Hearing Bach's statement, a group of senior instructors showed surprise in their eyes, then nodded in agreement.
"In that case, I request that the academy increase the protection for student Mu Fan, and also apply for a spot for student Mu Fan in the Fighting competition."
"Seconded."
"Seconded."
Although they were still quite dissatisfied with Bach's overreaching behavior, considering the ultimate goals of both parties were highly aligned, the high-ranking instructors from the Fighting Department all expressed agreement.
At that moment, on the side of the long table in the unoccupied area, a three-dimensional hologram suddenly projected.
"Hahaha, my apprentice is awesome! I didn't expect to hear such explosive news just by stopping by to listen in, damn satisfying!"
Amid the laughter, a bald head emerged, followed by the burly body appearing in the empty seat nearby. The bald head looked around triumphantly.
"Yo, so many people here, everyone's in attendance."
The senior instructors from the Fighting Department instinctively wanted to turn their faces away. Dammit, what rotten luck, to run into Ruan Xiongfei, this rambunctious ex-military character, during a nighttime emergency meeting. What was wrong with him... sneaking in through a three-dimensional projection.
And "so many people"? The whole place isn't even one-third full, you bald egg.
The instructors couldn't help but stare at the bald rascal irritably.
They didn't dare to get angry in person, because they couldn't beat him.
Now with just a light projection here, there was no need to care, since they couldn't hit it anyway.
"What happened, wasn't the atmosphere lively before I arrived? Weren't you all happily discussing my dear apprentice?"
Ruan Xiongfei laughed heartily, completely unaware of his imposition, his constant references to "my boy" made the instructors' faces turn white.
"Instructor Ruan, please be mindful of your image."
A stern-faced middle-aged man spoke up. This was Brady, a senior instructor from the Fighting Department, with thick, bushy eyebrows that made his face appear all too righteous.
"You all know what I'm like. Isn't it tiring for acquainted people to wear masks? Hahaha, the three-dimensional holographic meeting feels pretty awesome."
The bald head before everyone showed no shame, rather taking pride in his behavior.
Thick-browed Instructor Brady stifled the impulse to kick over and decided to ignore this shameless fellow.
"As for that damned Night Teeth Team, they really aren't good news. Since blood has already been spilled, there's no choice but to fight to the bitter end. Before I return, you all better protect my apprentice well." Ruan Xiongfei scanned the room. Seeing no one objecting, nor agreeing, he let out a cold laugh, "It's the last year, and if we rank last again, it will be ten consecutive years at the bottom of the Five Great Colleges. Whether you want to turn things around is up to you. Let me be clear here, it's the academy that needs him."
Finally, this blunt statement caused a reaction. Except for Bach, the faces of the others in the room were no longer cold.
The academy's reputation ultimately depended on the excellence of its students.
"There has never been a precedent for Ding Chuan to backtrack on its decisions, and I'm sure you're more aware of the academy's power than we are," said a slightly older-looking instructor.
"Of course, my dear colleagues, your efforts are appreciated. I'll treat you all to drinks when we get back!" Ruan Xiongfei exclaimed with a satisfied look, laughing heartily.
Just then, a strange sound, akin to gunshot bells, rang out. It was not emanating from any one person, but from all the instructors present.
"Hm? An alert bell?"
Bach expressed his confusion.
This sound was unique to the Dark Department Guard and could go unheard for half a year.
Everyone's gaze then turned to Vice Dean Carrel, the highest-ranking person there among the two major executive vice deans.
Carrel nodded in the presence of everyone's gaze and placed his palm over the optical pad in front of him.
A miniature hologram screen appeared.
Against the pitch-black background, besides a blurry humanoid silhouette, nothing else was clear.
"This is Carrel. What's the situation with the Dark Department?"
"Reporting to the Vice Dean. We have detected a special situation. The target student we're guarding has safely returned to the apartment. However, just now, a stranger entered Dingchuan Academy, and their objective appears to be the target student."
"The stranger's height is estimated to be between 188-193 cm, weighing about 130 KG, with a strong build. Facial features are heavily obscured, skin color is brownish, exhibiting strong counter-surveillance awareness, with a preliminary threat level assessed as A-. At present, the Dark Department has not alerted the quarry and maintains a medium-distance surveillance."
Hearing the words coming from the miniature hologram screen, the faces of the instructors in the room turned grim.
Especially that Ruan Xiongfei, who was in a state of virtual projection, his eyes suddenly turned fierce, "An A-level threat has come looking for my personal disciple?"
Vice Dean Carrel, being the oldest in terms of tenure at the scene, did not erupt in anger like Ruan Xiongfei. Instead, he carefully asked, "Do we have an image capture?"
"Yes."
As the words fell, three slightly blurry photos from different angles appeared, but only relatively speaking.
In the black of night, it was no small feat that these photos managed to capture colored images, speaking volumes of Dark Department's strength.
Upon seeing the photos, the bushy-browed Instructor Brady's eyes reflected contemplation and after several seconds, he suddenly spoke up, "Hold on."
After everyone looked at him, the senior instructor with a face of righteousness said, "Project the second image onto the big screen, enlarge by 500%, location C13: V9."
After he spoke, the image was displayed on the conference hall's large screen.
A pair of orange vertical pupils, extremely blurry yet faintly discernible, appeared...
Brady dragged out a light screen tablet on the conference table with his ten fingers, then his fingertips danced rapidly over it.
Just ten seconds later, he looked up and said:
"A level six mutant from Night Teeth Team, Man-eating Shark—Byron, characteristics: heightened five senses, ultra-fast bone regeneration, rapid limb healing, proficient in more than five A-level Fighting Skills."
Finally, the atmosphere in the hall turned icy, and a heart-palpitating tension began to brew along the long conference table.
Ruan Xiongfei looked on with cold eyes, speaking indifferently, "Dean Carrel."
The old man nodded toward Ruan Xiongfei's direction, signaling him to be patient.
Then he looked toward the miniature light screen, "Who is on Dark Department's special patrol today?"
"Instructor Tsunayoshi."
"Let him take action, and remember to keep the incident range as minimal as possible."
"Yes!"
The light screen went out.
Carrel glanced in Ruan Xiongfei's direction and tilted his head slightly, the implication clear—
Are you satisfied with this response?
Ruan Xiongfei's frosty expression immediately thawed, and he laughed heartily, "Dean, you're too kind."
At this moment, all the instructors in the hall, regardless of their college allegiance, wore cold smirks on their faces.
To actually follow into Dingchuan Academy, do you not know how to die?
...
When Mu Fan was lying comfortably on the large bed in his bedroom, about to fall into sleep, he had no idea that an assassin from Night Teeth had already arrived.
Byron, donning a high-collared coat, was strolling through the academy with relish at this moment.
In his hands, he held accurate personal information on Mu Fan and a walking route from 20 minutes before.
Money is a wonderful thing. In the Dark Mercenary World, as long as you have money, there's nothing you can't overcome.
Still a student of one of the Five Great Colleges, Dingchuan Academy, eh? Do you really think hiding here means I can't come and kill you?
Hmm...
Observing the vibrant students around him in this virtually defenseless campus, Byron's eyes gleamed with bloodthirsty cruelty.
Who would have thought that the next attack from Night Teeth would occur less than three hours apart?
Who would believe that he'd dare strike at such a sensitive time?
Hehe~
Such lax security measures, the security personnel are like puppets.
Is this Dingchuan?
Truly disappointing.
Shaking his head, Byron suddenly lost the patience to wander any longer and cast his gaze toward a path leading to the apartment district, advancing his steps.