In front of the dormitory building.
An old man lay back in a chair, quietly enjoying the warm sunshine.
"You certainly look comfortable, lying here without a care in the world."
Neuvillette appeared beside him, glanced at the old man, and said with a faint smile.
"Young people should have the vigor of the young. As for us old fellows, with one foot already in the grave, the future of Shrek Academy rests squarely on your shoulders."
The old man spoke slowly.
"How's the preparation going?"
"No problem. I've found a student who was taught by Zhou Yi a few years ago. He's contacted many of his classmates from back then, as well as other students who were persecuted by her…"
Neuvillette hesitated slightly but still handed a thick stack of papers to Elder Mu.
"Please have a look. These are all students who suffered under Zhou Yi. They jointly wrote this blood petition, which was originally meant to be submitted to Shrek Academy three years ago, but…"
"It was written three years ago, and it's only now reached my hands…"
Mu En let out a soft sigh. "Who was it?"
Neuvillette pressed his lips together.
"The Vice Dean of the Soul Tool Department — Fan Yu."
Mu En looked somewhat surprised.
"A mere departmental vice dean has the power to run roughshod over all of Shrek Academy?"
"That's not quite it."
Neuvillette shook his head.
"The funny thing is, this fellow didn't even know what his wife was doing — he was simply being used as a shield.
"He's so henpecked that he doesn't dare to ask questions. So Zhou Yi acted without restraint — expelling students at will — and those under her didn't dare question her either. They just assumed the higher-ups were united on this.
"Even if students unhappy with her treatment tried to appeal, they would be stopped at the lower levels.
"And those from powerful families simply assumed this was the official stance of Shrek's leadership.
"That's why now, among the top powers on the continent, every family will first inquire which class Zhou Yi is teaching — so they can avoid it…"
"The name of Zhou Yi, this mere Soul Emperor, has already become notorious among the continent's elite forces…"
Neuvillette sighed with emotion.
Thinking back to the original story —
Other classes had the White Tiger Duke's legitimate son, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's heir… yet Zhou Yi's class was filled only with 'humble-born' students.
It seems everything had its traces to follow.
"Haa…"
Elder Mu let out a long sigh.
"Who would have thought… these parasites have grown so arrogant. The number of children persecuted has already exceeded a hundred…"
"This is indeed Shrek's responsibility. Go ahead and act. The Sea God Pavilion has already established an investigation team — the day you uproot Zhou Yi, they will take full action to eliminate these tumors."
Neuvillette gave a slight nod.
What Elder Mu valued was not Shrek's honor — that kind of empty reputation —
But Shrek's legacy.
For someone like Zhou Yi, who undermined Shrek's very foundations, there was never any tolerance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have told Neuvillette to proceed without restraint.
Of course, if the matter blew up, it would certainly have a serious impact on the Academy's reputation built over tens of thousands of years.
Suddenly, a loud crash came from upstairs.
In the next instant, glass shattered, raining down in mid-air. Under the dazzling light, it looked especially beautiful.
Oh — that wasn't sunlight.
Neuvillette leaned on his staff and looked up.
The Radiant Butterfly Goddess…
Wang Dong had sprouted a pair of butterfly wings from his back, emitting a blinding glow.
At his feet, another boy was falling from the air.
Neuvillette lightly tapped his staff.
A soft, pale-blue light appeared, rippling across the ground like water, catching the boy who was about to crash headfirst.
"Elder Mu, does this count as breaking school rules?"
"Handle it yourself. You're a teacher now — don't spend all day just enjoying your leisure."
When Neuvillette turned around, the old man who had been lying in the chair moments ago was already gone.
"…Sigh."
With a helpless sigh, he glanced at Wang Dong — who was slowly landing, arms crossed, lips pouting, refusing to back down — and then at the other boy, looking at him with wide, pleading eyes.
Neuvillette's expression remained calm as he pointed at Wang Dong.
"You — come with me."
For teachers, Shrek Academy offered extremely generous benefits.
Each had their private villa to serve as living quarters.
Even their salaries were several times higher than those of teachers at other schools.
Shrek was rich and didn't care about spending it this way.
Of course, to become a Shrek teacher was no easy feat. They were either unmatched in theory — like Wang Yan — or graduates of the inner court, possessing terrifying talent and great strength, now serving as teachers to train the next generation of 'little monsters.'
Neuvillette naturally belonged to the latter category.
Inside the dormitory.
Taking a light sip of tea, he looked at Wang Dong, who stood nervously to the side, well-behaved.
"Tell me, why did you have conflict with your roommate?"
"I… I wanted him to follow the rules we agreed on, but he wouldn't. He said I was too overbearing, and I lost my temper, so we started fighting…"
Wang Dong lowered his head, speaking slowly.
After all, judging from Neuvillette's demeanor and this luxurious two-story villa, he was undoubtedly a teacher. She might be bold, but not to the point of provoking a Shrek teacher.
"What were your rules?"
Neuvillette looked up, curious.
It had been a long time, and he couldn't remember clearly.
"First, no bringing people back to the dorm without permission.
"Second, no sleeping naked in the dorm.
"Third, no snoring at night…"
"Cough, cough — that's enough."
Neuvillette nodded expressionlessly.
Understandable — just the little whims of a girl.
"As a teacher, in such situations, the usual solutions are either for you to accept your roommate, or to withdraw from the Academy entirely — because these are your rules, not the Academy's."
"Teacher…"
Wang Dong looked anxious, seeing the calm face of Neuvillette.
If she were expelled, she would have to trouble her "First Dad" and "Second Dad" to plead for her.
Shrek Academy was a giant. Even the Clear Sky Sect could hardly interfere with its decisions.
But going back to share a room with that "gorilla" — enduring the nightly thunderous snores — was something she really couldn't tolerate…
"What, you don't want to go back?"
Neuvillette took another sip of tea and glanced at the conflicted Wang Dong.
"Then you have one more option."
"Live here…"
"I choose to go ba— huh?"
Wang Dong's eyes widened, her pale-blue pupils full of surprise.
"You mean… I… I can live here?"
"Yes, you heard me right."
Neuvillette nodded slightly, face unchanged.
"I rarely stay in this dorm myself. If you want, you can move in."
"T-this… how could I possibly impose…"
Wang Dong's eyes were practically sparkling.
He hadn't expected this teacher to be so understanding!
NeuvilletTe lightly lifted his staff, smiling faintly.
Of course, this wasn't on a whim — it was part of a long-laid plan.
Wang Dong… was a major piece in his game.
He was very much looking forward to seeing that scene of fatherly love and filial daughterly piety…
(End of chapter)