The bell rang three times. In Eden Academy's dining hall, Loid searched everywhere for Desmond.
After looking around for quite some time, Twilight discovered that, just as expected, neither of the Desmonds had shown up.
As Twilight chatted with the other parents, he thought there was no need to rush. As long as the children enrolled successfully, he would have plenty of time, and he could use this opportunity to expand his own network, too.
Not far away, someone called out to Forger.
Twilight turned his head and saw Henry approaching with an inexplicably stern expression. In a rather cold voice, he said, "Forger, come with me."
Forger and Yor followed Henry into a small room. Richie sat on a tall stool, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot, while Anya stood trembling beside him.
Anya cowered, wanting to cry but unable to.
She had ruined everything. She had ruined her father's plan, and Anya had ruined world peace, too.
Listening to Anya's thoughts, Richie's gloomy expression instantly cleared, and he struggled not to laugh. Although Anya hadn't hit the second son, she had managed to win him over.
Richie had hit the second son in Anya's place, offended him, and successfully taken another step toward becoming the Raiden Shogun, letting down his father's expectations.
Although it seemed to have done him no good whatsoever, Richie had actually earned Henry's approval, caught a boy's attention, and won Becky's heart.
Richie had scored three wins with one punch.
Meanwhile, Yor was asking Richie and Anya anxiously, "Are you two all right? Are you hurt?"
Henry recounted the entire incident at length, while Twilight's heart sank into despair. Richie had hit someone on his very first day of school, and that someone was Desmond's son. Anya had even started the conflict. This had practically blocked every possible route for his mission.
Seeing Twilight's despairing expression, Richie finally understood what it meant to have gloom written all over your face.
Twilight, the poor father, had already lost all hope by this point. He heard Henry continue:
Fighting normally warranted three Tonitrus Bolts. However, considering that Richie and Anya had both gotten into the conflict for someone else's sake, and that Anya hadn't actually struck anyone, he had given it considerable thought and decided to give only Richie a single Tonitrus Bolt.
Yor choked up a little and told Twilight remorsefully, "I'm sorry, Mr. Loid. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have given them that special training."
Henry said with anguish, "I will inform the other child's parents as well."
Twilight could hardly believe it. A penalty on the very first day of school. Plan A...
They had hit the Desmond family's child. Plan B...
Amid the Forger family's sorrow, the punching incident came to a close.
At the end of the opening ceremony, all the families gathered for a group photo. In the upper right corner was Damian, neither of whose parents had come. In the lower left was Anya and Richie's happy family.
In the middle was another inconspicuous, lonely child: Sian Evan.
The pleasant yet somewhat rocky day finally came to an end.
The next day, before sunlight had fully reached the ground, a sharp dividing line ran across the wall of the two-story house.
Above the line, the sunlight was bright. Below it, everything was cold and dim.
On this quiet morning, Twilight Dad was the only one in the family who was awake, diligently making breakfast.
As he made breakfast, Twilight Dad kept reviewing what had happened yesterday.
To get close to Donovan Desmond, a dangerous man who threatened the peace between the two countries, he had successfully gotten Anya and Richie into Eden Academy, where Desmond's son attended school.
The next step was to attend the social gathering that Desmond frequented. To do that, they needed to collect the "Stella" medals awarded to outstanding students. Either Richie or Anya had to earn eight Stellas and become an Imperial Scholar.
Unfortunately, reaching those eight Stellas was about as easy as finishing one of Pinduoduo's "help me slash the price" promotions.
As Twilight Dad thought, he poured the beaten eggs into the pan, preparing to make omurice.
Since earning eight Stellas was simply too difficult, he had devised Plan B: the friendship scheme. Either Anya or Richie would become good friends with Damian, giving him an opportunity to get close to Damian's parents.
But on the very first day of school, Anya had gotten into a conflict with Damian, and Richie had even hit him. Richie had received a Tonitrus Bolt, and both children's relationships with Damian had hit rock bottom.
Thinking about this, Papa Twilight felt utterly miserable, as though he had nothing left to live for. As he squeezed ketchup onto the omurice in his hand, he accidentally ruined one portion.
Once he finished squeezing out the ketchup, Twilight Dad felt as though he had released all his stress. Confidence suddenly returned to him. No, it's too early to give up. The operation has only just begun!
Twilight Dad finished making breakfast, brought it to the table, and called for the family to get up.
Yor emerged first, yawning as she shuffled slowly out in her long nightdress and slippers. Her voice was drowsy. "Morning, Mr. Loid."
Twilight was bringing out the last serving of breakfast. "Good morning, Miss Yor."
"Breakfast is ready." Twilight felt a little helpless. He seemed to have already grown accustomed to life with the four of them.
"Are Anya and Richie still asleep?" Twilight frowned slightly.
Twilight turned around to find Anya slumped against the corner of the wall, looking listless. Even her nightcap drooped.
Twilight thought Anya must still be dwelling on yesterday's incident.
To coax Anya out to eat, Twilight had no choice but to say, "I won't be angry. Come on out! If you don't eat now, you'll be late."
Looking unhappy, Anya tugged off her nightcap and said quietly:
"Father, Richie hasn't gotten up yet."
Thank you to the sweet reader "Will Jiunian Become a Regret?" for sending a "Generate with Love" gift. Sending you hearts!
Thank you to the sweet reader "From Now On, I'll Wander" for sending a "Generate with Love" gift. Xiao Qi bows in thanks.
Good night, Xiao Qi's darlings.
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