Chapter 735: A Reason

Chapter 735: A Reason

The moment he crossed the threshold of the dormitory building, every living being beyond that line turned its head, eyes gleaming with an eerie blue light, and fixated their gaze upon Kaelen.

Kaelen felt no fear. He allowed the invisible force, surging like a tide, to gradually push him outward. During this procession, he deliberately turned around to look back at the dormitory building now enveloped in a blue radiance.

Was this the barrier of the Spear of Eternity?

No, this had already transcended the level of a mere barrier; it belonged to the realm of a domain.

Within this domain, Michios could dictate almost everything. This was a power reserved for deities, one that only a rare few powerful and perfectly preserved divine artifacts could partially retain.

Every divine artifact yearned for a single event: the return of their former master. For only then could they regain their freedom and reclaim their bygone glory.

Michios, undoubtedly, was also longing for the return of the God of Eternity.

The shift in his attitude toward Kaelen had begun the moment he glimpsed the hunger-addiction buried deep within Kaelen's soul. Yet, it was by no means a sycophantic display; it resembled more the amusement of a spectator watching a lively jest.

He had said that if Kaelen could find him in the future, he would be willing to offer his aid.

Therefore, was it possible that Kaelen's growth could bring him visible, tangible benefits?

And did this benefit target him alone, or did it point toward an entire collective?

He must know the final secrets of the previous era, and perhaps he even understood the reason why the gods of this era remained hidden.

Every word and physical gesture Michios had displayed since his appearance replayed in Kaelen's mind. Kaelen was using these memories to try and reverse-engineer some valuable pieces of information.

Setting aside any romanticized filters, a divine artifact spirit that had been endlessly sealed away was actually not much different from the children of gods Neo often spoke of; at times, they were as pure and simple as children in a kindergarten.

They were not adept at disguise. Or rather, the disguises they considered highly sophisticated were nothing short of a joke before a professional with extensive investigative experience.

"Does my growth benefit them?"

"Whose interests will be compromised by my growth?"

"Is it precisely because that person's interests are compromised that these spirits stand to benefit?"

Kaelen felt he had faintly grasped the underlying truth of this thread.

In the next instant, his conscious existence was "expelled" from that space, officially returning to reality.

The experiences of the past half-day felt like a dream.

However, the voice of Teacher Hydrod calling out from beside him brought Kaelen back to alertness instantly.

"Kaelen, Kaelen, are you alright?"

Kaelen opened his eyes, mastering his emotions and subtle facial expressions in a split second. He raised his hand, touched his forehead, and said, "Teacher, I think I just heard the sound of a door opening that you mentioned, and I also heard the screams."

"And then?" Hydrod pressed further.

"And then, I tried to listen and capture it with greater confidence, but it felt as if I dozed off for a moment. My head is still spinning a bit now."

"Ah." Hydrod sighed and said, "You shouldn't have forced yourself, Kaelen. This could cause damage to your mental or even your spiritual realm."

"I was just very curious about this dormitory. I really wanted to see what kind of situation those four people who used to live here were in. I wanted to know more about them."

"That is only natural. Their identities are indeed enough to pique the curiosity of later generations like us, but you shouldn't have been so reckless."

"I understand, Teacher. I was overconfident in myself. It won't happen again."

"Well, as long as you are fine. Let us head back. I think you need some rest. You should skip this afternoon's class."

"I plan to return to the guesthouse. Tomorrow I have to report to the investigation team assembly. I will just have to find another opportunity to make up for the missed classes later."

"There is no need to worry about that. There will be plenty of opportunities and time in the future."

Hydrod led Kaelen out of the room, and the two of them left the dormitory building.

After traversing that desolate, uninhabited zone, they returned to the living quarters. Standing beneath the faculty apartment building, Hydrod asked, "Kaelen, why don't you rest at my place?"

"I won't trouble you, Teacher. After all, the Regional Director might return, and it wouldn't be very convenient. Thank you for your kindness, Teacher. Please go up and rest, I will head back to the guesthouse."

"Very well. I will prepare some notes and articles for you. When you finish your duties with the investigation team and return to school, I will give them to you."

"Then I am truly grateful to you, Teacher."

After parting ways with Kaelen, Hydrod went upstairs, unlocked his door, and entered the apartment.

Jaspor was not at home, so he was entirely alone. He walked into his study and turned on the light.

Soon, the carpet in front of the desk floated up, revealing the lines of a magical formation underneath. The formation activated, and a dark shadow slowly emerged from within.

"Ah..." The dark shadow let out an exceedingly lazy sound, as if its afternoon nap had been interrupted. "Hydrod, I received a resonance from this end. You took the screened target to that dormitory building. Well? What was the result?"

The person asking this question seemed rather dismissive, as though they had already anticipated the outcome and were merely going through the motions.

Hydrod replied, "No result."

"Sigh, I knew it. Tell me, when will this ever end?"

"That I do not know. After all, before you and me, the personnel responsible for this investigation have changed hands for countless generations. Perhaps we are merely

Cullen remained noncommittal.

Sydrode continued, "I am merely an old university professor, the kind of man with the word 'naive' practically etched across his brow."

Cullen asked, "Why?"

"Why what?"

"If you are naive, why?"

"Are you asking why I am helping you conceal it?" Sydrode blew gently across the rim of his cup, taking a slow sip of tea. "Why shouldn't I? What good would it do me to turn you in?"

"There are no benefits?"

"Perhaps there are, perhaps not. This project has been handed down for so many generations that no one can say for sure what the reward for its completion even is anymore. As for the extra monthly stipend, it really amounts to very little—far less than what I make by writing articles that fetch a flying disc whenever the upper echelons shift their winds.

I am well into my twilight years, and the only person left for me to care about is my granddaughter, who happens to be married to the Godson. Heh, I truly have no lingering attachments or things I cannot let go of.

Ah, yes, are you worried that I knew you were here beforehand, and thus deliberately covered for you?

Then are you currently wondering whether you should orchestrate an accidental death for me? Complete with a 'suicide note' written in my own hand?"

Cullen smiled faintly. "The note would say that upon seeing your granddaughter married, your life's wish was fulfilled, leaving you entirely content. It would then express your deep longing and affection for your ex-wife, reminisce about days gone by, and conclude with your choice to end your own life."

"Oh, no, damn it, you cannot do that!" Sydrode bellowed outright. "It took everything I had to finally rid myself of her. I certainly do not want those students who sleep through my lectures to come sweep my grave one day and recite tales of my tragic romance to my headstone. I would be so furious I would trigger my own 'Awakening' right out of the ground!

Besides, I can give you a reason that will make you truly believe I will keep your secret, and it is not the sort of excuse like appreciating your talent, seeing a bright future in you, or finding our conversation agreeable."

"Please speak, Teacher, I am listening intently."

Sydrode raised his water cup, leaned close to Cullen's ear, and smiled. "Should you perhaps wash your ears first?"

Cullen: "..."

"The man who held this project before me was my wife's father, my father-in-law. His family has held positions at this school for generations, and for generations they have moonlighted on this very project.

So, if I had not taken over, my wife would have had to do so. At the time, I felt this was a responsibility I ought to bear as a husband, so I took over my father-in-law's post. In his stead, I continued to search the school's student body for males with high spiritual talent to send to that dormitory building for experimentation.

Now, I am divorced.

Cullen, is that reason enough?"

"It is."

—

This chapter has fewer words, which cannot be helped. The gastroenteritis has not actually improved yet, and the Dragon feels utterly drained right now. I can only continue taking medicine at home and make sure to replenish electrolytes while hoping for a recovery. I still dare not go to the hospital because I have managed to avoid catching Covid so far, and I fear that going to the hospital might cure my stomach but bring back a Covid infection that forces me to take leave again... I hope everyone understands.