Dean Como frowned at the bickering professors. "Negotiate that privately. For now, I must take him to his Placement Assessment." Turning to Eros, he said, "Let’s go."

  The crowd instinctively parted, creating a path for Eros as he followed the Dean to the testing hall. The original proctors were stunned to see three Deans escorting a single student, but once they heard the rumors, they understood the weight of the situation.

  With the Deans personally overseeing the process, the test papers were produced almost instantly. Eros began his exam under the intense scrutiny of three Deans and a head proctor. Feeling four pairs of eyes drilling into him from every angle, Eros’s mouth twitched. I’ve never had such an intense proctoring session in two lifetimes. Fortunately, I don't need cheat sheets anymore.

  He picked up the pen and wrote without hesitation. Less than a third of the allotted time had passed before he handed in his paper. The three Deans huddled together to grade it, only to be left speechless. Eros had completed exactly eighty percent of the questions—not one more, not one less.

  They didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Having just heard Eros ask what it took to get into the fifth year, they knew this "eighty percent" was deliberate. Yet, seeing that every single answer he gave was flawless, they felt it was only natural. He’s a Holy Son, after all. It would be weirder if he weren't this impressive.

  Dean Como nodded. "Very well. You may go collect your uniform and select your room. We’ll take our leave; we need to report your situation to the higher-ups."

  Once the Deans and teachers were out of sight, Undine hurried over, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Well? How did it go?"

  "Barely managed to scrape into the fifth year," Eros replied, putting on an "I tried my best" expression.

  Undine was thrilled. She grabbed his arm, pulling it into her embrace as she dragged him along. "I'll take you to get your uniform! Though you don't actually have to wear it; the academy isn't strict about that. Forget the dorms, just come to my villa. You're staying with me from now on."

  Outside the crowd, Prince Saliba’s brow deepened at the sight. He turned to his lackey. "Send word back to the Palace that the Elven bloodline has resurfaced. Also, ask the clan elders if they have any interest in it." The lackey bowed and vanished. Saliba watched the departing trio—Undine, Eros, and Joanie—with a cold, predatory light in his eyes.

  That night, Undine had planned to sleep in the same room as Eros, but since Joanie stayed over, a three-person bed was out of the question. Reluctantly, Undine kicked Eros out to another room while she shared with Joanie.

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  However, she noticed that since Joanie learned about Eros’s elven blood, her curiosity about him had reached fever pitch. Joanie spent the whole night badgering Undine for stories about Eros’s past. Alarm bells rang in Undine’s mind; she began to eye her "best friend" with newfound suspicion. Is Joanie actually falling for that brat?

  The next morning, Eros was led to the fifth-year classroom. Most of the students were already there, and they stared with intense curiosity. News of the "Rose Duke’s heir with elven blood" had spread like wildfire. To see a living legend—a member of a race that had vanished for millennia—was a rare treat.

  Eros, in turn, scanned his future classmates. His lips curled into a slight, knowing smile when his gaze landed on a specific individual.

  Sitting in the far-right corner was a "frail, skinny boy." To the others, he was just a quiet student. But through Eros’s eyes, he saw a girl with vibrant red hair. Her face looked incredibly familiar—strikingly similar to the red-haired woman he had seen in the alleyway when he first entered the capital. This girl was younger and more innocent, whereas the woman in the alley was mature and seductive. Sisters?

  Interesting, Eros thought. Disguising herself to infiltrate the academy... she clearly isn't on the same side as the Three Churches. Looks like there’ll be plenty of drama to witness later.

  The red-haired girl was also curious about the "Elf" and looked his way. Their eyes met in mid-air. Eros gave her a wide, friendly grin. Caught off guard by the attention, the girl offered a shy, timid smile in return.

  On the other side of the room, Undine waved, signaling Eros to sit next to her. Eros shook his head and, much to her confusion, strode over to the red-haired girl and plopped down right beside her.

  He threw an arm around the girl’s shoulders, leaning in with over-the-top enthusiasm. "Hey, brother! Mind if I sit here from now on?"

  The girl, unaware her cover was already blown, stiffened for a second before feigning a stammering, frightened tone. "Y-y-yes, of course!"

  Eros chuckled and extended his hand. "I’m Eros Lenka North."

  Looking at his hand, the girl hesitated before extending her own—a hand that looked rough due to her illusion magic. "I... I’m Thomas!"

  "Thomas? Do you have a little engine?"

  "Huh?" The girl was bewildered. What is he talking about? I’m disguised as a poor, honest commoner's son. Why would this noble brat ask if I have a train? Does he think everyone has a private steam engine? Is he an idiot?

  Eros, oblivious to being labeled an idiot, was simply reminded of Thomas the Tank Engine from his past life. He squeezed her hand, then felt her wrist. "Wow, your hand is so delicate!"

  An icy shiver ran down the girl's spine. Still thinking her disguise held, she assumed this noble playboy simply had some... "special preferences."

  Disgusted, she felt goosebumps erupt all over her skin. She tried to yank her hand away as if she’d been burned, but Eros suddenly let go. The girl lost her balance and began to fall backward, only for Eros to catch her firmly by the waist.

  His hand lingered there, feeling the curve. He narrowed his eyes and teased, "Why is your waist so thin too? You’re a grown man, but your waist is like a woman’s. Do they not feed you enough?"