But these past two days, she had been busy with sothing in the basent and hadn't shown her face at all. She had even warned Uncle Fang not to disturb her unless it was necessary.
This only gave Huai Shi an even worse headache.
Perhaps in her mind, these issues were still within Huai Shi's capabilities? If there were truly a crisis that could topple them, she would surely be the first to prepare to flee with him.
But then again, no matter how one looked at it, if the tacit understanding and trust between Contractors could only be demonstrated by fleeing... sothing felt profoundly wrong.
After practicing his instrunt for two hours in the lounge, Huai Shi finally started to use his brain.
He organized his thoughts.
The primary concern on his mind at the mont was not the possibility of soone plotting against him.
He could be certain of this—even if the vice-principal truly wished to dispose of him quickly, he would not act rashly. On the contrary, the more the vice-principal couldn't stand him, the more he would abide by the rules.
He would absolutely not leave any pretext for others to criticize him.
Moreover, the current Huai Shi was not so insignificant nobody who could be casually crushed. Even if they wanted to expel Huai Shi, it had to be justifiable.
Before Huai Shi and the Ivory Tower completely severed ties, forget about a secret assassination; he probably wouldn't even be allowed to handle work that was remotely dangerous.
It was unclear whether it was because he had beco numb from too many worries or because he had grown accustod to persecution, but Huai Shi no longer cared about such problems.
What he cared about was the single, coveted classroom spot available this year.
Only by truly entering the research office could he legitimately access the Book of Fate, stored within the library, and verify its authenticity.
If his competitors had the support of the Purebloods, he, lacking any foundation, would undoubtedly be at a huge disadvantage.
This matter required careful, long-term planning...
"How many tis have I told you, this issue requires a long-term plan!"
In an office of the Ivory Tower, an elderly man across the desk furrowed his brow, looking at his student. "What exactly is going through your head? Have those Purebloods, who call you brother, addled your brain? You're even thinking of jumping out to oppose him?"
The student was taken aback, never having imagined his ntor would be so displeased. "He's just a washed-up idol. Why are you so worked up, Teacher?"
"If he were just a washed-up idol, could he have been invited to the Ivory Tower?"
The teacher's expression grew darker. "Before you said that, why didn't you look at the list of people who have died by his hand? See how long that list is! Compared to anyone on that list, what are you? And what am I?"
"Would he dare kill soone in the Ivory Tower?" the student retorted stubbornly. "Teacher, you're overthinking. This is a place with rules!"
"Isn't the Astronomical Society a place with rules? What makes you think he wouldn't dare kill soone in the Ivory Tower?"
The old man beca increasingly disappointed, his deanor growing cold. "Why wouldn't he dare to kill , an old fool who's been teaching his whole life, Lopez? Or are you planning to gamble your future on my life?"
Feeling the cold indifference from his teacher, the student's face flushed with panic as he tried to explain.
The teacher waved his hand impatiently.
"Enough. After all these years, don't I know what you're made of? Wasn't I just like you at twenty-five? Thinking that with a bit of talent, one is above everything, believing one comprehends the truth yet remaining so blindly ignorant—
"If you were really to sell out your teacher for wealth and status, you wouldn't dare. But Lopez, even if you were to sell , you should at least get a proper price for it, shouldn't you? What can that so-called Brotherhood of yours offer you?"
The teacher scoffed openly, glancing at his disciple. "It seems all that studying has really fried your brain. It's about ti you went out and gained so real-world experience. Apply for an internship right now. Don't wait for tomorrow, and don't go see those friends of yours. Once the approval cos through, leave imdiately—as fast as you possibly can... Otherwise, you're bound to do sothing stupid and get yourself killed here eventually."
With that, the old man pointed to his office door, signaling that he could leave.
"But... but Teacher… where should I go?" the student asked, looking lost and remaining rooted to the spot.
"I will arrange a place for you; you're my sister's only son, after all."
The teacher glared at him for a long mont, then finally shook his head, a look of bitter disappointnt on his face. "Consider this a lesson, Lopez. Today, it's only you who's leaving... If we truly offend soone we can't afford to, then both you and I would be the ones with no way out."
The student silently bowed his head and turned to leave.
But as he opened the door, he couldn't help but look back one last ti at the old man. "Teacher, are you really content with this? You've waited so many years. Are you really going to give up now, when you're the closest you've ever been to having your own independent classroom?"
"Otherwise? Resort to despicable tricks and court death?"
The old man continued revising his lesson plan, answering without looking up. "I'm sixty-two years old, Lopez. Do you know what being sixty-two ans?
"I'm old. So old that sotis I pee on my shoes, and if I fall in the shower, I can't get back up.
"My life has reached this point. To be able to live out the rest of my days in the Ivory Tower—isn't that enough? Why on earth should I go and be cannon fodder for a bunch of university brats who haven't even graduated yet?"
His pen paused, leaving a sharp scratch on the paper.
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