Chapter 358 - 322: Blooming

Chapter 358: Chapter 322: Blooming

"I’m not joking. An unprecedentedly terrifying storm is brewing over the danger zone. The History Department’s archaeological team, and our own Space System’s Lloyd, are all there excavating, completely unaware. And with the means at our disposal, we have no way to contact them!"

Professor Lawrence succinctly explained the severity of the problem, causing the quill pen in the air to stiffen.

Then, Professor Hazled’s voice came through:

"The archaeological team... Is that the one led by Fernando? I remember the goal of their expedition was to recover the academy’s lost Miracle, wasn’t it?"

"Forget the objective and the Miracle! Saving them is what matters now. Give me 0-005! What are you waiting for?"

"No, you’ve misunderstood. It’s not that I’m unwilling, but 0-005 is not what you think it is. It’s not some Wish Machine that can do anything. If that Spatial Storm is really as severe as you describe, then this Holy Artifact won’t be of much use."

"What?! Isn’t that the academy’s greatest trump card? You once said it could solve any problem in the world!"

"Theoretically, that’s true. But it’s not as simple as putting pen to paper. To activate 0-005, you have to get to the very root of the problem. Do you understand what that means?"

Professor Hazled’s words left Professor Lawrence stunned.

If activating this Holy Artifact required such a precondition, then it would be of no help at all in the current situation.

’Get to the root of the problem... If humanity could currently find the so-called root of a Spatial Storm, we wouldn’t be far from completely deciphering and controlling Alternate Space. If we could do that, why would we fear any Spatial Storm?’

Professor Lawrence realized that if they wanted to rely on 0-005 to resolve this crisis, they would inevitably be caught in a paradoxical loop...

"If that plan won’t work, then we need to organize a rescue team to save them immediately. I can lead it myself."

Professor Lawrence put forth the suggestion.

However, his counterpart coldly refused:

"I’m sorry, my friend, but no. Your duty is to remain here and help the academy weather this crisis. And I can’t possibly send anyone else to take that risk at such a critical juncture."

"What about Lloyd and the archaeological team, then? Are we just going to watch them die?"

Hazled was silent for a full five minutes before he finally said,

"Don’t be so agitated, Lawrence. Another professor is going to help them. She should be here shortly. You’ll need to find a way to get her to the archaeological team."

"Another professor?"

Professor Lawrence paused, stunned. He quickly wracked his brain.

’As far as I know, besides myself, I can’t think of any other professor who could handle a situation like this.’

’The other two professors in the Space System might have the ability, but those two cowards would never take such a risk.’

He was just about to open his mouth to ask when he felt a ripple in the space beside him, and a Teleportation Gate materialized within it.

The gate opened, but no one walked out.

Only an invisible force appeared in the air, faintly coalescing into a human shape.

This professor, it seemed, like the Dean, had chosen a form of life that could be sensed but had no physical body.

"It’s you? I never imagined you’d return to Mizkatoke..."

Professor Lawrence was taken aback, completely surprised.

"Long time no see, Lawrence."

The unseen figure spoke softly, her voice gentle and serene, like a childhood sweetheart from next door.

......

’It’s been fifteen minutes. Why aren’t they back yet?’

At this moment, Lloyd was guarding the entrance to the Space Elevator they had arrived in, his heart burning with anxiety.

He had already carried all nine students into the elevator and was just waiting for the professor and the lecturer to get back.

The Space Elevator behind him kept shaking slightly, a clear sign of instability. It might have seemed harmless, but Lloyd knew it was a sign that the nearby spatial turbulence was getting restless.

This meant that the deadly storm could descend at any moment.

But with the professor and lecturer still not back, Lloyd absolutely refused to leave on his own.

’I’m no coward, clinging to life and fearing death!’

But for now, all he could do was wait anxiously, fidgeting with the Space Cube and repeatedly calculating the professor’s and lecturer’s positions.

’The coordinates of the two groups weren’t far apart, but they hadn’t changed in a long time. Had they run into some kind of trouble?’

Lloyd was filled with regret. He should have insisted on going with them.

’But trying to go find them alone now wouldn’t be so easy...’

’Putting aside the various risks, those ’Seniors’ outside probably wouldn’t let him leave easily—’

Ever since the lecturer and the Teaching Assistant left, Lloyd had noticed something while carrying the other students: the ’Seniors’ outside seemed to be ’done with the act’.

It was as if they had truly come to life. They had all gathered, pressing tightly against the surface of the shield. They followed Lloyd’s every move; wherever he went, they would shuffle along the shield to stay as close to him as possible.

Their postures didn’t change, their eyes didn’t move, and their expressions remained frozen in that initial moment.

But Lloyd could clearly feel it: their gazes were all fixed on him...