Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 198 - 185: Nia’s Fondness

Mr. Raymond’s golden skull housed a Holy Flame like two blazing suns, showering Lyle with a holy and majestic light.

Perhaps every fool is but a disguise worn by the wise in daily life.

In Lyle’s heart, the just Mr. Raymond grew tall and mighty, mirroring the ceiling of his combat abilities.

"Plague Doctor, you are human, and thus, you are one of those I wish to protect," Mr. Raymond extended his palm. "Please show your Andrei ring, Mr. Plague Doctor, if you would."

With a smile, Lyle looked at the senior before him, rejuvenated, extending his own ring-adorned hand. "This is much less elaborate than the baptism I had imagined. Thank you, Senior Raymond."

"Less elaborate?" Infinite light erupted from Raymond’s body, and when Lyle opened his eyes again, he found himself standing amongst golden clouds, with the shadows of angels singing in the hall and a grand tolling of bells in the distance. Raymond’s back unfurled ten wings, the golden chains that bound them linking to the clouds behind, as if the deity before Lyle bore the weight of the whole world.

A joy so profound it could bring tears arose within, stirring a sense of witnessing a miracle.

"I, Raymond, guide of the Holy Light, swear in the radiance that I share my glory with my junior, Mr. Purifier Plague Doctor. The Holy Light will guide your path, and no harm shall befall you. No ’unless,’ no ’buts,’ my word is law."

Light pierced through the clouds, and the sun of the illusion finally revealed its true form; the first ray of sunlight morphed into a golden thread, branding itself onto Lyle’s Andrei ring, parallel to the blue magical traces left by the scholar.

The miracle faded, and all was silent. Lyle looked at Mr. Raymond, still maintaining his solemn stance. Wasn’t this just like leaving a contact for a punch? Such a grand affair.

Feeling one thing in his heart but saying another.

"I am truly grateful to you, Mr. Raymond."

Raymond’s skull turned to Lyle, the twin Holy Flames within flickering briefly as he pulled out a paper tinged golden by holy light.

"Since you’re so grateful to me, Mr. Plague Doctor, how about signing the sect entrance application?"

This is moral kidnapping, isn’t it? Giving benefits first, then forcing the sale.

Well, it was indeed worth it, though Lyle’s respect for Raymond started to fluctuate.

Lyle signed his own name on the application for the Holy Light Almighty Sect.

"Lyle Butler? Lyle?"

"Yes, Mr. Raymond. In the presence of the Holy Light, I feel there’s no need for pretense. Introducing myself formally now is rude, indeed."

"No, Lyle, it’s an honor to have your trust, hmm... so when will you abandon Spirit Summoning Studies for the Holy Light?"

"...I haven’t given up on Spirit Summoning Studies. Mr. Raymond, the great ones of the Cup of Extravagance are still waiting for me, and with Nia around, I believe specializing in Spirit Summoning Studies will help me understand her better."

Nia emerged from behind Lyle, wrapping her arms around his neck, her mask-like face scraping against the side of Lyle’s own mask.

"Alright, Lyle, since you insist on doing so, I will not press further. Take good care of yourself at Andrei, and if you’re bullied, remember to find me. Justice is with you." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

After bidding farewell to Raymond Elian, Lyle left the chapel and closed the grand doors behind him.

Raymond looked at the name Lyle on the application form, passing it to Elian.

"That talent named Nia, did you see it, Elian?"

"I saw it, Your Excellency Raymond. Darkness and the abyss are converging upon Jordania."

"Not only has Nia changed, but Lyle himself has as well, the Spirit Summoning Skill is subtly transforming him, I need you to watch over Lyle’s safety, Dissenter."

Aryan looked at Raymond’s golden skull.

"You have changed as well, Your Grace," Aryan gazed through the chapel’s stained glass, at the angel with its wings spread wide. "The eyes of the first Purifier saw only pure justice. He led the legions of the Holy Light to eradicate all darkness from this world."

"The you of the past would not have tolerated the spread of darkness. Otherwise, there would never have been a Crusade to the East."

Raymond looked at the chapel’s modest decorations.

"Andrei Academy, truly a miraculous place. Even I have things to learn here. Those societies, even after I have devastated them time and again, they grow back stronger. I see in them persistence, a shining point of humanity. Aryan, this world holds many beautiful things. Merely the Holy Light cannot encompass all, at least not now."

"So what you see has prompted you to become a Supervisor instead of an Inquisitor, Your Grace?"

"I have learned to be tolerant, my sister, but that does not mean that I will turn a blind eye to them. The oppression I impose on them now is precisely because I am protecting them, guarding them from stepping over my boundaries and facing judgment."

"The members of Andrei must hate you to the bone, Your Grace, if they are capable of hate."

"I do not care."

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Returning to the Cup of Luxury’s department room, the gentleman had already left. The Dragon Priest came out once, notifying Lyle that the official course in Spirit Summoning Studies would begin shortly, not to forget the time, then he returned to his room, grumbling, which Lyle heard included complaints about the Dragon Soul.

"Damn it, what exactly is the soul of a dragon, why do they have it, and I do not. I truly wish to slay a Dragon Priest and study it thoroughly."

Alianna had not returned.

Lyle sat in the empty main hall, and it seemed Nia was also feeling bored; she emerged from Lyle’s body and moved to the opposite side of Lyle’s table.

Nia took out a spoon, stirring it inside the beautifully patterned teacup—there was no tea in the cup; she was imitating, imitating Alianna.

She indeed had a serene quality to her movements, just like Alianna. The evil god version of Nia’s lower limbs with grill-like tendrils also mimicked the movements of her arms, and the scraping sound was made over several teacups.

"Nia, what do you think about Alianna?" Lyle suddenly started to wonder about their relationship because Nia was an integral part of him; he wanted to know her opinion on Alianna and whether she would be influenced by him.

Nia looked at the central crystal lamp, pondering, and quickly came to a conclusion. "Nia likes Alianna, likes her very, very much."

"Who do you like more between me and Alianna?"

"Hmm, likes both?"

"You can’t like both, you have to choose one you like more."

Nia’s fingers clasped in front of her chest, making a knocking sound like she was troubled.

"Nia is a bit annoyed by the gurgle asking this question, so now she likes Alianna a little more."

Her body completely lowered to the edge of the table, looking at Lyle across the silverware, with a tiny gap between her thumb and index finger, her voice filled with a mix of appeasement and uncertainty, like a child trying to give the correct answer.

"Just likes her a tiny bit more right now, really just a tiny bit."