Chapter 428: This Is the Cat People
Once all the clubs wrapped up their activities, Yuliya boldly announced she had found a club she liked and would seek an opportunity to check it out later.
As for which club it was, she wouldn’t spill the beans—no point leading on suspicious characters!
Of course, someone would figure it out eventually, but that wasn’t her concern.
After giving the cue to disperse, she handed the venue back to the Fire Dance Club.
But before she left, she threw in a few promotional words, considering it a rental fee.
Not long after stepping out, Yuliya ran into Heidis and the other two.
“Are you all waiting for me?”
“With all the commotion on your side, we certainly noticed! But you looked like you were having too much fun to interrupt,” Heidis replied, promptly pulling Yuliya to stand between the other two before retreating to her own spot.
Dragging them around was tiring!
“My Lady Riya! You shine brilliantly wherever you go! Even on such a grand stage, you’re composed and beautiful!”
She was quite used to this. There used to be even more spectators surrounding her.
Inif sighed, “These clubs are so annoying; why don’t you just reject them all?”
Yuliya chuckled, “Oh, it’s not that bad! Our academy life is better when it’s filled with activities; we can’t just be hermits every day!”
“I’m not a hermit; I’m often with my mentor,” Inif chimed in.
“Mentors and students are different,” Yuliya retorted. “Plus, I’ve already got my eye on a really good club that would suit you perfectly.”
Inif perked up with interest, “What is it?”
“A study group! What do you think? Want to join?”
“Reading?” Inif propped her chin on her hand, pondering.
She didn’t exactly mind that; hanging out in a study group could be nice.
However, Kaise’s brows clearly knitted together, but after considering that My Lady Riya would be there too, she eased up.
Reading it is then.
Heidis shook her head, “I’ll pass; I’ve got my own plans.”
“Fine then, you do you. Tomorrow, Inif, Kaise, and I will check out that study group.”
The four of them agreed and started heading back to the dorms.
Suddenly, Kaise spotted a figure not too far away, furrowing her brow and letting go of Yuliya’s arm. “My Lady Riya, you all go ahead. I’ve got something to take care of.”
Yuliya glanced in that direction and saw a beastman who seemed to be a cat person too.
“Do you know that person?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, go on; we’ll wait for you.”
Kaise dashed over quickly, turning to flash a smile at Yuliya before trailing off into a corner with that person.
“Kaise…” the other party tried to say something but was cut off as Kaise continued pulling them further away.
“Why so far?”
“Because I want you to keep your distance from my friends.”
Kaise shot back casually.
In reality, she did want to keep a safe distance; she knew My Lady Riya had remarkably keen senses, capable of hearing from afar.
“Ha! Friends? You’re quite the actor. How many people have you fooled with that appearance of yours?”
Kaise’s expression turned cold, her tone dripping with disdain. “Muka, care to guess how many I’ve tricked?”
Muka was equally disdainful, “Doesn’t matter; I’ve seen through your true nature long ago. You went from the bottom to where you are now in less than a month; what kind of good person could you possibly be?”
They, from Kaistes, always had a recommendation slot at Saint Felis Academy, but there was only one per year.
Last year it went to the illustrious Muka, and this year? Out of nowhere, it went to Kaise, who quickly shot to the top.
“Just spit it out; I’m busy. Otherwise, I’ll leave,” Kaise said dismissively, shrugging.
Though both were from the cat race in Kaistes, they hardly knew each other and were direct competitors.
In short, they weren’t exactly fond of each other.
“I’m here to assign you a task.”
“And why should I take orders from you?”
“Because of this.” Muka pulled out a crystal ball. “The Elder has decreed that all actions of the cat race in the academy are to be arranged by me.”
Kaise stared at the crystal ball, and after a moment of contemplation, she nodded.
That was indeed the Elder’s command.
Muka had significant influence in Kaistes, whereas she was still the newcomer.
Although their status was roughly equal, when it came to actual matters, Muka usually took charge.
“Fine, what’s the task?”
“Your mission is simple and similar to what you’re doing now. Keep building a good relationship with that ‘top freshman.’ Get to know her inside and out and report back to me if anything crops up.”
Kaise’s expression darkened a bit, but she soon chuckled lightly. “You think too highly of me! Why should I mingle with that caliber of genius?”
“Looks to me like you’re doing just fine at it now?”
“…” Kaise was silent for a moment, then finally shook her head. “Nothing strange coming up yet. She’s from the Lysetti Kingdom and is very close to that Lysetti princess.”
“Lysetti, huh…” Muka rested her chin on her hand, a smirk creeping onto her face. “Just keep an eye on those two.”
“No need for your help. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”
“Go ahead.”
With that, Kaise turned without looking back, heading towards Yuliya.
The second she left that hidden corner, she bounced back to her cheerful self, scampering over to rejoin them, nearly tripping over her own feet.
“Slow down! Everything alright?”
“Nothing much, just an upperclassman from my hometown checking in on me.”
“Great! Let’s head back then.”
Muka watched the four leave, a subtle smile playing at her lips.
Even though they were rivals, she didn’t think twice about Kaise.
Just a self-important, somewhat clever little thing.
And that was precisely why she could be utilized.
With her in the academy, she could actually do Muka a favor.
As for the current Saint Felis Academy, the two most talked-about people, both in public and behind the scenes—Inif and Yuliya—were being tied together through Kaise.
Now that was quite the fortunate turn of events.
Kaise glanced back, relieved to see that Muka had already taken off.
At the same time, a smile crept onto her lips.
Yuliya turned and asked, “Kaise, what’s up with you?”
“I just remembered something fun!”
“What fun thing?”
“Are we going to have dinner when we get back?”
Yuliya froze for a moment and then excitedly clapped her hands, “Oh right! Sister Heidis~”
“Alright, alright, I got it, I got it.” Heidis replied with a resigned smile. “But I’d like to check if your pantry stash is enough.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered!”
