I love time travel the most!

Hanayagi Shoko was the first person in the world of bionic dolls, creating "Oboro Fuji" and "Setsugetsuka". Among them, the top masterpiece trilogy "Yaya" is her work.

He can be described as a big shot.

Kobayashi thought it would be feasible to learn about automata from her or ask her to help improve Ryuzu.

After all, Liu Zi is completely different from the automatons of this world; they belong to a completely different system.

It's impossible for the other party not to be tempted.

"...Actually, I was also thinking of telling Miss Shoko about your situation."

Seeing his surprise, Akabane Raishin said, "Before coming to the academy, she asked me to investigate the concept of [magic power], and I also heard that she would be coming to the academy to meet with Professor Krull soon."

Krull is the only doctor in the academy.

I've only heard that he has a bad reputation, always taking pleasure in making fun of others and using his position as a doctor to take advantage of women. However, he has never neglected his duties as a doctor and still has a certain level of professional ethics.

"Magic? I know what magic is!"

Upon hearing this, Xiaolin immediately perked up, spread his hands out, and gave a thumbs-up.

"No one understands magic better than me!"

With that confident look and flamboyant expression, Akabane Raishin was momentarily speechless, his lips twitching slightly as he remained silent.

"...Akaba-kun, it's hard to perform a one-man show," Kobayashi complained, rolling his eyes.

"Then don't sing."

Akabane Raishin also muttered a complaint, but then he said, "Since you know magic, you must have a concept of and research on magic power. I think Miss Shoko will agree to meet you."

"Oh, that's up to you."

Kobayashi cheered happily.

In many novels or comics, academies are merely the initial places for nurturing students and cultivating their budding talents; advanced knowledge is held by a very few big shots.

Therefore, instead of playing battle royale and competing for rankings here, it's better to directly find experienced players to learn from and exchange experiences.

Hanayagi Shoko is no ordinary person; she is truly skilled and worthy of being called the best. Furthermore, with her discerning eye and insight, she will undoubtedly recognize Ryuu's value and will certainly treat her with utmost seriousness.

He is an excellent partner.

Having received a definite answer, Xiaolin walked back satisfied.

"--Wait a mininute."

Just as Xiaolin was lost in beautiful daydreams about the future, a warm and gentle voice came from behind her.

"Excuse me, may I bother you for a moment?"

Turn around.

Then he saw a boy give him a kind and friendly smile.

The boy had flowing golden hair, handsome features, and a slender figure, looking almost like a young girl. His voice was full and resonant, as clear as a beautiful orchestral instrument.

—Not a good person.

This was Xiaolin's first reaction.

He admitted that he was biased.

However, from Professor Esdeath's micro-expressions, one can see her exceptionally handsome appearance, the deliberately displayed smile and voice, the appropriate distance she maintains, and the occasional subtle adjustments to her body movements.

No matter how you look at it, it was done on purpose.

On the blond man's left arm, a gold-edged armband gleamed, embroidered with elegant lettering—【censor】.

In addition, he was wearing a white glove with gold thread embroidery.

Without a doubt, he was also a scheduled participant in the party.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Kobayashi. If you don't mind, may I take up some of your time?"

“Of course, Felix.”

"...You know me?"

"Who doesn't know the most popular disciplinary committee member in the academy?"

Kobayashi flashed the same harmless smile.

"Haha, looks like I'm quite famous." Felix laughed heartily, then said, "It's too tiring to talk standing here, let's go inside."

He pointed to the college cafeteria.

Xiaolin didn't object and couldn't find a reason to refuse, so she went back with him.

Upon entering the restaurant, the students became noisy.

The girls' gazes were constantly drawn to this place, filled with admiration and adoration... The intense stares made them a little uncomfortable, but fortunately, the focus of their attention wasn't on Kobayashi, but on Felix, who was smiling and greeting them from the side.

"You really are a popular man."

Kobayashi said something meaningful.

Felix's smile remained unchanged as he replied, "Is that so? It must be the result of my hard work all along."

—An interesting answer.

"Felix?!"

Charlotte jumped up when she saw Felix in their seats. Even though her face wasn't dirty, she hurriedly wiped her mouth with a tissue.

The handsome man smiled warmly and said, "Oh, Charles, may I sit at the same table as you?"

"Ta-da... Of course not, isn't that obvious!"

Charlotte hurriedly refused.

"How indifferent! I've invited you so many times, yet you just let them sit together."

"That was done without their permission—"

Because she is not good at expressing her feelings properly, she often causes misunderstandings in other places.

Kobayashi had already sat down and even gestured to Felix, "Hurry up and sit down. She's just a tsundere; you can just take her words the other way around."

"You... rude person!"

"Well, thanks for the compliment."

"I wasn't praising you!"

Charlotte glared at him; the ladylike demeanor she had painstakingly maintained in front of Felix had been easily shattered just now.

What if I offend the other person?

'Then you should honestly express your feelings!'

The two exchanged glances secretly.

To outsiders, their relationship seemed quite unusual.

“…Um, could you please not leave me out in the cold?” Felix’s gentle smile was almost breaking, and he complained, “I feel like an outsider. Shouldn’t I be the one who has something to say?”

The whispers, like those of a woman confined to her chambers in sorrow, sent a chill down Xiaolin's spine.

Charlotte's eyes widened, her body stiffened, and she looked timidly at Kobayashi, her expression clearly showing a strange misunderstanding.

Suddenly, Ryuu-zukuri spoke up from behind: "I never expected that Lord Kobayashi would have such a fetish. Is it because normal women can no longer satisfy your tastes, so you set your sights on blond pretty boys and want to fencing? And I have to admire Lord Kobayashi. As your servant who has been by your side all this time, I never noticed how you managed to seduce him. You are surprisingly talented in this area."

Wow--

Charlotte never expected that the elegant and silent doll who had been following Kobayashi behind her would be so sharp-tongued, especially since the target of her words was her own master.

Kobayashi shrugged at her and said, "That's why I said you just need to be tsundere; someone already has the sharp tongue."

"Huh?! I'm not being arrogant!"

"Ah, yes, yes."

"You...!"

Charlotte wanted to argue further, but Kobayashi interrupted her with a gesture, indicating that the "secluded woman" she admired was sitting beside her, and that maintaining ladylike elegance was her job.

"Alright, alright, I wonder what the college's disciplinary committee wants with me?"

After a few lighthearted banter, Kobayashi got straight to the point.

"Do you want to make a deal with me? No, it's less of a deal and more of a request. This isn't my personal request, but a request made in my capacity as a disciplinary committee member."

Felix suddenly said this, a naive smile on his face, a smile that was hard to refuse.

however--

"I reject."

Kobayashi flatly refused.

Not to mention that he was wary of Felix from the beginning, even if Felix's smile had a seductive effect and he wanted Felix to agree, he would still have to ask the necklace on Kobayashi's chest if it agreed.

"Hehehe."

Felix chuckled and said, "You're quite decisive, aren't you? But how about you think about it a little more after I finish speaking?"

"No need, I don't want to get involved in any trouble."

"But our proposed exchange condition is—"

Felix paused for a moment, as if to whet the appetite, then dropped the bombshell: "What do you think about the qualification to attend the night party?"

After he finished speaking, he slightly raised his chin.

The smile on his lips and the slightly downward gaze both indicated that he was confident.

After all, in his view, the other party couldn't possibly be unafraid of the right to attend the party; they would pounce on it like a dog wanting a bone... That's how it should be.

"I reject."

"……Eh?"

Rejected once again, the warm smile on his face froze.

Xiaolin's answer completely deviated from his expected outcome, rendering all the prepared lines he was about to use useless.

Seeing the other person's stiff expression, Kobayashi said, "That's a pity. If you could have agreed a day earlier, I might have, but now I have to decline. However, I can recommend another good helper for you."