Elf? Beauty? Spy!

Why discuss it in the bedroom? Du Chen frowned slightly. This Professor Mina was far too brazen; precisely the kind of woman he detested!

Yet, she was a professor, and her reason for taking him to investigate was perfectly justifiable. As a student, he had no choice but to comply!

Reluctantly, Du Chen followed Professor Mina out of the ship's cabin.

The moment they departed, Steve immediately caught the attunement crystal examiner's arm, whispering, “Greetings, Professor. I am a Sigurd Scion. I hope for your continued guidance in the future.” He grinned, leaning his head close to the examiner’s ear. “What sort of temperament does Professor Mina have? She’s not trying to seduce my little brother, is she?” As he spoke, feigning a noble’s embrace, he seized the opportunity to slip a small packet into the examiner’s hand. This was clearly a well-practiced maneuver, executed with such seasoned expertise that not a single student in the cabin noticed.

The examiner offered a wry smile, replying in an equally low voice, “Likely. She’d flirt with anyone, save for the Headmaster himself!”

“Woah, woah!” Steve chuckled mischievously, stepping back to let the examiner continue his work. He nudged Charles. “My dear brother, it seems our little sibling is about to embark on his first amorous adventure at Battle God Academy.”

Charles offered a faint smile. “I only care when he’ll be ready to spar with me.”

“Oh, come on, we’re family; what’s the fun in constantly fighting? Once we reach the Academy, I’ll send word to Father. He’ll be thrilled!” Steve spoke to Charles, but his gaze already roamed toward the future female students.

***

Professor Mina led Du Chen to her bedroom, a small cabin with a distinct natural aesthetic. It was adorned mostly with verdant green ornaments, and numerous climbing vines decorated the walls. The sudden appearance of such a room on a ship made Du Chen’s eyes widen in surprise.

Mina pushed the room's only table and chairs against the wall, then sat on the soft bed, gesturing to the meager space beside her with a smile. “Come, sit!”

With the table and chairs pushed aside, Du Chen had no other place to sit except the bed. His expression stony, he replied, “Professor, I believe I’ll stand. After all, I am a student, and you are a professor; it would be improper for me to sit beside you.”

“Where do you get all these rigid rules? You’re a student, I’m a teacher. What’s wrong with a teacher showing concern for a student?”

Mina approached Du Chen, resting a slender, jade-like hand upon his shoulder. “Just sit!”

Damn it, this professor was utterly insufferable!

Du Chen slightly shifted his shoulder, dodging Mina’s hand, and exclaimed hurriedly, “Professor, I shall report the situation of that refugee elder immediately. Do you have paper and a pen? I can sketch his likeness from memory.”

“How utterly dull!” Mina’s expression was displeased. She sat back on the bed, pointing to the table and chairs pushed into the corner. “There’s some in the drawer beneath the table. Hurry up and draw!”

Du Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He hastily found the paper and pen and began to draw.

Moments later, the image of an elderly refugee emerged under Du Chen’s pen. Though not a masterpiece comparable to an artist’s work, it was recognizable enough.

Mina took Du Chen’s drawing and glanced at it, a frown forming on her brow. The sketch depicted a man in his eighties or nineties, with hollowed cheeks and disheveled hair. It was too common; countless such lonely elders were displaced after the flood.

“Professor Mina, the circumstances of my encounter with this elder were as follows…”

Du Chen swiftly spun a tale of a kind-hearted child and a peerless expert. Then, he bowed deeply to Mina. “Professor, that is the full account. May I be excused?”

“What’s the rush? I’ll consult with the other teachers regarding this matter. You’ll await our summons for further inquiry at any time.” Mina casually placed the portrait on the bedside table. Flicking her pale green hair over her shoulder, she gazed down at the prominent crimson soft armor covering her chest and smiled. “Francis, don’t you think the color of my hair and the clothes I’m wearing don’t quite complement each other?”

“Uh, I’m afraid I possess no particular expertise in sartorial coordination.”

“Alas, I don’t think they match either. Tell you what, wait here, and I’ll change into something else for you to see!”

With that, Mina walked to the wardrobe, pulled out a black, tight-fitting outfit — one of exceedingly scant fabric — then first flaunted it before him, and then prepared to change right there in the cabin!

There wasn't a single screen or partition in this room.

Du Chen was seized with alarm. This brazen professor was indeed attempting to ensnare him! No, he had to leave quickly, or ruin would surely follow.

Just then, Mina unfastened the clasps across her chest. Heavens, she wore no undergarments! A swathe of pale, tender skin was unveiled before his eyes, a breathtaking sight.

Du Chen hastily spun around. “Professor, I’m feeling unwell. I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Come back! I command you, as your professor! If you dare take another step, I’ll scream assault and claim you attempted to molest your professor!” Mina circled around to stand directly before Du Chen. Du Chen instantly squeezed his eyes shut.

“My little heartthrob, you now have two paths before you: First, be seduced by me. Second, seduce me! Hehe, which one do you choose?”

Du Chen, his eyes still closed, couldn't see Mina, but by imagination, and the soft rustle of shifting fabric, he knew the scene before him was a veritable tableau of blossoming spring.

Blast it all, then! So what if he had to drop out?

Du Chen angrily declared, “Professor Mina, please maintain your dignity!”

“Hehe! My, my, aren’t you the bashful one, little fella? You’re fifteen this year, aren’t you?”

“Yes!”

“Your father, Arges, treats you poorly. Your mother passed when you were three. Of your two elder brothers, only Steve is kind to you. Oh, and you have an old servant, Foye, who raised you.”

Strange. Such intimate details weren’t on his enrollment notice. How could Mina possibly know them?

A tremor of surprise rippled through Du Chen.

“During the Battle God Academy entrance exams, Ferdinand used poison to help you cheat, allowing you to pass six rounds of martial trials, didn’t he?”

Du Chen froze. Ferdinand’s operations were meticulous, his influence vast; there was no conceivable way this secret could have leaked.

Lost in his thoughts, Mina’s melodious laughter chimed once more. “First-Class Cleric Francis of the Enforcement Temple, correct?”

“Hehe, open your eyes. I’m quite dressed now. That was just a little prank! But, wasn’t this a rather… interesting way to meet?”

Du Chen opened his eyes. Mina had already changed into the black, tight-fitting outfit and was smiling, extending a hand towards him. “White-Robed Arch-Bishop Mina of the Holy Church’s Enforcement Temple, Internal Liaison Officer for the Academy, codename ‘Rose’! A pleasure to finally meet you, you shy little thing!”