Chapter 215: Lance is Always Very Humble

The circular rug at the center of the ground floor served as the focal point of the hall's flooring. Its rich, harmonious colors formed a sun-like motif that shimmered brilliantly under the natural light.

"Lance, you really are such a kind, gentle soul." Karen wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and smiled faintly, clearly moved. She then turned to Ainor, placing a hand over her heart and bowing respectfully. "Your Highness Ainor, I respect every choice you make and cherish you as a friend. I hope you can forget what I said earlier. I'd hate for you to remember me looking so undignified."

Ainor hurriedly replied, "Not at all, Karen. I am truly sorry."

Karen's eyes were still slightly red, but she beamed at him as she said, "In that case, Your Highness, you owe me for standing me up today."

"Of course." Ainor knew he would have to make it up to her another time.

Lance watched from the sidelines, pleased to see the two of them back on such friendly terms. Although Karen was once again laying the groundwork for her future plans with Ainor, Lance didn't intervene this time. He treated it like one of Sophia's assignments. After all, a woman had to win over her own man herself. Lance was merely her teacher, not a hired hand playing the entire game for her.

"Dean Lawrence should be arriving soon." Ainor glanced at the large clock in the library. "I think I'll head off now. It would be awkward running into the dean later."

He then revealed an embarrassed smile. If he waited until Dean Lawrence arrived to leave, he would have to explain the earlier dispute to the dean in person. Besides, he wanted to find Sophia and apologize to her.

"Leave it to me," Lance replied, looking directly at Ainor.

He knew Dean Lawrence well, so he could handle whatever came next. Ainor couldn't help but give Lance a hug. His best friend was truly dependable.

"See you later, Lance and Karen."

With that, Ainor happily left the pair to themselves. In the central hall of the ancient Tower Library, time seemed to gently slow down. Within the spacious expanse, every footstep and soft cough found its echo beneath the soaring dome before gradually fading away, swallowed by the endless sea of books and history.

Tall windows along the walls allowed sunlight to stream in without restraint, lending the hall an air of transcendent serenity.

Karen didn’t know Lance very well, so the atmosphere between them fell into a long silence after Ainor departed. It was the first time they had met and interacted with each other. With the only person they both knew gone, they had run out of things to say.

Karen mused to herself, finding this black-haired, green-eyed fellow rather intriguing. For one thing, he was powerful. He was a figure comparable to a Saint or Saintess of the Church of Resurrection, and he was the finest protégé of Dean Lawrence.

As a combat-class member of the Sages' College who understood magical engineering, she was certain they would have plenty to discuss. He might even have requests for her. After all, a powerful combatant and a skilled card maker complemented each other perfectly.

So, just as Lance was leisurely admiring the murals in the ancient Tower Library, Karen leaned a little closer to Lance and whispered, "I really shouldn't underestimate you, Lance. So, was this your way of trying to get some alone time with me?"

Lance looked at her, appearing slightly taken aback. Pleased by his guileless reaction, Karen added another soft, mischievous remark. "But my answer is: Sure, why not?"

***

On the sixth floor of the library, Sophia, who had been overjoyed to see Ainor leave, was stunned once more upon hearing what Karen said to Lance. That green tea bitch is at it again! Has Lance just walked right into her trap?

Given Lance's persona, there was no right way to answer that question. He certainly couldn't say anything rude.

A guy like Frey could simply snap, "Missy, get lost." However, Lance was always courteous, sincere, and gentle.

Karen was counting on that very nature of his when she chose to use such ambiguous, cunning, and probing words. The more Lance denied it, the more it looked like he was interested in her, and admitting it outright would be a disaster!

"Hypie..." Sophia looked worriedly at her friend. Karen is setting her sights on your Lance now. Hyperion, it looks like you need to go down and have a verbal showdown with her.

However, Hyperion merely shook her head, as if mocking Karen's stupidity. "What she's doing is the same as throwing meat right into a wolf's mouth."

Sophia stared at her friend, utterly perplexed.

Downstairs, Lance listened to Karen, and he quickly snapped out of his momentary surprise.

He smiled gently and said, "That would be wonderful. I've known for a while that you became a Gold Certified card maker while still in your second year. That's a feat far beyond my reach. It would be the honor of a lifetime to receive a bit of guidance from you."

Karen smiled happily. "Heh heh, then just follow me while we look around later. I can teach you a thing or two."

As expected, this guy is just a pure-hearted youth. Once I figured out his personality, he's easy to handle.

This time, however, even Sophia finally understood what that rascal Lance was up to. There was a fifty percent chance he was genuinely being humble, and a fifty percent chance he was up to no good.

Regardless of which it was, Karen was in for a world of hurt!

***

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the ancient Tower Library, a young man with a hint of weariness in his eyes and a prominent holy cross emblem at the collar of his formal attire stepped through the library gates.

He walked down the corridor and past the service counter. Beside him stood a row of high-backed, carved chairs that complemented the bronze side tables. Atop the tables sat crystal lamps that were illuminating some books that had been left open, with golden-orange ginkgo leaves serving as bookmarks.

It's a good thing Lance didn't go along with my suggestion to observe the Wind Primal Tablet together with Karen. While I'll eventually have to set aside time for him to view it privately, that's still far better than letting him interact with yet another student from Yaloran.

Lawrence gazed at the library's interior, reflecting on the fact that three students from that delegation were already unable to go back. One was hospitalized in the intensive care unit, one was in prison, and one had transferred schools.

Furthermore, the one who transferred seemed to have issues of her own. Ever since her older brother, Fenix, had entrusted her to his care, she had become overly dependent on him...

The sheer volume of recent events made Lawrence's head spin. Forget it. No use dwelling on it.

He shook his head. He had managed to pacify Juliana for the time being. After much persuasion, he had finally convinced her not to make the trip to Ikerite herself. He absolutely could not afford to lose another student from the academic exchange group.

Beside him, rows of ancient oak bookshelves towered toward the ceiling, neatly lined with volumes featuring gold-gilt edges. Weathered by time, the lettering on their spines had long since faded, deepening the atmosphere of antiquity.

Lawrence's figure drifted in and out of sight amid the towering shelves. As the light ahead grew brighter, he passed through the stacks and emerged into the central hall.

The next moment, Lawrence felt his heart lurch as soon as he entered the hall and spotted a certain someone standing beside Karen in the distance.