Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 446 - 408: Strong vs. Strong

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Hearing the new name mentioned by Nameless, Gravity breathed a sigh of relief, at least it wasn’t some irresponsible ghost.

"So, your gladiatorial match is over and there’s a new project for you. Will you come back with us to Andrey now to continue the research? You can make use of my experimental field, and by the way, clean up the sandstorm you stirred up."

Nameless did not respond immediately, but instead...

"Heavenly Movement All Phenomena."

Two parallel earthen walls rose up between Nameless and Gravity, leaving a gap just tall enough for a person in the middle.

Nameless began a new divination, but this was part of his own research, so this time Gravity had to show a lot more patience. Mr. Gravity pinched his chin, interpreting with his sporadic knowledge of divination.

"Parallel earthen walls, complete, intact. It means obstruction, no new breakthrough. Between you and me, there’s only a passage high enough for one person, this gap allows you to come over to my side. I get it, Nameless, fate is guiding you, you have only one option which is to come back with me!"

Facing his mentor’s expectant gaze, Mr. Nameless did not hide his disdain, disdain for his lack of professionalism.

"Gravity Mentor, you might as well stop embarrassing yourself with that half-baked knowledge of divination. You’ve got it all wrong, and outrageously so."

"Oh, is that so?" Gravity was unconcerned with the authoritative stance displayed by his student, as confidence is one of the qualities required for Advanced Magic Research. "Then you interpret it, what does this phenomenon mean? I don’t think I’ve missed anything."

"You’ve missed everything."

Mr. Nameless pointed at Gravity, then at the single empty gap between them.

"Fate tells me, to research with you back in Andrey."

"No way."

"..." Gravity realized that Nameless was quite certain, his mouth twitched a few times. "Are you sure that the subject you’re researching actually exists, and it’s not just some nebulous self-delusion?"

"The truth is always in the hands of a few, Gravity Mentor."

Gravity shrugged, "Well, I’ll trust your fate then. We’re heading back first. You be careful here on your own, the other Liches in Andrey are already irritated. Don’t get beaten up."

Nameless smiled and waved goodbye.

"Fate, is with me."

In the stands of Andrey.

Lyle was enjoying the heated atmosphere of the rivalry supremacy match, roaring along with the surrounding Liches.

Nia’s tentacles were excitedly waving about, and those eight troublemakers’ skulls had become toys in her hands. Nobody cared about their cries for help, which sounded almost like pleas, Lyle included.

Perhaps they were cheering, Lyle smiled at the thought. He noticed that after confirming the presence of an ominous sign in his mind, Lyle himself underwent some "changes."

Lyle had become bolder. An unprecedented sense of security emerged within him, an overflowing reassurance that supported Lyle in taking actions in line with Andrey’s style.

Lyle wanted to make things interesting, interesting in a mischievously fun way.

While glancing around, Lyle saw Lady Aryan. The Holy Light Nun was sitting in the last row at the corner of Andrey, with an empty seat beside her, presumably that of the Star Spirit Rovdi. Mr. Raymond was currently whereabouts unknown.

Lyle noticed that Aryan was examining her cross-shaped device. In her left and right hands, Holy Light and Shadow were pulling at the tiny gadget in the center, and Aryan was the only participant from the Church of Holy Light.

Lyle was not going to tease the Holy Light Nun who had been kind to him in Andrey, but inside, something was stirring.

Thus, Lyle greeted Alianna and walked towards Sister Aryan.

"Peace to you, Lady Aryan."

"Greetings, Doctor of Plague. Is there something you need?" Aryan looked at Lyle composedly as the Holy Cross fell back into her palm.

Lyle put on a troubled expression, hesitating before he finally spoke.

```

"Ailian’s competition will start soon, right?"

"Yes, it’s the next but one, and it’ll be my turn."

"Please do your best, Miss Ailian."

"I will. Thank you for your encouragement."

Lyle wrestled with himself and finally confessed, "...Ailian, actually, just recently, I received a divine revelation from Holy Light. Perhaps it’s due to personal reasons of the Purifier, but it seems I’ve learned a new Divine Art. This Divine Art is quite suitable for you."

"Divine Art? A revelation from the Purifier?" Ailian blinked her eyes, looking at the boy.

"Yes, but I’m not sure if it was truly a revelation, or perhaps just a figment in my mind. It’s possible that the Divine Art might not even work, but I’m certain it has no side effects."

"Let’s hear it."

Lyle bowed his body, a divine light bursting from his eyes that were hidden by his hair.

"It’s a spell to chant exactly when you transform from the Holy Light form into a Shadow form."

"The spell is, ’Holy Light has betrayed me!’"

Ailian tilted her head, looking at the boy before her with a grave and puzzled expression, "Are you sure it’s that phrase? A revelation from the Purifier, telling you to betray Holy Light and embrace Shadow?"

Indeed, it was an untenable proposition, Lyle lamented internally. He forced a laugh, "Maybe it was just my illusion? I’ve been a bit delirious with the recent events."

Ailian, having witnessed the ominous signs during the Hellfire Invitation Tournament, understood Lyle’s behavior very well.

"Yes, Purifier, you need a good rest."

Lyle decided to stoke the fire one last time.

"Ailian, I don’t know if you’ve heard the saying, ’Turning dark increases strength threefold.’" Lyle’s voice was like a demon’s seductive whisper, "Maybe, uttering that phrase... that spell, can grant unbelievable power!"

"Thank you for your help, Lyle, but I don’t feel that Holy Light has betrayed me. It continues to watch over my family. You need to rest well and not let the power consume your good intentions."

"...Okay."

The nun’s gentle words, like the sound of a wind chime, cleansed Lyle’s soul. He felt a twinge of guilt; Ailian had been so kind to him, yet he had deceived her just for amusement. The guilt overshadowed Lyle’s mischievousness, driving him back to his seat, to Alianna’s side, to Nia’s octopus playground.

"How did it go? Did the nun’s soothing help?"

"...Yes, I’m feeling much better now. Alianna, what’s the next match?" Lyle looked at the center of the arena, where both the victor and loser had left the stage, but the next competitors delayed their entrance. Moreover, the Demon Race guards had brought back Hell’s Nail, and the Demon Warlocks were shaping another, more magnificent stage with their spells.

It certainly didn’t look like a stage prepared for ordinary people.

"The next match, um... it’s an exhibition match. It’s meant to display high-level power to the low-tier apprentices, to broaden the horizons of the newcomers."

So that’s how it is, a showdown of high-end powers... how exciting.

"So, who are the two big shots?"

"It’s Mr. Raymond..."

"And..."

Nia was still frolicking nearby, completely unaware of Alianna and Lyle’s conversation.

She climbed the flagpole, reattaching the skulls in her hand to their bodies.

"One... two... seven... eight."

"Exactly eight people!"