Lu Chen had initially thought the teacher named Implacable was joking—it was perfectly normal for female teachers to joke around. However, Purifier's three-stage expression change, from disdain to astonishment to resignation, made Lu Chen also look surprised.
He had a strange feeling that he was a cynical playboy, and Purifier was a poor girl with no background, only looks. To keep this rare, well-paid job that supported her entire family, she had to sell her beauty.
"You are overthinking things," Lu Chen said helplessly. "Purifier is my teacher. How could I ask her to do something like that?"
Z23 whispered, "Not necessarily."
With the victim present, anything Lu Chen said was weak and powerless after being stained. "In any case, don't worry, I absolutely won't do that. Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave. Teacher Z23, I apologize for what happened this morning."
"Goodbye."
"Wait!" Purifier shouted. Her expression was highly strained, as if she were caught in some dilemma. "You can't go!"
Lu Chen turned back and asked, "Is there something else?"
"Do you really not want my photos?" Purifier scurried up to Lu Chen, staring intently into his eyes. "My school swimsuit, my pajamas, my casual clothes photos—you don't want any of them?"
Lu Chen subconsciously took a step back. "Do you want me to want them, or do you not want me to want them?"
"I'm asking you for your true feelings. Don't lie!" Purifier asked word by word. "Do… you… want… them?"
She found herself in a very awkward position. She didn't know if Lu Chen genuinely didn't want them. If she said something against her conscience because of her attitude, wouldn't that still count as a rejection?
Purifier didn't dare take the risk. As Sirens, they worried about the world's destruction more than anyone else.
Being scrutinized up close by Purifier's inhuman, yellow eyes, Lu Chen felt extremely pressured. He spoke truthfully, "I originally didn't want to, but now that you mention it, I kind of do."
Seeing Lu Chen admit it, Purifier actually felt relieved. It was just a few photos. Letting him look wouldn't hurt her, and she wouldn't have to be constantly on edge.
"Fine, if you want to look, you can look. I'll give them to you, but I'll only have time to take the selfies tonight," Purifier said through gritted teeth. "Tell me anything you want. If I can do it—no, even if I can't, I'll try my best."
She knew she was on a one-way path and couldn't turn back. Now, she could only commit fully. For world peace, Purifier was willing to pay any price.
"Teacher Purifier, your state is a little off, isn't it?" Lu Chen asked cautiously. The girl in front of him seemed to have a personality disorder, having changed completely in just a few minutes.
He began to suspect that he might have some passive skill similar to hypnosis.
"No, I just suddenly understood one thing," Purifier released Lu Chen. "I will definitely fulfill what I promised you. Do you have anything else? If not, you can leave."
"Oh." Lu Chen turned to leave. Today was another day that defied his imagination, and he was gradually starting to take it in stride.
Purifier asked, uneasy, "Are you really sure there's nothing else?"
"Really, really." Lu Chen left without looking back. He was afraid he would go crazy before Purifier did if he stayed any longer.
Watching Lu Chen leave, Purifier sighed, then turned to glare at Implacable. "Was that intentional? Are you happy now?"
"I just wanted you to face reality, Purifier," Implacable said. "I think you have some prejudice against my Commander. You need to remember, he is our only hope. Whatever he wants to do, we have no reason to refuse."
"Yes, yes, I know. Do I have a choice?" Purifier sighed. "Even if he asked me to sleep with him tonight, I wouldn't have the right to refuse."
Implacable chuckled softly. "You wish."
...
Lu Chen returned to the classroom and sat down next to Noshiro, whispering, "I thought Teacher Z23 was going to give me a good lecture, but she only said a few casual words."
Noshiro stopped writing and turned her face to listen seriously to Lu Chen. "Teacher Z23 has a very good temper. She wouldn't make things difficult for you."
"Are there any teachers with bad tempers in this academy?"
Noshiro thought for a moment, then burst into a soft laugh. "No, everyone is very gentle."
The girl named Javelin, to Lu Chen's left, quietly leaned in to listen to their conversation, but Lu Chen caught her red-handed because he was watching her.
"Your name is Javelin, right?" Lu Chen asked.
Javelin stiffened, then smiled shyly. "My name is Javelin, Lu Chen. Is there something I can help you with?"
Could it be? Did the Commander notice something different about Javelin? He's attracted to cute Javelin. Next comes dating, a date, becoming an Oath Ship, and reaching the pinnacle of ship life.
Hehehe, hehehe…
"You posted what just happened on Juus, didn't you? Teacher Z23 knows about it. Good luck," Lu Chen warned kindly.
"Eh?" Javelin was stunned. "Th-That fast?"
"Because one of the teachers is surfing the internet intensely," Lu Chen said.
Javelin stammered, "Well, Nimi-chan will probably forgive me."
It wasn't the first time she had done something similar, and Nimi-chan hadn't gotten very angry before, so this time should be no exception.
"I think so, too. Z23's temper is really good."
"Oh, right, Lu Chen, Taihou came looking for you earlier," Noshiro said. "After she found out Z23 took you away, she asked me to tell you that your phone has her photos, too—the very cute kind."
Lu Chen thought about it, pulled out his phone, and was very interested in Taihou's photos. He opened the folder and was almost blinded by the expanse of white skin.
Javelin's little head also leaned in. Seeing Taihou's figure, she looked down at herself, then back at Noshiro, chuckled awkwardly, and returned to her seat, playing dead by burying her face in the desk.
The two of us combined aren't as big as Taihou. I shouldn't go up there and embarrass myself.
"She is indeed cute," Lu Chen said.
Noshiro said, "Right? And Taihou really likes you. She'd do anything for you. Lu Chen, why don't you try to capture her?"
Capturing Taihou would be a one-sentence affair. What surprised Lu Chen was Noshiro's attitude. This wasn't the first time, and now she wasn't even pretending. "Why do you keep wanting me to find other women?"
"My boyfriend is so outstanding. What's wrong with having a few more girls?" Noshiro countered, as if stating that one plus one equals two. She wasn't being insincere or fake; she truly believed it in her heart.
She noticed Lu Chen seemed to have reservations about starting a harem. That wouldn't do. There were so many Ship Girls at the base. If he only drank from one gourd, how many Ship Girls would be heartbroken? She began to understand Hutten's idea. Sometimes, you had to use strong medicine.