Reencounter with Christine

Just then, Kristine’s gaze, which had been sweeping across the area, happened to fall upon Black.

She was stunned for a moment, and then a brilliant smile blossomed on her face. She began waving vigorously from a distance.

She called out loudly.

“Black! What are you doing here?”

Immediately after, she stuffed the baton she was holding into the hands of a companion beside her, no longer caring about her image as the president.

With light and cheerful steps, she hurried over towards Black and his family.

Her family was left stunned, stammering in disbelief.

“Is… is the Saintess waving at us?”

Brenna stared blankly at her cousin, then at the Saintess, her pretty face completely dazed.

Denise was still desperately trying to save face.

“N-Not… not necessarily! It must be a coincidence. There might be someone else here named Black.”

However, reality mercilessly shattered her delusion.

Under the petrified gazes of Victor’s entire family, Kristine stopped in front of Black.

She tilted her head up, her beautiful face filled with joy.

“Black! It really is you! What are you doing at Dragonheart Academy?”

“I wanted to look for you before, but I couldn’t find you anywhere. I only heard that Her Majesty the Empress pardoned you.”

After speaking, she finally noticed the Dragon-Slaying Guard uniform on Black and circled him curiously.

Her ruby-like eyes sparkled with amazement.

“Eh?! How did you become a Dragon-Slaying Guard? This uniform looks quite handsome on you!”

These few lines of dialogue contained a huge amount of information, not only showing that they knew each other, but also that their relationship was quite familiar.

Instantly, countless curious, surprised, and envious gazes focused on Black.

Everyone was guessing the background of this Dragon-Slaying Guard who could make the Saintess so proactive.

But the most shocked of all were Black’s uncle and his family.

Especially Denise. She felt as if her face had been slapped by an invisible hand, and it burned with shame.

Black briefly explained to Kristine how he became a Dragon-Slaying Guard and that he was accompanying his cousin to register today.

Then, he reached out and gently placed a hand on the still-dazed Brenna’s shoulder, pushing her forward half a step.

He introduced her to Kristine.

“Kristine, this is my cousin, Brenna. She’s a second-year student in Class A at Dragonheart Academy. She has always admired you.”

Hearing that she was Black’s cousin, Kristine’s eyes lit up, and her attitude became quite warm.

She proactively extended her hand, took Brenna’s nervous one, and said with a smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Junior Brenna. I’m Kristine from the third-year S-Class. If you ever need any help at the academy in the future, feel free to come and find me.”

Brenna felt like she was in a dream, her mind completely blank.

The academy idol she could usually only admire from afar was now holding her hand and speaking to her so kindly.

It took her a while to find her voice, and she said softly.

“H-Hello, Senior. I… I’m Brenna. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Her cousin Leán, standing to the side, was also incredibly excited. He squeezed forward, wanting to introduce himself.

“Senior Saintess! I’m Black’s cousin, Leán, I’m also…”

Before he could finish, Victor grabbed him by the back of his collar and forcefully dragged him back.

He knew his son’s usual antics all too well.

Aunt Denise stood to the side, her face alternating between pale and flushed. She opened her mouth but couldn’t utter a single word.

Only little Shirley was completely unaffected by the delicate atmosphere.

She toddled over to Kristine, reached out her small hand to tug on the corner of Kristine’s clothes, and looked up with her round, chubby face to ask in a milky voice.

“Big sister, you smell so nice! Are you edible?”

Kristine couldn’t help but laugh. She bent down, took a piece of candy from her pocket, and handed it to her.

“Big sister isn’t edible, but this candy is very tasty. This is for you.”

Shirley’s eyes shone like stars. She popped the candy into her mouth and then hugged Kristine’s leg contentedly.

“Thank you, big sister!”

The other boys around watched with envy; they also wanted to hug the Saintess’s leg and act cute.

Black took the opportunity to introduce his uncle’s family to Kristine.

Kristine politely greeted them.

Victor was overwhelmed by the honor and repeatedly returned the greeting, while Denise appeared flustered, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet.

After learning they were here to register a new student and tour the academy, Kristine offered to personally show them around.

Black felt a bit bad.

“Won’t that be too much trouble for you? Don’t you still have to direct the crowd?”

“Not at all, not at all!”

Kristine waved her hands quickly, then as if remembering something, she said “wait a moment” to Black and hurried back to the other volunteers.

Black saw her whisper something to a few of her companions.

The volunteers cast surprised glances towards Black’s group. After seeing the Dragon-Slaying Guard uniform on him, several of them broke into teasing smiles.

Someone even secretly gave Kristine a thumbs-up, as if they were cheering her on.

Black could see the base of Kristine’s ears turn red at a visible rate. She stomped her foot petulantly.

Only then did she run back with a blush on her face.

“Let’s go!”

Kristine tried her best to make her expression look natural.

And so, the group began their tour under Kristine’s personal guidance.

They started to tour this highest institution of learning, renowned throughout the empire.

Kristine was very familiar with the academy’s history, architecture, and special features, and her explanations were lively and interesting.

Halfway through the tour, a familiar voice came from the side.

“Black?! What are you doing here!”

Two young women in volunteer uniforms walked over quickly.

One was the little bunny Irena, and the other, being dragged unwillingly by the arm, was Jianye.

The sight of these two once again surprised Brenna.

She was all too familiar with Jianye.

The genius of their second-year S-Class, whose strength was firmly ranked second in their year, an existence admired by countless students.

And the one next to her was also an elite of the S-Class, the illegitimate daughter of a duke, Irena.

Brenna quickly whispered the identities of these two to her family.

Which immediately left the others stunned once again.

Leán looked at the three beautiful seniors, each with her own unique style, and couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.

“Cousin’s luck with women is just off the charts, isn’t it?”

Black briefly greeted Irena.

When Irena heard they were touring the academy, she immediately became enthusiastic.

“Eh? You’re touring the academy? Then we should…”

Before she could finish, she was cut off by a deadpan Jianye.

“We still have a lot of work to do. We don’t have time to wander around.”

Jianye’s voice was cold. Without another word, she forcefully dragged Irena away by the arm.

“Hey! Jianye, slow down! Black, let’s talk next time!”

Irena cried out aggrievedly, but was ultimately dragged away by Jianye.

Black watched their retreating figures and shook his head with a helpless smile.

It seemed Jianye’s wariness of him hadn’t improved much at all.