<p>Chapter Eight: The World Kisses Me with Pain, I Respond with Song</p>
<p>“By the way.” After a while, Shaya suddenly remembered something and turned his gaze to Deyora, who was wrapped in a towel. “Have you received the conferment document sent by the palace these past few days?”</p>
<p>The hereditary ceremony for titles should originally be conferred personally by members of the royal family, but not everyone is granted this honor. In most cases, as Shaya mentioned, His Majesty the Emperor signs the conferment document and sends it to the recipient.</p>
<p>According to the laws of the Hiren Empire, to inherit a title, the first in line must be at least 16 years old, and the current titleholder must have been confirmed deceased.</p>
<p>If the first in line also meets with an accident, the process continues down to the second, third, and so on, until the title is revoked.</p>
<p>By the way, while it is rare, women within the Hiren Empire are also qualified to inherit titles.</p>
<p>Shaya doesn’t care about the power and social status that come with the title; it is merely a memento left by his parents, a name to forever remember, that of the Viscount Adelaide.</p>
<p>Then he bears this surname and the weight of two hundred and thirteen innocent lives, seeking revenge against the perpetrator from that year.</p>
<p>So no matter what, he must inherit this title.</p>
<p>Hearing her master’s inquiry, Deyora recalled and gently shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”</p>
<p>“Strange, it should have arrived in the past few days. Could it be that His Majesty is too busy with official duties and forgot about this matter?”</p>
<p>Shaya felt a bit confused.</p>
<p>For some reason, he was a little anxious, as if he had some sort of premonition.</p>
<p>Could this have something to do with Mr. Sital’s reminder?</p>
<p>Or am I overthinking it?</p>
<p>“After the conferment document arrives, should we hold a banquet to celebrate? It would be nice to expand your social circle as a true noble. Hmm… Master is approaching marriageable age; do you have anyone in mind? Perhaps the daughter of some baron?”</p>
<p>Deyora seemed to sense Shaya’s chaotic emotions and extended her warm, delicate hand to gently massage his temples.</p>
<p>“Deyora, this is not something worth celebrating. If I could, I would rather that everything in the past had not happened.” Shaya paused, pretended not to hear the implications of her last sentence, and gently closed his eyes. “Moreover, it’s not wise to spend money on meaningless socializing and appearances.”</p>
<p>Hosting a sufficiently decent banquet would first require renting an entire villa. Considering there are similar facilities in the academy for students’ entertainment, let’s conservatively estimate it at fifty gold coins.</p>
<p>There needs to be delicious food at the banquet, and most importantly, there must be fine wine, which would add another hefty expenditure of no less than one hundred gold coins.</p>
<p>In addition to that, factoring in expenses for hiring various maids, waiters, and musicians, perhaps a small portion of the newly acquired royalties would disappear.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be better to save that money for purchasing ritual materials?</p>
<p>As he thought about this, Shaya couldn’t help but recall the solitary figure in the palace.</p>
<p>He wondered if she would show a look of surprise when they next meet.</p>
<p>*Knock, knock, knock—*</p>
<p>At that moment, a deep knocking sound suddenly came from the door.</p>
<p>Shaya and Deyora exchanged glances, both revealing puzzled expressions, as they hadn’t invited anyone at this time.</p>
<p>“I’ll go open the door.”</p>
<p>Deyora instinctively moved to step forward, but a hand stopped her.</p>
<p>Shaya pointed at her currently exposed figure and then at the bedroom door, indicating that she should go inside first.</p>
<p>He didn’t want anyone to see her like this.</p>
<p>He has me in his heart.</p>
<p>After making a brief and serious argument in her mind, Deyora pursed her lips, happily picked up the maid outfit from the ground, and walked gracefully toward the inside.</p>
<p>Suddenly remembering something, she turned back two steps and whispered in Shaya’s ear, “Does the master prefer something avant-garde and open, or more conservative and reserved?”</p>
<p>“What?”</p>
<p>Shaya, who was about to get up, felt a bit startled.</p>
<p>“Do you want to see lace stockings or white tights?”</p>
<p>Hearing this, Shaya rolled his eyes and gently pushed Deyora’s slender waist, ignoring her giggles behind him, as he approached the door.</p>
<p>“Who is it?”</p>
<p>Since there was no peephole, after Deyora entered the bedroom, he took the initiative to ask.</p>
<p>“…Shaya Adelaide, I know your secret.”</p>
<p>A low, hoarse voice came from outside the door.</p>
<p>Upon closer listening, the voice sounded somewhat deliberate and was incredibly familiar.</p>
<p>A figure flashed through his mind, and Shaya understood, replying calmly, “Which one are you referring to?”</p>
<p>“The soul comes from another dimension? Your true identity is actually an immortal dark lord? Or are you referring to… occasionally playing the role of a dark knight under the night to combat evil forces?”</p>
<p>Having said that, he opened the door, raising an eyebrow at the person outside.</p>
<p>“What—what?”</p>
<p>Clearly, the visitor outside had not expected Shaya to say something so astonishing. He instinctively took two steps back, shocked as he locked eyes with him, filled with disbelief.</p>
<p>It was obvious that this guy took Shaya’s words seriously.</p>
<p>The two stared at each other for a moment, and Shaya finally couldn’t help but smile slightly. “You’re still so obsessed with wonderful fantasies, Tilius.”</p>
<p>What met his gaze was a somewhat slender young man, not very tall, with a handsome face, and notably conspicuous silver hair that gave him an exotic appearance.</p>
<p>In reality, he was not a native of the Hiren Empire.</p>
<p>“Wait, it’s fake? But, interdimensional visitors, immortal dark lords, dark heroes… My God, that’s so cool!”</p>
<p>After realizing the situation, Tilius scratched his head in frustration, chewing over the casual ideas Shaya had spouted and feeling a bit uneasy.</p>
<p>He really wanted to see how this guy’s brain worked, why he could always come up with such constructive suggestions!</p>
<p>Tilius had already quietly decided to sneakily jot down what Shaya had just said in his secret diary.</p>
<p>“What do you want from me?” </p>
<p>Shaya thought for a moment and didn’t invite him in, instead asking directly.</p>
<p>“I wanted to ask why you didn’t attend that dull general studies class this morning… Oh right, by the way, do you want to have lunch together tomorrow? Crazy Tuesday, the academy offers unlimited half-price stews, and free chilled raspberry juice—by the goddess, that’s just fantastic!”</p>
<p>When discussing this matter, Tilius’s eyes flickered with excitement.</p>
<p>However, Shaya keenly picked up on the key point: “You’re out of money again?”</p>
<p>Generally, students who consider themselves nobles would not dine at cheap restaurants, as it would make them feel like they were mixing with commoners, which would taint their image.</p>
<p>“Uh, from a realistic perspective, yes.”</p>
<p>After being called out, Tilius hesitated and slowly diverted his gaze.</p>
<p>“Spill it, what’s this time?” </p>
<p>“Oh, it’s nothing much, just did a few decent things, upholding the honor of being a knight.”</p>
<p>“Let’s not mention you’re actually a magic student… Can you translate that into language a human can understand?”</p>
<p>“Yesterday while buying potion materials, I encountered an elderly lady who fell to the ground, and no one around showed the spirit of a gentleman, so I stepped forward to help her up, and then…”</p>
<p>“Alright, you don’t need to say more.” Shaya put a hand to his forehead, interrupting his narrative. “Was that it?”</p>
<p>Tilius averted his gaze, looking at the beautiful campus scenery outside the corridor: “Also, Sergey asked me to lend him two hundred gold coins.”</p>
<p>“I remember he once mocked you for your hair color… You lent him?”</p>
<p>Shaya reacted and said, feeling quite speechless.</p>
<p>“He said his grandmother was bedridden and needed money to receive divine healing at the Vatican to recover, but as a commoner, he couldn’t come up with that much money all at once. Seeing him in such a hurry, I didn’t think much about it.” Tilius’s voice grew lower, “You know, Shaya, I’m not very good at saying no, and I can’t bear to see others in difficulty.”</p>
<p>Shaya struggled for two seconds but didn’t tell him that Sergey’s family was actually quite wealthy, sighing, “So you always prefer to throw yourself into difficulty.”</p>
<p>Upon hearing this, Tilius scratched his head. “I can’t quite describe this behavior or articulate how I felt at the time…”</p>
<p>“The world kisses me with pain; I respond with song.”</p>
<p>Shaya summarized for him.</p>
<p>“The world kisses me with pain; I respond with song?” Tilius’s eyes brightened, admiring the brilliant remark his friend had spontaneously uttered, “Shaya, you truly understand me!”</p>
<p>“No, I just think you’re a fool.”</p>
<p>Shaya shook his head and said.</p>
<p>What does that mean?</p>
<p>Tilius, who didn’t understand Chinese, froze for a second and asked in confusion.</p>
<p>“Guess for yourself!”</p>
<p>Then, in the face of his friend’s pitiful expression, Shaya unceremoniously shut the door.</p>
<p>“By the way.” After a while, Shaya suddenly remembered something and turned his gaze to Deyora, who was wrapped in a towel. “Have you received the conferment document sent by the palace these past few days?”</p>
<p>The hereditary ceremony for titles should originally be conferred personally by members of the royal family, but not everyone is granted this honor. In most cases, as Shaya mentioned, His Majesty the Emperor signs the conferment document and sends it to the recipient.</p>
<p>According to the laws of the Hiren Empire, to inherit a title, the first in line must be at least 16 years old, and the current titleholder must have been confirmed deceased.</p>
<p>If the first in line also meets with an accident, the process continues down to the second, third, and so on, until the title is revoked.</p>
<p>By the way, while it is rare, women within the Hiren Empire are also qualified to inherit titles.</p>
<p>Shaya doesn’t care about the power and social status that come with the title; it is merely a memento left by his parents, a name to forever remember, that of the Viscount Adelaide.</p>
<p>Then he bears this surname and the weight of two hundred and thirteen innocent lives, seeking revenge against the perpetrator from that year.</p>
<p>So no matter what, he must inherit this title.</p>
<p>Hearing her master’s inquiry, Deyora recalled and gently shook her head. “No, I haven’t.”</p>
<p>“Strange, it should have arrived in the past few days. Could it be that His Majesty is too busy with official duties and forgot about this matter?”</p>
<p>Shaya felt a bit confused.</p>
<p>For some reason, he was a little anxious, as if he had some sort of premonition.</p>
<p>Could this have something to do with Mr. Sital’s reminder?</p>
<p>Or am I overthinking it?</p>
<p>“After the conferment document arrives, should we hold a banquet to celebrate? It would be nice to expand your social circle as a true noble. Hmm… Master is approaching marriageable age; do you have anyone in mind? Perhaps the daughter of some baron?”</p>
<p>Deyora seemed to sense Shaya’s chaotic emotions and extended her warm, delicate hand to gently massage his temples.</p>
<p>“Deyora, this is not something worth celebrating. If I could, I would rather that everything in the past had not happened.” Shaya paused, pretended not to hear the implications of her last sentence, and gently closed his eyes. “Moreover, it’s not wise to spend money on meaningless socializing and appearances.”</p>
<p>Hosting a sufficiently decent banquet would first require renting an entire villa. Considering there are similar facilities in the academy for students’ entertainment, let’s conservatively estimate it at fifty gold coins.</p>
<p>There needs to be delicious food at the banquet, and most importantly, there must be fine wine, which would add another hefty expenditure of no less than one hundred gold coins.</p>
<p>In addition to that, factoring in expenses for hiring various maids, waiters, and musicians, perhaps a small portion of the newly acquired royalties would disappear.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be better to save that money for purchasing ritual materials?</p>
<p>As he thought about this, Shaya couldn’t help but recall the solitary figure in the palace.</p>
<p>He wondered if she would show a look of surprise when they next meet.</p>
<p>*Knock, knock, knock—*</p>
<p>At that moment, a deep knocking sound suddenly came from the door.</p>
<p>Shaya and Deyora exchanged glances, both revealing puzzled expressions, as they hadn’t invited anyone at this time.</p>
<p>“I’ll go open the door.”</p>
<p>Deyora instinctively moved to step forward, but a hand stopped her.</p>
<p>Shaya pointed at her currently exposed figure and then at the bedroom door, indicating that she should go inside first.</p>
<p>He didn’t want anyone to see her like this.</p>
<p>He has me in his heart.</p>
<p>After making a brief and serious argument in her mind, Deyora pursed her lips, happily picked up the maid outfit from the ground, and walked gracefully toward the inside.</p>
<p>Suddenly remembering something, she turned back two steps and whispered in Shaya’s ear, “Does the master prefer something avant-garde and open, or more conservative and reserved?”</p>
<p>“What?”</p>
<p>Shaya, who was about to get up, felt a bit startled.</p>
<p>“Do you want to see lace stockings or white tights?”</p>
<p>Hearing this, Shaya rolled his eyes and gently pushed Deyora’s slender waist, ignoring her giggles behind him, as he approached the door.</p>
<p>“Who is it?”</p>
<p>Since there was no peephole, after Deyora entered the bedroom, he took the initiative to ask.</p>
<p>“…Shaya Adelaide, I know your secret.”</p>
<p>A low, hoarse voice came from outside the door.</p>
<p>Upon closer listening, the voice sounded somewhat deliberate and was incredibly familiar.</p>
<p>A figure flashed through his mind, and Shaya understood, replying calmly, “Which one are you referring to?”</p>
<p>“The soul comes from another dimension? Your true identity is actually an immortal dark lord? Or are you referring to… occasionally playing the role of a dark knight under the night to combat evil forces?”</p>
<p>Having said that, he opened the door, raising an eyebrow at the person outside.</p>
<p>“What—what?”</p>
<p>Clearly, the visitor outside had not expected Shaya to say something so astonishing. He instinctively took two steps back, shocked as he locked eyes with him, filled with disbelief.</p>
<p>It was obvious that this guy took Shaya’s words seriously.</p>
<p>The two stared at each other for a moment, and Shaya finally couldn’t help but smile slightly. “You’re still so obsessed with wonderful fantasies, Tilius.”</p>
<p>What met his gaze was a somewhat slender young man, not very tall, with a handsome face, and notably conspicuous silver hair that gave him an exotic appearance.</p>
<p>In reality, he was not a native of the Hiren Empire.</p>
<p>“Wait, it’s fake? But, interdimensional visitors, immortal dark lords, dark heroes… My God, that’s so cool!”</p>
<p>After realizing the situation, Tilius scratched his head in frustration, chewing over the casual ideas Shaya had spouted and feeling a bit uneasy.</p>
<p>He really wanted to see how this guy’s brain worked, why he could always come up with such constructive suggestions!</p>
<p>Tilius had already quietly decided to sneakily jot down what Shaya had just said in his secret diary.</p>
<p>“What do you want from me?” </p>
<p>Shaya thought for a moment and didn’t invite him in, instead asking directly.</p>
<p>“I wanted to ask why you didn’t attend that dull general studies class this morning… Oh right, by the way, do you want to have lunch together tomorrow? Crazy Tuesday, the academy offers unlimited half-price stews, and free chilled raspberry juice—by the goddess, that’s just fantastic!”</p>
<p>When discussing this matter, Tilius’s eyes flickered with excitement.</p>
<p>However, Shaya keenly picked up on the key point: “You’re out of money again?”</p>
<p>Generally, students who consider themselves nobles would not dine at cheap restaurants, as it would make them feel like they were mixing with commoners, which would taint their image.</p>
<p>“Uh, from a realistic perspective, yes.”</p>
<p>After being called out, Tilius hesitated and slowly diverted his gaze.</p>
<p>“Spill it, what’s this time?” </p>
<p>“Oh, it’s nothing much, just did a few decent things, upholding the honor of being a knight.”</p>
<p>“Let’s not mention you’re actually a magic student… Can you translate that into language a human can understand?”</p>
<p>“Yesterday while buying potion materials, I encountered an elderly lady who fell to the ground, and no one around showed the spirit of a gentleman, so I stepped forward to help her up, and then…”</p>
<p>“Alright, you don’t need to say more.” Shaya put a hand to his forehead, interrupting his narrative. “Was that it?”</p>
<p>Tilius averted his gaze, looking at the beautiful campus scenery outside the corridor: “Also, Sergey asked me to lend him two hundred gold coins.”</p>
<p>“I remember he once mocked you for your hair color… You lent him?”</p>
<p>Shaya reacted and said, feeling quite speechless.</p>
<p>“He said his grandmother was bedridden and needed money to receive divine healing at the Vatican to recover, but as a commoner, he couldn’t come up with that much money all at once. Seeing him in such a hurry, I didn’t think much about it.” Tilius’s voice grew lower, “You know, Shaya, I’m not very good at saying no, and I can’t bear to see others in difficulty.”</p>
<p>Shaya struggled for two seconds but didn’t tell him that Sergey’s family was actually quite wealthy, sighing, “So you always prefer to throw yourself into difficulty.”</p>
<p>Upon hearing this, Tilius scratched his head. “I can’t quite describe this behavior or articulate how I felt at the time…”</p>
<p>“The world kisses me with pain; I respond with song.”</p>
<p>Shaya summarized for him.</p>
<p>“The world kisses me with pain; I respond with song?” Tilius’s eyes brightened, admiring the brilliant remark his friend had spontaneously uttered, “Shaya, you truly understand me!”</p>
<p>“No, I just think you’re a fool.”</p>
<p>Shaya shook his head and said.</p>
<p>What does that mean?</p>
<p>Tilius, who didn’t understand Chinese, froze for a second and asked in confusion.</p>
<p>“Guess for yourself!”</p>
<p>Then, in the face of his friend’s pitiful expression, Shaya unceremoniously shut the door.</p>
