Chapter 83: So Obvious (Revised)

Luo Jinyou lightly nodded, his voice still a bit weak.

"I'm fine, Uncle Luo De'an."

His deep blue eyes held a faint concern as he looked toward the door, hesitated a moment, then asked.

"... Ying Duo, how is he? You didn't hurt him, did you?"

Professor Luo De'an raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise; it was the first time he had seen his usually aloof adopted son express concern for someone so openly.

He gave Luo Jinyou a reassuring smile.

"He's fine, just a bit temperamental—he hasn't even cut his hair."

Upon hearing that, Luo Jinyou seemed to relax, but a hint of regret flickered in his eyes.

As long as the person is unharmed...

Although Professor Luo De'an has retreated from the front lines, he was once a main force in clearing aberrant species.

However, Ying Duo's hair really needs to be cut to put people at ease.

Luo Jinyou was silently reflecting when Professor Luo De'an's expression suddenly turned stern as he looked at him.

"Little You, although the aberrant energy emanating from Ying Duo's hair is very weak, for you... especially after that childhood accident, your body's tolerance for aberrant influences is far below that of ordinary people."

"Even such a minuscule aberrant influence could be a lethal catalyst for you."

He paused, then made a decision.

"I will immediately apply to the Academy to switch your and Ying Duo's dorm rooms, so you can be separated."

However, the Academy's intake numbers are fixed each time; anyone who passes the entrance exam almost never declines to attend.

Vacant rooms don't exist, so he can only try to coordinate; since classes have just started a few days ago, it shouldn't be too difficult.

To Professor Luo De'an's surprise, Luo Jinyou, after a moment of silence, slowly and firmly shook his head.

"No, Uncle Luo De'an, I don't want to change rooms."

"Little You?" Professor Luo De'an and Teacher Li Ya both froze.

Luo Jinyou lifted his gaze, looking at Professor Luo De'an with clear and determined eyes.

"Uncle, I'm very grateful for your protection over the years; you've built an absolutely safe environment for me."

"But you know my future goal is to leave Tianmian City and go out into the world to eradicate the aberrant species that have occupied our homeland."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried an unquestionable resolve; Teacher Li Ya's offhand remark just now had solidified his determination.

"If I can't even gradually adapt to this kind of aberrant influence—only as strong as the outskirts of the Slum—then what will I do when I need to leave the Floating City?"

He looked toward the door, as if he could see through the wall to his roommate with a head of green hair and odd behavior.

"This might be... an opportunity, a chance for me to gradually train my resistance to aberrant influences in a relatively controllable environment."

Professor Luo De'an looked at the familiar, stubborn light in his adopted son's eyes; he knew his child—once he made up his mind, it was hard to change.

"... Alright, since you're so insistent."

He pondered for a moment, then let out a helpless sigh.

At least Ying Duo can proactively bring Luo Jinyou to the infirmary, and Luo Jinyou is also willing to accept that strange child.

"But you must promise me that if you feel any discomfort, you will come to the infirmary immediately and undergo constant checks and monitoring."

"I will, thank you, Uncle." Luo Jinyou nodded lightly.

Professor Luo De'an and Teacher Li Ya gave a few more reminders, then left the infirmary one after another to handle follow-up matters.

For example, the wall blown through—Teacher Li Ya needs to contact someone to repair it, and also tidy up the various equipment inside.

The infirmary returned to quiet.

Luo Jinyou lay alone on the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling.

The reason he just gave was sincere, but there was a deeper motive he did not voice.

If... the news that Ying Duo's hair is a mutation source were to spread, in this world wary and fearful of aberrant influences, what kind of looks would he face?

Rejection?

Discrimination?

Or even... worse treatment?

Luo Jinyou instinctively raised his hand and gently covered his chest.

He had imagined that scene countless times, the myriad strange gazes and covert rejection he might endure.

At least...

In this regard, we could be considered kindred spirits.

This thought quietly surfaced in his heart; he closed his eyes, preparing to rest properly.

The first night he spent with Ying Duo, he truly didn't rest well; he now urgently needs to catch up on sleep.

——————————————

Having soothed his adopted son, Professor Luo De'an stepped out of the infirmary, leaving Luo Jinyou a quiet space to rest.

Hmm... although it's a bit drafty, he pulled the bed curtain shut, so it shouldn't be a big problem.

After checking on the now-stable Luo Jinyou, Professor Luo De'an immediately began investigating the root cause of the aberrant influence from Ying Duo's hair.

Because he knew Su Jingchuan cared deeply for Ying Duo, he summoned Su Jingchuan to his temporary office.

"Teacher Su, the situation is as follows."

Professor Luo De'an's face was grave as he handed over the test report, and he also faithfully conveyed Teacher Li Ya's statement to Su Jingchuan.

"Ying Duo's luminous green hair can be considered a special mutation source, which directly explains the cause of his abnormal behavior patterns and problematic psychological evaluations."

Su Jingchuan frowned tightly, recalling Ying Duo's reckless explosive actions during the assessment and his usual unfathomable behavior, which gave him another headache.

"I previously thought it was psychological trauma or an accident during the awakening of aberrant arts, but I never expected the root to be so... obvious."

Obvious enough to sit atop his head, shining brightly.

He even specially went to investigate the details of Ying Duo's parents' accident, never expecting the problem to lie in Ying Duo's strange hair.

Professor Luo De'an rubbed his brow, turning toward the assistant Lin Xi who had been quietly standing in the corner.

"Assistant Lin, aside from confirming the hair is the Mutation Source, have there been any new findings in the composition and energy traceback analysis? Have you found its cause?"

Lin Xi lowered his head instinctively, his voice tense from being suddenly called upon to respond.

"Sorry, Professor, the situation was urgent at the time; the preliminary energy spectrum analysis only confirmed that the mutation energy had already caused irreversible effects, and pinpointing the exact cause and tracing the energy source requires deeper analysis."

He paused, then added.

"Moreover, I had just finished the preliminary analysis when I heard about you... you causing a commotion while chasing after Ying Duo, worried something had happened, so I rushed over, and happened to run into you on the way."

Su Jingchuan was startled by the words, sharply catching the key term, and his gaze turned to Professor Luo De'an.

"Chasing? Causing a commotion? Professor Luo De'an, what's going on?"

He knew Ying Duo wasn't one to stay out of trouble, and barely back at the Academy, he's already stirred up something again?

Professor Luo De'an flashed a hint of embarrassment, he gave a dry cough without immediately answering, instead turning his gaze to Lin Xi.

"Assistant Lin, where did you hear this news?"

The internal information flow of the Academy couldn't be that fast, could it? From the time Lin Xi took Ying Duo's hair sample away to his sudden appearance, it shouldn't be more than five minutes, right?

Although there is a place near the infirmary where a simple test could be done, upon further thought, it's still strange that Lin Xi could find them so quickly.