"Lord Overseer, according to the news from our permanent staff at St. Freya Academy, there seems to be a problem with the academy's funding. Principal Theresa is planning to implement a last-place elimination system and will be advising a portion of the students with the lowest grades to withdraw."

Otto's expression was one of slight astonishment. A problem with St. Freya's funding? Hadn't he just allocated their funds a few days ago? How could there be a problem already?

Besides, for little Theresa to implement a last-place elimination system? That was highly unlikely. Knowing his dear granddaughter's character, if she were truly short on money, she would have called him immediately to whine and ask for more. How could she possibly give up on her students?

"Show me the specific report."

Otto took the intelligence record from his secretary, Amber. After a careful read, he more or less understood the situation. He said with a smile, "It seems this is most likely a misunderstanding."

"K-423 has started studying diligently, which is a complete reversal of her usual behavior. Paired with her unique identity, it has led people to speculate on the reason. Then, through a series of rumors spiraling out of control, it has become this rather ridiculous situation."

"Should we help Principal Theresa clarify the rumors then?" Amber asked.

"...There is no need."

Otto pondered for a moment before continuing.

"Respond to this rumor in the name of the headquarters. Say that HQ has received the news and will be dispatching a special agent to investigate St. Freya Academy's funding issues."

Isn't that just indirectly confirming the rumor's authenticity?

Amber thought this to herself but didn't voice it. Her Lord Overseer must have his reasons for doing so.

"Understood. Who shall we dispatch for the investigation?"

"I have my own arrangements for that."

"Yes, my lord. Next is the matter of the development funds for the new generation of Kallen Fantasy..."

"We cannot be stingy with the budget for this. Whatever is needed, provide it."

"...Understood."

---o---

"What! Grandpa is sending an agent over to investigate the academy's funding issues!"

Theresa slammed her hands on the desk. It was a good thing the desk was made of special materials; otherwise, a normal wooden desk probably would have collapsed from the impact.

Himeko watched her old friend's agitated state and helplessly threw up her hands. "There's nothing to be done. The rumors on campus have gotten so big, it's impossible that HQ wouldn't have heard anything. And since this happened so soon after you received this quarter's funding, it would be abnormal if they didn't send someone to check."

"What is all this mess!"

Theresa slumped into her chair, feeling utterly powerless as she stared at the ceiling of her office, speechless.

"I never would have thought that the impression of Kiana being a slacker was so deeply ingrained in everyone's minds. Now that she's suddenly started working hard, it's made the other students feel like something is wrong, and the rumors just spiraled into what we have now."

"I... sigh! Even making an announcement over the broadcast system had no effect. Even if everyone believes it, no one dares to bet that the news isn't true, and no one dares to bet that the people around them aren't secretly studying while pretending to play."

"After all, there really is a portion of students who are now acting like they're just having fun, telling others not to believe the rumors, while in reality, they're hiding away and studying like their lives depend on it. They're even using strategies from the Art of War!"

Himeko watched Theresa slumped helplessly in her chair and said with a smile, "It's fine, actually. It's a good thing that everyone is studying seriously. When the end-of-term results are out, and everyone sees that the so-called last-place elimination was a lie, the rumors will naturally die down on their own. As for headquarters, our cash flow is perfectly fine. Let them investigate if they want to. It's not like you embezzled any public funds... Theresa, you didn't, right?"

Himeko's gaze fell on Theresa's somewhat stiff expression, and her own relaxed demeanor immediately turned serious.

"Well, just... a little bit."

"How much!"

"Alright, I just used a portion to sell the new issue of Homu Adventure."

"That's your own money!?"

"Uhm, it's because the new limited-edition Homu merchandise could only be obtained through a prize draw, so I spent a little too much..."

"You! Sigh! What am I supposed to say to you? Do you really think you're still a little girl? How can you not have even the most basic self-control? But... it's a good thing, I suppose. Even though embezzling public funds yourself is a terrible thing to do, you're still Otto's granddaughter. There will be punishment, but it probably won't be too severe. Theresa, this is a good lesson. I hope you learn from it and don't make the same mistake again."

---o---

"I'm sorry, I know I was wrong."

Himeko looked at Theresa, who was bowing her head in apology. She's just like a certain someone, Himeko thought. This apologetic posture is identical to Kiana's. I just hope it's not the same 'I was wrong, but I'll do it again next time.'

"There's no use telling me. You'd better think about what you're going to say to the Lord Overseer. I'm leaving. I have a class to prepare for tomorrow."

Theresa watched Himeko leave, then slumped powerlessly back into her chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Ah! What is all this mess!"

---o---

Back in the villa, Xin Yu looked at Kiana, who had been so exhausted from high-intensity training that she had to be carried back by Raiden Mei.

"Xin Yu, I'm so tired."

Kiana collapsed onto the sofa, feeling like she couldn't move a single muscle.

Xin Yu knelt down and wiped the sweat from Kiana's face with a towel. "Mm, you worked very hard today. It must have been tough. Go take a shower, and I'll make you something delicious for dinner tonight."

"Mmm... but I feel like I have no energy at all right now."

"Then let me give you some of my..."

"No!"

"It's okay, it's just a little, it won't be a problem."

"I don't want it."

"Alright, then I'll have Mei help you wash up."

"But Mei is tired too. She was training her sword skills this morning, and then she spent the afternoon training with me in the simulation room. She doesn't have any energy right now either."

"...So?"

"You wash me."

"Since you asked for it yourself, then I shall."

"Ooh... be gentle, okay? I have absolutely no way to resist right now~"

Raiden Mei blushed as she watched Xin Yu carry Kiana upstairs, her mind starting to imagine all sorts of chaotic scenarios.

A young man giving a young woman a bath...

At dinner, Kiana puffed out her cheeks as she glared at the perfectly composed Xin Yu. It was truly unbelievable! How could someone look at a beautiful young woman's body and remain completely expressionless! And he even touched her, yet he was still so calm, with absolutely no reaction down there!

"Xin Yu, is there something wrong with your body?"

Xin Yu glanced at Kiana and said, "I told you, apart from my appearance, I have no connection to humanity anymore. I don't have things like hormones."

"What guides my body now is pure emotion. Unless I want it to, I won't have any reaction even if you drug me."

"Then why don't you want it?"

"Because we're not married yet. We shouldn't do that kind of thing before marriage."

"...Huh? What kind of old fossil are you?"

"A 500-year-old one."