Chapter 290 : Centipede Octopus

Normally, the pressure vessels used by demons vary greatly in size and depth. The evil cycle is a symptom that appears when the pressure is removed from such a vessel. It would be fine if it just got on them, but if it's a river shrimp, when the pressure is asserted, it should collapse. However, if even a tiny bit is ingested, it might really trigger an evil cycle…

Hearing this, Lead seemed to think of something.

"I see. Follow me." Lead then led the two demons to their destination.

"Air Conditioning Repair Room?" Balam looked at the sign on the door with a bit of confusion.

After Lead entered, the guards inside immediately saluted him.

"Commander!"

Lead also nodded in return.

"You've worked hard."

Lead then began to explain to the two.

"A special kind of air circulates within Leviathan. This air contains a large amount of moisture and is a specially developed air designed to allow aquatic species to breathe easily."

Hearing this, Clara immediately reacted.

"Moisture in the air! Does that mean…?"

Lead took out Clara's recording demon and placed it in the pipe. Sure enough, a centipede octopus appeared in the footage sent back by the recording demon shortly after it started moving forward.

"Got it! It's in the air duct!"

Balam nodded.

"The air contaminated by the centipede octopus spread throughout the academy, and unknowingly ingested, the pressure was removed from the vessel, triggering the evil cycle."

Clara said worriedly, "We need to get rid of the centipede octopus quickly!" Seeing this, Balam shook his head.

"First, let's report to Madam Levi. We need to find specialized personnel to handle this. If we provoke it, it'll be troublesome. We must be cautious."

Hearing this, Lead nodded.

"So, you mean just peel off this octopus, right?"

"Huh?" Both looked at Lead in confusion.

Lead then removed something from his chest.

"Watch closely, young man."

The item that was removed transformed into an exquisite medieval pistol according to Lead's will.

"Go, Indulgence."

Lead fired a shot directly into the ventilation duct. A single drop of water immediately traveled through the intricate pipes and arrived in front of the centipede octopus.

"Peel off," Lead commanded. The water drop split into many smaller droplets, each striking a tentacle of the centipede octopus, peeling it off.

The Levi family's ability: Indulgence, allows them to control all water and give it commands. The family's inherited weapon is a high-performance water gun that can fire water bullets and control water flow at will.

"Bring it back."

The water drop transformed into a rope, then into a net, carrying the centipede octopus back.

The Levi family is… the family most beloved by water.

After Lead caught the octopus, he looked at the water drop on his shoulder, which was seeking praise.

"Well done."

Balam and Clara both looked at Lead in surprise.

"Not just the weapon, but to achieve such precise aim without seeing the actual pipe structure, relying only on monitoring and imagination, along with the courage and confidence to fire without hesitation—is this the Young Emperor of the Deep Sea, Leviathan Lead?" Balam thought to himself.

"I feel like eating takoyaki today. Shall we go?"

…Balam was writing his report.

"The cause of the sudden evil cycle syndrome has been identified as toxic ink from the centipede octopus." An emergency response manual has been created, and the centipede octopus has been sent to a specialized department for research and protection. Guntheroo has also been dismissed and, after interrogation, sent to the Border Control. However, his stammering manner was very perplexing, and he seemed to think he had forgotten something.

The moment Balam closed his report, another rumbling sound came from outside. As expected, it was Lead firing cannons again.

"Even though we're underwater, is it really okay to fire cannons continuously like this?"

Hearing this, Lead finished the remaining takoyaki in one bite and clapped his hands.

"It's fine. Everything has been meticulously calculated to avoid any disaster. By the way, Instructor Balam, there will be some at the farewell party too, where you can fire cannons as much as you like."

Hearing this, Balam shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer."

At this moment, Clara leaned in.

"I'm sorry for even disturbing this control room… Besides the carefully selected control team members, no one else is allowed in. As a first-year, I'm truly apprehensive."

Hearing this, Balam smiled.

"Nonsense. If it weren't for Clara's help this time, it wouldn't have ended so easily. Thank you once again."

Clara instantly became flustered.

"No, no, no! Even without me, Commander Lead would definitely have handled it perfectly, right?"

"Huh?" Balam hadn't realized that Clara's admiration for Lead had reached such a level.

"Although the Commander is a demon who acts recklessly in everything he does, the results always end smoothly. At first, everyone was at a loss and full of complaints, but gradually everyone came to understand the Commander's foresight. Sitting behind the Commander, it feels as if even giant wolves in front would part to the sides, filled with a sense of security and power. It's incredibly cool!" Clara clenched his fist.

"I think everyone follows the Commander probably because of this."

Hearing this, Balam looked at Clara.

"You really respect Lead."

Then Balam looked at the ceiling.

"Shesi-kun and Iruma-kun's opponents are very strong."

Clara didn't notice Balam was still talking to himself.

"I also hope that one day I can become a member of the control team and help the Commander!" Saying this, Clara's expression became downcast.

"It just seems like I'm disliked…" Clara recalled Lead calling him a pervert earlier.

Suddenly, Lead appeared behind Clara, listening to Clara's words and nodding.

"I do dislike people who lack confidence."

Clara jumped in fright.

"Especially control team members must possess a proactive attitude and confidence. Those who are self-deprecating and negative will only hold us back in the future. You must change that!"

Hearing this, Clara replied, "Yes…"

Then Lead pointed a finger at Clara.

"So, from now on, do you want to become my close confidant, Valac Clara?"

Clara was clearly stunned, not expecting Commander Lead to invite him.

Lead snapped his fingers, and Clara's clothes instantly transformed into the control team uniform.

"From today onwards, you will become my, Leviathan Lead's, designated control team member, and a close confidant personally appointed by me."

"Huh?????"

Clara was utterly shocked.

"I said that everything would end smoothly, right?"

Clara nodded.

"Then follow me. If you just stand there and watch, you might be swept away by the waves, young man."

Balam closed his eyes upon hearing this. He would be a formidable rival.

After Balam left, Lead looked from the fourth floor down at the two recently hired Teachers on the second floor.

"Is that so? So, there are still people coveting that power. How pathetic, those who follow it. I'll spare your lives for now."

Lead soothed the water droplet on his shoulder.

"Commander?" Clara ran over and asked.

"It's nothing. Let's go."

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