[I can interpret this as a debuff aura, right?]
[Some kind of de-urbanization in a sense.]
[Similar to that intelligence crisis thing.]
[As expected from Genius Society.]
[Is Dr. Primitive an Emanator? Black Tower said he is too? Is Screwllum an Emanator? Or are all Genius Society members Emanators?]
[Is Ruan Mei an Emanator?]
[No idea, but she can create Emanators.]
[6 oof.]
[I feel like everyone in the Genius Society is out here doing big things. Dropping major news left and right.]
[So why does Nous glance at these people?]
[You don't get it—Nous is playing 5D chess. The Genius Society is actually a list: the smartest people in the universe… and also the most dangerous.]
[So it's basically an assassination list?]
[Exactly. Whenever some new universe-level crisis pops up, just follow the Genius Society list—nine times out of ten they're the culprits.]
— —
Dan Heng's explanation earned repeated nods of strong agreement from Rappa.
However, now was still not the time to seek help from the Family—it would be too easy to alert the enemy.
Rappa said she had already arranged for Boothill to conduct a deeper investigation. She suggested they stay in the academy for now and focus on saving the other students who were about to be transformed into Sleeping Banana Monkeys.
Dan Heng and Stelle had no objections.
Just then, Director Reca passed by. He immediately took a liking to the three in front of him and recommended they audition as actors for the Harmony Banana Instructor.
Hearing they would face yet another "Banana Instructor," naturally there was no retreat.
Dan Heng went along with the group's mood. "Understood. Thank you for the recommendation, Mr. Reca. We'll go take a look."
"That's the spirit! Class is in the photography room—we'll meet there shortly." After giving an elegant bow, Reca left alone.
"This Harmony Banana Instructor is probably another accomplice of the mastermind. Also—I have a feeling Mr. Reca isn't simple either." Dan Heng's face darkened as he shared his deduction.
"This one shares the same feeling. Flying Dragon • Ninja truly has a meticulous mind."
After one last glance at the father-and-son Sleeping Banana Monkeys, the three headed toward the classroom.
Right then.
The entire screen filled with [High Energy Ahead] barrage messages.
All the viewers immediately perked up—whenever this warning appeared, the plot was guaranteed to go big.
Instantly, people of all ages sat up straight—they knew the next segment absolutely required full attention.
Bang—
Stelle led the group straight through the door.
"Bana, bana bana!" Their group chat friend Banana Blossom Sauce was energetically delivering lines.
But the Harmony Banana Instructor immediately shot her down. "Fail—fail bana. You completely failed to capture the five parts lazy, three parts cute, two parts cheeky essence of Sleeping Banana Monkey bana."
After the two finished, Reca politely interrupted. "Harmony Banana Instructor—these are a few candidate actors. Might they meet your requirements?"
The Harmony Banana Instructor sized up the three. "Oh—decent potential. Bana bana bana. I hope you won't disappoint Banana Instructor."
In the end, the three took on the acting roles. Director Reca also handed them the script to review.
But this script…
Stelle instantly turned into a subway grandpa. "What watery writing… it's just bana after bana."
"Bana bana bana—advanced works are always concise."
At this point Reca began assigning roles. Banana Blossom Sauce would play the protagonist "Brave Little Monkey." Dan Heng would portray the guiding "Wise Little Monkey." Stelle would be the villain "Stress Demon King."
Stelle put her hands on her hips. "I'm the villain? For real?"
"A contradictory villain requires superb acting skills. Free-form dialogue demands even deeper foundation. This is the most difficult role—it has to be you!"
Rappa raised her hand. "Hold on! What about this one?"
"Oh—sorry, all the script roles are assigned… but the narrator also needs someone! Rappa, the role is yours!"
"A dignified ninja reduced to reciting narration... very well." Though she said that, clear disappointment showed on her face.
[HAHAHA—how could I not laugh at this lineup?]
[What's happening—I'm already laughing before it even starts?]
[Rappa as narrator? I can already predict the disaster.]
[Stelle as the big bad—I finally understand why there was a high-energy warning.]
— —
Before the official start, everyone reviewed the script and rehearsed lines together.
Dan Heng shot Stelle and Rappa a look. The two understood immediately and moved to a quiet corner.
The gist: Reca was definitely not ordinary. Not only was he unaffected by the Banana Instructors' brainwashing, he could even steer the direction of the lesson.
After discussion, they returned to their positions.
"Tender little actors—are you ready bana?"
All together: "Ready."
"Then get on stage! Mr. Reca—prepare to roll bana."
Reca cleared his throat. "Actors—places—3, 2, 1… ACTION!"
Rappa pressed down her hat brim and immediately launched into rap. "Glistening dreamscape, whimsical academy—grand parties, lavish banquets—about to begin!"
[HAHAHAHA—she still loves rap so much.]
[Rap mode activated again.]
[Well done! Clap clap!]
— —
Although the Harmony Banana Instructor was also speechless, since everything besides Sleeping Banana Monkey didn't matter, he just turned a blind eye.
Rappa nodded. "Then this one continues—'Hearts breed monsters, banquets turn to scorched earth. Laughter becomes wails. A passing hero steps in to help.'"
Hearing this, Stelle knew it was her turn. "Time to say some 'arrogant words'!"
Stelle silently psyched herself up—to proclaim her might. The lines burst out: "I am the Stress Demon King! Master! Emperor! Overwhelming meme! The eternal nightmare of Memetic Domain history!"
"Fail! Too exaggerated. Next!"
[That was fine, though.]
[Next! Next! Next!]
Stelle nodded, raised one finger, and delivered a wild Ninja • True Words:
"AKA Stress Demon King from hell—students, drop your idle pleasures now. One word from me can plunge all Memetic Domains into depression. The scars left behind take a lifetime to heal."
Rappa couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "What domineering Ninja • True Words! Truly worthy of Bat • Ninja."
"This isn't a rap class! Again!"
[This is getting interesting.]
[Didn't expect Stelle to have this side?]
[It actually flows pretty well!]
[Again! Again! Again!]
At this point Stelle could only go full savage profanity:
"I'm galactic profanity here! You bunch of galactic profanity students! Remember this—I'm cursing you all right here in Origami University!"
"Too vulgar." The Harmony Banana Instructor shook his head. "Never mind—move to the next segment."
[HAHAHAHAHAHA—uncensored!]
[Origami University's Past!]
[I'm literally dying.]
[I can only say—as expected of Stelle! You're always so unexpectedly wild.]
[Full marks!]
— —
Under the Harmony Banana Instructor's guidance, Banana Blossom Sauce revised several times before shooting continued.
"My line now—gotta say some 'insulting little monkey words'…"
Stelle frowned and started sarcasm mode. "Trash~ trash monkey~ you can't beat this Demon King—go home and eat bananas~"
"Fail! Your insults have zero attack power—like banana flirting!"
[HAHAHAHA—I can't—I really can't anymore.]
[Way too abstract.]
[How can one person show me such biological diversity?]
[Like flirting! That line is hilarious.]
Stelle sighed and tried again with aggressive Ninja • True Words: "Your tenacity is truly admirable—but no matter how tenacious, trash is still trash. My power is geometric times yours—kneel now or be shattered to pieces!"
Rappa shuddered. "Such ferocity! Your Ninja • True Words have reached half-step • Emanator realm."
"Fail! Stop bringing music class content into acting class!"
[Half-step Emanator!]
[Not quite that exaggerated.]
[What if a rap Aeon shows up later?]
[Then Rappa would definitely be an Emanator.]
— —
Stelle spread her hands. "Isn't this the same little galactic profanity from last time? Back for more galactic profanity? I galactic profanity you!"
Rappa broke into a sweat. "Such aura… when Silver Lance • Asura's words weren't sealed, he must have been just as fierce as Your Excellency."
[HAHAHAHA—Boothill.]
[Boothill, aka Little Bat Ninja.]
[Boothill without Synesthesia tampering could actually fight back.]
[Not sealed.]
[Boothill: Holy beans—I'm so jealous.]
— —
"Sigh—fail! Fail! Fail! Mr. Reca—stop filming. They clearly have zero talent for playing little monkeys bana!"
Banana Blossom Sauce clasped her hands in plea. "Wait—please give me one more chance!"
The Harmony Banana Instructor ignored her completely. "Classmate—there aren't that many chances in this world."
"Please… appearing in Mr. Reca's film is my dream. Don't say that in front of him…"
Rappa couldn't sit still anymore. "This one believes the Performing Ninja Disciple's acting is flawless. It is Your Excellency who is being overly nitpicky."
"You think so? Are you the grading Banana Instructor? Or the director providing her work? The only one who decides a student's value in this classroom is me bana."
The Banana Instructor ignored everyone and turned to Reca. "Mr. Reca—stop filming. Time to change actors."
Director Reca gave a slight smile. "Stop filming? No no no—this play isn't over yet."
Before the words finished, Banana Blossom Sauce tried to plead again—but what came out was "bana bana bana."
Not only that—Stelle's mind was once again flooded with little monkeys, causing unbearable pain.
"Trailblazer? You okay bana… bana?" Even Dan Heng couldn't avoid getting hit.
Next, every student present inevitably began banana-fying.
Rappa frowned. "As expected—this too is the evil ninja's trap."
The Harmony Banana Instructor saw someone still unaffected. "Hm? You're still this clear-headed? Truly an irredeemable failing student."
Rappa lowered her stance. "Dragon • Evil Spirit Your Highness—compared to this one's Frenzied • Ninjutsu, such demonic arts are mere child's play. Allow this one to awaken everyone! Frenzied • Empty-Hand Karate • Righteous Confusion-Cleaving Hand Chop • Chain Strike!"
Even the camera switched to comic-style paneling.
In the blink of an eye, "bang bang bang" sounds of heavy head strikes rang out.
Thunderous impacts.
The domineering ninja power once again poured into brows, pulling everyone back from the abyss.
From the sound of the strikes, every ninja on stage received assistance—even passing Sleeping Banana Monkeys got a chop.
In an instant, everyone present snapped awake again.
Rappa still held a cool pose. "The Galaxy Ninja Scroll states: 'A ninja's heart must be as unyielding as bedrock. Under crushing force it does not fracture; under slanderous winds it does not erode.'"