Chapter Six: Masterpieces of the World, One Filial, One Joyf

f a candidate dies, they will be automatically ejected from the Shadow World.Candidates may also choose to voluntarily withdraw from the Shadow World and be deemed as failures.>Note: According to cand...Chapter 6: World-Famous Paintings, One Filial, One Joyful

For a moment, silence fell upon the study.

The atmosphere between him and his father probably gave Lance a hint that this conversation could be significant for them.

Looking at his father's expression was a conversation about the future, responsibility, and family honor.

So, he didn't say anything before his father spoke.

With a slow blink, Lanche noticed the butler smiling at him.

He still had that old fox's smile.

Lanche felt a slight discomfort, and immediately, he looked away.

Then, one could rest their gaze upon the shelves standing tall and imposing, lined with a dazzling array of books. And beside them, on the wall, hung paintings.

It is said to be an ancient masterpiece that has been treasured by the family for generations. Bathed in the glow of an elegant magic lamp, it fills the entire study with an atmosphere of art.

But obviously.

It is not as good as Lanche's paintings.

After a long time.

Noe finally seemed to have thought of what to say, and opened his mouth.

Let me know if you'd like to translate anything else!

"Ranch, you've been an adult for a month now... This past month, the family has smoothed over so many things for you. I think you can't keep going like this without any regard."

Then came another brief silence.

Or it is a waiting time.

Noah wasn't sure if, after he said this, Lance would get angry and lash out because his performance had been exposed.

Because of Lance's changes over the past two days, it seemed to him more like a temporary performance strategy.

It is also possible that Lan Qi realized that his extravagant spending and unrestrained behavior would soon be curbed at home.

So he should be enduring his bad habits, trying to get through this ordeal by temporarily acting well.

However.

To Noah's surprise.

Lanchi's eyes always remained clear and calm.

After thinking about the question for a moment, he nodded seriously.

Replied:

"I'm so sorry. I promise I won't do anything to tarnish the family name again."

This took Noah aback for a moment, and he couldn't help but squint his eyes.

He looked at Lan Qi again.

At first glance, he seems like a good kid.

Even for a time, it made Noah feel pride in having such an intelligent and bright-eyed son.

This kid either truly repented, or he's still putting on a tough act.

Although Noah would rather it be the former, he also knows that the greater probability is the latter.

It's impossible that this silly son suddenly underwent a complete mental transformation because of some trigger, isn't it

But it doesn't matter.

Regardless of whether Lance is acting, Noah has a way of figuring out how to deal with Lance fundamentally.

"Ahem."

Noah cleared his throat, sat up straight, and gazed at Lance.

"How is your preparation for the entrance exam of the Chainjin Academy going"

His tone seemed to have softened, but his words were even more severe.

"You have to know that although I'm often overseas due to international trade, it doesn't mean I don't care about you at all. My tolerance for you is also based on the premise that you are living your life seriously."

"Hmph..."

As soon as his words fell.

A slight smile crept onto the butler's face as he stood behind Noah.

Of the mix, three parts come from schadenfreude at the young master's predicament and seven parts stem from a desire to see how he will handle it.

"...."

Ranche remained silent for a moment, and upon hearing this, he was also taken aback.

In her memory, she had never really learned it before!

The chainmail academy Noe refers to is a branch of the oldest Icerite Academy, located in the capital city of the Hetton Kingdom.

This academy annually recruits talented individuals from the Kingdom of Horton and surrounding nations. It is renowned throughout the southern continent.

The Lianjin Academy is one of the four sub-branches under it.

The admission exam for the Chain Link Institute, renowned for its craftsmanship and theoretical research in chainmaking, is so difficult that some people give up even before they start preparing.

And his real background was always falsely claiming to be trying hard to get into the Chainlink Institute, thus deceiving his parents' trust and spending a lot of pocket money playing games all day.

Damn this damn predecessor.

I got all the benefits, now it's my turn to take the blame!

Lance cursed under his breath.

However, in its original development, the predecessor would never have encountered such troubles as it faces now.

Because Talya will help this idiotic rich kid end his life's troubles.

Thinking about this, Lynch suddenly frowned.

"Father, are there any other companies in the world with the same name as 'Wilfort Trading Company'"

Lanche asked.

"Hmm"

Noé seemed puzzled by Lance's sudden change of subject, but seeing Lance's earnest gaze, he still answered with a certain pride:

I cannot say for certain if there are small businesses with similar names, but large trading companies that conduct business across the Heton Kingdom and the Creiss Imperial Empire, we are the only one.

Noe finished speaking, but Lance showed no change in expression, only nodding silently.

Since he changed his fate of being killed by Talya and survived, he would naturally face some situations that a foolish rich kid wouldn't encounter.

Lanche had always felt that his surname, "Wilfort," sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.

After hearing Noel's words, Lance finally remembered that in the main story of the game two years later, there was a side quest called "The Wilford Case"！

The task prompt is that a multinational trading company suddenly collapsed overnight for unknown reasons, and all the personnel related to the high-level executives of the company were killed one after another. Players can choose whether to investigate, and the mission level is very high.

His last name was Wilford, and his family's business was also called the Wilford Trading Company, the only large multinational corporation there was...

That must be your own, then.

It seems like I still can't just lie flat. At least I need to struggle for a year and a half, investigate and solve the potential hidden dangers of my family in advance!

The family's money is all I have to rely on for my early retirement at age 20, so I must protect it well.

Reflecting on the information I have about the Hekate Academy from my memory,

I guarantee that I will pass the entrance exam smoothly.

Lan Chi replied with a certain calmness.

He doesn't actually mind going to this academy located in the capital.

Even in the memories of its former self, it was always a school like a dream—

Not only does it possess the most advanced magical engineering technology and numerous high-level facilities of the Heston Kingdom, but it will also receive unparalleled protection.

He is currently still a powerless level one unemployed, with no power to protect himself and no status "worthy of the attention and protection of important figures."

Rushing headlong to the most likely source of the problem—the Kryll Empire—to investigate is undoubtedly courting disaster.

It's probably best to develop your potential in the Kingdom of Horton first.

If you want to become famous as quickly as possible.

...or even gaining the favor of some powerful figures or top experts in this world and accumulating connections.

Then, becoming a master card maker is definitely the most suitable shortcut for one's own talents.

Compared to researching runecraft alone in this remote city-state, the resources provided by the Mechanist Academy at the Ikrite Institute are a hundred times more efficient.

The capital city, a stage even more suitable for one to truly shine.

Even if things don't go well, as long as I can make a fortune in the capital of Ekre, I'll find a way to ruin my father's Wilfort Trading Company myself and prevent my family from falling apart!

"Huh"

Noe raised an eyebrow, unaware of Lancy's current filial thoughts, only questioning the confidence in Lancy's words about enrolling.

He thought his clumsy son, who acted like a hoodlum, would be exposed here.

Unexpectedly, not only did Lance frown but he also insisted that everything was fine.

Today, Lance's reaction was truly beyond Noah's expectations at every step.

Although Noel didn't have much energy to pay attention to Lance's daily life, whenever he asked the butler and maids about Lance's condition, the two always tried their best to cover for him.

But Noah wasn't stupid, he could still generally tell what kind of state Lancy was usually in.

"Since you put it that way, if you pass the entrance exam smoothly, then I misunderstood you. I will apologize to you..."

Noah spoke in a low voice, his gaze like a burning torch, probing deeply into Lance's emerald green eyes.

But if you can't pass the academy's tests, doesn't that prove you've been deceiving us and betraying our trust in you

Of course, that's reasonable.

Ranch's response was still calm and collected.

"Then I won't bother you any further today. Continue to work hard at your studies. I'll buy your train ticket to the capital in advance, so you don't have to worry about that."

Thus far, seeing Lance agree so readily, Noah was satisfied.

Since Ranch is still trying to tough it out.

Nanore also didn't mind taking this opportunity to logically and convincingly have Lance accept his punishment after some setbacks.

Noe actually didn't think Lance could pass the Chainlink Academy's exams.

Or it's simply impossible.

Given the complexity of the Lianjin Academy exams, the number of subjects, and the extremely high passing standards, it's crucial to prepare seriously for at least two to three years.

And this year's entrance exam for the Icterus Academy is still three months away.

Even the most talent-deficient of Chainlink academies, Lance couldn't handle.

When he goes to the capital and meets other talented peers from the three academies, he will probably realize how foolish and pathetic his laziness, arrogance, and shortsightedness are.

I understand.

Lynch said with certainty.

Although Father always questioned himself deep down, he always spoke with tact and even sent me to the capital. Ranch felt respected.

Then he would surely respond to his father's expectations.

"As long as you are certain that you can send me to the capital to make a splash, I guarantee you will receive good news of my successful admission to the Royal Academy of Ectereth."

"Hmm."

Noe laughed out loud when he heard it.

He picked up the teacup, sipped his tea, and suppressed the smirk that threatened to spread across his face.

...and then he showed off his skills again.

"You're just going to school You can't even manage to pull off something big"

Noah didn't expect the conversation to go so smoothly. He had already braced himself for a rather unpleasant exchange between father and son.

Ranch's punishment is inevitable, as he must be taught that arrogance and overconfidence come at a price for his transgressions.

Today, surprisingly, a good peace treaty was reached due to Ranch's sincere attitude.

It seems to me that the only difference is that before punishing Lanche, he was sent to the capital to meet the world.

Anyway, for the entrance exam to Ikekiri College, Ranchi just went there to humiliate himself.

As for leaving Ranchi in the capital, Noe wasn't worried at all that Ranchi would turn into a wild horse.

In this little outpost on the frontier, unheard-of ranches can run wild.

But in the capital of Icerte, a city teeming with influential figures, the very stage of South Continent's grandeur, this son would surely not make a ripple.

After all.

Noe knows Rance well, Rance is just that kind of paper tiger, a stupid spoiled rich kid.

...but is not something that evolves into an uncontrollable demon king just because it finds a suitable environment.

This is still very reassuring.

(The End)

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Let me know if you'd like me to translate anything else!st corridor toward the door.However, Hubrian discovered that Ranch was still, amidst the chaos, snatching things from the corpse of the demon student he had previously overpowered with his overwhelmi...