Dusk fell, the setting sun completely sinking below the horizon, but summer days were always long. Even without a trace of the sun, the bright daylight made it difficult to notice the arrival of night.
Even so, the streetlights of St. Freya High School had long since been lit, reminding people that night was coming.
Compared to the daytime, the academy was a bit more lively now. After all, not many people dared to be active under the scorching sun. The gentle evening breeze dispelled some of the heat, making it the perfect time for the girls to go out in groups.
Avoiding the chirping and chattering girls along the way, Ming Yu continued down the path. Under the glow of the streetlights, his shadow was somewhat faint, as if, like its owner, it was etched with fatigue.
Even though he had been here for nearly two months and the academy had accepted his presence, the occasional curious glances still made him a little uncomfortable, as if constantly reminding him of his special and different nature.
But when he saw the lit-up apartment in the distance, a faint sense of happiness couldn't help but well up in Ming Yu's slightly lonely heart. No matter what, having someone waiting for you at a specific place was, in the end, a joyous thing.
He reached out and opened the door with a practiced motion, but the scene inside made him pause for a moment.
"What's the deal? You're back so late, I'm starving..." a white-haired girl lying on the table glanced at the boy standing dumbfounded at the door and said listlessly, "If it weren't for waiting for you, Mei would have had dinner ready long ago."
Although the girl's tone was full of complaint, Ming Yu could still hear a faint hint of concern.
"Well, I'm really sorry about that... wait, why are you guys here?"
Unexpectedly, he didn't feel that the scene before him was out of place, but Ming Yu didn't think he could have taken a wrong turn and ended up at Auntie Himeko's apartment.
Although it had only been a few days since he moved out of Himeko's place, and today's training had been exceptionally strenuous, Ming Yu wasn't the type to be so dazed.
"The Principal is hosting a dinner party at her villa for the inspector from headquarters, and Teacher Himeko was called over as well." Bronya, who was playing a game on the side, suddenly spoke up, concisely answering Ming Yu's question.
So that was it. Ming Yu nodded to himself as he entered the room.
Although Theresa and Rita hadn't gotten along very well in the office that morning, and it could even be described as tense, Rita was still an S-rank Valkyrie from headquarters. Besides, their private relationship was quite good, so there was no need for the Principal to throw a tantrum over this.
After all, Theresa only looked like a child on the outside; inwardly, she was still a forty-something-year-old Principal who possessed the appropriate maturity.
Therefore, hosting a reception for Rita, the inspector, in the name of the Far East Branch, befitting her status, was a very meaningful and necessary thing to do.
Hiyokumaru, with her pink shoulder-length hair, walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron, carrying two plates of food. She said to the silver-haired girl at the dining table, "Big Sis Kiana, don't worry, dinner will be ready soon~"
Noticing the extra person in the room, Hiyokumaru raised an eyebrow, revealed a sweet smile, and said gently, "Big Bro Yu, welcome back."
Glancing at the apron on Hiyokumaru, Ming Yu greeted her just as warmly, his mind as clear as a Bright Mirror.
Bronya was too short to work in the kitchen, and Kiana was forbidden from entering the kitchen by public consensus—after all, no one wanted to challenge the appetite of a genuine Kaslana. Thus, it was obvious who the only person able to help with the cooking could be.
Smelling the aroma of food filling the air, Ming Yu couldn't help but feel his appetite whet, his anticipation for Mei's cooking growing even stronger.
Carrying the last dish out of the kitchen, Mei smiled at the group waiting for dinner and asked Ming Yu, "So... how is the training with Abyss Flower going?"
Noticing that Ming Yu's hair was still that half-white color, Mei was a little worried. Although she didn't know much about Divine Keys, she knew that something so highly valued by Schicksal would definitely not be simple.
"It's alright, I have some clues. It's not a big problem," Ming Yu nodded and said in a relaxed tone, not questioning how Mei and the others knew about such a confidential matter.
Although their security clearance was far from sufficient for them to know such secrets, Kiana was a semi-involved party, and her Great Aunt was the Principal. Since Theresa and the others hadn't deliberately concealed it, it wasn't strange that they would find out.
Hearing Ming Yu's answer, Mei was obviously relieved. Although strictly speaking, this matter had nothing to do with her, her usual personality made it impossible for her to ignore such things, to ignore the harm her friends suffered.
Noticing the change in Mei, Ming Yu nodded slightly, confirming the correctness of his answer.
In fact, the situation was much worse than he let on, it could even be said to be a long shot.
Perhaps his ability to control the Black Abyss in the data space was just a coincidence. The facts proved that he didn't possess an overly monstrous talent when it came to Divine Keys.
Even with Jizo Mitama, as its first user, he still couldn't wield the power of this 12th Divine Key very well.
All he could do was summon an Onryo Kotei. But this seemed more like an already solidified ability of the Divine Key. The fact that he could do it was nothing to be proud of; it merely proved that he had been acknowledged by the Divine Key.
As he saw it, the ability of the Key of Corruption was to project the user's will onto other objects, thereby achieving control over them. Whether it was a living being or a machine, it fell within the range of being "corrodible."
This was the authority of the Herrscher of Corruption, and it was precisely what made the Herrscher of Corruption so terrifying. Formless and intangible, yet all-pervasive.
But it had been several days since he obtained the Divine Key, and he hadn't even felt a hint of this power, let alone used it.
For the entire afternoon, he had been at a complete loss with the two Divine Keys, even recklessly entering the Sword Heart state multiple times. But apart from deepening his mastery of the Sword Heart, it was like distant water that couldn't quench a nearby fire, offering little help in developing the Divine Keys.
Although he was very anxious, Ming Yu didn't let it show and spoil the girls' mood. Just as Mei thought, this was his own business, it had nothing to do with them, nor was it something they should have to bear. Rather than saying it and increasing everyone's anxiety, it was better to keep it all in his heart.
Watching the atmosphere at the dinner table gradually liven up, a smile also appeared on the corner of Ming Yu's mouth.
No matter what the future held, the happiness of this moment was beautiful and real.