Ghost Exorciser: The Oust Fake Heiress Strikes-Chapter 183: Award?

A soft puff of warm air escaped his lips in the chilly breeze drifting through the open window.

’Honestly... do I have some kind of strange connection with Lana? How does she always fall into my life the moment she enters my thoughts?’

Meanwhile, Lana released a long, exhausted sigh the moment her eyes met Lucian’s.

Her lips twitched in disbelief as she thought back to how she had ended up in this situation.

Just two hours ago, she had been standing in the classroom, answering Axel’s question, not even imagining that her entire world was about to tilt on its axis.

The memory rushed back to her vividly.

The moment Lana revealed her yellow-ranked mystical energy... glowing like condensed sunlight swirling around her fingertips, the room fell into a suffocating silence.

Axel’s eyes widened before he abruptly lowered his gaze, almost as if he were afraid his expression would give away too much excitement.

His hand trembled faintly as he scribbled observations across the sheet he was holding, each stroke sharp and hurried.

When he finally finished, he lifted his head and spoke quietly, "Lana, you’re... truly a genius."

Lana blinked, bewilderment crossing her face.

Axel paused for a moment before his gaze hardened with conviction.

"Lana, you’ve quantitatively increased the effectiveness of your mystical energy through a procedure that should have been agonizing. As a reward, I’ll ask the university to allocate credits to you." He straightened slightly, his voice gaining weight. "And... since you’ve advanced so far despite your age, I want to recommend you to the Mystic Cultivator Association."

Gasps erupted across the classroom like a sudden gust of wind rushing through a narrow corridor.

Betty, Layla, Fay, Wade, and Richard clutched their desks as if the news had physically jolted them.

Lana only stared back at them in confusion.

’Why are they reacting like this? Isn’t the Mystic Cultivator Association just some local organization? There’s one every few neighborhoods... what’s the big deal?’

Before she could voice her thoughts, Axel’s expression twitched, as though he had heard every word forming in her mind.

He exhaled slowly and corrected her, "I’m talking about the National Mystic Cultivation Association, Lana."

Her entire body went rigid. A soft ringing echoed in her ears.

She blinked repeatedly, unable to believe she heard correctly.

National Mystic Cultivation Association? That one? Her heart thudded against her ribs with increasing intensity.

Every student in the classroom watched her like she had grown a second head.

The National Association was not merely prestigious; it was a legendary institution.

Even becoming an intern required one to complete dangerous missions.

Mystic Cultivators held a status far above ordinary citizens, yet reaching such a rank within the National Association demanded years of blood-soaked effort, brutal training, and missions from which many never returned.

And Axel was claiming she could enter directly after graduation.

Lana’s lips parted soundlessly. Her eyes burned as disbelief washed over her. Axel continued, his voice filled with excitement; he could no longer hide.

"Given your achievements, Lana, it’s highly possible you’ll be awarded at the international level."

A low buzzing filled her head. It felt unreal, like she was trapped inside someone else’s dream.

’Awarded? For what? I just... changed my mystic energy. How is that award-worthy?’

But Axel was practically glowing with pride.

The entire Mystic Department had long been overshadowed internationally.

While other countries boasted prodigies who crossed the yellow rank within three to four weeks, or cultivators whose mystical energy held terrifying density, their own nation lacked a groundbreaking genius to parade before the world.

And then there was Lana.

Before entering the university, she had already broken into black rank, on her own. Her energy had been denser than anyone they had ever documented.

Still, the university dared not submit her name to the Association. There were no confidentiality contracts, and they feared her identity would leak to powerful families eager to snatch her away.

But now that she had undergone such a drastic transformation inside the university walls, her achievement was officially tied to them. Her name had already been forwarded for evaluation and recognition.

Axel had even applied for a regional reward, though now that seemed laughably small.

This was no longer just about a recommendation letter.

If the National Association acknowledged her breakthrough at age twenty, she would receive unimaginable benefits: resources, opportunities, partnerships, and titles that only appeared in legends.

Axel looked at Lana like a proud parent watching their child rewrite history. His eyes glimmered with barely-contained excitement.

Lana still felt as though she were floating somewhere above her own body. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears like distant war drums.

Axel finally turned toward the rest of the dazed class.

"I’ll take my leave. I need to report this to the principal immediately. Something of this scale can’t be hidden for even a minute."

He left in brisk, eager strides.

The moment the door closed behind him, Lana blinked rapidly. Her thoughts raced back to the 1,000 credits he had promised. She parted her lips to call out to him, but Axel’s voice drifted faintly from the hallway:

"Your 1,000 credits will be transferred to your account, Lana."

Her palm automatically lifted to her forehead.

’I keep forgetting he can hear my thoughts...’

She pressed a hand over her pounding heart and whispered under her breath, "I seriously outdid myself this time..."

Her classmates stared at her like she was some mythical creature that had suddenly descended into their world.

From that moment, things moved quickly.

Axel’s report shot through the university like a lightning strike, and Lana was immediately summoned to the principal’s office.

After a long series of detailed tests, scanners humming, crystals glowing, professors whispering in awe, it was confirmed:

Lana’s energy had indeed upgraded to yellow rank.

Professors from the Mystic Department streamed into the room one by one, each wearing an expression of unrestrained pride. Their voices overlapped as they showered her with praise.

One of the older teachers patted her shoulder gently.

"You’ve earned a break, child. Take the day off. Go shopping, relax, prepare for the award invitations you’re bound to receive."

Another chimed in with a soft smile.

"We’ve also transferred 10,000 credits to your account. Consider it a small gift from the department."