Ailundun returned from the dining hall to his dormitory, and the first thing he did was lock his door from the inside.
He had a strong sense of privacy in this regard.
He turned on the room’s lights, eagerly checked his panel, and quickly located the reward item that had been distributed.
However, when he saw the item description, he froze for a moment.
Unlike other items given to him before, this one had been mentioned in the game.
He… recognized it.
He had browsed through it on various forums during his idle time, and he remembered this item’s unique effects very clearly.
But in his memory, wasn’t this an item developed in a later era?
Why was it appearing early in this time period?
[Hanged Villain]
[Grade: Pink Rare]
[Description 1: A magic engineering tool forged by the great magic engineer Lyon of a later era…]
[Description 2: Can only be used on targets with depleted mana…]
[Description 3: The limitations of this magic engineering tool are as follows…]
[Description 4: Targets prohibited from use…]
[Note: All actions of the user are unrelated to the user’s true self and only represent personal will.]
…
[Effect: No matter how virtuous or pure a person may be in this world, once this effect is applied, they will feel a genuine disgust toward the world, thoroughly awakening the darkest side within, causing the holy to fall, the loyal to betray…]
…
He stared blankly at the creator’s name, his expression unreadable.
He thought of some things.
The original story never mentioned this name, and the creator’s background was completely unknown.
This creator seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, bringing too many negative influences to this world.
On some well-known forums, the unique effects and abilities of his magic engineering tools made them treasures for players with particular preferences.
He lowered his head to look at the academy emblem on his uniform, marked with the Cross of Holy Light imprint, then glanced back at the effects described on his panel.
Recalling the great story the dean had told earlier about the Cross of Holy Light…
It looked like… it was targeting the owner of this emblem—Terwin, the first great magic engineer of the Empire of Wen Er Dun Imperial Academy, whom the teachers and professors mourned.
He was now suspicious.
This Lyon… was also one of the many talents from the later era’s Imperial Academy Magitech Institute.
Just how much did he despise Terwin, the creator of the Cross of Holy Light magic engineering tool, to make something like this?
Deliberately creating a magic engineering tool with effects opposite to the Cross of Holy Light, just to spite the original creator Terwin… or maybe to spite the teachers of the Empire of Wen Er Dun Imperial Academy.
Whatever the purpose, he only had one thought now.
The Magic Engineering Department of our Empire of Wen Er Dun Imperial Academy really has too many talents.
Thinking about the stories these people left behind at the Empire of Wen Er Dun Imperial Academy—like passersby writing their own tales, leaving their marks, waiting for future generations to uncover them—
He felt a surge of emotion.
He hoped that one day in the future, he too could leave his name at the Empire of Wen Er Dun Imperial Academy.
If possible.
He hoped to leave a more positive image.
Like… the Rising East Sun.
Symbolizing bringing warmth to the world like the sun rising for the first time.
[Do you wish to retrieve it?]
[Retrieve!]
Ailundun collapsed onto the soft, plush bed and decisively thought the retrieval command in his mind.
An inverted cross emblem appeared in his palm. It looked like a dark gold, upside-down cross with a matte finish, except the vertical end was slightly longer.
“So this is… the Hanged Villain?”
Ailundun stroked his chin.
His first impression of this magic engineering tool was good; it didn’t look like anything particularly evil.
It seemed that even Lyon, who created a magic engineering tool with such effects, still cared about aesthetics.
The activation method should be the same as the Crimson Thumb Ring.
Just inject a small amount of mana.
This was very friendly to someone like him, who lacked mana.
He took an exquisite box from his room, placed the Hanged Villain inverted cross emblem into it, then put it into the pocket near his collar.
Then he collapsed onto the bed, turned on the room’s incense burner, and fell asleep with the room’s unique fragrance.
Tomorrow was the start of the school term, so he needed to sleep early today.
He was still looking forward to the first class at the Magitech Institute.
Ah… right, he also needed to remember to find the Magitech Institute dean to claim his reward.
He couldn’t forget that.
…
The next day.
Ailundun dressed neatly and looked at the handsome, striking young man in the mirror, especially the cold, sharp azure pupils beneath that head of golden hair, exceptionally bright and eye-catching.
Only then did he smile with satisfaction. His smile was sunny and warm, like a noble young master of high birth.
Like this.
He put the deep red ring on his finger, confirmed that the Hanged Villain was still in his collar pocket, and tucked the Capable Glasses into his bag.
Hmm… if he kept getting more items…
His whole body would soon be stuffed with all kinds of items.
Reach into any pocket, and out came all sorts of strange gadgets.
If someone wanted to make a wish in the future, he might actually be able to grant it.
“Time to head out and meet my classmates.”
Ailundun chuckled softly, surprised that he was about to experience college life again.
He stopped overthinking.
He immediately set off for the Magitech Institute.
The setting sun’s afterglow shone on every corner of this academy, outlining the silhouette of the Empire of Wen Er Dun Imperial Academy.
Ailundun walked alone along the winding path, the breeze with its chill brushing against his face.
Passing through the Examination Hall.
Until he stopped in front of a tall building.
The Magitech Institute.
Unlike the Knight Institute, which looked classical, and the Sage Institute, which looked solemn and sacred, the Magitech Institute had no sense of age. It looked novel and distinctive, exuding a vibrant atmosphere.
He kept walking through the corridors, following his class schedule, and stopped at a classroom on the second floor.
He actually had quite a few classes today—three in total—so his time wasn’t particularly abundant.
Through the door, he saw the scene inside: a tiered lecture hall descending level by level, along with several unique-looking magical instruments that made it seem like a multifunctional classroom.
The seats weren’t fixed; anyone could choose their preferred spot on a first-come, first-served basis.
Therefore.
He walked up the steps on both sides, chose a seat at the back, and began curiously observing his classmates below.
“Hey hey, what kind of magic engineering tools do you like to play with?”
“With all due respect, everything except armor-type magic engineering tools is trash.”
“My magic engineering tools aren’t bad either!”
Many classmates were already smiling, starting to get to know each other, asking about each other’s preferences and favorite magic engineering tools. They seemed to be getting along quite well.
After observing for a while.
Ailundun understood.
So in the Magitech Institute.
Asking someone about their favorite magic engineering tools was a friendly way to make friends.
Then making friends from here on would be very simple for him.
He was confident he could give any answer that would satisfy someone.
The clouds outside the window kept drifting by, and the warm sunlight spilled onto the tiered lecture hall, covering the classroom in a golden warmth.