Chapter 77: The Holy Fox Pavilion and a Glimpse of Academy Life

The commercial street remained a vibrant tapestry of people, their chatter interwoven with the incessant cries of various vendors.

The red-haired fox girl hummed an unknown tune, strolling leisurely through the heart of the street.

Before long, she paused before a clothing boutique, gazing up at its sign.

“Holy Fox Pavilion, hmm, this must be it.”

‘I can’t believe there’s actually a fox-person themed intimate wear shop, and it’s opened right here.’

A mixture of amusement and exasperation welled within her. To see the unique culture of the fox-people flourish within the Academy walls should have been a source of great joy. Yet, this particular ‘specialty’ was perhaps a little *too* specialized, making it rather awkward to discuss openly.

Had it not been for the fact that this place also served as a hub for transmitting information for the fox-person tribe, she truly wouldn’t have bothered coming to such a establishment.

“Your Highness…”

Two other fox-eared girls, standing guard at the entrance, bowed respectfully to the red-haired girl before them.

The red-haired fox girl waved a dismissive hand, her gaze instinctively sweeping her surroundings. Finding no one else nearby, she leaned in and whispered softly,

“This isn’t the Kingdom. There’s no need to call me ‘Your Highness.’ We wouldn’t want to attract any trouble.”

“Understood, Miss. Our manager is already awaiting your presence. Please, ascend to the upper floor.”

“Alright, stand guard diligently.”

The red fox girl offered a charming, shallow smile, inadvertently casting a flirtatious glance at the two. Both fox-eared ladies felt their hearts quicken. Even though the other party was a girl, a subtle flutter stirred within them.

The red fox girl leisurely stepped inside, her eyes carefully appraising the small shop. The interior was surprisingly spacious, filled with clothes of novel designs that immediately captured the eye. A dazzling array of colors and styles left one mesmerized.

The floor above buzzed with dozens of girls, each meticulously selecting outfits that suited them. A few young couples were also present, playfully teasing each other as they picked out garments their girlfriends desired.

The red fox girl did not linger long on the first floor, swiftly ascending to the second.

The second floor’s layout mirrored the first, though its primary offerings were the latest styles of women’s intimate wear. Many overtly revealing garments were also displayed, mostly the kind couples might use to spice things up. A continuous stream of bizarre lingerie styles appeared, some so outlandish it was hard to imagine their practical purpose. Across the entire continent, save for the now-extinct succubus tribe, no one could rival the fox tribe in this particular domain.

The fox tribe’s little intimate pleasures were known to be quite stimulating. However, these popular intimate wear shops, which were a sensation among the fox tribe, faced a less optimistic reception upon arriving at Theoviga Academy. The most sought-after items from the fox tribe were relegated to the second floor, yet hardly anyone could be seen purchasing them. Compared to the fox tribe, the humans of this era were still far too conservative.

The red fox girl surveyed her surroundings, her gaze eventually settling on a pair of black stockings.

“Oh? Is Your Highness interested in these black stockings?”

Just then, the shop owner emerged with a faint smile. She, too, was a fox girl, but unlike the red fox girl before her, her hair was a soft shade of purple, and she appeared to be in her thirties. Her figure was exceptionally alluring, and her face bore no trace of age, making her seem like a friendly older sister from next door.

“You are the manager of Holy Fox Pavilion here at Theoviga Academy?”

“Indeed. My name is Jenny, and I am the manager here.”

“Understood. I have been sent by the royal family to take over this Holy Fox Pavilion. From now on, I will be your direct superior. Please, guide me well.”

The red fox girl bowed gracefully to Jenny, startling the latter, who quickly stepped forward to assist her.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t! You are…”

“Hmph? Why not? I am merely an ordinary fox. Greeting each other upon meeting is only proper.”

Jenny, having heard of the fox tribe’s temperament, understood that this was the princess’s principle in conducting herself. She could only offer a wry smile and return the bow.

“Your Highness, that is quite improper.”

“I just transferred from the Kingdom to Theoviga Academy. Are there any particular precautions or things I should be aware of within the Academy?”

Jenny pondered the red fox girl’s inquiry carefully for a moment before replying,

“The Academy holds monthly competitions regularly. The results of these monthly competitions can influence class assignments.”

“The classes within the Academy are divided into four levels: A, B, C, and D. These four levels represent the Academy’s level of emphasis and resources.”

“During the competition period, students can challenge higher-level classes. If they win, they will be promoted to that class.”

“Aside from these, there aren’t many other things you need to pay particular attention to.”

“Oh, I see.”

The red fox girl lowered her head, stroking her chin as if lost in thought. Just then, footsteps echoed from downstairs. She turned, her expression momentarily freezing. The newcomers were none other than Lilia and Gern, the two girls she had met previously.

****

Rewinding to a little over ten minutes earlier, Lilia had taken Gern on another stroll through the commercial street. After realizing there was truly nothing else they wished to buy, the two finally set off for the women’s clothing store that had been the primary purpose of their outing.

Truth be told, for Gern, across her two lives, this was her first time entering a shop exclusively dedicated to selling women’s clothing. A surge of nervousness, mingled with curiosity and anticipation, stirred within her.

Soon, they stood before a shop. The words “Holy Fox Pavilion” were written in the common language of the continent above the entrance. At the doorway, two fox-tailed girls stood, their presence exuding an undeniable allure. Gern instinctively swallowed, her gaze lingering with a hint of longing on this shop specializing in female attire.

‘A small shop, selling small items,’ she thought, a touch of apprehension settling in her heart.

“Come on, what are you still staring at?”

Lilia turned to Gern, her sapphire-blue eyes sparkling with an eager impatience.

“Oh, coming, coming.”

Gern took a deep breath, trying to calm her complex emotions, and followed Lilia into the small shop. The moment Gern stepped inside, she was dazzled by the array of clothes, almost unable to keep her eyes open. Her attention was first drawn to a pink dress, which she found utterly beautiful. Then she spotted a light blue gown, equally exquisite in style. However, a glance at the prices instantly made Gern gasp. Neither of these dresses was cheap; the pink dress, in particular, commanded a terrifying price of twenty gold coins. For those unfamiliar with the value of these coins, from Gern’s perspective, twenty gold coins could purchase two thousand loaves of black bread. Gern typically ate two to three meals a day, and during leaner times, she would sometimes eat only once or even go without. Even assuming three meals a day, those gold coins would be enough to feed Gern for two years. Gern couldn’t fathom it. This was just ordinary fabric, nowhere near as protective as a full suit of armor, so why would it sell for such a price?

“Little Luoya? Do you like these?”

“*Cough*, well… I just think they’re very pretty, that’s all.”

Gern awkwardly cleared her throat. Since entering the shop, she had been admiring the clothes purely from an aesthetic standpoint. She had never considered how these beautiful garments would look on her, and besides, she had already accepted a gem from Lilia. To accept another gift from her would truly make her uneasy.

“Shop assistant? I’ll take those two dresses!”

“Eh? Eh!”

…