Who hid My Corpse!

"Sorry, sorry," Phinis said with a smile, "So how did you resolve it in the end?"

"Someone named Anita helped me," Hewinia said, glancing at Phinis's eyes intentionally or otherwise, "Do you know who she is? I'd like to thank her."

"Anita, eh?" Phinis's expression didn't reveal much as he nodded slightly, "It seems that she is the one managing the girls' dormitory."

"So she's just a dorm manager?" Hewinia sighed, "First Academy really is something else, having a Golden Note as a dormitory manager. It looks like if I stay at First Academy, I'll only be fit to become a cleaner."

"Hehe, don't be so exaggerated," said Phinis with a smile, "Miss Anita is only working part-time as a dorm manager, she has another identity."

"What identity?" asked Hewinia, "Is she also someone from the Taichu Two Families?"

"No," Phinis shook his head, "She's the principal's disciple."

"The principal's disciple?" Hewinia was taken aback.

"Yes," Phinis nodded again, "She is one of the Golden Notes who was personally brought to this academy by the principal from the Seed District of some noble family over a decade ago."

Hearing this, Hewinia's brow twitched subtly.

When she connected the words "Seed District" and "Golden Note," it was hard not to speculate about something.

After all, the last person to link these two terms was Cesar.

And the one before that was Hewinia herself.

Although her Golden Note status came with quotation marks, who knew whether the other party might also be a significant player?

With Cesar as a precedent, Hewinia realized she wasn't unique.

Could this Golden Note, also from the Seed District, possibly be the next Cesar?

Moreover, one personally brought back by the principal himself.

While pondering, Hewinia continued to casually probe Phinis for information, "Then has she joined the Taichu family's orchestra?"

"No, she has not," said Phinis, "She hasn't joined any orchestra, at least not for now."

Hewinia looked at Phinis with some surprise: "Why is that? Hasn't anyone invited her?"

"How could that be," Phinis laughed, shaking his head, "I invited her a long time ago, but she turned me down. And as far as I know, the Taichu Two Families have also extended invitations, but she refused them as well."

"Is she not planning to participate in the event?"

"Of course not," said Phinis, "No Player can refuse the event. According to her, she just hasn't decided yet which orchestra to join. I guess... she probably doesn't find us up to par."

Hewinia was even more surprised, "She doesn't think you're adequate? Nor the Taichu Two Families? But apart from you and the Taichu Two Families, what other orchestra has the qualifications to compete for the event ranking?"

"Don't say 'you,' say 'we,'" Phinis corrected Hewinia with a smile and then explained, "Actually, it's understandable. After all, she is the principal's student, and what the principal has been pursuing is not the ranking, but to create an enduring Seven Notes·Divine Song that will go down in history, just like he did at the event twenty years ago. So as the principal's student, it's natural that she thinks little of us and the Taichu Two Families, who are only after rankings. Hence, there has always been a rumor that if someone aims for the Seven Notes·Divine Song, she would join without hesitation."

"I see..." mused Hewinia.

"Unfortunately, there will be no more Seven Notes·Divine Song. The principal came close twenty years ago, but alas, just missed it. Nowadays, both the Taichu Two Families and we would not allow it," Phinis declared, "So no matter how long she waits, she will have to choose an orchestra in the end."

Pausing, Phinis looked at Hewinia with a smile.

"So, Anita is also our target. If you can get on her good side, you might try inviting her to join us."

"Ah," Hewinia pointed to herself, "Me? I'm just an outsider."

"Anita may well be fond of you because you're the Seventh Note... that is the principal's greatest regret. Due to the fondness for the house, she too will like you, as the principal's most favored student."

Hewinia cocked her head to the side. "I didn't know there's such a saying... Well, I can give it a try, but you can't blame me if I fail."

"Heavens no," Phinis said with a laugh. "I'm already grateful that you're willing to help."

As they spoke, they had already arrived at the dining room.

Just before entering the dining room, Phinis stopped.

"Miss Hevnia, you were too tired yesterday, so there were some things I didn't finish saying," Phinis said, looking at Hevnia, and slowly began, "But now, before we officially meet Karen, I must explain in advance so you're mentally prepared."

Hevnia guessed something. "Is it about Mr. Karen?"

"Yes," Phinis nodded slightly. "Karen's body is rather... unique."

"Unique?"

"Yes, you could think of it as having some flaws," Phinis said. "It's related to his birth. His father is a young master of the Chu family, but his mother's background isn't very good. Perhaps because of this, his body is different from normal people, and even his personality is somewhat odd."

Hevnia understood. "So that's why he has not joined the Chu family's orchestra?"

"Exactly. His relationship with the Chu family is quite strained, so he merely bears the Chu surname; in essence, he leans more toward being a free Player," Phinis explained. "That's why I could persuade him to join us, but to be honest, it isn't a good choice because..."

Before Phinis could finish, a deep voice came from the dining room, "This is your only choice now, isn't it? Heh heh heh, you still can't change your habit of speaking ill of others behind their backs, Phinis."

Hearing this, Phinis's brows were tightly furrowed.

But he did not explode in anger; instead, he gave Hevnia a reassuring look and then pushed open the door to the dining room.

Hevnia then saw Karen, seated within the dining room.

Even with prior mental preparation, Hevnia couldn't help but be shocked by Karen's appearance.

Karen's body was huge, as though three adult men had been stacked together.

He sat there like a mountain.

But that wasn't what surprised Hevnia; more importantly, his face was covered with many tumors, the origin of which was unknown.

Even more sinister, these tumors were traced with lines that connected, resembling woolen threads threading through predetermined needle holes.

As for those lines...

Yes, they were musical notes.

Golden Fourth Notes.

...How could such notes exist?

A flash of surprise crossed Hevnia's face, but she quickly masked it and politely said to Karen, "Good morning, Mr. Karen."

Karen glanced at Hevnia and let out a strange chuckle. "Heh, you have a strong stomach. I thought you'd throw up at the sight of me, especially since it's breakfast time."

"You worry too much, Karen," Phinis replied indifferently. "We wouldn't do that to you."

"Wouldn't you? Heh... Yes, of course, you people of status, even if you really wanted to vomit or wished me dead, would hold it in well," Karen said mockingly. "But I am different; I never have to hold back. What I enjoy most is seeing the look on your faces when you can't stand me but have no choice but to accept me."

He paused, then stuffed a greasy piece of bread into his mouth, making a loud, chewing sound.

After finishing, he pointed at Hevnia.

"I've changed my mind, Phinis," he said. "If you want my help, give me this woman... tonight."