Pots, Pans, Submit to Me!

After entering the villa with Himeko, Himeko first pointed to the hall on the first floor:

"This is the first floor of the villa, where we eat and rest. The second floor is where you students live, and the third floor is where Principal Theresa and I live."

"Eh! Teachers and students live together?" Xina was a bit surprised.

"Yes, Kiana and the others live here too. But ever since we met you, that Theresa has been talking about you less often. Now she talks about you to me every day—seems she has high hopes for you!"

"Hopes for me? That's really unexpected..." Xina awkwardly curled the corner of her lips, a thought popping into her mind: Trusting the wrong person—four big words.

"Technically, you have class this afternoon, but I remember you just rushed over from the other side of the ocean. Your jet lag probably hasn't adjusted yet. Rest well today, and go to class tomorrow!"

With that, Himeko turned and stepped onto the stairs, saying, "Come, I'll take you to see your room."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher. Sorry for the trouble."

Xina nodded and followed Himeko to a door on the second floor.

"Theresa and I live on the third floor. Over there is where Fu Hua stays. If you need help with anything, you can come find us."

"I still have work to handle, so I won't disturb your rest."

"Okay, goodbye, Teacher."

Watching Himeko walk down the stairs until her figure disappeared beyond the main door, Xina finally withdrew her gaze and curiously surveyed the room.

Pushing open the slightly ajar door, she stepped inside, fumbling in the dark for the light switch. She turned on the light and casually closed the door behind her.

Under the soft lighting, she examined the room, then paced to the window. Pulling open the curtains, she let the brilliant sunlight from outside flood into the room.

After drawing the curtains, Xina noticed it was a huge transparent floor-to-ceiling window, and outside was a balcony of considerable size.

On the balcony were several neatly arranged chairs, a tea table, and some exercise equipment... It seemed like Fu Hua's handiwork.

The room didn't have much furniture, but it was well-equipped, and the decoration style happened to be Xina's favorite—minimalist.

On the bed was a neatly folded gray square blanket, and a set of... pink pajamas that looked rather out of place with the overall environment.

Judging by the style of the pajamas, they were most likely prepared by her good colleague, the Third Herrscher.

Because in Xina's view, only that slacking-off Herrscher colleague would be gentle enough to prepare pajamas for someone else.

Walking to the window, a small bookshelf sat on the desk against the wall, holding some comics with bizarre styles.

Xina casually pulled one out from the bookshelf. On its cover were six big words: Houmu King's Adventures.

"Houmu King's Adventure?" Xina flipped open the title page and couldn't help but complain, "Who even likes reading comics that look this childish at first glance?"

Three minutes later, having already flipped through over a dozen pages, Xina pulled out a nearby chair, sat down, and stared intently at the comic book in her hands as she turned the pages: "Hehe, you know what? This comic is actually kind of interesting!"

Thirty minutes later, Xina slammed the comic book shut in frustration and pounded her fist on the desk: "Damn it! How does it end here?! What happens next?! Why does the next update have to wait two months?!"

"No way, I have to find out where this author lives! I'll bring my forty-meter-long ice blade to rush the update!"

As if she had made up her mind, Xina suddenly stood up from the chair, stomped loudly down the stairs, and charged out with a fierce killing intent to physically rush the comic's author!

"Xina."

Just as her hand pressed down on the door handle, a gentle voice sounded from behind. Xina turned to look—it was her good colleague, the Third Herrscher, Raiden Mei.

Mei was wearing an apron, holding a spatula and a frying pan, seemingly frying something.

"Hey, why are you the only one here? Haven't Kiana and the others come back?" Xina glanced suspiciously toward the kitchen. Sure enough, in the spacious kitchen, only one Herrscher was battling with the cookware.

"Kiana and Bronya were called away by Teacher Himeko to help. They should be back soon by the look of it. I'll make a couple more dishes."

With that, Mei turned and walked into the kitchen.

"Sss—"

Watching Mei, who had become the master of the kitchen, Xina couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath. She even put down the comic book and carefully crept into the kitchen.

Seeing Mei move with ease in the kitchen, commanding all the cookware, Xina was stunned and murmured to herself: Could it be... that this is the Third Herrscher's true power? Too strong!

Although Fu Hua had mentioned during her introduction to the academy that Mei was very good at cooking, with top-tier culinary skills, Xina never expected Mei's cooking to be this impressive.

Watching Mei churn out one exquisite dish after another, Xina's strange competitive streak was stirred. Having not set foot in a kitchen for a while, she felt her hands itch to spar with Mei.

Considering that they were both Herrschers and would see each other at work every day, directly throwing down would be impolite—so why not compete in the kitchen?

With that thought, Xina silently sidled up, took a spot at the stove, and took over a dish that Mei couldn't quite keep an eye on.

"Eh!" Mei was initially worried that Xina's slender arms and legs might get her hurt, but after seeing Xina's familiar flipping motion with the wok, the worry in her heart finally settled.

As the saying goes, amateurs watch the excitement, experts watch the technique.

With just one look, Mei knew Xina wasn't someone who would mess things up in the kitchen.

Thinking of the hungry crowd in the villa every morning, a feeling of regretting not meeting sooner inexplicably lingered in Mei's heart.

How wonderful! Another person who can cook!

At the bustling stove, the two Herrschers deepened their friendship through a strangely conversational method.

"Xina, hand me that seasoning over there... I never thought you'd be this good at cooking!"

"Here. Turn down the fire over there for me... Hah! It's really out of necessity. If I couldn't cook, I wouldn't have lived this long."

"Mei, we're back!"

The villa's door was pushed open, and a spirited, lively girl's voice rang out from outside before she even entered.

It was Kiana and the others returning; behind Kiana were Bronya, Himeko, and Fu Hua in sportswear.

"Hey, Auntie, what are you doing crouching by the kitchen door?" Kiana changed her shoes and happened to spot Theresa with both hands gripping the kitchen doorframe.

"Shh." Theresa pressed a finger to Kiana's lips and murmured, "I'm watching a culinary performance."

"Huh?!" Kiana followed Theresa's gaze and saw a sight she'd never forget—every container in the kitchen that could hold food was filled with a dazzling array of dishes, while the two gold-medal chefs were still showing off their skills.