Today, Tristin City seemed to be celebrating a festival.

Before ten in the morning, magical devices that were usually inactive unless it was a festival had already started operating throughout the city.

Tristin City appeared dreamlike and enchanting.

On many magical screens, the promotional content for the celebration plan was repeatedly playing: "Celebration Plan, officially commencing on December 25th at noon!"

Although it was still a few days before the new year, Tristin City looked exceptionally bustling, dazzling the onlookers.

People were naturally happy.

The long-awaited New Year's atmosphere had unexpectedly arrived early.

How beautiful it was.

The entire city was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

They eagerly anticipated what surprising plan would be announced at noon.

It was said that Tristins lord, Viscount Lampard, would personally serve as the host.

At that time, a mysterious guest would also participate.

People immersed in the festive atmosphere were oblivious to what changes Tristin City would face.

And they had no idea what kind of undercurrents were surging within the city.

...

On the second floor of a mansion.

Several people gathered.

Their expressions were somewhat solemn, seemingly caught off guard by the unexpectedly joyous atmosphere in Tristin City.

"Why is there suddenly a celebration?"

A middle-aged man scratched his head.

They were the ones planning to stir things up in Tristin City.

Now, there was an inexplicable feeling that perhaps it was the lord's side that was planning something?

"Could it be that the lord's side extracted some information?"

"Not very likely. Even if they use extreme interrogation methods, those two captured guys wouldn't confess so quickly."

Traitors of the Resurgence Church, even if they were hiding in prison, couldn't escape the Church's retaliation.

One of the major tenets of the Church was to punish traitors at any cost.

Moreover, the three guys who went to abduct Dekan had no knowledge of the operation plan.

"Prepare for the worst. Lady Isabel might issue an early action order at any time."

Isabel was the leader in the previous temple meeting and a trusted confidante sent by the Cardinals.

Originally, their plan was scheduled to officially begin tomorrow.

After all, with Ice Princess visible, and them hidden in the shadows, being well-prepared without delay was advantageous for them.

Now, it seemed that if the lord's actions were not coincidental, they might need to act ahead of schedule.

Due to the uncertainty about what the lord was up to, Isabel probably didn't dare to disrupt the plan's rhythm and start it prematurely.

After all, the lord's mysterious actions didn't seem like preventive measures.

The crucial point was that there was no warning message from the intelligence personnel in the capital.

This indicated that the lord hadn't sought reinforcements from the capital.

It was likely just a simple event announcement.

An announcement wouldn't interfere much with their actions.

Moreover, today was the scheduled day for Dekan special class review with the Ice Princess.

Following Isabel's instructions, they hoped to avoid Dekan, the uncertain factor, as much as possible in the operation.

So, even if they had to act early, Isabel probably planned to give instructions after Dekan and Ice Princess's meeting had ended.

By then, it would be close to the time of the event announcement.

It would be a good opportunity to see what kind of plan the lord was going to announce.

They could decide whether to act early afterwards.

...

Tristin Magic Academy.

As Ice Princess's time was precious, Dekan was given only one hour.

Their appointment was scheduled to start at eleven and end before twelve.

Early in the morning, Dekan left the lord's mansion. He rode in the carriage provided by the Lord and was escorted by the knight squad to the Tristin Magic Academy.

Dekan wasn't wearing his Hevenlit Academys uniform today.

Instead, he wore a black formal suit provided by the lord, draped with a solemn cloak on his shoulders, and his hair was styled exceptionally delicately.

Dekan was busy today.

After completing the special review, he would need to attend the celebration presentation hosted by Viscount Lampard.

That would be the time to deal with the Resurgence Church.

At the entrance of Tristin Magic Academy, many students had gathered.

They watched as the guards directly under the Lord respectfully opened the carriage door, and Dekan calmly stepped out.

His dignified and solemn appearance seemed like that of a high-ranking official.

Many students from Tristin Magic Academy were astonished.

They had heard rumors that among this year's students from the prestigious Hevenlit Academy in the capital, there was a legendary quasi-special-class card maker.

Unfortunately, they didn't see this gray-haired, blue-eyed Dekan among the student delegation that visited Hevenlit Academy yesterday.

There were even rumors circulating that Dekan had been arrested for speeding.

However, such absurd rumors would be debunked today.

When the students saw this handsome young man stepping out of the carriage with an air of a big shot, they instantly understood.

The legendary quasi-special-class card maker Dekan wasn't arrested; he was invited to the Lord's mansion as an honored guest.

"Is he really someone who only makes dark cards as rumored?"

"I have friends who know people at Hevenlit Academy. They said Dekan's nickname when he just entered was Evil Cultist'..."

"But he looks so noble and bright..."

The more the students thought about it, the more something seemed off.

The more benevolent and bright Dekan appeared, the more nefarious his various deeds appeared!

Setting aside Dekan's card-making style and actions and considering him only as a card maker, students from the Tristin Academy couldnt help but have a complicated feeling towards Dekan.

Whether it was admiration or jealousy, it was hard to tell.

After all, as students of Tristin Magic Academy aspiring to be card makers, their ultimate goal was undoubtedly to become a special class card maker.

However, for the vast majority, this was an achievement impossible to attain in a lifetime.

Yet, in the present, there was someone among their peers who was about to achieve it.

For students who had always looked up to the Ice Princess as a star in the sky, looking at Dekan was like gazing at another rising star.

They even had felt a kind of illusion this star seemed not so far away from them.

But in reality, it was completely out of reach.

"Dekan, we'll take you to meet Ice Princess."

The teachers in charge of Tristin Academy and officials from the Card Makers Association were already waiting at the entrance.

They quickly surrounded Dekan.

"Sure, thanks."

Dekan didn't engage in much small talk and followed them into the academy.

Although it wasn't intentional on Dekan's part, his current demeanor highlighted a strong and imposing aura.

There were also several teachers from the academy politely leading the way and others following behind him. It made him look like a leader on an inspection tour.