The Lord Demon King is Unfathomable!

Chapter 1411 409: Ophelia's Troubles (Part 2)

Thunderous applause echoed across the snowy plains, with admiring gazes focused on the four individuals standing at the front of the crowd, as if looking up in reverence to heroes.

Even the stern Porphyry Sage softened his serious expression this time, offering a symbolic applause to these young individuals.

If Prince Colin hadn't exaggerated their contributions, truly their performance in the Maze deserved gratitude, for at least they prevented the situation from worsening.

If Arist had truly broken through to the Purple Crystal Level as a Chaos Chosen, perhaps only the Great Sage, away on business at Brass Pass, could handle this guy...

Ophelia and Ilana exchanged glances, seeing in each other's eyes not the joy of achievement or honor but the heaviness and relief of surviving the ordeal.

Bain and Hard felt the same.

Though their faces glowed with pride in their bravery, if they had the choice again, they would prefer it had just been an ordinary trial.

Under the professors' protection, they experienced the life of an Adventurer once, then returned with rich spoils and awards to the Mage Tower, continuing their academic daily life.

Fame and fortune are things written in books or newspapers; only the present life truly belongs to them.

The applause paused for a moment.

As honors were awarded to the four young individuals stepping forward, Hector cleared his throat and continued speaking.

"At the same time, the council has decided to specially commend the apprentices who stepped up to protect their companions in times of crisis."

"They will receive a Ribbon of Courage issued by the Source Magic School, as well as a gold magic wand symbolizing honor and knowledge."

Hector cleared his throat and began to read the names of these brave individuals, while those named stepped forward one by one to receive their awards.

Among them were apprentices and assistants; the strongest was only Silver Level, while the weakest had just mastered the most basic magic.

But none of this was the most important.

What mattered was that these shining souls did not betray the power entrusted to them. At least during the minute of decision, they chose to be heroes.

"Kurs."

Hearing his name, Kurs felt his face flush; his steps rushed as he went up to receive the award, feeling as though many in the crowd gazed at him with amusement.

Ever since coming out of the Maze yesterday, the title Naked Hero spread throughout the Preparatory Students' circles, making him thoroughly famous.

Not for daring to praise or criticize Colin, but for his genuine courage from deep within.

Hector's gaze seemed to linger on him for an extra second, as did Ilana's, although perhaps it was all just his imagination.

He suddenly realized it didn't matter at all.

Upon returning to the crowd, not just his feeling but even Finn, a junior who had always been close to him, sensed he had changed from yesterday…

After all the honors had been awarded, the elder professor used a kindly and calm voice to put a final period on this blood-stained celebration.

"The All Souls Festival has ended. My young children, return to your Mage Towers, to your libraries and laboratories… continue your studies and your pursuit of truth; do not stray into a life of happiness due to Void temptations."

"The scars left by this disaster require us to heal them with more diligent study and firmer resolve. I believe the new day will still be beautiful."

He gently tapped his long staff on the ground twice, as fireworks prepared for cheerfulness burst in the sky.

The sound of drums and music played, bidding farewell to the Magic Apprentices who gradually left, and also bidding farewell to the winter entrenched in the Northern Wilderness.

After the All Souls Festival comes spring.

However, everyone familiar with this wilderness knows that the snow covering the mountains and fields might not start melting until the summer solstice…

...

Seven days later in the morning, Colin Tower, in the Magic Science Laboratory.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows between the bookshelves and experiment table. The air was filled with the scent of old book ink and a light aroma of tea, tranquil and harmonious.

Luo Yan lounged by the window in a recliner, leisurely leafing through a book about ancient runes, as though the catastrophic disaster from a week ago was just an old anecdote unrelated to him.

The Life Sage hadn't pulled the wool over his eyes; the Academic State did not restrict his activities due to the investigation of Chaos pollution—only asking a few questions about Arist.

Including whether there was any personal grudge between them, and how they met in the Maze, etc…

None of this needed alteration; he mostly spoke truthfully, except for making some adjustments regarding the 'Butterfly of All Things'.

Now the investigation concluded, the truth surfaced.

He no longer needed to avoid suspicion by staying alone and could finally return to his identity as Master Colin, enjoying what little leisurely daily life remained.

Just then, hesitant footsteps approached from nearby.

Luo Yan raised his head to see Ilana standing at his desk.

Normally composed and calm, her face was now full of rare dejection. She hugged a thick stack of drafts in her arms, looking dispirited like a frostbitten eggplant.

"Master..." Ilana's voice was somewhat low, "My... my paper submitted to the Sage Report was rejected."