The Phantom Thief’s Blank Kit

“If that’s truly the case, then it certainly isn’t something a mere internet celebrity could produce. What is your name?”

Mo Linyu took a sip of her coffee.

“Didn’t I write it down during registration?” she replied.

“I wasn’t at the school gate, so please tell me yourself.”

As Pan Qi spoke, her eyes remained fixed on Mo Linyu’s face, hoping to discern any subtle shifts in expression that might betray a lie.

“I cannot tell you my true name, for if I were to utter it, the concealment would become utterly meaningless,” Mo Linyu stated, her gaze unwavering. “Especially not in front of you.”

In such situations, Mo Linyu consistently maintained a composure as steady as an old dog. Pan Qi couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t facing a peer, but rather some ancient monster that had lived for centuries, a presence she found herself utterly unable to withstand.

This very fact, however, served to prove that Mo Linyu’s identity was far from simple.

“Does that mean if you speak your name, I’ll instantly know your identity?”

Uncertain of Mo Linyu’s background, Pan Qi had no desire to needlessly offend her.

“In that case, I will proceed officially,” she declared after a moment’s contemplation. “Guests participating in the one-day experience are not permitted to take photos freely, particularly those not intending to enroll.”

“I did say I might transfer here… and naturally, that applies to my bodyguard as well,” Mo Linyu countered, gesturing towards Li Yue.

The latter, who was busy adding sugar to her coffee, merely raised an eyebrow at the remark.

‘Enroll in St. Mary’s?’ Li Yue thought. ‘While the money Goddess gave her might indeed afford me a taste of the privileged life of a young lady, was I so utterly bored that I’d squander it in such a place?’

‘She couldn’t even stand a single day at St. Mary’s Girls’ Academy, let alone consider enrolling.’

‘Are you kidding? I wouldn’t come even if it were free!’

“Very well, then we will proceed to the restaurant for a meal and then depart. Would it be against the rules to simply take one photo of the two of us eating together? We certainly won’t post it online haphazardly.”

Mo Linyu chose to concede, yet still pressed her request for a photograph.

“Hmm, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Pan Qi nodded, glancing at the time. “Since that’s the case, as a token of apology, please allow me to treat you all to a light meal… and that includes Alezno, of course.”

“Ugh—”

Alezno, whose name Pan Qi had called, visibly shrank once more. She huddled further into the corner of the sofa and offered a small nod.

****

However, before they could proceed to the restaurant, Li Yue requested to use the restroom.

Given the female physiological structure, it was far more appropriate to relieve herself before dining, lest she become restless and betray the image of a refined young lady.

“Hmm, do you want me to accompany you?” Mo Linyu inquired.

“How could that be? I was merely asking where the restroom is.”

Pan Qi, however, simply gestured towards a small, dark-red door on one side of her office.

Somehow, Li Yue was no longer surprised that the student council president’s office came equipped with its own private restroom.

Pushing open the slightly ajar door, a faint floral scent still lingered in the air. Vibrant, dark tiles contrasted sharply with the gold-painted basin, around which incense and green plants were artfully arranged. This opulent style rivaled that of a five-star hotel.

“…Oh, alright.”

Li Yue’s lips twitched. Rich people consistently exceeded all expectations; she just wondered if this extravagant taste belonged to Pan Qi herself, or perhaps her father.

Stepping into the restroom, she locked the door. Li Yue cast a glance at her reflection in the mirror; though still sporting her usual dead-fish eyes, the makeup had softened their sharpness somewhat.

“Sigh…”

Li Yue twirled a strand of her golden hair, her mood a tangled mess.

As it was a private restroom, there were no stalls.

Under the warm glow of the ceiling lights, even the toilet reflected a dazzling golden sheen, much like…

‘Mo Linyu’s throne in her previous life.’

“Pfft~~”

Amused by her own thought, a soft laugh escaped Li Yue’s lips.

Though it was her first time using the toilet while wearing a dress, figuring out the mechanics wasn’t difficult: she simply lifted the skirt above her waistline, then pulled down her panties, sat, and finally released her tensed muscles.

[Reservoir Floodgate Release Video.MP4]

This entire process unfolded without any particular mental activity; Li Yue’s inner self remained entirely calm.

Yet, at that very instant, a familiar golden light shimmered from the void, merging into Li Yue’s body with an unseen force.

“Hmm?”

Li Yue wasn’t particularly surprised.

After all, Goddess had mentioned that the subsequent traversal perks would be delivered soon, and this golden light was undoubtedly Goddess’s special delivery.

“So~ what is it this time?” Another interface materialized before Li Yue, prompting her to mutter, “I just hope it’s not as useless as that mind-reading ability.”

‘Hmm, Phantom Thief Disguise Kit.’

‘It sounds like a perk that would allow one to change disguises freely, much like a phantom thief, which might prove somewhat useful for investigations.’

However, the interface was utterly blank, offering Li Yue no operational space whatsoever. It was akin to opening an app interface that had been out of service for an extended period, completely devoid of content.

“…Is it not loaded? Or is the signal bad on Earth? I hope I don’t need to ‘circumvent the firewall’ (TL Note: ‘Fan qiang,’ literally ‘climb the wall,’ refers to bypassing internet censorship, often to access foreign websites.) to use it?”

‘Damn it,’ Li Yue thought. ‘I have a vague feeling that this perk is completely unusable.’

‘Had it been stored for too long and simply broken?’

Since the delivered perk was unusable, Li Yue’s only recourse was to contact “after-sales customer service.”

She pulled out her phone and opened the live streaming platform app, only to find that Goddess was currently offline.

Goddess herself rarely used the live streaming software unless she was broadcasting.

“…What’s going on?”

She decided to send a message first.

[Even if it’s a “three-no” product (TL Note: A ‘three-no’ product is one without a production date, quality certificate, or manufacturer.), at least send me a user manual!]

Having finished, Li Yue wiped herself, stood up, and washed her hands before exiting the restroom.

No sooner had she stepped out than the perk’s interface vanished.

****

“Hmm? Why did you take so long just now?”

“Nothing, I was just utterly awestruck by the restroom.”

Li Yue, however, did not tell Mo Linyu about receiving the new perk.

It wouldn’t have been appropriate to mention it in front of Pan Qi, and besides, the perk couldn’t even be used; it only showed a blank interface when opened… Was there truly any value in specially introducing something like that? It was even worse than the mind-reading ability!

The destination for the four of them was the restaurant.

Pan Qi, the student council president of St. Mary’s, led the way as the gracious host, having proactively offered to treat them to a meal. Mo Linyu and Li Yue walked side-by-side behind her, followed by a timid Alezno who trailed meekly at the rear.

The restaurant operated with a counter system for ordering and picking up food, and it featured two floors of seating, much like a typical school cafeteria.

As a dining facility catering to numerous students, it refrained from being overly ostentatious or luxurious. The predominantly white decor remained exquisitely refined, conveying a sense of meticulous effort, striking a balance between elegance and liveliness.

Of course, the most striking impression was its pristine cleanliness.

The floor tiles gleamed brilliantly, as if they had just been mopped; even the “Caution: Wet Floor” sign was sliding precariously on the slick surface.

“Watch your step carefully.”

Yet, no sooner had Pan Qi uttered her warning than Alezno suddenly slipped, teetering on the brink of a fall.

Li Yue reacted with lightning speed, reaching out to grasp Alezno’s nape, intending to hoist her up. However, as Li Yue turned, she too stumbled forward.

By an unfortunate coincidence, their heads collided.

Dong—