As the capital of the Far East, Nagazora City was so vast that it nearly split the entire eastern island in two, with the northern territory known as North-East Island and the southern as South-East Island. St. Freya High School was even more extraordinary. As the only educational institution directly funded by Schicksal, it occupied almost a quarter of Nagazora City's entire area.
Compared to a mere school, St. Freya was more like a small city in itself. It was complete with commercial streets, parks, and tourist areas—in fact, it was more bustling than some top-tier cities.
And all of this was thanks to St. Freya's principal, Theresa Apocalypse—the legally adopted granddaughter of Schicksal Overseer Otto Apocalypse and Kallen Kaslana, and their rightful heir.
Today, St. Freya High School was unusually lively. Before the sun had even risen, the sleeping principal was jolted awake by a phone call. Otto informed her that an inspector from Schicksal HQ was arriving today for a surprise inspection.
At that moment, the female students and teachers still asleep in the school dorms all heard the principal's blood-curdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered.
"Himeko, Himeko! Is my hair a mess?" The white-haired, blue-eyed principal—with a height of 1.5 meters and a presence of 1.4 meters—nervously smoothed her hair one moment and adjusted her nun's habit the next.
"It's fine, Theresa. In the last ten minutes, that's the thirtieth time you've asked me that," said the mature woman, who was a stark contrast to the principal. She rubbed her forehead in exasperation as the breeze ruffled her crimson hair, and she smoothed out the wrinkles on her white blouse. That magnificent chest of hers was a goal the principal would likely pursue for her entire life.
At the main entrance of St. Freya's academic district, a pure black Maybach worth tens of millions of dollars sped towards them, stopping smoothly a short distance from Principal Theresa.
The driver got out and respectfully opened the car door.
Theresa gave a polite bow.
Himeko also gave a slight curtsy.
"St. Freya High School welcomes you. We hope that we..." Theresa was delivering her official lines perfectly, but when she saw the familiar figure stepping out of the car, her tone shifted to one of pleasant surprise. "Hey! Cecilia!"
"It's me, Theresa," Cecilia said, her eyes curving into a smile.
If it weren't for the many curious students watching, Theresa would have likely abandoned her principal's dignity and thrown herself into Cecilia's ample bosom for a hug.
"It has been a while, Principal Theresa. You are as petite and cute as ever." Dressed in a well-fitting black suit and a spotless white shirt, Yaqing adjusted the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose.
His demeanor was like that of a completely different person from the roguish, lazy man on the plane. So refined, so gentlemanly, so... Otto.
Theresa could see Otto's shadow in Yaqing. It had to be said, he was truly a product of Otto's grooming.
Though he sounded like a perfect gentleman, every word he spoke seemed designed to provoke Theresa's temper.
Theresa shot him a glare, trying to look imposing.
"Hey, hey, I said, there's a living person here," Siegfried, who had been consistently ignored, suddenly interjected.
Theresa just snorted coldly. Compared to Yaqing who was constantly 'teasing' her, she clearly disliked Siegfried even more.
"Fine, fine, I'll just pretend I don't exist," Siegfried said with a theatrical sigh, though his eyes were full of mirth.
Clearly, when it came to choosing between the two men who irritated her, teasing Theresa was the higher priority.
"Cecilia, let me show you around the school first. Oh, right, you're here to see Kiana, aren't you?" Theresa took Cecilia's slender right hand with her small one.
"Theresa, I am indeed here to see little Kiana, but I'm not the inspector for today," Cecilia said, her beautiful eyes twinkling with amusement. It seemed she was also happy to partake in a little teasing of Theresa.
"Wha-?" Theresa froze, completely baffled.
"Alas, Principal Theresa, I understand your feelings for my sister, but regrettably, I am the inspector for today. Life is full of unexpected turns."
Yaqing's perfect, gentlemanly tone made Theresa's fists clench. If she didn't know he was just a troll, she might have actually been fooled.
"That's easy then! Himeko, the inspector is all yours. Cecilia, let's go!" Theresa grabbed Cecilia and happily headed towards the commercial district.
Cecilia didn't have the heart to refuse Theresa and gave Yaqing and Siegfried an apologetic look.
"Hello, sir. Welcome to St. Freya High School. My name is Murata Himeko. I'm a teacher here and your escort for this inspection." Himeko politely extended her hand, her eyes sizing up Yaqing's handsome face. So handsome and gentlemanly, she thought to herself.
Yaqing shook the hand, which was so fair he could see the faint blue veins. He smiled. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Himeko. My name is Yaqing Schariac. I hope we can have a wonderful afternoon together."
Seeing his wife and brother-in-law both led away, Siegfried stood frozen in place for a good while before mumbling, "Wait, what about me? Am I just supposed to be left here?"
The driver helpfully chimed in, "Mr. Siegfried, shall I take you to the hotel ahead of time?"
"I! DO! NOT!" Siegfried snarled through gritted teeth.
...
"Over there is St. Freya's most famous academic building. It covers an area of nearly six thousand square meters, and its nine floors are tall enough for students to gaze into the distance. That way is St. Freya's clock tower, which has a history of over four hundred years. And over there..." Himeko introduced everything methodically, so practiced she sounded as if she had rehearsed it countless times.
Yaqing just smiled and nodded, not seeming particularly interested.
The clock tower's bell rang at that moment, its heavy chime echoing through St. Freya's academic district, signaling the end of class. Female students in uniform walked past the two of them, a sea of fair-skinned legs meeting the eye.
Many of them looked at Yaqing with curiosity. Their gazes held shyness, wonder, confusion, and also desire.
"Hey, hey, it's a boy! What a rare sight! Is St. Freya finally going to admit male students?"
"You idiot, with that kind of aura, he's obviously not an enrolling student. Look, even Ms. Himeko is walking beside him so respectfully. He's clearly an inspector from up top."
"Ah! I love that type of man! So gentlemanly. It'd be even better if he had a bit of a 'refined scoundrel' vibe."
On the third floor of the academic building, a female student in a black uniform also looked down with curiosity. With purple hair and purple eyes, she had a gentle demeanor, reminiscent of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
"Mei, Mei! I'm talking to you, why are you ignoring me?" a white-haired dango pouted.
"Ah, sorry, Kiana. I was just spacing out," Raiden Mei apologized.
"Mei, are you curious about the inspector?" asked a girl sitting behind Raiden Mei. She had spiral-curled, silvery-gray hair tied into a high ponytail. Her figure was slender, yet her chest was magnificent enough to make ninety-nine percent of the world's girls envious.
"Bronya, you're not calling me 'Mei-oneechan' anymore," Raiden Mei said, feigning sadness.
"Mei... oneechan," Bronya said, her face blushing slightly. She tapped her phone a few times, pulling up a personnel file. "The Bro—ahem, I just hacked into Schicksal's servers and found that man's file."
Kiana bit on her handkerchief, looking jealously at Bronya's chest. She couldn't understand how this little pipsqueak had gone from a flat-as-a-tablet to surpassing her in just three years.
As if sensing Kiana's gaze, Bronya proudly puffed out her chest.
"Let me see." A gray-haired, red-eyed girl with a stunning face and long, slender legs popped out from nowhere. Her only flaw was a somewhat flat chest. She grabbed the phone and exclaimed, "Isn't this Yaqing?! He came to Nagazora without saying a word! He didn't even tell me and Old Timer!"
"Yaqing?!" Kiana cried out in surprise, which earned her a jealous look from Mei.
She didn't understand why Kiana would have such a big reaction to a man's name.
Bronya seemed to notice and explained for Kiana, "Mei-oneechan, according to the file, Yaqing Schariac is the biological younger brother of Kiana's mother, Cecilia Schariac. In other words, he's Kiana's uncle."
"Uncle?!" Mei looked at Kiana in shock, then glanced back down at the figures below.
Senti, however, had already run off to find Fu Hua.
"Old Timer! Old Timer! Yaqing came to Nagazora and didn't even tell us! Isn't he looking down on our friendship?"
"I don't know." Fu Hua seemed dazed, a little hurt inside. Her phone buzzed just then. Fu Hua took it out and saw it was a notification from the Golden Courtyard group chat, an @everyone from Elysia.
Miss Pink Elf♪: @everyone, everyone! Yaqing is back today and he's staying for a long time! Make sure you all find time to come back tonight~♪
COOL~: Mei and I will be back tonight.
ⅨNightbringer☆Daybreak: Er...
This Can is Not a Can: Ah-Mo means that if the professor doesn't keep us late, he'll definitely be back. Oh, right, Sis Elysia, is there anything you need me to bring back?
Miss Pink Elf♪: No need, little Pardo. I've already asked my dear Aponia to bring what we're missing.
The Sister: I will be there, Elysia. The children have been a bit too lively recently. I have entrusted them to a friend's care and will be back at the Courtyard before four.
Miss Golden Fairy✨: Elysia, I will be back.
Miss Pink Elf♪: Mhmm, Eden, my good Eden. ♡(ˊ˘ˋ*)
Miss Green Snake🐍: So he's back. What's the big deal? So troublesome. Also, Elysia, did you change my username again?!
Miss Pink Elf♪: Oh my, Mobius, what are you talking about? Elysia has no idea what you mean~♪
Mad Scientist: Elysia, you've gained weight.
Miss Pink Elf♪: Dr. Mobius, if you say that to a beautiful girl, even I will get angry~♪
Mad Scientist: Hah.
Blade of Scars: Sorry, sorry. Blanca and I are traveling with Griseo in North America. We can't make it back tonight.
Kalpas: Hmph. I'll be back.
Sakura-Colored Flower: If I don't have to work overtime today, I'll pick up Rin and head back. We might be a little late.
A Healer's Heart: I don't have any surgeries today. I've already requested leave to head home early. Elysia, is there anything I can help with?
Miss Pink Elf♪: Su, you're always so proactive! Let me think... just tidy up the living room. It hasn't been swept in three days.
A Healer's Heart: Okay.
Greatest Magician of the Century (Ad Space for Rent): Tonight, allow the greatest magician of this century to present you with the most spectacular magic show!!!
Fu Hua looked at everyone popping up in the group chat and let out a small laugh.
"Old Timer, what are you laughing at?" Senti poked her head over.
At the same time, Yaqing, who was listening to Himeko's tour, pulled out his phone. Seeing the chat history, he couldn't help but break into a slight smile.