I materialized a sci-fi fortress in a magical world.

Chapter 86. This is my good opportunity.

"My advisor is great, just a bit busy. Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Austin said it casually, then realized something and quickly explained, "You mean his previous attempts to recruit you? Don't worry about it too much. He's just getting old, and after his trip to the capital, Canning City, he was provoked by an old classmate, and when he came back, he complained that I was useless and worthless—"

Luo Yue roughly understood: if you go out and lose to someone in a student competition, you should get a better one to save face.

This explanation is reasonable, but it doesn't seem sufficient to account for the unusual behavior of Hugo.

"Sigh~ Luo Yue, sometimes I really envy you, even jealous of you. No wonder you were chosen by the academy."

Austin sighed and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Luo Yue replied in the same tone, "Are you envious that it took me five years to awaken, or jealous that I'm still only at level one?"

"Haha~ No, I just admire your focus, your focus on engraving scrolls, your focus on cultivation. Maple Leaf City is much more lively than your small town, right? Yet I've never seen you go out to play. I can't do that."

"Then keep it up. You're much more talented than me. With a little effort, you'll catch up to me soon. — Okay, let's not talk about that anymore. I'll treat you to dinner today. We'll go to your favorite restaurant."

"Thank you for your kindness, but unfortunately it's not possible today. I have to go on a long trip soon to deal with a batch of raw materials. Those unscrupulous merchants are trying to pull another trick on me—"

The two chatted as they returned to the mage tower. Austin readily paid Royo his wages and even gave him an extra bonus. A few days ago, Royo would probably have been thrilled with the money, but now he was rather indifferent.

Next, Austin prepared for his long journey, while Royo first went to her dormitory to pack her luggage, and then went to the studio where she had worked hard.

There's nothing of his own here, he just wanted to take one last look, since he probably won't be coming back again.

Then he noticed a note on the table that had been handed to him by his neighbor. It asked him some questions, which he hadn't been able to answer before, but he had time to reply today.

After hesitating for a moment, Luo Yue sat down, took out a whole page of letter paper, answered the princess's questions on it, and also shared some tips.

He had a good impression of this prince he had never met before. The prince had given him the opportunity of the Night Banquet and would send him expensive jewelry every now and then. If the prince could get rid of the bad habit of nagging him every day, it would be even better.

As he was writing, the princess's prayer for the day came to his ears again, just in time. It was a song, her soft, sweet voice humming a melodious tune that was quite pleasant to listen to. It soothed Luo Yue's mood, and he responded, quite unusually, "Not bad, very pleasant to listen to."

Then, at the end of the letter, he left a reminder: "I'm leaving here. If possible, I suggest you move to another place."

He was still concerned about something amiss with Hugo, but he couldn't say it outright, and he lacked both logic and evidence, so he could only offer this subtle reminder.

After finishing this last task, Royo found Austin, who was busy packing his luggage, gave him a formal hug to say goodbye, and then left Hugo's mage tower.

He planned to wander around the city for a while, then feed his senior in the evening before heading back to his small town the next day.

-

"Your Highness, the young man next door has returned and left you a letter."

"Huh? This weirdo hasn't given up yet?"

The princess was puzzled. She had never written anything to the guy next door, but he would occasionally pass her notes, just like those boys in school who tried every means to get the girls' attention.

But she was in a good mood today because the deity responded to her with golden words and praised her singing.

So he took the letter from mid-air and began to read it.

"He did offer some useful tips and experience, but how did he know there was a problem with the scroll I engraved? He probably didn't even look at it, did he? And what's with that last, inexplicable reminder? Does he think he can tell me where I live?"

The princess was very displeased with this presumptuous remark and continued, "Hmph~ I was originally planning to recruit that guy to carve the scroll after we escaped, but now it seems I should just forget about it."

Just then, an owl flew in through the window in broad daylight, landed on an unseen hand, pecked at its belly, and magically produced a letter.

The old nanny beside the princess took the letter, read it quickly, and reported, "Your Highness, the Grand Duke wishes you to attend the advanced magic academy in Herta City."

"What?"

The princess jumped up in surprise, snatched the letter, looked at it, rubbed her eyes, and looked at it again.

She could hardly believe it. She had lived in fear and anxiety for so long, trying to break free from the cage of fate, not wanting to marry a kid more than ten years younger than her, only to have her future father-in-law let her go with just a casual remark?

This didn't make her happy; instead, it left her with a sense of powerlessness, as if she were being manipulated.

The old nanny continued to comfort him, saying, "Your Highness, this is a good thing. That academy is a remarkable place. If you can achieve something there, or even gain the favor of that great witch, then even His Majesty might not be able to force you."

"I know there are many powerful people there, and I can meet many people. Moreover, I have now made the acquaintance of an angel, so I should be able to stand out in the academy—but then again, why did the Grand Duke let me go? Doesn't he need me as a hostage?"

"Perhaps he gained something more important at this banquet? He kept you by his side to prevent His Majesty from launching an attack, but if he has a stronger backing, he naturally won't need to make things too difficult for you. Moreover, he can use you to ease relations with His Majesty and the Church."

The old nanny tried her best to guess Grand Duke Andersai's intentions, and then added, "This is just my guess. Andersai is a shrewd and patient ruler. Even though everyone thinks he will rebel, he is still trying to maintain his relationship with the royal family. I can't see through the thoughts of such a person, but in any case, this is a good thing for His Highness."

"Okay, I understand. We should seize this opportunity."

The princess gradually dispelled the gloom in her heart and became more spirited. She even waved her little fist and said seriously, "Once I obtain the artifact promised by the angel, I will have confidence even in a place like the academy. Granny, hurry up and pack your luggage. We're going to Herta City now."