Volume Three: The Academy Runs Completely Amok - Chapter 204: Black Wings' Slayer (Part One)

The dark side of the Central United Academy was born from the moment it was established.

For thousands of years, the Central United Academy has been home to numerous criminal organizations, gangs, and reactionaries. They have done all sorts of things, from petty theft to open terrorist attacks on schools, from child trafficking to kidnapping the principals of prestigious schools.

Except for one.

That is—to directly assassinate members of the General Council.

First of all, it should be stated that assassinating members of the General Council is not something that is impossible.

Although the eight members of the General Council are all highly influential Big Figure with extensive connections, and although they enjoy top-level security measures and their residences are heavily fortified, nothing in this world is perfect. The Central United Academy is never short of brilliant minds, and if there were truly an organization that had gathered a great many talented individuals and was determined to assassinate the General Council, it would not be impossible for them to succeed.

It's not that it's impossible, it's that it's not feasible.

The General Council is the highest administrative body of the Central United Academy nerve center. Its eight members, with their checks and balances, maintain the operation of this massive Central United Academy. The loss of even one member would severely disrupt this balance; if the nerve center were to collapse, the Central United Academy's order would descend into utter chaos. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. At that point, both the legitimate and criminal underworld would suffer.

However, the unwritten rule of "not interfering with the General Council's interests" has been broken.

After becoming "the largest criminal organization in the history of the Central United Academy," the Black Crows also became "the first organization to successfully assassinate a member of the General Council."

For this reason alone, Black Crow deserves a place in the history of the Central United Academy of the Central People's Government.

Deep in the city, in a dimly lit room—

"You did a good job, Fei He. Although there are flaws, they don't detract from the overall excellence."

"It is my greatest pride to be able to assist you, Lord Black Crystal."

There was absolutely no need for me to infiltrate and act as an inside agent—the latter part of which Fei He didn't say aloud.

Black Crystal's eyes, hidden beneath the mask, silently stared at Fei He.

"Are you thinking that you don't actually need to be the one to assassinate Fan? I can just catch him off Long-Range Snipe?"

"Ah..."

"It's alright. Sending you out was just to be on the safe side. It's always good to be prepared for anything."

"Hmm, Lord Black Crystal is indeed incredibly insightful."

"Alright, you may leave now. Of course, you'll receive a reward."

"Yes, sir!"

Fei He as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly left the room, but he slowed down after only two steps to avoid being noticed by Black Crystal. He couldn't wait to slip away.

Looking at the Fei He like this, Gold Silver Grass felt both annoyed and amused.

"Gold Silver Grass, make a note of Fei He's merits in the merit book and reward her according to the gang rules. Although she's a scheming little person, she's still of some use."

"Understood, Lord Black Crystal."

Gold Silver Grass stroked her long, light blue hair and made a note in her notebook, while Black Crystal, still wearing the strange mask that covered her entire face and a coat adorned with countless black feathers, leaned against the wall, silently watching her. Of all the members of Black Raven, only she could be alone in a room with Black Crystal without being overwhelmed by his terrifying aura.

"How's the deployment of the assassins for Yekaterina going?"

"The candidates have been basically finalized and will be ready for your review tomorrow."

"Hmm, not bad efficiency."

Black Crystal showed a rare hint of appreciation.

"There's one more thing."

"Speaking."

"If any member of the Black Raven shows fear or regret after successfully assassinating Van, they will be immediately placed under surveillance, and any unusual behavior will result in their elimination."

"Learn."

Even when faced with such a resolute order, Gold Silver Grass calmly accepted it. Then, she gently closed her notebook, and her body slowly faded into the air, turning into a light blue mist that drifted out through the cracks in the doors and windows.

"Mistification... what a convenient superpower."

Black Crystal murmured, looking at the eight photos nailed to the wall.

The one with Van had been marked with a big red cross, while the Yekaterina had a circle added to it.

"Assassinating the General Council is tantamount to destroying the very order of the Central United Academy..."

Hands encased in black gloves gently caressed the photograph, slender fingers tracing the necks of the people in the picture countless times, as if trying to slit their throats.

"The collapse of order is the beginning of chaos, and only then will the chaos I long for descend..."

Hiss--Shh--

A pair of jet-black wings emerged from her back, slowly opening and closing as if they were thinking for themselves.

The dense black feathers emitted an eerie luster.

"You've really worked hard, Xiao."

"It's alright... But you, Xiaoyue, is it really okay for you to come here so casually? People might think you're with us."

"I am a little worried, but I really can't help but feel sorry for you."

Anyway, thank you for bringing me the book.

"We've been book lovers for so long, why be so polite?"

On a rare, leisurely afternoon, World's Little Corner welcomed a rare guest.

Shen Xiaoyue, a literary girl with thick glasses, is a long-time book friend of Xiao's.

"But didn't you say you were injected with anesthesia or something? Now your body..."

"Don't worry, the effects have worn off. Apart from being a little weak, you're fine."

"What do you mean 'it's not a big deal'? What if the enemy attacks at a time like this?"

"Well... we can only rely on Xiao Wu and the others."

Ye, Haoyue, Xiao Wu.

Although I already knew they were very strong, this was still far beyond common sense.

Ye is a fighter in the Northern Realm Rally champion team.

Haoyue single-handedly slaughtered all the high-ranking members of the Martial Arts Society.

Xiao Wu single-handedly wiped out the brothel, Angel Garden.

Moreover, both Ye and Haoyue have the strength to Xiao Wu to a draw in a head-on battle.

Although there were only three of them, each of them was a powerful individual capable of taking on a hundred or even a thousand opponents.

And I...

"Don't be discouraged, Xiao. You're very strong too. You're the Chief of your grade at Changting Liberal Arts College. How could you have gotten to this position without real ability? You're just too modest."

"I became the Chief in the academy for no reason, and besides, I can't do anything about it when facing Siyana and the others."

"That's because you were ambushed, right? If you could summon that... what's it called again? A group of girls attacking? A fairy tale army? A perpetual motion empire?"

"It's the Perpetual Motion Machine: Girl's Empire. Um... to be honest, I haven't used it in actual combat yet."

"Oh right, why are you the only one here? Where is everyone else?"

"The children are still taking their afternoon nap. Ye and Haoyue are nowhere to be found, Xiao Wu... seems to have some important work to do."

"Work?"

This is a magnificent reception room.

The famous paintings on the walls, the rare monster-skin carpet on the floor, and the high-end solid wood furniture—although all are valuable items, they don't look tacky at all when put together. The owner here is clearly a person with great taste.

But Xiao Wu was quite uncomfortable.

The gleaming carpet made her unsure where to step; she wanted to sit but wasn't sure if the expensive furniture was suitable, and she was afraid of dirtying the beautiful wallpaper if she leaned against the wall.

In short, it's a dilemma.

There was another reason why she felt uncomfortable.

Stare--

On the other side of the room, handsome men and beautiful women in blue uniforms were staring coldly at her, their eyes full of suspicion and disdain. She wanted to punch them but couldn't—after all, those guys were elites of the Enforcement Team.

The Enforcement Team and the Scavengers have always been at odds—or more accurately, the Enforcement Team is unilaterally hostile to the Scavengers. In their view, the Scavengers have no discipline whatsoever, and despite doing dirty work, they repeatedly steal their thunder. However, they have to admit that there are many things they can't do themselves, so they have to rely on the Scavengers, which is extremely frustrating.

"Enforcement Team, and... Scavengers, sorry to have kept you waiting."

A man in a suit walked into the reception room. Despite being nearly middle-aged, he was dressed in a slicked-back manner, and Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel disgusted at the sight of him.

And why separate the Enforcement Team and the Scavengers for greetings? Was this guy doing it on purpose?

The Enforcement Team immediately bowed, but not to the slick-haired man, but to the people behind him.

The head of the Enforcement Team, a robust man who looked down upon all living beings like an emperor, Wu Cangsheng.

"Elite Team of the Sixth District Enforcement Team greets the Commander-in-Chief!"

"Hmm, rise... hmm?"

"..."

Wu Cangsheng's bright eyes swept over Xiao Wu, and he immediately frowned.

"Why would Scavengers rat get into this place?"

"... A rat? May I take that as a provocation?"

Xiao Wu responded immediately.

Seeing the situation was turning sour, the slick-haired man immediately stepped between the two and hurriedly said, "Oh, Brother Wu, don't get so worked up! She's just a little mouse, why get so angry over her?"

He then turned to Xiao Wu, his fawning expression instantly turning into disgust.

"Have some manners, Scavengers! You didn't even greet the head of the Enforcement Team? If it weren't for our government's kindness in assigning you this task, do you think you'd still be alive today?"

"... oh."

Xiao Wu turned her head away, closed her eyes, and refused to look at him again.

Instead of arguing with petty people, it's better to close your eyes, rest, and recharge your energy.

"You're still closing your eyes? Do you know how disrespectful you are? It just goes to show that you street Scavengers don't even have a shred of basic common sense..."

"That's enough, Sagami."

A cold female voice came from inside, and the slick-haired man immediately shut up, put on his most normal smile, and went to greet the door.

"Auntie, you arrived so quickly! I was just—"

"Don't try to talk your way out of this."

A woman of about sixty years old walked in. Her gray hair was tied into an intricate bun, and every wrinkle on her face was clearly visible. Her small eyes shone with a sharp gaze, and she was clearly a cold and strong woman. As soon as she entered the room, she scanned the room, and everyone whose gaze fell upon her straightened their backs, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Besides the two people, there were Wu Cangsheng and Xiao Wu.

"Wu Cangsheng, the head of the Enforcement Team, greets Ms. Yekaterina."

Wu Cangsheng bowed, his attitude being neither servile nor arrogant, showing neither obsequiousness nor excessive domineering manner.

"Scavengers, Xiao Wu..."

In contrast, Xiao Wu only gave her identity and name, without even bowing.

Actually, she didn't know what kind of greeting to give at this time, and she didn't want to imitate Wu Cangsheng's actions, so she kept her arms crossed and leaning against the wall.

"I know you, daughter of Urahara Mai Ryu."

"..."

Xiao Wu raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Yekaterina's tone was flat, revealing no hint of why she had suddenly mentioned her mother.

"So, a group of Enforcement Team and a Scavengers, that's my assigned bodyguard, right?"

"That's right, Auntie, and I invited Brother Wu myself, oh, and of course, that Scavengers has nothing to do with me--"

"I told you to shut up!"

"... sorry."

"Wu Cangsheng, you explain."

"Understood," Wu Cangsheng nodded and said in a steady and powerful voice, "The specific setup is as follows: I will be your personal bodyguard, the team members will be responsible for perimeter security, and the Scavengers will be hidden in the shadows. This is the general layout. Do you need any further explanation?"

"That's enough, but..."

Yekaterina frowned slightly.

"I understand all of this. You are the captain of the Enforcement Team, and over there, Urahara Sakura Dance is ranked first among the 160 Scavengers. Why are two top-notch combatants gathered around me?"

"... Because, after in-depth discussions, we all agree that you are very likely to be Black Crow's next target."