Chapter 357 - 321: Surging Undercurrents

Chapter 357: Chapter 321: Surging Undercurrents

If you just went by the textbook theories, or the instruction manual for this Spatial Compass, an episode like that, where it went haywire, wouldn’t actually be considered a particularly special situation.

In contrast, its current state—quiet as a Rubik’s Cube—was a rare ’good opportunity.’ If it were a typical Space System lecturer or researcher, they probably wouldn’t have thought much of the previous flare-up.

This was, after all, a perilous Alternate Space. Spatial instability was the norm here. A single flare-up was like a slightly larger wave on a calm sea; normally, no one would pay it any mind.

But Lloyd was different. He possessed Level 2 [Spatial Domination], which made him unusually sensitive to a ’wave’ like the one before.

He could feel it. This was no ripple caused by a gentle breeze, but the sign of a brewing storm!

The deadly part was that you could at least predict storms at sea by watching the weather, observing dark clouds, or listening to a forecast. But in this unpredictable Alternate Space, there were no effective means of prediction.

Even Lloyd didn’t know when this storm would arrive...

"What’s wrong? Didn’t you just say the space here was showing a rare stability?"

Randy, the lecturer beside him, asked in confusion.

"It’s hard for me to explain in detail. Maybe our luck is just bad, or maybe our actions have disturbed the spatial stability. In any case, if we don’t hurry up and retreat, I’m afraid we really won’t be able to get back."

Lloyd gave a simple warning, then continued to ask:

"Is there any way to contact the professor and the others right now?"

"I’ll try..."

Lecturer Lille said, then immediately lowered his head and started to doze off.

Thankfully, Lloyd had already witnessed this communication method of the History System, which Professor Lawrence had described as ’primitive and backward.’ Otherwise, he might have mistaken him for being drunk...

About ten minutes later, Lecturer Lille woke up and shook his head.

"No good, I can’t get through. The power of [Wisdom] is being interfered with by some unknown factor. It’s like I’m facing a ball of yarn a cat’s been playing with—I can’t find the end of the thread to make contact..."

"Is this situation common?"

Lloyd quickly pressed.

The Bounty Hunter Teaching Assistant standing nearby helped answer:

"Strictly speaking, it’s not very common, but we’ve experienced it a few times and came out unharmed. This time, however, I’m more inclined to trust your judgment."

His words surprised Lloyd.

’This guy had clearly seen me planting ’Dazed Hair’ on people earlier. He should be suspicious of me, yet he trusts my prediction faster than the two lecturers?’

Lloyd couldn’t help but feel curious. Just as he was hesitating whether to ask, the TA took the initiative to explain:

"Because the last time I left the academy and returned to the City of Order, I happened to hear of the title ’Bright Star.’ So I believe someone like you must have an extraordinary sensitivity in certain areas, which is why Professor Lawrence recommended you as a freshman."

’Ugh... This guy...’

’I’m surprised by this guy’s shrewdness. He seems quiet, but has he actually thought through so many things?’

At this point, the two lecturers also decided to trust Lloyd after a brief discussion.

"Alright, we trust your judgment too, Lloyd. It’s time to prepare for evacuation. So... William, we’ll have to trouble you to come with us. For now, we’re the only ones who can go find the professor. The other students here will be left to Lloyd."

"After we leave, Lloyd, you prepare for the retreat. If the situation becomes critical, don’t wait for us. You all leave first, then go back and find someone to rescue us."

The two lecturers spoke, laying out an emergency plan.

Since they couldn’t contact the professor and his team, and they couldn’t just run away themselves, their only option was to venture deeper into the library and try to make contact in the most primitive way.

But compared to Professor Fernando’s team with its powerful, star-studded lineup of teammates, a combination of just two lecturers and one Teaching Assistant was hardly enough to venture deep into such a dangerous and bizarre library...

They didn’t even have anyone from the Engineering System to help. It could easily turn into a disaster where the rescuers get captured one by one.

So Lloyd immediately objected:

"I’m going with you. If something unexpected happens, you probably won’t even be able to find the professor and his team without me there..."

But Lecturer Lille shut him down with a single sentence, leaving Lloyd speechless:

"And if you’re not here and something unexpected happens, what about all these unconscious students?"

"This..."

"Alright, it’s decided. We need to move quickly. This Alternate Space is like a temperamental sea, and we have to take advantage of this final moment of calm."

As he spoke, Lecturer Randy stood up, pulled five flat metal boxes from his coat, and stuffed them into Lloyd’s hands.

Lecturer Lille did the same, taking out four metal boxes.

These were the nine pages they had recovered earlier.

Although they didn’t explain, Lloyd roughly understood their intention in entrusting the knowledge to him.

’If they don’t make it back, at least I can bring back these findings, along with the students.’

"Don’t touch these Orbits. They should hold for a while."

"Be careful, Lloyd. We trust you won’t let us down."

After these final instructions, the two lecturers walked resolutely to the edge of the protective shield, opened a rift, and slipped through.

Lloyd stood rooted to the spot, clenching his jaw tightly.

’Perhaps what Mizkatoke wants to impart to its students isn’t just knowledge and skills...’

’May your path forward be lit by radiant starlight.’

* * *

"How could you miscalculate such simple data? You’re... such a disappointment!"

Professor Lawrence said huffily. Then, as if by Magic, he pulled out a ferocious-looking Wolf Fang Club and whacked a researcher in front of him on the head.

"OW, OW, OW! That hurts like hell!"

The researcher immediately clutched his head and jumped to his feet.

Despite the Wolf Fang Club’s surface being covered in barbs and spikes, stained with dark red blotches that made it look like a murder weapon with a high body count, the researcher’s brains weren’t splattered everywhere. He wasn’t even seriously injured, just in so much pain that tears were welling up in his eyes.

Supposedly, this Wolf Fang Club was one of the ’Top Ten Most Dangerous’ inventions developed by the Engineering System. But that was a student ranking. Among the professors and lecturers, this bloodless club was actually quite popular...

"Can’t you learn from Lloyd? He just joined the Space System and he can already... Never mind, let’s not talk about him..."

Professor Lawrence chided him again, then waved his hand, letting the bungling researcher off the hook.

Then he turned to another researcher and asked:

"How is the History System’s archaeological expedition progressing?"

"In terms of spatial stability, it’s been excellent. Just two minutes ago, it broke the historical record for the longest period of stability. There was only one small ’ripple.’ It seems their luck on this trip is great, doesn’t it? It’s rare to encounter such calm."

The researcher replied, a pleased look on his face.

"Mm, that old fool Fernando has always prioritized caution. He might be a coward, but he’s also the person with the highest safety rating in their History System."

Professor Lawrence nodded in satisfaction as he said:

"Show me the record-breaking data."

"Yes, Professor."

A screen of light then materialized in front of Professor Lawrence, with a flood of numbers scrolling by rapidly. Though they scrolled fast, the values didn’t change much, showing a visibly stable state.

"It really is unusually stable. Looks like that kid Lloyd has some good luck..."

Professor Lawrence said, stroking his goatee.

Until he saw the change in the most recent data.

"Huh? Wait! Is that the ’ripple’ that broke the record?"

He quickly paused the scrolling data, then meticulously examined the various readings from that ’ripple.’ He then said urgently:

"Get me the previous files—the data from the last few Spatial Storms! Quickly!"

"Ah? Yes, sir..."

After receiving the new data, Professor Lawrence scanned through it rapidly, comparing it back and forth. Finally, his expression changed drastically, and he said in a low voice:

"Damn it... This is probably going to be the biggest Spatial Storm to date..."

He stood stunned for two seconds, as if considering the harm and consequences this storm would bring to the academy. Then he snapped back to his senses and yelled:

"Quick! Contact the people from the History System and tell them to evacuate immediately!"

"Right... I’m on my way!"

"Run faster, you idiot!"

Professor Lawrence urged impatiently, then started jabbing his finger at the light screen, trying to contact Lloyd using the Space System’s methods.

As expected, there was no response from Lloyd.

"Damn, the spatial turbulence gathering and surging around them is severely interfering with communications... That means even the History System won’t be able to contact them in time..."

As he spoke, Professor Lawrence shot to his feet and began pacing anxiously, as if weighing a very serious problem.

About two minutes later, he opened a Teleportation Gate and stepped through it, arriving directly in the largest office in the entire academy—the dean’s office, which looked more like a theater or a dueling arena.

Behind the desk on the highest platform, there appeared to be no one, only a quill pen writing on its own.

"I request permission to use 0-005."

Professor Lawrence said to the empty desk.

The quill pen stopped and Professor Hazled’s voice emerged from it:

"If you’re insane, you should check yourself into a mental hospital."