"Finger, looks like your principal is heading back to his office," Gustave observed, his Observation Haki tracking Anjou's movement through the building's elevator shaft.
"Understood, Foreign Aid Big Brother! I'll take you to the principal's office right away!" Finger immediately jumped to his feet and rushed to open the door.
Gustave stood as well, but paused when he remembered Chu Zihang's parting instructions about cleaning up. Looking at the scattered potato chip crumbs on the desk, he turned to find some paper to wipe them away.
"Foreign Aid Big Brother, no need! Let me handle that!"
Finger practically dove across the room, snatching up tissues to clean the mess himself.
"Finger, remember that Zihang will be your teacher, not me. You don't need to do this."
"Please don't misunderstand, Foreign Aid Big Brother! You're someone I deeply respect, and this is simply what I should do!" Finger's earnest expression would have been touching if it weren't so transparently calculated.
Gustave didn't know whether to laugh or shake his head. The man's service attitude was so refined he could probably run a five-star restaurant. What a waste of talent in academia.
After disposing of the garbage, Finger led Gustave out of the dormitory building. The last time Gustave had visited was during summer vacation, when the campus felt relatively empty despite having some students around. Now the atmosphere was completely different.
Walking along the forest path from the dormitory toward the main campus, they occasionally encountered students carrying textbooks or backpacks. The closer they got to the outdoor recreational areas, the more populated it became.
"Foreign Aid Big Brother, when you visited before, classes hadn't started yet so things were pretty quiet. Now that the semester's underway, this is typical daily life at Cassel College," Finger explained as they walked.
"The academy certainly has a lively atmosphere now. It looks just like any normal university," Gustave observed.
"Actually, Cassel College really is just an ordinary university—we just happen to have slightly special students and some unique coursework."
Gustave had to admire Finger's shamelessness. The man could say with a straight face that an institution equipped with military aircraft, submarines, strategic missiles, nuclear capabilities, and the ability to mobilize US naval forces was "ordinary." There weren't many countries in the world that could withstand a full military assault from Cassel College, yet here was Finger calling it a typical school.
"Such modesty," Gustave replied with amused appreciation.
"I try my best," Finger said, actually seeming embarrassed by the praise.
They continued until they reached an unusually designed building with sweeping architectural lines.
"Foreign Aid Big Brother, this is Cassel College's comprehensive indoor gymnasium. It features an Olympic-sized swimming pool, multiple basketball courts, a full fitness center, and other facilities. The construction cost exceeded five hundred million dollars."
"Impressive," Gustave nodded. This truly was a legendary elite institution. One word summed it up perfectly: wealthy.
As they were discussing the building, laughter echoed from the gymnasium's exit. A group of attractive young women in bikinis emerged, their voices creating a cheerful bubble of sound.
"Finger, your academy certainly has a vibrant youthful energy!" Gustave observed approvingly.
"Ah, Foreign Aid Big Brother, those girls are from our synchronized swimming team. They prefer those styles over the standard one-piece suits."
"Understandable. When you have it, flaunt it!"
Gustave took a moment to appreciate the scene with the discerning eye of someone who understood aesthetics. There was nothing improper in his gaze—simply the natural human response to witnessing beauty. When confronted with something pleasing to the eye, appreciation was only natural.
After the bikini-clad swimmers disappeared down the path, both Gustave and Finger simultaneously returned their attention to the journey ahead, sharing a brief conspiratorial smile before continuing toward the administrative building.
A few minutes later, they approached the imposing structure that housed the college's executive offices.
"Senior Finger!"
Just as they were about to enter, a girl with striking red hair descended the steps and greeted Finger warmly.
"Hello there, Junior Nono," Finger replied with his characteristic smile.
Hearing the name, Gustave couldn't help but take a closer look. So this was Chen Motong—Lu Mingfei's dream girl from the original story. She was indeed beautiful with an excellent figure. No wonder she could capture someone's complete devotion.
"Senior, what brings you here today?" Chen Motong asked in a sweet voice, her smile radiant.
"I'm escorting this gentleman to see the principal," Finger explained, gesturing toward Gustave.
"Oh, I see! Well, I won't keep you then. Have a good day, Senior!"
"Take care, Junior!"
As they continued toward the principal's office, Gustave's lips curved in a slight smile. True to her reputation as the curious senior from the original story, she was already following them discreetly.
Chen Motong was certain she'd never seen Gustave on campus before, and Finger's respectful attitude toward him was highly unusual. Her natural curiosity compelled her to trail them at a safe distance.
Soon, Finger and Gustave arrived outside the principal's office.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in!" came Anjou's voice from within.
Principal Anjou appeared to be reviewing documents when they entered. Looking up, his eyes immediately lit up upon recognizing Gustave, with Finger standing respectfully behind him.
"Ah, Mister Gustave! What an unexpected pleasure! Please, have a seat!"
Seeing his visitor, Anjou's elderly face bloomed like a chrysanthemum in full flower. While Gustave had cost him six hundred million dollars during their last encounter, the dragon slaying had more than paid for itself. Anjou had sold Ladon's remains at such profitable margins that he'd not only recouped the expense but made substantial gains.
Now whenever Anjou saw Gustave, it was like glimpsing a lucky star. The man could both eliminate dragons and generate enormous profits. What wasn't to love?
"Finger, please sit down as well," Anjou added, noticing the student still standing.
"Principal, I only came to escort Mr. Gustave here. I don't need to—"
"Finger, since Principal Anjou invited you to sit, please do. We're all acquainted now—no need for excessive formality," Gustave interjected.
"Exactly! Mr. Gustave is absolutely right. Finger, sit down immediately."
With both men insisting, Finger took a seat, but immediately stood again when he saw Anjou reaching for the tea service.
"Principal, please allow me! Leave such small tasks to me," Finger insisted, taking the teapot from Anjou's hands.
Outside the office door, Chen Motong lay flat against the entrance with her ear pressed to the wood, straining to catch the conversation within.
"Gustave... that must be the name of the man Senior Finger brought," she thought. "From the principal's attitude, they clearly know each other well, and this Gustave must be very important!"
Although the office had soundproofing, mixed-bloods possessed enhanced senses far superior to normal humans. Chen Motong could make out fragments of the conversation through the barrier.
Both Gustave and Anjou had naturally detected their eavesdropper, but neither chose to acknowledge her presence, sharing an unspoken understanding to let the curious student satisfy her surveillance instincts.