"Wu Xiaofei?"
Roy glanced at her curiously. Her expression was solemn, revealing neither joy nor anger as he pondered for a moment.
"From a strength perspective, I'd say he's truly inherited your teachings. He's basically mastered all your skills—what he lacks is just time... and fighting spirit."
"Oh?"
Fan Xinglou nodded and motioned for him to continue.
"I feel Wu Xiaofei's fighting spirit isn't strong enough. Using Japanese terminology, his 'demon aura' is more like stagnant water compared to hot-blooded martial artists—nothing can stir waves in him."
"Even you can see that..."
Fan Xinglou sighed faintly, though her expression remained cold.
"That is indeed his flaw. I once thought he could satisfy my needs, but now he's completely gone astray—he grows stronger only to please me, not for himself."
Wu Xiaofei was a prodigy. Fan Xinglou had initially placed high hopes on him, which was why she took him as her disciple. But now, he had disappointed her greatly—it was Roy who ended up bearing her expectations instead.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this."
Fan Xinglou waved her hand dismissively before suddenly recalling something.
"There's an event called the Apex Arena on the third day of this year's school festival—you're joining!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Just do as I say! No backtalk!"
"Fine..."
After giving her orders, Fan Xinglou promptly kicked Roy out of Jie Long.
Today's training session hadn't even lasted an hour.
Roy rubbed his head and left the redevelopment zone with some regret.
Still, over the past few months, he had been undergoing high-intensity combat training almost daily. A short break before returning wouldn't hurt—even Roy found the relentless training somewhat unbearable.
"Hey, Yabuki, I've thought it over. That Apex Arena event you mentioned—I can join, considering it's you asking..."
Roy dialed Yabuki's number.
"But you'll have to pay extra!"
Never mind how miserable Yabuki was on the other end.
That evening, after returning to Seidoukan, Roy headed straight for Claudia's dorm.
"You're here. I just bought this today—what do you think?"
Claudia stood before a mirror, almost naked except for a black lace lingerie set with a semi-transparent skirt. She twirled in front of Roy, her eyes shimmering with playful anticipation as she awaited his reaction.
"It suits you perfectly!"
Roy's gaze shamelessly clung to Claudia as he gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up, feeling the curse within him stirring again.
Damn you, Angra Mainyu!
With limited production capacity in Fuyuki City, such outfits were rare these days—he'd have to stock up on more before heading back!
"Claudia, I'm planning to go back in a few days."
Their passionate time lasted well into the night. Afterwards, Roy held Claudia in his arms and whispered softly by her ear.
"Go back... You mean to your world?"
Claudia was drenched in fragrant sweat, her skin flushed pink all over. Hearing Roy's words, she didn't have time to savor the lingering sensations from their earlier passion, stubbornly meeting his gaze with determination.
"Let me go with you!"
"No, this time I want you to stay..."
Roy shook his head.
He repeated the same words to Claudia.
"I need you to manage Miyagi Prefecture for me... I'm sorry, this is a very selfish decision, but when I return next time, I'll definitely take you with me!"
"I understand."
Claudia lowered her head, not bothering to hide her disappointment.
"Then it's settled. Next time, you can't shake me off again... I can't do without you."
Claudia buried her face in Roy's chest, her slender arms tightening around him with force, her muffled words filled with an attachment she couldn't bear to sever.
"Even if you refuse then, I'll drag you away by force."
Roy chuckled.
Claudia couldn't help but giggle before lifting her head to seek his kiss.
"Love me... love me fiercely..."
The room's temperature rose once more.
The next day.
Roy went to the student council office and, with Claudia's help, processed an indefinite leave of absence from school.
As a Festa champion, even if he wanted to drop out, the conglomerate wouldn't allow it. Instead, they granted him significant privileges—indefinite leave being one of them—without affecting future graduation, giving the Festa champion ample time for personal matters.
Then, somehow, this news reached Julis and Kirin.
"Are you free for tomorrow's school festival? I actually want to familiarize myself with other schools, but going alone feels awkward, so I need a companion!"
"Roy senpai, before you leave Seidoukan, could you accompany me to this year's school festival?"
Julis and Kirin each sent emails brimming with their distinctive styles.
When Roy saw the notification pop up in his inbox, he was dumbfounded.
Seriously?
How did even this turn into a battlefield?
As time ticked by, Roy glared gloomily at the spatial window, racking his brains for a solution until sweat began pouring down his back.
Don't panic. Think back to last time. He'd avoided the battlefield by training with Fan Xinglou while turning down invitations from both Julis and Kirin.
If he wanted to dodge it this time, he still needed an excuse...!
That's it!
A sudden thought struck Roy, and his face quickly lit up with excitement.
"Are you free for tomorrow's school festival?"
He opened another contact and composed an email to her.
"?"
"I'm free tomorrow. If you don't have a companion yet, do you need me?"
"I'll come find you tomorrow."
Roy immediately sighed in relief.
Then he turned around and replied to Julis and Kirin.
"Sorry, I already have plans for this year's school festival."
At least he could postpone this year's problem!
Sorry—I'll make it up to you both someday!
"Already have plans?"
Julis frowned at the spatial window.
"Is it with Ms. Claudia?"
Kirin's straight posture slumped at the reply, her small face full of dejection.
Still, if it was Claudia, their loss was understandable.
Next year, they absolutely had to secure Roy's promise first!
At this moment, Claudia had no idea what was happening.
Meanwhile, at Queenvail Girls' Academy, Sylvia cheerfully put away her phone.
Her face was practically glowing with delight.
"Not sure what's going on, but luck seems to be on my side for once! I should plan out my schedule for the school festival."
Right now, Sylvia was unaware that she had become Roy's shield against a brewing storm.
And at the same time...
Roy was lost in thought.
Why hadn't it occurred to him earlier to invite Claudia instead?
Wouldn't asking Claudia have been more justifiable than asking Sylvia?
***
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