Volume Three: The Academy Goes on a Full-Scale Rampage - Division
"Enough... really... enough!"
The underground laboratory of the League of Scholars was in complete disarray.
Fiaz sat atop a mountain of scattered parts, his face so somber it seemed to drip water.
The subordinates who would normally fawn over him even knowing they would be rebuffed were now standing timidly outside the laboratory door, afraid to make a move.
"Why is everything going wrong lately...? The Evelynths thing is still nowhere in sight... I even failed to capture a monster related to the Rakshasa True Word... and the reinforcement work on the Boundary Breaking Armor isn't even finished yet..."
Feeling annoyed, he kicked a light gray instrument, but it didn't even shake. Instead, he clutched his foot and groaned in pain.
"Damn! Are you kidding me?!"
He shakily stood up with his still aching foot, muttering curses under his breath.
He remained standing, frozen in place, and began to think.
"The troubles are piling up, and we have to start dealing with them... Let's begin with... Evelynths! It all started because of her!"
After numerous experiments, Fiaz had previously discovered that only when Evelynths was subjected to negative emotions related to despair would her internal energy fluctuate slightly. But Fiaz's initial excitement was quickly followed by disappointment—he tried many methods, from simply inflicting pain to injecting drugs containing special pheromones to directly inputting specific frequency electrical waves into her brain; he tried everything that technology could do, but the results were unsatisfactory.
Ultimately, Fiaz came to the conclusion that a more natural approach was needed to inflict a more profound and soul-searching despair, which is why Fiaz did not immediately take Evelynths back after learning that she had found her home in World's Little Corner.
The original plan was this: after Evelynths fully integrated into the group, the Club Hunt to gradually destroy the World's Little Corner where she lived, causing her to sink into grief and despair, thereby drawing out the mysterious power within her.
In short, it's about making her watch everything she loves be destroyed.
"Destroy..."
The reason for using the Club Hunt is to allow the destruction to take time, so that the despair can become more profound.
And now--
"Forcibly shortening the process would probably reduce the effectiveness... but this isn't the time to think about that. Right in front of her, I'll give her what I love—"
"How is it now?"
"Awesome!"
Haoyue jumped up and down like a child, moving her limbs and even doing a few somersaults.
"That's amazing! I've never felt so healthy before!"
"That's good."
It was definitely worth swallowing that Serpent's Egg, even though the process was a bit... ugh...
Suddenly, Haoyue turned her back and bent down slightly, seemingly doing something.
She was reaching down with both hands and making strange moaning sounds... Did I hear that right? It sounds so erotic!
About ten seconds later, she turned around, her face flushed.
"Even the color and firmness have been restored! It's amazing!"
"Is that all you want to confirm, huh?!"
Having been exposed to welfare benefits for many years, I immediately understood what she meant.
Amidst the commotion, Haoyue and I walked down the stairs.
After weathering the storm, looking at this familiar everyday scene again, I couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.
"Ahhh! It's Sister Ye!"
In the living room, some children immediately spotted us.
"Long time no see, Minna."
"""haven't seen you for a long time!!!"""
"I miss you so much!"
"It's so boring being with Sister Xiao all the time!!"
"Be good, Xiao's had a tough time too..." I said with a wry smile, trying to calm the group of lolis. Being loved by so many lolis was probably the dream of those hentai loli-con fans, but unfortunately, I'm not a loli-con fan.
She has no breasts, no butt, and can't even take care of herself. If you accidentally push her, the police will take you to get a cigarette. What's so great about a loli?
--Ah, of course, except for this one.
"Mother~~~~Big~~~~Mother!!!!"
A soft, fragrant, tender thing rushed into my arms, its cute little head burying itself in my chest, rubbing against me, its warm, sweet breath spraying all over me. Ahhhhhh, get away, get away! My demonic incantation is about to unleash its power!!!
"Waaaah, Mother is so mean! She sent us away without a word! She didn't even come to see us! Bakabakabakabaka!!!"
Smack smack smack smack smack Little Butterfly's tiny pink fists rained down on me, her face scrunched up in a cute QAQ expression. Ahhhhh, so cute, so incredibly cute! My daughter is the cutest in the world!!!!
"But..."
Little Butterfly stopped her soft-girl punches, her trembling little hands wrapped around my waist, and she buried her face even deeper.
"Welcome back, Mother..."
She raised her head, looking at me with a slightly shy smile. Her long, pinkish-white hair was a little messy, her large, bright blue eyes sparkled, and tears clung to her long eyelashes. Her collarbone and breasts were visible through her open neckline.
I absolutely cannot control myself!
Oh no, what to do?! She's so cute, so adorable! Should I just take her down? Let's just... take her right here and now! But... but we're mother and daughter, right? We're mother and daughter, right? But it's okay, hehehehe. As long as we're not discovered, it's not a crime. Blame it on you for being so tempting! Hehehehehehehehehehehehe. Come on, come on, let Mommy show you your body! Ooh ha ss ha ss...--
"Sister Ye! Sister Ye's eyes are flashing red!"
"Waaaaah, so scary!"
"She must have been corrupted by Sister Haoyue!"
"Xiao Ye, calm down! Let's raise him for at least two more years so the three of us can grow up together—"
"Then we're off."
"Don't go too far."
Bye-bye~ I'll bring you some delicious food~~~
"Be careful on the road..."
I held Little Butterfly's left hand, and Haoyue held Little Butterfly right hand. It was time to make up for the loneliness she had felt for so many days, so Haoyue and I decided to take her out to play.
Well... rather than taking her out for fun, she was more of an accessory. My real purpose was to go to the northern part of the Central United Academy. There's a lot of undeveloped land there, perfect for training grounds and drill grounds.
I must adapt to this new power as quickly as possible.
Once I get used to the method of creating my own combat units, my combat effectiveness will definitely improve significantly.
"Hey, by the way, where's Xiao?"
"As for Si Nan Xiao... it seems she went to the library to meet up with some fellow book lovers. After all, she's been so busy taking care of the kids lately that she hasn't had much time to read."
"Oh..."
"What's wrong, Xiao Ye? You seem lost in thought."
"No, it's just... don't you think Xiao seems a little down? She seems to have something on her mind."
That afternoon, in the library--
Xiao sat in her favorite seat, turning the pages of her book.
She couldn't get into any of the books she was interested in.
Her bangs covered her eyes, so others couldn't see her expression; they could only see that her lips were tightly pursed.
It's like someone has something on their mind.
Just then, a girl with braided pigtails and thick glasses appeared, carrying a stack of books in her hand.
"I'm so sorry, Xiao, I've kept you waiting."
"Ah, you've come, Xiaoyue..."
Shen Xiaoyue sat down naturally across from Xiao at the table and piled the entire stack of books in front of her.
"These are some of the best selections from the library's recent arrivals; you'll probably like them."
"Oh..."
"There are also some of Balgerd's posthumous works inside, which have been out of print for decades. Don't you want to take a look?"
"Um..." "..."
Shen Xiaoyue looked at Xiao, whose attitude wasn't very enthusiastic, with a bit of a strange expression.
"Hey Xiao, what's wrong with you? It's been so long since we last saw each other. You weren't this cold before."
"No... it's just that I've been through a lot lately, and my mind is a bit muddled."
"So you have something on your mind? Let's talk. I'll listen to you, after all, we're friends!"
"Friend..."
Xiao finally raised her head.
Her eyes were incredibly complex, so complex that they didn't seem like her.
"Hey, Xiaoyue, are we... really friends?"
"What do you mean? Do you have a fever?"
"No, my mind is perfectly clear right now, or rather, I've overstated it."
"So what exactly...?"
"Do you remember the assassination attempt that happened a while ago in Fountain Square when black crows caused a disturbance?"
"Of course I remember, it had a really bad influence!"
"My friend was there too. I was very worried after seeing the news, so I wanted to go and see them."
"Xiao is so gentle."
"And then, do you know what I encountered?"
"Could it be remnants of the Black Crow Gang?"
"No, it's even more terrifying than that..."
Xiao swallowed hard.
"It's Black Crystal herself."
"Eh?! Black Crystal? That's the legendary Black Raven Leader?"
"I was so scared that I immediately hid, only to find that the person was dressed exactly as in the legends, and not only that, both of her legs were broken."
"What!? So that means she lost the fight horribly?"
"Maybe, but the real point is..."
Xiao paused, then looked directly at Shen Xiaoyue.
"I discovered that her right leg was a real leg, while her left leg was a prosthesis."
"Is she still disabled!?"
Just then--
Squeak squeak squeak!
"This is... wait, a mouse?"
A creamy-yellow shadow emerged from under the table, its round body and pointed head both comical and adorable.
"This is a character from the book I just summoned. It appears in a fairy tale I heard when I was a child, and its name is Gnawing Gold Rat."
"It's quite cute... What can it be used for?"
"Detecting metallic objects."
"..."
The Gnawing Gold Rat nimbly climbed onto Xiao's shoulder, its pointed little mouth squeaking incessantly close to her ear.
"Hmm... I knew it... I understand."
The Gnawing Gold Rat transformed into a wisp of milky-yellow smoke and flew back into the thick book in front of Xiao.
"I had no idea you liked mice, Xiao. You can even communicate with them!"
"Probably... compared to that."
Xiao lowered her head instead, her voice trembling slightly.
"Xiaoyue, you..."
His fists were clenched, and his lips were dry.
"His entire left leg must be made of metal."
"... ha?"
Shen Xiaoyue was initially puzzled, then burst into laughter.
"Pfft, pfft, hahaha, Xiao, it's true, I had an accident when I was a child and have always used a prosthetic leg, so what? Do you suspect that I am that Black Crystal?"
"... That's true, there are plenty of people in the world who use prosthetic legs, including many at the Central United Academy."
"Think about it, how could someone like me, who's unsophisticated, has no special abilities, and has mediocre grades, possibly lead an organization like that?"
"Yeah... Haha, looks like I've been a bit neurotic lately, overthinking everything I see."
"That's right!"
Xiao smiled awkwardly and lowered her head to read a novel.
Shen Xiaoyue, with an expression that said, "You're really something," pulled a poetry collection from the pile of books.
As usual, the two began a silent and quiet time spent with books as their companions.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, only the ticking of the wall clock echoed in the quiet space.
Tick-tock... tick-tock... tick-tock...
"... well."
Shen Xiaoyue gently closed the book and shook her head.
As if sensing something, Xiao also closed the book.
Shen Xiaoyue untied her long braid, and her slightly curly long hair cascaded down.
After removing her thick, round glasses, her eyes beneath the lenses were a clear, light black.
Like black crystal.
Simply by showing her eyes and letting her hair down, she gives a completely different impression.
Even her demeanor has changed.
She went from being gentle and approachable to being cold and stern.
It's like switching on a switch.
"Seriously, as expected, unstable factors need to be eliminated..."
Having already prepared herself, Xiao immediately grabbed the thick book and took a step back.
Cluck!
The girl in front of him suddenly and strangely stopped moving.
Cluck cluck cluck!
Her eyes rolled back, her limbs twitched, and her neck twisted and turned like a broken puppet.
"Huh... That's strange... Xiao, why are you hiding... Waaah!!!"
She convulsed, struggling to stand up, and crashed into the chair, her expression contorted. At that moment, his words became cold and stiff.
"I already spotted you back then, if only I had known then -- tsk --"
Her expression kept switching between confusion and coldness, like a television constantly changing channels, and even her movements became more and more bizarre.
"Xiao, what's wrong with you? -- Don't get in my way -- Come read a book -- Go to hell -- Why are you hiding from me? -- Behave yourself -- Waaah, no, no, leave me, I I I I -- Behave yourself, behave yourself, you're just a piece of trash -- I'm so scared, I'm so scared, stop it -- Then kill him, kill, kill, kill, kill --"
The girl writhed in agony, her voice shifting between shrill and sinister, her features contorted to the extreme! She clutched her chest tightly with convulsing arms, drool dripping from the corners of her mouth, her eyes darting around wildly! Suddenly, her clothes were strangely strained at the back, as if something living was struggling and writhing there! Finally—
Wow!!!!
Darkness burst forth from behind her.
Gorgeous, jet-black wings burst forth from her clothes, unfolding behind her.
At this time, the wingspan was less than three meters, but the murderous aura as vast as the sea was absolutely genuine.
Xiao stared at her in shock.
Her mind was racing.
The thing right in front of me.
They are two completely different individuals.
This goes beyond mere pretense or self-hypnosis.
There is only one explanation.
"... Dual personality?"
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A long-awaited 4,000-word chapter! Come and vote with your Monthly Votes, everyone!