“Are we… just going to keep eating like this?”
“Every student has a spending limit at the campus restaurants; it’s rare to have a chance to feast like this.”
“I’m not a student here.”
“Who cares about her? And you’re eating quite enthusiastically yourself, aren’t you?”
At a banquet in the corner of the hall, dazzling dishes like lobster, pasta, and cake were piled high on plates.
No one noticed the two girls in the back, buried in their chicken legs and roast duck.
One’s mouth was slick with oil and her cheeks puffed out, while the other was happily devouring a charred roasted pigeon.
They were clearly enjoying themselves.
Elegant and somewhat melancholic music echoed through the hall, where many people stood in the center.
Professors and relaxed executive members sipped wine and chatted freely, leaving the opportunity to enjoy the lavish buffet to the students.
Apart from them, other students were a bit reserved, carefully eating at their tables.
Saint Antiona is a very wealthy university, backed by the government’s executive bureau and board of directors, so there was no need to worry about dinner supplies.
One big eater actually managed to consume five king crabs.
It was said that at some banquets, there would be performances and guests would even look for dance partners.
An Xiaoxue glanced towards the center of the hall while eating, but unfortunately, Saint Antiona didn’t have a tradition of ballroom dancing.
In addition, there were instruments like pianos set up, and students could volunteer to play to liven up the atmosphere.
A rather elegant and graceful boy in a small evening dress was playing the piano.
The black and white piano keys seemed completely under his control, transitioning from light to fast rhythms. “Letter−iris”, the melody was gentle and emotionally delicate, as if telling a story of longing, memories, or farewells.
Just then, a ringing sound.
Principal Farrow shook her bell, signaling that she was about to speak.
Her speech was very monotonous, talking about everyone being outstanding students of this year, talking about future plans… An Xiaoxue and Dorothea didn’t hear a word, completely clearing out the desserts.
The server who brought the desserts was a female student.
She stared in shock as the plate, just moments ago full of desserts, became instantly empty.
Perhaps thinking the banquet was haunted, she turned and ran off in fright.
The students conscientiously put down their knives and forks, looking up respectfully at the principal speaking from the second floor.
Farrow was speaking with great enthusiasm when she suddenly fell silent, her mouth twitching slightly.
Only from her perspective could she see An Xiaoxue hiding in the corner.
“Finally, I want to say something very important. Please, everyone listen carefully, including the few students and professors who haven’t had dinner yet.” Farrow swept her gaze over the crowd below, seemingly pointing at her intentionally or unintentionally.
“Is she talking about us?” Dorothea turned her head to look at her.
“At least not me. I’m neither a student nor a professor; I’m just an idler from outside the campus.” An Xiaoxue still obediently put down her fork and swallowed the chocolate powder jelly in her mouth.
“Have you noticed? Besides the professors and executive members, only first-year and second-year students are participating in tonight’s anniversary banquet.” Principal Farrow paused.
“That truly makes me happy!”
Before the astonished junior students could react, she smiled.
“What does that mean? It means you’ve firmly remembered your mission and acted upon it. That’s right, you’ve thought correctly. Tonight is not just the school anniversary; it’s also a mobilization meeting!”
A stir rose from below.
“No way…” A student murmured.
“I knew it! No wonder the upperclassmen all declined to come and kept encouraging me.” A female student was on the verge of tears.
“They really didn’t have good intentions. Are they making us do internships early?”
“Regarding the news of the Prince Bloodline’s imminent revival, I believe everyone is already aware. In the first month of this semester, you will find many courses added, including ‘Bloodline Intelligence Counterattack,’ ‘Modern Firearms Simulation Combat,’ ‘Secret Agent Simulation Combat,’ and ‘Power Advancement,’ which are normally only for third-year students…”
Farrow paused, her expression turning serious as she cast a cold gaze over everyone.
“All of this is to best prepare for the future war with the blood kin!”
At that moment, the sound of many helicopters dispatching echoed, and everyone looked out the windows.
Black helicopters soared away into the sky.
It was a sound heard daily at Saint Antiona Academy, indicating that the Enforcement Bureau was carrying out missions.
Inside the helicopters were executive officers and senior students on internship assignments.
Those students carried a firm belief as they approached contact with the blood kin—monsters hidden in the city.
Farrow also glanced outside, then withdrew her gaze.
“Everyone has worked hard this past month.”
“Principal, have the blood kin already made their move?” a professor inquired worriedly.
“Yes, over the past six months, the frequency of blood kin incidents has skyrocketed. Executive bureaus in many countries are overwhelmed, and Saint Antiona Academy, as the world’s elite base for hunting blood kin, has always been on the front lines.”
At this point, a rare hint of worry showed in Farrow’s eyes.
“Although these monsters are currently in hiding, no one can be certain if they will sweep over us in the future. The Prince-level blood kin are about to awaken, and we must have a response plan. Today, I hope everyone truly grasps their mission. This is not a university full of youthful campus vibrancy; it is a military institution. You are the future of humanity.”
Everyone raised their right hand, made a fist, placed it against their chest, bowed their heads, and swore silently.
“That’s all I have to say. Never let down your guard, especially first-year students. Some first-years are already thinking about dating less than half a month in. What? Did you come here to get married?”
The crowd laughed.
“Alright, alright, you can enjoy the banquet now.” Farrow smiled, and the solemn atmosphere relaxed once more.
As she walked down the stairs, she suddenly remembered something and added:
“Please, all first and second-year students, remember to inform your third-year dorm mates that their internship assignments will begin next month.”
“Do we have to do internships?” a student asked.
Farrow rolled her eyes. “What grade are you in? At this stage, you should be diligently attending classes. The blood kin have nothing to do with you.”
“Oh yeah!” a group of students cheered.
“I just spoke for nothing,” the principal sighed, feeling helpless.
The piano music started again, this time played by Professor Chen Minghang.
His piano playing attracted many female students who gathered to watch.
The principal quickly strode to a corner dining table.
“Caught you!” Principal Farrow narrowed her eyes and smiled, approaching the silver-haired girl who was chewing food.
An Xiaoxue leaned back. “Principal.”
She turned her head, looking for a scapegoat, but Dorothea had long vanished, abandoning her dining companion.
“Um…”
An Xiaoxue wanted to explain, but nothing she said could be as convincing as the leftover crumbs on the table.
“Happy birthday,” Farrow said softly, offering a glass of red wine.
“Oh, thank you,” An Xiaoxue took the wine.
She felt a little happy, and a little disappointed.
It was her birthday, but only the principal had wished her well. In a blood kin family, there was never a “happy birthday.”
For some unknown reason, blood kin never gave blessings, not even close parents or grandparents, just as a demon’s two eyes would never blink at the same time—it made no sense.
An Xiaoxue casually looked at the red wine, then raised the glass and drank it all in one gulp.
It was rich, fresh blood.
“I was too busy today to get you a gift, so here’s this.” Farrow shook a small gift box.
When opened, it revealed a vibrant rose.
It was a wonderful gift, no matter what.
An Xiaoxue pursed her lips and smiled, looking at the smiling principal.
At the end of the corridor, a woman in an evening gown stood, watching the scene coldly, a chill flowing in her golden eyes.
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