Otto's arrival didn't cause much of a stir at St. Freya Academy; the atmosphere remained as peaceful as ever.
Lierre had just bid farewell to a chattering Theresa when she sought out Cecilia.
"I plan to make a trip to Schicksal headquarters soon. While I'm away, you three will be responsible for protecting this place. Please inform Cheng Lixue and Joyce for me," Lierre said.
She intended to leave the three of them at St. Freya Academy to prevent anyone from raiding their home base.
"But what about your safety?" Cecilia asked, clearly uneasy.
Once at Schicksal headquarters, without their assistance, it would take only a single word from Otto if he wanted to do something to Lierre.
"Cecilia, I still have a few trump cards left to play. Even if Schicksal headquarters is a lion's den, I have absolute confidence I can fight my way out. So, don't worry about my safety."
Lierre waved her hand dismissively. Besides, this wasn't even her true body; what was there to fear?
"...I understand." Cecilia nodded helplessly. "Can I ask why you suddenly want to go to Schicksal headquarters?"
Lierre had clearly made up her mind in advance; calling her over was merely a notification. Any attempt to persuade her otherwise would be a waste of breath.
"Because I am currently the Acting Overseer of Schicksal. As the person who will inherit the position of Overseer in the future, I naturally need to take a look at my future estate."
That was a lie!
Lierre only wanted the title to make it easier for her to stir up trouble.
Managing an organization as large as Schicksal was a death sentence via overwork; she had no interest in doing it.
"So that's how it is. No wonder..."
A look of realization dawned on Cecilia's face, followed by a congratulatory smile. "Then I'll congratulate you and Theresa in advance on your successful union."
The progress was truly lightning-fast.
Since even Overseer Otto had given his nod, it seemed like a sure thing.
"Then you might be disappointed," Lierre said, shaking her head.
She and Theresa were both masters of the art of procrastination. They intended to stall even the basic engagement for a lifetime, let alone an actual wedding.
This was the result of her and Theresa's mutual agreement.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Don't overthink it."
As dusk fell, Lierre waved to the crowd that had come to see her off, then stepped into the aerial battleship along with Otto.
In the crowd, Joyce's expression was somewhat sour as he stared at Otto's retreating back.
He had been pestered by Otto for half the day.
Otto had shamelessly claimed they were old friends reuniting and insisted on drinking and chatting.
But every word between the lines had been a warning to him and the Anti-Entropy faction behind him to stay in line and not touch things they shouldn't.
The engines roared, and the massive battleship rose from the ground.
"She's leaving so soon? Why couldn't she stay for a few more days?" Kiana pouted reluctantly.
Cecilia, standing beside her, squeezed her hand in comfort.
"Don't worry, Kiana. Once she's had enough of her fun, I'll personally go to Schicksal headquarters and bring her back for you!" Theresa promised, gazing up at the battleship ascending into the sky.
As long as a time bomb like Lierre stayed at headquarters, she wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully for a single day, fearing she would wake up to find that Lierre had blown the place up.
"If you're so worried, why didn't you go with them?" Murata Himeko glanced at her.
"Don't talk nonsense! If I left too, what would happen to St. Freya!"
"Quite responsible, aren't you? By the way, my dear Lord Principal, when is my salary from last month being paid?"
"Cough, in a few days."
...
...
A few days later, Theresa and the others received news that Lierre had established a research institute at Schicksal headquarters. It was called the Apocalypse Research Institute, and its first research project was a technology to convert mineral water into bitter melon juice.
"Wow—"
Everyone's gaze toward Theresa shifted.
Facing their looks, Theresa felt like she couldn't explain herself even if she tried.
"Lierre is just playing around. Don't overthink it. How could such an absurd technology be easily realized? Even if it could, the funding required would be immense!"
Theresa's face reddened as she tried to dispel their misconceptions. "Schicksal would never invest excessive funds into such a useless technology!"
A week later, Theresa received a gift sent from the Apocalypse Research Institute.
It was a finely crafted pink magic wand. Reciting a specific Command Word not only allowed for a one-click costume change, but once activated, it could even turn ordinary drinking water into bitter melon juice.
Principal's Office.
"Who would believe you?!"
After reading the incredibly embarrassing Incantation on the note and seeing the girlish pink wand on her desk, Theresa angrily crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it away.
Once her anger subsided, Theresa stole another glance at the beautiful wand on her desk.
It seemed to possess some kind of magic, drawing her in.
Theresa scanned the empty office and quietly swallowed. Her small hand reached toward the wand on the desk. "Maybe I'll just try it... nobody's here anyway..."
Having seemingly convinced herself, Theresa grabbed the wand. When she went to recite the Command Word, her body suddenly moved uncontrollably, and the words shouted themselves out:
"O Scepter of Ultra-Dimension that seals the power of darkness, reveal your true strength here!"
Pink light blossomed from the tip of the wand like petals, enveloping Theresa in a warm glow.
"May the power of miracles turn into stars; may the magic of light gather in my heart!"
The light transformed into stars circling her body. Theresa's nun habit vanished, and a pair of pink fox ears grew from the top of her head.
"Dimension Sonata!"
A glittering pink dress replaced Theresa's clothes. A small golden crown sat on her head, and her body uncontrollably struck a cute V-sign pose. "I'm going to Teri-Teri you away~!"
Bam!
The office door was thrown open by Kiana.
"Auntie, Mom told me to tell you to come over tonight for din... ner..."
Kiana slowly came to a halt, her eyes fixed with uncertainty on Theresa, whose face was growing redder by the second. "Who are you?"
"Ah... ahh..."
Theresa looked down at her embarrassing clothes and her pose, then looked up at Kiana at the door. Her mind instantly went blank.
"Ki... Kiana, th-th-th-this was all Lierre's doing! You absolutely cannot tell anyone..." Theresa's voice trembled as she reached out her right hand, attempting to save her reputation.
The next second, a series of footsteps echoed from the hallway.
"Principal Theresa, Lierre-mama asked me to come and ask if you were sat... isfied... with the gift she sent..."
Bronya stopped dead in her tracks at the door. She took one look at Theresa's dead-eyed expression and turned to leave. "Excuse me, Bronya came at an inconvenient time."
"Lierre, aaaaaaah—!"
Theresa's expression collapsed as she waved the wand in her hand. A dazzling light suddenly burst forth, illuminating the entire office!
The water inside the office's water dispenser turned into green bitter melon juice.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
Theresa drank the bitter melon juice from the dispenser in large gulps. Looking on the bright side, at least Lierre hadn't lied to her this time.