As the sound came from the doorway, the onlookers parted to make way.

A girl with fiery red twin tails stood there, barely reaching Phantom Feather’s chest. She wore a Mechanical Campus uniform. Behind her loomed a Mech twice her height, carrying two Heavy Swords on its back. A blue-and-white insignia marked its left arm.

Many recognized her instantly: Misha Horad Rayle, Disciplinary Committee member of Branch 19. Known as the "Black Rock Mechanic Engineer," the towering Mech behind her was her own creation—Black Rock.

Misha had planned to grab spare parts after school since her materials were nearly gone. But spotting a crowd gathered at the entrance, voices rising within, her duty kicked in. She swiftly pinned on her Disciplinary Committee armband and strode forward, radiating authority.

Through the parted crowd, she saw three figures. Two hung their heads. Between them, a red-haired boy was hoisted by a blue-haired student. Their uniforms marked them as from Yayang—the pinnacle academy for Inventors.

*Fighting among our own?* Misha thought. *If I don’t stop this now, he might not survive.*

"Put him down," she commanded, stepping forward.

Phantom Feather, still gripping Darke, glanced sideways. A twin-tailed girl with blazing red hair pointed at him—clearly the speaker.

"Can’t you see I’m busy?" His tone and aura had shifted completely from moments before.

"You dare defy a Disciplinary Committee member? Black Rock, engage!" Stung by his arrogance, Misha activated her Mech.

"Do you even know what happened here?"

"Can you tell who’s right or wrong?"

Phantom Feather fired back as Black Rock powered up.

"Boss Mo Chen, are we just watching?" Leilo whispered nervously near the counter. Mo Chen lounged in his seat, utterly relaxed.

"Who could you stop? Phantom Feather or Misha?" Mo Chen replied, detached.

"Neither, I guess," Leilo admitted sheepishly.

"Exactly. Our job is to watch." Mo Chen fell silent.

*—It’s been too long since things got this lively.*

Misha hesitated at his questions. She halted Black Rock. "Then release him first."

"Why should I listen to you?" Phantom Feather sneered.

"You! I’m Disciplinary Committee. If he’s at fault, hand him to me." Misha swallowed her anger. A true officer wouldn’t snap at a potential victim.

"Good restraint. Say he’s guilty—what then?" Phantom Feather kept his grip on Darke.

"Punishment depends on the offense. Please release him now." Her earlier vigor had softened into calm.

"Let it out. Girls with twin tails aren’t this gentle." Phantom Feather saw through her.

"You forced my hand!" Misha’s aura flared. Her twin tails stood rigid. "Black Rock—subdue him. No injuries!"

As Black Rock moved, Chi Xin—who’d been silently watching Phantom Feather—stepped in front of him.

Seeing Chi Xin’s back, Phantom Feather recalled an old man’s face: wild white hair like a bird’s nest.

*"Kid, you need people who matter. Or your arrogance will consume you. Even I’d struggle to stop you then."*

*—That’s where I am now.*

*—Good thing Chi Xin stepped up.*

Misha spotted the black-haired, dark-eyed girl blocking the blue-haired, violet-eyed boy. She called off Black Rock. "Move aside. Let me handle this."

Chi Xin read her intent but didn’t budge. She turned to meet Phantom Feather’s violet eyes, expressionless. "Master~ I’m hungry."

Misha braced for Black Rock to strike—sure such childish words would fail. Instead, the handsome boy casually tossed Darke toward her. He took Chi Xin’s hand. "Hungry? Let’s go eat."

Phantom Feather exhaled deeply. His arrogant aura vanished, the untouchable kingliness dissolving. He faced the twin-tailed girl with genuine regret. "My apologies. I lost my temper. My words were harsh."

Stunned by his sincerity, Misha paused. Then, with a hint of tsundere pride: "Since it’s settled... your name?"

"Phantom Feather."

"Phantom Feather. Report to Branch 19 tomorrow."

"Branch 19? Where’s that?" He turned to Leilo. "You know it?"

As Phantom Feather spoke, Misha dispersed the crowd.

"I’ll take you," Leilo volunteered eagerly once things calmed.

"Perfect. But first—I need my materials. Can you grab them with your card?" Phantom Feather glanced at Chi Xin tugging his hand.

"Sure! I’ll bring them over later," Leilo agreed warmly.

At the exit, Misha and Darke’s group were leaving too. She’d learned the truth from their confessions. As Phantom Feather passed, her voice held mixed emotions: "Sorry for jumping in blindly. But next time... stay calm, okay?"

Phantom Feather nodded. Then, spotting Darke being supported by friends, he smiled innocently. "If there’s a next time? I’ll be collecting your family’s corpses."

His smile seemed playful. But the words froze Darke’s blood. He broke free and fled.

Phantom Feather watched him go, then turned to Misha. "Your name?"

"Hmph!" She stormed off with Black Rock, fuming silently: *He ignored my warning. Threatened a classmate right in front of me. If he hadn’t been in the right, I’d... I’d...*

Phantom Feather shrugged. Feeding Chi Xin mattered more.

They shared dinner alone this time. Though Chi Xin showed no expression, her happiness was clear.

Later, Leilo delivered the materials and explained dorm facilities. His verdict: *Phantom Feather’s a blank slate—pure white when others aren’t, utterly clueless when others are.*

By 8 PM, Leilo left. Their dorms were close, and campus security was tight—no real danger.

After Leilo left, Phantom Feather and Chi Xin shared a bed as usual. But tonight was different. An hour later, Phantom Feather emerged, fully energized, and headed to the forge.

Next morning, Belka didn’t crash breakfast—but someone else did.

"Ahaha! Phantom Feather, this breakfast is amazing! Better than the cafeteria!" The guest cheered between bites.

"Is it?" Phantom Feather smiled faintly.

"Absolutely!" Leilo declared.

Chi Xin stared at Phantom Feather, silently pleading to be fed. He complied. Leilo fell quiet, mesmerized by the tender scene.

With two days off after testing, Leilo had time to guide them to Branch 19.

They arrived at the Disciplinary Committee’s Branch 19 headquarters in Sector 19’s heart.

"I’ll take my leave," Leilo said after dropping them off. "I promised to watch Yote’s test."

"Safe travels," Phantom Feather replied.

Watching Leilo’s armored vehicle depart, Phantom Feather led Chi Xin into the modest office.

Before he saw anyone, a familiar voice rang out: "Little Feather’s so slow. Where’ve you been?"

"Bell Sister? What are you doing here?" Phantom Feather sighed, stepping inside.

"Speak of the devil!" Belka grinned from her seat. She eyed his white tee and black jeans.

Beside her sat others: the fiery-haired girl, a mature black-haired girl with rimless glasses, and Lily Puls—long unseen.

In the left corner, a green-haired girl watched crystal-ball projections on the wall.

*Reflective Monitors,* Phantom Feather noted. *Pipes with mirrors channeling images to memory-storing crystals.*

His gaze lingered briefly on her before returning to Belka’s group. He closed the door and approached with Chi Xin.

He greeted them politely. Only Belka responded warmly. Others gave cold nods, calm stares, or a simple "Hmph."

*—Being good is hard work.*

Though their greetings were stiff, their eyes followed him. His white tee made him look sunlit; his gentle voice charmed. Belka beamed: "Little Feather’s as handsome as ever." She patted Chi Xin’s hand. "And Chi Xin’s bear dress is adorable today!"

Chi Xin wore a white dress with a giant bear print. It suited her porcelain skin and delicate face perfectly. The others couldn’t help but stare.

"Uh~ You didn’t call me over today just for this pointless stuff, right?" Illusionary Feather muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed under their stares. Blazing Heart showed no shyness at all, gazing at the four girls ahead with an innocent-looking expression.

"Hmph, of course not. We summoned you to investigate yesterday’s incident and to educate you," Misha replied, forcing calm after hearing his words.

"But I wasn’t the one who started it! If anyone needs educating, it’s him—and I don’t even know who he is." Illusionary Feather felt uneasy; he’d gone too far yesterday, but the fault wasn’t truly his.

"Excessive self-defense still counts. That’s exactly why we’re educating you." Misha spouted some twisted logic, somehow making it sound reasonable.

While she spoke, the others stayed silent. Belka just sat there, looking thoroughly entertained by the show.

"Before that, though, state your name. How else should I address you? ‘Fiery-Haired Girl’? ‘Hot-Tempered Girl’? Or something else?" Illusionary Feather teased, watching the girl before him—who, despite knowing her chest was lacking, stubbornly stood tall on tiptoes with her chin up.

"Pfft~" Lily was the first to burst out laughing, which was surprisingly rare for her.

"You! What did you say?" Realizing she’d become the punchline, Misha glared with round, fiery-red eyes—matching her hair—and snapped angrily.

"Misha, just introduce yourself properly," the black-haired girl with rimless glasses reminded her.

"Hmph. I’m Misha Horad Rayel, an executive member of Branch 19." Prompted by the black-haired girl, Misha introduced herself grumpily this time.

"I’m Illusionary Feather, Yayang’s dead-last student. Please look after me from now on." Only after she introduced herself did Illusionary Feather give his own serious introduction.

"And this… is my distant younger sister, Phantom Night Emberheart." After introducing himself, he casually added Blazing Heart to the mix.

"Master?" Blazing Heart called out, looking slightly confused.

"You… you per… per… pervert! Making your own sister call you ‘Master’? Scum!" Hearing Blazing Heart’s address, Misha’s lips twitched. She stumbled back a few steps, stammering.

"Misha, stop. Can’t you see Blazing Heart doesn’t mind?" The black-haired girl quickly intervened. Misha fell silent.

"Late introduction—I’m Sophia Rouldrayel Dalian, Branch 19’s analysis officer." Once Misha quieted down, the black-haired girl finally introduced herself.

"Mm, nice to meet you." Illusionary Feather smiled and nodded politely.

"Little Feather, don’t forget your big sister’s here. Smiling at girls so casually isn’t proper." Seeing Sophia blush and lower her head at his smile, Belka fanned the flames from the side.

"Big Sis Belka, what are you even doing here?" Illusionary Feather turned to Belka, who sat elegantly nearby, occasionally lightening the mood.

"Obviously, to see which girls my handsome Little Feather has charmed~" Belka dodged a serious answer.

"Don’t spread rumors. I’m not planning to charm anyone right now." Illusionary Feather wasn’t sure what he was even saying.

"Oh-ho? ‘Right now’ you’re not? What about later?" Spotting his slip, Belka flashed a devilish grin and teased him.

"*Hss—huff—*" Illusionary Feather slightly opened his mouth, gritting his teeth. He took a deep breath to keep from exploding on the spot.

"Alright, big sister’s being serious now." Illusionary Feather raised his hands in surrender.

"Mm-hmm~ I came to check on my Little Feather—who just joined the StudentCouncil, didn’t even know what the council room looked like, got in trouble that same day, and had to report to Branch 19 the next morning." Belka still wasn’t fully serious, but she’d revealed her reason.

"Hey, let me be clear—I didn’t do anything!" Illusionary Feather rushed to deny her words.

"Then Little Misha, explain." Seeing his denial, Belka turned to Misha beside her.

"Oh, student Illusionary Feather was notified to come today for rehabilitation due to suspected involvement in a fight." Misha stated it matter-of-factly.

"Don’t twist it! I fought back, but he started it." Feeling blamed for everything, Illusionary Feather defended himself.

"We’ve already dealt with him. Since you’re from the StudentCouncil, your punishment is heavier." With others silent, Misha continued speaking to him.

"I’m innocent." That was all Illusionary Feather wanted to say before giving up on further explanation.

"Fine. Your punishment is simple: assist Branch 19 whenever we need help." Misha announced it with a perfectly reasonable expression.

"Big Sis Belka suggested this, didn’t she?" Illusionary Feather instantly pieced it together.

"Eh? How did Little Feather know?" Belka stared at him dumbly, eyes full of confusion.

—Don’t stare too long at Big Sis Belka’s cute act.

—How many glances are allowed?

—So~ adora~ble~

"That’s obvious. Strangers wouldn’t ask for my help, right?" Slightly dazed by her cuteness, Illusionary Feather replied.

"I see… so that’s it." Belka’s face lit up with an ‘I understand’ expression.

After putting Illusionary Feather through more torment, they finally let him go. As thanks, Branch 19 members, Belka, and Lily joined him for lunch at his dorm.

—What’s going on? So Big Sis Belka’s close with Branch 19 too?

—Little Feather seems like a different person. Humans really are fickle… ah~ *munch*~ so delicious, Little Feather’s cooking.

Illusionary Feather’s tragic day finally ended after lunch.

Belka and Lily left for afternoon duties, while Branch 19 members headed back early for various reasons.

During lunch, Illusionary Feather noticed the green-haired girl—barely taller than Blazing Heart. No one introduced her, and he didn’t ask. Only after they left did he recall her presence.

—Such a weak presence.