Looking at Yuan Yuan gradually regaining his composure, Huai Shi began to silently mourn for Yuan Zhao in his heart.
What's with all this mess…
"But what is DP39?" he asked curiously.
"The thirty-ninth Abyss Four-Dimensional Game and Animation Exhibition," Lin Nineteen said softly. "Besides buying plastic figurines, Yuan Zhao even went up on stage, won several awards, and seemed quite popular. I'd say having a bit of a hobby is no big deal…"
Huai Shi pulled out his phone and searched. Yep, he thought, immediately finding photos of Yuan Zhao beaming with joy, posing with various scantily clad young women, holding a plastic figurine.
Hmm…
Seeing Yuan Yuan's increasingly terrifying smile, Huai Shi thought, That kid is definitely done for.
Well, he thought, it's best not to meddle in the Yuan Family's domestic affairs.
He sensibly averted his gaze. After glaring at Lin Nineteen, he shook his head. "I wasn't talking about that."
"Then… Is it the thing about me secretly accepting bribes for the student council president?"
"…" Huai Shi's expression twitched.
"Is it the fact that I anonymously reported the dance club for unfair competition?"
"…"
Lin Nineteen panicked, "It couldn't be about the deputy head of school affairs being brought down, could it?"
"Alright, stop talking."
Huai Shi wished he could just shut him up.
Kid, isn't your life a tad too colorful? If you keep this up, even I won't be able to cover for you…
This is too much for my heart.
Why can't these kids give me some peace of mind? Why not learn from Yuan Yuan instead?
He waved his hand, suppressing the urge to punch the kid, and glared at Little Nineteen. "I think you're just too idle. You need something to do… Come here. Take this. From today on, carry it for me."
He picked up the Dream Cage from beside the table and handed it to Lin Nineteen.
Wood Cottage reached out to take it, stumbled, and almost fell to the ground.
Unlike Huai Shi's easy manner, he was nearly crushed by this terrifying power. As soon as he gripped it, it felt as if a heavy truck had been stuffed into his hand.
The sheer oppressive power emanating from its core made his Stigma tremble.
Is this some kind of punishment from the teacher?
Wood Cottage opened his mouth to plead for mercy but then, his face changed.
His face turned crimson as if engorged with blood, and his eyes emitted bursts of purplish-red light.
"OHHHHHH!!!!"
The violent influx of negative Source Substance into his shell made the Molting Snake Mark start frantically hissing, forming a dark cloud over his head with faint flashes of hidden lightning.
And his hair was standing on end, as if he was on drugs, shrouded in a faint glow.
He had become stronger!
It was like holding a negative energy nuclear power station in his hand, with a continuous flow of pure negative Source Substance radiating out, rich enough to form an ocean, drowning his whole being in it.
Apart from his time in the Old Master's Abyss Mirror, this was the first time Lin Nineteen had ever experienced such exhilarating sensations.
Although painful, it was also incredibly pleasurable.
His expression fluctuated, between excitement and fear, looking extremely eerie. And the hitherto silent Molting Snake Mark, under the stimulation of the Dream Cage, began showing signs of growth.
Feeling this affection from his teacher, Lin Nineteen danced with joy, triumphant, and couldn't help but turn to look at Yuan Yuan while holding the Dream Cage.
Full of pride.
Can you do this?!
"…"
Yuan Yuan looked confused, not understanding what he was thinking.
"That's enough!"
Huai Shi slapped the back of Lin Nineteen's head, "Ten minutes a day is your limit. Don't frequently interact with it outside of that… be careful of having nightmares."
Yeah, like dreaming about being surrounded by thousands of ravens singing hymns, he thought.
What if he gets brainwashed?
I don't want to end up with a little zealot following me around, chanting 'Holy!' every day.
"By the way, I'll be going on a trip soon. You two pack your bags when you get back home and come with me."
After the lesson ended, Huai Shi put away his books. He thought for a moment, then seriously suggested, "This is a rare opportunity for field training and an internship, so don't miss it."
Looking at Lin Nineteen and Yuan Yuan with their somewhat puzzled expressions, Huai Shi revealed a kindly smile, just like Luo Su.
Youth is wonderful, he mused.
He sipped his tea, sincerely enjoying the pleasure of putting others through the wringer.
So satisfying.