Chapter 22: No Hip-Hop in England

"Afternoon tea is a tradition at our branch, reserved exclusively for the most outstanding students. Do not underestimate this honor; many students go their entire time here without ever being invited to sit and drink tea, and you have been at this school for barely half a year."

The elderly man sat upright at his desk, speaking fluent Japanese. A single rose was tucked into the breast pocket of his elegant suit.

He poured a stream of deep red tea from a bone china pot, a wisp of dense white steam rising as it filled the porcelain cup.

"Hot Earl Grey, harvested in August. It is quite robust, so I suggest you savor it carefully. Would you like some sugar?"

A small cup of sugar cubes was pushed toward her. Chihaya Anon looked at the old man, then at the black tea. She figured she was doomed either way, so she braced herself.

"I’ll take some!"

One after another, she dropped eight sugar cubes into the cup—a lethal dose. The tea rippled, shattering the reflection of her long pink hair. In moments like this, only something overwhelmingly sweet could rescue a heart as barren and desolate as a wasteland.

Chihaya Anon, fifteen years old, is about to graduate from middle school and is currently studying abroad at the Calford Academy in England.

To the outside world, this is a school with a century-long history, but its true name is the Kassel College British Branch.

Most of the students here come from across Europe; there are only a handful of Asians. The school exists specifically to serve students of mixed-blood descent—those possessing dragon blood—and provides education from ages one to eighteen.

The curriculum is vastly different from that of ordinary schools. Beyond standard subjects, it teaches Dragon Genealogy, Dragon and Spirit Speech, and Dragon Bloodline Theory. Additionally, every student must independently choose three elective courses from a list that includes subjects ordinary people never encounter: firearms, hand-to-hand combat, navigation, flight, and demolition.

The school’s academic atmosphere is austere and rigorous. Every overseas student is assigned a one-on-one mentor. Only those who successfully graduate earn the right to enter the Kassel College main campus without further examination—an achievement managed by only a few individuals each year.

Regrettably, in all the aforementioned elective courses, Anon’s highest grade was a C. Her elective scores bounced rhythmically between passing and failing.

The old man’s remark that afternoon tea was for the most outstanding students sounded like mockery to her ears.

The last person to hold this honor was a golden-haired Italian who had secured early graduation with straight S grades in all his electives.

Before he left, he gave every girl in the school a small farewell gift. He hadn't forgotten to ruffle Anon’s hair, giving her a thumbs-up and saying, "Don't listen to them, Anon! I believe you're the best. My judgment has never been wrong!"

Back then, his sea-blue eyes were filled with the charm of a playboy, and his face—handsome enough for a magazine cover—was full of sincere encouragement. It looked exactly like a big brother lecturing a younger sibling.

Though she desperately wanted to step forward and punch that self-proclaimed handsome face, Anon could only smile, while in her heart, her inner self was unleashing a flurry of blows: *Upper hook! Spiral pile-driver! Front Lotus! ORA! Baka! DIE!!!*

And what was with "Anon"? Her name was ANON! Did these British guys only know how to read the first half? Even as an Italian, how could he get it wrong after half a year?

Though she detested that arrogant guy, Anon could only envy him.

She wasn't sitting here because she was outstanding; she was here because she was so terrible that even the Dean, who rarely made an appearance, couldn't help but want a private word with her.

But she felt this really wasn't her fault. Her classmates were all super-humans—or rather, "little dragons."

Most of them had awakened their bloodlines when they were only a few years old. Some came from Italian crime syndicates, others were princesses from various royal families, and some had even participated in revolutions in small African nations. They had grown up driving Toyotas and playing with hunting rifles; give them steel pipes and aluminum alloy, and they could hand-craft an AK-47.

And then there was her: a girl who had lived under the safe and secure protection of Japan, only awakening her bloodline a year ago. Before that, her parents—who were themselves mixed-bloods—had never mentioned a single word about dragons. Aside from being from a relatively wealthy family, she was a completely ordinary person among ordinary people.

To ask her to train with these "little dragons," to sail a yacht from Britain to the Cape of Good Hope, to parachute from a plane at three thousand meters into the Atlantic, to survive on the African savanna for a week with nothing but a hunting knife...

Wasn't that a bit too hard on her? What was wrong with being at the bottom of the class? It was a miracle she was still alive and breathing, wasn't it?

"Since you’ve guessed that this isn't good news, I will be blunt."

The old man opened a white envelope on his desk. Inside was a transcript stamped by the Academic Affairs Office, the bright red letters shocking to the eye. "Anon, your grades... they are truly abysmal."

"Am I being expelled?" Anon hung her head, the weight of her despair like a mountain, making it impossible to lift her chin.

***

Remembering Chihaya back then: her bloodline awakened, full of spirit and ambition, pink hair and black-framed glasses. In her mind, she had imagined coming to England, her heart full of talent, destined for success and a triumphant return in fine silks. Now? Life is like a dream—she just hoped no one would slap her in the face.

If she went back like this, how shameful would it be? She still remembered how she had bragged to her junior high classmates, telling them she was going to study abroad in England at an elite school and would be guaranteed a spot in an American private university!

Now, she probably wouldn't even dare to step through the school gates.

"Expulsion is not the case. Although this branch is a preparatory school for the main Kassel campus, we have taught you many things that ordinary people cannot access. If I sent you to a regular school now, those skills would be a waste of your time. Youth is fleeting, and it is a shame to waste it," the old man said calmly.

"Then I still have a chance?" Anon’s eyes brightened, revealing a cute little canine tooth.

"Yes."

Anon patted her chest, a smile spreading across her face, feeling blissfully relieved.

Oh my, why didn't he say so earlier! Acting so solemn, the atmosphere heavier than a funeral, making her think he was going to give her a cold shoulder and kick her out. After all that fuss, it was just a "strike first, show kindness later" tactic! Why was this mysterious Dean so mean? Playing such a cruel trick on their first meeting.

"Thank you, Dean!" She stood up and bowed respectfully.

"I don't particularly care for the title 'Dean.' I am only a nominal head at this branch; I occasionally stop by to see if there are any new students with infinite potential."

"Then how should I address you?"

"My full name is Hilbert Jean Angers, the Principal of Kassel College." The old man nodded with a smile.

Anon snapped to attention. She hadn't expected the Dean who had specifically requested to see her today to be the actual Principal of Kassel College.

"No need to be so nervous," Angers waved his hand. "I am indeed here to discuss your future, but before that, I have some questions. How much do you know about Kassel College?"

"I only know it’s the best school for mixed-bloods..." Anon scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

There was no systematic organization for training mixed-bloods in Japan. The only group with such capabilities was the Yakuza's Snake-岐 Eight Families (Shikibake).

Anon’s father was a very upright man. He didn't want his daughter to have any connection with the Yakuza. After much deliberation, he hoped Anon could study at Kassel College, having heard it was the elite school for mixed-bloods.

But Kassel was a university, and his daughter was too young, so he had sent her to the British preparatory branch to adapt early.

Therefore, Anon knew absolutely nothing about what Kassel was really like. It was simply the path her father had pointed out for her.

"Have you never wondered why the branch has so many special elective courses? They are often niche, and the content is arduous and dangerous," Angers said. "That is because the ultimate goal of all Kassel courses is to slay dragons."

"Slay... slay dragons?" Anon stammered. She knew about the existence of dragons and mixed-bloods from her family, but she didn't know anyone was actually doing such things.

"Yes. In fact, I have been observing you for these past six months. Unlike others, you have no clear goal, and you aren't very attentive to your studies. At first, I thought you couldn't keep up with the curriculum, but after I investigated your background, I understood."

Angers spread his hands. "Your family are mixed-bloods, but their connection to the mixed-blood world is thin. They only rely on their bloodline advantages to do business. They don't understand the world well enough. To them, Kassel is like a parent with no real insight, constantly reciting the names of prestigious schools, thinking that’s the best place to be, hoping their child gets in. As for what happens after they get in, they know nothing."

"What happens?" Anon couldn't help but ask.

"Slaying dragons is an extremely dangerous business. Everyone who comes to Kassel usually gets involved. You might never see your family again; there will only be a white death notification and a pension sent to your mansion’s mailbox."

Angers looked into Anon's eyes. "I think it is necessary to tell you this, otherwise you will remain lost, not knowing what you are doing."

Anon fell silent. Angers had indeed seen through her heart. He was truly the Principal of Kassel, a remarkable educator.

In truth, she hadn't been confident before coming to England. She only knew about this place through her father, and she just wanted to show off in front of everyone. As long as she heard her classmates cheering, "Chihaya is so amazing!", she felt satisfied and happy.

As for what came after? She had never thought about it. Only after arriving did she realize what kind of school this was, and those superhuman courses were simply beyond her ability.

Back in Japan, she was an honor student in everyone's eyes. Here, she was a failure who couldn't beat anyone. In hand-to-hand combat, everyone could take her down in three moves; her knees were always covered in adhesive bandages.

She couldn't make any friends, and her classmates even mispronounced her name as "Anon" (Ann). Consequently, she had even less heart for her studies.

If she thought about it carefully, wasn't this all her own fault? Getting carried away by cheers and congratulations, making the wrong decisions.

But that was just the kind of person she was. Not particularly good, not particularly bad. She was about to turn sixteen, and she still didn't know where her future lay; as long as she heard people praising her, she was content.

"Do you like slaying dragons?" Angers asked softly.

"How could I possibly like that..." Anon muttered. "I only found out the world had dragons a short while ago. I’ve never even seen one with my own eyes, let alone have any deep-seated hatred. Why should I kill a bunch of dragons I've never met?"

"But when dragons wake up, they think of reviving the dragon race. To them, humans are just an obstacle, and if they are an obstacle, they must be wiped out."

"Then... when the dragons come to kill me, I'll just fight back, right?" Anon scratched her head.

Angers smiled faintly, as if he had seen something very interesting.

"Did I say something wrong?" Anon was confused.

"No, you are quite correct," Angers said. "Many mixed-bloods in this world have the same thoughts as you. People like those at Kassel, who live only to slay dragons, are the minority. So your thinking is not wrong at all. It is like a Chinese saying: when the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up; the emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are panicking for him."

"If one day the dragon race really wants to destroy all of humanity, I think Kassel would be the first to appear, right? That doesn't seem fair to Kassel," Anon mused.

"There is no absolute fairness in this world. Some people take the initiative to take responsibility, while others want to avoid it. Everyone has their own way of living; walking your own path is what matters most." Angers picked up his cup of tea. "Do you remember the senior at this branch?"

"His name is Caesar Gattuso," Anon nodded.

"He is the type of person who loves slaying dragons. Even without following the path of Kassel, his family background would allow him to enjoy a noble life forever. But he wants to prove himself, and slaying dragons is his way of doing so, because he thinks no extreme challenge in the world is more interesting than this."

"So he’s such a cool person..." Anon’s opinion of that flashy guy changed slightly.

"I don't mean to pressure you to join the dragon-slaying. Your bloodline awakened later than others, and you were born into a peaceful environment. You can choose your future however you wish. If you decide to slay dragons, start studying hard from now on; with your bloodline, getting the exemption for admission won't be difficult."

"No need, thank you for your advice," Anon smiled and shook her head. "I don't have such high ambitions. My parents dote on me. If I died on the battlefield of dragon-slaying, they would be very sad. I don't want them to be sad."

"If you were my daughter, I would be very happy to hear you say that."

Angers showed an appreciative expression. "Then, I will point out a second path for you. In a while, you will reach the age for high school. I can set a special assessment task for you. You don't need to stay here to study; you can return to Tokyo for high school. If you complete this task, you will receive unconditional admission to Kassel and a large scholarship."

"That good?" Anon’s eyes sparkled. If there were a mirror nearby, she was sure her eyes would be reflecting rolling dollar signs.

Her family didn't lack money, but they weren't indulgent. Their family tradition was: don't be stingy with big purchases, but don't spend carelessly on small things.

For example, she could buy a full set of musical equipment in one go, and her father would just glance at it and sign the bill. But if she bought a mountain of desserts that she couldn't finish and had to throw away, she would get a bamboo cane on her palms.

How much to spend each day, what was necessary, what could not be wasted—Anon knew this clearly, and her father calculated it just as clearly. Her pocket money was always kept at just the right level.

"Not only that, I won't ask you to slay dragons in the future. After you finish your training at Kassel, I will arrange for you to stay in Tokyo. You will be responsible for the Academy's safe house in Tokyo. This will grant you a permanent stipend from the Academy, giving you plenty of time to spend with your parents, play the guitar, pet your cats, and live a retirement-like life in advance."

"The conditions are so good, I'm afraid to keep listening," Anon stuck out her tongue. "I have a feeling the next thing you'll ask me to do is assassinate the Prime Minister of Japan or something."

"Kassel does not get involved in international politics; that is not conducive to dragon-slaying. However, what I want you to do is indeed somewhat similar." Angers folded his hands, a sharp light flowing in the depths of his eyes. "Are you interested in being a spy?"