“Hmm,” Belvedere flipped through the pages of the book in his hand. His gaze seemed to be deeply attracted by one of them, his eyebrows arching slightly as he put on a look of profound interest.
“Diesel was a respectable man; dedicating himself to art was his lifelong dream,” he said slowly.
“Filth like the Ascetic Sect appeared in our world like a stain on a great painting. They have defiled the path we pursue and desecrated this temple of art.”
“The Ascetic Sect is our common enemy, along with the family.”
“I will personally give the family an explanation regarding this matter.” Belvedere closed the book.
It wasn't some profound or philosophical literary work. It was the “Encyclopedia of Urban Eldritch Creatures,” a popular science book that listed hundreds of urban eldritch creatures with different characteristics using humorous and interesting text and anecdotes.
It was popular among the youth and ranked first on the list of the ten most confiscated books in classrooms.
“In the time remaining, let's discuss the modification of certain regulations in the Starry Movement,” Belvedere said.
Ayin's expression changed several times before he finally fell silent.
After the meeting ended, Ayin was about to leave when a voice from behind called out to him.
“Ayin.”
He turned around and found Madam Jane. Her peaceful eyes were fixed on him.
“What is it?” Ayin asked.
“Lancelot is a very good boy. He's kind, upright, and brave. I admire him quite a bit.”
Ayin didn't understand why she would find him at this time and say these things to him.
“I plan to nominate him to become a member of the Starry Gallery and a part of the board of directors. Perhaps he will take the seat of the Withered-Flower family in place of Zel.”
“You intend to groom him to become an elder on the board of directors?” Ayin's eyes widened slightly.
“Yes.”
Jane Sishui's gaze seemed to contain countless complex emotions, which finally dissolved into a soft sigh.
She shook her head, said nothing more, and quickened her pace as she walked away.
Ayin pondered briefly and also headed in the opposite direction.
In the shadows, a youth silently observed the scene, his brow furrowed. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he happened to collide head-on with a figure walking out.
The youth looked up. Upon seeing the person clearly, his eyes trembled, and his breathing involuntarily quickened.
Pale skin, sunken eye sockets, a long robe of black with red patterns—it was the principal, Belvedere.
“You...” The man paused for a moment. “Why would you appear in this place at this time?”
Belvedere's murky eyes seemed ready to swallow the youth whole as he took a step forward.
“Lancelot?”
“Mr. Principal, I...”
The youth's blood ran cold. Just as his mind was working frantically to think of an explanation, the man suddenly leaned down to help him up, brushed the dust off his clothes, glanced at the documents scattered across the floor, and said with concern:
“It's something related to the student council, isn't it?”
“However, I don't have time right now. Come to my office later to find me.”
As Belvedere spoke, he slowly walked away. Until the man had completely vanished from sight, the youth's mind remained blank. After picking up all the documents on the floor, he walked in one direction.
“Hey.”
Someone tapped his shoulder. The youth jumped in fright. When he snapped back to reality, he realized a girl with a ponytail and bright eyes was waving her hand in front of him, looking confused.
“Eh? What's wrong with you today? You're acting all twitchy. Is this still the student council president Lancelot I know?”
Unknowingly, he had already walked into the corridor of the teaching building. The first morning class had ended, and many students were walking through the hall. Light slanted in through the openings above, and the sound of splashing water came from the fountain outside.
The girl looked as if she had just finished exercising. Sweat trickled down her cheeks, and her jacket was tied around her waist.
Her ponytail made her neck look long and slender. Her face was soft, yet her eyes were exceptionally determined and bright.
Tall and with an outstanding temperament, the girl attracted the heated gazes of people wherever she went. A commotion broke out as she approached him.
“It's the student council president and Lin Yaqing. They look so good together~”
“I heard they're childhood friends. I wonder if it's true.”
“Rich, talented, tall, and handsome, plus he has a beautiful girlfriend with explosive combat power. Sigh, you can't help but envy a life like that.”
“Yaqing, why are you here?” Seeing the girl, Lancelot's tense nerves relaxed significantly as he spoke gently.
“Where did you go? You didn't even reply to my curtain messages. I saw you looking like you'd lost your soul just now; of course I'd be worried about you,” the girl said, frowning.
“It's nothing. Let's go.”
Lancelot took the girl's hand and led her away from the crowd, followed by another wave of envious voices.
Inside the opera house.
“Do you really plan to leave here, Tang Xin?”
The kind-looking woman held the blue-haired girl's hand, stroking it as she spoke with a serious expression. “The teaching resources at the Iris Orphanage aren't great. It wasn't easy to get into the Starry Art Academy, was it? You should think about it more.”
“If you're having any difficulties in your life, you can tell me. I'll help you think of something.”
Feeling the woman's concerned gaze, Tang Xin's eyes darted away.
Yes, the Star of Art only had this one university, the Starry Art Academy. Every year, it only recruited two hundred students with the best comprehensive scores from hundreds of orphanages, aiming to cultivate top-tier artistic talent.
Out of tens of thousands, fewer than ten could enter this academy. One could only imagine the effort and sweat required.
Unlike the others, Tang Xin didn't possess much talent. She had always been at the tail end of the opera major, and her comprehensive scores weren't much better than those of her roommates.
Even though she was like this, Madam Vandoni still cared so much for her.
“I've actually made up my mind...” Tang Xin mustered her courage.
“How about this? I'll arrange a long-term leave of absence for you first. Go and bravely try whatever you want to do. If there's still no result in the end, come back to me, okay?”
“You are always welcome here.”
The woman's words made Tang Xin's nose sting with emotion. Seeing the girl's eyes redden, Vandoni smiled kindly and reached out to pull her into a hug, gently patting her back.
So much grievance and heartache welled up at that moment. Tang Xin was moved to tears, burying her head in the woman's embrace.
Xu Xiaoyou, watching this touching scene from a distance, felt her lips twitch. She lamented inwardly that, in the end, it seemed she was the one who had “abducted” the girl...
Suddenly, her gaze noticed a sneaky figure in the corner.
“Little old man?” She raised an eyebrow.
Rate on N.U.
