The glass curtain walls shimmered with light, making the murals in the atrium particularly bright and soft, as if the entire exam venue was enveloped in a rippling, tranquil space.

Returning from the Elayven Great Plain in the Shadow World to the center of this fragrant indoor building felt like crossing worlds, leaving Lanqi feeling relaxed in both body and mind.

Just as he contentedly shifted his gaze from the stretcher outside the exam venue back to Huberrian, the only classmate he knew,

"Hu..."

Lanqi, who had just started to greet Huberrian, suddenly froze.

Because Lanqi only now realized that the atmosphere in the atrium didn't seem so harmonious.

Originally,

In Lanqi's imagination, everyone should be calmly discussing the exam conditions, passing this brief morning leisure time, and finally sincerely wishing good luck to the next group of examinees who might become their future classmates.

But now, it was clearly not like that.

At the center of the exam venue, there seemed to be some explosive tension between Huberrian and a similarly distinguished light blonde-haired girl from the second group of examinees.

If Lanqi's appearance hadn't attracted everyone's attention, it wouldn't have been impossible for Huberrian and that noble young lady to come to blows the next second, disregarding exam discipline.

They seemed to know each other, and this presumably noble light blonde-haired girl was obviously hostile towards Huberrian.

Although the other two examinees from the second group weren't directly confronting Huberrian,

They looked at her with undisguised wary expressions, as if looking at a plague god.

After today's super-doubled exam, Lanqi could roughly see that his teammate Huberrian must be a big celebrity in the capital Icerite.

She was a walking hate magnet in human form.

Even though she seemed quite nice, why was she universally disliked?

Lanqi scratched his head in confusion, not understanding why the noble circles in the capital were so full of resentment.

"Listen, everyone, friendship comes first..."

Lanqi had just started trying to mediate.

Harmony is precious in all things, he hoped his classmates could get along well and be happy together.

Even Examiner Felat, who was so angry at first, could reconcile with Lanqi.

So, in a world of love, nothing is impossible.

"......"

After Lanqi's figure appeared, Huberrian no longer wanted to engage in meaningless confrontation.

She shook her head and looked coldly at the light blonde-haired noble young lady.

"Lady Vivian, if you want to be taught a lesson in the arena after enrollment, I'm ready anytime."

After dropping these words, Huberrian no longer paid attention to the noble girl opposite her and walked away alone.

Huberrian walked towards the waiting area, which was also where Lanqi was standing, preparing to wait for Teacher Teresa to return and explain post-exam matters to their group of examinees.

It wasn't until Huberrian came close to Lanqi that he lowered his voice and said to her in surprise:

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"My goodness, you're truly fierce, daring to treat a princess so casually."

The light blonde-haired girl called Vivian, who could be addressed as "Your Highness", must be the princess of this Hutton Kingdom!

It seems that Lady Vivian herself is also quite talented, able to take the exam after their group.

Then it appears that Huberrian's own family background is also quite powerful, daring to confront royalty so recklessly, which definitely couldn't be from a minor noble family judging by her courage alone.

As expected of the capital, you can encounter important figures just by going out.

It's really exciting.

"......"

Huberrian didn't know how to respond to Lanqi's comment.

You've been so casual with me, a duke's daughter, all along, yet you actually know to show respect to high nobles?

However, Huberrian didn't dislike Lanqi's attitude.

Those who showed her respect when she was in power were the ones who liked to speak ill of her when she fell from grace.

Instead, Lanqi's sincerity in treating people of all statuses equally made Huberrian feel it was rare.

During their brief exchange,

Teacher Teresa still hadn't returned.

Vivian, addressed as "Your Highness", stood not far away, staring at Huberrian and Lanqi with an indescribable anger in her eyes.

"Lanqi Wilford, is it?"

After a long while, Princess Vivian finally spoke, with quite a condescending and contemptuous air,

"Although I don't know how you defeated Felat Shavinsen, it must have been because of you."

Obviously, Huberrian alone could never have passed Felat's test.

Vivian knew Huberrian, whom she had known since childhood, too well.

She had thought Huberrian would leave the artificial Shadow World full of resentment today, but unexpectedly, it was Examiner Felat who was carried away.

Then it must be this rumored "elegant young nobleman with black hair and green eyes" who speedran [Winter's Hidden Flame] that did something shocking again.

"It wasn't one person's victory, it was the result of teamwork,"

Lanqi just humbly answered, bowing slightly to the princess.

Huberrian stood by without denying it.

Although she knew Lanqi's statement was very modest, she had no reason to disclose anything more.

"...I see."

Seeing Lanqi's attitude, Vivian couldn't be too aggressive either.

Lanqi's ability to pass the second round of the exam might be luck and performance, but being able to clear this difficult third round again proved it was definitely skill.

Such a person, if still calm and reserved, would be a formidable Shadow World challenger in the future, and there was no need to bully or offend talented individuals from one's own country.

"I advise you to stay away from this Lady Huberrian Alansar in the future, don't be fooled by her beauty,"

Vivian just glanced at Huberrian and said in retaliation.

Although she was speaking to Huberrian, it was obviously meant for Lanqi to hear.

Lanqi tilted his head in confusion, feeling that Vivian seemed to have misunderstood something.

Earlier, Examiner Felat seemed to have the same misunderstanding.

Could it be that in their eyes, helping Huberrian was an inconceivable thing?

He just wanted to pass the exam.

But it doesn't matter.

Lanqi always felt that Vivian's attitude towards Huberrian wasn't pure malice like Felat's, but something indescribably complex.

"Your Highness Vivian, so in your eyes, Lady Huberrian is a very beautiful person,"

Lanqi bowed to Vivian again, then said with a smile.

This time Huberrian looked at Lanqi somewhat uncomfortably, while Vivian's expression became disordered.

"No!"

Vivian denied somewhat excitedly.

"It's impossible for us to reconcile, don't waste your effort trying to mediate,"

Huberrian also wanted to end this topic quickly and said decisively from the side.

Hearing this, Lanqi looked at Huberrian and said "Oh", as if understanding something.

"Your Highness Vivian, it seems that Lady Huberrian has also considered reconciling with you until now,"

Lanqi smiled gently at Vivian again, as if translating and relaying Huberrian's words for her.

"No!!"

Huberrian firmly denied, rarely showing such emotional fluctuation.

Hearing this, Vivian, whose breath had been a bit chaotic before, seemed to wilt, pursing her lips and averting her gaze.

Then,

Lanqi maintained his smile, seemingly waiting for the two to continue speaking, ready to convey their thoughts for them.

But Huberrian and Vivian both fell silent.