Chapter 1063: Chapter 32: A Young Girl’s Heart
“Mr. Luli, did you pass?”
“Yes.”
Lu Li’s reply made Bentler even more disappointed.
The process of finding the truth wasn’t complicated: among these people, only the little boy was harmed by Lu Li’s touch with his left hand, and the couple’s anxious movement to hide the child behind them indicated they knew everything.
“Please, don’t take him away, he won’t harm anyone—”
The plea brought Bentler’s attention back to the convoy. The couple cried, begging the Gatekeeper not to take the child away from them.
The little boy clung tightly to his mother’s hem, shrinking back behind her.
Despite being a mimic, the vivid image of the frightened little boy made it difficult to consider him a mimic.
The Gatekeeper ignored the pleading couple and gathered with cold precision.
“How will you handle it?” Lu Li asked the Gatekeeper beside him.
“We won’t do anything,” the Gatekeeper replied indifferently.
The couple looked up incredulously.
Ignoring the dazed couple and the murmuring convoy, the Gatekeeper announced the trial results: all but Bentler passed the trial.
“The danger of the Mimic People is low, and the credits are disappointingly few. Usually, we only forbid them from approaching the Great Tree’s vicinity.” Yege murmured as if talking to himself: “Because we shouldn’t vent hatred on those as weak as us…”
Only then did Bentler realize what kind of mimic it was, feeling lost and puzzled: “Mimic People? But the professor said their mimicry is crude.”
“That’s just the beginning. This Mimic Person has been with the couple long enough to have ample time to resemble humans more closely.”
“Alright…”
Bentler resigned himself to wait for two weeks until the punishment for failing the trial was over.
The Gatekeeper led the students back to the drooping elevator tree root. They truly let the couple and their mimic child leave—though they couldn’t join the migration convoy anymore.
It’s an indisputable fact to conceal everything from the convoy. Whether it’s deception or holding a mimic, the convoy can’t tolerate it.
But they were already near their destination, even separating wouldn’t cause the couple any trouble.
“Do Mimic People affect the minds of those around them?” Lu Li asked.
“No, if they truly existed we wouldn’t rate them as low-danger mimics.” Yege replied.
“Rumor has it that the Exorcist is coming to the middle years, and it seems true. Mr. Luli, have you found a suitable squad?”
“Not yet.”
“You might consider our Holy Light Squad. The captain and vice-captain are both level 6 in Mysticology and Alchemy, ensuring strength and logistics.”
“I’ll consider it.”
Lu Li was not very familiar with the tree trunk layer rules. Before deciding on a squad, he may need to consult Professor Claire.
Returning to the elevator platform, two silent and unobtrusive senior students quietly left.
After Yege sincerely extended the invitation again, he parted ways with Lu Li and returned to his respective zone level.
The darkness and pressure were stripped away from the surroundings, returning to sunlight and warmth. For the rest of the afternoon, Lu Li stayed in the library, preparing for the level 2 trial.
In the dining hall for dinner, Fudote arrived slightly later than usual, her exquisite face more proud and bearing an unmistakable smile.
“You look quite pleased.” Even the sluggish Dog Meat noticed.
Fudote raised her chin: “Once I pass the Mysticology level 2 trial in a few days, I can move to the middle years.”
“Are you going to the middle years with Lu Li?”
“I… I want a seed promotion, but the family wants me to move to the middle years quickly!” Fudote seemed to be covering up something anxiously.
“Why?” Lu Li sensed something.
“…The family hopes I can follow you.” Fudote turned her face away, stirring the soup with her spoon.
“Isn’t that good? You can go to the middle years with Lu Li.” Dog Meat said enviously, licking his nose.
“Of course… Why wouldn’t it be! I want a seed promotion!”
“If you need help, I can contact your family.” Lu Li frowned and spoke.
“I… You stupid Dog Meat, stop smacking your lips!” Fudote froze slightly, suddenly screamed, threw down her spoon, and stormed out of the dining hall with her golden hair swinging in anger.
“What happened to her?” Other students watched Fudote leave the dining hall with surprise, as Dog Meat looked back at the table regretfully, saying: “She didn’t eat… all the food was wasted.”
Lu Li remained silent, contemplating the intrigue behind it.
The Lins Family forced Fudote to follow, to get close, but what was their aim?
A gesture of goodwill, or some webs woven intricately?
Fortunately, Lu Li at Giant Tree Academy wasn’t alone—he had powerful backers and allies.
“If you all move to the middle years, what about me…” Dog Meat wondered belatedly.
“Start with learning to read.”
After dinner, Lu Li donned a cloak and left the canopy layer, heading to the lower layer to find out the middle year rules and inquire about the Lins Family from Professor Chris.
Knock, knock, knock—
Knocking on the door of the senior Alchemy Office, a lazy voice greeted Lu Li as he pushed open the door.
“Dear, you know knocking on a lady’s door at night implies something, don’t you?” Standing by the Alchemy Stand, silver-framed glasses perched on her nose, Professor Chris was both beautiful and intellectual under the fireplace’s glow.
“I want to know the middle year rules.”
“The confidentiality of the tree trunk layer is for a reason, dear.” Professor Chris mixed powders at the Alchemy Stand without turning: “You’ll know once you enter the tree trunk layer.”
“Do you know the Lins Family?”
“One of the Bloodline Families, of course.” Professor Chris explained the origins and current status of the Lins Family while mixing alchemical materials.
A bloodline family that rose in the Weird Times. Their mystical powers stem from the secret cult of the Eye Demon Worm, possibly even the Eye Demon Worm itself. Worm larvae are their companions and weapons.
“So why do you want to know this?”
Lu Li didn’t hesitate to tell her about Fudote’s struggle.
“Intrigue… You really think so?”
Professor Chris was surprised, her voice no longer lazy and seductive, and her narrow eyes glanced over.
“You don’t understand intrigue.” Lu Li said, such things have happened many times.
“You don’t understand women…” Professor Chris sighed unusually, setting aside the alchemical materials: “I suppose I have to be frank with our innocent Exorcist. A proud girl wants to follow you but is embarrassed to say so directly, needing an excuse to cover her intentions, understand?”
“Yes.”
Lu Li thought of Anna, the former one.
Professor Chris continued her concoctions, speaking as if to herself: “Dear, you are quite popular with women, aren’t you? I might consider whether Claire should team up with you when you are a senior.”
With the information obtained, Lu Li soon left the tree trunk layer, returning to his dormitory and taking out the eyeball to summon the merchant.
Before advancing to the middle years, Lu Li needed to prepare certain things.