Collapse: The opening system captures the Herrscher of Knowledge

"No, we're back in the blink of an eye?"

Looking at the familiar St. Freya Academy and the omnipresent Honkai energy, Xiao Shi couldn't help but turn to look at Fu Ming beside her, filled with surprise.

"Hmm, that should be correct."

This world, this universe, is something I spent ten thousand years replicating one-to-one, and then personally inlaid onto the Tree of Imaginary Numbers.

"To want to travel back in time is merely a matter of a single thought."

Fu Ming nodded in agreement, but when his gaze swept over Anna and Chen Tianwu walking together in front of him, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a look of utter disbelief instantly appeared on his face.

"...However, something seems a little off?"

Xiao Shi blinked as well, followed his gaze, and then gasped, her voice rising several decibels:

"This is clearly not right!"

Could we have accidentally wandered into another parallel world? How did Chen Tianwu and Anna end up at St. Freya Academy?

As the two were still wondering what was going on, they saw Anna holding two bags of freshly baked French bread, turning her head to talk to Chen Tianwu, her eyes crinkling and a smile playing on her lips.

Chen Tianwu was carrying three or four brand-name shopping bags. Hearing this, he shook his head helplessly, reached out and tidied her hair that had been blown about by the wind, his actions natural and affectionate.

Xiao Shi and Fu Ming's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the sight.

"Am I seeing things?" Xiao Shi tugged at Fu Ming's sleeve. "Why are those two here, and they seem to be dating?!"

Fu Ming stared at the two figures as they walked away, his fingers unconsciously stroking his chin: "Perhaps Theresa knew the future and changed the ending ahead of time?"

Before he could finish speaking, a clear laugh rang out.

The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw Kiana holding up a white peach-flavored ice cream to Mei, saying:

"Mei, try this one, it's white peach flavored!"

Mei reluctantly but indulgently lowered her head and licked it, and Kiana immediately pressed for an answer:

"how is it going?"

Mei savored the sweet fruity flavor on her tongue, a faint smile playing on her lips, and softly replied:

"Yeah, very sweet."

Xiao Shi, standing to the side, narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on Kiana's hair: "It's Kiana... but what's with that purple highlight on her head?"

Fu Ming's gaze darkened slightly, his fingertips unconsciously stroking his chin as he murmured:

"Perhaps this is Sirin's last act of defiance in this world—just like the striking tuft of white hair in Durandal's hair after she received the Kaslana Stigmata inheritance."

But then, something even more astonishing happened—

In the flowerbed not far away, Otto suddenly poked his head out from the blooming flowers, holding a pair of garden shears in his hand, and was slowly pruning the flower branches.

"Kallen~ Karen~ Karen~"

He wore a leisurely and contented expression, humming a little tune, as if he were completely immersed in the joy of gardening, having left all past power struggles behind.

In the blink of an eye, Rita appeared behind Otto as if she had teleported, bowed slightly, and asked softly:

"Lord Otto, would you like a pot of black tea made for you?"

Otto raised his hand to wipe the thin layer of sweat from his forehead, nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips, his tone relaxed:

"Thank you for your help, Rita."

Xiao Shi's lips twitched as he watched, pointing at Otto and turning to look at Fu Ming, seemingly on the verge of collapse.

"Is this Otto?! What's he doing working as a gardener at St. Freya Academy?!"

Fu Ming also looked bewildered, and after a long while, he managed to stammer out:

"Perhaps... Otto came to St. Freya Academy to experience life after retiring?"

Just then, Kiana and Mei seemed to notice them. After seeing Fu Ming and Xiao Shi, they paused for a moment, then broke into excited smiles:

"Fu Ming? Xiao Shi? You're back! The class monitor was worried about you. Why didn't the others come back?"

Fu Ming and Xiao Shi exchanged a glance, and Xiao Shi spoke first to smooth things over, explaining:

"Ah...they? They had some things to take care of, so we came back first!"

Kiana immediately pulled out her phone and said excitedly:

"Oh, I'll contact the class monitor right away! She's been talking about Xiao Shi every day while you were gone."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shi's ears turned a faint red, and she quickly turned her head away, saying somewhat awkwardly:

"Y-really?"

Otto, who was not far away, also noticed the commotion. His distinctive voice, so distinctive that it made people clench their fists just by hearing it, suddenly rang out:

"You two? Why don't you come over for a cup of black tea before we talk? Rita's Ceylon black tea with honey tastes quite good."

Xiao Shi suddenly turned her head and met Otto's smiling eyes, instantly bristling like she'd seen a pair of Cantonese pigtails:

"Climb for me!"

"Friend, I'm just an ordinary gardener now, don't act like you've seen a ghost when you see me. I'm very friendly."

Otto put down his gardening shears, raised his hand to brush the petals off his shoulder, and spoke with his usual relaxed tone.

Rita had already come over with a tea tray, the delicate bone china teacups filled with amber-colored tea, and thoughtfully accompanied by two caramel biscuits.

The group sat down at the stone table beside the flower bed. Kiana even pulled Mei over to join them, and while eating her ice cream, she asked curiously:

"Fu Ming, where have you been all this time? I thought you weren't coming back!"

Fu Ming gently stroked the rim of the cup with his fingertips and spoke softly:

"Well, there was a bit of an accident on the way back. I ended up in Kiana☆'s world and stayed there for a while."

Kiana nodded, picked up a caramel cookie, popped it into her mouth, crunched it, and mumbled:

"That's it~"

A moment later, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Fu Hua hurrying towards them, with Cheng Lixue close behind. She couldn't help but call out:

"Master, please slow down!"

Fu Hua walked straight to the crowd, gently cupped Xiao Shi's face in her hands, squeezed and pinched it, her brows furrowing slightly:

"You've lost weight. Has Fu Ming not taken good care of you?"

Fu Ming froze on the spot, his face filled with astonishment, inwardly cursing:

"No, buddy! I'm not taking the blame for this!"

Xiao Shi, unable to move with her face held in Fu Hua's hands, blushed with embarrassment and pouted in protest:

"Old antique... Everyone's watching, let go!"

Cheng Lixue then walked closer and said with a smile:

"Xiao Shi, your master was worried about you and kept talking about you. When he heard you were back, he rushed over as soon as possible."

Xiao Shi's ears turned red again, and she awkwardly turned her head away:

"Of course I know, you don't need to tell me."

Otto picked up his black tea, took a sip, and slowly began to speak:

"The Crimson Kite Immortal really cares about me. He didn't even bother to greet his old friend, who was sitting right next to him."

Xiao Shi immediately glared at him:

"How dare you call me 'Xiao Shi'? And stop trying to get your attention here, you're asking for a beating!"

Otto chuckled softly and put down his teacup.

"I was just making a comment."

Fu Hua then released her hand, gently patted Xiao Shi's head, and softened her tone:

"Come over to my place tonight, and I'll cook whatever you want to eat."

Xiao Shi's ears were still red, but his mouth remained stubborn:

"Hmph, as long as it's not the eternal spring."

Kiana immediately raised her hand:

"Squad leader! Squad leader! I want to go too! I want to eat!"

Mei tugged at her arm helplessly:

"Don't be silly, the class monitor made this especially for Xiaoshi."

"Hey Mei, you should come too! It'll be more fun with more people!"

Kiana playfully shook Mei's wrist, making everyone laugh.

But as expected, an accident is about to happen.