The next morning.
After a quick wash, Luo Yan bid farewell to Priest Geoffrey and the children of the Temple and set off for his return to the Demon King Academy, finally arriving at the school gate just before lunchtime.
Today was different from usual.
Elegant dragon carriages filled the castle-like school gates, with the least impressive among them being drawn by a Gold Level Winged Dragon.
Following the graduation ceremony, the third and fourth-year students no longer had classes and weren't required to prepare for final exams or graduation tests, leaving what was once a bustling campus suddenly idle.
The young lords and ladies who came to the academy to add luster to their names wouldn't stay in their dorms the entire time; they would at least enjoy the last summer vacation in their family estates before pursuing their futures.
Those with less influential families who were unfortunately assigned to the front lines generally reported to the war office yesterday.
Service time started from the moment of reporting, and serving earlier could result in a quicker transfer to the rear. With luck, they might even avoid the battlefield altogether.
Benefitting from their masters' prestige, Winged Dragons five or six meters in length groveled on the ground, peering around as if they were real dragons.
Among those beasts of burden, Luo Yan was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a few Hell Pegasus, a creature so rare he had only seen it in textbooks!
This creature was considered a "strategic material" even in Hell.
To use a Hell Pegasus to pull a carriage, the family must at least be that of an Earl.
Luo Yan politely expressed his envy but didn't expect a familiar face to pop out from one of the carriages.
Beneath a pink bob, a pair of heart-shaped pupils looked at him with a seemingly amused expression.
Mia?!
Recalling the unpleasant incident at the graduation ceremony, Luo Yan quickly averted his gaze, only to find that the girl had jumped off the carriage and was heading straight for him.
"Luo Yan senior, long time no see."
"Stop kidding, we're in the same class."
"Eh? But Egger calls you that, can't I?" Mia asked shyly, looking at him with fluttering eyes that were undoubtedly feigned.
As expected.
Seeing that Luo Yan was indifferent, Mia immediately revealed her demonic nature, her formerly shy look becoming menacingly sharp.
"Tsk tsk tsk, you're merely a human but you dared to question my beliefs so presumptuously. I didn't realize before, but you're actually pretty gutsy."
Indeed.
A human who protected animals didn't have the standing to say such things to a High-Level Demon.
But only realizing it today, what a long response time.
When Luo Yan didn't respond, she moved to the side, her nose dangerously close as if examining her prey.
"Hey, where were you last night?"
He really didn't want to deal with this troublesome person.
Luo Yan sighed and said seriously,
"Miss High-Level Demon Mia, may I ask how that concerns you?"
"Nothing much, just that I was a bit disappointed after making a useless trip. I thought you had run away with your tail between your legs, giggle giggle giggle."
Mia sneered maliciously, but Luo Yan frowned.
"You went into my room?"
"How could I? I am a law-abiding good demon, and I would never do anything illegal..." Mia chuckled, but upon noticing Luo Yan's expression, her eyes narrowed slightly, "What? Is there something in your room you don't want people to see?"
Luo Yan was about to brush it off when a soft cough from the side saved him from further discussion.
"Miss, it's time for us to depart."
A middle-aged man, dressed in an obviously expensive suit, indicative of a servant or steward, came up to them, bowed slightly with a humble but decisive voice.
Though apparently a servant or steward, Luo Yan could sense that this was no ordinary demon; his strength was at least Gold Level!
Maybe even Platinum, or even Diamond...
Mia seemed to be wary of the man, and even though her conversation was cut off halfway, she just "hmphed" displeasedly and tossed a "just you wait" before climbing back into the carriage.
The steward bowed respectfully and followed his young mistress, but his gaze inadvertently swept over Luo Yan.
It might have been an illusion.
Luo Yan felt a vague sense of wariness in that casually dismissive glance.
Emmm...
Wariness?
Must be my imagination.
...
The cafeteria in the West Tower was as full as ever today.
The exchange students from the Goblin Tribe Kingdom were still humming away as they devoured their meals, as if they were competing with the Ogre Tribe Chieftain's son.
Little Demons, flapping their wings, were plundering the skies like bombers, ignoring the angry reprimands of the centaur chef as they carried their plates around.
Thinking that this lifestyle was about to come to an end, Luo Yan suddenly felt a tinge of reluctance.
He shoved a perfectly grilled, perfectly carved piece of roast Minotaur ribeye into his mouth, wiped his mouth, and stood up to return his plate to the serving cart pushed by the goblin workers.
Just as he was about to leave, a rough bellow came from the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Who's Luo Yan? Is Luo Yan here?"
At the door stood the boar-man dormitory manager, with what seemed to be a Little Demon behind him... of course, not the kind flying around the cafeteria but one dressed in formal attire.
Luo Yan immediately raised his hand.
"I'm here, may I ask what's the matter——"
"Your appointment letter has arrived! I knew you wouldn't be in your dorm, so I figured you'd be here!" Striding forth, the dormitory manager snorted, then introduced the person beside him, "This is Mr. Grien from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a big shot from the Demon King Management Department!"