"We," Professor Rob said, looking very willing to take advice. "Sure enough, you went to trouble Professor Lanaia."
Leaders were always beset by problems that came looking for them. Once again, that had been made tangible before his eyes.
"Sit."
Though night had already fallen, Fu Qian casually gestured for him to take a seat.
"After I told Professor Lanaia what I'd said, she quickly put aside what she was working on and went with me to find the Institute of Curses' mentors... They were all very interested, too, and they're still investigating over there."
Rob had unconsciously been won over by Fu Qian's air of authority. Realizing that he still had a long way to go in keeping his composure, he promptly sat down as instructed and explained the situation further.
Things were pretty much as expected. Whether or not she was fond of rambling, Professor Lanaia could be counted on to take responsibility when something happened.
"Oh? Any results?"
Fu Qian nodded slightly, then went straight to the most important question.
"...Not yet."
Rob froze for a moment, his enthusiasm suddenly deflating.
"I told a few of the mentors about the mushrooms, too. Their reactions were much the same—they couldn't imagine how they might be used.
"The mentors tested all kinds of things in the office and across the Institute of Curses, but so far they haven't found anything. A Kai seems to have vanished into thin air."
From Rob's description, the Institute of Curses' mentors might not like sitting at their desks, but they were just as conscientious and curious—
"I see. Then I'm not going."
Unfortunately, that spirit didn't move Professor Fu. Without even blinking, he flatly turned down Rob's invitation.
"Where is Professor Lanaia now?"
Rob clearly hadn't expected the refusal. As he fell