Chapter 114.2 Merfolk Shore
The status of the mentors was quite high. They occupied the comprehensive building where the administrators conducted their daily work. They even had individual spacious offices.
Following Luis’s provided location, Wen Shi arrived at the second-to-last office on the fourth floor. The door was slightly ajar. He lightly tapped it twice.
“Come in.”
Bathed in sunlight, the pale-colored shirt exuded a gentle aura. Mr. Ruan not only taught special admissions students, he was also preparing lessons for the regular senior students.
Mr. Ruan’s anger had only slightly subsided when he saw Wen Shi and Song Yan. He pointed towards a corner stacked with over a hundred volumes of books and said, “Take these to the lecture hall. Inform everyone to come and collect them after class.”
The books were quite thick. It seemed like there would be several trips required to move them back and forth.
Just as Wen Shi was about to become a laborer, Mr. Ruan suddenly set down his pen. “As my class representatives, I’ll pay closer attention to your academic progress. If you have any short-term goals you want to achieve, I can help you formulate corresponding plans.”
This was equivalent to a self-selected quest, with the difficulty level varying based on the size of the goal.
Wen Shi hesitated for a couple of seconds before saying, “I want to perform in the concert.”
Finally, Mr. Ruan looked at him directly. “Oh?”
A single word that carried a hint of dissatisfaction with someone overestimating their capabilities.
【Mr. Ruan’s favorability -5】
“……” This situation was like riding a rollercoaster with Mr. Ruan’s favorability going up like climbing a hill and then plummeting down like going on a slide.
Wen Shi knew he was like a child who wanted to run before learning to crawl, but he enjoyed the fast pace. The intense rain of water droplets, much like a storm, would make him feel excitedly tense.
“I want to stand higher,” Wen Shi pretended to be fascinated and said, “Higher up, as if I can be closer to…”
The two words ‘my king’ were obscured between his lips, briefly brushed past, and he continued, “A bit closer.”
Mr. Ruan’s icy smile softened slightly.
He opened the right cabinet and took out ten booklets from the middle. “These contain information about folk culture. Mr. Qi’s class is planning an innovative, grand musical production, and these materials could provide them with some creative ideas. I heard these students will be discussing the arrangement in the library tonight. Please pass these on for me.”
Even without direct contact, one could sense that the paper inside had absorbed moisture. The booklet covers were saggy, and even the lettering was blurry.
“By the way, my relationship with Mr. Qi is average. I don’t like to be ostentatious.” Mr. Ruan crossed his hands, gazing at Wen Shi like a mentor. “Handle this task first, and then I’ll consider whether or not to focus on cultivating you.”
【Special Side Quest: Booklet Delivery
Quest Description: At 8:44 PM tonight, go to the library lounge, and secretly help Mr. Ruan deliver some booklets.
Quest Requirements: 1. Absolutely ensure that the senior students don’t find out that the booklets are provided by Mr. Ruan. Otherwise, if the truth comes out, he won’t be able to deflect the blame onto you. 2. It’s crucial to make sure the senior students smoothly finish the booklets. Otherwise, it might be difficult to manipulate their minds effectively.】
What a perfect scapegoat.
Wen Shi inwardly laughed. Had their teacher-student relationship truly reached such depths?
On his face, however, he put on an earnest expression. “Rest assured, Sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
The quest emphasized secrecy, so Wen Shi suggested he would come to collect the folklore booklets at 8 o’clock, a cautious move that earned a compliment from Mr. Ruan.
“And what about you?” Mr. Ruan inquired of Song Yan, “What are your goals?”
Song Yan had good insight. Since it was a solo quest and given his current abilities, he couldn’t handle a high-difficulty one. He pragmatically stated, “I’d like to attend the concert as an audience and appreciate it live, so I can understand the gap between me and the top students.”
Mr. Ruan nodded and assigned him another task. Song Yan needed to bury a box at the bottom of the lake behind the campus.
After receiving their respective tasks, Wen Shi and Song Yan started moving textbooks. As the midday sun became intense, Song Yan said as they left the building, “I’ll handle the book delivery.”
His words implied that Wen Shi should stay indoors and keep cool.
Wen Shi carried the books forward. “Mr. Ruan doesn’t like sly individuals.”
Song Yan seemed to realize something and turned his head to look at the office on the fourth floor. He vaguely spotted a figure standing by the window. A shiver ran down his spine, cursing NPCs for being cunning.
Throughout the lunch break, the two of them shuttled between the comprehensive building and the lecture hall, barely getting everything done before class.
Afternoon was full of classes as usual. Every teacher announced the chosen class representatives in their respective classes. Lily selected multiple class representatives in a row, her smile brighter than the outside sunshine.
Wen Shi realized that this enthusiastic mentor was more dangerous than he had thought. Lily’s physical condition was unknown. She didn’t drink much water even after dancing yesterday, and like the principal, her blinking frequency was far below that of a normal person.
“I’ll be heading to the library around eight.” As the bell rang at the end of class, Wen Shi promptly added, “I’ll try to be back before the lights are turned off.”
His tone was casual, but his message was deliberately conveyed.
First, the emphasis was on the timing. During that time period, players could freely enter and exit the dormitory. However, if help was needed to collaboratively complete a quest, Wen Shi could have straightforwardly mentioned it. He refrained from dropping any subtle hints, which merely indicated a correlation between the situation and the quest, without implying the nature of the quest itself.
Jian Qingrong gave Wen Shi a glance and understood the implied meaning: fish hunting.
The subpar merfolk lurking in the library at night was a potential threat. Wen Shi wanted them to eliminate this hazard.
Only the underperformers could visit the library at night. Merfolk wouldn’t appear until it was dark, so after school, everyone was planning to head back to the dorms.
Except for Arlon: “Brother King, I’m going on a missionary trip.”
The negative effects of the【Misguided Steps】had been resolved. Wen Shi felt like he must have been out of his mind last night to have let Arlon handle this task.
Could he genuinely conduct a proper missionary trip?
“Um, I suddenly feel that, um…”
Arlon indulged his little brother, but on certain matters, as long as it didn’t endanger Wen Shi, he still did whatever needed to be done.
He used the tone of coaxing a child and said, “With formidable enemies ahead, how could I have the mood for enjoyment? None of the things you’re worried about will happen.”
The sincerity behind his forceful words made Wen Shi half doubtful, half believing, “Really?”
Arlon’s lips curved up, “Really.”
When Arlon saw the red marks on Wen Shi’s wrist from moving books, his smile widened, but a chilling glint appeared in his eyes. “Little Brother, he shouldn’t have made you do such heavy work.”
Big Brother will make him pay back tenfold.
As they parted ways, Wen Shi took one step back and said, “Be back before lights out.”
Arlon: “Alright.”
Watching Arlon’s retreating figure, Wen Shi turned slightly and asked, “High Priest, do you find his words trustworthy?”
Even with a robust constitution, Ji Yuanzhi couldn’t withstand two consecutive nights without proper sleep.
His eyes behind the lenses were slightly misted. Suppressing the urge to yawn, he said, “As trustworthy as our indomitable kingdom.”
Wen Shi withdrew his gaze and felt relieved.
•
After parting from Wen Shi, Arlon didn’t immediately do anything. He waited until it was a bit darker outside before positioning himself on a route that every teacher had to pass on their way back to the dormitories.
Just as he had told Wen Shi, knowing the battleground well was crucial. Arlon had already thoroughly mapped every nook and cranny of Mingzhu Academy, understanding how every narrow path connected to another.
At eight o’clock, Wen Shi needed to retrieve the booklets from the comprehensive building. For a short while, Mr. Ruan wouldn’t pass through this path, but tonight Arlon had another purpose.
Around seven-thirty, a stern figure walked down the path. The man was contemplating the student list for the concert performance when suddenly all his mental processes felt as if they had been redirected. The most normal emotions and thoughts swiftly fell beyond his conscious reach.
Mr. Qi was taken aback internally. Before he could make a sound, a hand with pronounced knuckles closed around his throat. The assailant’s strength was overwhelming, preventing him from even uttering a word or negotiating terms.
Having his consciousness entirely under control left him almost paralyzed within the embrace of the person behind him.
“Your consciousness is too cluttered. The person surnamed Ruan hasn’t arrived yet to spice things up.”
Mr. Qi had a keen sensitivity to sound and was certain he hadn’t heard a voice like this before. The speaker possessed a distinct, unconventional timbre that set him apart from the generally cold and distant voices of Mingzhu Academy’s faculty and students. This voice was deep and resonant, each word crisp even if it conveyed explicit content.
But he was quickly stunned by the information contained in the words.
Mr. Ruan.
So he had given Mr. Ruan…
Arlon: “Pass on a message for me: the usual spot, wait for me. Remember, you have to deliver the message yourself. If I don’t see the person, you’ll die.”
There wasn’t any “usual spot,” but Arlon was well aware that when that hypocritical teacher heard this message from a colleague’s mouth, he would feel immense humiliation. He would kill all those in the know. These two dogs fighting would save Arlon from Mr. Ruan’s incessant meddling. Once Mr. Ruan’s mental state began to crumble, Arlon could lead him to reveal the Merfolk King’s whereabouts.
Arlon lowered his gaze at the person before him, a mess of a figure resembling wet mud.
Regardless of whether it was for self-preservation or other reasons, this person would comply without fail.
A hunter, ever ready to execute an assassination, was on campus. The man would find it difficult to sleep or eat, and Mr. Ruan was the only one who knew. He had to extract information from him.
……
Meanwhile, Wen Shi had just arrived at the comprehensive building, preparing to retrieve the booklets.
The office door was locked. After waiting for a few minutes, Wen Shi’s impatience grew. Regardless, the quest had to be done. If he didn’t see anyone by quarter past eight, he would have to pick the lock.
The staff on this floor had already left for the day. At the far end of the corridor, a blurred darkness seemed to gather like a vortex in the deep sea, ready to crush any prey passing through.
Wen Shi stood still in place, appearing lost in thought, but in reality, he was already searching for items to pick the lock.
Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded from the darkness. Wen Shi turned his head to see Mr. Ruan passing by a window. The gentle illusion of moonlight was shattered by a trace of ruthlessness in his eyes.
“This old bastard.”
Upon hearing this usually refined and gentle teacher cursing someone, Wen Shi guessed it was probably the principal he was swearing at.
The revival of the Merfolk King was unstoppable, yet for now, the principal remained the main authority figure.
Wen Shi was curious how a human managed to stand invincible among fierce merfolk. However, Mr. Ruan wasn’t to be underestimated either. Securing a position as a mentor proved he had gained at least some of the principal’s trust.
When any creature was angry, some of their pent-up emotions tend to spill over onto the innocent.
Tonight, Wen Shi was the innocent victim in the line of fire, with no right even to make a hasty exit. “Sir, I’ve come to collect the booklets.”
Mr. Ruan opened the office door and reluctantly explained his tardiness. “The principal is in a meeting, preparing to drain the lake behind the school.”
Wen Shi spoke cautiously, “He’s acting recklessly.”
Mr. Ruan’s gaze sharpened as it turned towards him.
At this moment, placing unconditional blame on the principal, Wen Shi’s angry expression carried a hint of confusion. “It’s strange, why would I say something like that?”
After interacting with several versions of Jian Qingrong, Wen Shi’s acting skills had matured considerably. The newbie who once needed books to improve his acting skills in the ancient castle had become a thing of the past.
His response effectively sidestepped the blame. Mr. Ruan finally signaled he could leave. “Go do your task.”
Wen Shi neatly arranged the stack of booklets for easy carrying.
The office was not lit, and Wen Shi also didn’t explicitly ask. That cautious demeanor reminded Mr. Ruan of his past self. It was in this manner that he gained the principal’s trust and successfully infiltrated the inner workings of Mingzhu Academy.
This similarity suddenly triggered a strong sense of vigilance within Mr. Ruan.
As Wen Shi focused on sorting things out, he sensed something amiss. Feigning nonchalance, he continued with his task, picking up the booklets and preparing to leave.
However, at that moment, the moisture in the air surged rapidly. Unable to breathe, Wen Shi’s attempt to inhale resulted in a deluge of concentrated water rushing into his lungs. His face turned a sickly white and bluish hue. Struggling against the waterlogged environment proved futile. His limbs grew weak, and the booklets fell from his grasp.
Despite the discomfort, Wen Shi never considered using any item to extricate himself from the situation. The likelihood of Mr. Ruan killing him was low. Just after the meeting ended, there were likely many people heading out. Even if merfolk could devour people whole, this wasn’t the opportune moment.
The sensation of standing on land submerged in water was overwhelmingly unpleasant. Just as Wen Shi was on the brink of unconsciousness, he dimly perceived a figure standing before him.
“To whom do you pledge allegiance?” The person spoke as if singing, the melody seeping into the depths of his consciousness, coaxing out his most genuine thoughts.
For a fleeting moment, Wen Shi’s resolve wavered. Holding on with his last shred of strength, he managed to utter a single word, “King.”
For any NPC within this instance world, ‘King’ defaulted to the ‘Merfolk King.’
The surrounding mist dissipated. The prolonged struggle for breath left Wen Shi with a strong sensation of nausea. He gritted his teeth against the discomfort, his eye sockets tinged with a physiological redness. With a perplexed expression, he asked, “Sir, what just happened to me?”
Mr. Ruan gently retrieved the booklets from the ground and handed them to him. “Get some rest early tonight. Your complexion isn’t right. Lack of sleep is taking its toll.”
Assured that the effects from that piece of meat hadn’t faded, and with the indirect release of anger during the meeting, Mr. Ruan reverted to his usual harmless appearance.
Together, he and Wen Shi descended the stairs. Before leaving, Mr. Ruan locked his office door and emphasized the need for discretion while delivering the booklets.
The sound of the locked door served as a tacit reminder for Wen Shi to keep his mouth shut.
Outside, the night was as cool as ever. As soon as they stepped out, Wen Shi noticed Mr. Qi approaching with unsteady steps. The typically icy demeanor of the man seemed off today. His breath was ragged, and there appeared to be finger marks on his neck.
With his collar raised, Wen Shi wasn’t entirely certain of the situation.
This year, it was Mr. Qi’s responsibility to oversee all the preparations for the upcoming music concert. As the countdown to the concert announcement began, he was excused from attending recent meetings. Seeing Wen Shi there as well, Mr. Qi swallowed the words he had initially intended to speak.
Initially, Mr. Ruan had frowned when he saw Wen Shi carrying the booklets, fearing that the other person might notice. However, upon realizing that his attention was not on the student at all, he gave Wen Shi a glance and signaled him to leave.
In the darkness of the night, Wen Shi clutched dozens of bookletlets to his chest and headed in the direction of the library, looking almost like a thief.
Having already lifted heavy objects earlier in the afternoon, his shoulders were still sore. As he distanced himself, he muttered to himself, “A cat on flat open plains gets bullied by a fish.”
[T/N: from the idiom “the tiger who descends to level ground may be bullied by dogs”]
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from behind.
Reflexively, Wen Shi flinched and turned around to see Mr. Ruan’s fist slamming into a lamppost. He stared for a moment, taken aback.
In a perfectly normal situation, what was he suddenly getting worked up about?
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