22:00

[Esteemed His Excellency Lulian:]

[Regarding the anomaly you are concerned about, it originates from the shedding of the Eye Demon Worm remnants into the Gauss Basin, attracting the covetous gaze of nearby anomalies. The family and cult have prepared to face the impact, requiring no assistance, thank you for your concern, and we look forward to your visit.]

[— Second Clan Leader of the Lins Family, Hendrick·Loren·True Name·Lins]

...

[Investigation Result: The Gauss Basin is under siege from surrounding anomalies and abnormalities, with the Eye Demon Worm's minions and cult sealing off the area, making further detailed investigation impossible. Because the commission is not fully completed, only 60% of the fee will be charged for this commission]

Two replies were delivered successively, piecing together the truth behind the anomaly.

[The shedding of the Eye Demon Worm's remnant has attracted the covetous gaze of anomalies, besieging the Gauss Basin. The Eye Demon Worm's minions and cult family are resisting the invasion]

Lu Li used Instructor Kris's office to write down the investigation results and threw the answers into the fireplace.

The paper turned to ash in the crimson flame that resembled blood.

"My dear, I knew you could do it." The lazy voice of Instructor Kris emanated from the wine glass on the table. "I believe you have passed the trial. Curse Title Master...this is your reason for coming to the academy, is it not? You can reach out to Professor Alexei Hochat, who serves as the Cursed Title Administrator; you can genuinely access such knowledge, but if you want to learn how to become a master, I have a better candidate."

"Go to the marsh cabin; the undead who have crawled from the abyss are the best teachers. There is also a batch of fruit waiting for you to harvest there."

The wine glass fell silent. With the hint in mind, Lu Li turned and left the Alchemy Office.

Knock knock knock——

The door to Professor Alexei Hochat's office was pushed open.

"His Excellency Lu Li?"

Professor Alexei Hochat, wearing single-frame glasses on the bridge of his nose, looked at the figure lowering the hood with a mixture of surprise.

A few minutes later, after understanding that Lu Li met the prerequisites and his intentions, Professor Alexei Hochat walked around the desk, stood on tiptoe, and retrieved a dusty, heavy book from the high shelf.

"Huff—"

He blew away the dust, then wiped it clean with a handkerchief, and placed it in front of Lu Li along with a vial of potion: "If reading causes discomfort, please stop immediately, the Chaos Potion can alleviate the arrival and onset of discomfort. Ideally, read under supervision when possible."

He observed Lu Li with interest: "I know you advanced to a higher year, but I thought it would take at least a month for you to be here, surprisingly fast..."

"Luck."

In fact, Lu Li was indeed fortunate. Both "solving the event" and "investigating the event" require time and effort, but compared with "solving the event," "investigating the event" is more suitable for Lu Li. And in the Gauss Basin, Lu Li coincidentally had the existence of "allies."

"Can I read here?" Lu Li asked.

"Of course, as you can see, it has long been deserted."

The lack of interest in Cursed Titles has nothing to do with them being arcane; in fact, Cursed Titles are relatively sought after—a quick way to rise to the pinnacle of human civilization power without hard work and effort, without repeating trials and adventures, as long as one possesses a Cursed Title and becomes its master.

Just like the divine artifact found by the protagonist of a fantasy novel, even a beggar who finds it would instantly transform into a noble—nobody dislikes effortless gains.

But people overlook that possessing a Cursed Title and becoming its master is not easy.

The absence of students for a long time is also related to the mentor system. Students with Cursed Titles are viewed as "seeds" by their mentors, who know how to nurture "seeds" rather than seeking the Cursed Title Administrator for entry-level knowledge.

Furthermore, this is related to a certain secret concerning Professor Alexei Hochat.

"I am a Mute Breed," Professor Alexei Hochat candidly confessed to Lu Li.

Though it sounds derogatory, "Mute Breed" is also envied—like Cursed Titles, they are both a blessing and a curse.

Officially, the term "Apathetic Mage" refers to the indifference to magic spells.

They naturally possess a resistance to radiation, or rather, are impervious to it, allowing much radiation to slip past their slick bodies.

But pollution is radiation, and so is power.

This enables the Law Breaker to be immune to many pollutants while also being shielded from acquiring mysterious powers.

Before the establishment of Giant Tree Academy, before Midnight City and Vena Ice-Free Port became renowned, people considered this a blessing. However, after people began to explore mysterious powers, it became a curse.

Hence, Mute Breed became either self-deprecating or an insult to Apathetic Mages.

Listening silently, Lu Li opened the thick nameless book, unveiling the hard-earned truth.

[Cursed Titles symbolize actions and behaviors. Those with [Hope Type] Cursed Titles cannot be evil, at least during certain phases of their lives. But we should not demand too much; Cursed Titles are irreversible, while we are constantly in flux—Cory Lavalle]

The front page is the adage of the first known Curse Title Master, Cory Lavalle.

The thirty-one human traits allow Lu Li to possess some characteristics similar to Apathetic Mages—a nameless book that typically causes discomfort after reading a dozen pages had no discernible effect on Lu Li. It was only half an hour later that Lu Li stopped reading. What bothered him was not discomfort but Alexei Hochat's frequent yawning.

"Are you leaving?"

Alexei Hochat struggled to keep his eyes open and, upon receiving a response, blessed him: "Hope the next time I see you, you will have become a Curse Title Master."

Returning to the lounge, the next day Lu Li spent all day reading the Nameless Book. When hallucinations began to appear, the book was nearing its end.

The tranquil night passed, and on the following morning, Lu Li turned to the last page of the book.

[We seem to be able to unconditionally trust Curse Titles—just as we strive for self-preservation, this world does the same.]

...

Closing the book, filled with contemplation, Lu Li left the dormitory to head to the marsh area.

The murky fog swelled.

The land and the dome resembled shells, the giant tree's roots hanging down like pillars.

Lu Li arrived at the cabin, where Silver Cross·Sloan and Mildred Hampri were waiting.

Before learning to unleash the power of Cursed Titles, they led Lu Li to a nearby pen, where several anomalies were encased in cocoons of webbing.

"My memory… my old thing was left in the cabin. Can you fetch it for me?" Silver Cross·Sloan asked Lu Li, a little regretfully patting his head.

Lu Li nodded and turned towards the cabin.

"Lu Li possesses several Cursed Titles, but he is too rational to evoke emotions," Mildred Hampri sighed.

Silver Cross·Sloan's cloudy eyes, set deep in shadowy sockets, followed his retreating figure: "That's why we need special methods."

Under their gaze, Lu Li pushed the door open.

...

A quill, stained with ink, was held by a hand pausing over paper.

"Are you Mr. Luli? Please have a seat across from me."

The psychologist looked up, gesturing at the black-haired figure standing by the door.

Outside the window lay a harbor, overcast with dreary gray clouds, leaving Rodest Port in mere silhouette.

The smokestacks of the industrial district had ceased for many days, yet the fog eerily shrouded Belfast.

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