Eldritch Horror Theatre

”Huh?”

A single remark stunned the room. Even Wen Li, the target of his words, looked utterly bewildered.

Using an ability on an instructor certainly wasn’t an offense. In many contexts, it was a common form of guidance.

The question was whether such a ruthless critique was entirely appropriate for a prominent figure in the Academy.

Especially when directed at someone from another Academy.

He truly lived up to the rumors of being the highly controversial Professor Fu...

Of course, this entire internal monologue was just Fu Qian dubbing her thoughts for her, perfectly tailored to Wen Li’s subtle mannerisms and hesitant expressions.

Yet this incredibly expressive display lasted barely two seconds before it was unceremoniously cut short.

Faced with this rare opportunity to receive guidance from a demigod, Wen Li didn’t rush to accept. Instead, she turned to look at Ni Huayuan, the man who had brought her here, clearly deferring to his judgment.

”Heh...”The man’s polite fake smile had already hardened into a cold sneer.

”Since Professor Fu is so eager to help, we naturally shouldn’t waste such a rare opportunity. Go ahead and show him.”

Despite his displeasure, Linghui was indeed in the wrong regarding their previous dispute, and Wen Li’s respectful attitude was sufficiently satisfying.

Ni Huayuan didn’t dwell on the matter, giving her a direct nod a moment later.

”Understood.”

Geniuses all possessed their own innate pride. Since Professor Ni, who had brought her here, had given the word, Wen Li offered no further refusal. Acknowledging the instruction, she turned back and drew in a deep breath.

...

In just a few short words, the situation had rapidly progressed into on-the-spot guidance.

While anyone could see that Ni Huayuan had come with hostile intentions, such absurd efficiency truly demonstrated Professor Fu’s astonishing ability to control the room.

Fortunately, most of the audience had a rather profound understanding of his working style.

At that moment, both Ji Liushuang and Su Gao kept their gazes fixed on Wen Li, showing no particular surprise.

The former didn’t even hide her anticipation, considerately sliding the teacup out of Wen Li’s way.

Sitting a short distance away, Yuan Fang was undoubtedly in an excellent state of mind, looking as though he were sipping his tea while enjoying a play.

Having such an entertaining show to pair with his tea was a rare treat he couldn’t have asked for.

As for the situation spiraling out of control?

What a joke. After dealing with him so many times, when had Professor Fu’s methods ever given anyone cause to worry?

”Emotional Projection? Interesting. That is indeed a rather rare ability.”

The only pity was that target practice for the Psychic Type rarely produced a lively spectacle. Enjoying this particular show required a certain threshold of perception.

Just as Yuan Fang took his first sip of tea, Professor Fu was already staring at the elegant face across from him and delivering his critique.

Huh? That was it?

Yuan Fang inevitably felt a tinge of disappointment, but he knew well enough that if the physical action was lacking, there was still the psychological drama. He immediately turned his attention to the visitors from the Linghui Courtyard to see how they would react to the critique.

”You are as sharp as expected, Professor Fu. Sensing and influencing emotions is indeed the core of my ability.”

Faced with what sounded like a complimentary critique, the youth named Wen Li displayed a rather rare degree of poise, remaining neither overly humble nor arrogant.

”The force is just a bit weak. If this is the extent of it, there’s really no way it could spark any concern that Linghui is leading its students astray.”

It was a pity. The sheltered youth ultimately had far too shallow an understanding of the Apocalypse’s interim spokesperson.

A moment later, Professor Fu’s follow-up critique caused her face to instantly change color.

Of course, Wen Li wasn’t the only one provoked.

At that moment, feeling somewhat at a loss, she looked back at Ni Huayuan standing beside her.

The smile completely vanished from the latter’s fair, effeminate face, his expression stiffening as if a mask had been pasted over it.

”Shall I continue, Professor Fu?”

Seeming to instantly understand something, Wen Li didn’t wait for Ni Huayuan to speak. She had already turned back to Fu Qian, indicating she was starting the second round.

Her gaze was resolute, her expression even more solemn than before; she looked as though she were truly getting serious.

”Begin.”

Although his previous critique had been far from polite, Professor Fu wasn’t the least bit displeased by the youth’s spirit. As he spoke, he even made an inviting gesture.

At the same time, he was too lazy to spare even a glance from the corner of his eye for Ni Huayuan, who had just been directly attacked by his words, fully demonstrating what double standards meant.

Within this subtle atmosphere, Wen Li slowly closed her eyes.

A mere half-breath later, an invisible shockwave swept out.

...

She truly hadn’t wasted the opportunity of this study tour.

The second critique of this visit arrived slightly later than the first.

The faint smile lingered on Professor Fu’s lips, but this time his eyes lowered slightly, as if he were carefully savoring Wen Li’s effort to prove herself.

And indeed, he was.

Wen Li’s abilities were already familiar to Fu Qian. This wasn’t even his first time acting as her practice target.

But he had to admit that through her studies, she seemed to have grasped some special channeling technique, causing her emotional amplification to multiply drastically.

In both the first and second tests, Wen Li had employed the exact same method: the most basic Emotional Projection and amplification.

The force of the first attempt was roughly the standard of her going all-out after her advancement.

It was potent enough that even a Tier 2 would be able to feel its effects.

But this second attempt was another matter entirely.

It had far exceeded the absolute limit of what she could achieve just by gritting her teeth and pushing harder. It amplified the emotions by more than a hundredfold.

An attack of this degree was no longer as simple as causing a nuisance. For anyone with slightly weaker Mental Resistance, it was practically a far more indefensible Mind Blast.

While it was perhaps still a bit too weak to genuinely affect his own willpower, taking a hit like this would undoubtedly be enough to briefly disorient an ordinary demigod.

Although it looked as though executing it hadn’t been easy on her either.

When Wen Li opened her eyes again, deep exhaustion was clearly visible within them, and a thin layer of sweat had even appeared on her forehead.

”Now that’s more like it.”

Being stared at by those stubborn eyes, Professor Fu, who had just delivered his harsh critique, finally let out a hearty laugh, showing no displeasure at being offended.

”Is this how you caused that commotion earlier?”

And before Wen Li could even act modest, he continued asking.

...

The words she was halfway through formulating abruptly choked in her throat. Wen Li clearly hadn’t expected him to bring this up, and she couldn’t help but look at Ni Huayuan beside her once again.

The nature of this question was entirely different from a simple ability test—it was even a little sensitive. She clearly hoped for this Linghui mentor to make the decision.

”That is correct. Several professors were indeed helping her gain more flexible control over her abilities earlier.”

And this time, Ni Huayuan finally didn’t let the youth face the oppressive presence coming from the man before them alone.

”Tests always come with a few minor, uncontrollable accidents. I trust they didn’t cause you any trouble, Professor Fu?”

While they were theoretically words of concern, by the end of his sentence, Ni Huayuan’s tone carried unconcealed aggression.