The classroom at the very end of the third floor in the science building was the chemistry lab—or rather, the abandoned former chemistry lab. Though closed after the old teaching building’s demolition, it was still regularly cleaned, so it never looked too messy…

“As club president, scouting the base falls to you,” she said.

“I’ve got dinner to figure out. You’re opening the Supernatural Research Club’s door.”

I patted my pocket, pulled out the key, and tossed it to the floor.

“What the hell?! Just ‘cause I’m president, I gotta clean this place for free?! Shen Yufeng! Xia Bing! I’m *definitely* remembering this!”

…Though honestly, it was just hot air. In the end, I still bent down, picked up the key, and headed to unlock the door.

Reaching the third-floor lab, a sharp chemical stench hit me—even before I reached the door. What the—?! Who left a bottle of *something* open and tossed it out here?!

Ugh. I thought the cleaners were diligent. Nope. Bottles probably scattered everywhere inside. This cleanup’s gonna suck.

I pulled out the key—but a light push cracked the door open. Unlocked?! How careless was the last cleaner?!

“Hello? Anyone in there?” I called politely. *Maybe a couple’s… y’know… inside? Awkward.* Sure, who’d pick a place reeking of chemicals and mystery gunk for *that*… but… what if?

Five seconds passed. No reply. No clattering sounds. Empty. Just a forgotten lock.

I pushed the door open. The chemical cocktail nearly made me gag. Dim room. Sealed windows. Blue curtains blocking most sunlight. Half-full or empty bottles lay scattered haphazardly. A large reagent cabinet stood battered, missing several glass panes…

*Sigh.* President Mobai was *so* “thoughtful” assigning our Supernatural Research Club this dump. How am I supposed to nap here?

I stepped in, searching for a broom—when hurried footsteps sounded behind me. Before I could react, a sharp object pierced my back. A slight sting made my eye twitch. I turned. A red-haired, crimson-eyed girl in Nalanmude Middle School’s uniform smirked wickedly.

“You! You’re— Wah!”

Her strength was insane. She pinned me down mid-sentence. “Damn it! Don’t jam that pointy thing into my back! You’re poking the gaps between my Black Dragon Scales! Don’t stab every gap you see—it *hurts*!”

“Ha~ huff~! Blood… come out… come out now!”

*Is she insane?!* Hot breath, bloodthirsty eyes—a full yandere vibe. She *meant* to kill me.

I unleashed my dragon aura, repelling her, and yanked the compass from my back. No blood, but it stung like hell.

“Who *are* you?! Why attack me?!”

“Eh? So strange… ara ara~ ara ara~! Why no blood? Tell me! Don’t people die when stabbed?”

*T-this girl’s not normal. Dangerous.* Damn it—why do I keep meeting freaks?!

She slowly lifted her skirt hem. *As a gentleman, I won’t stare like some harem anime lead!* But in a blur too fast to follow, she pulled out seven or eight compasses (A fourth-dimensional pocket?!). Wedged between her fingers. *Cosplaying Wolverine?!*

“Let’s talk! No need for weapons! Can’t we just chat?”

“Weapons? Silly~ These are just stationery~ Sta~tion~er~y~”

She hurled three compasses. Searing pain slashed my cheek. Warm liquid dripped onto my hand.

“Come on! Let’s play dissection! I’ll be the doctor, you the frog~?”

*Can we talk normally?!* She’s kinda cute (damn it), but my face is wrecked. Time for a lesson.

No magic in public. No weapons nearby. I manifested the Black Dragon Scales on my hands—barehanded defense.

Compasses jabbed. I raised my arms. *Snap. Bend.* Every one shattered against scales harder than diamond. The crimson-eyed girl leaped back, eyes wide with shock.

Hmph! This Doom Dragon Scale armor laughs at the Champion’s Holyblade. Tiny compasses? Pathetic.

…Though wow, she *really* threw those. Force is mutual. How much strength did it take to break them all?

“So you’re not ordinary~ Your body’s *fascinating*. I’d love a deeper… *physical* exchange.”

If any girl said that, most guys would melt. Not me. She radiated pure danger. I don’t do yanderes.

“Thanks for the… offer. But we’re not compatible.”

“Eh~~ Handsome, reconsider? You’d be Xiao Zi’s *perfect* toy!”

*Toy?* In my past life, mortals were *my* toys—the Doom Dragon’s. Now *you* want to play? Prove you can.

“Ah~~ Time’s up. Boring. Only get to play so briefly… Handsome, I’ll see you next time~”

Her eyes closed. She collapsed. Hair shifted to normal black. I froze. W-what?!

I poked her cheek. No response… *Phew.* If she’d grabbed a compass for my eyes—hell (Dragon Scales don’t cover eyes, after all).

Hair changing color… Is she a youkai like Xia Bing?

I activated my Doom Dragon’s golden eyes. Her aura: blue and white. Not youkai. Not undead. Not deity-like.

White = living human. Blue = soul after death. Blue + white = ?

“Hmph. Interesting. This world holds stranger things than I thought.”

I retracted the scales, sighed. The lab was messier than before. Would I finish before dinner…?

“Hm? Weird… How did I fall asleep?”

*Crap—awake?!* Is she dissecting me again?! I dropped into a stance, ready to grab a brick and knock her out.

“N-no! Sorry! Is this the Supernatural Research Club?”

“Uh… Yeah.”

“Great! I’m Xiao Zi, Class 3, Grade 1. Can I join? Who’s president?”

Her eyes were normal black now.

“I am.”

“Really? Can I join?!”

*President Mobai said a first-year wanted in… Was it… her? This yandere?*

“No.”

“Eh? Why?!”

*You tried to stab me!* Who’d keep a member who stabs the president daily?

“Sorry. We only accept those with supernatural abilities. You… don’t qualify.”

Flimsy excuse, but I won’t keep unstable hazards. Thank goodness it was me—not Xia Bing or Shen Yufeng. (…Why *am* I relieved they weren’t here?)

“A-actually! I *do* have an ability! I fall asleep walking… wake up somewhere else! It’s… spatial teleportation!”

……Does she *really* not remember?

Xiao Zi lowered her head, turning to leave.

“Sorry for the trouble.”

“Wait! Does this ability trouble *you*?”

“Yes… Waking up somewhere unknown… it’s terrifying.”

“Alright. Joining requires a test. Yours is unique—so your test is cleaning this lab. Will you do it?”

She looked up, eyes wide with disbelief. “Really? I can join?”

I nodded, handing her a rag. (*Not* free labor. Really.)

“Hurry. We must finish before school closes.” Half the mess was her fault. Fair’s fair.

“Yes, President!”