LRAB 061 S-Class Returns
061 S-Class Returns
Back in Chicago, Lu Mingfei boarded the CC1000 train again. The last time he took this train was a month ago when Guderian tricked him into signing a thick stack of agreements. After getting off the train, he saw students from Kassel College playing paintball.
Now, he and the Executive Department have completed a major mission and killed a third-generation beast. The Student Council and the Lionheart Society have also begun organizing combat drills for their students, and in just one month, his surroundings have undergone a dramatic transformation.
In the evening, after getting off the train, the group headed towards the school, subtly placing Lu Mingfei and Ling in the middle. To their left was Ye Shengya, and to their right was Angersmans, with Selma supporting Mans.
As he approached the school gate, Lu Mingfei saw someone in the distance take out their phone, unsure whether they were taking a picture or sending a message.
"Lu Mingfei," Angers said, having somehow managed to slip a red rose into his suit pocket, looking rather ostentatious, "are you ready for the triumphant return ceremony?"
"What? What kind of trick have you guys pulled this time?" Lu Mingfei was a little nervous; he wasn't a person who liked excitement.
"Haha, we've announced the success of the operation, but I haven't told everyone when we'll return to school. Consider it a surprise for the students," Angers said.
"What surprise? This is a shock! Zero, let's go! Let's go through the side door!" Lu Mingfei hurriedly grabbed Zero's hand, about to run away.
"You can't leave!" Selma jumped in front of Lu Mingfei and Zero, and said earnestly, "There will be plenty of time for just the two of you in the future. Even S-ranks need to interact with the public from time to time."
Because of Selma's delay, a female student, whom Lu Mingfei or not, ran up to him, ignoring Zero beside him, grabbed Lu Mingfei's free left hand and placed it on her chest. She quickly said something like, "Hello, hello, you must be Lu Mingfei. I saw you on the forum, you're amazing!" Then she choked on her own nervousness, blushed, and ran away.
Watching this scene, Angers sighed, "Youth is truly wonderful. Zero, you must keep a close eye on Lu Mingfei. The path of a hero is not only full of thorns, but also adorned with roses."
Ling calmly watched the female student run away, then looked away and subtly took half a step toward Lu Mingfei.
Within minutes, the school was bustling with activity. Lu Mingfei was still several hundred meters from the main gate, but many people had already begun walking alongside them on both sides of the road. Along the way, people were taking pictures and making phone calls: "They're back! The S-class is back! They're at the main gate!"
As they reached the main gate, the entire school crowd gathered in the square, surrounding them and applauding enthusiastically. Professor Guderian grabbed Lu Mingfei's shoulder and shook him, "Lu Mingfei, you're amazing!"
"Professor, let go first," Lu Mingfei said, his head shaking from being shaken. "You're making me dizzy."
Guderian reluctantly let go, then walked around to Ye Sheng to express his respect, already muttering the title of his new paper.
Principal Angers and Professor Mans discreetly returned to their office building, leaving the stage to the younger students. Many senior students began to approach Ye Shengya for photos, chat, and offer their blessings.
Selma became the sole spokesperson for the squad, embellishing the story of the power of love between the two couples, and how Ye Sheng and Aki transcended the bonds of life and death on the battlefield, transforming their pure camaraderie into an unwavering love until death.
Zero silently protected Lu Mingfei, catching him steadily without retreating an inch when facing the dragon servant's attack. The tense battle scene combined with the beautiful love story thrilled the boys and saddened the girls.
Lu Mingfei was at a loss; he had never experienced anything like this before. He had only saved a few people and killed a third-generation being, yet all eyes were on him. Even the teenagers who saved the world every day in the previous world had never received such treatment. He suddenly felt ashamed and instinctively wanted to find a corner to hide in, but there were people all around him.
Zero hugged his arm, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear, "This is the treatment you deserve."
The girl's scent tickled Lu Mingfei's ears, and the people around him started to make a fuss.
On the outskirts of the square, Caesar leaned against a pillar in the portico of the Amber Pavilion, and Percy stood beside him and asked, "Shall we go over and say hello?"
“No,” Caesar said. “This is his moment alone.”
While dealing with the people around him taking photos and asking for autographs, Lu Mingfei tried to squeeze outwards, but every time he took a step, new people would take his place.
At this moment, several girls began to approach from the flanks.
A tall girl approached Lu Mingfei and "accidentally" bumped into his arm. Just as they were about to take the next step, a boy wearing a baseball cap barged between them, grabbed a microphone, and began interviewing him: "S-rank, please share your thoughts on Operation Kuimen?"
"Well, the success of this mission is due to everyone's hard work. It's an honor to fight alongside these outstanding individuals."
Another petite and gentle-looking girl walked over: "Lu Mingfeitong..."
"Watch out, watch out, the camera's coming! Non-interviewees, please move to the side." A news officer held up a camera and pointed it at Lu Mingfei and Ling: "Look here, give us a smile."
With a "click," a close-up shot was taken of Lu Mingfei and Ling.
As more and more people wanted to get close to S-class, the news department simply surrounded Lu Mingfei, pushing the girls to the outer perimeter.
At the top of the clock tower, Fingel, holding binoculars, spoke into a microphone on his sleeve: "Target number three has moved to the east side of the S-class. Notify Ah Mao to intercept it."
"Received, Minister!" came a spirited voice through the earpiece.
"Alright, alright, everyone disperse," Nuonuo said, blocking Lu Mingfei's way. "We'll hold a celebration party, and everyone will get a share."
Nuonuo led the way, bringing Lu Mingfei and Ling out.
"Thanks, senior sister."
"No need to thank me," Nono casually brushed her wind-blown hair behind her ear. "If I hadn't pulled you out, those people would have stripped you naked."
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"Awoooooo! The S-class king has returned!"
That evening, as soon as Lu Mingfei returned to his dormitory, Fingel jumped over and gave him a bear hug.
Lu Mingfei's temple throbbed: "What's gotten into you now?"
"Lu Mingfei, so you didn't go to a hotel with Zero that day! You went to help a girl rank up!" Fingel brought his laptop over to show him.
The Night Watchers forum has pinned the full report on Operation Kuimen, followed by an exclusive interview with an S-class member from the news department.
Fingel leaned against Lu Mingfei, staring at the screen and muttering to himself, "That's not surprising, that's not surprising. So the reason you disappeared for several days wasn't because Zero drained you dry, but because you overused your Word Power."
"...Can't you find a girlfriend?" Lu Mingfei pushed him away. "Are you being too repressed?"
"Who would even look at me?" Fingel said. "I have my electronic girlfriend, that's enough for me."
Arguing about relationships with someone who can justify having a "digital girlfriend" is like discussing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence with a dragon servant. In the past, Lu Mingfei might have been able to have a proper discussion with him, but now that he has zero, he wisely chooses to keep quiet.
Fingel asked, "Why do you look so constipated today? The whole school is applauding you."
Lu Mingfei stared at the ceiling, remained silent for a while, and then said, "I don't know, I'm just not used to it."