Chapter 354 - Omen
Norland. Lursk Advanced Magic Academy.
"This concludes today's lesson."
Joshua took a glance at the time and ended the lecture.
This was already the twelfth programming lesson Joshua conducted in the Lursk Advanced Magic Academy. The lesson went by very smoothly. Joshua merely has to give his lecture and the students will record all the knowledge he spoke of using various different methods.
Joshua felt that there was no work more relaxing than giving out lectures. The only pitiful aspect was that the majority of his students were roughly five times his age. Ciri's elder sister Hyrlan and Prophet were the only young girls that could be seen in his class.
This was also the reason why Joshua had no desire to do extracurricular lessons after class. Once the ending time arrives, he immediately packs up his stuff to leave. The speed at which he ran out the classroom was simply faster than even the Dark Elf.
"Teacher, please wait."
Right after Joshua stepped out of the classroom, Prophet started chasing after him.
"Prophet, do you have any questions?"
After Joshua tempted Prophet with the concept of internet shopping, she became a frequent student in his lectures.
Prophet's learning speed was terrifyingly fast. She was able to practically learn everything Joshua taught her. Furthermore, she had compiled a whole bunch of strange little computing sequences by herself.
Joshua felt that, in another month or two, he would be able to pat Prophet's shoulder and declare 'I have nothing more to teach you.'
"I already understood everything from the lecture. I'm looking for you because of the Demon Realm's matter."
After saying those words, Prophet took a glance at her surroundings. She began to inspect if there were people passing by or if someone was eavesdropping with magic.
"Go ahead," Joshua half squatted to wait for Prophet's question.
Normally, conversation concerning the private information about the Demon Realm could be made through the magic network. Thus, he was certain that there was a reason why Prophet wanted to speak to him personally.
Prophet tiptoed herself so that her mouth could reach Joshua's ears. Then, she lowered her voice and whispered.
"Yesterday, has Her Highness Cecily mentioned that a war might soon begin?"
"She did."
Joshua stood back up. He did not expect that Prophet would go out of her way to tell her this.
"My elder sister mentioned this matter on the magic network yesterday. I think she's also planning to send someone to give me a detailed explanation today."
Joshua had given a leaf of the World Tree to the Demon Realm's Second Princess Cecily a long time ago. But, even though Cecily learned how to use the messenger, she would always be very stiff in her conversation with Joshua.
Generally, it would take five to ten minutes for Joshua's elder sister to send a reply back.
Being busy in the Demon Realm was one part of the reason. As for the other part, it was that the Second Princess had a bad typing habit… she would type in long paragraphs every single time.
Days ago, Joshua had been curious about what his elder sister spent the five minutes period it took to respond back to him. Because of that, he, in a manner completely devoid of conscience, 'hacked' into Cecily's magic network interface.
Through that, he discovered his elder sister suddenly deleting an entire paragraph that she had finished typing and starting it all over again. Once she was not satisfied with that new paragraph, she would once again delete it to start over. She would repeat this process until she managed to finish typing something that satisfied her.
Joshua didn't know if her behavior could be considered as OCD. But, he never expected for that serious elder sister of his to have… an adorable side to her.
Nevertheless, every single message Cecily sent to him sounded like a letter from one's concerned and nagging family. She would always tell him to be careful of this and that as well as what was happening in the Demon Realm recently. Then, she would end all of them in the same manner telling him to 'return to the Demon Realm as soon as he could.'
Joshua had learned from the message Cecily sent to him yesterday that the Demon Realm's state of affairs had become tense.
"Let us go take the arcanotech vehicle. This place is quite far away from the underground entrance," said Joshua.
Prophet accepted Joshua's proposal and got in an arcanotech vehicle provided by the Klia Trading Company with Joshua. Prophet seated herself in the back of the vehicle.
When Joshua turned the vehicle on, he took a glance at the empty front passenger seat. After a moment of silence, he started driving.
"You had a 'lonely' expression earlier. Is it because that human mage isn't with you?"
Prophet was able to keenly capture the change in Joshua's expression. After she came to Norland, she rarely saw any negative expressions on the Demon Prince's face.
"Ciri? She's learning illusion magic from a Sage of Norland. I just feel that it's a bit bleak to not hear her roastings," said Joshua.
"Roastings? Is that a special way humans communicate? It sounded a bit like an argument or debate," Prophet asked in a deadpan manner.
"Eh. Prophet, just consider that I didn't say anything," Joshua placed his hands on the steering wheel. A 'car' from the magic industrial revolution felt very 'strange' to drive. But, Joshua was still an experienced driver of five years. Thus, driving a car was naturally an effortless task for him.
"Your Highness Joshua, allow me to remind you this. Both your father and your elder sister Her Highness Cecily wouldn't wish for you to be together with a human."
Prophet no longer concerned herself with the matter about 'roasting' and turned the conversation toward Joshua's future.
"And what if we've already done it?" Joshua turned around to take a glance at Prophet after saying that. The pupils of the expressionless scholar shrunk slightly. It meant that her heart was no longer undisturbed.
"It will not be a blessed marriage," said Prophet.
"Not blessed? That sounded like 'Romeo and Juliet.'"
Joshua could imagine that his strict elder sister will definitely be against this marriage.
He could tell from the messages she had been sending him. The Second Princess Cecily had repeatedly emphasized the dangerous nature of human women. She was acting like they were all a bunch of goblins that tortures men to death. She also emphasized to Joshua that he must ensure the purity of the Chaos Demon bloodline.
As for his father's attitude, he was uncertain for now. But...
"Is it the love story narrated on the Voice of Norland by the Frost Elf Tylene? I've heard it… Truth be told, Your Highness Joshua's position in the Demon Realm before was inferior to Romeo. But now, you might be able to control your own fate."
Prophet replied without giving much thought to her words. As Joshua had firmly stabilized his footing in Norland, he no longer had to fear any threat from the Demon Realm. Even if his elder sister and father really insisted on stopping him, he would not have to be afraid of them.
"Cough. This is not the time to talk about something like that. We're about to reach the closest underground entrance. But before that, let's take a detour to the Hearthstone Tavern. Although I wouldn't be able to personally leave for the front line battlefield, I am able to set up a front line communication network."
Joshua started driving the arcanotech vehicle toward the Hearthstone Tavern.