Next Day at school…
Rumor spread pretty quickly around the school when they heard of Nagasumi's good fortune.
The once glam-less and unpopular boy who no girl would ever see had many girlfriends (From how they see it) Confidence and charm and now he was an heir to the Mauntenkyandi Industries, one of the biggest industries in candy, toys, games, and other forms of entertainment. This kid seemed to become the king of the world at this point as kids started talking about him.
"He's going to be running Mauntenkyandi Industries?"
"Can't believe his aunt is the one that runs the company?"
"What is with Nagasumi lately?"
"How come he gets all the luck?"
"Seriously."
"Can't believe he'll be rich once his aunt retires."
"This sounds like something you can watch in a cheesy anime."
Nagasumi chuckled nervously while he scratched the back of his head.
"Looks like word got around already." Nagasumi nervously chuckled while his Majordomo appeared from his pocket.
"Good news travel fast, Young Master. You can no longer walk as a man, but lurk as a beast, proud and strong. Your perception of the world will change over time." Mr. F. Webb informed the boy with a hushed tone, "You will also need to beware, Young One. Not all will be pleased with your rise, and you need to keep your true nature a secret, just like the fish you care for."
"Is there anything I need to do or avoid since I am a… you-know-what?" Nagsumi whispered to his new little friend.
"Beastfolk as much stronger than Merfolk, Young Master, and our magic more controllable with cunning vesting far beyond the others, we don't need to fear the water like them in public. However, that still doesn't mean we are not vulnerable to having ourselves revealed. You first need to do is stay away from Djinn Relics, and since this city is less likely to possess them, you should be safe."
"Djinn?"
"Another story for another time, thankfully no longer around… But their objects are dangerous to us. Never touch them and inform our House immediately. You can tell by their smell of brimstone and fine spices." He warned the boy, "Then there is another issue. As nature's spirits, our emotions are what feed nature itself. Try to control your temper or other powerful primal emotions, not only they could reveal your true self for a brief moment, like your eyes, tails, or other hidden appendages you not to keep hidden."
Nagasumi chuckled.
"Not that."
"Okay, okay, so what else could happen?"
"You might start growing things, growing plants in such a way that is deemed impossible. Be very careful."
Nagasumi nodded while the merfolk and Chimp followed him.
"Can't believe that Nagasumi would come from a noble heritage such as I." Kai scoffed, feeling his pride hurt and astonished that his rival was a fearsome beastfolk.
Then again, that would explain how Nagasumi is so different than any other human.
He was never truly human to begin with.
"But his nobility is nothing compared to yours, my lord." Chimp decreed but was certainly wrong.
For Nagasumi was royalty, a prince of the Mountains in a sense, a Black Zheng whose appearance can strike terror to anyone who sees him.
"How vexing the situations become?" Akeno breathed as she meant it in more ways than one.
The previous lord had not only harmed the prince of a Mountain King dynasty but attempted to kill him. It didn't matter if neither party was unaware of the situation, it was an act of war and the Beastfolk could take their revenge. She and the people who once served under her could be killed for their part in this. She could only hope the empress could make a deal that would spare them all at negotiations, but she had a feeling they may ask for the death of the foolish royal in retaliation.
Sun was focused on other things. She failed to be a proper wife to her husband that even his aunt pointed out and now her family may pay the price. It shouldn't have taken her family being threatened to see how much of a failure she is, even Nagasumi's Aunt seemed to be a better caretaker than her and she only got her for one day. She was wrapped with guilt and knew that all eyes were on her.
This feeling of fear and responsibility… this must be how Nagasumi felt when he was challenged by her family and now, she was challenged by his.
No, she's going to prove that she loves Nagasumi, to be a good wife, and to win the favor of the fearsome Zheng, Hanabira.
Things were changing and it will affect everyone.
"Oh, have you guys heard that our principal retired?" Chimp pointed out, "The new one is supposed to be a professor who ran a university from what I hear."
Not too surprised about that and of course there will also be new teachers too.
It looked like the battle lines were drawn.
At Principal Bāningudesu's office…
The new principal smiled as the merfolk dressed as teachers came into her office.
"Oh joy, the fish I ordered is here, and a little bit of seaweed. Oh, goodie, I love sushi." She seductively declared with her hands clapped.
"… She sent you, didn't she? I'm not surprised that she would send members of her house." Masa breathed as he felt like he was being crushed to death.
"Oh, she did more than that. The fair lady wanted to send a message. We know about the attempted murder by one of your royals and are very displeased. There are about five hundred thousand operatives in this city alone, we are given the orders to do what's necessary for the young master and his human compatriots. Any attempt on his life will be met with lethal force and the only reason we don't eradicate every single merfolk right now is because of him, because the lady knows her nephew would not approve."
"Remind me to buy Nagasumi something…" Rin breathed, thankful towards her future son-in-law.
"However, though we won't kill all of you, the attempted murder of a Mountain King will not go unpunished. She will be asking the one responsible to be sacrificed…. She might even include those who served under her."
"Leave Akeno out of-!"
Masa was soon flung painfully to the other side of the room!
"MASA!" The Seto Gang and Saturn gasped.
"None of you are in any position to make demands. You're in Beastfolk land, this is our territory, you play by our game, our rules or you'll be removed…. Permanently." She warned, "Seto Sun will be tested to see if she is worthy of being a bride or being a corpse. You will not interfere with the tests for this is about honor."
"I-I don't care if you're Beastfolk. I won't let you hurt Sun-!"
Saturn then shrieked in pain as a form of magic was harming her.
"My name is Bāningudesu after all, Burning Death. Your end will not be pleasant or serene. But I won't kill you right now."
She then snapped her fingers and the magic went away, forcing Saturn to heavily breathe while Rin helped her.
"You didn't need to do that." Rin shivered at the woman.
"Oh, but I do. We need to show how serious we are. So spread the word to every Merfolk here about the new rules of the game and we'll keep in touch." She smiled that seemed sweet smile that was all too threatening to them, "Oh, I will also be calling in the Young Master soon. For the future of the Beastfolk, the next Mountain King Zheng must be given a proper education."
She then dismissed them, and the Seto Gang made a hasty retreat.
"Idiots." She muttered then looked out the window, "Marrying a mermaid, what a fantasy? Maybe this could be good."