Eldritch Horror Theatre

Considering its target clientele, this little shop Lanaya favored was undoubtedly still a bit quiet at this hour.

"Welcome, you're quite early today."

Behind the counter, the owner was busy preparing ingredients. The proprietress still remembered Fu Qian and greeted him warmly.

She clearly still had a deep impression of this oddly dressed individual.

Not to mention he was wearing a Metal Circlet again tonight.

"Grab a seat anywhere."

"Off to the side?"

Fu Qian glanced at Ji Liushuang.

She was looking around the small shop with great interest, seemingly completely unbothered that the venue chosen for their celebration was so cramped.

"Alright."

Readily accepting the suggestion, Ji Liushuang followed Fu Qian to the only small table and sat down.

"Instructor Lanaya seems to like it here?"

It was her first time here, but she had clearly questioned Jia Keke in detail about how they had met up.

Unsurprised, Fu Qian nodded.

"Judging by the state of her refrigerator, you're better off looking for her here than at her place."

...

Seeing Fu Qian casually making up stories about the head of the Disciplinary Department, Ji Liushuang covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

"Given the hour, would you like to get something to eat first?"

The proprietress had come over to offer her recommendation.

"Of course."

Before Ji Liushuang could say anything, Fu Qian took the menu.

"Order whatever you feel like eating."

"...Do you have any recommendations?"

"Unfortunately, this is only my second time here. The first time, that idiot just dragged me here to drink all night."

"I actually thought that might be the case..."

"You actually want to drink?"

Fu Qian's face turned stern, his tone turning strict.

"No, no... I never actually drink."

Even though he was the one who brought up adult beverages, Ji Liushuang still felt guilty and hurriedly explained.

"That's more like it. The alcohol here is very expensive."

Only after she finished explaining did she hear Fu Qian give a light snort.

"Did you bring money?"

So that was what he was worried about?

Ji Liushuang was dumbfounded for a moment.

"I did."

"Then we can have a little drink, but youngsters shouldn't overindulge."

"Mhm..."

"When we leave, don't forget to ask the proprietress for a receipt."

"Actually, I can just pay..."

"How would that do? We must keep public and private matters separate."

...

After deciding what to eat based on the proprietress's recommendations, the two didn't continue discussing noble family disputes, choosing some lighter topics instead.

Unfortunately, Classmate Liushuang's life at the Academy was truly dull—always practicing the sword, practicing the sword, and practicing the sword some more.

It got to the point where her instructors, represented by Chang Mo, became worried and occasionally conscripted her into doing some paperwork to distract her.

"They really don't need to be so worried, honestly."

Ji Liushuang even made sure to defend herself.

"I do want to increase my strength as quickly as possible, but it's not just out of necessity. I like using the sword..."

"I can tell."

Fu Qian agreed.

"Otherwise, they wouldn't have merely asked you to be a research assistant, even if Apocalypse is notorious."

"But you still feel that the sword path might not be entirely without hidden dangers?"

Ji Liushuang giggled.

Some of Professor Fu's pointers today were clearly things the Academy had never mentioned.

"I do feel that way, but there's no solid evidence."

Fu Qian's answer was casual and honest.

From the scientific research results obtained at Ye Island earlier, it was clear that, like 'sugar' extracted from fruit, the path of cultivation could indeed be called a purer route.

But it was exactly this conceptual-level purity at its peak that made one question whether it could preserve humanity better than the crisis-ridden traditional Transcendent Tier.

"Professor Lisa was right about one thing: practice is the sole Truth. Just keep a sense of caution going forward."

Mhm.

Ji Liushuang earnestly agreed.

She absolutely couldn't casually dismiss a conviction she had held onto for so long, but she valued the opinion of the person in front of her immensely.

The idea of maintaining a sense of caution was actually much easier to accept.

...

Professor Lanaya was obviously quite busy tonight.

Time passed quickly during their idle chatter. The small shop gradually filled with people, but they still didn't see any sign of the head of the Disciplinary Department.

Nor Store Manager Sunny.

She clearly hadn't yet succeeded in starting a new career here.

Though considering the distance between the Wasteland and the Academy, it was to be expected.

Although this type of alcohol, drunk even by ordinary people, was virtually incapable of doing any real harm to the body, Ji Liushuang strictly followed Fu Qian's advice and only took a small sip.

And judging by her expression, she clearly wasn't a fan of the taste.

"Aren't you going to drink?"

Setting her glass down with a frown, she looked at Fu Qian in slight surprise.

"Are you sure you don't know why I'm not drinking?"

Unfortunately, this remark seemed to poke a hornet's nest. He snorted coldly and fired back with a question.

"Why..."

Ji Liushuang was a bit stunned.

"Young people these days are getting less and less polite!"

Professor Fu seemed to believe she was playing dumb. His face turned icy, and he let out a cold laugh.

"Your first day having a meal with your superior, and you don't even offer a toast?"

"...Really?"

Ji Liushuang was dumbfounded once again.

"It's a joke, of course."

In a single second, all of Fu Qian's anger vanished. He shot her a glance and leisurely began to enjoy his food.

"My interest in this stuff is nowhere near as great as Professor Lanaya's. By comparison, I'm more bothered by the fact that you only ordered fish for yourself."

"Then I'll have them add another portion."

Realizing that Professor Fu was being sincere, Ji Liushuang laughed as she turned around to signal the proprietress.

"The fish is indeed quite good."

...

"Are you heading out again soon?"

After watching Professor Fu practically sweep one portion of every dish in the shop into his stomach, Ji Liushuang finally asked a question she cared about.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I had a strong feeling on the way back that if I was even a little late, I probably wouldn't be able to catch you."

"Your feeling is correct. I have an outbound scientific expedition planned."

Fu Qian nodded.

"When?"

Without much emotion on her face, Ji Liushuang asked naturally.

"In ten minutes."

"...Then I wish you a smooth trip."

Startled for a moment, Ji Liushuang then smiled faintly and actually turned around to ask the proprietress for the receipt.

...

It was already late into the night by the time he came out of the small shop.

Watching Classmate Liushuang head back toward the Academy alone, Fu Qian didn't waste any time. He strolled all the way into the darkness and, a few seconds later, took off the mask on his face.

Appearing in the Warehouse once again, Fu Qian took off the Bronze Circlet, tossed it onto the table, and inspected the Emissary in his hand.

Without the Decree of Return to dispel them, the bloodstains on the mask were gradually surfacing. Of course, this wasn't enough yet.

Fu Qian waited with extreme patience until the bloody hue had thickened to a certain degree.

And as he put the Emissary back on, what appeared before his eyes was the familiar second floor of The Bookstore.

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