The villainous young master just wants to live a Buddhist-like life.

　The students of the House of Fools were not particularly interested in the conflict between the two houses.

　They simply chatted with Jesse Louisa in a normal way.

　Jesse Louisa, on the other hand, clearly possessed excellent social skills and handled the situation with considerable ease.

　Unlike Tommy Smith's side, the fourth-year students at the Fools' House definitely can't hold back Jesse Louisa's pace.

　After observing the surroundings, Dak had a plan in mind. He then began to eat, just enough to fill his stomach. The night was still long.

　Half an hour later.

　The students gradually stopped eating, and a melodious tune began to play on the stage.

　Some of the bolder students have already started to get restless and want to invite the "saint" or "saint" to dance on stage.

　But all the students' invitations were rejected without exception.

　To ensure the purity of the "Holy Sons" and "Holy Daughters," the Holy Ritual Academy even established a Holy Sons Academy for boys only and a Holy Daughters Academy for girls only, naturally making it impossible for them to have interactions between the opposite sexes.

　Of course, the Holy Knight Academy doesn't have such strict rules.

　Therefore, the two "Guardian Knights" might have been able to accept the invitation. However, both Tommy Smith and Jesse Louisa unequivocally declined.

　However, most students only extended polite invitations and were not angry after being rejected. They turned around and jumped up with the other students.

　Perhaps because of the presence of professors, the atmosphere at the ball was relatively harmonious. After a while, the professors in the faculty section began to leave one after another. The atmosphere in the auditorium then became slightly restless.

　After observing for a moment, Dak noticed that there were a surprisingly large number of people who wanted to teach these exchange students a lesson.

　But thinking about what happened yesterday, it seems quite normal that this situation would occur.

　In most people's eyes, these four exchange students started fighting with the students of St. Marian College as soon as they arrived.

　The intellectual duel between Audrey Joan and Emma was one thing, but the physical fight between Evan Pearson and Wit Gold greatly damaged the reputation of St. Marian's College.

　Moreover, in that duel, Victor God, representing St. Marian Academy, was defeated.

　As a result, students who have a strong sense of belonging to the college will naturally want to find a way to get back at the top.

　The students of the Noble House and the Knight House were particularly concerned about this. In the Noble House, Edwin Clarissa could keep things in check, but in the Knight House, no one could control the excited students.

　However, the upperclassmen of the Knights House were not inclined to bully the younger students, so they set their sights on Tommy Smith!

　Once all the professors in the auditorium have left, someone might just throw a white glove at Tommy Smith.

　But could they wait until all the professors had left? The professors couldn't even imagine what they could think of. Duck couldn't help but look towards the faculty seating area.

　More than half of the professors remained to enjoy the ball atmosphere. But the most conspicuous among them was Archbishop Caleb Norris, who was not a professor.

　This also made Professor Steven Harvey, who was working alongside Archbishop Norris, stand out.

　How could it not stand out?

　A chief archbishop of the Holy Church and a seasoned necromancer. Not only were they sitting side by side, but they were also chatting and laughing—how could they not stand out?

　Judging from their current appearance, there's absolutely no indication that the two had ever argued. They seem more like old friends who have known each other for decades and walked through half their lives together.

　Anyway, he sat there without moving, showing no intention of leaving.

　If they don't leave, the drama in the hall will be difficult to unfold. As Dark thought this, a thought suddenly struck him, and the "Blessing of the Wind Spirit" hidden in his ear peeked out.

　"Is the meeting starting so early?" A hint of doubt flashed in Dark's eyes.

　The meeting of the "Snake of Wisdom" was originally scheduled for after the banquet, which was tonight at 9:00 PM.

　But it's only a little past eight o'clock now, and there's still about an hour before the banquet ends.

　Moreover, Professor Steven Harvey showed no sign of leaving. "Could it be something else, Principal Art?"

　Dark's mind raced, and his gaze suddenly met Aurora's, who then pointed to her ear.

　Dak knew about the dirt immediately, and Aurora was also notified.

　He lowered his head and whispered to Diana and Rose, "Get ready, we're leaving."

　"Huh?" Diana looked up, her lips covered in cream.

　Somewhat helplessly, Dak pulled a wet wipe folded into a flower shape from his wine glass and vigorously wiped the corners of his mouth.

　"Wait a minute." Diana suddenly lowered her head, swallowed the rest of the cake in one gulp, and then gulped down the remaining half glass of juice before wiping her hands and getting up: "Let's go, let's go."

　Leaving at the ball's start time wasn't unusual; in fact, quite a few people had already left early.

　But after seeing Dark and the other two get up, Doron instinctively asked, "Dark, where are you going?"

　Dark said, "Go to the club."

　Doron: "Oh."

　Dark smiled at him, then walked out the door with Diana and Rose.

　On the other side, Aurora had also gotten up.

　After they left the auditorium, Evan Pearson suddenly asked, "What club is he in?"

　Because of the time gap, it took Doron a while to realize which club he was asking about, and he immediately replied, "The Fantastic Beasts Club, huh? What's up?"

　Evan Pearson frowned immediately and said, "The Fantastic Beasts Club? Your school has such a club?"

　Doron laughed heartily, "Dark's club is a bit special. You'll find out once you've been at the academy for a while. How about we have a few drinks tonight?"

　Evan Pearson calmly replied, "I don't drink."

　Duolong quickly replied, "No alcohol, just juice. We'll get a refill when we get back to the tower. By the way, have you booked your dorm room yet?"

　Evan Pearson said, "There should be arrangements, but our luggage is still in our temporary guest room."

　Doron said enthusiastically, "You should have said so earlier! We'd come get it for you after the ball." Evan Pearson replied gratefully, "Thank you."

　A scene of harmony

　The door of the auditorium.

　Dak waited at the door for a while before Aurora came out.

　After Victor left, only a few students remained in the "Serpent of Wisdom".

　However, neither Diana nor Rose received any notification; they were brought there by Dark without their consent.

　After all, although Diana and Rose are members of the "Serpent of Wisdom", they are only Sequence Nine, the same level as the "Serpent of the Hidden".

　The two of them were not originally qualified to attend this meeting. But Dark intended to train them to a higher level, so he brought them along. "Is Aurora going too?" Diana asked innocently when she saw Aurora come out.

　"Professor Sylph informed me of a meeting," Aurora said. Diana turned sharply to look at Dark, surprised. "A meeting?" "It's an organizing meeting," Rose interjected, poking Diana's head.

　Dark nodded. "Let's go. There might be other unexpected events tonight." Diana asked, "Where to?"

　Dark said, "The laboratory."

　Before long, the group of four arrived at the hidden laboratory behind the teachers' dormitory.

　When they entered the laboratory, they found that all the other professors, except for Professor Harvey, were already there.

　“Professor Harvey, he'll probably be keeping an eye on Archbishop Norris.” Dark’s gaze shifted, and he suddenly noticed another person in the crowd. “Chris.”

　The pure white laboratory contained only a long conference table and a corresponding number of chairs.

　Fourteen people, including Dark and others, were all seated. Ergane, Sister Carian, Olivia, and Eve were also among them.

　Dark was about to find a chair to sit down, but Professor Sylph pulled out the main seat and patted the back of it.

　Dark hesitated slightly, but finally walked over and sat in the main seat.

　To his left, in order, are Professor Cazell, Ergane, Professor Lily, Eve, Aurora, Diana, and Rose.

　To his right, in order, are Professor Sylph, Professor Jones, Professor Mitis, Sister Carian, and Ophelia.

　Directly opposite him sat "Scorpio" Chris.

　The atmosphere in the laboratory was serious, and no one had an extra smile on their face.

　Diana and Rose, like sheep who had strayed into a pack of wolves, instinctively huddled together, looking tense.

　"cough."

　Darke broke the silence with a habitual light cough.

　He then asked, "Professor Sylph, we're the last to arrive. Can you tell us what happened?"

　But as he looked at Professor Sylph, Professor Lily suddenly said, "I don't know what happened either!"

　Dark frowned, sensing something was amiss: "Then why are you wearing such a serious face?"

　Professor Lily said innocently, "Because everyone does it!" Dark's face stiffened, and he turned to look at the other professors.

　Thus, the originally serious and somber atmosphere shattered easily, like glass.

　The professors' tense faces relaxed one by one, revealing a variety of expressions.

　The air suddenly began to circulate in the laboratory that served as a substitute for a meeting room. "What's going on? I thought something serious had happened," Professor Lily slammed her hand on the table, complaining.

　“Something really has happened.” But Professor Sylph said solemnly as soon as Lily finished speaking.

　Dark's brow furrowed slightly as he noticed that Chris, sitting directly opposite him, still wore a serious expression.

　"Where is Principal Arte?" Darke suddenly asked.

　Since Chris is already sitting here, Principal Art should also be here.

　Why did she neither attend the Sorting Ceremony nor this meeting?

　"Yes, where is the principal?" Professor Mitia asked, looking at Professor Sylph.

　All eyes turned to Professor Sylph.

　In fact, most people here, like Dak, are just newcomers.

　Everyone had doubts, but no one knew the truth. Naturally, they all had a vague sense of unease.

　Professor Sylph took two deep breaths and said, "Cynthia has not returned."

　"She didn't come back?" Dark was startled. "Then where is she?" Professor Sylph looked at Chris and said, "According to Chris, she suddenly disappeared just as she was about to arrive at the academy."

　"Disappeared?" Dark frowned, indicating his confusion.

　Lily blinked and asked, "How did you disappear? Did you leave anything behind?"

　Professor Cazell suddenly asked, "Where are Art's elves?"

　"Oh right, where's the headmaster's elf, that little griffin?" Sister Kallian asked instinctively, then suddenly realized, "So you're going to preside over today's Sorting Ceremony?"

　Professor Sylph said gravely, "That's right. The griffin and the sphinx disappeared at the same time Arte vanished!"

　Dark asked, "When was that?"

　Professor Sylph said, "Chris entered the academy at four o'clock this afternoon, but Arte disappeared around three o'clock. It took them an hour to confirm Arte's disappearance."

　Dark asked, "The exact location?"

　Professor Sylph said, "To the north, above the Grice Forest." "Grice Forest..." Dark's mind quickly flashed through the geographical information surrounding St. Marian Academy.

　But the Glass Forest is just an ordinary forest, inhabited mainly by common wild animals.

　From any perspective, the Grice Forest itself has no connection whatsoever with Principal Arte's disappearance.

　There was a brief lull in the discussion in the meeting room.

　Although Professor Sylph revealed only a very limited amount of information, it was enough to make everyone think.

　没有人大呼小叫。

　Even Professor Lily, usually so boisterous, frowned in thought. But just seconds later, this lull ended. Professor Kazel stated decisively, "There are only two possibilities for Arte's sudden disappearance. One is that she triggered some kind of teleportation device above the Grice Forest, transporting her and two elves to an unknown place. Of course, I personally don't think this is likely. Given Arte's abilities, since she has already descended from Mount Gods, she would almost certainly not have left any loose ends. So I can only lean towards the second possibility... that the Arte who returned with the group was also an elf in disguise."

　"Elf Transformation," Diana muttered to herself.

　Professor Sylph continued, "Cynthia possesses nine spirits. These nine spirits share her life and are inextricably linked to her, and each of them can transform into a clone of her. When necessary, she can synchronize her clones to do almost everything that her original body can do. Therefore, when she is not at the academy, her clones handle matters on her behalf."

　Many of those present were unaware of this secret and were shocked after hearing it.

　Sylph continued, "Furthermore, Cynthia's current state will be immediately reflected in the nine elves. So as long as the elves are alright, it means she's definitely alright. But now..."

　“Now, the elves have disappeared,” Dark added.

　Those who understood its significance felt a profound sense of oppression. No matter the circumstances, Principal Cynthia Saint Arte, one of the strongest saints of her time, was always the backbone of St. Marian Academy.

　With her backing them up, St. Mary's Academy was even able to confront a behemoth like the Holy Church head-on.

　However, now, all the elves who shared her life have disappeared, Principal Arte's fate is unknown, and St. Marian Academy seems to have suddenly entered its weakest period.