Sharkai Bai followed closely behind Xia Feina.
After finally getting through the slightly chilly morning weather, the academy warmed up by noon.
"Hey, Pervert Bai, can you walk faster? Hesna and Snowlotus are waiting for us."
"Okay... okay... Haaah———"
Woken up by Xia Feina from a deep sleep in the dorm, Sharkai Bai was still groggy and dazed. His reply came out weak and listless.
"By the way... didn't we already buy this week's food and put it in the fridge? Why go all the way to the cafeteria?"
Still half-asleep, Sharkai Bai pulled out his wallet. The living expenses his old man gave him were almost gone.
"How would I know about that! Just hurry up already!"
Xia Feina's tone was tinged with guilt.
How could she admit that she'd sneaked into the kitchen late at night to try making delicious dishes, only to waste most of the food?
Xia Feina had planned to defeat Cecilia Xuelian by mastering even tastier recipes. But reality often had other plans.
"...You didn't... waste it all, did you———!!!!"
"Cut the crap! You're being extra annoying today!"
Her reaction confirmed his suspicion.
The foul-smelling, unidentifiable black gunk he'd seen in the kitchen trash that morning was the food Xia Feina had wasted the night before.
"Aaaahhhhhhhhh!!!! That was a whole week's worth of food, missy!!"
"Tch, fine, it's my fault this time. Let's go! I'm starving!"
Faced with Xia Feina's insincere apology and her turning to hurry him along, Sharkai Bai could only hang his head in despair, speechless for a moment.
"Isn't it common sense to apologize sincerely while showing some cleavage?!"
"Die with me, you perverted ecchi Bai! Seriously, what's always on your mind?!"
Since three young ladies moved into the dorm, his expenses had skyrocketed to triple what he used to spend living alone!
Triple the cost.
Even Sharkai Bai, who treated money as lightly as paper, felt its importance for the first time watching the three girls spend it carelessly at home.
Thankfully, he'd saved some extra before. Otherwise, he'd have to ask his old man for more.
(Sigh! Just take it as it comes...)
Now, Sharkai Bai was wide awake.
Tsukune Naji sat on a bench under the shade of a tree. His partner for this mission, Jeliana, approached with oil-paper-wrapped stuffed flatbreads and handed him one.
"I can't believe I, a girl, have to treat you. This is way worse than splitting the bill!"
"...I didn't ask you to buy for me."
"Well, do you have any money on you?"
"Hmph... I don't mind not eating."
"Then give it back!"
Jeliana reached for the one in Tsukune Naji's hand.
"...Never mind. Thanks anyway."
"Tch, you're so not straightforward!"
"No results after a whole morning of investigating!"
"Don't rush."
"Even if you say that, it's so boring right now."
Sitting beside Tsukune Naji, Jeliana let out a bored sigh.
If she were partnered with Shinji Sanmi, they'd probably be chattering nonstop by now.
Suddenly, a mischievous, devilish smile curled on Jeliana's lips. She seemed to have thought of a fun prank.
"Thunder God, do you have tissues? The oil's seeping onto my hands."
"Do you have any or not? Lend me some if you do! It's so uncomfortable!"
"You..."
Tsukune Naji looked at Jeliana beside him, her oily right hand resting on his shoulder.
"Didn't you already wipe it on my clothes?"
"Ah, caught! ☆~"
The most detailed intel they had was that the stolen divine artifact was within Celestial Carving Academy. But they had no clue about its exact location.
Only the New Wing Divine Church could narrow the search from the entire Aire Continent down to Celestial Carving Academy with such powerful intel-gathering skills.
The genius twins of the New Wing Divine Church sat on the bench, munching on cheap snacks for lunch while observing all the apprentices passing by.
They preferred simple, violent combat missions over this tedious, patience-requiring task.
Unlike Jeliana, who casually glanced around, Tsukune Naji emitted precise currents of electricity, controlling them to flow across the ground.
Though the passing apprentices showed no abnormalities, Tsukune Naji could clearly observe their body parts and carried items with this method.
The range covered nearly half the academy.
"Move!"
One second nothing happened; the next, Tsukune Naji shot up from the bench, blood surging in his throat.
His observation had been cut off!
All the current-based intel links vanished instantly.
"What's wrong!"
"Someone... cut off my intel currents."
"Found the target?"
"Almost certainly."
"Direction?"
"The cafeteria."
At that moment, Zhiminghan arrived at the cafeteria entrance, a black long case strapped to her back.
To other apprentices, it looked like she was carrying some kind of musical instrument.
"Is it inside?"
"Yes."
Qian Nami Shizuru followed behind her, scanning the surroundings.
The two communicated discreetly using a special method.
Inside the black case was the stolen divine artifact of the New Wing Divine Church: "Stryo's Sword".
It must not be stolen back by them.
"Be careful. The New Wing Divine Church guys are here."
"Understood."
After receiving Qian Nami Shizuru's warning, Zhiminghan entered the cafeteria.
The ranking battles on the playground had temporarily ended, and the cafeteria was packed with apprentices.
Zhiminghan frowned; she disliked the unpleasant smell in the air.
Apprentices gathered in small groups, discussing the morning's duels.
"Ahhh... so tired."
"Less complaining! Stop whining!"
"Please, can you help me?"
"I'm making you train properly! Stop thinking about sleeping in the dorm all day!"
A familiar voice came from behind Zhiminghan.
Sharkai Bai carried a large bag filled with cafeteria-special bento boxes of rice and meat dishes. It looked no lighter than the big bag of goods Zhiminghan had bought that morning.
Walking ahead of Sharkai Bai was a delicate girl with long white hair, sipping orange juice.
(Damn! How dare this woman make Bai carry so much!)
(Damn! How dare she tire Bai out like this!)
This was the simultaneous thought of both Zhiminghan and Qian Nami Shizuru.
Unbeknownst to her, Xia Feina had already been marked as an enemy by two other girls she didn't know at all.
