Chapter 106

Chapter 106

After completing her new student registration, Eve headed straight to the dormitory area.

As the premier educational institution in the entire empire, First Empire Academy received substantial funding from the Ministry of Education. This, coupled with generous donations from distinguished alumni, meant the academy was practically overflowing with wealth.

Dormitory arrangements were standard: assignments were first by major, then by gender. However, the facilities themselves were leagues beyond those of ordinary schools. Rows of townhouses were meticulously laid out like chess pieces, with wide, spacious intervals between each pair. Every villa also boasted a small garden in front.

The dormitories for the Mecha Department were situated close to those of the Medical Department. On her way back, Eve noticed the exotic climbing plants, cultivated by a senior from the Medical Assistance Department, scaling the black iron gate, their large, magenta double-petaled blooms bursting forth along the way.

"C3-401... C3-402... C2-404..." Eve pulled her suitcase, meticulously counting the villa numbers until she quickly located her own dormitory. "Found it."

The school dormitories were typically designed for two students per villa. However, given Eve's unique circumstances, Qin Mengde had arranged for her to have an entire dormitory to herself. As Eve pushed the door open, she found the interior already furnished to her taste: beyond the standard living and training areas, the upstairs space, originally intended for a non-existent roommate, had been transformed into a study and an alchemy laboratory.

The courtyard had been enclosed with one-way glass, creating a greenhouse garden filled with numerous rare exotic plants. A Luna Butterfly gracefully landed on the largest Moon Orchid, then remained perfectly still, its beady black eyes fixed on Eve, as if declaring this its new home.

Like a monarch surveying her domain, Eve walked with her hands clasped behind her back, her slippers softly slapping as she inspected every corner of the two-story villa. She then curiously examined the fully automatic integrated washing-drying-ironing machine, the automated cooking robot, and the in-villa service request panel.

The villa also came equipped with a smart housekeeper robot, featuring a round head atop a cylindrical body. Once Eve activated it, its bright, luminous blue eyes fixed on her, and it asked in a flat, even tone, "Hello, how may I assist you?"

Eve inquired, "What kind of assistance can you provide?"

This open-ended question seemed to stump the little robot. Its lightbulb eyes blinked in a mysteriously cyclical pattern for a moment before the large projection screen on the wall automatically activated. An e-book appeared on the screen, its cover simple and pure white, prominently displaying a line of neatly printed large characters:

*Housekeeper Robot User Manual and Precautions*.

"As a student of First Empire Academy, you should learn to actively explore your surroundings, make rational use of resources, and enhance your life," the robot intoned stiffly. "I hope we can coexist harmoniously, meow."

Eve: "..."

Was this a housekeeper robot, or another master of the house?

She straightened up and picked up her terminal from the table. It was flooded with messages—some useful, some not, from acquaintances and strangers alike. After a quick scan, Eve selected a few essential documents, such as the "New Student Handbook" and "Mecha Pilot Major Training Plan," to download in the background. She then skipped ahead to messages from people she knew.

[Grace: Are you settled? Let me know when you're done.]

[Dick: Want to explore the school and surrounding area tonight? I’ve invited Grace too.]

[Luo Lin: I couldn't find you in the Command Department. Where did you go?]

......

In addition, there was a department group chat invitation from Senior Du Lan, whom she had just met today, as well as messages from classmates she didn't recognize—she had no idea how they had obtained her contact information. Her inbox was overflowing with their enthusiastic friend requests.

Eve didn't accept a single one. Instead, she pursed her lips, muted all the group chats, and scrolled through her message list. Finally, at the very bottom, she found the two earliest messages, sent almost simultaneously, right around the time she first arrived at school.

[Qin Mengde: Call me back when you’re finished.]

[Lorca: When you have a moment, would you mind having a call with me?]

"..." After hesitating for less than ten seconds, Eve decided to call the more formidable one first. It wasn't that she was picking on the soft target; it was simply that Qin Mengde was, after all, her boss. Even the dormitory arrangement was thanks to her, so Eve couldn't very well overstep her bounds.

Besides, it had been nearly two years since she last saw Lorca. Although they maintained contact via their terminals, they miraculously never had the opportunity to meet in person. Even at this year’s New Year’s ball, Eve couldn’t attend because she had to handle something for Qin Mengde at the last minute, so they missed each other again.

Still, the two would chat intermittently, mostly with Lorca sending messages, sharing interesting things or updates about Alice, and Eve responding with a perfunctory reply. She treated these messages with the same earnest indifference she gave to Grace’s abstract jokes and Dick’s low-quality StarNet videos.

"Beep—beep—" The busy tone rang for several seconds before the video call connected. A spectrum of light emanated from the terminal, projecting a three-dimensional hologram into the air.

A striking redhead appeared in the projection. She was seated by a window, cradling a mug of a brown instant beverage, with a sky full of stars visible outside behind her.

The main planet in the Lyra constellation, where the Ninth Army Corps was stationed, had a time difference with the Capital Star. Usually, when it was noon for Eve, it was already late night for Qin Mengde. Considering Qin Mengde’s schedule, Eve typically tried to call around midday to report.

Qin Mengde’s gaze, almost palpable, swept over Eve’s surroundings. Eve simply raised her terminal and slowly panned it around the dorm room. "My dorm, what do you think?"

"Looks about right. Don’t forget, I graduated from First Empire Academy too."

"Oh? When did you graduate?" Eve drew out her words. "I remember you’re the same age as the Cavendish young lady. She’s graduating this academic year. How are you already out in the working world?"

Qin Mengde didn’t even bother to lift an eyelid, replying flatly, "Because the head of the Cavendish family needed me to start helping out early, so I enrolled a year ahead. Then I skipped two years of university, and with continuous internships, I naturally graduated early."

"Actually, it’s not so bad," she added, changing the subject. "Because it looks like you might be following in my footsteps too."

"Let’s not say such unlucky things, okay? I’m not skipping any grades. I plan to have a fulfilling four years of university."

Upon hearing this, Qin Mengde looked slightly surprised. "I’m not forcing you to skip grades like I did—but have you checked your roommate information yet?"

"Didn’t you arrange a single room for me?"

"That’s true, but..."

Before Qin Mengde could finish, Eve clacked out in her slippers, returning shortly while carrying the round-headed housekeeper robot.

The housekeeper robot’s database contained the dormitory owner’s information. Eve tapped twice on the robot’s screen-face and easily accessed her roommate information.

[Student Name: Lu Qing / Year: Freshman / Department: Military Academy - Medical Assistance]

In the midst of peaceful silence, Eve slowly raised her head and asked with a pleasant tone, "What exactly do you mean by this?"

"..." Qin Mengde cleared her throat somewhat uncomfortably and averted her gaze. "Didn’t you say you wanted to have a fulfilling four years of university?"

Studying two majors in four years—so it was essentially the same as her studying one major in two years back then. This was the true meaning behind Qin Mengde’s earlier comment about Eve following in her footsteps.

Eve said nothing, just stared at her with a chilling intensity.

"Originally, I didn’t plan it this way, but the situation has changed this year. Since you’re in the Mecha Department, you should know that Jessica also joined the Mecha Department, right?"

Qin Mengde continued, "The Military Academy has six majors in total. The Melee Department has always been dominated by the Cavendish family. Although Isabella is graduating this year, the Crown Prince is still a sophomore in the Melee Department. Barring any accidents, Isabella will likely leave the position of Melee Department Chief and the chairmanship of the entire Military Academy to him. Of course, Anthony is the Crown Prince. Even if everyone knows it’s an unfair internal decision, you can’t compete with him."

Eve hummed in acknowledgment, indicating she understood. Qin Mengde went on:

"Next, in the Mecha Department, you should be able to secure the Department Chief position, right? Jessica’s skills aren’t top-tier. The reason she joined the Mecha Department is that there’s no one there with a background strong enough to rival hers. But no one expected you to show up suddenly."

"As for the Command Department, with Ludwig and Cecil there, it’s still unclear who will get the Department Chief position. But it’s best if it doesn’t fall into Cecil’s hands. The Medici family currently openly supports the emperor’s decisions, which indirectly means supporting the Crown Prince. If both key department chief positions are held by the Crown Prince’s faction, the next ten years will be very unfavorable for me."

"Lorca is firmly seated as the Investigation Department Chief—no worries there. For the Weapons Department, Luo Wenqing said her family has arranged for someone to definitely secure the Department Chief position. That leaves only the Medical Department."

Doing the math, including Eve, Qin Mengde could now confirm three department chief positions belonging to her faction.

As for the Command Department, she did know the plot—the future department chief would be neither Cecil nor Ludwig, but Alice. However, if according to the novel’s plot, Alice ends up supporting the Crown Prince, the situation would become troublesome. Thus, stabilizing the Medical Department became particularly important.

"So who is the current Medical Department Chief?" she asked.

"Luo Wenqing, but like Isabella, she’s a senior this year and must pass the position to a newcomer," Qin Mengde said. "And from what I know, Luo Lin from the Medici family has chosen the Medical Department this year."

Eve immediately understood her meaning—this was about her going undercover to personally secure the Medical Department Chief position.

"Why are we still playing faction games in school?" she sighed deeply, narrowing her eyes in condemnation. "It’s because of people like you that the sacred pure land of academia becomes polluted."

Qin Mengde accepted the criticism without any guilt. "First Empire Academy holds a special status. This has always been the case throughout history."

"Alright, I understand. Is there anything else?"

"Nothing else for now. First, secure the position of Department Chief in both the Mecha Department and the Medical Department. The competitive selection will likely take place during military training. For now, let Sophia handle matters at the Princess Manor. If you encounter any trouble at school, don’t hold back—remember, you have the Princess Manor backing you."

That sounded rather reassuring. Eve put on her coat while holding her terminal, ready to end the call and head out. Just as she reached the door, she seemed to remember something and added, "By the way, could you help me look into something?"

"What is it?"

Qin Mengde, who had been about to hang up and go to sleep, sat up straight again upon hearing this.

"There’s some rumor going around the Capital Star that I have a monstrous face and a twisted personality..." Eve clenched her teeth, feeling both angry and amused. Halfway through, she suddenly realized how childish she was being, getting worked up over such trivial matters.

If it were nobles seeking revenge against her, their methods wouldn’t stop at such ridiculous gossip.

"Never mind," Eve sighed, forcing a wry smile. "It’s just a small thing. No need to trouble yourself. Go to sleep. Good night, boss."

With that, she abruptly ended the call.

"...What the hell?"

Countless light-years away, under a starry sky that illuminated a stern, prison-like white military camp, Qin Mengde sat by the window, a coat draped over her shoulders, legs crossed, her face full of bewilderment.

Although Eve had unexpectedly retracted her request, Qin Mengde still forwarded the message to someone else—Sophia Medici, who was currently handling affairs at the Princess Manor on the Capital Star.

As luck would have it, Sophia had originally been stationed with the Ninth Corps. After the incident involving Cecil, she was supposed to return to the military camp once her temporary leave ended. However, the Medici Patriarch had kept her on the Capital Star a while longer to thoroughly investigate the matter.

This delay lasted until Qin Mengde had firmly established herself in the Ninth Corps. Sophia, who had just returned, stared at her new superior with a look of utter disbelief before wisely deciding to bow to the circumstances. With a thud, she bent at a perfect ninety-degree angle, tears glistening in her eyes. "Madam, I was too foolish in the past. Please don’t hold it against me. From now on, I will dedicate myself to you, even at the cost of my life, without hesitation!"

Qin Mengde’s green eyes silently sized her up for a moment before asking, "Were you close with Cecil?"

"Huh?" Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise. "Well, sort of. His mother is my aunt, so he’s my first cousin."

Qin Mengde nodded and asked another question. "What’s your status in the Medici family?"

"It’s... fairly decent, I suppose..."

"Good," Qin Mengde said, patting the luggage Sophia had just dragged back, her expression unchanging even as she made the final decision. "Find a time when fewer people are around and head back to the Capital Star to help out."

The Medici family’s loyalties were shaky, and it was better to send such a variable back for Eve to keep an eye on rather than leave her in the military. Besides, they were from the same family, so this arrangement would work in Sophia’s favor too.

Sophia: "...Oh, alright."

And so, on a certain clear and sunny day, she slunk back to the Capital Star.

End of recollection.

Eve slipped into something more comfortable and had just answered a new call when an earth-shattering noise erupted from the dorm next door. Even Lorca on the other end of the line frowned and asked, "What’s going on over there? I heard some commotion."

"Uh, it’s nothing major. How do I even describe this?"

Eve scratched her head, staring blankly at her left-side neighbor. A team of uniformed workers was moving in a lavish assortment of furniture, including but not limited to: a leather sofa, a diamond-inlaid side table, a gleaming massage chair, a tall wardrobe painted in shimmering gold-pink, and what appeared to be genuine famous paintings—all exuding an air of extreme luxury.

Amid the chaotic scene, Eve couldn’t help but wonder if a villa of that size could even hold so many items.

"Seems like they’re moving in or renovating?" she said uncertainly. "It’s just a bit... ostentatious."

Lorca: "Perhaps more than just a bit."

Near the railing of the left neighbor’s property stood three young girls. The one in the middle was clearly the leader, dressed in an extravagant gown adorned with glittering gemstones. Her voluminous dark red curls were tied high with a satin bow, and her delicate features were accentuated by sharply upturned eyes brighter than glass-grade jade. She radiated an undeniable haughtiness.

One look at this girl, and only one word came to Eve’s mind: opulent.

So opulent, in fact, that it was beyond words. So lavish that Eve could instantly pinpoint her identity.

As Eve noticed the girl, the latter also spotted Eve behind the railing, engaged in a call. Jessica’s green eyes narrowed slightly. Dismissing her followers, she strode over.

"Hey, you’re Eve Medici, right?"

She didn’t bother lowering her voice, so Lorca heard it on his end. His tone immediately darkened. "Is the Third Princess causing trouble for you?"

"It’s fine, she hasn’t started yet," Eve replied, accustomed to such situations. "She can’t do anything to me. Don’t worry."

On the other side of the iron railing, Jessica lifted her chin like a proud, pedigreed cat, scrutinizing Eve critically. After a long moment, she snorted disdainfully.

"I know you’re quite famous on the Capital Star, but I'm not afraid of you," the girl announced loudly, her cat-like green eyes wide and arrogant. "Decide now for the next four years! Will you be my rival or my minion?"

Eve: "..."

Lorca on the other end: "..."

For a moment, both shared the same thought: How could someone still be in their *chuunibyou* phase at eighteen?

After a long pause, Eve finally said, exasperated, "Add me later."

Jessica raised an eyebrow and smirked. "So you’re admitting defeat and want to be my minion? Hah, seems the great Eve Medici is nothing more than—"

"Add me, and I'll refer you to some contacts in the Oliver Family. Then go get help for your *chuunibyou*!"

Eve couldn’t take it anymore, cutting her off and sighing heavily as she covered her face. "And when you call me, can you not use my full name? It’s super awkward."