Bell Tower Magic Association, Judgment Society.
"Name?"
"Xu Fang."
"Sex?"
"...What do you think?"
Smack!
The table was slammed hard, making the water cup on it jump. Tea leaves splattered over the edge.
"Watch your attitude. Don't try any tricks!" the younger investigator barked.
His older colleague stopped him and asked, "Do you know why we brought you here?"
Xu Fang replied, "I do. I was testing out a forging technique and accidentally blew up a laboratory."
"Accidentally? You think I'm an idiot?" the younger investigator warned. "Quit playing dumb. Tell us! Who are you really? Who sent you?"
"Whether it was deliberate or an accident, you know the answer yourself." The older investigator added, "I'll tell you this much: confess and you'll be treated leniently; resist and you'll be punished severely. Behave well, and you can earn credit for your past offenses. Using an unknown method to attack the Magic Association is no small crime!"
sigh...
Xu Fang sighed.
What era was this? They were still using the same old routine?
First, slap on a serious accusation and blow a matter that could've gone either way out of proportion. Then one played the good cop while the other played the bad cop.
It was such a stale plot that even TV dramas from his previous life wouldn't touch it, yet these two investigators acted like they had everything under control.
"I've told you everything I needed to. As for me, my background is perfectly clean. There's nothing else to explain."
Xu Fang shifted in his seat. This so-called confession chair was terribly uncomfortable. It even had a magic array that suppressed magic energy and prevented him from connecting his star trails.
Such a powerful device cost a fortune. He'd only get to experience one in the Ancient Capital; he wouldn't have had the chance anywhere else.
The two investigators exchanged a glance. Before either could speak, the door opened and a middle-aged man walked in.
"Liu!"
"Lao Liu, what brings you here?"
"I came to see him. I've already reported it to my superiors." Liu Guifang pulled up a chair and sat down, then looked at Xu Fang. "Do you know who I am?"
"No."
"But I know you. A while ago, on the train, you helped me kill Tu Chao, a member of the Black Vatican, and Lu Wanqing, a traitor to the Judgment Society."
"Oh, it's you." Xu Fang remembered him. He was the investigator who'd been so worried about hitting civilians that he hadn't dared fight at full strength, and ended up getting thrashed two-on-one.
Liu Guifang said, "We've verified your identity, Xu Fang. You're from Bocheng in Fujian Province. Both your parents were deceased Military Mages, and you receive a state pension at the second-class level..."
At that, the two investigators' expressions softened a little.
From the records, Xu Fang wasn't merely from the clean background he'd claimed. He was practically a model citizen with impeccable credentials!
"You awakened to the Light Element last September and ranked first in your school's year-end assessment."
"To improve your strength, you independently arranged to attend Ancient Capital No. 2 High School as a visiting student."
"Your innate talent is an Innate Spirit Seed. You're exceptionally gifted, with the ability to gather light and turn it into fire. You can also cast spells faster."
"Last night, you helped Military Mages kill the undead on the Ancient Capital's city wall, displaying combat ability far beyond that of a mage at your level."
"Did I get anything wrong?"
Xu Fang leaned back in his chair, looking stunned. "You got it all right! H-how do you know everything?"
"Because we're the Judgment Society. We're professionals," the younger investigator scoffed.
Liu Guifang gestured for him to be quiet, then said, "I'm telling you all this so you understand that we won't frame an innocent person, and we certainly won't let a guilty one go. Tell us everything you know. It'll be better for everyone."
Right.
They still didn't believe him. They were practically about to tell him to mend his ways.
When Xu Fang remained silent, Liu Guifang tried again. "Before I came, I consulted a forgemaster. Magic Tool failures don't explode... You're still young. You have a long future ahead of you."
"I want to make a phone call," Xu Fang said.
"Don't push your luck!" The younger investigator slapped the table.
"Fine, but the Judgment Society will have to monitor the call the entire time," Liu Guifang said.
"Okay, but I only trust you. The other two have to leave," Xu Fang said.
"You!"
The younger investigator glared at him.
Liu Guifang gestured for him to calm down, then patiently said, "Although I'm personally grateful to you, I can't agree to that. The rules don't allow it, and they're both trustworthy."
In fact, after Liu Guifang returned, the Judgment Society had launched a sweeping purge and uncovered several moles. The rest had also signed new mind contracts.
"Give him his phone."
Xu Fang got his phone, found a number in his contacts, and dialed it.
The phone rang twice before someone answered with a gruff, "Who's this?"
"Legion Commander, it's me, Xu Fang."
"You, brat... Damn! You little wolf cub, take a taste of my Fierce Fist... Go on, I'm listening."
There was a commotion of fighting and shouting on the other end. Xu Fang strongly suspected Zhan Kong was leading a team on a wolf hunt, and might even be floating in the sky on Wind Wings just to get a signal.
"I've made it to the Ancient Capital. The number you gave me wasn't working, so I... Anyway, that's what happened."
Xu Fang explained the whole story. The other end fell silent for a long time.
At last, Zhan Kong's incredulous voice came through again. "You're saying you blew up the Magic Association? With that... bomb you made?"
"It wasn't that bad. I only blew up one room, along with my shield Magic Tool."
"Swear you're not lying to me! I mean every single detail!"
"I swear on my character."
"I don't trust your character. Swear on your dad's!"
"Are you a child?"
"Now!!!"
"...I swear on my dad's character that I'm not lying."
On the other end, Zhan Kong took a deep breath. Xu Fang could hear the rush of air suddenly speed up, distorting Zhan Kong's voice.
"Wait there, kid. I'm finding someone right now... No, I'll go to the Ancient Capital myself!"
"Luo Yunbo! Luo Yunbo, where the hell are you? Get me a Sky Eagle! You don't have one? Then hurry up and buy me a plane ticket!"
"Xu Fang! Little bro—no, big bro! You'd better not be lying to me! I'm begging you, don't you dare lie!"
The call ended.
The three investigators who'd been listening were completely baffled. From what Xu Fang had said, he'd developed a Magic Tool called a "bomb." Somehow, one of his words had hit a nerve, because the Military Mage on the other end had gotten so worked up he sounded feverish, shouting that he was coming to the Ancient Capital.
"Could it be that kid was telling the truth? Was he really just researching a Magic Tool?" The younger investigator was at a loss. "But that Magic Tool doesn't seem very reliable. It blew up a whole room."
"Should we report this?" the older investigator asked.
Liu Guifang hesitated. The situation seemed to be getting beyond his control.
"Fine, let's do it right away..."
Ring, ring!
Liu Guifang's phone rang, cutting him off. He glanced at the caller ID, froze, then hurriedly answered.
"Yes! Yes! I understand! I understand, of course!"
After hanging up, Liu Guifang turned to his two colleagues, his expression grave.
"Gentlemen, I'm sorry, but I'll need you to hand over all your communication devices and come with me."
The two investigators: "???"
Before you continue