CHAPTER 528: CHAPTER 259: THE LIAISON YOU CALLED IS OUT OF SERVICE_2

"Unless their plan started decades ago."

The dean finally spoke, "He was an excellent graduate of the academy, started as a teaching assistant in the alchemy class after graduation and gradually earned his professor’s certificate. He’s quite a down-to-earth kid. As for his assistant, she is an alchemist we specifically hired from the Alchemy Association. They had never had any interaction before, and this was my decision."

The dean’s voice sounded a bit sad; many professors at the academy have grown up under his watch.

He trusts his judgment of people, believing that his students could not be surreptitious infiltrators.

"I tend to think this is some sort of possession magic, which could also explain why the Time Travelers always seem to vanish without a trace."

Like parasites, they possess their hosts, changing their thoughts and actions until they gradually become puppets. During this time, the host’s body undergoes changes, and when severely injured, the parasite repairs the broken body.

The moment when the host’s consciousness is obliterated remains unknown to them.

Today, the academy suffered a great loss, losing a kind professor, and "the threat of the parasite continues."

But on the other hand, they gained crucial information—a secret that even people of the Second Era might not have discovered.

"People before considered the parasite and host as a whole, so the Gallog Dynasty tried many methods but couldn’t completely kill them... Franky was the same, his Flash Thunder Spell destroyed the host’s body but couldn’t touch the parasite’s entity."

The dean recounted his speculation.

Ethan’s magic was different. Franky referred to it as some powerful Wind Element Magic, but the dean could discern that it doesn’t align with any known forms of Wind Element Magic. Closely resembling Lindong’s Ice Element Magic, it possesses powers beyond elemental magic.

This was the true reason behind the parasite’s destruction.

And losing the parasite means the host’s damaged body will no longer be repaired, or possibly, they were dead all along.

"Mr. Ethan, Rowena said you’re an expert in this area, and you’ve faced similar situations at the mage tower. I would like to hear your opinion."

The dean looked directly into Ethan’s eyes. As the academy’s leader and inheritor of the title of Hermit, he must quickly find out how the parasite possesses humans; otherwise, every second, the academy’s teachers and students remain at risk.

.........

Meanwhile, at the Alchemy Academy girls’ dormitory.

"Sue, the dinner party is about to start. Why are you still dawdling?"

Calls from roommates echoed not far away.

This is the most exciting time for the academy girls. Upon hearing that a banquet would be held tonight, they take out all their beautiful clothes from the bottom of their chests and spend the next few hours in front of the mirror, striving to perfect their makeup.

The girls can meet students from other academies at the banquet; they enjoy the boys’ gazes lingering on them.

They usually arrive early to occupy more advantageous positions.

Some well-informed students have already learned about the banquet’s specialty—all professors will attend, and magicians from the Astrology Guild are also on the invitation list.

"You go first; I’ll wait a bit longer."

Sue replied without looking back.

The roommates, in a state of excitement, didn’t have much time to waste on her, and seeing her sitting motionless at the desk from a distance, they felt she must be plotting a dazzling outfit.

That damn competitive spirit!

This made them feel threatened. Sue, from a noble lineage where both parents work at the Ministry of Magic, with an uncle who’s a great noble in the empire, received good court-style noble education since childhood. In terms of temperament, she’s unrivaled. If she carefully dresses up, who knows how many boys’ attention she might steal!

Normally good friends, but at public academy-level events, they are secret rivals. If there’s a need to pick the biggest threat "enemy," Sue undoubtedly fits the bill.

They sincerely hope for Sue’s makeup to have problems, or for her evening gown to be gnawed by mice.

Sue listened as the chatter disappeared into the distance, finally sighing in relief.

She was still wearing her gold-edged magic robe, with less than an hour left until the banquet began, but she showed no intention of dressing up.

"Finally quiet."

After the footsteps faded, she grumbled discontentedly.

She turned the mirror on the table toward herself, seemingly familiarizing herself with the reflection of her beautiful face. Her raised hand touched her cheek, and the smooth skin of the girl made her smile in satisfaction.

Before moving, she needed to know some important information.

Sue, born into a noble family in the capital; her parents are respected Elemental Shapers, holding key positions in the Ministry of Magic, showed exceptional talent in Electric Element Magic since childhood. At age six, she left the capital, sent by her parents to the academy, applied for the Tier Three Element Shaper examination this fall.

However, secretly disliking the conventional life, she joined the Mole Club, yearning for rebellious thrills unbeknown to her parents and teachers.

Born with a silver spoon, inherently talented, the perfect life of a noble lady.

But beyond these background details, she’s more concerned about which elemental magic she can skillfully wield.

Closing her eyes, she silently chanted the spell, a green electric ball formed in her palm. She waved her right hand toward the sky outside, and the ball transformed into an arrow disappearing into the night sky.

A simple Tier Two elemental magic with casting efficiency among the best of students.

Upon assessment completion, she took a leather-bound book from the drawer. The cover had no title, merely a commonplace notebook in the academy.

When she opened the first page of the notebook, the black ink slowly surfaced:

"Timeline: 1793, Summer."

"Plane Rating: Unpredictable."

"Security Level: Unpredictable."

"Potential Threat: Unpredictable."

With the appearance of each line of text, her expression grew more solemn. This had never occurred before.

It appeared to be a cozy academic society. Not long ago, girls were discussing their expectations for the banquet, seemingly a fun and relaxed pretend play of a magic academy.

Moreover, she holds a high status—exceptional magical talent, with ample resources to leverage at home, a sure winner in life template, bypassing much exploration and cultivation.

The more it seems this way, the more abnormal it feels.

A series of "unpredictable" made her palms sweat. Based on her experience, lack of clear danger assessment often signifies the worst-case scenario.

This seemingly lively academy definitely harbors unknown secrets.

The text continued to surface:

"Mission Objective (Part one): Engage with error code 0xc0012041."

"Mission Objective (Part two): Find the whereabouts of the goddess."

"Mission Deadline: ∞."

"Mission Hint: Error code 0xc0012041."

"Guild Points Reward: Error code 0xc0012041."

Sue almost involuntarily stood up from the chair, her breath grew rapid, heart pounding intensely. If she recalled correctly, before entering the magic network, the guild informed her this should be an investigation mission.

Recently, a guild’s magic network exploration team discovered traces of the goddess, promptly arranging a series of investigations.

Two senior guild investigators had already participated in this mission before her.

Thinking of this, Sue immediately flipped to the next page of the leather book.

She needed to figure out a way to contact the other investigators!

Facing the leather book, she murmured the spell, inner frustration mounting, yet what met her gaze were several lines of blood-red text:

"Nearby contactable investigator count: 0"

"Investigator Zack, deceased."

"Investigator Zul’gara, deceased."