148 Dekan’s Girl Group Guidance
“Dekan, what you need is time. The Norton Kingdom will fully protect you. You just need to quickly improve your rank. No matter how your card-making or style of action is, in ten years at most, by then no one will dare to offend you.”
The Ice Snow Princess earnestly said.
“Ho ho, ten years?”
Dekan scoffed,
“Will I endure this humiliation? Once I reach the fourth tier, the great reckoning will begin.”
Upon hearing Dekan’s words, the Ice Snow Princess parted her red lips but didn’t know what to say.
She would instantly recall the scene of this young man saving her and for some reason deeply believed he could achieve this.
“Watch me craft a card that’ll make them happy morning, noon, and night. Hmmph.”
Dekan would combine all the insights he’d gained in this period, along with all his prior accumulations, to complete this masterpiece.
He originally intended to create a new piece after reaching the fourth tier to use against the Bishops.
But unexpectedly, now there were more detestable targets besides these Bishops.
Even those Bishops wouldn’t dare to provoke him to this degree!
Yet those dimwit nobles from the northern kingdom and the bastards of the empire dared to trouble him wantonly.
Do I, Dekan, not deserve the name Bishop of Pain?
Teacher Cat, seeing Dekan’s demeanor, started to panic.
The way Dekan looked, it was clearly standing on the moral high ground, prepared to recklessly stir up trouble in the future.
“What kind of crazy thing are you planning to do now, meow!”
“Ho ho ho ho, this will be my magnum opus.”
Teacher Cat began to feel a bit afraid.
It knew that most of the cards Dekan made were otherworldly.
The card Dekan crafted with his entire knowledge was bound to be the most sinister work, indeed as he said.
“What exactly are you making, meow! Tell me, meow!”
“Call me daddy, and I’ll tell you.”
“Meow!”
Teacher Cat stood on the sofa, raised its front paws, and pawed at Cornelia’s sleeve.
“Cornelia meow, Dekan is bullying me.”
Cornelia picked up Teacher Cat, with a tender expression, then looked pitifully at Dekan.
“You’re cheating.”
Dekan helplessly scratched his head.
Then he gently grabbed Teacher Cat’s ear and whispered in its ear.
“……”
After hearing Dekan’s words, Teacher Cat lifted its cat head, eyes wide, seemingly pondering something.
“Meow meow meow! I don’t know you, and don’t drag me in when you get caught!”
It had already guessed how many people Dekan would offend in the future.
Once discovered, it wouldn’t be as simple as being mistaken for the Bishop of Pain!
“It’s too late now. You’ve heard it. If one day I get locked up, you’ll be the cat in the Bishop of Pain’s emblem.”
“Meow meow meow! Why did you tell me!”
“It’s because you insisted on asking.”
The man and the cat started bickering again.
Snow Princess listened quietly nearby, her lips unconsciously curling up into a faint smile.
…
After chatting a bit more with the Snow Princess, Dekan realized it was getting late.
The three of them and the cat left the couch, thanked Snow Princess, and prepared to leave.
“Then we’ll see each other in the capital city after the New Year.”
Dekan waved his hand to Snow Princess and said.
“…”
Snow Princess naturally knew what she would be doing in the capital city.
She tried not to think about the bizarre contract she signed.
Thinking about it made her feel like squirming.
Mentioned by Dekan again, Snow Princess couldn’t maintain her composure.
But she bit her lips.
“Alright, I accept.”
Snow Princess’s voice was soft, trembling, yet carried an inexplicable determination.
…
A month later.
Hewenlit Academy’s winter campus life in the capital city, filled with chaos, had quietly passed without notice.
Dekan had returned to the capital city early from Tristin City.
He still remembered the tired expression on Professor Arno’s face when he saw him again as his class mentor.
For Professor Arno, the feelings of both “wanting to see this student” and “never wanting to see him again” were equally intense.
At that time, all Professor Arno’s words converged into one sentence— “It’s good that you’re back.”
But Dekan could see that Professor Arno’s face was filled with complex emotions.
Professor Arno originally thought that hijacking was the end of Dekan’s mischievousness.
Never did he expect it was just a small appetizer…
After returning to the academy, there didn’t seem to be much change in Dekan’s daily life.
Because he was always easily noticed and respected from afar.
As for the summons from the king a few days ago, it wasn’t as exaggerated as Dekan thought.
Perhaps because Dekan had already experienced many grand occasions, and also because the king had no airs, he simply accepted the king’s reward and then took his leave.
Dekan and Cornelia’s first semester at the academy came to a successful end.
In recent days, the campus topics were undoubtedly dominated by the final exams.
Today, the final exam results were announced.
These results would influence the next year’s class placements, which were very important for most students.
Naturally, everyone prepared for the exams with great effort. Even at the Knight Academy, it was common to see students with bloodshot eyes from studying.
Dekan had been intensely helping Cornelia review her coursework these past few days.
Although Cornelia was approved by the school to participate in practical activities in Tristin City, it didn’t count as skipping classes.
Nevertheless, the coursework she missed during her seven-day trip to Tristin City felt like a colossal debt pressing on her shoulders.
Cornelia was very worried about failing and being placed in another class during the second year, thus separating from Dekan.
So, she completely relied on Dekan to teach her.
During these days of review, the two were basically inseparable except when sleeping.
Today would be the announcement of the scores, and the official beginning of a one-month winter vacation.
Although students could go home, those living far from the capital city mostly chose to stay at the academy.
They preferred to return home during the three-month summer vacation.
The students who stayed in the academy were still able to challenge the Shadow World during the holidays.
After all, the “Shadow World Gate” in the capital city was not only open to students but also to other certified Challengers from the Norton Kingdom.
The exam results were posted in the morning.
Dekan and Cornelia unsurprisingly took first and second place at the Knight Academy.
Dekan still scored perfect marks in all cultural subjects and received high scores for his Shadow World practice.
Cornelia, while lacking in some cultural subjects, had passed them all.
With a practical score as high as Dekan’s, she managed to create a significant gap over other classmates.
Dekan originally didn’t plan to check the results, just as he didn’t for the entrance exam.
However, Cornelia was too nervous, forcing a reluctant Dekan to accompany her.
But seeing Cornelia finally relax and wear a happy expression after so long, Dekan thought it was worthwhile.
Cornelia’s hometown was in a southern kingdom, too far away, that even a one-month holiday seemed insufficient for a round trip.
Her mother had also instructed her not to return lightly.
Though Cornelia wasn’t too clear about the reason.
Both Dekan and Chloix hailed from the Kulan Border Territory, making a short holiday visit home very impractical.
So, they both stayed at the academy.
Besides.
In three days, it would be February 1st.
Also possibly the day they might encounter Morion in the Shadow World.
To find this crucial missionary, Dekan and Cornelia naturally had to stay in the academy and challenge the Shadow World.
But before that, they had one important task to complete.
…
A luxurious mansion in the capital city.
The mansion exuded both a homely atmosphere and was well-equipped for office use.
This was the ancient residence purchased by the Beautiful Soul Squad using the king’s bonus as the base for the Happy Church.
After being received by the king, the busy Snow Princess and St. Knight Judith finally had time to report to the company.
Snow Princess wore a white dress today, with her long hair smoothly draping on her shoulders, and her bright eyes filled with a look of bewilderment.
She seemed rarely to leave home for such long journeys.
Judith, previously dressed in the silver armor of the Sun God Church, changed into a smart casual outfit today, looking quite stunning.
“Flora, these two are the partners I’ve found for you.”
Dekan introduced to Flora, the king of truancy, a born exhibitionist, and the sister of a rogue, these two new girls.
Before Dekan could finish his introduction, Flora had already pounced on Snow Princess and Judith and embraced them.
“Wow, you’re both so cute! I like you so much.”
Snow Princess and Judith were both stunned.
This open-hearted girl didn’t seem to have noticed their true identities.
Dekan also covered his face.
“Hey hey hey, listen to what the agent says properly!”
Dekan knocked on the table, resembling a primary school teacher maintaining classroom discipline.
He realized that at this moment, the hardest to manage was this free-spirited Flora.
“Dekan, at first, I thought you were just bluffing when you said you would find me reliable partners. But I didn’t expect you could actually find two such cute girls!”
Hearing Flora’s words, Snow Princess and Judith both shyly lowered their heads.
The words “cute girls” felt too heavy for them.
But Flora noticed their expressions, looked at Dekan, and contemptuously asked,
“You didn’t trick them, did you?”
“There’s no way. Everything is formal and legal, and they both agreed willingly.”
Dekan said in all seriousness.
Hearing this statement from Dekan, Snow Princess and Judith averted their gazes.
Willingly? Sure.
“If Dekan ever bullies you, tell me, and I’ll protect you!”
Flora held the hands of the two beautiful girls seriously.
“Snort.”
Dekan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
What do you think when you three put together reach twenty tiers? Who’s the weakest then?
However, Dekan didn’t plan to tell Flora the truth.
He was looking forward to the day Flora discovered it by herself and got a brain freeze.
“Then next, there isn’t much I require, just practice this song to a certain extent.”
…
Two days later.
The music in the dance room was turned down lower, apparently to let the three girls hear the beat more clearly.
“Dong dong cha dong.”
Dekan shouted while slapping the beat with his palms, guiding their dance.
As the rhythm changed, the initially lively dance gradually took on a clamorous and indulgent atmosphere without seeming abrupt.
Instead, it made the presence of these three girls appear even more mysterious and unfathomable.
At the peak of revealing this soul-stealing allure, it finally returned to a cheerful atmosphere, trying to push the audience’s emotions to the highest point.
They successfully showcased it.
“Good job, you’ve worked hard.”
After one dance practice session ended, producer Dekan sat far away and told the three of them.
Assistant Cornelia immediately ran over to hand water bottles to the seemingly steamy beautiful girls.
Dekan leaned against the chair, furrowing his brows.
He was taking note of their mistakes from earlier and the problems exposed from repeated practices.
Although they’d completed the recording of the music section and completely mastered the dance,
Dekan still wasn’t satisfied.
Snow Princess moved rather rigidly, and her face always revealed hints of shyness as soon as she started dancing.
As for Judith, while her movements were very smooth, her face was emotionless, as if she were just completing a task.
Perhaps because she was too used to being the head knight.
So, when she became serious, she didn’t know how to make any other expressions besides stern.
Flora, on the other hand, was fully immersed in her performance, and Dekan felt that this fool was the easiest to manage.
“Not good enough, but time is limited.”
Dekan, thinking this over while resting his chin on his hand, decided to call the three girls closer as he had something to tell them.
“Alright, I’ll modify the choreography. Artemis, I’ll minimize your dance moves so you can act like a shy and coy girl in first love.”
Dekan gave guidance to Snow Princess first.
Since it was impossible to improve Snow Princess’s state in a short time, Dekan decided to turn her condition into a unique style.
“Okay.”
Snow Princess nodded and quickly stepped back to a distance, not wanting others to smell the sweat on her.
Though, as a half-elf, she usually carried only a trace of fragrance.
Subsequently, Dekan turned to look at Judith.
“Judith, I’ve revised your choreography too, so you can highlight your charm more.”
Dekan intended to make Judith’s dance more sensual.
He continued to guide her,
“But pay attention to your expressions. When facing the camera, you can slightly raise your chin, lightly bite your lips, and have a misty look in your eyes. Even without investing emotions, just follow what I say.”
Since it was impossible to teach Judith how to manage her expressions towards her fans in a short time,
Dekan resorted to a more rudimentary teaching method, showing her how to make expressions that could charm men.
Judith nodded with a bit of suspicion, and then followed Dekan’s instructions experimentally, the misty look in her eyes carrying a hint of confusion.
“Is this it?”
After trying it briefly, Judith returned to her normal expression and looked at Dekan and Chloix sitting across the way.
“Perfect.”
“That’s right.”
Dekan and Chloix both gave her a thumbs up.
“Me, me?”
Seeing Dekan finish guiding Snow Princess and Judith, Flora eagerly looked at Dekan with an expression akin to “finally my turn.”
“You, on the other hand, have no issues.”
“Ah…”
Not receiving any criticism made Flora look disappointed instead.
Dekan felt that as an agent and producer, he was truly worrying way too much.
Snow Princess and Judith’s singing skills could only be described as average, and it was impossible for them to astonish the public.
But in the early music videos, it wasn’t necessary for them to sing too much. Just being in sync with Flora would suffice.
Under Dekan’s guidance, the three beauties completed the filming of their first single sample.
The result was unexpectedly quite good.
There was just a minor issue.
Since Claire, Chloix’s childhood friend, had learned about Chloix’s business venture—spending time not only with Dekan and Cornelia but also with three attractive girls,
She had declared that she had some spare time in the vacation and wanted to check out Chloix’s work.
It turned into more like an inspection gradually.
However, during the final recording of the performance,
Chloix got so absorbed in watching Judith that Claire gave a cold humph and left.
Prompted by Teacher Cat, Chloix hurried after Claire.
“Alas.”
Dekan sighed.
He didn’t blame Chloix.
Judith’s potential was somewhat frightening.
Chloix might end up becoming Judith’s exclusive supporter.
Thinking about the future drama, Dekan found it amusing.
Although Dekan could not guarantee the three girls’ skyrocketing success, trying it with the live broadcast of the Shadow World would reveal if it worked.
This way, the preparations for the Shadow World were complete.
