Once the affection level is maxed out, the rivalry begins!

Compared to the current situation, skipping classes is naturally insignificant.

Bai Ze led Xia Xingzhi out of the school and headed to Qingqiu Girls' High School, mentioned in the phantom thief's notice.

It was originally a church school founded by the Anglican Church, but it has now been nationalized with the progress of modernization, leaving only the remaining architectural features to carry traces of the past.

Why did the phantom thief choose this location?

Xia Xingzhi examined the arched school gate, asking herself, "Could this be a student studying here?"

You can only find the answer by going inside.

After showing his investigation permit to the patrolling security guards, Bai Ze brazenly stepped onto the grounds of the girls' school.

The moment the two of them stepped through the school gate, a crisp sound like shattering glass rang out behind them.

Looking back, the boundary line separating the school from the outside world has turned into a layer of churning gray fog, and Qingqiu Girls' High School seems to have become an independent world.

"The alienation is eroding reality, and it has been going on for some time now."

Bai Ze had experienced what it felt like to be swept up in another world, but the current situation was different.

Qingqiu Girls' High School had already been transported to another world before the two arrived; they were simply entering it voluntarily.

Was it really a trap?

But for the time being, no danger was imminent. The lawn in front of the school gate was lush and green, and students dressed in school uniforms resembling maid outfits walked by, chatting and laughing.

"We... must have arrived at Qingqiu Girls' High School from the past church school era."

After observing for a moment, Xia Xingzhi suddenly came to a surprising conclusion.

She pointed to a girl walking by and said, "The white lace dress, the detachable collar and cuffs, and the red bow tied at the chest do not conform to the style of the modern Qingqiu Girls' High School uniform. Instead, they look like products that imitated the school uniforms of northern countries in the past."

Looking around, to the east of the lawn stands a Gothic building resembling a mansion, with vines climbing its walls; to the north lies a spacious teaching area, where a clock tower stands, its stained glass reflecting the shimmering sunlight.

"Given the height of that clock tower, we should have seen it before entering the other world, but I have no memory of witnessing it... Judging from its structure, it was probably built in the last century and should have been demolished long ago in modern Qingqiu."

At this moment, a girl with a red ribbon tied around her right arm noticed them, approached, and questioned them:

"Are you people affiliated with this school? Why are there male students here?"

She was holding a wooden knife in her hand, pointing it down warily. Her hand holding the knife was long and strong, with distinct knuckles, clearly not as weak as she appeared.

"You'll understand once you see this."

Bai Ze handed her the "Investigation Permit" as if it were a business card.

The girl's eyes glazed over, then quickly refocused as she returned the license.

"So they're from a detective agency... Did the principal send them? Now I understand the rumors about fox spirits are just superstition, so they went to find someone who can actually investigate cases."

"A rumor about fox spirits?"

Xia Xingzhi asked in confusion. The wooden sword girl glanced over and hid half of her body behind Bai Ze.

Is it appropriate for a detective to be socially awkward at this time?

Fortunately, the other party didn't seem to care, perhaps mistaking Bai Ze, who showed his license, for a real detective.

"It's nothing... just some nonsense that's been circulating among the students after the theft of [Silver Star]."

She extended her hand. "I'm Katsura Mai, the captain of the student council's security team at Qingqiu Girls' Academy. You must be here to investigate the theft, right?"

If we want to find out about the situation in this other world, it's best to go along with her.

Bai Ze agreed, "That's right, we were indeed commissioned, but we're not entirely clear on the details of the case. May I ask you for some information?"

"Speak freely about anything you know."

Katsura Mai smiled sweetly, displaying a chivalrous and straightforward demeanor. "However, this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to the student council room instead."

Bai Ze and the other person followed her, heading north into the towering clock tower that stood out from the crowd.

Inside, there was a hidden world; a spiral staircase led up to the so-called student council room.

The spacious hall was furnished with two sofas and a desk. On the wall opposite the staircase, there used to be a long, narrow object hanging there, but now only faint scratches remained.

"That's where the Silver Star used to hang, but it disappeared three days ago."

Katsura Mai faced the wall and began to explain the case.

The so-called Silver Star is an artifact—a sword of great historical value, said to have been wielded by a hero to cleave away the forces of evil.

Of course, setting aside the myths and legends, it was also a commemorative gift that was persuaded by a graduate from Qingqiu who became the wife of a wealthy businessman to donate to her alma mater.

"After the theft, the school was afraid of publicizing it and taking responsibility, so it has not reported the case to this day, which has led everyone to believe in rumors about fox spirits."

Katsura Mai complained, "Luckily, you guys are here to solve this now."

"This is the second time I've heard you mention fox spirits. What exactly is this rumor?" Bai Ze pressed.

The girl explained reluctantly, "Because the school anniversary is coming soon, we upperclassmen are preparing to rehearse an opera that will depict the legend of the Silver Star Sword. But someone spread the rumor that our school is built on the burial ground of a fox demon, and it can't stand people performing stories of heroes fighting demons, so it stole the real sword as a warning."

She sighed deeply: "I still have to perform on stage, but people are panicking. Two people have said they're afraid of being punished by the fox spirit and have quit the performance."

Bai Ze felt a poke at him and turned to see Xia Xingzhi gesturing for him to talk privately.

"We have a basic understanding of the situation, and we need to reach a consensus internally first."

So they went to the corner and began to talk furtively.

"A theft has occurred, Miss Detective. Please demonstrate your reasoning."

Bai Ze spreads out his hands, indicating that your performance is about to begin.

Xia Xingzhi was certain: "It was a fox spirit, it must have been done by a fox spirit."

"This isn't right. I've never seen detective anime like this. Where are your evidence and clues?"

"Hmph, hmph..."

It was rare for Xia Xingzhi to talk about her area of ​​expertise, so she couldn't help but hum with pride and raise one index finger.

"Aze, evidence and clues are only important in non-abnormal worlds. In abnormal worlds, if you want to solve a case, you must follow the opposite common sense."

"Rumors and urban legends are definitely not smokescreens used by the murderer to distract the killer; they should all be believed to be true. What seems like supernatural phenomena are not tricks used by the murderer to disrupt the investigation, but rather the real killings by gods or ghosts. Also, the first person in the scene of a crime who shouts that he wants to go back to his room alone will definitely become the next victim..."

She concluded, "So if the legend of fox spirits is mentioned, then fox spirits must exist."