A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1478 - 999: Asking Me to Be a Consultant? (The Cat Strives Hard to Lose Weight by Rolling Around)

Chapter 1478: Chapter 999: Asking Me to Be a Consultant? (The Cat Strives Hard to Lose Weight by Rolling Around)

Duanmu Huai wasn’t entirely unfamiliar with being served by maids. In the Tribunal, he had maid puppets, Audrey, who wasn’t a full-time maid anymore, and even maid demon beasts. However, those were professionals. They worked seamlessly—they would smile warmly, brew fine tea, serve meals, manage everything perfectly.

Of course, strictly speaking, maids were really just for brewing tea, serving water, making beds, and tidying up.

But Naruse Mio’s maid scenario was a fresh experience for Duanmu Huai—after all, she wasn’t a professional. On top of that, Banriya had purposely chosen a maid outfit so short it barely stopped at the thighs; any bold motion might result in exposure. This left Naruse Mio visibly uncomfortable—blushing fiercely, fidgeting endlessly, reluctant and yet compelled to perform her tasks. By conventional standards, she was clearly an unqualified maid.

But did Duanmu Huai truly expect professional maid standards from her? Watching a beautiful girl dressed in an exposed maid outfit flush red with embarrassment, moving cautiously with shame written all over her face—it counted as a perk of its own.

It wasn’t until Mio changed back into her school uniform for class that she finally exhaled a sigh of relief.

Well, judging by her demeanor, she’d likely change back again after school... Oh, forget it. Since Mio thought this made her feel better, Duanmu Huai decided to let her do as she pleased. After all, he understood the old saying, "Kindness for a grain, resentment for a bucket."

As a PE teacher, Duanmu Huai didn’t have much to do. After arriving at the office and glancing over the class schedule to confirm his upcoming lessons, he was ready to find a place to slack off—a favorite pastime of his—when another teacher stopped him.

"Ah, Teacher Duanmu."

"Hmm? What’s up?"

"The principal wants to see you."

"The principal? All right, I got it."

Hearing this, Duanmu Huai hesitated briefly before nodding and leaving the office. He headed to the principal’s office on the third floor. Ryuo Academy’s principal was a grizzled old man past his fifties. But Duanmu Huai had already heard from Liliath that the principal was closely connected to the Jimongli Family, which was why Liliath had chosen to attend this academy. Though the principal might look like an old man on the surface, if Liliath ever asked him to do something, he’d undoubtedly comply.

Still... This shouldn’t concern him, right?

"Ah, you’re here, Teacher Duanmu."

Entering the principal’s office, Duanmu Huai saw the old principal sitting behind the desk. On the adjacent sofa was another man whom Duanmu recognized—it was Tasuku, the music teacher. Frankly, Duanmu wasn’t fond of him. With his airy, gentle demeanor, polished glasses, and attractive face, Tasuku was very popular among the female students. Tsk, what exactly was so great about this guy? Just a pretty boy living off his looks!

Someone like him—Duanmu Huai could dispatch a hundred of with a single finger.

Internally grumbling, Duanmu Huai gave Tasuku a curt nod in greeting before stepping up toward the principal.

"Principal, you wanted to see me?"

"Ah, yes, Teacher Duanmu. Actually, I wanted to ask for your help regarding something... As far as I know, you haven’t yet taken on the role of an advisor for any club, correct?"

"That’s true."

Duanmu Huai nodded. Generally, club advisors were invited by the club’s president, and for someone like Duanmu, sports and fitness clubs would have been the perfect fit. However, since most students were utterly terrified of him, no one had dared to ask him to take on the role.

This suited Duanmu Huai just fine—he was more than happy to keep slacking off, completely content with his idle bliss.

But now, it seemed like he couldn’t escape the responsibility anymore.

What the principal said next made Duanmu Huai wonder if he was hearing things.

"Ah, since that’s the case, would you like to advise the Wind Band Club?"

"The Wind Band Club?"

Upon hearing the principal, Duanmu Huai stared at him in confusion. He had assumed Liliath had asked the principal to appoint him as the Mystical Science Research Society’s advisor... but being an advisor for the Wind Band Club? What kind of madness was this?

With his "sing-for-free-to-get-thrown-out-of-KTV" talent?

"I don’t know anything about music!"

Duanmu Huai spread his hands, visibly baffled. A PE teacher advising a music club—was the principal showing early signs of senility?

"For that, Tasuku will answer your questions."

The principal gestured toward Tasuku, who stood up from the sofa and smiled politely at Duanmu Huai.

"I apologize, Teacher Duanmu. This is my request."

"Your request? Aren’t you the music teacher? Why don’t you take on the advisor role yourself?"

"Actually, I’m currently the Wind Band Club’s advisor."

"Huh?"

Hearing Tasuku’s reply, Duanmu Huai stared at him in disbelief—it sounded ridiculous! The Wind Band Club already had an advisor, so then what... was he trying to mess with him for amusement? Did Tasuku want his skin pinched and pummeled by Duanmu’s sand-sized fists?

"I promise there’s no ill intent here, Teacher Duanmu."

Luckily, perhaps sensing Duanmu’s intimidating aura, Tasuku quickly clarified.

"To be honest, the Wind Band Club is facing serious issues. They’re aiming to compete in the national tournament, which I think is a great opportunity..."

But what does that have to do with me?

Duanmu Huai didn’t even know the basics of wind instruments; he was utterly tone-deaf and had no real appreciation for music—it was just noise to entertain his ears.

"The club members are working hard with the goal of entering the national tournament. They’ve been maintaining rigorous practice sessions, but in my view... their ability to handle pressure still needs improvement. Teacher Duanmu, you’d understand since musical performance involves standing before audiences for public evaluation, which is particularly intimidating for inexperienced first-years. Many aren’t accustomed to performing under scrutiny."

"Oh..."

At this point, Duanmu Huai understood Tasuku’s intent.

"Ah, you’re actually doing quite well, Teacher Duanmu."

The principal interjected with a laugh.

"Recently, several of Ryuo Academy’s PE students have performed admirably, which is undoubtedly thanks to your strict guidance."

"Is that so?"

"It’s absolutely true."

Duanmu Huai didn’t recall offering intense guidance to anyone during his PE classes. Nonetheless, the principal and Tasuku nodded in agreement. What Duanmu didn’t know was that Ryuo Academy’s PE department had recently gained prominence, with numerous students achieving exceptional results in preliminary competitions, even including first-years.

Logically, major competitions usually caused skilled students to underperform due to overbearing pressure. Yet, Ryuo Academy’s PE department was flourishing this time, sparking curiosity all around. The principal interviewed the participants and discovered...

"Compared to the stress of Teacher Duanmu’s classes, competitions barely qualify as pressure."

To paraphrase the students: during PE lessons, Duanmu Huai didn’t need to say or do much—just standing there watching them made them feel as if a tiger or lion was staring them down, ready to pounce upon even the slightest misstep. It was a primal fear that drove them to extreme effort.

Consequently, when these same students entered the competition arena, they were shocked to realize—even in national tournaments—that the tension paled in comparison to the dread they felt in Duanmu Huai’s presence.

After all, mistakes at a major competition might not matter much, but mistakes under Duanmu’s watch might just cost them their lives!

This reasoning might sound chaotic, but to Ryuo Academy’s students, nothing was scarier than Duanmu Huai.

Upon discovering this fact, Tasuku approached the principal to propose his suggestion.

"We want the Wind Band Club members to accumulate as much public performance experience as possible before their official shows, but conducting pressure-training exercises is not so straightforward..."

Tasuku sighed helplessly. After all, wind band performances require collective action—sending an entire group off to play symphonies in the streets wasn’t practical. Meanwhile, competition venues demand confident public performance under the eyes of judges and audiences. Without public performance experience, private perfection means nothing.

And since Duanmu Huai naturally exuded intimidation... why not make use of that?

"I understand."

Duanmu Huai nodded at last, grasping the two men’s intentions.

"So, I don’t need to do anything, right? No teaching or guidance involved?"

"Correct, you just need to stand there and watch."

"Perfect."

Relieved, Duanmu Huai exhaled. Heaven help him—he couldn’t even read a musical staff! Asking him to undertake music instruction was a nightmare scenario he never wanted to face. If all he needed was to stand there... well, thinking about it, he already stayed late after school keeping watch until club activities were over before heading home. Previously, since he had no advisor role, he spent that time idling away in his office.

Now, at least, this fell within his job responsibilities.

Fine, no problem.

With this in mind, Duanmu Huai gave his approval.

It was such a minor matter that Duanmu didn’t think twice. During the lunch break, he visited the Mystical Science Research Society and casually informed others about this new duty. Upon hearing it...

"Ahhhh—! There was such an option all this time!"

Liliath crashed face-down onto the table, holding her head in disbelief. Only now did she realize every club could recruit teacher advisors. Back when Duanmu rejected her proposal, if she had asked him to become the Mystical Science Research Society’s advisor, there wouldn’t have been an issue!

Of course, it was too late now.

"Wind Band Club... Uncle, do you even understand music?"

Chewing her lunchtime meal, Naruse Mio looked at Duanmu Huai with doubt. He shook his head.

"I can’t even read staff notation, let alone understand music. Forget it. If I tried singing at a KTV, they’d probably pay me to leave immediately just to avoid trouble."

"Uh..."

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s response, everyone broke into a cold sweat—most likely, venues paid him out of fear that he was a Yakuza thug picking a fight...

"Then why did they pick you as an advisor?"

"Apparently to help the Wind Band Club students acclimate to pressure. Anyway, I just have to hang around, that’s all."

"Makes sense."

Kiba Hiroto nodded thoughtfully.

"I think I understand Tasuku’s rationale now. In fact, I heard the Kendo Club even cleared out a room, and inside they keep a framed picture of Teacher Duanmu."

"Why does the Kendo Club hang my picture? I don’t even teach Sword Dao."

For Duanmu, the bizarre rumor was perplexing enough.

"It’s said that before official tournaments, the Kendo Club president opens the room, and only those who dare to swing their sword toward your portrait are deemed worthy to compete."

"..."

I think I need to find time for a serious talk with the Kendo Club president.

Duanmu Huai knew he wasn’t particularly popular among students, but this... was a whole different level of absurdity!

At this rate, the afternoon Wind Band Club activity... didn’t bode well.