Chapter 246 Fat-headed Snake

Inside the Academy's Grand Library.

Chen Nuo found the Dark Moon Ring, the symbol of the contract, and placed it on his own hand.

To be honest, this ring looked a bit feminine.

It was originally meant to be worn on Ranni's finger.

However, this also fit the idea of an exchange, so it was acceptable.

“You seem a bit unhappy these past few days?”

Chen Nuo turned back to look at Melina.

“I am not.”

Little Wood hid her expression under her hood and her feelings in her heart.

“You can't fool me.”

Chen Nuo stepped forward and cupped Melina's face, preventing her from avoiding his gaze.

“...A little bit.”

Melina could no longer lie.

“True, after all, you were here first.”

As Chen Nuo spoke, he took Melina's hand. She instinctively tried to pull back, but after a fruitless attempt, she finally chose to give up.

“What are you doing?”

Melina's voice trembled slightly; she had already guessed.

“Then, are you willing to marry me? Little Wood?”

As Chen Nuo spoke, he placed the Sun Ring on Melina's middle finger.

“...I haven't agreed yet.”

Melina's voice sounded helpless, but her eyes—the windows to her soul—revealed her true emotions at this moment.

“It's fine, take your time to consider, but there can only be one answer.”

Chen Nuo became a bit overbearing.

The laws of this world did not dictate that a king could only marry one wife.

Well, Godfrey was the one who had been married into the family.

Melina instinctively rubbed the smooth surface of the ring, feeling the warmth radiating from it, and fell into silence.

She still had an unfinished mission; now was not the time to consider such things.

But while her mind thought so, her body couldn't bear to take the ring off.

“Am I coming at a bad time?”

Sellen's voice came from ahead.

Melina was like a startled rabbit, vanishing in an instant.

“Isn't this my Dean of Students? How is it, how does it feel to be back at the Academy?”

Chen Nuo looked at Sellen and asked with a smile.

After he became the Academy Chancellor, he granted Sellen amnesty, arranged for people to rescue her from her seal, and rehired her to the Academy as the Dean of Students, responsible for teaching Glintstone Sorcery.

Chen Nuo did not eliminate the glintstone and Full Moon schools of magic from the Academy, but now the mainstream and orthodox school of the Academy was the Radiant Sun Magic he had created.

As for the magic teacher currently responsible for Full Moon Magic, it was an elderly Albinauric from Caria Manor.

Although they had congenital physical disabilities, the first-generation Albinaurics seemed to have excellent magical talent.

“The changes in the Academy are vast, even making me feel like a stranger, but overall, these changes are quite good.”

Sellen nodded, still wearing her glintstone Crown; the feeling of her consciousness returning to a physical body was indeed good.

She hadn't come this time just to chat with Chen Nuo.

“All the research regarding the Carian Royal Family and the stars is here.”

Sellen waved her hand, sending a stack of data reports to Chen Nuo.

In the past, to deal with the Carian Royal Family, the Academy had done quite a bit of shady research behind the scenes.

As the most orthodox glintstone Sorcerer, Sellen was naturally involved, and some of the documents were personally compiled by her.

It could be said that the Academy's understanding of the Carian Royal Family likely exceeded that of the Royal Family itself.

“Thanks, my dear Magic Consultant.”

Chen Nuo winked at Sellen.

“Don't waste your expressions on me. If you truly want to thank me, give me more of your biological materials for experiments.”

Sellen said in a calm tone.

She had long since moved past low-level interests.

However, if Chen Nuo really wanted to exchange some bodily fluids with her, Sellen would be quite willing; surely that would have great research value.

Her fanaticism and pursuit of Glintstone Sorcery seemed to have taken a slight turn, as if she had found a new direction.

Indeed, the sun was originally a member of 'the stars'.

It was normal for Sellen to find some commonalities.

Compared to glintstone, the Radiant Sun Magic created by Chen Nuo seemed closer to the essence of magic, much like the man himself.

“It's always been me studying others; this is the first time I've been studied.”

Chen Nuo's expression turned a bit strange, but he still raised his hand to snip a lock of hair and gave it to Sellen.

After getting the material she wanted, Sellen left without looking back.

Chen Nuo didn't mind and picked up the documents to browse.

The magical roots of the Carian Royal Family could be traced back to the ancient 'Astrologer' tribes, and even deeper into the underground world; they cast magic by interpreting and drawing upon the power of the stars.

From historical records and speculation, the predecessors of the Carian Royal Family should be the descendants of these Astrologers.

From this perspective, the Carian Royal Family had been deeply bound to the stars from early on.

Whether it was power or destiny, they were closely linked.

The birth of glintstone Sorcerers was because the formation of the golden order weakened the influence of the stars on The Lands Between, causing the ancient Astrology to gradually lose its efficacy.

To face this situation, the Carians had no choice but to turn to the study of Glintstone Sorcery.

glintstone, in essence, is the residue left after the fall of the stars.

This is why glintstone is so polluting.

It is the divine spirituality after idiosyncratic mutation at work.

Through day after day of researching and contacting the power of the stars, glintstone Sorcerers—either actively or passively—also bound their destinies to the stars.

Mage Sellen was one such case.

And now the stars were imprisoned by 'Starscourge' Radahn, losing the possibility of 'cycles,' which also 'fixed' the state and concepts of the Carian Royal Family and groups like Sellen.

To some extent, glintstone Sorcerers like Sellen and the Carian Royal Family were already part of the stars, the manifestation of their power in The Lands Between.

In essence, this was actually a form of rule-based protection from the stars.

Even during the peak of the Golden Dynasty, the Carian Royal Family and the Academy of Magic could still maintain their independence by relying on the power of the stars, allowing them to escape the control of the golden order.

But similarly, because the stars were forbidden, groups like Sellen lost the possibility of further change.

This was why Ranni needed Chen Nuo to liberate the stars.

Because her destiny was also imprisoned by her own brother.

It's just that Ranni doesn't know yet that this also concerns whether she can reach Nokron, the Eternal City.

Regarding this deeply buried forbidden city, there were also records in the Academy's Grand Library.

Those Nightfolk who believed in the night sky, the moon, and the stars attempted to challenge the golden order and studied the forbidden.

As it turned out, they actually achieved results.

They mastered power that could harm or even kill a god.

As a result, the greater will brought down a calamity, not only destroying this civilization but also casting their cities deep underground.

This is why the Eternal City is so close yet so far.

Of course, some scholars' research indicated that the civilization of the Eternal City originally originated from underground.

In short, the greater will isolated and sealed the Eternal City.

And to enter this city, one must use the power of another god to break the seal.

Chen Nuo was still a bit short; this was a gap in scale. He still needed to develop for a while before he could compare to those stars that had existed for who knows how long.

This was why Chen Nuo wanted to understand them deeply.

the stars were not necessarily enemies.

Given the environment of The Lands Between, it was impossible to keep their radiance isolated forever.

His future attitude could be seen from his treatment of the Academy and the Carian Royal Family.

While he was studying these materials, Rya walked in wearing a maid outfit, carrying a tray in her hands. It was the afternoon tea snacks Roderika had prepared for Chen Nuo.

Chen Nuo glanced up and couldn't help but roll his eyes.

“Why is there only half a pastry left?”

“I don't know, it was like this when I brought it over.”

Rya's eyes darted around guiltily, her face full of sheepishness, and there were even a few crumbs remaining at the corner of her mouth.

It was clearly this girl who had sneakily eaten it halfway.

Eating it was one thing.

Either leave none at all, or leave one whole. What was the meaning of bringing up half a leftover piece?

Chen Nuo raised his finger and flicked Rya on the head.

“Wu—.”

Rya immediately crouched down and held her head, making a pitiful sound.

Weak, helpless, and pitiful, but she could eat—she could really eat.

During these days she had been detained at the Academy, Rya had made herself gain more than ten pounds.

Her face had visibly rounded out.

Chen Nuo seriously suspected that Rya was intentionally retaliating, aiming to make him unable to bear her so he would let her go.

It was quite a clever plan.

But she wanted to leave?

No way!

Chen Nuo pinched Rya's round face and began to knead it.

“As punishment, you aren't allowed to eat dinner tonight!”

“Don't!”

Upon hearing this, Rya was immediately terrified.

She began to cry inwardly.

Sure enough, Nuo was a big meanie; he wouldn't let her leave, and now he wouldn't let her eat!

Tonight she would write another letter to her mother to complain bitterly.

Speaking of which, it also made Rya a bit sad and confused.

Chen Nuo hadn't completely cut off all of Rya's outside contact; she could still write to her mother. It was just that her mother told her to stay at the Academy in her reply.

Well, there were indeed many good people in the Academy.

Like Big Sister Roderika, who was a great cook; Big Sister Latenna, who would take her for a ride on a dog; and Big Sister Irena, who would tell her bedtime stories.

But the problem was, why did she have to attend classes with them?

Magic and stuff was just too hard.

There was also language, arithmetic, etiquette, swordsmanship... and so on.

Wuwuwu, thinking of tomorrow's schedule, Rya deeply felt the hardships and difficulties of life.

The most, most painful thing was still this nominal master of hers.

On normal days, he would only bully her.

Her face was even pinched until it was swollen!

Rya currently didn't realize that her face wasn't swollen; she was just simply fat.

In her unhappy mood, Rya wanted to eat prawns again.

Recently, an unlicensed vendor had appeared on the outskirts of the Academy, secretly selling boiled prawns and crabs.

Big Sister Roderika said the prawns that person boiled were unhygienic, but Rya felt they suited her taste quite well.

The only problem was that Rya had no money.

The maid's salary they had agreed upon was all being withheld by a certain someone.

But it was fine; she would look for Big Sister Latenna later to ask for some pocket money.

“Still daydreaming!”

Chen Nuo applied a bit more force, finally making Rya feel a hint of pain, and her little mouth immediately pouted.

The illusion magic on her body dispelled, revealing her true form.

A fat-headed, four-legged snake.

“Quickly, change back.”

Chen Nuo pressed on Rya's fat head; the slippery snake scales didn't offer any flesh to pinch, giving no tactile satisfaction.

“No!”

This was Rya's last bit of stubborn resistance.

She curled up her body, looking like she would let Chen Nuo do as he pleased.

The noisy commotion drew Irena over. One look at the scene and she knew what had happened.

Similar things played out almost every day.

Chen Nuo seemed a bit keen on bullying Rya.

It was truly enviable.

Irena couldn't help but think this in her heart, wishing she could also be bullied so severely.

On this point, Chen Nuo would have to protest loudly.

Leaving only half a piece of leftover pastry for him—who was bullying whom here!

And the half-eaten chicken bones last time, the egg tart with only the crust left the time before that, and the time before that...

It was clearly this fat-headed snake who was picking a fight with him!

“My King, we have found the village you described.”

Irena said, drawing Chen Nuo's attention to herself and rescuing Rya in the process.

The freed fat-headed snake took the opportunity to hurry away.

In the land of Liurnia, because of the gaze of the stars weakening the influence of the golden order, a large portion of unaccepted divergent species chose to live here.

Besides the Albinaurics, there was also a Jarburg hidden to the southeast of the Carian Study Hall.

Living Jars, a special kind of intelligent lifeform.

They looked like jars with arms and legs.

Their initial birth was full of darkness and tragedy.

As is well known, Queen Marika was not a native race of The Lands Between but an outsider brought in by the greater will; the race they belonged to was known as the numens.

During the Age of the Crucible, the Hornsent, one of the most powerful primitive races in The Lands Between, captured the numens to serve as experimental subjects in their pursuit of life and eternity.

They chopped up the flesh and blood of those sinners and stuffed them into jars.

Attempting to create a kind of artificial lifeform.

This was the earliest origin of the Living Jars, and the beginning of the grudge between the numens and the Hornsent.

Later, however, after Queen Marika unified The Lands Between, she refined this technique, using the flesh and organs of warriors who died for the royal family to create new Living Jars.

This type of Living Jar was kind by nature, but because of their appearance and the need to consume the flesh of warriors to sustain their lives, they were not well accepted by other races.

And the jars of Jarburg were the latter.

“And?”

Chen Nuo inquired.

“It is indeed as the King said; these jars are very gentle and kind.”

Irena recalled her communication with the jars, a beautiful smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

Who would have thought that under that non-human appearance lay such pure hearts? Is this the 'contrast' the King spoke of?

“Maintain communication and see if there is anything we can help with. There should be some good warriors among them; they can be invited to join us. Let Simba be responsible for this.”

Chen Nuo made the arrangements.

It was just one Jarburg; he didn't need to handle it personally.

“Understood, My King.”

Irena nodded; she thought so too.

Simba was both a warrior and an Omen; surely he would have much in common with the jars.