Eldritch Horror Theatre

”What a coincidence, Professor Lanaya.”

When it came to reading the intentions of superiors, Fu Qian was undoubtedly far better than Ms. Jia Keke.

At the same time, despite his usual lack of discipline, Fu Qian wasn’t about to disrespect his superiors just because of a sudden promotion.

Facing the head of the Disciplinary Department, who clearly hadn’t come with good intentions, Fu Qian first greeted her with a sunny, radiant smile, then immediately replicated Classmate Liushuang’s earlier strategy.

”Have you had breakfast? Want to join us? It tastes pretty good.”

As the saying went, to warm a cold heart, one must first warm the stomach—though this soy milk seemed to be iced.

Fu Qian put the half-offered beverage back down.

Classmate Liushuang had specially helped order it just now, looking quite pleased to discover they actually served it.

...

Hmph!As another saying went, one should never strike a smiling face.

Although the invitation felt like a forced attempt to break the tension, under Classmate Liushuang’s curious gaze, Lanaya finally let out a stiff snort. She actually accepted the offer and took a seat.

”When did you arrive?”

Even so, she clearly wasn’t very keen on breakfast. Pulling her gaze from the cup in Fu Qian’s hand, she got straight to verifying the whereabouts of this Pillar of Apocalypse.

”At dawn.”

Fu Qian confessed, as cooperative as ever.

”...So the very first thing you did after getting here was grab a bite?”

Learning he had only just arrived clearly softened Lanaya’s expression.

However, this highly infectious sense of leisure right in front of her, combined with the thought of what he had actually done, still made her flare up with uncontrollable annoyance.

”Who said that? This professor has already hosted and completed an in-depth inter-departmental collaboration, all right?”

Fu Qian’s response was completely self-righteous. At the same time, despite facing his seated superior, he showed zero intention of asking what she wanted to eat, making the invitation seem entirely insincere.

”Then you really have worked hard—though you might have to work hard a bit longer.”

Inter-departmental collaboration... Lanaya naturally couldn’t go and verify such a claim. Knowing she was no match for him in a battle of words, she cut straight to the point.

”During your ’scientific research,’ did you happen to remember anything you might have forgotten? Just a little before you arrived, I received two visitors... two visitors I didn’t even know were coming.”

”Oh? A pair of sisters?”

There was no surprise on Fu Qian’s face; it was as if this was entirely expected.

Veil and her sister had arrived quite quickly.

...

You really can’t even be bothered to pretend, can you!

Staring intently at Fu Qian’s reaction, Lanaya confirmed it really was this guy’s doing. She couldn’t help but clench her fists.

Not only are you nowhere to be seen all day, you’re remotely assigning tasks to others? Is this professor your receptionist?

”They said you told them to find me, and they mentioned the trouble they encountered.”

After a round of inner roaring, Lanaya finally managed to suppress her temper.

”So you planned the timing? Next time, could you at least let me know?”

”Not at all.”

Faced with Professor Lanaya’s generous, good-faith speculation, Fu Qian denied it with a look of surprise.

”I came back for something else.”

Motherf...

Lanaya’s emotions, and even her aura, surged violently, scaring Jia Keke—who had just sneaked back from her restroom escape nearby—into a combat stance.

However, upon noticing that both Fu Qian and Ji Liushuang remained perfectly calm, she fought to regain control and carefully sat back down.

”This is Professor Lanaya.”

Ji Liushuang, who had been quietly observing the whole time, opportunely spoke up to introduce her, slightly defusing the fiery atmosphere.

...

”Hello.”

At any rate, she represented the image of the Academy. Lanaya gave a slight nod, responding to Jia Keke’s polite greeting.

This was her first time seeing this unfamiliar Mid Tier, but from the way she communicated with Ji Liushuang, it wasn’t hard to guess she was from the Ji Clan.

”I was having a headache over how to deal with this, but since you’re back, it’s your business from here on out.”

Although her blood pressure spiked every time they met, when she calmed down and thought about the big picture, this guy coming back wasn’t a bad thing after all.

”I really don’t feel comfortable handing people over to those guys in Apocalypse. They’re missing a screw in their heads.”

”What’s there to have a headache about? Just toss it to Dean Casi and have him assign it. Wouldn’t that do?”

Fu Qian’s reaction, however, suggested he felt she was overemphasizing the difficulties.

She needed to learn to be like him, fully integrating all available resources to solve problems.

”Dean Casi seems to have left not long ago as well.”

This time, it was Classmate Liushuang who spoke up again, providing important reference information.

”Is that so...”

Giving a slight nod, the first thing that came to Fu Qian’s mind was actually the dedicated travel alternate persona Casi had mentioned before, which he had offered to let Fu Qian see if there was a chance.

Though an old veteran, he still forged ahead. Who knew where he had run off to commit misdeeds this time.

”Two days ago.”

Ji Liushuang’s statement was met with official confirmation from Lanaya.

And judging by the subtle nuance accompanying the latter’s cold sneer, it couldn’t be ruled out that she shared the exact same thoughts.

The image of our Apocalypse Branch was, after all, still the most energetic.

”Sorry, this was actually outside my expectations. How about this...”

Fu Qian was always brave enough to admit his mistakes. After apologizing in seconds, he provided a solution just as quickly.

”Next time something like this happens and Casi isn’t around either, just go look for Professor Lisa.”

...You really aren’t holding back, are you? And are you sure Lisa will bother with your meddling?

Professor Fu’s overly smooth backup plan left Lanaya marveling in disbelief once again.

But before she could even voice her doubts, the man in question had already turned to look at Ji Liushuang.

”Or maybe we should just let Professor Lisa take direct responsibility this time. Come with me to receive them in a bit.”

”Okay.”

She responded without a moment’s hesitation, raising absolutely no objections to the reception work.

She really was acting just like a research assistant.

Being the head of the Disciplinary Department, Lanaya had heard some rumors about this genius student of the Sword Comprehension Institute’s recent work arrangements.

However, seeing Ji Liushuang fall into the role so naturally still left her feeling a bizarre mix of emotions.

As for Professor Lisa, who had been assigned work without knowing a thing about it, Lanaya felt a deep, overwhelming sense of sympathy.

”We’ll head over after breakfast. Where are they right now?”

Unfortunately, before these rich emotions could even be expressed, Professor Fu had already turned back to confirm the details.

”They’re temporarily staying nearby. I told them to wait for my word.”

Lanaya subconsciously replied.

”Nearby here... or near that little shop you always go to?”

This...

As if asked about something too embarrassing to mention, Professor Lanaya’s eyes darted around, her overbearing aura dropping into the negatives for the first time.

Hmph!

Sensing the shift in momentum, Fu Qian sneered coldly in his heart.

Did you think I didn’t know why you weren’t so keen on breakfast?

When this old master got up early to do academic research, you had probably just stumbled out of a tavern, hadn’t you?