The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 768: Visiting Professor Lu Li

News about Lu Li continued to spread throughout Midnight.

People were buzzing with excitement, eagerly discussing the return of the exorcist from the Old Era.

This morning, a large crowd had gathered at the gates of the University of Claire estate. It was a diverse mix of journalists, writers, and artists searching for inspiration, alongside elderly folk—most of whom were survivors of the Great Migration from Revoltown.

The city guard maintained order, keeping out any heretics or pickpockets.

Dean Rolens pulled back the curtain and, gazing at the figure by the fireplace, couldn't suppress a sigh. "It's been a long time since it was this lively around here."

"Why are there so few students here?" Lu Li asked.

Even though disciplines like botany, linguistics, and archaeology had little practical application in the Age of Anomalies, the University of Claire, under the patronage of the Heartwood Tree, shouldn't have been so deserted.

"There are many reasons," Dean Rolens sighed, turning away from the window. He was about to sit down across from Lu Li when a knock came at the door.

"Dean Rolens, an envoy from the mayor's office has arrived," his assistant announced, glancing at Lu Li. The visit was clearly connected to him.

"Have them wait," Rolens replied, resuming his dignified air as dean. Only in Lu Li's presence did he seem ordinary, even... humble.He sat down in an armchair. "From the very beginning, the Heartwood Tree has only accepted students by invitation. Many young people and their families who didn't receive one would come to the university, hoping to attract the Tree's attention with their outstanding abilities."

"It's useless. The academy on the Heartwood Tree isn't interested in what happens down below, and it pays no mind to these students. At best, it might occasionally respond to our requests. So, over time, seeing no results, students dropped out one by one, and the number of prospective applicants has steadily fallen."

"Those who remain either still haven't lost hope or simply wish to gain knowledge."

Dean Rolens hesitated. "Mr. Lu Li..."

"What do you teach here?" Lu Li understood what he was getting at.

Rolens looked somewhat disappointed, but it wasn't an outright refusal.

"Professor Nuno Alexandrovich teaches archaeology, studying historical ruins and artifacts. Professor Sesar teaches linguistics, preserving the languages of humanity. Professor Deizi Shmidt teaches botany, how to grow... things that no longer grow. Professors Leon and Tesmi teach a basic survival course for the Age of Anomalies—that's our most popular subject..."

"And what about mathematics and history?" Lu Li asked.

"Mathematics is taught in Vinnelag. As for history..." Rolens paused for a moment. "That knowledge belongs to the Heartwood Tree."

"Because of contamination?"

"Yes... much of our knowledge has been contaminated," the dean said bitterly. "And uncontaminated knowledge is usually considered unimportant... which is why no one values the outer University."

Or, more accurately, it had status but no power.

"Plants still don't grow?"

"Ordinary plants, no... Only those that have undergone fusion or contamination aren't subject to this limitation," Rolens replied. "On the Heartwood Tree, that's what they call botany. The blood fields north of Midnight are the result of fusing contaminated crops."

"Can you give me some seeds?" Lu Li asked Rolens. "Ordinary, uncontaminated ones."

He remembered that an increase in his Humanity level helped seeds to sprout. However, the effect only became noticeable after ten units of Humanity, and right now, Lu Li could barely make a seed crack open.

"Professor Deizi Shmidt has some. I'll ask him to send them to you," Rolens replied, not asking any unnecessary questions.

"You can use me for publicity," Lu Li offered.

After all, knowledge was still knowledge, even if it seemed useless.

"Actually, we have another request..." Rolens said slowly, looking intently at Lu Li. "We would like to offer you a professorship at the University of Claire. You could teach anomalistics or exorcism."

"My knowledge might be useless," Lu Li replied.

Everything he knew was about twenty years out of date.

"What about exorcism?" Rolens asked again.

Lu Li thought for a moment but still shook his head. "I won't be staying here for long."

"You're planning to leave Midnight?" Rolens asked in surprise. "I thought you'd want to get your bearings in this world first..."

"I'm looking for someone. She might be on the Main Continent," Lu Li explained.

"Besides, exorcism isn't suited to be an academic discipline."

However, after some persuasion from Rolens, Lu Li agreed to become a visiting professor at the University of Claire and give a few lectures, answering questions from students and other interested parties.

Rolens left to meet the envoy from the mayor's office. Shortly after, Lu Li knocked on Katerina's door.

"Get dressed. We're going to the Old Sewer to get Prusius," Lu Li said to Katerina, who was wrapped in a fluffy terrycloth robe.

It could hardly be called clothing, but Katerina adored soft and fluffy things.

"For that little rascal? No problem."

Katerina stepped back from the door and, without the slightest hint of embarrassment, dropped her robe, heading for a pile of clothes by the bed.

Lu Li's gaze lingered for a moment on her back, which was crisscrossed with scars both long and short, before shifting to the Heartwood Tree outside the window.

"I didn't realize my clothes smelled so awful..." Katerina grimaced, pulling on her leather armor. The stench of sweat and blood assailed her, making it hard to breathe.

Once dressed, she buckled on her sheath.

Katerina and Lu Li left the room and headed for a side exit. A large crowd, drawn by Lu Li's presence, had gathered at the main gates, and they risked getting trapped.

However, before they could reach the edge of the University of Claire's garden, an agitated voice called out from behind them.

"Mr. Lu Li! Mr. Lu Li!" Professor Deizi Shmidt and a stout, breathless guardsman hurried toward them. "Where are you heading...?"

"A companion of ours is in the Old Sewer."

"You want to retrieve him? We can do that for you. For your own safety, it's best not to wander about..." Deizi Shmidt caught his breath and asked, "Is he an Anomaly?"

"A strange man, or rather, a strange creature," Lu Li replied. "You wouldn't know him."

Deizi Shmidt looked at Katerina. "Perhaps Katerina could lead a squad?"

"I don't mind."

Katerina replied. Apparently, she was on good terms with them.

"Then I'll leave it to you," Lu Li said to Katerina. He understood Deizi Shmidt's concerns.

Lu Li returned to his room to wait. Around noon, Katerina came back.

In her arms, she carried a bundle wrapped in gray cloth.

She tossed it onto the floor, and the bundle unrolled to reveal the boyish face of Prusius on a dog-like body.

"Mr. Lu Li, thank you!"

His tail was wagging so fast it was just a blur.

"And thank you, Miss Katerina!"