There were endless, super scary stories—if it were anyone else, Ouyang Tao might have just laughed them off. But when it came to that ghostly girl in the Arcane Library, it was hard to say.

Moreover, recalling how those Mechanical Department students reacted at the mention of being punished with a month’s work in the library for brawling seemed to confirm it.

Still, his curiosity won out. Ouyang Tao nodded slightly. “Alright… just a little then.”

“Heh, you’re actually willing to listen?” Monster Girl’s expression instantly relaxed—she’d clearly been joking earlier.

“Because I care. Somehow, that librarian seems… lonely. Even pitiable.”

“Well, you’re not wrong. I can share a bit…” Monster Girl’s tone turned serious as she paused her work and lit a cigarette. “But remember: don’t tell a soul.”

“Got it.”

“That girl is Zhao Yuehan. Though she’s definitely no older than your sister, she skipped grades multiple times. Now she’s a second-year Spectral Discipline student like me. She’s cute, but we don’t really click.”

So Monster Girl was picky about her targets—but that wasn’t the point. “Skipped grades multiple times? So her magic is strong?”

“It’s more than that. She’s special—not an ordinary mage. Not even… entirely human.” Monster Girl stopped working entirely, taking a drag.

In the end, Ouyang Tao washed all the dishes alone.

“Not entirely human?”

“Mhm. She’s a chosen Death Envoy. One trait is permanent Spirit Sight—you’ve seen it, right?”

“I have.” So that girl’s Spirit Sight was permanent. It felt eerie. “What’s a Death Envoy? Sounds terrifying.”

“I only know rumors; the rest is classified. But two things are certain: ghosts obey her, and the academy treats Zhao Yuehan—and her power—with extreme caution. The Arcane Library was expanded just for her.”

Right, Zhao Yuehan had mentioned living there. Though not a scary story, Ouyang Tao sensed something off. “Why expand it just for her?”

“Because Death World power terrifies us living beings. A Death Envoy is like an ambassador from that world. We can’t afford to offend her. So the only solution is…”

“To lock her up?”

“Don’t phrase it so harshly! It’s special treatment and protection. The library has luxury private quarters just for her, with staff handling meals and daily needs. She lives like a Princess.”

But anyone could see that, no matter how comfortable, Zhao Yuehan had lost something vital—freedom.

Ouyang Tao seemed airheaded, but he was sharp about certain things, especially mechanical magic architecture. “Actually, the library is a Seal Barrier, isn’t it? That’s basically house arrest.”

“You little…” Monster Girl flicked his forehead. “If you already know, why ask?”

Constructing buildings and fixed Seal Barriers was within Ouyang Tao’s skills—he’d just rarely used them. He’d sensed the library was off from the start.

“But…”

Ouyang Tao wanted to press further, but Monster Girl cut him off. “About the library: I said nothing. You asked nothing. You figured it all out yourself. Understand?”

“Okay…” That topic was forbidden. With the dishes done, Ouyang Tao had one last question. “Senior, about my sister today—didn’t it seem odd?”

“How so?”

“She’s in the Elemental Department. Why discuss elemental magic with a Mechanical Department senior?”

“Still worrying about your sister? You’re such a brother…” Monster Girl exhaled smoke. “It’s normal. Every Mechanical Mage masters at least one other discipline. And if it’s that guy, it’s even less surprising.”

That phrasing… “Do you know the guy who got bullied?”

“Yeah. The seventh son of Duke Ryan.”

“What? A duke’s son?!” Ouyang Tao couldn’t believe it.

Duke Ryan—the ruler of the Duchy of Lain. His heir being bullied at the academy like that was… pathetic.

“He’s hopeless as a Mechanical Mage. He’s talented in elements, but the duke’s family forced him into Mechanical Department for face and politics. Hence the mess.”

“But he’s still a duke’s son. It can’t be that bad?”

“Do you think he’ll ever inherit? Everyone looks down on him. Bullying’s routine.”

Suddenly, Ouyang Tao felt he wasn’t the worst off in Mechanical Department.

Being forced into something you hate and suck at was painful enough.

Still, one thing nagged at him. “But…”

“Relax. With his current state, he won’t charm your sister.”

Only then did Ouyang Tao truly relax.

“Alright, it’s 1 a.m. Get to bed. I’m…” Monster Girl stubbed out her cigarette, stretching to end the chat. But her uniform sleeve-badge blared an alarm. “Seriously?!”

Seconds later, Silent Sword came downstairs fully dressed.

Clearly, an emergency had struck. “Seniors, what’s wrong?”

“None of your business. Good kids go to sleep. Adults’ time now. Silent Sword, let’s go.” Monster Girl stripped off her pajamas and pulled on her uniform—right in front of him—and rushed out with Silent Sword.

Ouyang Tao knew better than to pry. He headed upstairs to rest.

Avoiding trouble didn’t mean trouble avoided you.

Despite the late night, Ouyang Tao woke on time the next morning.

Monster Girl and Silent Sword hadn’t returned. Something big had happened. Heeding his senior’s warning, he didn’t dwell on it and quickly prepared breakfast for himself and his sister.

“A Xue, hurry! You’ll be late for class.”

“Coming!”

Breakfast was toast, fried eggs, bacon, milk, and an apple—simple and nutritious. But the siblings had no time to eat…

Ding-dong~ The doorbell rang. Ouyang Tao opened it to find armed guards and two stern-faced Discipline Squad members.

“Can I help you?”

A guard with a major’s insignia asked, “Are you Ouyang Tao, first-year Mechanical Department student?”

Their tone was polite but grave. “Y-yes.”

The guard didn’t reply immediately, peering past his shoulder. “Who’s that?”

“My sister, Ouyang Xue. She’s in Elemental Department.” Though innocent, their stance made Ouyang Tao uneasy. “She stayed over last night—it’s not against rules, right?”

“No misunderstanding. We need both of you to assist with an assault investigation. Come to Security. Just a statement—we’ll minimize class disruption.”

“Alright…”

So something major had truly happened…