Chapter 40: A Business Trip to Japan, an All-Star Elite Lineup!

"Did you hear? The reason Caesar and Chu Zihang didn't end up fighting is that they have to go on a business trip. The Operations Department assigned them a mission—it seems they're heading to Japan."

"Where? Japan? No way, they're just freshmen! They're sending them straight to Japan already? Will they even be able to come back in one piece?"

"What kind of insane mission requires going to Japan? My God, they're just poor freshmen! Are they already starting on our poor freshmen? Japan... that's Japan! I still remember my roommate coming back from Japan; he still bows to everyone he meets to this day..."

"Japan... heh heh... Japan, heh heh heh, I was wrong, I'll never go to Japan again, heh heh heh..."

"Great, another one has gone insane. Is Japan really that terrifying? It seems every student who returns from Japan acts neurotic. You guys are making me scared. I won't get assigned to Japan later, will I?"

...

In the Principal's office, Caesar closed the "Watchdog" page on his phone. For once, his expression turned grave. He looked at Chu Zihang, who was sitting across from him, and for the first time, he felt the urge to communicate with the poker-faced guy—perhaps to discuss why Japan was so freakish.

But starting a conversation with a poker face was a major challenge. Before he could think of a reasonable opening line, the office door was pushed open. An old man in a suit walked in slowly, followed by an expressionless girl.

It was Principal Angers, along with that low-key S-class student who was almost as if she didn't exist: Ivina.

"I am very sorry to interrupt your appointment, but something truly important has happened," Angers said with a helpless expression. "Why don't you finish your fight after you return from your business trip? I guarantee that no one will disturb you then."

"Principal, you're joking," Caesar shrugged indifferently. "It was just a spar. Since it's only a spar, it can be done whenever."

"Why don't you tell us about our mission? As far as I know, freshmen rarely go on missions, right?"

"To be precise, freshmen with lower bloodlines rarely go on missions. If the bloodline is powerful enough, there is no distinction between freshmen and seniors. Hybrids have always valued bloodlines above all else, because bloodline represents strength."

As Angers spoke, he poured a cup of tea for each of the three students. The curling white steam blurred the old man's face. After a moment of silence, Chu Zihang spoke first.

"What is the mission?"

"Our Japan Branch seems to have run into a bit of trouble. There appears to be some internal conflict. To avoid losing this branch, we have no choice but to send people to help them."

"Which people?" Caesar's gaze swept across the faces of Chu Zihang and Ivina, sounding somewhat incredulous. "Don't tell me it's just the three of us freshmen?"

"The first batch is just the three of you," Angers said. "But once you get there, the Japan Branch will host you."

As soon as these words were out, even the poker-faced Chu Zihang showed a flicker of expression. He frowned and carefully chose his words: "Wouldn't that be a bit too rash? We are all freshmen; we have no experience in conducting missions."

"Although I am very interested in Japanese culture, I have to admit that I don't know much about Japan," Caesar added. "In other words, three people who know nothing about Japan are going to Japan to carry out a mission, and we're just freshmen..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone could hear his disapproval. Young Master Caesar had never feared anyone in his life; a mere Japan was naturally nothing to him. But he prided himself on being a smart man and never fought a battle without preparation.

He had seen the discussions in the Watchdog forum, which served as a warning to him. Just as he practiced his blade work and analyzed countless scenarios in his head before challenging Chu Zihang, thinking about the angles from which Chu Zihang might strike, he wanted to obtain more intelligence about Japan.

"First of all, your bloodlines are what they are, so it doesn't matter that you're freshmen, because you're just there to hold the fort," Angers shrugged. "Although it's chaotic over there, it is said to be quite limited."

"With your bloodlines, as long as you arrive, the chaos will naturally be resolved, so you don't need experience."

"That sounds simple enough," Caesar said.

"It will be just as simple to execute," Angers said. "Don't you want to earn full practical credits during your freshman year? This is a very high honor; not many students have achieved it."

Caesar raised an eyebrow: "Is that a benefit?"

"No, it's a temptation," Angers laughed. "If you have any objections, you can state them now. If not, you may go back and prepare. Norma will likely arrange your flight tickets to Japan in the next two days."

"Believe me, this will be a very memorable mission experience."

Caesar and Chu Zihang exchanged a look, both feeling that this matter wasn't so simple—at least not as simple as Angers made it sound. But just as they were thinking, the girl who had been silent the entire time, looking like a statue, suddenly stood up.

She didn't even glance at Chu Zihang or Caesar; she simply nodded toward Angers and turned to leave.

Caesar's eyelids twitched. It was the first time he'd seen someone more arrogant than himself, yet Angers turned a blind eye to such haughty behavior, wearing a warm smile on his face.

"So, what is your choice?" Angers asked them.

"I'll go, might as well. Save people from looking down on us," Caesar spread his hands. "Besides, I've been wanting to see Japan."

Chu Zihang said nothing, merely nodding.

...

Meanwhile, the Shishigumi and the Oni-Kai received the news almost simultaneously: within the next two days, Cassel College would be sending special agents to assist the Japan Branch in stabilizing the chaos.

This news caught the Shishigumi, who were trying to suppress the riots, completely off guard, and it also greatly surprised the Oni-Kai, who were poised and ready to attack the Shishigumi.

The intervention of Cassel College would undoubtedly make an already chaotic situation even more chaotic. This was something neither side wanted to see, so they were both confused. They couldn't understand why the other side would do something so self-destructive—damaging the enemy by ten thousand while losing eight thousand—and both sides assumed the other was an idiot.

In their view, no matter how chaotic things got or how much they fought, it was an internal matter for the Japanese hybrids—a family affair. But now, someone had broken the rules and invited outsiders into the game.

Now things were spiraling in a direction no one could control, which was the last thing anyone wanted. Consequently, questions like "Who exactly notified Cassel College?" appeared simultaneously within both the Shishigumi and the Oni-Kai.

Yet, no matter how they investigated, they couldn't find the informant. They simply couldn't fathom what the benefit of doing such a thing could possibly be.

"Of course there's a benefit. How else can I fish in troubled waters if it doesn't get chaotic? How can I get my chance if it doesn't get chaotic?"

Tang Xi said this with a straight face. Her only listener, Erii, nodded, though her large eyes were filled with pure confusion.

She didn't understand.

Never mind. Whatever Sister says is right.

Erii thought to herself.