Eldritch Horror Theatre

If one could not forcefully break the Sword Prison, then they could only forcefully break the person inside it.

Fu Qian naturally had a deep understanding of this. Back then, Brother Sword Heart had tried to use this to force him into submission.

Unfortunately, after losing yet again in their mathematical Dao debate, he had been forced to engage in an unconventional battle of minds with him.

Classmate Liushuang’s Lucent Sword Heart was no joke; with just a slight reminder, she had grasped numerous key points.

Moreover, her unexpected harvest didn’t actually seem that surprising to Fu Qian.

After all, the mental battle back then had borrowed her territory.

He had even been forced to take her for a walk through the mall.

Classmate Liushuang might not remember the details, but it wasn’t strange that traces had been left behind, eventually activating once she progressed to a certain level.

Of course, another reflection of her comprehension was that, sensing this might be related to him, she had chosen to keep it a secret from the Sword Comprehension Institute’s professors despite not knowing when he would return.

And even after receiving his guidance, she hadn’t pried into his overly professional display.”It is indeed a very special ability, especially suited for seizing the initiative in one-on-one situations.”

Facing another favorable review, Ji Liushuang didn’t pry into trivial matters, nor did she show any complacency. She was already pondering its practical applications.

”The downside is that once trapped in here, even as the initiator, I am completely unable to sense the outside world. I’ll also need more practice to figure out how to activate it with the highest success rate.”

”That’s easy. You can come find me as a sparring partner anytime.”

Faced with such excellent material, Fu Qian generously expressed that he could spare some time to guide her.

”That’s wonderful!”

Receiving such profound favor, Ji Liushuang didn’t hide the joy in her heart. The very next moment, the pure white faded and darkness returned; she had already canceled the Heart-Questioning Sword Prison.

It was obvious that, despite receiving his special attention, she was unwilling to take up any more of Professor Fu’s time right now.

After all, he was always in a hurry, and every time he appeared, something major was bound to happen.

Of course, she seemed to have guessed wrong this time.

......

”Professor Fu, is there anything you need my help with now that you’ve returned?”

Back in the Laboratory, as a polite young person, Ji Liushuang didn’t ask why Fu Qian was here. Instead, she directly stated that the volunteer was in position and awaiting his orders.

”Just focus on your studies.”

However, as Fu Qian walked to the side and sat down, he waved his hand slightly, gesturing for her to relax.

Huh?

”I was quite busy a while ago and neglected my main job. My return this time is mainly to handle some research and teaching duties.”

Facing a surprised Ji Liushuang, Fu Qian casually explained.

”After all, Dean Casi has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility. I can’t let down his expectations.”

A heavy responsibility... did he mean being a Lifetime Professor?

If she remembered correctly, Professor Lisa had criticized this exact matter a couple of days ago, pointing out that this Lifetime Professor of theirs was never seen anywhere.

”Actually, I think everyone can understand... because every time you are away, Dean Casi’s public explanation is that you went out on a scientific expedition.”

After a brief hesitation, Classmate Liushuang shared the situation as she understood it.

......

He truly excelled at knowing people and assigning them well.

Even though they hadn’t specifically communicated, the Dean had actually guessed right away that he was focusing on his academic research career.

For the Apocalypse Branch to be run in a way that was despised by man and dog alike, such leadership talent was indispensable.

Unexpected, yet completely reasonable. The news Classmate Liushuang brought made Fu Qian sigh in admiration for quite a while.

”I’m ashamed to say. Although I’ve had some minor gains, I haven’t been able to take care of much at the Academy. With me gone all this time, the Disciplinary Department’s affairs alone must have given Professor Lanaya a massive headache.”

Actually, during the time you were gone, Professor Lanaya was quite happy, sighing more than once that the world was finally at peace...

Knowing the truth of the situation, Ji Liushuang carefully thought to herself.

However, she ultimately didn’t speak up to shatter Professor Fu’s self-reproach about being stretched too thin. Instead, she responded to his prompt and introduced her own recent experiences.

”I haven’t done much recently. After simply tidying up in here, I submitted an application to the Academy and have been staying here at night.”

”It’s quiet and nobody disturbs me, allowing me to be more focused. By using the clock at the top of the Tower, I can also change the internal lighting. It gives a different feeling when I practice.”

So that was it.

Nodding slightly, Fu Qian looked at the pitch blackness before his eyes.

Theoretically, it was already dawn outside. This special contrast obviously wasn’t just to help her sleep more soundly.

”Professor Lisa’s idea?”

He naturally asked in the next moment.

......

Although he had hit the nail on the head, Ji Liushuang clearly didn’t want to push all the responsibility onto someone else.

”I also felt that it was a waste to leave this place empty... using the clock was indeed something Professor Lisa shared with me.”

I knew it.

However, even though she phrased it tactfully, Fu Qian had long anticipated this and could completely imagine how it had played out.

Obviously, after failing to take a shortcut, Professor Lisa was flying into a rage from humiliation on one hand, and feeling indignant about his waste of resources on the other.

So much so that, in the end, she didn’t even care that the other party wasn’t a student of the Apocalypse Branch. She directly shared her usage experience with the much more pleasing Classmate Liushuang, letting her occupy his space.

No, she was sharing freeloaded experience.

If he remembered correctly, that fellow’s Laboratory had also been forcefully seized from Casi.

......

”No need to be modest. Your progress can be considered incredibly fast.”

Fu Qian expressed that Professor Lisa had obviously underestimated his awareness. As a professor of the Academy, and even more so a member of the Academy, how could he harbor such narrow sectarian prejudice?

Furthermore, while Classmate Liushuang was a student of the Sword Comprehension Institute, she was also an honorable member of the Laboratory. What were mere usage rights?

”You can continue staying here.”

Making a gesture to indicate she could use it freely, Fu Qian gave his instructional advice and then pointed outside.

”I probably won’t have much time for private research during this return. In fact, I have to head out right now. Do you know how to get to the Benevolent Curse Institute?”

”Are you looking for Professor Ah Kai?”

The fact that Fu Qian’s first stop was neither the Academy nor the Disciplinary Department clearly surprised Ji Liushuang a bit, but she quickly realized something.

”Yes. Professor Ah Kai extended a gracious invitation previously, but I haven’t had the chance to visit.”

Fu Qian nodded slightly, actively bringing up his experience on Ye Island.

”During this scientific expedition, I accumulated quite a few questions regarding Miracles, and I need to find a professional to discuss them with.”

”Alright... the Benevolent Curse Institute is actually quite easy to find, but I’m not sure if Teacher Akai will be there. After all, unless there are major events, their people rarely show up.”

Professor Fu actually dabbles in Miracles as well.

Despite her shock, Ji Liushuang didn’t ask further. She quickly described the location and then emphasized the drifting clouds and wild cranes style of the Benevolent Curse Institute.

Like my trial conference last time?

Fu Qian, however, naturally thought of the Academy’s recent major event.

So Professor Ah Kai really did give me face, much better than their former dean.

Amidst his lamentations, Fu Qian motioned for his research assistant to keep up the hard work and drifted away into the distance.