Sure enough, facing the increasingly fierce factional disputes from below the stage, Principal Rofilia’s deep purple eyes flashed with a trace of impatience.
Her fingers lightly tapping on the table came to a halt, her red lips parted slightly, and she coldly uttered two words:
“Shut up!”
Though not loud, the voice carried an invisible pressure that instantly swept through the entire conference room.
All arguments ceased abruptly. The teachers, flushed with anger, seemed as if their throats were being strangled, sulking as they returned to their seats.
Even the corpulent nobleman, Teacher Hawk, had no choice but to swallow his discontent, his face turning extremely unpleasant.
Rofilia’s gaze swept across the suddenly quiet hall, decisively announcing her decision:
“The safety of all students must be guaranteed, regardless of their origins. Night patrols will proceed according to the plan I just outlined—expand the range, increase frequency, conduct thorough searches, and deal with those dangerous magical bats as soon as possible!”
She paused briefly before continuing to issue orders:
“If there aren’t enough patrol personnel, starting tomorrow, all teachers will take turns participating in night patrols in shifts alternating between day and night. Our primary objective is to find that blood clan member and the Mysterious Intruder.”
“Kill any magical bats encountered at night on the spot. As for that blood clan member and the intruder…” a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
“Capture them alive if possible—they may be carrying some secrets.”
Rofilia’s commands were clear, and her stance firm. This time, no one dared to raise any objections, even though the faces of those conservative noble factions had darkened as if they had swallowed flies.
Sefina remained silent throughout, unsurprised by Rofilia’s decision.
From the academy administrator’s perspective, this was indeed the most reasonable solution currently available, and one that could effectively silence dissent.
However… with more teachers and patrol teams involved, her task of handling the blood clan girl seemed on the surface to become more complicated and…
…was it really so?
A faint smile flickered at the corner of Sefina’s lips. Everything was going according to plan.
Soon, the meeting ended. Rofilia’s efficiency was remarkable, immediately announcing the preliminary Teacher Roster for patrols.
Sefina glanced over it—she wasn’t scheduled for patrol these few days.
At least she could enjoy some quiet for the time being.
Just as she stepped out of the conference room, Sharina approached her:
“Teacher Sefina, want to go eat together?”
Sefina shook her head, her tone indifferent: “No, I have something to take care of. I need to go out for a bit.”
“Eh? Oh, okay,” Sharina sounded disappointed, then curiously asked, “It’s the weekend and there’s no class today. Teacher Sefina, are you going to stroll around the Capital City?”
Sefina nodded: “Yes, to buy some things.”
“All right then, be careful!”
After parting ways with Sharina, Sefina didn’t leave the academy immediately but returned to her office first.
She changed out of the somewhat formal Teacher Robe and put on her light blue sheer dress again, paired with white short socks and black leather shoes.
Then, she unhurriedly headed toward the Capital City outside the academy.
Back in the conference room, Rofilia hadn’t left yet, her expression tense.
If the magical bats had crossed the Concealment Barrier she had set up and infiltrated Oselenka, she wouldn’t be completely unaware.
That meant… the culprit was likely someone inside the academy, and very possibly hiding among the people attending today’s meeting.
That was why she hadn’t mentioned this before—but who could it be…
***
In the Capital City, inside an unremarkable café.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans and a faint milky fragrance.
The customers weren’t few, scattered in groups of two or three, speaking softly. The fragmented chatter blended into a blurred background noise.
Sefina sat in the most secluded corner booth, her petite figure almost completely hidden by the tall chair back.
She sipped the bitter black coffee slowly, her garnet eyes occasionally glancing toward the door, as if waiting for someone.
Suddenly, the café door was pushed open, and the wind chime rang crisply.
A figure entered, attracting a few curious glances.
They wore a black coat too large for their frame, the collar standing tall.
The attached hood was pulled down tightly over their forehead, covering most of their face, revealing only a pair of darting black eyes scanning around.
Soon, those eyes locked onto Sefina’s corner.
The black figure immediately quickened their pace toward her, seeming somewhat urgent.
However, perhaps because their vision was blocked by the hood, or maybe due to inherent clumsiness—
“Ah!”
They stepped on the overly long hem of their coat, instantly losing balance. A short startled cry escaped as they fell forward, sliding awkwardly to a kneeling position right in front of Sefina’s seat.
Sefina silently put down her coffee cup and helplessly raised a hand to rub her forehead.
This one… even after all these years, still so clumsy.
The figure in the black coat scrambled up hastily, ignoring the dust, and slipped into the seat opposite Sefina, seemingly trying to hide.
Seeing her guilty, sneaky demeanor, Sefina sighed and lowered her voice:
“Although the Empire of Arian discriminates against the demon and blood clans, it’s actually relatively tolerant toward Beastkin. You don’t need to wrap yourself up like that.”
At this, the girl under the coat seemed startled for a moment, then as if relieved, immediately lifted the troublesome hood.
Instantly, a pair of fluffy black cat ears popped out from her hair. The girl revealed a face with a mixture of innocence and mischief.
She blinked her obsidian-like eyes and, lowering her voice but unable to hide her excitement, said:
“Oh! So that’s how it is, meow! You scared me—I thought I was going to get caught!”
“Lisika, long time no see,” Sefina’s tone softened as she looked at the cat-eared girl before her.
“Long time no see, meow! Big Sis!” Lisika smiled, eyes curved happily, showing two sharp little tiger fangs.
Sefina’s mouth twitched imperceptibly.
The nickname “Big Sis”…
She had protested many times, but Lisika stubbornly refused to stop, so she had no choice but to let it be.
“Did you bring the things?” Sefina cut to the chase.
“Mm-hmm! Brought them, meow!” Lisika nodded vigorously, carefully pulling out a slender scroll wrapped in special leather from the inside pocket of her oversized coat, handing it to Sefina.
Sefina took the scroll, quickly checked it, then nodded:
“Good job.”
Receiving the praise, Lisika happily shook her head, making her cat ears wiggle.
But the next second, she leaned in closer, hands gripping the edge of the table, her large eyes pleading as her tail wagged rapidly behind her. Her tone became sweet and coaxing:
“Um… Big Sis~~” she dragged the syllables, voice sugary sweet.
“You brought the things I asked for… right? Because I’m already… already starving, meow~”