Laurina

Laurina's expression became complicated.

Suspicion, confusion, and a hint of indescribable emotion mingled in his eyes.

She stared at the envelope, remaining silent for a long time, her fingers gently tracing the edge of it.

"Who wrote this?"

Lu Yuan did not answer directly, but simply looked at her calmly.

"You'll see when you open it."

Laurina hesitated for a moment, bit her lip, and opened the envelope.

Inside was a folded piece of paper, yellowed and with some tears at the edges.

She unfolded the letter, looked down, and her gaze lingered on the words.

The handwriting on the letter was clear, but the content was very simple.

Just a few casual words:

"Take good care of yourself while you're away from home."

Study hard and strive to reach the main city.

"Bronze City is still too far from the main city."

Remember to eat on time and don't stay up late.

"If you have free time, go out for walks more often; don't always stay cooped up in the lab."

The letter ended without a signature.

There was only a water stain, like the mark left by a tear, which soaked into the paper and left a faint circular mark.

Laurina stared at the water stain, her fingers gently tracing the paper, her fingertips trembling slightly.

Her eyes became unfocused, as if she was trying to recall something, and her brows furrowed tightly.

But my mind went completely blank.

She couldn't remember who wrote the letter.

I can't remember that person's face, or their voice.

I can't even remember if I've ever received a similar letter.

But suddenly, a strong emotion welled up in her heart.

There was an emptiness, as if I had lost something important, and my chest ached slightly.

Laurina stood there, holding the letter, silent for a long time, her breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

Lu Yuan didn't disturb her, but waited quietly, his gaze fixed on the window in the distance.

After a long while, Laurina raised her head, her eyes slightly red and glistening with moisture.

"I... can't remember who wrote this."

Her voice was choked with emotion and trembled noticeably.

"But I feel... this letter is very important."

She carefully folded the letter, as if it were a precious treasure, and tucked it into her bosom.

Then he turned to Lu Yuan and bowed deeply, his waist bent very low.

"Thank you."

Lu Yuan gently shook his head and raised his hand in a gesture of support.

"No need to thank me, I was just helping to deliver a message."

Laurina straightened up and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Although I don't know who sent you to deliver this letter, I can sense that she... or he... is very important to me."

She paused, took a deep breath, and looked at Lu Yuan intently.

"As a token of my appreciation, please allow me to treat you to a meal."

She paused, then asked, "By the way, could you tell me who sent me this letter?"

Lu Yuan sighed softly.

"I'm sorry, I don't know either. You just need to know that this letter is indeed for you."

"It's alright, you can tell me again if you remember." Laurina didn't seem to mind, composed herself, turned and walked deeper into the corridor, gesturing for Lu Yuan to follow. "Let's eat first."

Lu Yuan was taken aback.

He had originally planned to leave after delivering the letter, but then he thought that this was also an opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the Tower of Erudition.

"Good."

Laurina led Lu Yuan through several corridors to the top floor of the Third Tower.

This is her private laboratory.

Pushing open the door, Lu Yuan froze, his steps involuntarily halting at the doorway.

The laboratory was very large, at least 100 square meters, much more spacious than he had imagined.

Rows of cabinets were filled with various alchemical equipment and medicinal herbs, with labels neatly affixed to each container.

Several intricate alchemical diagrams hung on the wall, their lines precise and their runes dense. On the table lay unfinished alchemical artifacts, emitting a faint glow.

There was a small table by the window, with tea set and snacks on it, creating a cozy atmosphere.

The windows were large, and through the glass one could see the entire Bronze City. Sunlight streamed in, casting bright spots of light on the ground.

Laurina seemed to notice his surprise, and smiled somewhat shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"I usually live here; it's more convenient than the dormitory."

She walked to the small table by the window and began preparing lunch.

She took out bread, cheese, bacon, and a bottle of fruit wine from the cupboard with practiced ease.

"Please bear with me, I'm not very good at cooking."

Lu Yuan sat down at the table, watching her busy figure, his gaze sweeping across the laboratory.

Lu Yuan looked around at the spacious laboratory and asked, "Do you usually live here?"

"Hmm." Laurina nodded as she set out the food. "The Alchemy Department dorms are too noisy; I don't like them. Besides, I often do experiments until very late, so it's more convenient to stay here."

She arranged the food, sat down opposite Lu Yuan, and placed a napkin on her lap.

"Try it quickly."

Lu Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and took a bite of the bread.

We've only eaten dry rations along the way, so we definitely need a change of pace.

As he ate, he casually asked, "How long have you been studying Alchemy Department?"

"Three years." Laurina cut a small piece of cheese and put it in her mouth. "I entered the Tower of Erudition at fifteen, and I'm eighteen now."

"Three years..." Lu Yuan was somewhat surprised, putting down the bread in his hand, "Then what grade are you in now?"

"Theoretically, I'm a third-year student, but I've already completed all my courses," Laurina said calmly, without any hint of boasting. "Now I'm mainly doing research."

She paused, then added, "I've invented several new alchemical methods, which have been published in the * Alchemy Journal *. My mentors said I could graduate early, but I want to learn more."

Lu Yuan paused for a moment, his fork hovering in mid-air.

At eighteen, he completed all the courses and even invented a new method.

Laurina seemed to notice his shock, smiled somewhat embarrassedly, and lowered her head.

"It's nothing really, I just really like alchemy."

She pointed to the equipment in the laboratory, a hint of pride in her eyes.

"These things were all bought with scholarship money. The Alchemy Department offers many scholarships every year, and I've received almost all of them."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and put down his fork.

"All scholarships?"

"Hmm." Laurina nodded slightly, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "First place, research award, innovation award... that adds up to quite a lot."

She paused, then said with some pride, "And I also get royalties from my published papers, as well as patent income from some alchemical products. So... I'm quite wealthy."

Lu Yuan suddenly thought of Lausen.

That doctor who was a landlord in Grim Port actually managed to buy several houses in the port.

It turns out he was taking advantage of his daughter.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but smile.

Laurina looked at him questioningly, tilting her head. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Lu Yuan shook his head, his smile fading. "I just remembered something."

Halfway through the meal, Lu Yuan changed the subject. "Has something happened to the Tower of Erudition lately?"

Laurina paused, her fork hovering in mid-air.

She put down her fork, her expression turning serious, her brow furrowed.

You've heard about it too?

"I heard some students have gone missing," Lu Yuan said calmly, his gaze fixed on her, "And they're all from the Alchemy Department."

Laurina was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, her fingers unconsciously stroking the table.

"Three students are indeed missing," she said, her voice low. "Their grades are all pretty good, but not exceptionally outstanding. They're usually quite solitary and not very sociable."

She paused, a hint of unease in her voice. "But lately... many classmates have been behaving strangely."

"What's so strange?"

"They always stay up late, saying they're researching some important topic," Laurina said, glancing out the window. "Sometimes when I pass by the dormitory area, I can see their rooms brightly lit."

She paused, biting her lip. "I didn't look much, but I just felt... the atmosphere was a bit strange. A lot of students want to change dorms lately, but the tower won't approve it."

She paused, then added, "So I don't know much about what happens in the dorm area. I've only heard a few things when I occasionally pass by."

Lu Yuan fell silent, tapping his fork lightly with his fingers.

He began to piece together this information in his mind.

The missing student: had good grades but wasn't outstanding, and preferred to be alone.

An unusual student: staying up late at night with the room lights on.

Despite being Outsider who has just arrived in Bronze City, unless Bronze City fails.

Otherwise, the ability to abduct students so silently would be enough to slaughter half the tower.

Therefore, it is highly likely that someone inside the Tower of Erudition was behind it.

The Night Watcher would naturally think of this.

'This involves a lot of people.'

Lu Yuan thought to himself.

After lunch, Lu Yuan got up to say goodbye.

Laurina walked him to the door, her hand resting on the doorframe.

"Thank you for the letter," she said earnestly, her eyes sincere. "Although I can't remember who wrote it, I will keep it safe."

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, his expression calm.

"Take care of yourself."

He paused, then added, "Things haven't been peaceful at the Tower of Erudition lately, so be careful."

Laurina paused for a moment, then gave a faint smile.

"I will," she replied softly.

Lu Yuan turned and left, his footsteps echoing in the corridor.

Behind her, Laurina closed the door, making a soft click.

Lu Yuan walked along the corridor of the Tower of Erudition, his mind replaying the conversation he had just had.

Because Laurina lives in the laboratory, she is relatively safe.

Such geniuses would be given special protection no matter where they are.

As Lu Yuan thought about this, his hand unconsciously went to his chest.

The Time Bestower Pocket Watch was faintly warm, as if responding to his thoughts.

Now that Laurina is safe and the letter has been delivered...

It's time to leave; there's no need to get involved in this mess.

Lu Yuan hurried down the stairs, passed through the first-floor corridor, and exited the Tower of Erudition.

As soon as he stepped into the square, he glanced back at the buildings behind him.

At a window of the Third Tower, a student stood there blankly, staring vacantly outside, motionless.

At the edge of my field of vision, gray and white text flickers:

[Mental Pollution Source detected]

[Target: Unknown student]

[Status: Extremely low sanity, on the verge of collapse]

Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace toward the plaza exit.