Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Ludwig had intended to clarify the events that transpired in the Century Swamp with Principal Augustus before arriving. But now, having prepared himself to confront any situation and discuss the aftermath, he found in this room a figure he never expected yet was all too familiar.

...Why on earth is he here?!

And before Ludwig could speak, the man lifted his gaze to meet his, with an expression that seemed anything but surprised.

In the silence, the father and son, who bore an uncanny resemblance to each other, remained mute. The once-calm atmosphere became tense. It wasn't until Augustus broke the awkward stalemate with a smile that the tension eased.

"Ha ha ha." Augustus, observing the conspicuously awkward atmosphere between Ludwig and Leo, couldn't help but look in their direction with a grin. "What a coincidence, father and son arriving at just the same moment."

Ludwig and Leo wore no smiles, their gazes toward each other devoid of warmth. Ludwig, in particular, wore an expression far from pleasant, as if he hadn't seen his father but an adversary.

Ludwig envisaged that during his visit, he would not only have the opportunity to clarify the events that transpired in the Marshlands with Headmaster Augustus but also inquire further about the hidden secrets behind the attack on the academy.

After all, he wanted to protect Li Qingzhi, but much of what was happening was shrouded in uncertainty. Although both he and Qingzhi sensed the connections between these incidents, it was all still conjecture on their part. Though grounded in the events that had transpired, they couldn't conclusively determine the truth just yet.

Only now, by seeking answers from Headmaster Augustine, the one most likely to possess greater insight, would Ludwig be able to uncover more of what he wished to know and safeguard with greater efficacy the things he held dear.

At least, that was what Ludwig thought at the moment.

Little did he expect that after parting with Li Qingzhi, his quest to clarify everything with Principal Augusta would lead him to encounter his own father here.

This aloof man had unexpectedly left home during Beril's critical illness, only to end up here for some purpose.

Eventually, the tension eased under Augusta's words: "You may all take a seat."

"After all, you've come here for the same reason."

Upon hearing this, Ludwig, who had been tense in both mood and expression since meeting his father, was taken aback. "..." He hadn't expected that the person had come with the same purpose as himself.

All of them sought to uncover the source of the shadows recently cast over the Elemental Continent.

Ultimately, after two seconds of silence, the blond teenager, having grappled with his inner turmoil, resolved to understand the situation and ensure Li Qingzhi's safety. Heaving a sigh, he finally took a seat.

...

In Li Qingzhi's corner, the mood among the youths, after catching up with Matthew and Bruce, transformed from the initially somber atmosphere that followed the crisis into one of liveliness and vitality. The afternoon sun streamed through the infirmary windows, bathing the teenagers in its glow. Amidst their laughter and chatter, it felt as if they were reliving those carefree afternoons of their youth, spent enjoying their adolescence in the tranquil campus, rather than in the shattered remains of their academy, rebuilt after chaos.

Hope seemed to be rekindled as the recovered and willing students assisted the teachers of Elmont in rebuilding their academy, restoring it to its former glory. The warm sunlight cascaded over every corner, gradually dispelling the shadows cast by the sudden crisis, instilling a sense of comfort and optimism in all who witnessed it.

The student council members and other students were still engrossed in their tasks outside. Despite not being fully recovered, Bruce and Matthew eagerly suggested to Li Qingzhi that they should lend a hand as well, which Li Qingzhi was more than happy to do.

From the moment he saw the industrious teachers and students, he had wanted to contribute his share. However, Bruce and Matthew, having not seen him in a long time, kept engaging him in nostalgia, making it awkward for him to leave them behind. Fortunately, this time they were on the same page.

Still, Li Qingzhi couldn't help but express concern, "You're not completely recovered yet, right? Why don't you rest a bit more? I can go by myself!"

In response, Matthew and Bruce promptly stood up, as if to demonstrate their vitality, walking around the room like eager performers, "What are you talking about! We're perfectly fine now!"

"Bruce nodded quickly, adopting a serious expression. As he looked at Li Qingzhi, he declared earnestly, "Everyone else is working hard outside. How can we laze around here?"

"The reconstruction of Elmont must have our contribution~"

Matthew, usually carefree, also frowned solemnly, his facial freckles more noticeable, "That's right. Although Bruce and I may not hold high ranks, we still care deeply for Elmont."

"Cough...!" Apparently caught off guard by Matthew's sudden mention of their status, Bruce coughed several times before hurriedly changing the subject, "Let's hurry out and help."

Hearing their determination, Li Qingzhi's heart swelled with a different emotion. He couldn't help but smile and nod, "Alright, let's go."

Exiting the infirmary, they soon encountered the busy student council members who had been working tirelessly.

The sharp-eyed girl with short hair noticed him almost immediately and soon exclaimed with delight, "Li Qingzhi!"

The long-haired girl, who was already somewhat familiar with him from behind Mei Li, also smiled and nodded at him in no time.

Upon seeing the familiar faces, Li Qingzhi couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. Having been away from school for so long, he found himself missing these friends he had made in Elmont.

"Hello there."

The black-haired youth was also somewhat excited, and before long, he caught sight of his favorite Potions teacher, Wendy, as well as many familiar faces from the College of Herbology.

The instant Li Qingzhi saw his fellow students, his heart leaped with renewed vitality.

There, a female teacher with a blue ponytail was using magic alongside the student council members to rebuild the school. Upon spotting Li Qingzhi, she quickly greeted him with a smile, "Li Qingzhi, why are you back too?"

Feeling a bit sheepish, Li Qingzhi looked at the teacher who had taken great care of him and the classmates who had already started calling out his name. Amidst his joy, he promptly replied, "Teacher Wendy, I've come back to visit my classmates and teachers. You've been working hard."

It dawned on Li Qingzhi then that so many people had stayed behind to restore their beloved Armont, rather than returning home to wait passively.

Only now did he truly realize that Armont had left an indelible mark in his heart. The people here were more united and resilient than he had imagined; they hadn't been shattered by the crisis as he had thought. Instead, they had risen up, fueled by hope, to reconstruct their former ivory tower.

Amidst the warm banter with familiar faces, Li Qingzhi, who had been helping to restore the school alongside everyone, felt a sense of direction emerge from his previously lost heart.

The gloominess that had settled in his soul due to various crises was now penetrated by the warm rays of hope.

As he rallied, this collective spirit imbued him with even greater resolve. He understood more profoundly the unity among the students and faculty of Elmont, and felt himself gradually accepted and understood during his time here.

Initially, he had been an odd transfer student, his actions causing uncontrollable astonishment among teachers and peers.

But now, as Li Qingzhi, working alongside the Elmont community to mend the school with their magical powers, truly sensed his belonging and acceptance. It seemed everyone tacitly acknowledged him as part of Elmont, not finding his actions strange or perplexing, but rather embracing them with tolerance and understanding.

Somehow, Li Qingzhi at this moment recalled the serene blue sky and white cranes of the Three Silent Mountains, a sense of tranquility spreading from within him. It was as if he was back in those cool afternoons on the peaceful slopes of the mountain, watching the cranes descend gently, their white feathers brushing against his cheeks. Everything was serene and leisurely, distant from worries and disputes.

For over a decade, the Three Silent Mountains had provided him with a unique sense of stability and belonging. Now, surprisingly, he found echoes of that feeling in Elmont.

After an indeterminate time, when Ludwig appeared, Li Qingzhi was partnering with the botanical students to transport a heavy stone monument to the rear. His mastery of vine magic was evident, and the others' skills were commendable too. Countless magic-infused vines carried the stone steadily and swiftly towards its destination.

Mei Li, standing not far from Li Qingzhi, laughed and said, "Perfect, perfect! This saves me effort. Thank you so much~"

Upon hearing this, Li Qingzhi was just about to smile and shake his head, saying it was nothing. However, the corner of his eye soon caught sight of a familiar figure.

The black-haired youth, realizing something, instinctively snapped his eyes up, and sure enough, in the next second, they met the pair of sapphire blue, profound eyes he found most impossible to refuse.

"Ludwig!"

Amidst the crowd, Li Qingzhi's voice, filled with pleasant surprise, reached Ludwig's ears.

Observing the black-haired youth's eyes light up in an instant, Ludwig, who felt seen through to his very soul by that gaze, couldn't help but faintly smile in response.

Initially, the other teachers, students, and members of the student council on one side had also noticed Ludwig's arrival due to Li Qingzhi's voice. However, before Mei Li, who was overjoyed, could approach her long-lost mentor, she was nearly blinded by the rare smile on Ludwig's usually stoic face.

Mei Li's eyes narrowed slightly as she turned to Catherine, her voice tinged with surprise. "Is that really Chief Ludwig? He seems so joyfully amused?"

Bruce, among the botany students, spoke with some alarm, "Why has the Dean come over?" His impression of Ludwig was still that of a stern chief who ruthlessly disciplined misbehaving students.

The long-haired maiden behind Mei Li, however, continued to wear her cheerful smile, nodding in agreement without uttering a word.

Unperturbed by the gazes cast his way, Ludwig proceeded directly towards Li Qingzhi. It wasn't until their eyes met and the distance between them closed that he halted, his heart pounding in silent reply to the fervent look from the dark-haired youth.

"Well,"

"I've returned."

After two hearts have drawn infinitely close, they both understand with even greater clarity what each other's heartbeat signifies.

At the office of Headmaster Augustus, on the other side.

After Ludwig's departure, Augustus, who had engaged in a lengthy conversation with both Ludwig and Leo, turned his gaze towards Duke Leo not far away. Upon hearing something from the latter, a visibly surprised expression appeared on his face. After a moment of contemplation, the white-haired elder decided to disclose certain matters to this Duke who had consistently guarded the borders.

The sky gradually grew dim.

After a bustling afternoon, both teachers and students began to take a break. The student council members also had an extended catch-up session with Ludwig, though they still seemed a bit intimidated by him, they clearly held great respect and nostalgia for their former leader. As Ludwig joined in on the restoration work, the council members continued their tasks with cautious care, yet many couldn't resist approaching their former Chief to greet him and inquire about his well-being.

Even after the busy day, the Student Council members, led by Mei Li, were reluctant to call it a night.

Mei Li had also been engaging Li Qingzhi in conversation, as if she was on the verge of bursting from lack of chatter lately. Finding someone as amusing as Li Qingzhi to talk to was a rare treat. Although Catherine was patient, she rarely indulged Mei Li in her silliness.

Yet, as evening fell, Mei Li, who had intended to engage Li Qingzhi in conversation for much longer, found herself cut short. The black-haired youth before her was suddenly pulled away by an unseen pair of hands: "Huh?!"

Mei Li lifted her gaze to find the blond Chief leading her away with an unwavering seriousness, leaving no room for negotiation.

Mei Li, who had initially seized the chance to engage Li Qingzhi in conversation, couldn't help but momentarily forget their hierarchical difference as she exclaimed, "Chief!"

The Botany Department's crowd couldn't help but cry out, "Li Qingzhi! How could you just leave like that?"

But the black-haired youth had already been pulled away, his apologetic smile disappearing swiftly beneath Ludwig's overly rapid flight.

Upon returning to Leo's castle.

Ludwig gazed at Li Qingzhi, who seemed to be still lost in a blissful stupor, and as a gentle emotion stirred within him, he couldn't help but wear a faint smile once more. "You had a pleasant day today?"

The black-haired youth nodded candidly and swiftly, then smiled, saying, "It's such a relief to see that everyone is unharmed."

"And everyone is earnestly devoted to restoring the academy."

It instilled a sense of hope, as if at any moment it could revert to the previous ambiance of tranquil harmony and joyous camaraderie. Simply spending the afternoon with the faculty and students of the Botanical Institute was enough to significantly alleviate the burden and gloom that had weighed on Li Qingzhi's heart.

Seeing Li Qingzhi's joy, Ludwig naturally felt delighted as well.

But it wasn't long before Ludwig, recalling what he had heard in Augustus that day, couldn't help but assume a serious expression, eager to share the most crucial information with Li Qingzhi first – something that absolutely could not be overlooked.

Even someone as composed as him had momentarily lost his composure upon hearing the news, but precisely because of its significance, he resolved to tell Li Qingzhi about it:

"Qingzhi, I have something to discuss with you."

Observing Ludwig's newfound seriousness, Li Qingzhi barely needed a moment to realize that Ludwig indeed had an important matter at hand.

This significant matter was likely intertwined with whatever Ludwig had learned during his visit to Principal Augustus earlier that day.

Understanding this, Li Qingzhi nodded promptly, "Sure."

Fixing Ludwig with a serious gaze, he said, "Go on."

Looking at the focused Li Qingzhi, Ludwig, who had already gleaned much from Principal Augustus, felt a fleeting wave of complexity before his demeanor simplified: "Mm."

In that instant, both teenagers made the decision to face whatever lay ahead with unwavering resolve. Their strengthened spirits made them determined to be each other's shelter and a sturdy support.

Neither felt a need for the other's protection, yet they were both eager to take on the role of protector. The profound value they placed on their friendship transcended words, yet the sense of responsibility they felt in times of crisis had solidified their resolve to confront any adversity and safeguard the well-being of those dearest to them with their very lives.

Just as the two had affirmed their feelings and resolved to face everything together, Ludwig, in the midst of recounting to Li Qingzhi what he had learned from Principal Augustus that day, suddenly sensed something amiss.

Over Leo's castle, an eerie dark cloud began to hover slowly above, seeping down to reveal a shadowy, dim figure.

That shadowy specter silently penetrated the earth and, unnoticed, made its way stealthily towards the sickbed of the young girl within the castle...