Eldritch Horror Theatre

Professor Lisa was clearly enthusiastic about pushing for full cooperation between the two laboratories, dropping by whenever she had the time.

Though today’s visit seemed strictly administrative.

She appeared to have come seeking the interim spokesperson to confirm the situation regarding Linghui Courtyard’s latest moves.

One had to admit she possessed a strong sense of collective honor, completely unafraid to challenge authority—

”...You just got back?”

Facing a certain dean who had just returned from a scientific expedition, for instance, she didn’t even bother with honorifics.

Seeing Dean Casi leisurely sipping tea with Fu Qian here, Lisa’s eyes went perfectly round. She charged right up and unceremoniously sat down beside them.

”Just got back,” Casi admitted with a chuckle, completely unbothered.

”You just got back, and you’re already here drinking tea?”

Lisa seemed quite dissatisfied with the pervasive slacking atmosphere, naturally taking it upon herself to push her superior toward productivity.”Mainly because there seems to be nothing much to do. You all have done a great job.”

Clearly accustomed to this, Casi kept his smile and grabbed a cup, pouring her some tea as well.

That was true...

Professor Lisa didn’t care much for hollow praise, but the claim that there was ”nothing much to do” genuinely left her unable to retort for a moment.

”It’s all Professor Fu’s credit. I didn’t do anything.”

As an upright intellectual, however, Lisa had no intention of claiming the glory, merely shooting a glance at Fu Qian beside her.

”Professor Lisa is too modest. It all relied on everyone’s cooperation,” Fu Qian said.

Now that he knew more of her background, looking at this Apocalypse instructor undeniably gave him a rather special impression.

As noted before, whether in appearance or aura, she and Claudora were completely unalike.

This was likely the reason no rumors had ever circulated. Even though it was a matter of the distant past, there had to be far more people in the Academy than just Casi who still remembered Claudora.

Even from Casi’s perspective, he didn’t seem to treat Lisa as a simple substitute or continuation of Claudora—at most, he projected a bit of sentiment onto her.

Out of politeness, of course, Fu Qian didn’t let his gaze settle on Professor Lisa’s neck. He had always known she was sensitive about it.

Even though the accessory resting there looked exquisite—more than enough to serve as an ornament—compared to its actual function, its appearance was somewhat mundane.

To think it could actually suppress the transformation of flesh and blood. Who knew where Casi had acquired it.

Furthermore, his own instincts had been right. Although Professor Lisa had threatened to take it off to scare him more than once, she was essentially fierce of face and faint of heart.

If he ever actually called her bluff, she’d probably just bite him.

”You two... you couldn’t be scheming something, could you?”

Unfortunately, even this silent courtesy couldn’t spare him from Professor Lisa’s strange suspicions.

Facing the amiable Two Giants of Apocalypse, her expression softened a fraction, yet she still couldn’t help but sweep a suspicious glare back and forth across their faces.

”Don’t worry.”

Fu Qian waved his hand, signaling there was absolutely no need for concern.

”We already finished our scheming.”

...

When dealing with the youth, one had to be adept at exploiting their rebellious psychology.

For example, the moment he claimed the scheming was already done, Lisa noticeably jumped. After all, the oppressive presence of two unreliable Demigods was still staggering.

”Suit yourselves. If something happens, you’ll be the ones cleaning it up anyway.”

But right after, deeply indignant at her own reaction, she let out a snort and adopted a ’whatever’ attitude.

”...I heard that the genius student Linghui recently discovered got abducted by you again?”

Unfortunately, when it came to maintaining composure, she was still leagues behind the two Demigods.

Even though the tea was excellent, she couldn’t stop herself from speaking up again by her second sip.

”Ah? Who told you that?”

Professor Fu looked utterly shocked, seemingly unable to believe that his lifetime of high moral integrity could be subjected to such slander.

”Did I even need to hear it from anyone? I just saw your research assistant giving someone a tour of the Sword Comprehension Institute.”

Sadly, having weathered so much hardship, Professor Lisa had clearly learned to ignore any tone or expression this guy made, remaining completely unmoved.

Just as he thought. How could Classmate Liushuang have been careless enough to wander next door, increasing the risk of this meeting being interrupted?

It turned out it was Professor Lisa who hadn’t stayed properly inside her Laboratory, wandering around outside and bumping into them instead.

In that moment, Fu Qian figured this made perfect sense.

Of course, even so, she probably didn’t know Wen Li’s true current achievements yet, and Linghui likely wasn’t in the mood to broadcast them.

”Speaking of which, how did you pull that off? Never mind the Sword Comprehension Institute, but Linghui has been gearing up with all their might to win some glory. Won’t they fight you to the death for pulling a stunt like this?”

Not waiting for Fu Qian to defend himself, Lisa continued speaking in her own astonishment.

It was obvious from her tone that she genuinely found it hard to comprehend how this place could be so peaceful right now.

”It’s really not that dramatic.”

Seeing that even the triumphantly returned Dean Casi was looking on with great interest, Fu Qian gave a hearty laugh.

”The Linghui instructors were simply moved by my love for talent. Upholding a student-first spirit, they ultimately agreed to a joint-training approach. The student herself really likes this model, too, and has made great progress.”

How could something like this stump Professor Fu? He casually fed her an explanation on the spot.

I...

Although it was incredibly hard to swallow, with the precedent of the collaborative project with her own Laboratory sitting right there, Lisa was momentarily left speechless.

”Oh... how much progress?”

At this point, Casi finally chimed in with a question.

”Demigod.”

Fu Qian blinked, casually dropping a terrifying title.

...

”That student is already a Demigod? How is that possible...”

When she spoke again, Professor Lisa was utterly doubting life itself.

”Unfortunately, it is a fact. This is the superiority of joint training. Professor Velon and I confirmed it together yesterday.”

”However... this place is indeed a bit too quiet right now. They even made an appointment to come over for another exchange.”

Nodding to show she hadn’t misheard, Fu Qian smoothly pivoted the topic and glanced around.

There was nothing wrong with this logic. No matter what this joint training entailed, if such a miracle had really occurred, Linghui’s reaction was far too quiet...

Sure enough, his words quickly resonated. Professor Lisa frowned deeper, realizing there might be more to this than met the eye.

”Any interest in taking the initiative and going over for an exchange?”

But before she could parse out any more details, she heard Fu Qian naturally pitch a suggestion.

Drop by for an exchange? Again?

For a moment, Lisa’s gaze turned a bit vacant.

The other party didn’t show up for their scheduled exchange, so we’re just going to barge right up to their door?

It sounded reasonable enough, but it was far too easy to draw parallels to a certain previous scientific expedition.

Even the personnel involved were the exact same three sitting here—

”Not bad. Let’s take the initiative to pay a visit, then. Show them our Apocalypse magnanimity.”

True to form, before she could even voice her opinion, Casi had already readily agreed.