Chapter Forty: Transferring to Cherry Academy, Taking the Finest Black Tea Without Asking

Qi sighed, his brows furrowing. Complaints and curses were pointless now; insanity only made the tasks more severe. “I choose option one. Can you tell me the detailed information about the enemy?” Qi said indifferently.

“Do you think we’re close? Don’t you know everything comes with a price? If you insist, a hundred energy points will get you the info. By the way, these opponents are professionals, nothing like the amateurs you’ve faced before. If luck is on your side, after this you’ll have enough energy to return to the cultivation world. Of course, you could choose to stay here, but the enemies will keep getting stronger.”

“I’m not expecting much anyway. Let’s just do it.” With that, Qi switched off the Qidian. Outside, the sound of police sirens drifted over; it had been less than ten minutes since the bank robbery began. The police cars weren’t particularly fast, but they weren’t slow either, keeping to protocol.

Having stepped away to make a phone call, Qi approached Kirino’s mother with a smile. “Auntie, I’ll leave now. It’s troublesome to be questioned by the police. I’m heading to Cherry Academy to enroll.”

“Is that okay? You’re the hero of this incident, if…”

Qi shook his head, said his farewells, and dashed out of the bank. In the distance, the police cars sped toward him.

“Things have changed with the Black Cat… so I’m on my way to Cherry Academy now. Sorry. You really predicted this,” Qi sent such a message to Black Cat, heading toward the academy.

“My vertical pupils sometimes glimpse fragments of the future. Now that the enemy has appeared, be careful,” Black Cat replied as Qi arrived at Cherry Academy’s gate.

A gentle breeze of early summer brushed the last cherry blossom from the treetop, carrying warm sunlight across Qi’s body. That petal landed on his phone screen, then was swept away again, flying toward its next destination.

“I’ll pick you up after school from now on.”

“You’re picking me up after school, and you’re not allowed to be late.”

These two intersecting messages rang almost simultaneously on each other’s phones, making both pause and smile warmly.

“Should I fly over and join you for lunch?”

“…When did you become so clingy? Fine, I’ll leave lunchtime to you and your two little sweethearts. Or maybe three?” Black Cat’s cheeks flushed as she sent the message to hide her embarrassment.

“Isn’t the enemy supposed to appear? I’m worried about your safety, but I’ll resolve it quickly. As for the sweethearts, if I really bring them to the cabin, don’t curse them, okay?”

“I will. I’ve prepared the curse tools already.”

“…Lady Black Cat, your foresight truly astounds me. How could I dare? Well, I’ve arrived at the principal’s office. Should we chat a bit more before I enroll?”

---

“...”

“Kirino, what’s wrong? You seem tired, did you study too hard last night?” Seeing her best friend slumped over her desk, Ayase couldn’t help but approach with concern.

Kirino laughed dryly. “Last night I was up late playing a dating game, conquering the little sister route, and this morning my mood swung wildly, so I’m just tired. But I can’t say that, can I?” She could only use the events of this morning as her excuse.

“So, how’s your mom? Was she hurt?” Ayase asked worriedly.

Kirino smiled. “I was on the phone with her when gunshots and the robber’s threats sounded. I quickly called that devil, and he truly lives up to the name. I heard through my phone that he knocked down five robbers in ten seconds, and the last one, hidden in the crowd, was knocked out with ease. Mom was a bit shaken, but not hurt at all. I owe him a favor.”

Ayase breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good! With Oni-san there, Auntie would definitely be rescued safely. He once defeated two giant snakes over a hundred meters long—on that mountain… Why are you looking at me like that, Kirino?” Ayase turned her head slightly, her gaze evasive, not daring to meet Kirino’s teasing, half-smiling eyes.

“It’s nothing. Just listening to you go on about Oni-san, Oni-san, with such enthusiasm. You haven’t spaced out in class lately, unlike before. That’s all.” Kirino covered her mouth, giggling.

“No way, everything I said is true. I only spaced out in class because I studied too much at night, right? Kirino, aren’t you always calling Oni-san when something happens?” Ayase hurriedly explained, trying to drag Kirino down with her.

“Alright, everyone, return to your seats and settle down.” The homeroom teacher opened the door and entered. “Today, our class is welcoming a transfer student. Please give him a warm welcome. Come on in.” The teacher started clapping, and the rest of the class followed suit. The door opened, and a boy with long black hair, fair skin, and bright, deep eyes stepped onto the podium.

His gaze swept over the class. Ayase and Kirino’s eyes widened, mouths agape in shock. Kanako was a bit better, but even she looked stunned. Qi smiled helplessly; he only knew these three in the academy, so naturally he chose this class. Besides, the lessons themselves meant little to him.

Picking up a piece of chalk, Qi wrote his current name on the blackboard: “Wugeng Qi.” “I arrived in Chiba just a few days ago, and due to family reasons, I’ll be living here permanently. My name is Wugeng Qi, but just call me Qi. My hobbies and special skills are martial arts and magic, so I suppose you could call me a practitioner of both. Please take care of me.” His demeanor was calm and composed, and his handsome, sunny face immediately drew applause from the girls.

“Alright, Wugeng just arrived in Chiba. If there’s anything he doesn’t understand, he can ask Arakawa. She’s enthusiastic and will help you integrate into the class.”

Qi’s seat was placed behind Ayase. After the teacher left, the students crowded around, chattering endlessly. Ayase slapped her desk, quieting everyone. “Back to your seats! Don’t make such a racket. Wugeng, come with me—I’ll show you around the academy.”

Qi shrugged and followed. Kirino and Kanako stood up almost simultaneously and headed out the door.

The spacious rooftop was as tranquil as the last time he visited. Warm sunlight made one want to lie down and sleep beneath it. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would blow, lifting spirits. Good weather and a good environment—truly a perfect place for a nap. Such was Qi’s mood.

He was led directly to the rooftop terrace, followed closely by Kirino and Kanako, who shut the door behind him, cutting off any retreat. The three girls formed a triangle, surrounding him, their eyes full of questions and accusations. “Just a heads up, honesty gets you leniency, resistance gets you severity. Tell us why you transferred here—any secrets you can’t tell us?” Kanako asked excitedly.

“Oni-san, I trust you, but I’m also curious why you came here,” Ayase questioned.

---

“Let’s not worry about that now. Anyway, thank you for this morning. I’ll repay the favor,” Kirino said.

Chatter filled the air. Qi casually used Kirino’s mother’s recommendation as an excuse. Campus life was both tense and peaceful; after returning to the classroom, lessons resumed. Qi boldly took out his laptop and went online. The teachers, evidently informed, ignored his behavior. Qi didn’t disturb anyone, quietly watching his screen, his eyes gleaming with unknown thoughts.

When lunch break came, Ayase and Kirino couldn’t find Qi anywhere. The three girls—Ayase, Kirino, and Kanako—headed to the rooftop to eat their bento. Ever since Qi had bid farewell to them there, they often went up to eat together. They were nearly finished when Qi ambled onto the rooftop, holding a tray.

“Where have you been? We couldn’t find you. What’s that in your hand?” Kirino closed her bento box.

“Well, I had some business. You’ve finished your lunch, so I made you some black tea—it’s quite good, a perfect after-meal drink.” Qi had just helped himself (having left payment) to some excellent black tea, brewed a cup for Black Cat, who loved it. Returning, he made a cup for his friends as well—good things are meant to be shared, after all.

“Eh—where did you get black tea?”

“Oni-san can brew black tea?”

“Did you put something in it? Like sleeping drugs, love potions, or something?” Kanako joked darkly.

“Don’t drink it then! I didn’t beg you to have it. You might beg me to brew it for you in the future!” Qi set down the tray, picked up a cup, and savored it himself. He’d already had a cup with Black Cat, but he’d never tasted tea before, and almost instantly, he was captivated by it. Especially such high-grade black tea—carefully appreciating it, the pleasure was irresistible.

His self-control allowed him full enjoyment, making it even easier for him to get lost in the fragrance of tea compared to ordinary people. Even with the second cup, he still relished it.

Seeing Qi’s attitude, Kirino and Ayase curiously picked up their cups, inhaling gently before exhaling. “Good tea, wonderful aroma,” they couldn’t help but exclaim, finally sipping gently and savoring the lingering fragrance. Ayase’s strict upbringing involved lessons in tea culture, and Kirino, influenced by her, had some knowledge as well. Though not tea masters, they weren’t novices either, so they could appreciate it properly.

Kanako’s personality wasn’t suited to the calm of tea ceremonies, so she was a complete novice. Still, she mimicked the others, inhaled the aroma, and took a small sip. The pleasant sensation flowed from her mouth to her stomach, then spread throughout her body, as if every pore was breathing fresh air. Even a novice like her knew this was truly excellent tea—more satisfying than smoking.

After a round of praise, and at the girls’ strong request, Qi magically produced a premium teapot from behind his back and began brewing a second pot. Tea leaves can be infused repeatedly; in the hands of a skilled tea master, a single pot can yield six or seven infusions with lingering fragrance. The teapot in his storage bag never changed temperature, so the tea leaves wouldn’t go to waste.

Afternoon sunlight, the aroma of post-meal tea, intoxicating fragrance, joyful feelings—these filled the rooftop, and the four of them wore faint smiles on their lips, just like Qi and Black Cat had earlier: relaxed, contented, and warmly intimate.

(The Three Rivers didn’t pass. Hmph, all within… expectations. Well, at least the consolation is that favorites and clicks have increased. Consolation prize? I don’t even feel like asking for votes. The next chapter, the enemy will appear.)