Because Midgar Academy was to be rebuilt, Student Xi Nuo and others were given a long holiday.
Princess Rose remembered Alexia's words and decided to return to Oriana Kingdom at this time.
Before returning home, Princess Rose went to see Alexia.
Alexia had made a great contribution in this matter. Without Alexia, everyone would have been lambs to the slaughter, without even a chance to resist.
As for Sid, Princess Rose had looked for him but couldn't find him, though she did find Student Xi Nuo.
She asked Student Xi Nuo about Sid's whereabouts.
Student Xi Nuo informed her that Sid didn't like her and was avoiding her.
Princess Rose didn't believe it at all.
Then Sid appeared and explicitly told Princess Rose that he didn't like her.
This was Sid's honest truth; he was constantly bothered by Princess Rose, and it was truly annoying.
Not long ago, he complained to Student Xi Nuo, who then devised a breakup plan for him.
A simple and direct method: explicitly tell Princess Rose that Sid didn't like her.
"But, Sid, why did you risk your life to save me back then?!" Princess Rose asked Sid.
"Because I told Sid that I liked Princess Rose, and Sid, for my sake, didn't want the person I liked to die!"
Student Xi Nuo's lie came out effortlessly.
"Right! That's exactly it!"
Sid said, a beat slower.
"I see... Sid-dousheng, I will never forget your life-saving kindness. If you need anything, I will help you!"
Princess Rose said nothing more. As for Student Xi Nuo saying he liked her, Princess Rose didn't take it seriously.
After all, she was a princess; there were plenty of men who liked her.
Princess Rose didn't care for verbal declarations; she only cared about what people did.
Student Xi Nuo was also sensible enough not to say too much.
Princess Rose would definitely need the help of Shadow Garden, and he didn't need to be overly eager right now... Princess Rose went to the palace, intending to meet Alexia.
At the same time, she also wanted to ask if the person who had Alexia relay the message was Suave Thug Killer.
After informing the guards, a guard went in to announce her, and not long after, Princess Rose was allowed to enter.
Led by the guard, Princess Rose arrived at Alexia's room.
However, she saw Student Xi Nuo there.
"Student Xi Nuo, why are you here?!"
"Because Student Xi Nuo is my friend!" Alexia said.
"Senior Rose, is there something you need from me?"
"I want to ask who exactly the person who had you relay the message is? I inquired with Father King via letter, and he replied that everything is well!"
Alexia turned to look at Student Xi Nuo.
"I can't tell you that, but you can guess!"
"Student Xi Nuo can also guess!"
"I can't guess!" Princess Rose said.
"I guess it's related to the dark organization that was hidden in the shadows this time. They are so arrogant in Midgar, a country famous for Magic Swordsman. In Oriana, an artistic kingdom where military strength is generally low, who knows how arrogant they've become!"
"Of course, all of the above are my bold conjectures!"
Student Xi Nuo said.
"Student Xi Nuo and I share the same view. Since you have time now, Princess Rose, you should hurry home and take a look!" Alexia said.
"You're right, thank you both! I'm leaving now! Alexia, take care!"
"Don't worry, even if I lose an arm, my strength is still very strong!" Alexia said.
After Princess Rose left.
Student Xi Nuo looked at Alexia.
"Don't think I didn't notice you secretly giving Rose hints! Disobedient princesses must be punished!"
Alexia actively went to the door and instructed the guards outside that no matter what sounds they heard, they were not to enter.
The guards didn't understand why Alexia gave such an order, but they could only respectfully say, "As you command."
Then Alexia locked the door and lay on the bed, preparing for a nap.
As for Student Xi Nuo's presence, the guards had no idea, because Student Xi Nuo had snuck in... When the incident happened earlier, Claire was not at the academy. As an academy representative, Claire had gone to other Magic Swordsman Academy in Midgar for exchanges.
A large country like Midgar couldn't possibly have only one Magic Swordsman Academy; there were also three Magic Swordsman Academy that admitted commoners, though the strength of the people there was generally lower.
Claire was leading the exchange team. She had achieved an excellent second place in the Martial Heart Festival selection competition held within the school.
She also had the qualifications to go to other academies for exchanges.
The people in those academies had poor talent, but they were all diligent and hardworking.
She also had a task from Alice when visiting other academies: to find some promising talents and invite them to join Alice's Crimson Knight Order.
Claire picked seven or eight diligent and hardworking candidates, choosing the best among the less talented.
When she returned to the capital of Midgar, she felt like the sky had fallen.
She immediately found Student Xi Nuo, and after finding him unharmed, she remembered Sid.
However, Sid had already run off earlier.
Sid didn't want to go back to his hometown with his older sister. The territories near Kageno had been explored thoroughly by Sid. He had no lingering attachment whatsoever.
Student Xi Nuo told his older sister Claire that Sid had gone out to find his future path.
Claire smiled with relief.
"That child finally knows how to plan his own future!"
"Then, Student Xi Nuo, why don't you come home with your older sister!"
"Apologies, older sister, I also have matters to attend to. I am currently a guard for a commerce, with a monthly salary of ten thousand Zeny, so I cannot return home for now!"
Student Xi Nuo had already prepared an excuse; he had informed Gamma in advance.
Gamma immediately found a commerce under Mitsugoshi Company.
The president of the commerce was a member of Shadow Garden.
Every commerce president under Mitsugoshi Company was a member of Shadow Garden.
This was to ensure perfect control.
Of course, most commerce did not agree to this proposal. Those that disagreed would be ostracized, then targeted, and eventually go bankrupt.
The remaining commerce were obedient ones, and only obedient ones were qualified to become commerce under Mitsugoshi Company.
Those disobedient commerce all went bankrupt; they later begged to join Mitsugoshi Company, but unfortunately, there was no opportunity.
Those commerce had only one chance; missing it meant missing it forever.
After all, a wise man submits to circumstances.
Claire visited Student Xi Nuo's workplace and had to admit that this part-time job was quite good.
She also gave up the idea of taking Student Xi Nuo home and went home herself.
As soon as Claire left, Student Xi Nuo found a place to sit down.
The so-called commerce president, a newly adult young girl, immediately came over to massage Student Xi Nuo's legs.
Gamma also emerged from the partitioned room.
"Gamma, has anything happened in business recently?"
"Recently, the local commerce in the capital have started to unite, wanting to boycott Mitsugoshi Company and its affiliated commerce! Their united commerce is called Great United Company!"
"They have also started issuing banknotes! I have, as you instructed, refused to accept any other banknotes!"
"Well done! Do you have any of their banknotes for me to see!" Student Xi Nuo said.
Gamma brought a banknote from the Great United Company.
"How crude! This kind of banknote can be easily counterfeited!"
"Do you mean for us to counterfeit these banknotes, then circulate them widely in the market, and exchange them for their gold coins, causing their banknotes to lose credibility?!"