"That's right. Our President is the current Director's daughter, Seira Kannon-zaka."
Nina Tsubakihara sighed. President Kannon-zaka's personality was truly appalling. She harbored immense malice towards boys, and absolutely no one knew why.
However, there were many speculations, such as the father abandoning his wife and daughter, or domestic violence. Although these were rumors, the rumor about abandonment was highly credible in the current general atmosphere, as no one truly knew any information about her father; whether he even existed was a question.
These kinds of rumors were indeed widespread, but no one dared to mention them in front of her, so she didn't seem to care much. Since she couldn't control all of them, she simply tolerated it, provided no one brought it up in her presence.
"President Kannon-zaka strongly dislikes the opposite sex. She even takes pleasure in bullying male students at our school. I personally support the decision to replace the male student's exchange spot, not just because of President Kannon-zaka's order, but because I myself don't want a male student coming to our school."
Nina Tsubakihara stated seriously. She genuinely did not want a boy from this school to go to hers, even if only for a short period.
"However, the list has already been finalized. If we want to change it, we must get approval from the board of directors. This is a matter between our two schools. We can only make suggestions; the fundamental decision must be made by them."
President Tōmoto folded his arms, indicating that he could only submit a document. The specific decision would have to be made by the higher-ups.
"But the directors don't necessarily understand the real situation."
Nina Tsubakihara frowned. Frankly, she would personally prefer to have more boys enter the school. This would effectively prevent some girls from ganging up and bullying the male students, relying on the strength of numbers. While those who rely on strong family backgrounds might be unstoppable, those who just followed the trend would surely be restrained.
However, there was an exception.
This time, there were only a handful of exchange students, and only one boy. This meant that if he went to their school, he wouldn't create any positive impact; he would only add one more victim. Therefore, she genuinely did not want that boy to go for this exchange. In a way, this was also protecting the male student.
"We truly don't have a good way to handle this. Or, you could have the boy decide not to go himself. His participation in the exchange program is voluntary."
President Tōmoto shook his head. Although they submitted the initial candidates, the final selection was determined by the higher-ups. Fundamentally, this so-called 'exchange activity' was merely to achieve a certain objective, and the specific purpose was not something they were privy to.
"Have the person decide not to go?"
Nina Tsubakihara looked confused. She wasn't familiar with the specific list of exchange students. She had only heard about the personnel situation after the selection was basically finalized. Her visit this time was actually to pick up the list.
"That boy is watching right here."
President Tōmoto smiled and looked at the only male present besides himself—Naoto Koyasu.
"This Koyasu-kun?"
Nina Tsubakihara widened her eyes and looked at Alistair. Aside from anything else, given the student council's capabilities, they should have been able to investigate most of her school's situation. If so, they should be aware of the serious bullying issues at the school. Knowing this, why would he still want to go?
"Yes, that's me. However, I decided to go even after learning about the situation."
Since he was involved, Alistair certainly needed to state his position. His family background was not bad, and his 'Grand Patriarch' identity made it easier for him to act. Although his memories were hazy, there were still some useful parts, such as the fact that many of his followers were influential people from various industries. Otherwise, the headquarters wouldn't be built to such an absurd scale.
"You still decide to go even knowing that? Are you desperate for a girlfriend?"
Nina Tsubakihara couldn't understand. Going there meant entering Kannon-zaka's territory. As the saying goes, a strong dragon cannot defeat a local snake. Once you enter their territory, the dragon must coil and the tiger must crouch. Even if you cried to your family for help, they would probably just apologize to resolve the matter. If you hurt someone, your family might even have to pay compensation. It simply wouldn't end well.
If he still chose to go despite all this, he probably just wanted to find a good girlfriend in an environment with many girls, right? Weren't all boys like this during adolescence? Based on this assumption, Nina Tsubakihara didn't think too badly of Alistair; it was normal at his age to start focusing on finding a preferred partner of the opposite sex.
"No, I just simply want to go and take a look."
Alistair replied. The real reason, of course, was not this. He had already become a 'pig for slaughter.' If he followed the status quo, it would be too slow. The entity could come at any time to take the 'meat' on his body, and he would be completely defenseless. The only way to resist was to transform the 'meat' into a fully integrated part of himself before the entity 'cuts the meat.'
The 'Evolution' process uses a strange item as the connection node, fully integrating a sufficient amount of 'Mystery' into oneself, thereby elevating oneself to the level of an Extraordinary Being. Before that, the 'Mystery' Alistair had accumulated was merely superficial, making it easy for anyone with the appropriate spells to take his 'Mystery.'
To use an analogy: the neighbor stocks grain, I stock a gun; their house is my granary. And Alistair was that 'neighbor.'
Once Alistair was fully integrated, the entity couldn't take it away. Otherwise, the entity could simply go to the Demi-Human District and plunder freely, as Demi-Humans are generally at the level of Extraordinary Beings.
However, there is a significant difference among Extraordinary Beings. Alistair's development is comprehensive and follows a high-standard approach, which is why he could achieve the 'Mystery' level of a typical Extraordinary Being with just twenty percent progress plus some fragments.
If the highest standard were followed, all advancements would be through the unique 'Mystery' of the strange items themselves. However, that is truly luxurious and beyond Alistair's means. To date, two of the three strange items Alistair has absorbed were 'drawn' by himself.
Alistair's firm decision to go to St. Lux Academy is also driven by his desire to investigate the 'Twilight Hour (Meikoku no Toki)'. If the 'Twilight Hour' can provide a substantial amount of 'Mystery,' Alistair can attempt rapid advancement. There might be many problems, but since he was already being 'farmed,' he couldn't afford to worry. Every method that could quickly enhance his power should be attempted.