Stop trying to control me, Miss Moriarty!

Chapter 16 Stop arguing!

—Sherlock Holmes?

How did she end up here?

Erin's mind was already in a mess, and now it was like a storm was brewing.

Charlotte strode confidently into the research lab, her lake-blue eyes fixed on Moriarty, a perfectly polite smile on her face: "You must be Professor Moriarty, good day."

Then, she turned to Erin, the curve of her lips unchanged, yet her smile seemed to carry the chill of Greenland: "Long time no see, but this is the first time I've formally greeted you, Mr. Adler."

I must say, she was a huge help.

Erin now has a sense of relief, like a victim at a crime scene who has been saved by a detective who appeared out of nowhere.

He quickly composed himself and asked, "Good day, Miss Holmes, what brings you here?"

Charlotte pointed to her school uniform, tilted her head slightly, and said in a light tone, "Isn't that obvious enough? I'm a second-year student at the Royal Academy now, you should call me 'senior'."

"...?"

In the game, Charlotte Holmes's attitude towards Imperial College London is far from friendly; in fact, it's downright hostile. She has repeatedly and publicly mocked the college as a "greenhouse for idiots" and a "cradle for killing geniuses," among other things.

And now she has actually chosen to enroll in the school on her own initiative?

The variables that caused all of this to happen

--All right.

Erin realized with sorrow that it seemed to be himself.

"Studying at this academy might just be a waste of your time," Erin hinted to Holmes, trying to get her back on track.

"I completely agree with that," Charlotte said, her gaze fixed on Erin as if she had found her prey. "But there's a 'puzzle' here that needs to be solved, so I have no choice but to reluctantly agree."

Those beautiful blue eyes seemed to possess an all-knowing quality.

The next second, she looked at Moriarty: "Your research room is so clean, it's almost obsessive-compulsive."

Hearing this, Jessia slowly stood up, revealing an interested expression: "Maintaining a clean and orderly environment is the foundation of efficient thinking. My friend, this doesn't necessarily mean you have a pathological obsessive-compulsive tendency."

"Of course, Professor. Maintaining neatness is a virtue of every lady."

Charlotte walked to the glass case displaying the alchemical instruments and gently brushed her hand across the wooden surface.

"But your cleanliness has reached the level of almost eliminating all traces." She turned around, revealing a bright smile: "So clean that even if you went to Stockholm and took care of a prince, no one would find out."

"I see." Jessia took two steps forward, closing the distance between herself and Holmes.

She tilted her head, looking the young detective up at her: "Mild paranoid personality disorder, accompanied by significant delusional symptoms. This is common in adolescents. Would you like me to recommend a reliable neurologist, classmate?"

Charlotte shrugged. "It was just a little joke to lighten the mood, but your reaction seemed a bit excessive. Menopausal women often exhibit mood swings, and my roommate, Ms. Watson, is quite knowledgeable about this. Would you like me to introduce her to you, Professor?"

Although the two had only met for the first time, they had exchanged blows several times in the blink of an eye, and the atmosphere in the research room had quickly escalated to a tense standoff.

Are these destined rivals?

Erin couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

He cautiously stepped forward, attempting to intervene in this dangerous vortex: "Um...you two...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Violet and Lake Blue eyes glared at him simultaneously.

Erin immediately fell silent, retreated sullenly, and decided to play the role of a silent spectator.

Jessia rested her chin on one hand and leaned forward slightly.

Taking advantage of her nearly 7-inch height, she created a sense of oppressive dominance: "Classmate, judging from the subtle vein marks on the back of your hand and the dilated capillaries under your eyelids, you seem to have a long-term habit of inhaling magic crystal powder."

"This drug can indeed temporarily improve attention and treat paranoia at low doses, but the cost of overdose is permanent damage, including but not limited to impaired judgment, distorted perception, and exacerbated delusions."

Charlotte looked up, meeting Moriarty's gaze without flinching. "Thank you for your concern, Professor. However, my roommate has already given me enough lectures about the dangers involved."

Her sharp and swift rebuttal followed: "In fact, there is already a broad consensus in the medical community that excessive intake of refined sugars causes chronic damage to the cardiovascular system and cognitive function."

Statistics show that thousands of people die each year, directly or indirectly, from related diseases—a number far exceeding deaths from some illicit drugs. Furthermore, the addictive nature of sugar is significantly underestimated due to the influence of sugar manufacturing companies.

"Absolutely right." Jescia agreed, as if she were truly having an academic discussion with Sherlock Holmes.

"However, sugar metabolism can be regulated by increasing exercise, while the effects of magic crystal powder on the nervous system are largely irreversible."

Her gaze became meaningful. "More importantly, classmate, you seem to have already stepped into the abyss. If you continue to damage your body without restraint, your bright eyes will dim sooner or later and eventually lose all their brilliance."

As she spoke, Jessia took out a piece of high-end chocolate wrapped in gold foil from her coat pocket.

She gently unwrapped the package, smiled tenderly, and handed it to Holmes: "If you really have nothing to do in your spare time, why not do what I do and consume some sugar to provide your brain with a small amount of safe pleasure?"

Charlotte gently shook her head: "To avoid sugar clogging the brain and affecting the development of criminal investigation, I won't use it, Professor."

Jessia put the chocolate in her mouth, squinted her eyes contentedly, chewed it a couple of times, and muttered, "Although you're not quite as good as Adler, you're still a pretty interesting child."

Her smile deepened: "So, how about it? Interested in becoming my graduate student?"

Charlotte raised her chin and refused decisively: "I'm sorry, I have no interest in becoming a legal slave in the 19th century."

"Hahaha, hahahaha..."

Jessia was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter, her golden braids swaying behind her head.

She turned to Erin, who had remained silent.

"Is this sharp-witted yet prickly child the nemesis you speak of?"

The sound didn't travel through air vibrations; it simply appeared directly in Erin's mind.

Erin paused for a moment, then nodded.

I did mention it to Moriarty during that conversation in the Stockholm café.

However, he never expected that Holmes would run into Moriarty at this time.

According to the original course of fate, Holmes never entered the Royal Academy, and the two did not officially meet for the first time for more than ten years.

Will the plot go completely off track in the future?

"So that's how it is. You not only quenched my thirst, but also gave me sweet rain." Jessia murmured to herself, walked up to Erin, and whispered in a voice as gentle as a lover's murmur: "Perhaps, I really will be unable to live without you."

If she weren't Moriarty, and ignoring the chilling, inorganic gleam in her eyes, then this statement would actually be quite alluring.

But Erin still can't understand even a fraction of Moriarty's thoughts, so he has no way of judging how much sincerity is behind those words.

Who knows, this crazy woman might strangle me again because of the previous topic.

Holmes also quietly approached him.

What's the situation now?

Being stared at by two beautiful girls would normally be wonderful, but these two were like two stars locked in combat, radiating an incredibly heavy and deadly gravitational field.

Caught in the middle, Erin felt a dull ache in her stomach.

Charlotte suddenly asked, "Mr. Adler, what exactly is your relationship with this professor beside you?"

"...graduate students and their advisors?"

"Really?" Upon receiving the answer, her eyes gleamed with an undeniable light.

"To my knowledge, assistant professors are not qualified to admit graduate students, and first-year students cannot be admitted as graduate students. Professor, could you please explain this?"

Charlotte's discovery of this loophole in the rules has ushered in a new round of competition.

Jessia didn't answer directly, but instead asked, "The academy's enrollment period has already passed, and since its founding, there has never been a rule allowing freshmen to directly transfer into the second year. So, classmate, how did you get into this academy?"

Charlotte replied calmly, "I achieved a record-breaking score on the entrance exam, and I also have a letter of recommendation from the British Royal Family. That should be enough, right? Professor, extraordinary geniuses always receive some preferential treatment."

"Geniuses should receive special treatment—what a correct view."

Jessia clapped her hands lightly, her smile delighted: "Please allow me to include this sentence in my acceptance speech for this year's 'Maple Star Award.' Also, my formal professorship was approved by the college yesterday."

"The Maple Star Award?" A hint of surprise flashed in Charlotte's eyes.

The awards ceremony hasn't been held yet, but the winners will be notified in advance, so Moriarty has no reason to deceive himself.

As the highest honor in the British magical academic community, the Maple Star Award is given to only one scholar each year for making the most outstanding and groundbreaking contributions in that year.

The youngest laureate in previous years was thirty-five, but Moriarty won the title at just over twenty. With this honor, it was only natural that she was granted professorship and enjoyed all the privileges of the academy.

Lost.

Holmes lost.

Erin silently drew a conclusion in his mind.

At only sixteen years old, she was slightly less experienced than Moriarty, and from the very first sentence, she fell into the pre-set rhythm.

Just then, he suddenly realized that Holmes's gaze had returned to him.

Erin was about to ask what the other person was looking at.

A warm, soft, and delicate touch was already coming from my right hand.

"...Miss Holmes, what are you doing?"

Charlotte lifted his right hand, her gaze intently examining the burns on the back of his hand that had not yet fully healed.

Her movements were gentle, and her tone was comfortingly warm: "Was all of this left behind because you saved me?"

Almost simultaneously, another cold gaze fell upon Erin.

"Oh?" Jessia's voice was soft, devoid of emotion. "So that's how these burns came about..."

A chill ran down Erin's spine, and he quickly withdrew his hand.

He said calmly, "Please don't worry, for a magician, this minor injury will heal in a few days."

Hearing him say that, Charlotte lowered her eyes quietly and slowly said, "About the time I lied to you..."

"Mr. Holmes, it's about time you went back."

Jessia interrupted her directly: "Adler and I are about to conduct an experiment on a top-secret project. This research lab will not be receiving any 'unrelated personnel' for the foreseeable future."

She deliberately emphasized the last four words, then took out an exquisite alchemical artifact from under her desk and tossed it to Holmes: "Young man, installing a magic receiver haphazardly is a very bad habit. This time, I'll just pretend you accidentally left it here."

"My History of Magic class this morning is about to start, so I really should take my leave." Charlotte casually stuffed the receiver into her pocket, showing no sign of nervousness at being caught, and turned to leave. "Thank you, Professor, for helping me find my lost item."

Just as she grasped the brass doorknob, she suddenly stopped and turned around again:

"Mr. Adler, if you were forced to sign an unequal agreement against your will, I think I might be able to offer some legal and other assistance."

Jessia walked over to Erin and stood beside him, smiling as she looked towards the door: "My dear Holmes, you'd better get rid of this habit of unfounded fantasies. Adler willingly became my 'possession'."

She gave Erin an inquiring look: "Isn't that right?"

"...That's right." Erin nodded.

Charlotte also looked at Erin: "A person's will can easily waver when faced with major setbacks, leading to wrong choices, often followed by deep regret and self-doubt. Mr. Adler, what do you think?"

"..." At that moment, Erin did hesitate.

He was silent for a fraction of a second, then finally shook his head. "That's not true."

However, Moriarty frowned slightly.

And so does Sherlock Holmes on the other side.

Silence descended once more.

The invisible gravitational field between the two seemed to expand again, squeezing the innocent Erin, who felt as if his spirit was about to be torn apart.

Knock. Knock.

At that moment, there was another knock on the door.

"Excuse me—"

The door was pushed open, and a red-haired female student in a school uniform walked into the research room.

Her gaze was fixed on the pale-faced Erin, a gentle smile blooming on her face, her voice affectionate:

"Erin, so you really are here."

Erin: "...?"