty hallway was the echo of his own footsteps. However, before he even reached the stairwell, a familiar figure caught his eye.

She appeared around the corner of the stairs and was humming a cheerful tune with a magical camera hanging around her neck. The young reporter was on her way to the Student Management Council headquarters as she was also the secretary, albeit a member who rarely ever showed up.

She waved enthusiastically at him the moment she spotted him. Luviselle then called out with a voice tinged with surprise, "Hey, Frey! Frey, come here, come here!"

Although Lance and Hyperion had never met Luviselle, Frey had joined the student council earlier than them and had crossed paths with her once before. In fact, ever since she met Frey, she had frequently visited his detective agency to bring him cases.

"What is it?" Frey walked over, looking puzzled as he adjusted his sunglasses. Luviselle was one of the few clients he actually had.

The reporter asked, her eyes practically sparkling with anticipation, "What did the president tell you guys this time? Any juicy gossip?"

Frey thought for a moment before answering, "Nothing much, just that Lance has to deal with Adam. Oh, but the president did tell us about the bad blood between Dean Lawrence and Knight Commander Juliana."

"Tell me, tell me!" Luviselle stomped her feet excitedly, eager to savor the scoop.

Frey hesitated slightly before firmly stating, "You absolutely cannot publish this, nor can you go around spreading rumors. After all, it's just something I heard."

He hadn't wanted to say anything at first, but then he realized that out of the six student council members, five already knew the story. Leaving Luviselle in the dark made it look like they were ostracizing her.

She patted her chest, offering a solemn guarantee. "I, Luviselle, am always tight-lipped."

And so, Frey began his story. "Well, it all started with Dean Lawrence's fiancées..."

"Mm-hmm." Luviselle nodded earnestly as she listened.

***

Meanwhile, it was four o'clock on a late autumn afternoon. The blue of the sky had deepened, yet remained bright. The crisp autumn breeze blew by, creating a clean and transparent atmosphere.

Lance and Hyperion were heading over to the College of Alchemy, specifically where the college housed the Ikerite University Medical Center. This was a flagship hospital directly under the kingdom's administration and one of the largest healthcare providers in the Kingdom of Hutton.

The hospital offered comprehensive medical services, including emergency care, general practice, specialist consultations, as well as research and education facilities. Situated in a quiet yet accessible spot near the main thoroughfare beside the College of Alchemy, it was convenient for students, faculty, and local residents to visit.

The building boasted a modern, attractive design. The main structure was a multi-story glass edifice, allowing glimpses of the bustling activity within.

By day, sunlight illuminated the entire building, making it stand out strikingly against the blue sky. By night, the interior lighting transformed it into a brilliant star in the surrounding nightscape.

As the pair chatted and made their way through the main entrance, they were greeted by a spacious, light-filled lobby.

"I never imagined I'd end up at a hospital one day." Lance had passed by this building countless times, but was stepping inside for the very first time.

Hyperion muttered under her breath, "Lance, have you ever considered that if you were even slightly less capable, you'd probably be a regular here?"

Lance said with a smug, confident smile, "Not a chance. I pay close attention to my health. My goal is to stay far away from hospitals!"

Hyperion could only offer him some praise, "Then you're truly impressive."

At the reception desk, staff members were busily handling various inquiries, maintaining a consistently friendly and professional demeanor. After Lance registered and received his visitor's pass, the two of them headed upstairs to the patient ward area. They walked along the hospital's immaculate corridors.

Puzzled, Hyperion asked, "By the way, Lance, why is your father visiting the university? Didn't you say he was working in trade along the border of the Krati Empire?"

Lance replied with a serious, confident look in his eyes, "He's probably here to conduct a surprise check on my academic progress. I'll definitely give him a proper demonstration of what I can do."

Hyperion was quite certain that Lance's academic achievements were solid. In fact, they were so solid that they were enough to give someone a heart attack.

Chatting along the way, they soon found the premium ward on the fifth floor of the medical center where Noel was staying. After ringing the bell and receiving his permission, they opened the door.

The single occupancy room faced the sunny side of the building, allowing natural light to spill gently inside. Through the window, the patient could enjoy a view of the campus grounds even while seated on the bed.

Noel had largely recovered, though his eyes flickered slightly when he turned his head and realized the visitor was Lance rather than a doctor.

Lance asked with concern, "Father, are you alright?"

Noel gritted his teeth. He had no desire to answer the question posed by this wayward son of his. Whenever he recalled the three clergy led astray by this fellow, he felt a compulsion to offer frantic prayers of repentance to the Goddess of Fate.

He felt that, as a father who had only recently stepped into the role, he was bound to face divine retribution sooner or later. However, upon noticing the classmate accompanying Lance, Noel thought it was inappropriate to scold him harshly.

Noel's attention quickly shifted from Lance to Hyperion. He asked, "And this is...?"

He recalled Hans and Francine describing Miss Tali as having gray hair and golden eyes. The young woman beside Lance, with her silver hair and amber eyes, clearly didn't match that description. Furthermore, she appeared to be roughly the same age as Lance, rather than several years his senior.

Noel was worried that his son might be a fickle man. He had just been striving hard out of affection for Miss Tali, only to latch onto another girl the moment he arrived at the university.

Lance stepped aside to introduce her to Noel. "She's Hyperion. My classmate, teammate, and good friend."

Hyperion nodded respectfully. "I have heard a great deal about you from Lance."

Observing Hyperion's calm and sensible demeanor, Noel murmured, "I see. Hyperion, thank you for looking after my foolish son."

Hyperion shook her head. "Oh, not at all. He's the one who's always looked after me."

Noel snorted gently. "You're too modest. I can tell that dealing with a lad like him isn't easy."

That brief exchange convinced Noel that Hyperion was a kind and gentle girl. And clearly, she was a sensible, down-to-earth person. Knowing they were merely companions put his mind at ease for the moment.

After all, Miss Tali was likely approaching thirty. If Lance were to waste her most precious years only for things not to work out, he would be, to some extent, a scoundrel.

That said, Noel had no intention of interfering in his son's romantic life. It didn't matter whether Lance ultimately fell for Tali or Hyperion. All that mattered was that he remained devoted to the girl he loved.

Hyperion seemed approachable. She was unlikely to be one of those high-and-mighty noblewomen of the capital, making her a good fit for their family. In truth, Noel had been worried that Lance might get too close to the daughters of earls or marquesses after arriving in the capital.

Those were figures far beyond the reach of a mere merchant family from the frontier. Noel didn't want Lance dragged into complex power struggles. A commoner family like theirs couldn't withstand such turbulent waters.