Witchcraft… Could it really be related to that bully?
Li Andy pinched Meilin's chin and leaned in, saying, "Tell me in detail."
Meilin froze for two seconds, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her eyes darted away, not daring to look at him. "I… I'm not sure. I just heard from others that Windsor's mother became a lady from a mistress by cursing others."
Li Andy was silent for two seconds, then a slight smile touched his lips.
"Alright, I'll keep an eye on it. Let's… go to Professor Higgins's place. I haven't seen him in a long time. During the time I was sick at home, I had many strange dreams."
"Dreams?" Meilin blinked, looking at him with a hint of confusion.
"Yes, I dreamt I became a ghost, attaching myself day after day to one cold machine after another. I really wanted to speak, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't say anything."
Meilin froze for a moment, shrinking her neck, "Th-that's a bit scary."
Li Andy looked at her with a smile, and seeing that her eyes were still confused, he slowly released his hand from the girl's chin.
Is this bespectacled girl the murderer? Doesn't seem like it…
"Let's go, we'll find the Professor."
Li Andy patted Meilin's shoulder, and she nodded a beat later.
"Oh… Oh, okay. The Professor just came back a while ago, he should be in his studio now."
… …
Upon reaching the destination,
Meilin stopped at the door, saying somewhat awkwardly, "I still have an etiquette class, so… I won't go in."
Li Andy nodded, and after she hurried away, he pushed open the studio door.
What met his eyes was a long table piled with various blueprints, measuring tools, and machine models—such as globes, clocks, gears, and many other strange little gadgets he couldn't name.
And in the center of this clutter, a disheveled, slightly weathered man sat wearily, like an office worker who had pulled an all-nighter.
The man looked up, and when he saw that the visitor was "Jasmine," a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"Long time no see, Professor Higgins."
Li Andy manipulated Jasmine to lift her skirt and curtsy elegantly.
"Oh, oh! I heard you were sick, and now… it's good that you're alright, mm, very good." The man rose slightly flustered, accidentally knocking some clutter beside him to the floor.
One of the music boxes happened to fall open, and the ballet dancer inside spun to the crisp music.
"Oh, that's right!"
Professor Higgins quickly picked up the music box,
"This is your music box. I've already fixed it for you, but you were sick before, so I… just kept it here. You can take it back now."
Li Andy took the music box. The little figure on it, due to the fall, looked a bit odd in its posture, like a puppet moved by strings.
"Click."
Jasmine closed the music box, her indifferent eyes looking at the man,
"Professor, don't you have anything else to say to me?"
Higgins froze for a moment. A few seconds later, he slowly lowered his head:
"I'm sorry… I'm just a small Professor with no background, I can't help you stop them. I… still have a lot of debts to pay, so… I'm really sorry."
Li Andy said nothing, just quietly watched him.
Invisible pressure enveloped Higgins.
Just as he couldn't help but step back, Li Andy gently nodded and put away the music box.
"Mm, thank you for your help, Professor. I'm going to class now."
Then, following the sound of the bell, he left the studio.
Higgins slumped into his chair, the back of his clothes soaked with cold sweat.
Li Andy continued on his way, following the course schedule.
The surrounding crowd whispered.
"Did you notice how much that person has changed…?"
"Shh! Do you want to die? She almost killed someone just now!"
"A demon, she must be a demon! She's back to take revenge on us…"
"Shut up! She's looking this way…"
The crowd scattered like birds, but their tense peripheral vision still furtively observed.
While they were observing Li Andy, Li Andy was also observing them.
He wanted everyone to know:
"Jasmine" was back.
… …
… …
Night, West Suburb Church.
After washing up, Li Andy went to his sister's room.
Sophia lay alone on the bed, frowning in thought over several books, her two sections of fair, tender calves wiggling slowly with her brows.
"Where's Youxi?" Li Andy asked.
Sophia looked up at the door, a hint of worry in her eyes:
"Still with Sister Anna, later than yesterday…"
"Then let's talk about us first."
Li Andy nodded, sat on the edge of the bed, and casually kneaded Sophia's feet. Although her kicks hurt, the feel of them when kneaded was really great.
Sophia shivered sensitively, quickly turned sideways, pulled her feet back, curled into a ball, glared at him, and then pushed a notebook over:
"Here! The things you asked me to collect."
Li Andy regretfully rubbed his fingers, took the notebook, and after just one glance, his temple couldn't help but twitch:
"Your handwriting… is it meant for humans to read?"
Sophia's handwriting was crooked and intertwined, like strings of unwashed chicken intestines, as if contaminated by an evil god.
"I… I haven't written in so long!"
Sophia argued, her face red,
"And… you haven't taught me in a long time either…"
Seeing her somewhat wronged expression, Li Andy couldn't help but freeze. He suddenly remembered that this brat was actually illiterate before coming to the orphanage. Later, under his and Youxi's guidance, she barely managed to recognize most words.
"Alright," Li Andy sighed, "Once this commission is over, I'll send you to a better academy." As a future legendary investigator, having too low a knowledge level wouldn't do.
Sophia opened her mouth, wanting to speak but hesitating, finally lowering her gaze and remaining silent.
Li Andy didn't notice the change in her expression. He just pinched the bridge of his nose, enduring the fatigue in his eyes, and quickly previewed the notebook.
Although Sophia's handwriting was ugly, her paragraphing was quite reasonable.
The notebook was scattered, recording all the strange tales of the academy.
It seemed that no matter the time or space, schools always had some strange legends.
Some said it was related to feng shui layout.
Many schools were built on sites similar to mass graves. The reasons varied, possibly due to funding or planning issues.
But from the perspective of mysticism and metaphysics, it was actually to use the vitality and popularity of young people to suppress the ominous forces beneath the ground.
The aristocratic academy where Jasmine was located was no exception.
As a setting in a horror game, it was said to have once been a mass grave where indigenous people were buried alive!
So, it was not at all strange that some of the strange tales were true.
Li Andy quickly scanned through, filtering out a few strange tales he was more interested in:
【"Abyss Staircase."
Legend has it that in the first-floor hallway of the school, which has no basement, a thirteen-step staircase leading to the abyss appears at sunset. If anyone is lured by the voice of the abyss and steps onto the staircase, they will disappear forever.】
【"Moving Ancient Knight Armor."
Legend has it that at midnight in the academy, the evil spirit sealed within the knight's armor will awaken again. It constantly strikes the armor, creating eerie sounds, luring lost humans to release it.】
【"Speaking Gear Statue"
There is a giant gear statue in the academy's central plaza, which is the iconic building of the academy. Legend has it that this statue will come to life on the night of the full moon, revealing the mysteries of the universe to students who dare to approach it.】
【And "Dance Studio"
Legend has it that in the dance studio at the end of the corridor, the sound of a ghost's footsteps can be heard at midnight. It is the soul of a student who unfortunately passed away in the dance studio, wandering in the room. If anyone accidentally breaks in, it is best to keep dancing with the shadow until the bell rings. Otherwise, something incredibly terrifying will happen.】