"Here?"

Lin Zhong frowned slightly. The opposing club's activity room was right upstairs. Yet strangely, the entire floor was deserted. Every door along the way stood tightly shut. Not even a single room number was visible.

Aren't there other clubs here?

"This whole floor is their activity room."

Aester naturally sensed what Lin Zhong was thinking.

"The whole floor?"

Fool's Court's activity room was merely classroom-sized. This floor spanned far larger than a typical school level.

An activity room for the entire floor?

"Among all Apostle Clubs, this is mid-tier. By the way, aren't you putting your hat back on?"

Aester knew Lin Zhong rarely revealed his face. He only removed his hat in the club, during dungeon instances, or at home. Yet now, he showed no intention of covering up.

Snow White and Little Gray—one wolf, one cat—perched inside his hood. Their paws rested lightly on Lin Zhong's shoulders.

Lin Zhong's appearance could stir this school far more than three Apostles forming a club. Still, he refused to hide it.

"No need. I can't keep my hat perfectly still during combat anyway."

The combat Lin Zhong meant wasn't the coming clash. In a group dungeon instance, his hood couldn't stay fixed—if it did, Newton would weep.

"Suit yourself."

Aester smiled and gave the door a soft knock.

*Click!*

The door swung open abruptly. A stern-faced girl in a maid uniform stood there.

"I'm Aester. Please inform Lilianne of my arrival."

Aester nodded politely. But before her words faded, a voice answered from within.

"Let them in."

A woman's voice—smooth and melodious.

"Please enter."

The maid nodded, pushed the door wide, and stepped aside.

"You've arrived, President?"

Beyond the doorway stood a stunning woman with vibrant red hair. Unlike students in uniforms, she wore a crimson gown matching her locks perfectly.

Lilianne the Collector. Sixth-ranked Apostle.

Lin Zhong recognized her instantly, though only from photos.

The room matched Fool's Court's size. It seemed isolated from other spaces. Besides Lilianne and the maid, three girls stood inside.

Their gazes locked on Aester at the door.

"Hm? Who's she?"

As Aester entered, Lin Zhong came into view. Every pair of eyes widened in stunned silence. So beautiful.

Unlike Lilianne's noble grace, his silver hair radiated dreamlike beauty. His face, scanning the room, blurred reality and illusion.

Two braids draped over his shoulders. The Scottish Fold cat and the 'Husky' curiously studied Lilianne and the others.

"Our Fool's Court Vice President. The Battle Mage Lin Zhong you mentioned."

Aester found their expressions amusing but understandable. Anyone seeing that face would react the same.

He's Lin Zhong!?

A trace of shock flashed in their eyes. Lin Zhong's name and rumors flooded the city. His deeds were utterly disgraceful.

Yet him being a Battle Mage slapped every rumor-monger. Everyone here had heard the tales.

Rumors claimed Lin Zhong was too hideous to show his face. Seeing him now, they wanted to drag those liars out and beat them raw.

They'd even joked about his looks before. Now, the memory burned with embarrassment.

*Ahem!*

Lilianne struggled to steady her breath. She hadn't mocked him, but as president, she'd heard the whispers. The gap was hard to swallow.

"Pleased to meet you. I am Lilianne, owner of this collection hall."

"Oh. Lin Zhong."

Lin Zhong nodded. His expression stayed utterly flat.

Inside, his mind reeled. This sight shattered his view of Apostles completely.

This room was less an activity space, more a museum. Display cases dominated sixty percent of the floor.

Glass cabinets held weapons and artifacts. Just as Lilianne said—a collection hall. She ruled it.

"You've read the letter?"

Lilianne's tone held a hint of doubt. The letter was meant for Lin Zhong alone. She didn't know if he'd read it. Or what his answer might be.

"I've read it. I accept your invitation."

Lin Zhong pulled the letter from his pocket. He placed it on Lilianne's table.

"You agreed?"

Surprise flickered in Lilianne. She thought Aester's analysis would've uncovered their plan. His agreement startled her.

"Mm. Send the dungeon instance details."

Aester nodded.

"In that case, may I ask your lineup? I recall your club has five members."

Lilianne smiled at Aester, already pulling out her phone. She didn't rush to arrange anything.

"Six people. Three from Ability Division. One from Martial Arts Division. One from Magic Division. Plus a Battle Mage."

Lin Zhong spoke. That was Fool's Court's core. Charlotte was labeled Ability Division, though her power remained unknown. They loosely called her Martial Arts.

Strictly, she belonged to Ability Division.

The rest—except Magic Division's Alice—were founding members. Fool's Court had only six. No need for elite rotations like big clubs.

Everyone except Charlotte was top-tier elite. Even Sebastian, weakest after her, could be second-in-command elsewhere.

Let alone the two Apostles anchoring them. Plus Lin Zhong as Battle Mage. And Alice as Forbidden Spell Mage.

"Hmm. That's all?"