The Long-Awaited Guard

Before sneaking onto the First University's private jet, Nikita had imagined many scenarios where she might be discovered.

For instance, accidentally triggering the private jet's demon alarm and being surrounded by escorts; or encountering a former classmate from university on the jet and being forced to strike a decisive blow; or perhaps, the plane 'accidentally' carrying an immortal Archmage who would then drag her back to Black Prison like a chicken.

For each scenario, she had prepared several different countermeasures.

The only thing she hadn't anticipated was her own flawless infiltration being ruined by a freshman.

She narrowed her eyes, looking at Zheng Qing.

Perhaps this aura that could stir her demon bloodline might help deflect some of the captain's questioning and lessen the punishment for her failure.

The Banshee's lips curved upwards slightly.

She raised a finger, and four or five ropes shot out from thin air, binding Zheng Qing, who had fainted on the floor.

"Stop her!" a roar erupted, and the red-faced boy from not far away charged out, like a cannonball, smashing into Zheng Qing's front. The heavy landing made the private jet tremble.

Two ropes precisely shot towards him.

The red-faced boy raised his fist and slammed it heavily onto the head of the ropes, emitting a sound like metal clashing against metal. The two ropes let out miserable hisses and drooped powerlessly onto the floor.

Xiao Xiao stood beside Zheng Qing, silently taking out an ancient turtle shell and chanting an incantation. Runes flowed across the shell, and a faint golden membrane detached itself, shielding the two of them.

The ropes shooting from a distance fiercely struck this golden membrane, emitting a piercing drilling sound.

In the dining hall, other freshmen covered their ears, staring blankly at the rapidly escalating scene, wondering why the two who had been at odds just three minutes ago were now joining forces to challenge the Banshee.

Zheng Qing clutched his forehead, woken by the drilling noise.

His eyes were vacant, staring unfocusedly at the distorted, deformed golden chandelier on the ceiling.

Fragments from before he fainted flashed through his mind.

Private jet, Sprite, flight attendant, Banshee.

He widened his eyes, gritted his teeth, and struggled to get up.

"Awake?" Xiao Xiao stood in front of him, his voice sounding very tired.

"Is everyone okay?" Zheng Qing's voice was hoarse and low as he grabbed a stack of yellow paper talismans from his grey bag.

"Except for you, no one is injured." Xiao Xiao's hands holding the turtle shell were trembling non-stop, but his voice was very steady. "However, we're in big trouble."

With that, he released his hands and sat down on the floor.

The light membrane enveloping the two flickered a few times before suddenly shattering, turning into specks of golden light that fell back onto the turtle shell.

The ancient turtle shell spun slowly in the air for two rounds before dropping down.

The three ropes that had been drilling into the light membrane merely paused before ferociously striking the two again.

Zheng Qing understood.

He took a step forward, blocking Xiao Xiao.

With a wave of his hand, the stack of yellow paper talismans fluttered up, like a large net, covering the three incoming ropes.

Without a sound, the three ropes were covered in yellow paper talismans and fell straight onto the floor with thudding sounds.

Nikita's smile vanished.

The red glow in her eyes slowly brightened.

"I think I've been a bit too merciful."

"Perhaps I should let you see how a real Lich deals with fresh ingredients."

The Banshee's voice was still sweet, and her words were still playful, but the meaning they conveyed sent shivers down the spines of all the freshmen.

Her jet-black hair floated in the air, and the red glow in the Banshee's eyes intensified.

A heavy pressure descended upon the entire dining hall once more.

The tableware clinked and clanged under this intimidating aura, and the tables and chairs creaked in response. Pets huddled in their owners' arms, trembling, while the protective talismans on the freshmen erupted with brilliant light again.

Xiao Xiao sat on the floor, once again lifting the ancient turtle shell.

The pale golden light shield flickered with a reassuring luster, blocking the Banshee's terrifying pressure.

Zheng Qing reached out and pulled the red-faced boy outside the light shield in.

The red-faced boy sat down on the floor and turned his head, glaring angrily at Xiao Xiao. "Why didn't you act sooner!"

Zheng Qing knew he was referring to Xiao Xiao's strenuous efforts to stop everyone from resisting when he had rallied them earlier.

"Because she hadn't made a move," Xiao Xiao leaned against the back of the sofa, his voice sounding slightly weak and distorted under the pressure.

"Why are you making a move now!"

"Because they've arrived." Xiao Xiao tilted his head towards the dining hall entrance, seeming to breathe a sigh of relief.

Zheng Qing and the red-faced boy turned their heads simultaneously, looking towards the dining hall entrance.

The dining hall door remained tightly shut.

However, in the shadow of the wine kitchen to the left of the entrance, a blurry figure appeared.

"I was just wondering which big shot was being so disrespectful," a lazy voice sounded from behind the U-shaped bar counter, and a young man with a decadent face, his exposed skin studded with copper nails and iron rings, slowly emerged from the shadows of the wine kitchen.

The oppressive aura in the restaurant dissolved silently.

He walked to the bar and picked up a few ice shards from the ice bucket, dropping them into his glass.

As if sensing the pleased gazes around him, he raised his glass and looked at the Banshee not far away. "I didn't expect it to be just a little Sprite causing trouble... Truly, a boring life is full of boredom."

The Banshee tilted her head, looking at the young man who had suddenly appeared, a look of surprise in her eyes.

The young man, whose face was covered in thumbtacks, swirled his glass, seeming more interested in the liquid swirling within. He lowered his head and mumbled, "Did your elders send you to read a declaration of war?"

"Probably not," a gentle voice sounded next to Zheng Qing, chiming in. "This sort of thing isn't something a little Lich that hasn't even made the wanted list yet could handle. By the way, I'll have a Margarita, with extra lemon. Aren't you ordering anything, Victor?"

Zheng Qing forcefully turned his head, nearly breaking his neck.

It was a young voice, but his hair was already streaked with gray.

Unlike the punk-dressed young man, this figure was enveloped in a voluminous robe. The robe extended from his feet upwards, and its high collar completely covered his nose. Zheng Qing's blurry vision could only make out his smooth forehead and his somewhat graying hair.

"Vodka, thank you." A deep voice sounded from another direction.

Zheng Qing looked in that direction.

In the open space by the floor-to-ceiling window, a tall man wearing a sleeveless armor sat cross-legged. He was currently resting his head on his hand, staring at the Banshee with half-lidded eyes.

Beside him stood a tall woman with purple hair.

"Respect your opponent!" the purple-haired woman's voice was beautiful, but also very cold. "Even if the opponent is just a Banshee who scares children. Also, no drinking during a mission, Hilda."

"The shackles of a muggle," a lazy voice from behind the bar grumbled. "I'm not drinking alcohol, I'm drinking the atmosphere."