Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

"Huh? Wasn't that an invitation specifically written for me?"

"Haha, no, it doesn't matter who takes it, as long as it's the right person."

"The right person?"

"People who are dissatisfied with their situation and want to seek change."

"But I showed the letter to my uncle, and he said it was blank paper."

"Huh? Do you still have any elders living in the world?"

"Is that what you should be surprised about?" Lyle raised an eyebrow beneath the mask, subtly indicating that he was offended. "Is there a problem?" he asked sharply.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect the doctor to be so young."

Isn't it obvious? My voice sounds exactly like a young man's.

"If the paper is blank, it means that the gentleman is quite satisfied with his life, or perhaps his desires are not strong enough."

Is that so? Ralph, who looked resentful, actually felt that he was doing quite well, which seemed like good news.

"Wait a minute, so you're saying that letter was just a reflection of my own desires, luring me into Andre Academy? Isn't that fraud?"

"A clever person's deception is called outsmarting others. Besides, the motto of Andre Academy is to be all-encompassing. There is nothing that can be covered by everything. Whatever the Plague Doctor needs, you can find it here, or find the way and ability to find it."

This explanation barely satisfied Lyle, and besides, he was already on the wrong side of the law.

"By the way, this is a technique of our literary society president, Mr. Dark, and it has yielded remarkable results."

Literary Society? Mr. Darkness?

Lyle looked at the gentleman and touched the gentleman's mask with his bird beak.

The gentleman took a small step back, seemingly noticing the great confusion behind Lyle's small glasses.

"A club is a small group of people with the same interests. In addition to the college's open basic courses, if you want to improve in a field you are interested in, the best way is to join a relevant club and communicate with experienced seniors."

"The academy doesn't have a medical society yet, so it's possible that the Plague Doctor will have to start his own school of thought."

Is it like a university student club? However, Andrea College doesn't have the concept of a tutor-student relationship, so it seems the clubs might be quite prestigious.

"So, can one person join multiple clubs?"

"Theoretically, yes, but some opposing groups might reject a two-faced person, such as the Sons of Helsing and the Friends of the Forest. One loves hunting, and the other advocates harmony with nature. You can only choose one of the two."

The gentleman glanced around and lowered his body slightly. "If you really need to join two, that's fine too. Just prepare two sets of disguises and don't give yourself away in the gang war."

"A battle between factions?"

"The two organizations dislike each other and want the other to disappear. Under public supervision, a fair method will be used to determine which is stronger, and the loser will disband."

"But the Andrei principle encompasses everything..."

"The main purpose of confrontational battles is to vent anger. You can beat up anyone you don't like. Even if you lose, you can bring back your original members, change your name, and go back to the market. So as long as the gang's ideology is correct, there is no possibility of destruction. If all your members are turned gay and absorbed by other gangs, then the gang will be gone."

"Does the gentleman participate in any clubs or societies?"

"Yes, there is the Literary Society and the Cup of Extravagance."

Ignoring the fact that the name itself hinted at a decadent society, "What kind of club is the Literary Society?"

"The literary society, huh? They create literary works and then find fault with the college's executive committee."

You're going against the government; you exude a snobbishness that seeps into your very bones. Lyle felt his soul stirring, and the fact that he could survive such reckless behavior meant he did have some ability. Should he abandon medicine and pursue literature?

"Mr. Plague Doctor, if you want to join the Literary Society, as an insider, I should let you know first that we actually have rival societies."

"The Executive Committee?"

“No,” the gentleman’s mask met Lyle’s mask directly, his expression serious. “Yes…”

"Yes?"

"The Holy Light Omnipotent Order".

“???” Lyle thought of the information on the letter.

"Sir, may I ask, in Andrei, the Holy Light is actually disliked, isn't it?"

"That's partly true, but mostly it's because people hate everything associated with the house."

...So, it's because of individual behavior?

"Perhaps when Mr. Plague Doctor joins other organizations in the future, he will be reminded to be careful of the Holy Light..."

Is the area really that big...?

"However, the literary society is a special case. If you join it, you might encounter..."

"what?"

"The Holy Light's Blow".

"???" It's not a one-sided hatred, but rather mutual affection and heartfelt devotion. Can literature offend the sacred light?

“Mr. Plague Doctor, you’re new here. If you stay a little longer, you’ll learn about a hidden society.”

"What club?" Is there any need for a club to be hidden?

"The Dark Cult".

It doesn't sound like a good thing just from its name.

"So the Holy Light Order wants to suppress it. But the Dark Cult doesn't need to hide. Doesn't it still need a ruling on the conflict? As long as they win, isn't that enough? Even if they can't win, they can avoid the war."

The gentleman covered his face. "That's because Mr. Darkness and the leader of the Holy Light Omnipotent Order have some personal grudges, so he never backed down in any armed confrontation and always failed."

Okay, you stubborn kid, wait a minute.

“Mr. Darkness? I remember, this is Mr. Gentleman…”

The gentleman stood there expressionless, seemingly trying to express his silence.

"You're right. After countless failed attempts to establish a dark-related society, Mr. Dark founded a literary society. Although literary creation and criticizing the government are among our requirements, there is also a hidden mission: to despise the Holy Light."

I originally thought you were just pretty, quirky little bastards, but it turns out you're actually disguised, lurking dark villains.

"Is the Holy Light Guild Leader very strong?"

"As far as I know, there are 157 groups that openly express hostility towards the Holy Light."

"And the Holy Light Omnipotent Order is still alive and well." My goodness, that's the pinnacle of combat power.

"Mr. Plague Doctor, of course I'm just giving you a heads-up. After all, literary people have a strong backbone, and no one will succumb to violence. Who would care about a little injury or broken bone?"

"Of course, but, haha, it's not related to my major after all..."

"You could consider abandoning medicine and pursuing literature."

"It's quite difficult if your writing skills aren't good enough."

The gentleman nodded. "That is indeed a major flaw. Please reconsider."

"Okay, I'll think about it carefully."

Chapter Ten: Light Bat

Lyle brushed off the gentleman's invitation with a joke, already overwhelmed by the holy light in his life, and didn't want to suffer a double blow to his mind and body.

I absolutely, positively will never have anything to do with the Holy Light again.

After refusing the gentleman, Lyle was too embarrassed to talk to him again, and his boundless energy quickly shifted to decorating the castle.

It wasn't much different from the castle he remembered, but it was much cleaner. Even the ceiling, which was over ten meters high, was spotless. Perhaps it was due to magic. Magic is so convenient. In a clean place, Lyle felt much brighter.

Hmm? Bright? How long has it been since I last used that word? Since I transmigrated to this medieval world with its low standard of living, I haven't seen many tallow lamps.

What kind of lighting device would make someone accustomed to light pollution in the future feel so bright? This is the Middle Ages, after all.

It's like a fish on the beach suddenly realizing it can't breathe without water.

Lyle began to search for a light source with surprise.

About three feet from the rooftop, palm-sized light sources were symmetrically arranged on both sides of the wall. The light was even brighter than an incandescent bulb, and Lyle couldn't help but squint.

It wasn't until I got used to it that I could see its true appearance more clearly.

The lamp is teardrop-shaped and wrapped in a light gray curtain. It emits a pale yellow light, bringing a touch of warmth to the castle in the dead of night, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a family gathering. Although the visitors around him did not become more lively because of the atmosphere, but rather seemed like a group of contemplative people, Lyle felt much more agitated than they were.

The many similarities reminded Lyle of light bulbs, a product of the Second Industrial Revolution. And outside, the Renaissance hadn't even begun, and might never have begun—it was the Middle Ages! Had Andre Academy already been so far ahead of its time?!

What is its energy source? Chemical energy? Electrical energy? Solar energy? Nuclear energy? Or is it more magical? Arcane? Holy light? Or some other unknown energy source?

It seems that my gaze was too direct.

Lyle noticed that the light source he was watching was starting to go out. What was the principle behind this? Was it visual detection, photosensitive reaction, or mental detection?

Ah, it's bioenergy.

It was a creature. A glowing bat hanging upside down on the wall. The light-colored curtain was its wings, and the glow came from its belly, which seemed to be able to control the size of the light itself.

Seemingly startled by Lyle's gaze, it swooped down from mid-air.

Are we about to be attacked?

"Hello, sir, do you need any service?" The glowing bat dimmed its light, pinned itself to the wall in front of Lyle with one foreleg and both feet, placed its other arm across its chest, and bowed its small head slightly to Lyle as if to greet him.

Lyle was completely at a loss, like a country bumpkin.

"You can talk."

“Yes, sir, this is one of the basic qualities of a light bat. Please do not doubt my service capabilities; I am part of Andrei, and I am a professional.”

A subtle, almost imperceptible look of disdain seemed to emanate from the light bat's little head, and the gentleman also came over to join in the fun.

"Mr. Plague Doctor, would you like to hire this light bat?"

"Hiring? You mean, the kind of paid service?"

“Yes,” the light bat circled Lyle, “look at my petite size, look at my skillful flying techniques. I can be comfortably placed in any corner you want. The slightest sound of my every movement will absolutely not disturb your intense work. My illumination level can reach level three for up to twelve hours of light, making me absolutely the best lighting tool you’ve ever seen in your life. And most importantly…”

"Besides the common language, I speak twelve foreign dialects, twenty-seven proverbs, and three hundred and seventy-two bedtime stories. I'm currently reading nature books like the cycle of life and have some knowledge of life sciences. I've also won a second prize in the literary society's eloquence competition. I'm definitely your best companion for home and travel..."

I'm not even as well off as a light bat.