"Yo! Isn't this our mountain-burning Princess? Why have you come to see a lowly Director like me now?"
"Ugh! I'm sorry!"
In the Director's office, Shinguji Kurono looked at the blushing Stella with a teasing gaze, while Ikki Kurogane stood by with an awkward smile. Her expression was beyond "happy."
"So, tell me, what do you plan to do?"
"I'll pay for it! Since I caused all of this, I will take responsibility!"
As the Princess of the Vermillion Kingdom, Stella's family was certainly wealthy beyond measure. Forget an academy; the Vermillion Kingdom could afford to pay for an entire island.
"Very well, then take a look at this. Here's the bill!"
Director Kokonoe casually handed a report to Stella. Seeing the girl's trembling hands, she felt a rare sense of satisfaction.
"Wait, this is...?"
Looking at the bill Director Kokonoe had handed her, Stella was dazed, her expression turning blank.
"What's wrong, Stella?"
Ikki also seemed to notice something and quickly looked at the bill. The amount shown was vastly different from what they had imagined.
"Director, why... is it so little?"
It wasn't because it was too much, but because it was too little!
As a Princess, even if Hagun Academy had demanded an exorbitant price, Stella could have afforded it, especially since she was indeed responsible.
But the compensation amount was far less than Stella had expected—it was unnaturally low!
"That's because someone has already paid those fees for you, Princess!"
Upon hearing this, Stella's expression changed immediately.
Paid for her?
That wasn't a pleasant thought. As a Princess, Stella had seen countless sycophants. She immediately suspected that someone was trying to make her owe them a favor!
"It just so happens that they've arrived. Why don't you meet them? I'm sure you'll be surprised, Stella."
Before Stella could react, Director Kokonoe stood up from her seat and personally went to the door to welcome the two people outside...
But the moment they saw who it was, both Ikki Kurogane and Stella's eyes widened.
"Teacher Jingliu? Shizuku?"
"It seems Teacher Skirk is here too, and... uh, a student from the same year?"
There were four people standing outside the door.
Two teachers and two students.
Jingliu and Skirk, who were teaching the first-year practical combat courses, and Ikki Kurogane's younger sister, Kurogane Shizuku.
"It's been a long time, Dear Brother!"
"Hey, hey! What do you mean 'long time'? We just saw each other yesterday, didn't we?"
And there was one more—a boy who looked like a violet!
Although the boy appeared very elegant, neither Ikki nor Stella had any impression of him.
"What do you mean 'a student from the same year'? Isn't he your classmate? You don't recognize him?"
Hearing Ikki and Stella's words, Kokonoe seemed a bit speechless. They were classmates, so why didn't they recognize him?
"Huh? Classmate?"
"I'm sorry! We were both preoccupied yesterday and haven't memorized our classmates' names yet... Sorry!"
Facing the two apologizing students, the purple-haired boy didn't seem angry at all. Instead, he pointed a finger at his cheek in a very feminine gesture.
"It's alright! My presence has always been very low, so it's normal not to be noticed."
"But since we've met, I hope we can get along well. My name is Arisuin Nagi, but you can just call me 'Alice'~"
A man nearly 1.8 meters tall was not only acting like a young girl but even speaking with the exact same tone as one...
The contrast gave Ikki and Stella goosebumps, but they couldn't say it outright and could only nod frantically in agreement.
"Right, right! Alice!"
The brief interlude ended. As Director Kokonoe stepped aside, Jingliu and Skirk led the two behind them into the office to discuss the next steps.
"Ikki Kurogane, Stella Vermillion. We came to the Far East this time specifically to find suitable disciples."
"Among all the first-year students, not many meet the requirements. You two happen to fit."
No wasted words; they dropped a bombshell right from the start.
This information caused Kokonoe's expression to change as she listened from the side, but she said nothing and simply listened quietly.
Recruiting... disciples?
"But aren't you academy teachers? We're already your students, so there shouldn't be any need for this, right?"
Stella was a bit confused. Weren't an academy teacher's students and a teacher's disciples the same thing? Why go out of the way for this?
"Your Highness, it's different."
It was Kurogane Shizuku, standing beside Skirk, who answered Stella.
"Most people in Hagun Academy hold the status of'student,' but 'disciple' is clearly different."
"A teacher instructs every student fairly, giving everyone an equal opportunity to become stronger."
"But toward their own disciples, a teacher will definitely take a... more serious attitude and invest much more energy into their training!"
As she said this, Shizuku stole a glance at Skirk beside her, seemingly worried she might have said something wrong. However, Skirk paid no mind to it, simply casting her gaze toward the red-haired girl in front of her.
"Clearly, you have already met the minimum standard to become disciples, which is why we are meeting here."
"But rest assured, I will not force you; I will give you the right to choose."
Jingliu and Skirk took a step forward, simultaneously releasing astonishing waves of power that immediately caused Director Kokonoe's expression to change.
Having once touched that realm herself, Director Kokonoe naturally recognized this power instantly. She looked at Ikki and Stella with some concern, but chose not to speak out to stop them.
Or rather, once Jingliu and Skirk arrived here, it was already impossible for her to stop them.
"If you become my disciple, I will guide you to transcend your limits and become far stronger than before in the shortest possible time."
"If you refuse, I will still guide you in corresponding combat techniques during class, but that will only be guidance on becoming stronger; it will not 'transcend limits'."
This was the reality.
The top powerhouses of the world, those who could reach the existence of a Desperado, were ultimately a tiny minority. Ikki and Stella could definitely reach it with their own strength, but there was no telling how long it would take...
"Make your choice!"
"Will you become our disciples, or train on your own?"
"There is no need to consider our feelings; decide according to the true thoughts in your hearts."
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