Eldritch Horror Theatre

It was easy to imagine the scene of that underground gathering.

Watching Honma lower his gaze to the Finger Orb in his palm, Fu Qian could almost picture a multitude of people holding this exact posture, their hearts full of hope.

It was a simple gesture, much like a standard prayer, but the orb's unique shape gave it a peculiar visual effect.

Though his flesh remained intact, his ten fingers wrapped around it looked as if they were faintly being drawn right into the object.

That distinct sense of holiness even seemed to channel backward into him.

Honma, a man who already cherished life and savored good food, suddenly took on an air of returning to his true nature—a clear, absolute purity.

"It feels the same as last time. I—"

He clearly hadn't forgotten what they were doing and was quick to report his sensations without needing a reminder.

Unfortunately, the moment he opened his mouth, the new Academy professor raised a hand to silence him.

"Answer when I tell you to. Until then, just hold that pose."

Why is this different from last time...

This question was written plainly across Honma's slightly dumbfounded face.

Unfortunately for him, the examiner simply sat there rubbing the Ring on his finger, offering no explanation whatsoever.

...

A minor innovation?

Honma wasn't the only one caught off guard.

Stepping forward slightly, Ji Liushuang was also bewildered by this sudden change to the testing protocol.

Her confusion didn't just stem from the subject's forced silence. It was also due to the Ring, which practically shimmered with a dreamlike radiance as Professor Fu toyed with it.

Though she couldn't detect anything concrete, Ji Liushuang was certain something had just changed.

Professor Fu really has no intention of just repeating the same test...

She naturally recalled his remark about Professor Chang Mo's data being too conservative, and an ominous premonition swelled in her chest.

Even so, as a proper assistant, she paid absolute attention and did nothing else, determined not to miss a single shift in Honma's condition.

"Is it okay now—"

As the minutes ticked by, Honma—utterly lost and forced to hold the same awkward pose—finally couldn't hold back anymore.

"Shh—"

Unfortunately, he was met with the exact same silencing gesture.

Professor Fu clearly wasn't ready to start the questioning.

This...

Shut down once again, Honma subconsciously glanced at Ji Liushuang holding the line nearby. Sadly for him, her expressionless face forced him to accept his fate before he could utter another word.

But human nature was a funny thing. Once a person realized they couldn't change their circumstances, a peculiar aura emerged.

In the blink of an eye, Honma fell right back into his prayer-like stance. The anxiety faded from his face, pushing his aura of pure enlightenment to a whole new level.

...

Not bad at all!

Watching the test subject, who now looked as though he would never speak out of turn again, Fu Qian admired the sight and glanced at Ji Liushuang.

"Did you bring a sword?" he asked.

...Aren't you worried about scaring him?

Ji Liushuang had assumed Professor Fu was going to ask for her observations. She hadn't expected him to ask about weapons.

Despite her confusion, she flipped her wrist and smoothly drew a Shortsword from her side.

It was slightly longer than a forearm and featured a cross-shaped guard, with striking crimson marks climbing up its exquisite hilt.

Weaver's Limb Tip.

This exceptional Shortsword was perfectly suited for everyday carry, and she had kept it on her person ever since obtaining it.

The catch was that this very weapon had been a gift from the man standing in front of her.

Standing this close, there was no way he didn't know she had it.

While she wasn't certain of his true motive, the question had clearly been designed to intimidate.

Yet the test subject, having accepted his total lack of agency, remained remarkably composed. Even when Professor Fu reached over and drew the blade halfway out of its sheath, Honma fought the urge and didn't steal a single glance.

"Are you finding it comfortable to use?"

But Fu Qian wasn't finished. To her surprise, he was actually asking for a product review.

"...Though it is on the shorter side, it handles surprisingly well."

Watching the topic veer further and further off course, Classmate Liushuang felt the absurdity of the situation but still offered an earnest reply.

"Even Professor Chang praised it recently. She said this weapon was far from being flashy dead weight."

Considering he was the one who had given it to her, earning such high praise from the professors at the Sword Comprehension Institute was no small feat.

Fu Qian marveled at this inwardly. Then, he finally steered the conversation back to the matter at hand.

"What is your take on Brother Honma's situation?"

Aren't you worried that hearing this will alter his mindset and ruin the test data?

Ji Liushuang keenly noticed Honma stiffen slightly at the mention of his name.

But her hesitation lasted only a second. She had always trusted Fu Qian's methods. After a brief, scrutinizing look at the subject, she delivered her conclusion.

"I lean toward agreeing with Professor Chang's assessment. He might still be a long way from true liberation, but there is definitely a marked improvement compared to his previous state."

Keeping in mind that this was a serious scientific inquiry, she kept her wording tactful, without forcing any false optimism.

"And this Item genuinely seems to be facilitating that process."

...

It was painfully obvious that Honma—who had fully committed to a stoic, come-what-may state of mind—suddenly looked desperate to defend himself.

But in the end, whether remembering Fu Qian's strict orders or simply hyper-aware of the blade in his hands, he held his tongue and waited.

"It certainly seems that way. And going by Professor Chang's notes, the others showed similar reactions. Alright, that should be enough time."

Taking in the subject's every flinch, Fu Qian nodded in agreement. To her surprise, he slid Weaver's Limb Tip back into its sheath and handed it back to her.

"Here. Show me what you've achieved recently."

Just as Ji Liushuang assumed he was finally going to interrogate the man, Fu Qian threw out this entirely new demand, gesturing toward Honma with his chin.

My recent achievement... The Heart-Questioning Sword Prison?

Ji Liushuang instantly realized what Professor Fu was referring to.

That didn't mean she understood his intentions, however.

Is he worried Honma is going to lie?

That was undoubtedly the most straightforward application of the Heart-Questioning Sword Prison.

But given how this ability works, that would mean I have to interrogate him alone. I'll need to think very carefully about what to ask...

These thoughts raced through Ji Liushuang's mind in a flash, but they didn't slow her down in the slightest.

The instant Honma failed to curb his curiosity and peeked over, the Shortsword was already out of its sheath, thrust right in front of his eyes.

This...

An instant later, a domain of pure white expanded outward, just as expected.

But as Ji Liushuang narrowed her eyes to observe her newly trapped subject, she didn't even get a chance to speak. Out of nowhere, Professor Fu's figure materialized, practically "squeezing" his way into the prison in a thoroughly bizarre posture.

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