“I’ll say it again: Shen Ning’s current identity at the Academy is that of a student. Any extracurricular projects must be subject to her own wishes. Only if she’s willing will the school consider approving it.”
Principal Lü reclined in the swiveling chair in his office, facing the other end of the video call, once more giving a firm reply.
Firm, he had to be firm. The present is not the past; previously, Shen Ning’s affiliation was with the Locke Morgan side, and in terms of procedure, there was no way to refuse.
Now, the Rock Morgan family has been disgraced, all personnel ties are cut, and the girl’s identity is now pure and simple: a student of Shengling Academy.
Sorry, but you still want her? No way.
On the other side of the video, the female Assistant from Kubaas City tried to sound gentle as she said, “But the new research project needs Shen Ning. She’s more important than anyone, and she can truly help all humanity…”
“That’s what Professor Swina said back then.” Principal Lü replied indifferently. “And you know what happened after.”
His words were not harsh, but they directly linked the other party to Swina and the like. The Assistant broke out in a cold sweat and hurried to explain, “No, that’s not what I meant, please don’t worry…”
Click.
The office door opened, and a tall girl strode in, her pitch-black ponytail swinging behind her as she looked around.
“Principal, I heard you called for us. Huh, this is her, I guess? Looks pretty decent.”
Principal Lü squinted at the figure on the screen, then turned to introduce her to the girl: “This is the Assistant of Monrose, who works for the Chief Decision Officer.”
It sounded like an introduction, but he didn’t even mention her name, what he really meant was that there were people backing her, so a little respect was due.
Xu Chuyao blinked her long lashes cutely. “Chief Decision Officer? What kind of official is that? I don’t get it. Can you explain it so even a child would understand?”
“Star rank?” Principal Lü looked back at the video.
The female Assistant straightened her posture. “Lord Monrose possesses the Five Golden Stars, which represent his life’s devotion and glory…”
“All right, all right, got it, no need to say so much.” Xu Chuyao turned and pulled Shen Ning over, making her sit with her on the sofa. “What do you want from us? Let’s be clear first—we’re not participating in any experiments. Last time was more than enough, we’re both traumatized.”
The Five Golden Stars are a big deal, but not enough to override the Principal’s authority over the students. And besides, she’s not alone; over at Minister Long’s side, there are other avenues to report through.
The female Assistant wanted to say more, hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked, “Miss Shen Ning, can you at least reconsider? Please, at least watch this.”
A video started playing. The examiner Xu Chuyao had seen at the meeting appeared once again on the screen. Compared to last time, Monrose looked even worse, he was tottering, his whole appearance frail and on the verge of collapse. It wasn’t clear if his condition was truly that bad, or if it was filmed this way to win sympathy.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Student Shen Ning, the Tian Wuzhi of the new era. Even in my time, with over a hundred years of history behind us, your gifts are rare and unheard of. The future is yours.”
He opened with an old and weary voice full of praise, so unreserved that it made people feel a little embarrassed.
“Then what about me?” Xu Chuyao pointed to herself, “I ranked second in history!”
If being second in history is still ‘historic,’ why not praise me too?
But it was just a recording. After his words of congratulation, Monrose’s expression grew mournful.
“I’ve witnessed much through the Spirit Age, The Great Chaos, the Pacification War, and even to the Pacification War’s End, when the world finally found peace. I once thought our generation’s mission was complete, that we could hand over this peaceful world to our descendants. But I never imagined that disaster would return so soon, and you, who are not even fully grown, must take up this burden. I feel deeply guilty.”
He even managed to squeeze out a few tears, the image of an old man choked with emotion.
“I earnestly beg you to help me fulfill an old man’s last wish, let me fight one more time. Through this research, let’s try to find a way to help humanity, so the world may know peace for a while longer, at least until you are grown. Just a little help, Student Shen Ning, so I can leave this world peacefully, is that all right?”
The video ended. The female Assistant was in tears. “This was filmed by Lord Monrose this morning with all his remaining strength. He coughed for a long time just to say these words…”
“No means no.” Xu Chuyao refused flatly. “We’re not doing it.”
The Assistant was stunned, tears streaming down her face.
Shen Ning felt she should speak up. She gently patted her girlfriend’s head and repeated, “We’re not doing it.”
Principal Lü stood up and walked over to the screen. “Little one, you heard them. We respect our students’ own choices. Please do convey our regrets to Chief Decision Officer. As for Academy business, let’s end the discussion here.”
“Wait, you—”
The video was cut off, and the screen went black.
Turning off the equipment, Principal Lü looked at the two girls and praised, “Your judgment was correct, and you showed principle. That’s how it should be. No matter what they say, never get involved with that sort of thing.”
Look at how clear-headed these students are, no doubt about it, they must have learned well in the Academy.
Can’t say they were just born this way.
“Guh, that was nerve-wracking.”
Xu Chuyao was a bit anxious, since the real reason for refusing wasn’t to avoid entanglements, but because the two sides were in competition.
“If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going now.”
“Go ahead… Xu Chuyao, you really should attend class every now and then.”
“I know, I’ll go to the cultural courses!”
Stepping out of the administration building, Shen Ning took a deep breath of fresh air, finally able to relax.
She had received a message from the Class Advisor in the morning, so she had been tense all day since learning that Monrose was ill, fearing she might be forcibly taken away like last time.
Not having to leave Chuyao’s side, how wonderful.
“They refused, so decisively, without any room for negotiation.”
In the office at Kubaas City, Monrose sat brooding as he stared out the window. He looked nothing like the frail figure in the video, but if anything, his face was even gloomier than on screen.
“Yes, Lord Monrose, you did shine in your day, but that was the past. You still have some strength left, but it won’t last more than a few months. Shen Ning and Xu Chuyao, they are rising new stars of this era. Reaching the peak of the fourth stage is only a matter of time, and that time won’t be long. On one side, there’s their limitless future; on the other, you are already close to the grave. It’s clear which side those above will choose.”
Monrose slowly turned his head, his dark gaze landing on the handsome young man beside him.
“Swina, are you looking for death?”
“I have no such intention, sir. I’m just analyzing the situation objectively and offering a viable suggestion.”
The smile faded from the flesh on the back of the old man’s hand as Monrose walked over to the sofa and sat down.
“I’ll give you one chance. Speak.”
“Since those above won’t choose you, why not select a capable organization yourself?” Swina advised.
Monrose lifted his cloudy gaze and stared at him.
“Supreme School$?”
“Yes.” Swina bowed slightly, “Only with true freedom will they reach out to me.”
But—
That sound was not the class bell, nor the morning wake-up chime, nor the cafeteria’s meal call.
When Shen Ning heard it, she froze, not reacting at first. Then anticipation followed.
A random Daily Academy Quest had just been triggered.
[Quest Name: Gourmet Desires Require Taste and Flavor
Quest Description: Everyone in Shengling Academy knows your beloved girlfriend has a pair of big thighs, and you’re lucky enough to have a sweet mouth. How could this be?
Quest Requirement: Eat!]
As soon as the Quest appeared, the inner voice that always tried to keep her in check immediately commented: “You can’t just bluff your way out of this. You have no excuse. This time, you have to tell her honestly—just admit you want it.”
That wretched inner voice was even more gleeful than usual.
“Daily Academy Quests can be this rewarding?”
Yes, why not? But it didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was… The girl stared, eyebrows knitting in contemplation.
She really did want it.
A few days ago, Xu Chuyao had demonstrated Lightning Strike on the training field. For a while, the campus forums and aq forum were full of posts thirsting after those impressive legs—some direct, some allusive, but all made Shen Ning grind her teeth.
Other people could only drool. If she really wanted to eat…
But the problem was, how should she bring it up?
Just as she was deep in thought, the door to the dorm room burst open.
“Bad news, Shen Ning! Well, good news no, it’s actually bad news, or maybe… Anyway, it was supposed to be bad news, but in some ways it’s good news too!”
Xu Chuyao burst in, talking a mile a minute, clearly just back from the administration building.
She’d been running around all these days what hard work for poor Chuyao.
Shen Ning handed her girlfriend a glass of water and let her sit down to catch her breath.
“It’s like this Swina’s appointment is set, and apparently Monrose is behind it. But this is good news for you, because next time, you won’t need to fake anything. You can take him down yourself!”
Why was it good news? Xu Chuyao had thought about it for a long time why couldn’t Shen Ning ascend to the throne like in the original plot? It was because the main story boss had disappeared, so there was no chance for that iconic confrontation. Now, however, the man had shown up himself, and the girl’s strength was about right she didn’t need teachers to help, just had to act as a backup.
Most importantly, as the first major boss in the main storyline, last time Shen Ning had relied on two teachers to gang up on Swina. It always felt like something was missing.
“I’ve read the Apocalypse yes, that one from yesterday morning. It says you’ll personally open the cage for the sinners on Sky Prison’s First Layer, then ascend the throne as king. Of course, I’ll be by your side… So, how do you feel about that?”
While her girlfriend was bubbling with excitement, Shen Ning couldn’t help staring at her chest, where the curves rose and fell with every word.
Thoughts? Maybe not so many but there was one desire she couldn’t suppress.
I want to.
“Huh? What did you say, I didn’t hear you.” Xu Chuyao leaned in, “Can you say it louder?”
“I want to… Lu…”