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"Now then, next is basic intel on the school itself."

Walnut tapped a few keys on her computer, and the projection switched to an overhead view of the campus, complete with building layouts and annotations.

"The biggest difference from other high schools within the Protectorate is that this one enforces a full boarding system."

Her voice was steady and clear, like she was reading off critical data. "All students, without exception, are required to live in the on-campus dorms. Furthermore, during the school term, all external communication is strictly prohibited unless approved by the administration as a 'special circumstance.'"

She paused for emphasis. "Even contacting family requires prior school permission. Naturally, leaving campus without authorization is also strictly forbidden."

"That's a bit of a problem..."

Mazumi Mami frowned slightly, tapping his fingers on the sofa armrest.

"We'll need to maintain some contact with the outside world. I have a few... connections and channels out there that need occasional attention."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness."

Runa Inoue immediately cut in, her expression calm and reliable.

"Before departure, I prepared ample supplies for various possible scenarios. In my 'Storage Space,' I have everything from emergency communication devices and specialized tools to daily necessities and even... some unconventional countermeasures."

Her words were implicit, but the meaning was clear—her abilities or equipment were more than enough to handle the blockade.

"That's quite convenient. I suppose I'll have to get used to having you two backing me up."

Mazumi Mami smiled, a hint of emotion in his voice. "After all, most of the time in the past, I had to handle all the logistics and communication on my own."

"Don't forget me, Your Highness!"

Chisato Nishikigi leaned in eagerly, her eyes sparkling. "As long as I'm here, no matter how severe the injury, I can treat it quickly and guarantee no aftereffects! Beauty care, body conditioning—those are a piece of cake too!"

She puffed out her chest, wearing an expression that screamed "I'm super useful, praise me."

"Yes, yes, I know you're the best, Chisato."

Mazumi Mami chuckled and naturally reached out to ruffle her platinum-blond hair, the gesture affectionate.

"Hehe..."

Chisato Nishikigi immediately squinted her eyes like a cat being petted, letting out a satisfied hum.

"Ahem. Let's continue."

Walnut cleared her throat, steering the conversation back on track. "Despite the strict management, on the flip side, to ensure the students'—or rather, to maintain some semblance of a 'normal' campus life experience—the school is equipped with extremely comprehensive facilities."

The projection switched to show diagrams of the campus commercial street, entertainment areas, and more.

"Karaoke, movie theaters, high-end cafes, brand-name clothing stores, bookstores, even a small supermarket... It's practically a fully functional small commercial district. After all, the school is located in one of the core areas of the Protectorate's capital, covering over six hundred thousand square meters, so there's plenty of room for all this."

She froze the image on a structural cutaway of the entire school, highlighting several underground zones.

"With such a massive area and complex facilities, it naturally includes one of our primary targets—the core server room of the S System."

"This supercomputer system is said to be the central hub of the entire school's operations, deeply involved in curriculum planning, activity organization, and even certain evaluations. Officially, it claims to 'cultivate' top-tier talent in the most optimal way."

Walnut pulled up some data charts.

"Based on my analysis of graduate destinations and achievements over the years, students from this school do show significantly higher rates of advanced study admission and entry into prestigious companies or institutions compared to the Protectorate average."

"But whether that's entirely due to the S System or other screening or training mechanisms—there's not enough information to conclude yet."

Walnut said.

"Huh? You don't think they're using some shady method to 'dispose' of students who aren't 'excellent' enough in advance, do you?"

Chisato Nishikigi pursed her lips, offering a rather dark speculation. "Like those extreme training camps we've heard about before."

"The possibility of a high-intensity elimination mechanism can't be ruled out."

Runa Inoue added calmly. "Similar to the Imperial Royal Guard Reserve selection—on the surface, it's training, but in reality, it's a rigorous process of screening and elimination."

"As for the internal workings, especially the S System's true function and potential risks, the available intel is indeed limited."

Walnut shook her head slightly.

"If I had enough time and access permissions, I'm confident I could gradually infiltrate their network and get to the bottom of it."

"But the preparation time for this mission was too short. From the moment Your Highness finished the last mission and returned to the palace, to the decision to execute this one and depart, the interval was too brief. A large amount of intel needs rapid screening and cross-verification. Even I need time."

Walnut said.

"It's fine, Walnut. You've done well enough."

Mazumi Mami gently interrupted her faint, barely noticeable frustration over the "insufficient preparation" and reached out to ruffle her flaxen hair too.

"We've only just begun. We have three years. Rather than relying on preliminary intel that may not be entirely accurate, experiencing things firsthand and observing on-site often reveals more critical and genuine truths. That's what we're good at, isn't it?"

Mazumi Mami said.

"I... I know."

Walnut's cheeks flushed a faint pink as she mumbled, "It's just... Your Highness, please stop patting my head. They say it stunts growth!"

"What does it matter? I like you just the way you are, Walnut."

Mazumi Mami's smile deepened.

"Your Highness, your tastes are really strange..."

Walnut let out a helpless sigh, but the tips of her ears grew even redder as she quickly lowered her head, pretending to organize the computer data.

In this slightly warm and relaxed atmosphere, the vehicle gradually slowed down and came to a smooth stop.

Through the dark-tinted windows, the imposing school gate—with its clear sense of isolation—and the clusters of modern, architecturally striking buildings behind it came sharply into view.

Yingtai Advanced Nurturing High School had arrived.

A new life—or rather, a new "stage for the mission"—was officially beginning.

The four people inside the car almost simultaneously shed the relaxed expressions from their earlier chat. Their eyes turned focused and sharp, like warriors about to step onto a battlefield, or players ready to start a large-scale role-playing game.

"Well then," Mazumi Mami said, adjusting the collar of his red jacket, a faint curve between anticipation and amusement tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Time to get off and see what secrets this so-called 'highest institution of learning' is hiding."

The three maids nodded silently, quickly checking their personal belongings and appearances, ready to follow "His Highness" into the unknown.

The car door clicked open silently.