Chapter 30: Inside the Governor’s Mansion

“Let’s go.” Zhang Wen was very satisfied with the surprised expression on Carlet’s face. He reached out and pulled open the heavy door of the isolation room, gesturing for Carlet to proceed. Naturally, Carlet, who was anxious and impatient, didn’t dare hesitate for even a moment. She quickly followed Zhang Wen out of the isolation room.

Although it was still early morning when Zhang Wen and Carlet left the isolation room—far earlier than the start of the daily classes—Almestius Academy was already bustling with activity.

Anyone with even a basic understanding of psychic arts knows that after a night’s rest, the early morning is when a psychic artist can perform at their peak. If one wishes to attempt more advanced psychic techniques, the time right after waking up each morning is the best opportunity.

On their way from the isolation room to the gates of Almestius Academy, Zhang Wen and Carlet encountered five or six students dressed in disarray, their hair sticking out like bird nests, with slices of bread clenched between their teeth as they sprinted past at top speed. Seeing such a scene, anyone would understand why Almestius Academy’s psychic arts department ranked among the best in the empire.

Thanks to these hardworking psychic arts students, Zhang Wen and Carlet didn’t have to worry about any sudden ambushes from assassins along the way as they left Almestius Academy.

Considering their assassination attempt the previous night, Zhang Wen and Carlet decided not to take the dangerous psychic-powered car for this trip to the governor’s mansion. Instead, they chose a more conservative option: a four-wheeled carriage pulled by a two-legged creature known as a “Benz-beast”—although on the planet Kasares, the term “carriage” was just Zhang Wen’s habitual way of referring to it.

When Zhang Wen first heard the name “Benz-beast,” he had jokingly wondered whether there might be creatures like “BMW-beasts” or “Ferrari-beasts” on other planets in the empire. However, compared to carriages on Earth, the Benz-beast carriages of Kasares lived up to their name in terms of speed.

Of course, even with the Benz-beasts fresh from breakfast and galloping at full speed along the main road, the journey to the governor’s mansion still took a considerable amount of time for Zhang Wen and Carlet. When they finally arrived, they found the governor’s mansion already in complete chaos.

After a night filled with emotional highs and lows, Governor Termiso had not slept well the previous night. When he awoke in the morning, his mind was still restless. The governor kept replaying the events of the previous night in his mind and couldn’t help analyzing them compulsively. It wasn’t until his personal aide urged him to the dining table that he suddenly realized he had forgotten something.

“Oh, right, Mishia. Did the representatives from Almestius Academy stay at the governor’s mansion last night?” Governor Termiso suddenly put down his utensils and looked up to ask his beautiful personal aide.

“Of course. After receiving the news of the attack on Governor Karajan’s party last night, I immediately ordered the guards to bring the Almestius Academy delegation back to the governor’s mansion,” the composed and elegant female aide replied, adjusting her glasses.

“Oh, that’s good to hear… then everything’s fine,” Governor Termiso exhaled in relief, pretending to continue eating while sneaking a peek at the elegant legs beneath Mishia’s skirt. “What about Carlet? Since she stayed at the mansion, she doesn’t need to be so formal, right? Why didn’t she bring everyone here for breakfast?”

“Governor, I was just about to report that,” the female aide, unfazed by the governor’s leering gaze, stood even straighter and became more serious. “After the banquet ended last night, Miss Carlet disappeared without a trace. Several members of the academy delegation said they saw her chasing after Professor Zhang Wen from the governor’s mansion, and she never returned after that.”

“Oh right… she ran off after that guy,” Governor Termiso nodded thoughtfully, his expression a bit strange, but he said nothing further.

“That’s not the most important part,” Mishia continued quickly, not giving the governor a chance to lower his head again to peek at her legs. She swiftly pulled a report from her folder and placed it expressionlessly in front of the governor. “This is an urgent report from the city defense commander, received two hours ago. A severely damaged psychokinetic car and two corpses were discovered on the Lorraine Avenue leading from the governor’s mansion to Almestius Academy. Preliminary analysis suggests it was an assassination attempt. The estimated time of death for the two bodies was around midnight last night.”

“What? Another assassination attempt?” Governor Termiso’s eyebrows furrowed in shock as he reached for the report. But before his hand could even touch the edge of the document, he suddenly jumped up from his chair as if he had been burned.

“What did you say?! An assassination attempt?! Was it Carlet? Was it Carlet? Is she okay?!” Governor Termiso, losing his composure, grabbed Mishia’s shoulders and shook her anxiously.

“Stay calm, Governor. Please stay calm!” The female aide, clearly prepared for Termiso’s emotional outburst, stared into his eyes without the slightest surprise, calming him down.

“Alright, alright,” Governor Termiso muttered impatiently, finally releasing Mishia’s shoulders.

“According to the city defense report, the two corpses are likely both assassins. There was no blood found near the damaged psychic vehicle. In other words, even if Carlet was the target, she is likely still safe. What you need to do now is to remain calm.”

“Nonsense! How can I stay calm?! Even if there’s no blood near the psychic car, how can you be sure Carlet is safe? Besides, if Carlet were really safe, why hasn’t she returned yet? I bet there were more than just two assassins! They might have already kidnapped my little Carlet! Damn it! If they dare to harm even a hair on my little Carlet’s head, I’ll make them regret it with every ounce of their being!!!” Governor Termiso ranted anxiously, pacing back and forth in the room, ending with a string of curses filled with obscenities and bloodthirsty threats.

In fact, when Mishia first saw the report, her thoughts were almost identical to the governor’s current assumptions. However, the experienced aide knew she couldn’t allow Governor Termiso to remain in such a state of panic.

“Governor, if Carlet has indeed been kidnapped, you must stay calm. Only then can you rescue her from the kidnappers,” Mishia quickly added.

“Alright, alright. You’re right,” Governor Termiso’s agitation subsided slightly. He rubbed his forehead and sat back down, grumbling, “Then we can only wait now.”

To be fair, among the generally impatient imperial officials, Governor Termiso’s patience could be considered quite good. Although he had the servants and attendants in the governor’s mansion running around frantically, at least the governor hadn’t lost his head and issued an order for full city lockdown.

Finally, under Mishia’s guidance, Governor Termiso suppressed his anxiety and connected with the city defense headquarters. On the communicator, Governor Termiso finally had the chance to vent his frustration. And just as the governor was yelling furiously at the poor city defense commander, Zhang Wen and Carlet walked through the gates of the governor’s mansion.

“Miss Carlet!” The diligent and beautiful aide immediately noticed the two entering and slightly reprimanded Carlet by calling her name.

“Mishia, sister,” Carlet stuck out her tongue, displaying a slightly awkward expression that no one at school had probably ever seen.

It was clear that Carlet truly respected and feared the beautiful female aide by the governor’s side. After observing Mishia for a while, Zhang Wen even felt that Carlet’s usual behavior at school was probably an imitation of this pretty, serious, and commanding woman.

“Carlet? Thank goodness, you’re finally back!” Hearing Mishia’s voice, Governor Termiso immediately turned around. Seeing Carlet and Zhang Wen standing before him, the governor finally exhaled in relief.

“Um,” Carlet hadn’t expected her return to cause such a commotion and could only nod helplessly.

“It’s nothing, nothing. You’re safe, that’s what matters,” Governor Termiso, no longer caring that the communicator was still connected to the city defense commander, kept reassuring his beloved Carlet.

“Miss Carlet, you really shouldn’t have done that last night!” Mishia continued to play her role as the responsible aide. Since the governor had played the good cop, she naturally had to play the bad cop.

“I’m sorry,” Carlet’s reverence for Mishia was clearly deeply ingrained. Facing Mishia’s scolding, the student council president, who was usually in absolute control at school, barely dared to breathe loudly.

“Miss Carlet, do you even realize how worried the governor was last night? Even if you encountered trouble and couldn’t return to the governor’s mansion immediately, you should have at least found a way to let the governor know you were safe. Did you really need someone to teach you that?” The way Mishia scolded Carlet reminded Zhang Wen of the strict and serious governesses he had seen in foreign films from his past life.

Although Mishia’s words were directed at Carlet, Zhang Wen could clearly sense that the blame aimed at himself was even heavier. Carlet was still a child; it was understandable for her to be shaken after an assassination attempt. But as a teacher from Almestius Academy, Zhang Wen had failed to even think of notifying the governor after the incident, which was inexcusable.

“Oh! Mishia, they’re safe now, so just let it go,” Governor Termiso, clearly helpless in the face of his strict aide, could only plead with a smile.

At that moment, a teasing voice suddenly rang out in the ears of the four people: “Well well! Who made our governor so upset?”

“Huh?” Governor Termiso turned around in slight annoyance, only to see Remu’s unpleasant smile. Although the captain of the imperial guards from the capital held a lower rank than the governor, no sane governor would dare to offend such a powerful figure who was trusted by the emperor. Seeing Remu’s visit, Governor Termiso dared not be careless.

Beside Remu stood a woman with a serious expression. However, this woman was unexpectedly not Remu’s aide, Cecilia, but rather the psychic arts teacher from the Temis Academy delegation. The combination of the imperial guard captain and the psychic arts teacher from Temis Academy was indeed quite strange.

Governor Termiso glanced at Mishia and quickly handed her the communicator, which was still connected to the city defense commander. Then, with a slight smile, he approached Remu and the female teacher: “It’s Remu Captain and Ms. Karolyn. How was your night last night?”

“Hmph!” Karolyn gave Governor Termiso a sharp, embarrassing snort in response to his question.

“Hehe, last night I indeed had quite an eye-opening experience. Kasares truly is a place full of hidden talents,” Remu smiled, his words full of mysterious undertones.

“I’m very sorry about the attack on Governor Karajan. However, I can assure you on behalf of Kasares that we will quickly find the culprits and eliminate these terrorists for Governor Karajan. As for Captain Remu, as long as you are satisfied, it won’t violate the hospitality of the people of Kasares,” Governor Termiso, a seasoned figure in the imperial bureaucracy, naturally wasn’t affected by a mere cold snort from a female teacher.

“Oh? Haha! Governor, you flatter me,” Remu laughed heartily and continued, “However, last night, Governor Karajan complained to me for half the night.”

“Ah! This…” Governor Termiso was momentarily at a loss for words as Remu suddenly brought up the topic of Karajan’s assassination.

Deep down, Governor Termiso had already anticipated that Karajan would probably report the assassination attempt to Remu. However, he had been too flustered to face that thought directly.

At the critical moment of deciding Princess Sophia’s fate, an assassination attempt against a governor had suddenly occurred on Kasares. Such a poor security situation would undoubtedly raise serious concerns for the imperial guard captain sent from the capital to investigate. After all, if a governor could be assassinated on Kasares, Princess Sophia might face the same danger.

Governor Termiso even suspected that Kasares had already been removed from the candidate list by this smiling tiger-like imperial guard captain. And his sudden visit today was probably to inform him: your Almestius Academy has no chance.

“Indeed, there were some unexpected emergencies last night. I was just dealing with those matters. As for Governor Karajan’s situation, I will definitely give him a satisfactory explanation,” Governor Termiso, having accepted the situation, straightened his posture and solemnly assured everyone.

“Hehe, Governor, there’s no need to be nervous. Although Governor Karajan is a bit worried about the security situation on Kasares, I believe it’s just an isolated incident. Governor Termiso will quickly regain control of the situation, right?” Remu smiled as he spoke, and his words involuntarily gave Termiso a sense of hope—the Almestius Academy was not yet out of the running.

“Of course!” Governor Termiso nodded decisively. Although Governor Termiso didn’t understand why Remu would still give Almestius Academy a chance after such a major mistake, he wasn’t about to back down in the face of an opportunity.

“Hehe, I believe Governor Termiso has that capability,” Remu continued to speak calmly, his ever-present smile revealing nothing of his true thoughts.

“Governor,” just as Governor Termiso was preparing to probe further, his female aide Mishia suddenly called him with a serious expression.

“What is it?” Governor Termiso immediately turned around. Having served as Mishia’s aide for five years, their coordination was always seamless. Governor Termiso knew that unless it was extremely important, Mishia would never interrupt him at a time like this.

“Governor!” Mishia, with a solemn expression, approached the governor and whispered a few words into his ear. Immediately, those present could see a flash of shock on Governor Termiso’s face, which quickly turned into a dark expression.

“Governor, you don’t have more bad news, do you?” Karolyn, the female teacher, sneered sarcastically.

“Perhaps,” Governor Termiso hesitated for a moment but quickly nodded seriously and spoke rapidly, “At the scene of the assassination, the city defense personnel were attacked! Five masked eighth-tier experts attacked them. Although the soldiers repelled the attackers, the two assassin corpses were taken away. Moreover, they threatened that such attacks could happen at any time in the coming days. I have already ordered the city defense to strengthen their vigilance.”

“Oh…” Remu nodded inscrutably, his smile unchanged, as if he had already anticipated what was to come. Karolyn merely sneered again lightly.

“Captain Remu, do you have anything to say? You and Ms. Karolyn came to the governor’s mansion specifically, not just to chat with the governor, right?” Mishia once again helped Governor Termiso out of his awkwardness at the most appropriate moment.

“Hehe. Don’t worry. I said, this is Kasares, and I believe Governor Termiso has the ability to control the situation,” Remu smiled faintly and waved his hand indifferently, “Actually, I came here not to interfere with your work, but to accompany Ms. Karolyn to convey Governor Karajan’s suggestion.”

“Karajan’s suggestion?” At the mention of Karajan’s name, Governor Termiso frowned.

“Exactly. Although I trust Governor Termiso’s ability, Governor Karajan complained to me all night long. He believes that under the current circumstances, he cannot allow his students to remain in Kasares City and risk being attacked.”

“What? Is Temis Academy going to withdraw?” Governor Termiso became anxious. If Temis Academy truly withdrew from the competition due to safety concerns, regardless of how much confidence Remu had in Termiso’s ability to control the situation, Almestius Academy would be defeated without even fighting.

“Of course not,” Karolyn immediately denied the governor’s assumption.

“Then…”

“Last night, all members of our Temis Academy carefully considered the matter. We believe that the current situation in Kasares City is no longer suitable for us to continue with the exchange program. However, if we completely cancel the exchange and appear weak in front of those terrorists, that would not be in line with the style of Temis Academy. Therefore, we request to cancel all competitions held within Kasares City and directly proceed to the final stage of this exchange. The terrorists’ main target is within Kasares City; they probably won’t go to the other half of the planet to pursue a few students into the Sandra Forest.”

“Hmm… That does sound somewhat reasonable… However…” Hearing that Temis Academy was not withdrawing, Governor Termiso immediately felt relieved. However, for the moment, he couldn’t figure out what Karajan was really up to, so he stalled for time while desperately thinking.

“Alright, I’ve delivered the message. Almestius Academy can carefully consider our proposal. However, if Almestius Academy insists on rejecting our proposal, for the safety of the students, we will have no choice but to abandon this exchange,” Karolyn, completely indifferent to Governor Termiso’s stalling, threw down a few threatening words before coldly walking away.

“Hehe, the final decision is not something I, an outsider, should interfere with. I believe Governor Termiso will make the best judgment,” Remu gave Governor Termiso a meaningful look and then left the governor’s mansion with Karolyn.

“Temis Academy suggests proceeding directly into Sandra Forest?” Not long after Remu and Karolyn left, the representatives of Almestius Academy were summoned to the study by Governor Termiso. After listening to Mishia’s report, the group of psychic arts teachers exchanged glances.

Frankly speaking, at last night’s banquet, both Sailing and Zhang Wen had left a deep impression on them. Among the teachers present, even those who didn’t say anything openly were secretly thinking: this time, Temis Academy’s psychic arts department was probably doomed to lose, while their physical arts department might just pull off an upset.

Temis Academy’s proposal to cancel the exchange program and directly enter the final survival competition effectively spared Almestius’s psychic arts department from a potentially embarrassing situation. However, the psychic arts teachers dared not accept this huge favor from Temis Academy and instead hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.

Frankly speaking, if this exchange program were just a regular visit like before, the psychic arts teachers would have eagerly agreed to Temis Academy’s suggestion. However, the teachers from Almestius Academy present knew the situation was not that simple. This exchange was not only about Almestius Academy’s reputation but also about Princess Sophia’s future!

Temis Academy’s proposal to directly enter the survival competition was, on the surface, justified by concerns for student safety. But did the teachers of Almestius Academy not know the real reason? They clearly saw that after witnessing Amelie’s amazing performance under Zhang Wen’s guidance last night, Temis Academy had lost confidence in their chances of winning the competition. After all, a genius like Jiji was at least a once-in-a-century phenomenon. The other students in Temis Academy’s psychic arts department were definitely no match for those from Almestius Academy.

Even if Temis Academy could win by relying on Jiji’s exceptional personal abilities and deal a blow to Almestius’s psychic arts department, their victory would likely be a narrow one. On the other hand, judging from Amelie’s performance last night, even a fool could see that Temis Academy’s physical arts department was likely to suffer a major defeat! In other words, although Almestius Academy’s psychic arts department might suffer some embarrassment, their chances of ultimately winning still exceeded seventy percent.