Nightmare’s Call

Chapter 323: Scattered: Part 3

Lin Sheng’s reply was mixed with vague words: “I guess”, “I think”, “maybe”, and “what not”. But the core message was clear and to the point. After sending the reply, he continued to browse the other posts.

After ten minutes, a notification sounded. The post he had just replied had got responses. Lin Sheng returned to the post to check out the replies.

“It’s a fair answer. Thank you, genius! The tone of the post starter was very respectful. He saw other replies. But they mostly came from the onlookers. Not worth his time.**”

Just like that, Lin Sheng had earned ten points. Apparently, the post starter was very happy with his reply. His account had now been upgraded to Level 1, and he could finally post on the forum.

He looked away from his phone to drink some goat’s milk before he continued.

“Seeking advice: What would be the future direction of dark energy? Corruption, violence, or Elusion school?”

“Who is the strongest student in the State of Cosillia*?”*

“Who is this nickname Leopard?”

“About the Sect of Thousand Grace.”

Among the series of posts, the most interesting one was the post about the future direction of the dark energy, which had stirred up a strong public debate. Lin Sheng glanced over them and found that the debate had hundreds of replies. Out of boredom, he browsed the other latest threads and then called it a day. Suddenly, one particular thread caught his attention.

“Margaret will face difficulties when she returns home after graduation.”

Lin Sheng thought for a moment. As soon as he clicked open the thread, his brows knitted together. Most of the contents were subjective opinions as if people were just venting their personal emotions.

…

Margaret tucked her sword, sweat trickling down her forehead. She took a hot towel that her junior handed her to wipe the sweat. She was going home. Margaret came to Miga to avoid her cousin, who was regarded as the best hope of the family.

They said talent was unreasonable sometimes. Her cousin, Shamika was born three years after her. But within a year of practicing dark energy, he had surpassed her five-year worth of achievement. She used to feel she deserve more, and angry, and work her butt off. Yet, her hard work was meaningless.

Talent was unsurmountable, and countless failures had made Margaret wise up to this cruel truth. She thought she could face this and remain calm. But when things stared her in the face, he only realized that she was far from calm as she thought.

Shamika, the overbearing cousin, a terrible monster, was coming to Miga. And he specifically stated that he wanted to find her in the Soul Fortress. When Margaret got the news, her mind went blank. She knew why Shamika came.

Margaret was the eldest daughter in the family branch, where she had a great say and influence. Her parents had left her a large number of property and resources, which were that Shamika needed. And to secure his position as the future patriarch, he must defeat all his rivals. Margaret was one, although the weakest one.

“Margaret, are you okay?” a junior asked with concern.

“I’m all right. Just spacing out a bit after the sword demonstration. Sorry.” She forced a smile.

“It’s okay, you have shown your best sword skill. It was amazing!” a male student complimented, and the rest followed suit.

There was a bitter smile on Margaret’s face. She did not respond to their accolades. Instead, she continued to re-explain the sword skill to her juniors. Due to her absent-mindedness, she continued to make mistakes and needed her junior to correct her, making the atmosphere awkward.

On the second floor of the fortress, Lin Sheng stood on the open-air balcony, looking down as Margaret explained to her juniors. He was a little stunned before letting out a smile.

When the professor was not in, Margaret had to stand in, sharing her experience with the students. And as an idol senior student, who would graduate soon, Margaret was far more popular than Lin Sheng.

Lin Sheng stood on the terrace, eyeing the scene below.

“Her personality, demeanor, practical experience, and application of skills are all good, but her talent’s so-so.”

Margaret was no Melissa. She was not ungifted in dark energy, but also in other aspects. Everything was dangling on mediocrity. With no accidents, special encounters, and ingenuity, Margaret was so ordinary that, apart from her family background, she was just a hardworking mediocrity.

“So that’s why she is so popular among the mediocrity?” Lin Sheng seemed to know something.

“It’s none of my business. I should check out the new research equipment.” He had instructed his apprentice Adolf to purchase comprehensive research equipment to clone and research the energy assimilation point. These instruments were expensive and bulky. So delivery and installation were a hassle. Lin Sheng had to take the time to deal with it. It was better to deal with them hands-on. Only by calibrating the machine himself would he get the machine to work in the way he wanted.

Lin Sheng left the Soul Fortress and went to the other side of the city. He was in the mansion Adolf had just bought. With him were the researchers. He was to calibrate the equipment.

The mansion had a courtyard and a massive wine cellar. Lin Sheng planned to turn the cellar into an underground lab. But he had to come up with his plan and design.

Meanwhile, a group of unsolicited guests had arrived at the Soul Fortress when Professor Auldmandiller and Lin Sheng was away.

…

“This is the Soul Fortress?” A wheat-skinned young man with short blue hair looked at the fortress with great interest.

“Yes, Young Master. This is where Young Mistress studies. It’s the workshop of Baine University, the Soul Fortress,” a maid in a red skirt whispered. “May I read out the details report for you?”

“It’s unnecessary. I’ve read it in the morning. I remember it.” The young boy smirked, striding toward the entrance where a group of people had been expecting them. “Let’s go. Don’t let the fellow think we are rude.”

“It doesn’t matter,” said the maid in the red skirt. “Even a person like the young mistress is regarded as the strongest one here, you can imagine the quality of the students here. It’s already their greatest honor since birth for such weaklings to see Young Master’s heavenly face in close range.”

“What kind of people that a workshop of this level could produce? Don’t expect too much. It’s only a coronated school in the middle reaches of Miga. You can’t have too high of a demand. Margaret is here to recuperate, not study,” said the young man with a smile.

“You’re right, Young Master.” The maid bowed her head in agreement.

“Let’s go. Let me take a good look at her life here. She’s been wayward for so long. It’s time to go home.”

“I’m afraid that Young Mistress won’t want to go home.”

“Since I’m here, she can’t say no.” The young man then strutted toward the fortress entrance.