One-Eyed Monster

Igor and Stan Sol looked at each other, just emerging from the surprise of earlier events, still carrying a trace of joy.

Beside them, Perkins and Teacher Hadi were having an animated chat, seemingly indifferent to the presence of others.

However, when the conversation between Perkins and Teacher Hadi shifted to Tobin Sol, Igor and Stan Sol’s attention was fully drawn in. No, rather, Igor and Stan Sol finally had the chance to join in their conversation. Initially, they were listening to Perkins and Stan Sol talk, but found it hard to engage as the topics were somewhat mystical.

Now, as the conversation turned to Stan Sol, they finally had something to discuss.

”Teacher, you mentioned meeting Tobin once before; do you remember the specifics? What was Tobin doing at that time, could it have been capturing lightning?” Stan Sol asked first, naturally wanting to speak well of his brother.

”I certainly wasn’t involved in lightning capture. When I saw him, he was just like you, encountering a bottleneck and seeking help everywhere. Eventually, he came to me.”

”Uh...” Stan Sol was a bit embarrassed by this unexpected outcome.

”Otherwise, why do you think I said members of the Sol Family are somewhat eager for quick success? That’s precisely the reason!” Teacher Hadi continued, as he indeed met Tobin because Tobin hit a bottleneck in his advancement, and Dean Hoffman brought him over.

”Do you know his current situation then?” Stan Sol continued to ask. Although Governor Rostov had already told him about Tobin’s current situation, he still wanted to ask again because he was eager to know everything about his brother, even if it needed repeating.

”His current situation? I haven’t really paid attention. After breaking through that bottleneck, he went on to explore a new realm, which is said to be rather mysterious. Us old folks can’t touch it yet.” Teacher Hadi spoke with a hint of regret.

”A new realm?” Igor’s heart skipped a beat, wondering if it might be connected to the Spirit World again.

”Yes, only Dean Hoffman knows about this. It’s said that Tobin has maintained this state of exploration for years, and nobody has seen him since then.”

What Teacher Hadi mentioned had many similarities to Governor Rostov’s account, though Hadi’s tone was one of optimism facing the unknown, whereas Governor Rostov’s carried a hint of caution.

Stan Sol quieted down, as if something dawned on him. He glanced at Igor and noticed Igor also looking at him, as though they had thought of the same thing.

”So teacher, you mean we can’t go see Tobin now?” Perkins asked, being eager to see Tobin as his friend.

”No.” Teacher Hadi responded firmly, leaving no room for Igor and the others.

”Uh, why not!” Igor was puzzled.

”Well, you’ll need Dean Hoffman’s permission for this.” Teacher Hadi rubbed his nose, yawning.

”Can’t we sneak in, like last time with the kitchen?” Igor was still trying to negotiate.

”Heh, sounds fun.” Teacher Hadi’s face showed a hint of amusement.

”Shall we try it?” Perkins goaded on.

”Haha.” Teacher Hadi chuckled at Perkins, then turned back to Igor and said firmly, ”No way!”

This change left Igor a bit frustrated, and the attitude made him realize the situation wasn’t that simple.

”Tobin’s current state is unstable, you can’t disturb him casually.” Teacher Hadi explained, ”Of course, this is Dean Hoffman’s decision. For specifics, you’ll have to ask him. As for me, haha, I’ve long stopped concerning myself with these matters.”

Stan Sol caught the implied meaning in Teacher Hadi’s words, understanding that Tobin was not struggling alone. Even if Tobin couldn’t move now, he knew Tobin had entered another realm.

After all, Igor and they had experienced similar phenomena before on Guru Mountain. Although many knew how to use techniques like Inner World, not many could communicate with the Spirits.

Stan Sol kept pondering whether Tobin also discovered the Spirit World, getting entrapped within it...

At this moment, Igor thought similarly, for the event at Guru Mountain had been too miraculous, and he still hadn’t figured out what had exactly happened.

”If Dean Hoffman agrees, then can we go see Tobin?” Stan Sol asked.

”That’s right, but not necessarily. The situation is complex, and I can’t say for sure. Those are matters for Dean Hoffman and the Governor; I haven’t paid much attention. But I’ve heard something about needing to bear some kind of responsibility before entering.” Teacher Hadi’s loose tongue spilled all the secrets Governor Rostov had mentioned before.

However, most people treated Teacher Hadi like a half-crazed man, so few took his words seriously. Hadi knew well that most people weren’t willing to chat with him, so he didn’t join their company, mostly keeping to himself.

Having found someone to talk to now, he naturally opened up and wouldn’t stop chatting.

Igor didn’t think too much about it, just feeling that this must be related to Spirits. But currently, he had no way to clarify the situation, only brewing thoughts within his mind.

”Are all of you planning to go see Tobin now, and have you talked with Dean Hoffman about it?” From the whispers between Perkins and Stan Sol, Teacher Hadi sensed a hint of something.

”Yes, Lord Governor is coming along too,” Perkins replied.

”It’s going to be lively then,” Teacher Hadi said with a small smile, as if he had been anticipating this day for a long time.

”What do you mean by ’lively’ exactly?” Perkins asked, confused.

”Haha, of course, it’s the Yonder Travel Academy!” Teacher Hadi responded with a grin, ”It’s been a while since we’ve had such excitement. Maybe it’s time for us old bones to get moving.”

Clearly, there was more to Teacher Hadi’s words, hinting that matters with Tobin might not be as simple as they seemed.

”Don’t look so surprised; one must think positively. Such vibrant scenes are something us old folks look forward to, and even more so for you young ones!” Teacher Hadi added, as if eagerly anticipating the upcoming events.