Around four in the morning.
Logically, this should have been the stage of REM sleep or light sleep. Especially since Morin had only just gone to bed after finishing a phone call with Luminous, it was impossible for him to be in deep slumber.
Yet Maya chose this exact moment to act.
Crow's approval alone was proof of her confidence. Or rather, of her confidence in Maya's Soul Skill-Shadowless, Rank 69.
It wasn't a high-tier combat Soul Skill. But for a ninja, it was perfect.
Especially when the target was nothing more than the residence of a high school student with no formal training.
Even if the student's identity files were forged and Maya was discovered, retreat was guaranteed. As the main combatant of the "Babysitter Squad," her strength was never in doubt.
And if the so-called "Little Rabbit" suddenly turned into an uncontrollable dragon...
They could always call the Boss.
A faint, hazy black mist-thin as a shadow-slipped in through the window.
There was no sound.
Soul Skill: Shadowless.
Everything within a two-meter radius was pulled into the shadows. From the outside, it was almost impossible to notice, especially in the dead of night. As long as silence was maintained, it was near-perfect stealth.
For Maya, infiltration like this was routine.
The mist drifted through the room.
Drawers were swallowed by shadow and quietly opened. Documents were checked. Personal items were examined.
Even Morin's backpack wasn't spared.
In the end, there was nothing.
Nothing that shouldn't have been there.
"Find anything?" Crow asked through the earpiece. He was watching through the surveillance feed. "I don't see anything abnormal. If I had to say something... he seems to have OCD. Everything's placed too neatly."
"...No."
Maya gave a minimal shake of her head.
Shadowless altered vision, not sound. Even whispering carried risk.
"Withdraw for now," Crow said. "We'll wait and see if he exposes anything later."
Maya nodded and prepared to leave through the window.
As she passed the bed, she glanced at the boy lying flat on his back.
She didn't know why.
But she did.
Her heart stopped.
Moonlight spilled across his face. It was strikingly handsome, like a painting-or a poem. But that wasn't what froze her.
It was his eyes.
They were open.
Pitch-black pupils, deep and bottomless, like obsidian. In them, Maya saw the faint reflection of her own Shadowless mist.
Damn it.
Am I exposed?
Her hand snapped to the hilt of the ninjato on her back.
The moment Golden Pupils appeared, she would strike-fast and merciless.
"Sigh..."
Morin sat up and yawned.
"Damn it. Can't sleep after that phone call..."
Under Maya's locked gaze, he stepped out of bed as if nothing was there. Slippers on. He walked straight toward the bathroom.
Moments later, the sound of rushing water echoed.
"What are you waiting for, Leggy?!" Crow's voice exploded in her ear. "From his angle, he's looking at the curtains. A normal person wouldn't see you. Move-now!"
Maya didn't hesitate.
She flipped out the window in one smooth motion.
A moment later, Morin returned, lay back down, and closed his eyes.
This time, he fell into deep sleep.
Only the faintest curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.
The next day.
Still at the Regent Hotel.
"Hey, hey! If you don't want to join, fine-but don't stop me from recruiting him!"
Princess's voice rose the moment they met.
"No," Morin replied decisively. "He's my pick."
"You're planning to start an organization?" Princess caught it instantly.
"I prefer 'club.' Organization sounds weird," Morin said calmly. "I'm not some extremist."
While they talked, Luminous, his uncle, aunt, and cousin Ming-Z spotted Professor Guderian nearby.
From a distance, it looked exactly like a pyramid scheme pitch.
The difference was that Cassell College actually had money.
Just... unusual research directions.
"Excellent! Very excellent!" Professor Guderian boomed. "Your overall quality and immense potential are exactly what we're looking for!"
When the annual scholarship amount-thirty-six thousand dollars-was mentioned, Luminous's entire family froze.
A pie falling from the sky was one thing.
A mountain of gold was another.
They were afraid it might crush them.
Morin stared at Princess, who was eating a cod roll.
"You," he said slowly. "What are you plotting now?"
Princess instinctively scooted her chair back ten centimeters.
"Scholarship. Scholarship!" Morin's eyes lit up. "You know my... preferences!"
Maya's expression turned strange.
Only a few days, and they were already like this?
Poor Student Council President.
The image of a proud lion flashed through her mind. He probably never imagined his girl would be taken in three days.
"I prefer to call it a fetish," Princess shot back. "But fine. Go apply to Professor Guderian later. Your ability is extremely useful."
She paused.
"And when you finish that program, once Norma evaluates it, you can apply for another scholarship."
"I'm already planning to buy a programming book," Morin said casually.
Princess nearly choked.
"Professor Guderian wants you all over there," Leaf said, approaching.
"Showing off school heritage?" Maya asked. "I thought his conditions were tempting enough."
"They are," Morin replied, standing. "But he still has unfinished business."
They walked over.
Luminous was shrinking under his uncle's why-haven't-you-agreed stare.
"If there's anything we can help with, we will!" Professor Guderian said nervously.
"It's about a first love," Princess said lightly. "A secret crush."
"Ah... that's outside our scope," Guderian replied immediately.
Internally, he wanted to slap himself.
If Luminous won the girl, what if he refused the college?
Absolutely unacceptable.
Even kidnapping would be an option.
Luminous whipped his head toward Morin.
Did you leak it?
"Uncle, Aunt, Professor," Morin said calmly. "I'd like to talk to him privately."
"Oh, of course," the aunt said warmly. "You're his deskmate, right? Top student."
"Not only that," Professor Guderian added quickly. "Mr. Morin has already been admitted with excellent results. He's even been pre-selected by Professor Von Schneider."
"Ohhh~"
Their gazes softened instantly.
"Please take good care of our Luminous."
"Of course," Morin nodded. "Let me talk to him first."
He led Luminous to a quiet corner.
"This feels unreal," Luminous said softly.
"Scholarship too high?" Morin smiled.
"Yeah..."
Footsteps approached.
Professor Guderian came running with a manila envelope.
"I forgot to mention!" he announced loudly. "Your parents are honorary alumni. They donated to the school. Naturally, under equal conditions, you receive preferential treatment!"
Luminous's chest felt hollow.
The word parents hit harder than expected.
"Looks like I don't need to persuade you," Morin shrugged. "Back to the plan. Decide after you confess, right?"
"Confess?" Guderian's eyes widened.
Absolutely not.
An S-rank could not be lost to romance.
"We should respect the student's wishes," Morin said smoothly. "Why don't we give him space? I also have something to consult you about."
"Oh... of course," Guderian agreed quickly.
They moved away.
Luminous slowly opened the envelope.
He hadn't heard from his parents in a long time.
When letters came, they were always the same.
Stay healthy. Study hard.
Only when they stopped did he realize how much he cared.
"Your bloodline rating couldn't be finalized," Professor Guderian said later. "We found no information on your parents. However, Heavenly Calculation usually receives a high evaluation."
He paused.
"Preliminary A-rank. Final rank after enrollment and the 3E Exam."
"How much is A-rank?" Morin asked.
"Twelve thousand dollars per year."
"Only a third of Luminous's," Morin said seriously. "What's above A?"
"S-rank," Princess answered. "Among current students, only one. Besides him, only the Principal and Vice-Principal."
"3E Evaluation... Bloodline Exam..." Morin murmured. "So if I perform well, I can be promoted?"
"In theory," Princess nodded.
"Unprecedented," Guderian praised, "but not impossible! Why not join my department?"
"But I was already pre-selected by Professor Von Schneider," Morin said.
Guderian's face fell.
Schneider's stance was simple.
This kid is mine.
"I'm going to the restroom," Princess said suddenly.
"Me too," Morin added.
"The same one?" Guderian asked instinctively.
"Of course not!"
They replied in unison.