Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Finished your meal and out for a stroll too? Not many young people have such healthy habits these days.”

The sun was bright and the breeze gentle, the waters clear against the elegant stones. Unfortunately, neither the instructors nor the students were willing to waste such a beautiful day on leisure. Scarcely anyone could be seen on the paths.

Hearing her call, Fu Qian stopped in his tracks, followed the voice, and offered a greeting to Veil a short distance away.

Dressed casually and wearing no makeup, her blonde hair tied back carelessly, her presence actually blended quite harmoniously with the scenery.

She had just come around the corner of a white stone staircase, and aimlessness was written all over her, right down to her eyelashes.

This was likely why, after some hesitation, she had finally mustered the courage to interrupt the Apocalypse’s interim spokesperson on his walk.

Of course, Professor Fu’s overwhelming demeanor as a caring elder clearly left her somewhat flattered and uneasy, unsure of how to respond.

”I came to check on Lotte’s condition.”

Regardless, simply turning around and walking away was out of the question. Veil quickly braced herself, stepped forward, and offered a soft explanation.

”Oh? Is her condition progressing reasonably well?”Completely unsurprised, Fu Qian turned back and continued walking ahead, casually checking on the progress of the treatment.

”I didn’t get to see her...”

Faced with his concern, a hint of awkwardness flashed across Veil’s face.

”Professor Lisa said it’s a critical period and she can’t be disturbed. She suggested I take a walk around.”

...

”That really is her style!”

Caught off guard by this development, Professor Fu froze for a moment before shaking his head and letting out a string of hearty laughter.

”Little Lisa just has that kind of temper. Once she throws herself into a task, she won’t even pay attention to Cass or me.”

Despite saying this, it was obvious he didn’t mind at all.

”But that’s good, too. Young people need to have a bit of an edge. We old fogies with one foot in the grave are always obnoxious the moment we open our mouths.”

‘Little Lisa...’

Veil wasn’t sure if Professor Lisa appreciated being called that, but judging from her behavior over the past two days, she clearly had a massive problem with His Excellency...

Overwhelmed by how bizarre the vibe was getting, Veil recalled Professor Lisa’s casual complaints and once again found herself speechless.

”So, have you gone anywhere yet? What do you think, have you gained anything?”

Fortunately, Professor Fu didn’t force her to play along. A moment later, he casually continued questioning her.

”It’s wonderful... I’ve admired the Academy for a long time. My biggest takeaway from seeing it in person is just regretting that I didn’t come sooner.”

Given how genuinely he radiated the aura of a caring senior, even Ms. Veil, who had spent years out in the world, suddenly felt a bit awkward.

”That’s good, though strictly speaking, it’s a far cry from what it used to be.”

As if plunging into a distant memory, Professor Fu let out a long sigh.

”But as long as the drive to pursue the unknown remains, the Academy will never lose its fundamental meaning...”

”During my time as the interim spokesperson, what brings me the most joy is seeing good seedlings crop up. Speaking of which, you use a sword quite well. Have you gone to the Sword Comprehension Institute for a look around?”

”Your Excellency is too kind. I haven’t been there yet...”

She never expected him to voluntarily bring up their time in the Archipelago. Recalling their life-and-death struggle in the arena, Veil felt an intense wave of weirdness.

Back then, she had even tried to catch him off guard, hoping to pull off a miracle and defeat a stronger opponent. Looking back now, he really had been holding back an absurd amount.

A dignified Academy professor and a Demigod Grade Transcendent had disguised his identity to personally carry out an assassination. It had to involve a massive secret, yet she had ridiculously tried to lure him into a trap...

She tried hard not to think about her own actions after losing in the Archipelago, but the memory of her sister’s dream quickly surfaced. For a moment, Veil really wanted to punch herself in the head.

”However, I did just walk past the Sword Pavilion. Even though it isn’t open, just seeing it from the outside was awe-inspiring.”

”Oh?”

As Veil pointed into the distance, Professor Fu suddenly stopped in his tracks.

”Do you want to go inside for a look?”

...

”Huh?”

Veil was visibly startled by the sudden suggestion.

”But I heard that even students of the Sword Comprehension Institute are only allowed to enter at specific times each year. Normally, even if an instructor wants to go in, they need Dean Li’s special approval.”

”Heh... Li Weixuan? He is indeed quite good.”

Looking into the distance, Professor Fu seemed quite moved by the name Veil mentioned.

”He acts steadily, knows his limits, and maintains his principles. I’ve chatted with Cass about it, and we both have high hopes that he can take on more responsibilities.”

With a long sigh, Fu Qian’s face filled with lament.

”Ever since his grandfather retired at the height of his career, the position of Academy Dean has been vacant for a bit too long.”

”Is... that so?”

Veil chimed in, her face stiff.

To think that a casual chat could touch upon a major issue concerning the Academy’s fate. Yet, her own status really didn’t seem suited for hearing this.

But no matter what, Professor Fu truly looked like a man toiling over the Academy’s future.

No wonder Professor Lisa went along with his arrangements, despite all her verbal complaints.

”Of course, I’m not too familiar with Li He, but judging from our limited interactions, Li Weixuan has absolutely inherited some of his grandfather’s demeanor... The Demigod Realm means nothing to him at all.”

Amidst Veil’s shock, the sharing of secrets she probably shouldn’t be hearing wasn’t even over.

While sighing, Elder Fu had already turned in a new direction, gesturing for her to follow.

”Come on. Although I can’t claim any great academic achievements, he should still give me a bit of face.”

”Are you sure this won’t cause you any trouble?”

Even though she instantly answered his call, faced with a development that felt like encountering a legendary sweeping monk, Veil couldn’t help but emphasize her concern.

He had already helped her out too much, especially regarding Lotte.

”Actually, my weapons are rather unique. Even if I go in, I might not really gain anything.”

‘Those two Rapiers?’

Naturally recalling the Rapiers that had once served as his sparring partners in physical combat, Fu Qian smiled and shook his head.

”That’s because you haven’t seen what Li Weixuan’s grandfather used.”

...

”Your Excellency... is there something you need?”

After many days, the gates of the Sword Pavilion remained as towering and solemn as ever. Even the gatekeeper looked seemingly familiar.

But this messy-haired fellow was clearly incapable of making the same mistake twice.

Even though Professor Fu had always kept a low profile, there were very few students and teachers in the Academy who didn’t know about this newly ascended Demigod.

Not to mention the glorious, legendary deeds associated with him.

But precisely because of this, the gatekeeper was all the more bewildered by his presence, and couldn’t help but scrutinize what Fu Qian was wearing.

Fortunately, he wasn’t trying to sneak in wearing a Sword Comprehension Institute uniform again—

”Thanks for your hard work. I met a young person with great talent in the sword path. Would it be convenient to let her in to seek some comprehension?”

...

”You can go find Dean Li and explain the situation.”