"Then, next, let's go over some basic information about the school itself."
Walnut tapped a few keys on her computer. The projected image changed to an aerial view of the school, showing the layout of its buildings and a series of annotations.
"The biggest difference between this school and the other high schools in the Protectorate is that it's entirely residential."
Walnut's voice was calm and clear as she delivered the key information. "Every student, without exception, is required to live in the school dormitories. Also, while on campus, all outside contact is strictly prohibited unless the school deems it a 'special circumstance.'"
She paused briefly for emphasis. "Even contacting family requires prior permission from the school. And leaving campus without authorization is strictly forbidden."
"That's going to be a bit of a hassle..."
Mazumi Mami furrowed his brow slightly and tapped his fingers against the armrest of the sofa.
"We'll need to stay in touch with the outside world to some extent. I've still got a few... uh, connections and channels out there that need tending from time to time."
"Don't worry, Your Highness."
Runa Inoue immediately chimed in, her expression calm and reassuring.
"Before we set out, I prepared ample supplies for all kinds of possible situations. In my 'storage space,' I have everything from emergency communication equipment and specialized tools to daily necessities, and even... well, supplies for some unconventional contingency measures."
Her words were vague, but her meaning was clear: her abilities and equipment were more than enough to deal with the lockdown.
"That's certainly convenient. I guess I'll have to get used to having you all around to support me."
Mazumi Mami smiled, his tone touched with emotion. "After all, most of the time in the past, I had to figure out all the logistics and communications on my own."
"And you've got me too, Your Highness!"
Chisato Nishikigi leaned closer, unwilling to be outdone, her eyes sparkling. "With me around, no matter how serious the injury, I can treat it quickly and make sure there are no lingering effects! Beauty treatments and conditioning your body are no problem either!"
She patted her chest, wearing an expression that said, "I'm super useful, so hurry up and praise me!"
"Yes, yes. I know you're the best, Chisato."
Mazumi Mami chuckled and naturally reached out to ruffle her short platinum-blond hair, the gesture affectionate.
"Hehe..."
Chisato immediately narrowed her eyes like a cat being petted, making a contented purring sound.
"Ahem, let's continue."
Walnut cleared her throat and brought the conversation back on track. "Although the rules are strict, the school also has an extremely comprehensive range of facilities to ensure the students'... or rather, to maintain a certain 'normal' school-life experience."
The projection changed to diagrams of the campus shopping district, entertainment facilities, and more.
"Karaoke, a movie theater, upscale cafés, brand-name clothing stores, a bookstore, even a small supermarket... It's practically a fully equipped little commercial district. After all, this school is located in one of the core areas of the Protectorate's capital and covers more than six hundred thousand square meters. There's plenty of room for all of this."
She froze the image on a cutaway view of the school's overall structure, highlighting several underground areas.
"With an area this vast and facilities this complex, it naturally contains one of our main targets: the core server room for the S System."
"This supercomputer system is supposedly the central hub that runs the entire school. It's deeply involved in class scheduling, activity planning, and even certain evaluations. The official line is that it can 'cultivate' the most outstanding talent in the most optimal way."
Walnut brought up several charts.
"Based on my analysis of the career paths and accomplishments of past graduates, students from this school do have significantly higher rates of attending prestigious universities and joining well-known companies or institutions than the Protectorate average."
"But there isn't enough information to determine whether that's entirely thanks to the S System or whether other selection or training mechanisms are involved."
Walnut said.
"Huh? They're not using some shady method to 'dispose of' students who aren't 'good enough' ahead of time, are they?"
Chisato Nishikigi pursed her lips and voiced a rather grim theory. "Like some of those extreme training camps we've heard about before."
"The possibility of a high-intensity elimination system can't be ruled out."
Runa Inoue added calmly. "Like the selection process for the Imperial Royal Guard reserves. On the surface, it's about training, but in reality, it's a rigorous process of screening and culling."
"Information on the school's internal operations, especially the S System's true function and potential risks, is indeed limited."
Walnut shook her head slightly.
"If I had enough time and access, I'm confident I could gradually infiltrate its network and uncover the truth."
"But we had far too little time to prepare for this mission. The interval between Your Highness returning to the palace after completing the last assignment and our decision to carry out this one and set off was too short. There's a lot of information that needs to be quickly sorted and cross-checked. Even I need time."
Walnut said.
"It's all right, Walnut. You've already done a great job."
Mazumi Mami gently cut off her faint, barely noticeable frustration over being "underprepared" and ruffled her flaxen hair too.
"We've only just begun, and we have three years. Rather than relying on preliminary intelligence that may not be entirely accurate, firsthand experience and on-site observation often reveal things that are more important and more truthful. That's what we're good at, isn't it?"
Mazumi Mami said.
"I... I understand."
Walnut's cheeks flushed faintly as she mumbled, "It's just... Your Highness, don't keep patting my head. I heard it can stunt your growth!"
"What does it matter? I like you just the way you are, Walnut."
Mazumi Mami's smile deepened.
"Your Highness, you have such strange tastes..."
Walnut sighed helplessly, though the tips of her ears turned even redder. She quickly lowered her head and pretended to organize the data on her computer.
Amid the warm, relaxed atmosphere, the vehicle gradually slowed and finally came to a smooth stop.
Through the tinted windows, the imposing school gates—with their unmistakable air of separation—and the orderly cluster of modern buildings beyond them came clearly into view.
They had arrived at Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School.
A new life—or rather, a new "mission stage"—was officially beginning.
The four people in the car almost simultaneously put aside the relaxed expressions they'd worn during their conversation. Their gazes sharpened with focus, like soldiers about to enter a battlefield or players preparing to begin a massive role-playing game.
"Well then," Mazumi Mami said, straightening the collar of his red jacket as a smile curved his lips, caught somewhere between anticipation and amusement.
"It's time to get out and see what secrets this so-called 'top school' is hiding."
The three maids nodded silently and quickly checked their belongings and appearance, ready to follow "His Highness" into the unknown.
The car doors unlocked quietly.