Chapter 186: Lances Countdown to Losing His Humanity

Chapter 186: Lance's Countdown to Losing His Humanity

The room was bathed in the soft morning light that was streaming through the large windows. It was usually a place of quiet composure, but now it was abuzz with unusual liveliness.

Adam looked slightly dazed as he stood by a floor-to-ceiling window. His response was a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere around him. He really hadn't expected Lance to agree, let alone do so with such decisive readiness, as if the wager were a mere trifle.

Was this the confidence of a prodigious genius groomed by High Priest Lawrence? He was even empowered to make decisions regarding the dean's affairs.

Of note, Lance's tone did not have a hint of jest when he agreed. It was absolute, brooking no doubt.

Upon reflection, Adam realized Lance certainly had the standing to make such a call. After all, he was the one who had recently helped High Priest Lawrence eliminate the Saintess of Destruction, Adelise, a subordinate of the dean's arch-nemesis, Cardinal Ivanos, a few days ago.

He trusted that Lance would never renege on a promise made before so many teachers and students. Of course, he figured that the first year would undoubtedly make a significant demand in return, given the gravity of the pledge he had just given.

However, if there was truly a chance to make that playboy Lawrence apologize to Juliana in person, Adam was prepared to give it his all. It was the one thing he, the strongest third year student at the royal university, could do for Knight Commander Juliana.

Although his opponent possessed a composure rare for his age, rumor had it that Lance had suffered a defeat back at Ikerite University. He had apparently lost a one-on-one duel to Zirvini, a Gold Licensed challenger from the Knights' College.

Furthermore, senior students from the Sages' College had candidly told Adam that Lance hadn't defeated the Saintess of Destruction single-handedly. Rather, he had joined forces with other challengers in the Shadow Realm to take her down. This suggested a significant gap in raw power compared to Adam, who was capable of dueling the Saint of Decay one-on-one.

Thus, Adam was certain that in many of the competition events, he would undoubtedly triumph over Lance. However, he disdained using such tactics. Instead, he would choose a contest format that was fair to both sides, one that would leave Lance and the Sages' College with no choice but to accept their defeat wholeheartedly.

"So, what is your request?" Adam asked, his expression solemn.

Lance smiled slightly as he casually stroked the cat's back. "If I win, please have Knight Commander Juliana come to the capital of Hutton and go on a date with Dean Lawrence for the day."

As his voice faded, the conference room erupted in cheers. Even the faculty participated.

"Lance, well done!"

"You've got to win! Give Dean Lawrence a huge surprise!"

Theresa, who had originally intended to hold Lance back, immediately lowered her head and darted her eyes frantically from side to side. She didn't dare to look up.

The atmosphere left her speechless. Lance had chosen a strategy that aligned perfectly with public opinion. Anyone who tried to stop him now would surely find themselves blocked and booed by the entire crowd!

As cheers filled the conference room, Adam was momentarily stunned by Lance's request. Then, he shook his head vigorously and refused. "No, I can't make that call."

Adam knew the two conditions sounded equivalent on the surface. However, he couldn't possibly agree on Juliana's behalf to a date with Lawrence, nor could he ever accept such a thing happening!

"You can't?" Lance fell silent for a moment, gently stroking the cat in his arms.

He didn't seem particularly disappointed. He simply studied Adam's expression for a moment.

Finally Lance smiled innocently, as if he possessed not a shred of competitive spirit, and said, "I never expected Mr. Adam to hold me in such high regard. I thought for sure I'd lose... How about we reconsider my proposal and hold a match with nothing at stake?"

Adam couldn't help but clench his fists after Lance's conciliatory proposal. He had come to the Sages' College with the intention of challenging them. After all, he certainly didn't believe he would lose to Lance!

Then, recalling the rumors about Lawrence he'd heard that morning, Adam felt he simply couldn't stand it anymore!

Boss Cat was in Lance's arms, and it looked up at the youth with a puzzled expression. It felt that while Lance's words were incredibly friendly and modest, there was inexplicably a strong whiff of "green tea" about them. That can't be right, though. The kid is supposed to be genuinely innocent.

As Boss Cat pondered this, it resumed its act as an ordinary cat, lying quietly in Lance's hands. It must be overthinking things; how could a guy be a green tea bitch?[1]

Guess I should keep watching.

Seeming to sense Adam's predicament, Lance made the considerate suggestion, "Or how about this, Mr. Adam, could you use communication magic to contact Miss Juliana so I can speak with her directly?"

He knew that Adam was indeed in a dilemma. The third year student didn't want to pass up the chance to have Dean Lawrence personally apologize to Knight Commander Juliana, but he also couldn't bring himself to agree to Lance's terms.

Lance added, posing the question, "If Miss Juliana were to personally acknowledge this wager, you wouldn't be in a conundrum anymore, right?"

Whenever he encountered someone in need, Lance would lend a hand. His acts of kindness always had a single goal: to ensure that everyone's wishes were fulfilled.

Adam hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "...Alright."

He knew this was a chance to step down gracefully. Adam was certain that no matter how polite Lance's attitude was, if he dared to propose the specific terms of the wager to Juliana, she would simply hang up on him immediately.

If the wager failed to materialize, then both sides could naturally take a step back and discuss the terms anew.

Next, Lance and Adam walked over to a sophisticated magical device in the center of the conference room. It was a terminal capable of establishing ultra-long-range magical communication. With the aid of this device, signals could be relayed through stations set up by the Southern Continent's Kingdom Council, enabling real-time contact over distances far greater than standard communication magic allowed.

Adam inserted his Tier 6 enchanted card, Ultra-Long-Range Communication Protocol, into the device and skillfully operated the crystal display on the console to connect with the Kingdom of Yaloran.

As everyone in the conference room waited in silence, Adam established the connection and waited for Juliana to pick up. Before long, a proud, clear voice came through the receiver in his hand. "Adam? What business do you have contacting me from the Kingdom of Hutton?"

"Lady Juliana, this is Adam. I am currently at Ikerite Univeresity..." Adam then floundered, struggling with how to explain the situation.

Lance smiled and took the receiver from Adam. "Leave it to me."

He then said, "Hello, Miss Juliana. I am a student of Dean Lawrence. Adam has proposed a contest to us. If he wins, Dean Lawrence will come to the Kingdom of Yaloran to apologize to you. If I win, Dean Lawrence hopes you will visit the Kingdom of Hutton, as he still wishes to apologize to you in person. However, if you are willing to forgive him, he would like to invite you for a tour of the royal capital, so he can share many important things he has kept in his heart."

There was a long silence from the other end. Finally, the voice coolly said, "I agree."

With that, Juliana hung up. At that moment, the students and teachers throughout the conference room sprang from their chairs, cheering and rejoicing.

1. Chinese slang for a person, mostly women, who comes off sweet and innocent but is actually calculating and manipulative. ☜