At this moment, Bland University was immersed in a wave of mobilization fervor among its upperclassmen.
School leaders stood on the podium, their emotions running high as they passionately and dramatically condemned the world’s various evils and the heinous crimes of the gangs. Their words were earnest as they declared that this was the critical moment for students to step up and contribute to society.
Behind them, military police carried in crates of firearms, neatly stacking them on the ground before distributing them one by one to the students present.
“Now is the time for you to step forward! Crush those resistance elements!”
The school leaders waved their arms, shouting hoarsely.
The students, their eyes burning with fervor, raised their arms in unison and chanted slogans, their voices deafening.
Under the direction of school faculty, they sprang into action. Some students sealed off the remaining main thoroughfares in and out of Mobis City, completely isolating the city from the outside world. Others joined forces with police department personnel to suppress the marching crowds.
In an instant, Mobis City was plunged into unprecedented chaos.
Renith crossed the street and stopped at the entrance of Bland University, frowning as she watched over six hundred “firm-believing” students depart.
Earlier that morning, Andina and Vesta had risen early to organize the strike teams. Renith, meanwhile, had paid a visit to the gangs to learn of their movements, after which she decided to go to Bland University alone.
Just as Renith arrived at the university, a small-scale skirmish broke out on the outskirts between gang reinforcements and over a dozen members of Mobis City’s guard at the Boran Gun Manufacturing Plant.
However, due to the insufficient numbers of the Mobis City police and guard, the clash lasted only two hours before the police and guard found themselves retreating in defeat against the gangs, who were now equipped with new gear.
Of course, the main force of the gangs wasn’t here.
The Second-in-Command’s plan was to disperse their forces and find a way to break the guard and police’s series of blockades on the main roads.
With factories now mostly shut down, a significant portion of Mobis City’s food supply was about to run short. And since the guard and police had sealed off the main roads, it meant a large volume of incoming supplies would be under their control.
To avoid resource shortages and the ensuing chain reaction, the gangs felt it was necessary to deal with these “roadblocks” once and for all.
So, they split into dozens of squads, using the alleys to ambush the guard and police stationed on the main roads.
Furthermore, to plunge Mobis City into even greater chaos and simultaneously bolster their own forces, Manville led a group of over a dozen gang members toward the prison in the southern part of the city, where quite a few of their comrades were locked up.
In no time, gunfire erupted across Mobis City, and smoke filled the air.
As Renith stood at the entrance of Bland University, she saw only one police officer left at the gate.
It seemed the city’s security forces were truly stretched thin. There had originally been six officers here, and now only one remained.
“Who are you?”
The officer asked warily.
After all, these were troubled times; a little caution was only prudent.
Renith didn’t try to hide anything. She was confident the officer before her knew that the “Scholar” division was located within Bland University.
“I’m here to see the ‘Scholars.’ Didn’t those white-robed fellows tell you they were expecting a visitor?”
Renith stated bluntly.
Just as she expected, the officer’s face showed a flicker of hesitation upon hearing the word “Scholar.”
“I… I don’t know. I need to… go ask.”
The officer said, turning to go find someone to inquire. But then, as if something occurred to him, he stopped in his tracks.
Although he knew the “Scholars” were on campus, he had absolutely no idea where they were specifically located.
Renith seemed to sense his predicament and said with a smile:
“Just go to the library entrance and give a shout; someone will come. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on the gate for you.”
With Renith’s tip, the officer managed to find Shequan, who had just finished his shift.
The moment Shequan saw Renith, his eyes lit up, and he kept muttering under his breath: “Finally here, finally here… I finally found the person.” and things like that.
At last, his mission was complete; he could finally rest easy.
Maybe he’d take a trip to the neighboring city for a vacation?
That might not be a bad idea.
“Shall we go? Why are you just standing there gawking?”
Renith interrupted Shequan’s daydream.
Startled, Shequan, with his dark circles, straightened up. Realizing his lapse, he adjusted his white lab coat and led Renith toward the library.
An intangible white mist permeated the campus, thicker than during the last rally condemning the gangs. It seemed a massive mobilization had recently taken place here.
Renith asked Shequan where the university’s students had gone. Shequan didn’t hide anything, telling her all about the mobilization. At that very moment, they were likely engaged in firefights with the gangs and the marching crowds.
Renith silently cursed these good-for-nothings in her heart. She planned to exact justice from these manipulative “Scholars” soon enough.
Just then, that seductive, enchanting voice echoed in Renith’s mind again.
But having learned from last time, Renith knew the owner of this voice was an existence far beyond those on earth.
In a situation like this, the way to deal with one existence beyond the earthly realm was with another existence beyond the earthly realm.
This time, Renith had brought all her tools with her.
Previously, for ease of movement, she hadn’t carried the Codex, but now she had Filof, who carried Alegia’s power. While Filof’s presence didn’t completely block out the strange white mist, it significantly alleviated Renith’s current dizziness and mental fog.
The two soon reached the library entrance, where Shequan made a “please” gesture.
Without any hesitation, Renith stepped inside. This library was the largest building on Bland University’s campus, housing books collected from various places and across different eras.
From “Six Thousand Years Up and Down,” “Travels Across the Continent,” and “Unraveling Theological Mysteries,” to “Principles of Mechanics” and “Mathematical Deductions,” everything was available, a dazzling array.
Seeing Renith’s interest in the books, Shequan began fulfilling his role as a librarian, introducing them to her:
“Most of these books are replicated copies from the Imperial Royal Library. It’s worth mentioning that the Imperial Royal Library holds ninety-nine percent of all books within the Human Empire.”
He was subtly highlighting the vastness of Bland University Library’s collection.
“If you see any you like, feel free to take a look. No charge.”
Shequan said warmly.
Since Shequan offered, Renith didn’t stand on ceremony. She casually picked up a copy of “Travels Across the Continent” and began flipping through it.
However, the author of this book had clearly grown old and frail before completing their journey across the continent, as much of its content was incomplete.
Compared to Renith’s own experiences, the author seemed like a middle schooler, while Renith was a university graduate standing opposite them.
Still, the book did contain details Renith hadn’t noticed, so it had its merits.
“This book isn’t bad.”
Renith quietly cast a spell, using the Codex to copy the book’s contents. She lingered in the library for quite a while, her gaze drifting between the shelves, biding her time.
Finally, Renith began to move, following behind Shequan as they slowly descended the winding, seemingly endless spiral staircase.
Upon reaching the library’s lowest level, Renith was greeted by a vast, boundless underground space. An eerie silence surrounded them, broken only by the soft echoes of their footsteps.
“Hmm… what’s that strange smell?”
Renith frowned slightly, her nose twitching subtly as a faint, elusive fragrance wafted into her nostrils. The scent seemed familiar, like something she had encountered before, but she couldn’t quite place it.
Shequan glanced at Renith and explained the source of the smell:
“Oh, that damned old man, he’s been smoking ‘Heaven’s Leaf’ again.”
“‘Heaven’s Leaf’?”
Renith seemed to recall something.
“Also known as Elf Leaf, that’s its commercial name. Basically, it’s leaves harvested from the Elf Tree.”
Shequan explained.
Renith finally remembered. This Elf Leaf came from the incredibly distant Elf Forest.
“Some incredibly bored fellow figured out you could light this leaf on fire, put it in your mouth, and ended up getting hooked. They say smoking this stuff instantly lifts your mood, and sometimes it’s downright addictive. You reincarnated folks call it ‘tobacco.'”
“But this is just the ordinary Elf Tree leaf. Some Elf Trees are thousands or even tens of thousands of years old; the tobacco from them is far more addictive.”
“To prevent citizens from getting addicted, the previous emperor restricted the circulation of this ancient tree tobacco. So, if you want to buy it, you have to go through gangs or reincarnator channels.”
Shequan nodded, acknowledging that Renith was spot on.
“This kind of smoke is harmful to your health, you know.”
Shequan reminded her again.
The two continued forward. On the pillars lining the passage, dim, flickering lamps barely illuminated the path ahead.
Finally, at the deepest part of the passage, they saw an old man who was nothing but skin and bones.
He sat there silently, his eyes closed, seemingly one with the surrounding darkness. In his hand, he held a long pipe, packed with burning Elf Leaf shreds, from which wisps of green smoke slowly rose.
Hearing their footsteps, the old man slowly opened his eyes. His murky gaze held a hint of depth. He parted his dry, cracked lips, his voice raspy and low:
“You’ve finally come… Lady Mage of the Demon Clan.”
Hearing the old man’s words, Renith instantly became alert. Her right hand swiftly pulled her short wand from the Codex, magical particles coalescing at her fingertips, as if ready to unleash at any moment.
Shequan, however, was completely baffled by this sudden turn of events. His mind raced but remained utterly confused.
“Demon Clan? What demon clan?”
But confusion aside, Shequan knew he couldn’t let the situation spiral out of control.
He quickly stepped forward, positioning himself between Renith and the old man. He raised his hands slightly, a placating smile forming on his face, and said:
“Let’s not be hasty! How about we sit down and have a calm, rational chat, okay?”
His voice carried a hint of urgency, trying to ease the tense atmosphere. However, this somewhat awkward and plainly clumsy attempt at appeasement had no effect whatsoever.
Seeing this, the old man simply spoke slowly:
“This is an innate ability of mine, allowing me to glimpse predetermined fragments of the future. In the near future, I have the privilege of witnessing your true form.”
