Train CC1000, like a swift blade cutting through water, sliced through the misty drizzle and entered the mountains, with scattered leaves swirling in the wind.
The weather forecast hadn't predicted rain, but Lu Mingfei was already accustomed to inaccurate forecasts; a sudden downpour several years ago had left a deep impression on him.
Fortunately, he was now on the train and didn't have to worry about whether someone would pick him up.
The waiter thoughtfully placed a black umbrella next to his seat, without disturbing his breakfast.
As for Fingel, the waiter could only wish him good luck.
"Not a scratch, Junior Brother!" Fingel's gaze swept over Lu Mingfei.
"Good luck," Lu Mingfei said with a smile, using his chopsticks to press down on Fingel's restless chopsticks.
"Haha, really?" Fingel shamelessly struggled for a moment before retracting his chopsticks from the fried egg. "Congratulations, Junior Brother, you're completely famous at the College! Your heroic appearance has gone viral on the Night Watcher Forum!"
"Hmm? Did you secretly upload the video behind my back?" Lu Mingfei took out his phone and opened the Night Watcher Forum, while observing Fingel's reaction.
"You wrong me, Junior Brother! I always keep my word. I'm also heartbroken that someone beat me to this news," Fingel said with a face full of sorrow, as if he had missed out on a fried egg.
"Angrily Slaying an A-Class Death Servant, the Death Servant Had No Power to Resist?" Lu Mingfei glanced at the poster; it really wasn't Fingel's ID.
"Junior Brother, you know me. How could I write a title like that?"
Lu Mingfei rolled his eyes. Fingel had a point. Given his nature, it would most likely be something like "S-Class's First Mission, One Kill, Three, Blah Blah Blah." This title wasn't exaggerated enough.
"Was it posted by the Execution Department?"
"Junior Brother is exceptionally clever!"
Lu Mingfei touched his hair, inevitably thinking of Professor Manstein.
Exceptionally... let's just forget about that.
This time, the waiter had still prepared a car for Lu Mingfei; it was Caesar's bugatti veyron.
"Why did he drive it over?" Lu Mingfei asked.
"Fingel said this was your car, so we specifically contacted the people in the Campus Operations Department, filled it with gas, and drove it over," the waiter bowed slightly, his tone respectful. "May I ask if you need a driver?"
The waiter was very tempted by the position. What man wouldn't want to drive such a luxury car once in his life? Even being a driver for someone wasn't shameful, let alone driving for an S-Class; it would definitely be a matter of pride.
"Thank you for the trouble."
Lu Mingfei nodded, going with the flow. He was fortunate to know about such luxury cars thanks to his time at Shilan Middle School, where the second-generation rich kids in his class loved to discuss new car models and who had changed cars during their free time.
Through osmosis, he had learned a bit.
Lu Mingfei sat in the passenger seat. The waiter turned to go to the driver's seat but found that a muscular fellow was already squatting there.
"Fingel, you're truly shameless," the waiter said flatly.
"Thank you for the compliment," Fingel accepted the waiter's praise with a smile. For those in their line of work, being concerned with one's image wouldn't lead to breaking news.
The tires made a friction sound with the ground. The waiter stepped back two paces, took off his work hat, pressed it against his abdomen, and bowed slightly to Lu Mingfei, "Welcome home, S-Class."
"Welcome home, S-Class!" Fingel loudly repeated the waiter's words, as if to let everyone on the mountain know.
Your superstar, the S-Class, is back!
The hardtop convertible of the bugatti veyron was open, and the drizzling rain fell before Lu Mingfei's eyes. The rainwater, like silver-grey spider silk, wove a large net, trapping Kassel College, trapping the world he was about to enter.
He suddenly had a feeling that life was like a dream.
...
Lu Mingfei pushed open the small door to the Principal's office. The door was always ajar, seemingly ready to receive visitors at any time.
However, walking along and seeing the attention from his classmates, Lu Mingfei knew with his middle finger that he was the only guest in the Principal's office today.
"Earlier than I expected. Straight to my office as soon as you're back?"
"Hello, Principal," Lu Mingfei greeted politely, then followed the sound, climbing the wooden ladder to the top floor. "Caesar Senior Brother's sports car was a bit fast."
"Do you still like that bugatti veyron? How was the driving experience?" Angers looked at Lu Mingfei as he slowly ascended, a smile on his face.
"Fingel Senior Brother drove for me, Principal. I haven't gotten my driver's license in China yet," Lu Mingfei said truthfully, as he hadn't expected to become a car owner as soon as he arrived at the school, solving a major life problem.
"Fingel is indeed still the same. How are you two getting along? Are you compatible?" Angers weighed the hot water kettle in his hand.
"Does the Principal know Fingel Senior Brother very well?" Lu Mingfei wasn't surprised that the Principal knew Fingel, but he was curious about the "same old" in the Principal's words. It sounded like their relationship was more than just trading spiced-up newspapers.
"I understand the experiences of every A-Class student. You are all my good students," Angers said, crossing his hands over his propped-up leg. "Fingel was once also an A-Class student. He was no less talented than Chu Zihang and Caesar are now."
Lu Mingfei paused. Although he had some understanding and had long suspected it, hearing this from the Principal's mouth still felt a bit unreal. Very few people at the school received such praise from the Principal.
"So why did Senior Brother become like this now?"
"An important mission went awry," Angers shook his head, a look of regret on his face. "Only the one who tied the bell can untie it. If you truly want to know the reason, why not ask him yourself?"
"I'm very glad he pulled through. The last one who didn't pull through already shot himself," Angers said.
"Was it also an Execution Department mission?"
"It was the previous S-Class. Due to some philosophical issues, he went down a rabbit hole, and so he shot himself," Angers looked at Lu Mingfei.
Lu Mingfei understood the implication. He was also an S-Class, and Angers was a bit worried that he might also go down a rabbit hole. So, was this why he could visit the office every day?
"I've already pulled through the most difficult period."
"It's good that you pulled through. Fingel is also living quite a flavorful life now," Angers said.
Indeed, very much like pork hock.
Lu Mingfei muttered a complaint in his heart, then sat opposite Angers, filtering some of his thoughts before speaking, "It is indeed very flavorful. I just owed him ten days of late-night snacks."
"Chinese food is indeed much more unique than the College cafeteria. The cafeteria chefs have been worried lately about what Chinese dish the S-Class will order next time," Angers smiled. "Thanks to you, my appetite has been very good lately."
Principal, did you mean that you were also included in the S-Class you mentioned?
Lu Mingfei rubbed his forehead, "So, is Chinese food a rare item at the College?"
"Because there are very few Chinese people," Angers explained. "Since that question came up, I think it's time we get to the main topic."
"Main topic? The Family?"
"No, it's the Principal's afternoon tea."
"Principal, the most tea I've ever seen was the Dahongpao my uncle bought to save face, but they were all fakes," Lu Mingfei's gaze shifted, a hint of embarrassment on his face.
"Dahongpao? Perfect, I still have a bit of Dahongpao from Jiulongke, Wuyi Mountain," Angers said with a smile, taking out a tin can from the corner tea cabinet. He poured about half a tea vessel's worth before stopping, then poured 100°C boiling water over it.
"Dahongpao from Wuyi Mountain in China is the most authentic, and among Wuyi Mountain, the Dahongpao from Jiulongke is the best. This bit of tea was a birthday gift someone gave me a few years ago."
"That sounds very precious," Lu Mingfei watched the Principal, who was performing the second brewing. Just his technique looked top-notch.
"It depends on who you're drinking with. Drinking with you is just right," Angers looked at Lu Mingfei and began the third brewing. "While waiting for the tea to be ready, Mingfei, why don't you talk about your feelings on this mission?"
"Or rather, your feelings about using your Rune."
Lu Mingfei suddenly looked up. Through the misty vapor, he saw Angers' calm expression, still smiling and staring at him.