In the living room of the Cecilia Family villa sat an uninvited VIP.
Shinzimi crossed her legs, feet resting on the table, holding an expensive-looking teacup.
Steam still rose from the black tea inside.
"Tsk. Even as a bishop of the New Wing Divine Church, I can only live in a run-down chapel. How lavish the humble Cecilia Family is~~~"
Only she dared to say such things on Cecilia’s turf.
"Even if our families are allies, such words are beneath your dignity, Bishop," Cecilia Xuelian said, entering the living room led by a maid.
She’d just overheard Shinzimi’s remark.
Cecilia Xuelian had changed out of her S-rank magic uniform from the Celestial Engraved Magic Academy into her usual lavish attire.
To outsiders, she looked dazzling.
But in Shinzimi’s eyes, the tear stains hidden under her powder were still visible.
She’d cried—hard.
"Oh dear, Missy~~ You look radiant. Cheap makeup doesn’t really work, does it~~~" Shinzimi set down her teacup, arms crossed as she glared down, deliberately provoking her.
Unexpectedly, Cecilia Xuelian simply replied, "Thank you," lightly.
"If you’re just here to pick a fight out of boredom, I have matters to attend to. Excuse me." Her tone turned icy.
"Sharkai Bai’s situation." Shinzimi finally stated her purpose, lounging on the sofa with her right hand propping up her chin.
Cecilia Xuelian’s teacup paused mid-air for a second.
She quickly regained composure.
"I won’t concern myself with him anymore. Discuss his affairs with my father." She sipped her tea and stood to leave for her room.
A smirk curled Shinzimi’s lips. This was exactly as she’d expected.
"He’ll die, you know. Sharkai Bai."
At Shinzimi’s words from behind, Cecilia Xuelian’s steps froze.
"What... did you say?"
"I said, he went alone to the Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium."
---
Celestial Engraved Magic Academy.
On the third day of the academy festival, Hesna walked alone through the campus after finding a letter from Sharkai Bai on her desk.
It said he had family matters to handle and had left enough money for her expenses.
Below the dorm building, a white-haired girl approached Hesna head-on.
"Good morning, Sister Xia Feina." Knowing the girl was close to her big brother, Hesna greeted her first.
"Oh? That lolicon pervert Bai isn’t trailing you today?" Xia Feina eyed the lone Hesna.
Though she wouldn’t stoop to bickering with a child, Sharkai Bai’s "favoritism" clearly irked her—though it was just pettiness.
"Big brother said he had family business to settle, so he went back."
"Hah!? That guy actually handles family affairs!?" Xia Feina nearly stumbled, the world spinning dark before her eyes.
"Whatever. Let’s go. Forget that idiot. I’ll keep you company." Xia Feina took Hesna’s hand.
Since Hesna seemed important to Sharkai Bai, Xia Feina wouldn’t let a little girl wander alone. The festival was lively, but shady outsiders lurked everywhere.
"Oh? Xia Feina? Haven’t seen you or Snowlotus with Sharkai these past days?" Student Council President Elucia held a box of takoyaki, munching on some unknown snack.
The third day of the festival was a rare break—she’d dumped all work on Wilkor.
"He went home."
"And this is?"
"Hello, big sister, I’m—" Hesna began to introduce herself.
But Xia Feina’s eyes gleamed. She’d thought of a fun, mischievous game.
"Ahhh—! She’s Sharkai Hesna! Bai’s and... my child." Xia Feina lowered her head shyly, as if struggling to speak.
"EHHHHHHHH—!?!?!"
"EHHHHHHHH—!?!?!"
Elucia and Hesna shrieked in unison.
"Y-you... Sharkai... Bai... ch-ch-ch-child—!?!?!" Elucia stammered.
"No! Sister Xia Feina!! What are you saying!?" Hesna waved her tiny hands frantically, trying to explain.
But Elucia was petrified. The food in her mouth dropped to the floor as she stood frozen in shock.
"Haha, let’s go!" Xia Feina grabbed Hesna’s hand, and they dashed past the stunned Elucia.
"Ch... child..." Elucia murmured, still stone-still.
---
Northern Kingdom.
"Huff! So this is it? The Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium in Ochinissa City."
After parting with Emperor Feng, Sharkai Bai arrived at the consortium’s headquarters in Ochinissa City.
---He’d completely ignored Emperor Feng’s warning.
He came not just to eliminate the Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium—a threat to Hesna’s safety—but to unleash the fury he’d bottled up these past days.
The Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium? The Northern Kingdom’s top conglomerate?
Sharkai Bai didn’t care anymore.
Before him loomed the consortium’s fortress-like base, layer upon towering layer.
At the very top, Kongshui Ji, the consortium leader, sat facing him directly.
Kongshui Ji lit a cigar confidently, treating this like an entertaining beast fight.
"The boss heard some fool wants to wipe out our consortium," said Akiyama Chika, strolling up to Sharkai Bai with a massive blade strapped to her back.
"Tsk! Ghost Dragon Martial Consortium? Never heard of that trash! Just lie down and let me carve you up!"
Whoosh—!
Bang—!
Before the words faded, Sharkai Bai appeared behind Akiyama Chika at blinding speed.
His violet eyes burned with frenzy.
Yet his powerful punch slammed only into the broad blade she raised in defense.
Even so, Akiyama Chika flew backward, crashing into a wall from the sheer force.
"Cough! Cough!" She’d underestimated him.
Crawling out of the rubble, she saw Sharkai Bai standing still, not attacking again.
(That bastard... is giving me time to rest!?)
Realizing his intent, Akiyama Chika charged, enraged. It was an insult.
Her giant blade swung down—only for Sharkai Bai to casually step on its edge with his foot.
A familiar scene.
His chilling violet gaze locked onto her as his lips curled upward.
"Warm-up continues."
