Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Did Professor Lisa head back?”

Calling out a greeting to Wen Li, Fu Qian walked in and plopped down in his seat.

The benefits of a cranial war became apparent here. Although the physical damage to his body was very real, his clothes—just like the surrounding environment moments ago—hadn’t been significantly affected, so there was no urgent need to change.

And while Wen Li’s gaze was a bit strange, she clearly had no intention of prying.

”Yes, Professor Lisa confirmed what happened over at Linghui today, then she went back to rest.”

Even though her Rank was theoretically higher, Wen Li still maintained the humble attitude of a student, genuinely appreciating the care she had just received.

”So, how are things over there?”

Since Lisa was acting as such a model teacher, Professor Fu naturally refused to fall behind, immediately offering his own show of concern.

”Everything looks fairly good. At the very least, I didn’t notice any abnormalities, and even the instructor with the head injury is recovering very well after treatment.”

Wen Li didn’t rush to explain her own condition, describing instead the developments over at the Linghui Courtyard after Fu Qian left today. It all sounded very positive.”After confirming I wanted to return here to rest, Professor Weilong asked me to express his gratitude once again on behalf of the entire Linghui Courtyard. He said Apocalypse doesn’t need to worry about the so-called compensation for damages anymore.”

Her ensuing thanks were entirely earnest. After relaying the message with a serious expression, Wen Li didn’t forget to add one extra detail.

”Considering it’s still in the preparatory stage, I didn’t mention the Preservation Chamber.”

...

Hmm, a strong sense of confidentiality.

It was clear that Eldest Miss Wen was quite principled. She felt she had a duty of secrecy regarding the Apocalypse Dean’s Wonder Plan to avoid ruining the eventual surprise.

And judging from her description, the hidden dangers over at Linghui had been completely resolved, and they were entering a phase of recuperation.

”We must keep distinct matters separate. How can a promise be casually changed?”

Fu Qian looked quite gratified, but he continued to firmly uphold the Dean’s plan.

”As for me, Professor Weilong mainly helped confirm my condition. For the rest of the time, I just observed the treatment of the injured and checked on the instructors.”

She naturally wouldn’t try to persuade him otherwise on such matters. In fact, judging by the smile at the corners of her mouth, Wen Li was somewhat looking forward to seeing exactly how Linghui would react to the compensation terms.

At this point, she finally brought up her own situation. Unsurprisingly, Linghui couldn’t spare much energy to guide her today, even if she was still being treated quite well.

That bunch of old fogies at Linghui had all sorts of rules. Although Wen Li’s Rank was high, she was ultimately a guest student. The fact that she was allowed to observe at a time like this was enough to show the sincerity Linghui wanted to convey.

Of course, they were still being coy about it.

”And inside here? Did you perceive anything?”

Fu Qian naturally didn’t share that style. With a slight nod, he stood a Metal Cylinder on the desk.

...

Classmate Liushuang had naturally gone to rest, and Professor Lisa had also left.

Wen Li had a room here; even if she just wanted to zone out, there was no need to sit out here alone. She was obviously waiting for him to return.

Coincidentally, there was a certain something he had been wanting her opinion on.

Professor Claudora had been tormented by a curse, ultimately being reduced to a mass of shapeless flesh.

He had heard this story before, but considering there was no explicit step of death in the middle of it all, the evolution of Claudora’s personal will under such circumstances truly invited curiosity.

”It’s very special...”

This curiosity proved warranted. Wen Li’s gaze was almost instantly drawn to the Metal Cylinder as she murmured to herself.

”How so?”

Fu Qian’s expression didn’t change. As he asked, he popped the cylinder open with a sharp clack.

Despite its deep, dark red color, it possessed a blinding quality that made it hard to discern its textures.

Moreover, Professor Lisa truly did things strictly by the book; when she said a normal dose, she hadn’t provided a single drop more.

The Claudora Flesh inside the cylinder evidently sensed the opening of its container.

However, it looked somewhat sluggish overall, showing no rush to struggle its way out.

”I perceived an emotion, but it seems incredibly rigid, like an endlessly looping melody.”

Staring at the sight, Wen Li seemed to have already considered how to describe her impressions, speaking slowly without any hesitation.

Even her choice of words—

”Kaleidoscope?”

Fu Qian blinked.

”The format is indeed somewhat similar... but colder and more rigid.”

Sure enough, Wen Li nodded.

...

To think his flash-of-inspiration suggestion from before had actually coincided with something so incredible.

The situation Wen Li described was undoubtedly bizarre.

Emotions were surging within that lump of Divine Flesh? Even in a small, severed piece?

It was mentioned earlier that Claudora’s state was theoretically somewhat ambiguous, with the boundary between life and death unclear.

After hearing this, however—it seemed even less clear.

Emotion should naturally correspond to a living will. Yet its manifestation here was rigidly inhuman.

A melody?

A fixed emotion, just like the Kaleidoscope, rising and falling within a mass of flesh?

It was hard to imagine what kind of situation this was when bringing the name Claudora into it.

A character’s exclusive BGM? The person was dead, but it played on repeat in remembrance?

”Could you hum it for me?”

Marveling at the bizarre nature of the world didn’t delay Fu Qian from issuing further instructions.

Since she mentioned it was similar to the Kaleidoscope, then even if it differed vastly from musical notes and tunes in essence, translating it shouldn’t be a problem for Eldest Miss Wen, given her extensive operational experience.

”Alright.”

Wen Li agreed very crisply. She had likely made similar attempts earlier, only choosing to hold back because Professor Lisa was present and she was unsure of the specific details.

Now, facing the dripping flesh directly, it was clearly much easier for her to share that melody.

”I’ll begin...”

Sure enough, after just a few minutes of contemplation, Wen Li seemed to have grasped it.

And striking a seemingly familiar pose, the scene of her singing a little tune to help him relieve his discomfort played out once again in this different setting.

As for the melody she hummed—

”What’s wrong? Do you want me to do it again? I’ll try to be more accurate.”

It was quite short; the tune ended in the blink of an eye. Looking at the silent Professor Fu, Wen Li asked tentatively.

”Sure, one more time.”

Fu Qian gave a slight nod, but the person who came to mind was an old acquaintance.

Was his title Sage?

That’s right, he had heard this melody before.