The storage room next to the old church—now Lulumiya’s newspaper office—was a scene of bustling activity.
The metal type molds Sandor had commissioned were finally delivered to Lulumiya. Using the previous wooden molds, Lulumiya had already completed the training for her students in advance.
At this moment, the organized storage room housed four printing presses. The various smaller rooms had been divided into a printing room, a drying room, an office, and a breakroom. Nearly all the students were making final preparations for tomorrow’s grand opening. The air was thick with the scent of ink and the energy of hard work.
“Just by pressing down this long lever, you can print the content instantly… Not bad at all. Now the transcribers and those magic dolls dedicated to copying books are going to be out of a job. Mia, you’re practically a genius.”
Dressed in a pale yellow dress with her long violet hair tied into a slender side ponytail, Tyran stood with one arm crossed over her chest, nodding in approval. Her appearance in Lulumiya’s office was no accident. Lulumiya had a high opinion of this wealthy young lady, and since Tyran was quite knowledgeable, she had invited her to the office as a special advisor. Currently, they were the only two in the room.
“Of course, I’m the smartest after all.” Lulumiya spoke with a matter-of-fact tone while buried in her work organizing the news. “If you like it, Tyran, I can give you one.”
“Hmm?” Tyran turned her head in surprise. “Isn’t your newspaper starting tomorrow? And the technology for this thing needs to be kept secret, right? You should keep it for yourself. Just by looking at it once, I can predict its future. Mia, you’re definitely going to become a little rich woman. Don’t forget about me when the time comes.”
“I’d never forget you, Tyran. It’s just that no one can say for sure what the future holds, and nothing is set in stone yet. It’s bad luck to celebrate too early—so, do you want to take one back? I can see you like it.”
“Forget it, I have no use for it. Just make sure you have people guarding it well; don’t let the technology leak out.” Her fingers brushed over the polished surface of the printing press. Tyran’s pretty face, dusted with light makeup, carried a hint of joy. She moved behind Lulumiya, her hands naturally resting on the girl’s shoulders. “What’s that in your hands, Mia? This handwriting looks like it was written by a child.”
*Aren’t you a child too?* Lulumiya complained internally. Her offer to give Tyran a printing press had been purely to make her happy; she didn’t actually expect her to accept. Of course, if Tyran truly wanted one, Lulumiya would have gone and ordered another. After all, setting aside the fact that Tyran might have her own designs on her, she really was a good friend.
“I’m organizing the news,” Lulumiya replied, looking up. The pressure from Tyran’s hands on her shoulders increased slightly, feeling like a massage. It was so comfortable that her tail couldn’t help but wag. “These are manuscripts sent in by the students. Once I organize them into formal news and combine them with the shipping schedule info you sent over, we can start printing. Do you want to take a look? I’m almost finished. Help me proofread.”
“Let me see…”
Two sets of documents sat on Lulumiya’s desk. On the left were the student manuscripts, and on the right was the content she had transcribed according to the newspaper layout. Tyran picked up the one on the right.
“The most prominent story is about Lady Eino’s deeds. Below that is the underground serial killer who was caught recently… I feel like the killer story is more attractive. Why didn’t you put him in the most prominent spot?”
“It’s to promote Sister Eino. If Eino’s story isn’t published early, people will lose interest over time, so putting it in the front is better.”
“I see. Let’s look further down… ‘A foul stench wafts from the Commercial District Temple at midnight—is a clergyman performing an evil ritual?’ ‘A bloodthirsty demon appears in the western suburbs; three civilians already victimized. Avoid the following blocks.’ Then the shipping schedules and business information. Oh, and the drought in the northern kingdom leading to a wheat harvest failure. This part isn’t very interesting. Reader letters? Mia, your newspaper hasn’t even launched yet. Where did reader letters come from?”
“I made them up.”
Lulumiya stuck out her pink tongue playfully.
Tyran burst into laughter, her radiant smile making one’s heart skip a beat. “Is that something you should be telling me?”
“Tyran isn’t an outsider. It’s okay for you to know.”
“Alright, alright, I’ll keep the secret.” Tyran affectionately patted Lulumiya’s head. “You’ve really grown up. You’ve become more likable. If this keeps up, the students in class will be captivated by you.”
“Aren’t you already like that, Tyran? You get love letters from the male students all the time.”
A girl like Tyran—with a wealthy family, a sense of style, and a touch of maturity—was incredibly devastating to the boys at the academy. In the memories of the original owner, there were often scenes of male students looking for Tyran, and she would usually pull the original owner close, acting inseparable while politely declining their confessions.
Tyran snorted with disdain. “I burned them all. Those people just want to climb the ladder using the Cassandra family’s wealth. Plus, I’m good-looking, so they say they like me without understanding me at all.”
“But I don’t understand Tyran either.” Lulumiya blinked her green slitted pupils innocently.
Tyran smiled slightly, her narrow lilac eyes filled with playfulness. “You’re different. You don’t like me like that.”
“What do you mean? I clearly like you a lot.”
Looking at Lulumiya’s overly serious expression, Tyran knew she couldn’t get through to this “little idiot.” she let out a long, helpless sigh. “Sigh, it’s not the same. Let’s get back to the paper. You wrote about the Church. Aren’t you afraid they’ll cause trouble? Mentioning evil rituals and saying the Son of Black Stone’s father was once a local thug.”
“Not at all. Reporting should be based on facts. First, the evil ritual thing is fake; this is helping the Church debunk rumors, which actually improves their image. Second, the Son of Black Stone’s father *was* a thug, and that appeared in the reader letters. Read that sentence carefully, Tyran.”
Tyran arched an eyebrow and read it closely.
“Reader’s Letter: Hello, I have always been a supporter of the Son of Black Stone. But recently, I heard from neighbors that the Son of Black Stone’s father was once a local thug. I refuse to believe such rumors, but no matter who I ask, no one is willing to answer me. So, I am writing to ask everyone about the truth. A clean person is naturally clean; I hope to restore the Son of Black Stone’s reputation. Signed: Johann.”
Tyran froze after reading, thinking she had missed something. She lifted the paper and read it again. After confirming she hadn’t missed any info, her expression became subtle.
If Lulumiya hadn’t told her it was made up, or if she didn’t know Lulumiya was Eino’s magic doll, she really would have thought some idiot wrote in to ask.
“The name Johann is everywhere in this city. Mia… you’re wicked. Who taught you this?”
“The beautiful and gentle Teacher Tyran taught me! She told me this is called ‘playing the reverse role.’”
“Bah!” Tyran irritably patted Lulumiya’s head. “You’re too mean. You clearly know his father is his dark history, yet you deliberately use someone else’s voice to expose it. When ordinary people see this and compare it to Saint Eino above, the winner is decided instantly. This move is too insidious. How did you think of it?”
*These are just tricks left over from the internet era.*
Lulumiya rolled her eyes mentally. “Playing the reverse role” was novel in this era, but in the age of the internet, it had been used to death. She spread her hands, feigning innocence.
“I’m just telling the truth. If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it. A newspaper is meant to make information transparent and public. I asked everyone in the office; even those attending St. Estel Academy can’t distinguish between the various Saint candidates and their family backgrounds, let alone the commoners. Letting the public understand each Saint is the newspaper’s responsibility. It’s called social responsibility.”
“But isn’t it too rushed? I think in the beginning, only nobles and merchants will buy the paper. If you’re doing this to promote Saint Eino and suppress the Son of Black Stone, the effect might not be great. Because the nobles already know about these scandals.”
Lulumiya wasn’t surprised. She shrugged nonchalantly.
“This is just the beginning. A story requires continuity and progression. The good part is yet to come.”
Tyran hesitated. She tucked a strand of violet hair behind her ear and gazed down at Lulumiya’s proud eyes looking up at her. She asked meaningfully, “Mia, you’ve changed so much I can’t even see through you anymore… Do you like Saint Eino? You’re taking such a big risk to help her, even though you haven’t known her that long.”
“Of course I like her. Sister Eino is like family to me.”
“But does Saint Eino think the same? You’re a magic doll, and she is a human. In the eyes of those nobles, magic dolls are just disposable products, no different from obedient slaves.”
“Hmm…” Lulumiya pressed her index finger to her lips, still leaning back to look up at Tyran. “I think Sister Eino is different from other nobles. She has never treated me like a magic doll.”
“Are you that sure?”
*You can know a person’s face but not their heart.* Tyran wanted to say that, but she feared her well-intentioned warning would be interpreted as sowing discord, so she kept silent.
Lulumiya blinked her clear eyes and pouted. “Tyran is a noble. So, do you think I’m a magic doll that can be thrown away when you don’t like me anymore?”
“How could I do such a thing?” Tyran smiled, a trace of contempt for other nobles touching her face. “I’m different from them. I believe that as long as one has their own will, a magic doll is no different from a human. Moreover, magic dolls are purer and more trustworthy than people. I like Mia more than my own siblings. At least Mia treats me sincerely and doesn’t hide her thoughts, while my siblings act friendly on the surface but are always plotting behind my back to take my share of the inheritance.”
“Then I think Sister Eino feels the same as you.” Lulumiya turned around and gently took Tyran’s soft hands in hers, her fingertips lightly scratching the back of Tyran’s hand. “Sister Eino is my sister, and Tyran is my best friend. You are both the most important people to me. I don’t want to see you fight.”
“I didn’t say I wanted to fight… And besides, I’m two years older than you. Can’t I be Mia’s sister too? I obviously knew you first.”
“No. I’m a magic doll, and a dragon at that. How could a dragon with the appearance of a ten-year-old be the same age as a human with the same appearance? I’m definitely older than Tyran.” Lulumiya puffed out her chest proudly.
Tyran sighed helplessly. “So you do know you’re a magic doll. How about this: if you call me ‘Big Sister,’ I’ll do you a huge favor—like getting members of the Cassandra family to help you promote the newspaper or hiring people to advertise at the Adventurers’ Guild.”
“Really?” Lulumiya’s eyes lit up instantly. She sat up straight. She had been worried the students wouldn’t be able to swallow their pride to act as newsboys hawking papers on the street.
“Of course it’s true.” Tyran smiled triumphantly.
“Then—Big Sister Tyran!”
“No, no. That was so half-hearted, not sincere at all.” Tyran shook her head, feigning dissatisfaction.
*This girl is so much trouble.* Lulumiya mentally clicked her tongue.
Tyran set the newspaper down, pointed to her own cheek, and closed her eyes with her hands on her hips. “In our Kingdom of Himhelda, a younger sister has to give her older sister a kiss to show respect.”
*That is definitely a lie.*
*It’s a wicked scheme to seduce a delicious young girl.*
Although Lulumiya wasn’t clear on the customs of Himhelda, ever since she learned about Tyran’s sexual orientation, it was hard not to doubt the truth of her words.
“Can’t… can’t it be the other way around?”
“Of course not.”
Tyran’s heart fluttered for a moment, but she quickly dismissed the idea. While being able to kiss Lulumiya openly was tempting, now that Lulumiya had become smarter, she had to maintain the upper hand and emphasize that *she* was the elder sister.
*Tsk.*
Lulumiya clicked her tongue.
While she could be thick-skinned enough to give a kiss, this would be her first kiss since coming to this world. Even if it was just on the cheek, it had to be given to someone she could entrust her life to.
Despite Lulumiya’s seemingly thick skin, she was actually quite conservative. She crossed her arms and turned her face away.
“Hmph, then I don’t want it.”
Now it was Tyran’s turn to be stuck. She opened her eyes and asked in surprise, “Why? Don’t you want to promote the newspaper?”
“I didn’t become friends with you for profit, Tyran. Besides, aren’t we best friends? If you become my sister too, I won’t have a best friend left.”
“Uh…”
Tyran froze. Lulumiya’s statement sounded childish, yet it possessed a total innocence that made Tyran feel ashamed for trying to lure her with benefits.
In Lulumiya’s eyes, she was her closest, most trusted friend. Yet on her side, she was always using an adult’s schemes to entice her, even wanting to make Lulumiya her own possession. Such behavior was like putting a black dot on a white sheet of paper; it was a defilement of Lulumiya’s pure trust.
*How strange…*
*I never felt this way before.*
Tyran bit her lip. Finally, whether out of helplessness or guilt, her shoulders slumped.
“True… we are best friends…”
*If we become sisters, there will be no chance.*
Thinking about it that way made her feel much better. She took a deep breath to change her mood.
“Since the paper is written, how about printing a few copies? I can take them to the Cassandra family shops to help you advertise.”
“Eh? Really?”
“Really.”
“Tyran, you’re the best!”
Lulumiya’s tail shot up instantly. She was so happy that she lunged forward and hugged Tyran. Her rosy cheeks rubbed against Tyran’s. “I knew Tyran was the best to me!”
Only by becoming a cute little girl could she shamelessly hug her schoolmate and rub cheeks like this. If it were anyone else, they would be treated as a creep. Lulumiya thought this as she took in the scent of Tyran’s perfume.
On the other side, Tyran was momentarily dazed by this puppy-like affection. This was the first time Lulumiya had hugged her proactively. She could even feel Lulumiya’s warmth and heartbeat beneath the fabric, and smell the faint, milky sweetness of her scent.
*She’s so soft to hold… like a pillow. Not like a magic doll at all.*
*And she’s too thin; she should eat more.*
Tyran’s heart nearly melted. She came to her senses and slowly wrapped one arm around Lulumiya’s waist while the other gently stroked the girl’s head. Her eyes were incredibly soft as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Of course I am.”
“President! Uh…”
Suddenly, a student burst into the room. When she saw Lulumiya and Tyran huddled together in an intimate hug, she froze on the spot.
*Dry cough.*
Tyran let go of Lulumiya as if she had been electrocuted. She took a step back, her face flushing as she awkwardly covered her mouth. “Ahem, if you have something to say, speak up.”
“Oh, oh, oh… The President and Tyran are such good friends…”
“If you have something to say, say it. Don’t blather about nothing.”
Tyran frowned. Seeing Tyran get angry, the student immediately reported seriously, explaining a problem they encountered while using the printing press—they couldn’t master the technique for applying the ink.
*Ughhhhh.*
*How embarrassing.*
Lulumiya looked fine on the outside, but inside, she was itching and squirming like a cat had scratched her. Being caught in an intimate, cutesy hug by a classmate—even if the person was another girl—made her face flush. She wanted to find a hole to crawl into or bite Tyran a few times out of spite.
*I’m supposed to have a majestic image in the eyes of the students!*
*I should set a rule: no entering without knocking first.*
*Dammit.*
Lulumiya grit her teeth.
When the final preparations were finished, the “Kingdom Times” was finally established on a small hill.
Before long, the first weekly issue of the *Kingdom Times*—almost exclusively intended for nobles and merchants—flowed into the hands of the various nobles of the capital, eventually reaching the Son of Black Stone.
[Obtained Title: ‘A Somewhat Strange President’]
[Mindfulness: 15 (Increased by 1)]