October 20th, Year 80 of the 9th Century, Reno Imperial Calendar.

In a sense, this was Kempfa Academy's most special day since its founding.

It symbolized not just new sprouts flourishing, but also the withering of overripe fruits.

That was—the youngest club in history—'After-School Dark Lord and Me' Fan Club—officially forming today!

"Ahem..."

In the massive auditorium, a golden-haired gothic lolita sat primly on a custom toddler stool, speaking into the mic.

"Everyone... I... I... I..."

She tilted her head up, large beads of sweat glistening under the spotlight.

"Don't be nervous! You can do it!"

"We support you, delinquent golden Sorceress!"

"Ganbatte!"

"..."

Countless spectators cheered below. Beside her stood a tall, purple-haired man, watching with concern.

"I... I... I!"

Suddenly, a puppy darted from the backstage darkness. No—look closer! A black-haired lolita, no bigger than a pup!

She leaped high, pouncing onto the golden-haired girl under everyone's gaze, hugging tightly!

"Al... Alpha! You're back!"

The golden-haired lolita stared in shock.

Alpha tilted her head, side bangs covering half her face.

"Mas... master sent me... to... to help Sister Alice..."

"Sob... Alpha, you're the best!"

In a lightning-fast move, Alice planted a loud "smack" on Alpha's cheek.

Alpha's face flushed from chin to forehead. Her head shook uncontrollably, eyes spinning, muttering:

"Is... is this the taste of a kiss...?"

The venue exploded. That kiss ignited the atmosphere to fever pitch.

Within breaths, senior students spurted blood and collapsed from the steamy scene.

This kept our Tyrant teacher, Saori, frantically busy.

As Enlightenment Class rep, order maintenance fell squarely on her.

"First-aid team! Move! Conscious ones, drag the injured back with your hands!"

"Discipline committee! Secure the scene now!"

"Cleaning crew! Wipe every bloodstain clean! Lick it if you must!"

Saori issued commands methodically, wiping sweat, glancing at the stage.

No need to worry—the stage was guarded by Kempfa's strongest youth: Rose Lance Dilu.

"Bang."

Alice stomped her foot on the platform.

One hand gripped the mic; the other clutched—Alpha's small chest.

She hadn't noticed where her hand was. Nervous tremors made it shake harder.

Alpha endured silently, tiny fists clenched near her face, eyes misty, soft whimpers escaping.

"Uwaa!" Director Bolong screamed from the VIP seat, shooting two blood jets. He'd seen every detail—including the groping.

Panic erupted.

"Director Bolong!!! First-aid team! Now!!!"

"No good! Breathing weak! Heart rate spiking! Off the charts! Maxed out!!!"

"Director Bolong! Hang on!"

"Director Bolong..."

"..."

"Ev... everyone, please... quiet down!!!"

Alice hit a high note. Silence crashed over the hall. Even medics froze. All eyes turned to her.

—The delinquent golden Sorceress.

"Alpha..."

Alice moved the mic between them. Alpha blinked big eyes in surprise.

"Meow?"

"Darn Sima Liangjie, missing this crucial moment... We delinquent Three-Color Salad should've struck together!"

Alice smiled suddenly. A spring breeze seemed to brush the crowd.

Alpha nodded firmly, reaching a small paw for the mic.

"Meow!"

"Good! Then..."

Under every gaze, both pressed rosy lips to the mic. In girlish unison, they declared:

"Af... af... after-school... Dark Lord... and me... fan club... of... officially formed!"

Cheers peaked as the playful words ended.

"Delinquent! Golden! Sorceress! Woo!"

"Delinquent! Black! Reaper! Meow meow!"

The audience roared. A new era dawned.

"Darn Sima Liangjie... where are you at this critical moment!!!" Alice yelled skyward.

Far away at Kempfa campus, a silver-haired youth sneezed hard.

"Damn! Who's cursing me..."

None other than Lord Sima Luan Tong.

Ryosuke wiped his nose, sitting cross-legged on a broad shoulder.

Its owner strode steadily through bustling Imperial Capital streets.

The lost tribe's Apsen Giant.

"Hey, old man, you overshot it."

"Oh~ I knew without you saying, old man."

Apsen grumbled, taking a flick to his head.

"Shut up, idiot! I snuck out!"

Pedestrians pointed and whispered:

"Look at that harmonious father-son pair—though they look nothing alike."

"Grandfather and grandson, I bet! That kid's handsome though."

"Turn back, fool! Trying to piss me off?"

Ryosuke hissed, pointing to a wood-and-crystal building behind:

—Mercenary Guild.

"Got it."

Apsen muttered, turned, then charged headfirst inside.

A faint *thud* echoed at the entrance.

Due to height and speed, Ryosuke couldn't dodge. His head went *clang* against the doorframe.

The great Iceflower Evil God Dragon, felled by a doorframe—unprecedented, unmatched...

"Ol~d da~d!"

Ryosuke sat up, rubbing his red head, glaring at the naive giant.

"Pick me up!"

"Oh!"

Apsen scooped him up, settling him back on his shoulder.

A waiter, barely containing laughter, finally approached. These weren't high-rank mercenaries—just adventurers, at best.

Mercenary ranks were strict: groups from E to Z; individuals from Trainee to Abyss Adventurer.

Junior Adventurers could join groups. Senior Adventurers were hotly recruited.

Abyss Adventurers—elusive legends. Only six existed on Reno Continent.

"Y... you two... need something...?"

The waiter's smile leaked through shaking shoulders.

Ryosuke glared, flicking a card from his pocket. It spun neatly into the waiter's hand.

He glanced dismissively—then his face flushed red, paled, turned green.

His mouth gaped, making hollow sounds:

"Ab... ab... ab..."

Ryosuke grinned evilly, leaping to the waiter's shoulder. The man dropped into a shaky horse stance.

"Listen... my old man's low-key. No one learns anything... understand?"

The waiter nodded frantically like pounding garlic, trembling hands offering the card to Apsen.

"Just give it to me."

Ryosuke took it nonchalantly. The waiter checked Apsen's calm face, then handed it over.

Ryosuke beckoned. Apsen obeyed.

The waiter nearly wet himself! A noble master commanding an Ab—

—Abyss Adventurer!

One of only six on Reno Continent!

"Hey~ hey~" Ryosuke whispered close. "You laughed earlier. Go on—laugh for me~"

"Heh... heh heh..."

The waiter forced a smile uglier than tears.

Ryosuke patted his head consolingly, flipped back to Apsen's shoulder, and they entered the guild.

The waiter's legs buckled. He crumpled to the floor.

Fainted.