Eldritch Horror Theatre

"That's right. The task is basically finished."

Despite his miserable appearance—his clothes barely covering him in places—Fu Qian naturally felt no embarrassment. He finally climbed out of bed to share the intel.

"There was certainly some danger; our whole group almost didn't make it back. But per the client's request, I need to keep the details confidential for now."

His professional ethics still intact, of course, Fu Qian didn't reveal too much to his knowledge-thirsty colleague.

"As if anyone cares... So, you messed yourself up just to get back?"

Unsurprisingly, Professor Lisa snorted, her face full of disdain.

"Yeah."

At the mention of his losses, Fu Qian couldn't help but sigh, though he didn't forget to adjust his collar and cuffs to maintain his bearing.

"Your regenerative ability is certainly enviable, but why haven't you changed your clothes? Are you really that poor?"

"Poor and busy."

Fu Qian simply shook his head. Recalling yesterday's struggles, he casually invited her downstairs for a more detailed chat.

"That pitiful? Want me to give you a set?"

Glancing around the opulent room, Lisa naturally didn't believe such nonsense. She followed him downstairs with repeated sneers, unable to resist offering a word of 'concern' after taking a seat.

"I'll pass."

Unsurprisingly, Professor Fu didn't try to take advantage of her offer, though his reason was—

"I'm not used to wearing leather."

Looking Lisa up and down, Fu Qian's gaze finally landed on the accessory around her neck.

He had to admit, although it clashed slightly with an intellectual's image, the black collar against her snow-white neck offered quite a visual impact and suited her perfectly.

After all, Professor Lisa's inherent aura was the kind no glasses could suppress; she was excessively alluring.

"Oh... I thought you really liked it."

Even her voice carried that allure. After a brief pause, Professor Lisa's gaze wandered from Fu Qian's chest all the way down to his rear. When she spoke again, a husky edge had crept into her tone.

She had used a similar tone the last time she invited Professor Fu to visit her Laboratory. Right now, her fingers were already lightly caressing her neck.

...

Just as he'd noted earlier, his teachings hadn't gone to waste.

Faced with this scene, Fu Qian nodded once more, letting out a sigh of deep gratification.

The meaning in Professor Lisa's eyes was clear: You're sitting on a suspected snakeskin Chair right now, yet you're telling me you don't like leather?

It was well-founded and logically sound.

Racial identity had always been a sore spot for this Apocalypse elite. Yet, despite his blunt provocation just now, not only did she avoid breaking character, she even mounted a sharp counterattack. His psychological counseling had clearly yielded outstanding results; the sheer thickness of her skin hinted at the potential of the Demigod Realm.

Dean Casi would surely be deeply gratified to see this upon his return, wouldn't he?

"That makes sense. Sure."

Unapologetically claiming credit for his teaching efforts, Fu Qian pondered for a moment before smoothly accepting her suggestion.

You actually...

At that moment, Professor Lisa's fingers froze against her neck. Though she didn't speak, her body language said enough.

She's still young, after all. Just a couple more rounds and she can't handle it.

Fu Qian didn't judge her harshly; he merely wore the tolerant smile of an elder.

Professor Lisa, however, couldn't stand this. A second later, she gritted her teeth, her fingers actually flicking the collar.

However, just as a ripple of energy radiated from it, adding a strange, sweet fragrance to the air, her movements came to an abrupt halt.

"I also heard the people from Linghui visited your place?"

After a split-second of stiffness, Professor Lisa lowered her hand and sat elegantly, casually changing the topic as if nothing had happened.

"Yeah, Ni Huayuan brought some people over, just as you guessed."

Fu Qian's smile remained.

It wasn't flattery. Back when they had discussed the new genius of Linghui Courtyard, Professor Lisa had predicted that they might drag the young girl before him to flaunt the superiority of the Psychic Type.

As for why Professor Lisa's demeanor suddenly changed, it naturally wasn't due to a lack of resolve—

Creak!

Amid the slight sound of friction, the Laboratory door was pushed open from the outside.

"Professor Fu... Professor Lisa."

Having been absent for two days, Laboratory assistant Classmate Liushuang walked in. Upon seeing the scene inside the room, she greeted the two of them softly.

...

"Have the past two days been a bit rough?"

Professor Lisa was clearly unsurprised by Classmate Liushuang's sudden return. With a nod, she calmly sized the girl up and even offered a word of comfort.

This was the reason she had suddenly stopped earlier. As a Tier 4 Transcendent, her perception was quite sharp.

Right at the moment she made her move, Classmate Liushuang had entered her perceptual range, instantly reminding the image-conscious Professor Lisa to maintain her dignity as a teacher.

Of course, as the widely acknowledged second-newest Demigod Realm expert of the Academy, no one would doubt Professor Fu's perception, so Classmate Liushuang had certainly entered his range even earlier.

Unfortunately, Professor Lisa, keenly aware she had been played once again, also knew the student before her was exceptionally sharp. She couldn't even find a chance to turn around and shoot Fu Qian a vicious glare.

Naturally, she wasn't just forcing conversation to avoid awkwardness. Compared to her usual self, the ever-capable Ji Liushuang was visibly lacking in energy, and her mood seemed rather low.

"It's fine. I had some family matters to attend to, but they've been handled."

Ji Liushuang didn't try to hide it. She nodded, plainly admitting she had been burdened by family matters, her expression calm.

"So that's how it is..."

Having interacted with her quite a bit lately, Lisa clearly had some understanding of this student's family background. She easily grasped the inevitability of the girl being bogged down by mundane affairs and immediately expressed her sympathy.

"However, in this world, strength is ultimately the foundation of everything. Try not to let these things drain too much of your energy."

Of course, it was precisely because of their relationship that she couldn't help but offer a reminder.

"Next time, you can ask your employer for help."

She didn't forget to casually toss some work Fu Qian's way as a form of retaliation.

"Professor Fu has already helped a lot."

It was only then that Ji Liushuang naturally looked right at him, speaking up before Professor Fu could say a word.

Look at this. What a difference.

Fu Qian kept his smile, completely unbothered by the reputation of the Ji Clan, while inwardly praising her.

Professor Lisa might have hidden it well, but compared to Classmate Liushuang, she still fell a bit short.

Even without her deliberately trying to hide it, he was sure Professor Lisa hadn't realized that Ji Liushuang's unusual mood was actually related to him.

Moreover, it seemed the matter really had been handled.

"Just an effortless favor."

Tossing out the polite, understated remark, Fu Qian's gaze fell on a box in Ji Liushuang's hands.

The Axe of Rebellion... the Ji Clan is generous indeed.

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