r18novel Chapter 9 Confronting the Dragons
Chapter 9 Confronting the Dragons
Real World · Behind the Golden Screen
The rain gradually subsided, but the golden curtain of light still hung in the night sky, illuminating the entire Kassel College.
Everyone held their breath as they watched the images on the screen—an airplane flying through the night sky, Lu Mingfei and Nuonuo sleeping soundly, each lost in their own thoughts, and Professor Schneider flipping through documents.
"So... Senior Nono will be picking up Lu Mingfei in the future?" a student whispered. "And they seem to have a pretty good relationship?"
"Not just good, but really," another student said. "Didn't you see the way Nuonuo looked at Lu Mingfei? That...complex look?"
"Senior Sister Ke Nuonuo doesn't even know Lu Mingfei."
"So that's the key point," an older student said in a deep voice. "The light screen shows the future, meaning these things haven't happened yet. But now we see them, we know them, so will the future change?"
This question silenced everyone.
Yes, if they could see the future and know what would happen, would their current choices change that future? If they tried to change it, would the future still be as shown on the screen?
This is a classic spacetime paradox.
"Headmaster." Professor Schneider had also arrived at the open space at some point. He walked to Angers' side and said in a low voice, "Some of the content displayed on this screen... involves the academy's secrets."
Ang nodded, his expression grave: "I know. But since it has appeared, it means that some things can no longer be hidden."
"Lu Mingfei..." Schneider looked at the sleeping boy in the light screen, "Is he really the key?"
“He always has been,” Angers said. “From the moment Giovanni chose to give birth to him, he was the key.”
Schneider paused for a few seconds: "And what about Chen Motong? Why did you choose her?"
Angers turned to look at Nono, who was not far away. The red-haired girl was looking up at the light screen with a complicated expression.
"Because she is special," Angers said. "You and I both know that Chen Motong's bloodline is very special, so special that... she might be the key to opening that door."
"That door..." Schneider's voice trailed off, "Headmaster, do you really think it's possible to resurrect Giovanni?"
Angers did not answer immediately. He looked up at the night sky, at the golden light screen, and at the boy in the light screen who was somewhat similar to him in his youth, yet completely different.
"I don't know," Angers finally said, "but Lu Lincheng believes it's possible. And sometimes, when a person's belief is strong enough, it can create miracles—or disasters."
Which one do you think it will be?
"That depends on Lu Mingfei's choice," Angers said. "It depends on what kind of person he chooses to become, what he chooses to believe, and... whom he chooses to love."
His gaze fell on Nono again.
That red-haired girl, Chen Motong, who always goes her own way and does things her own way, will shine like a light into Lu Mingfei's dark life at some point in the future.
Light can illuminate the way forward, but it can also burn the eyes.
"Let's keep watching," Angers said. "The real show is just beginning."
The image on the light screen changed again.
The plane began its descent, and city lights appeared outside the window—it was Chicago.
Lu Mingfei's journey in Kassel is about to truly begin.
And everyone in the real world will witness the start of this legendary journey.
Future World - Inside the Light Curtain
Chicago, midnight
The private jet landed smoothly on the dedicated runway at O'Hare International Airport, the lights outside the window forming a flowing galaxy as it taxied. Lu Mingfei looked out the window at this unfamiliar country, the Chicago night view unfolding before him—skyscrapers brightly lit, streets as orderly as a chessboard, and in the distance, Lake Michigan shimmering black under the moonlight.
"We're here." Nono stretched, her red dress accentuating her beautiful curves. "Get ready to get off, junior."
Lu Mingfei unbuckled his seatbelt, his heart racing again. He was really here. America, Chicago, Kassel College—these were words that had only ever appeared in his dreams, but now they were becoming the reality he was about to step into.
The cabin door opened, letting in the cool breeze of a Chicago summer night, carrying the moist scent of the lake and the city's unique hustle and bustle. Lu Mingfei followed Nuonuo down the gangway and onto American soil.
On the tarmac, three all-black Cadillac SUVs waited quietly, their headlights casting sharp beams of light in the night. Several people stood beside the cars, led by two young Asian faces.
One male and one female.
The man wore a well-fitting black suit, was tall and straight, and had a gentle yet sharp look in his eyes; the woman wore a dark blue executive department uniform, her long hair tied in a neat ponytail, her face was delicate, but her eyes were as sharp as a drawn sword.
"Professor Schneider, Nono." The man approached, his voice steady. "Ye Sheng, Executive Department Specialist. This is my partner, Shudeyaji."
Aki nodded, her gaze sweeping over Lu Mingfei, lingering for a moment before looking away. Her gaze was devoid of any extraneous emotion, as if she were examining a shipment that needed to be safely delivered.
"How is the situation?" Professor Schneider asked, his voice sounding somewhat muffled through his oxygen mask.
"Everything is normal, no unusual traces have been found," Ye Sheng replied. "But we received news from the train station that several suspicious individuals are loitering nearby, and we've already arranged for them to be dealt with."
Schneider nodded: "As planned, we'll go in three cars. Ye Sheng, you and I will take the middle car with Lu Mingfei. Nuonuo, you'll be in the front car. Yaji, you'll bring up the rear."
"Understood," the three answered simultaneously.
Lu Mingfei was a little bewildered by the scene. This didn't look like they were welcoming new students; it looked more like they were escorting some important person. He subconsciously looked at Nuonuo, who winked at him and mouthed, "Don't be afraid."
Those two simple words calmed Lu Mingfei's mind a little.
They quickly got into the car. Lu Mingfei sat in the back seat of the middle Cadillac, with Professor Schneider on his left and Ye Sheng on his right. The door closed, and an oppressive silence immediately filled the car. Professor Schneider was resting with his eyes closed, while Ye Sheng was looking at something on a tablet, the blue light from the screen reflecting on his face.
The car silently drove out of the airport and merged into the midnight traffic. Chicago's streets were wide and not crowded, and the Cadillac drove at a steady speed, maintaining a precise distance between itself and the cars in front and behind.
Lu Mingfei watched the street scenes rushing past the window, trying to remember what this unfamiliar city looked like. Gothic churches, modernist skyscrapers, dilapidated industrial areas, neon-lit commercial streets—Chicago was like a collage, crudely blending together buildings from different eras and styles.
"Are you nervous?" Ye Sheng suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Lu Mingfei turned his head and met Ye Shengwen's gentle gaze: "Yes, a little."
"That's normal." Ye Sheng smiled. "I was nervous the first time I came to Chicago. I was only sixteen years old then, and I came with my mentor to do fieldwork. I got lost on Michigan Avenue and almost got arrested as a homeless person."
His tone was relaxed, with a hint of self-deprecation, which eased Lu Mingfei's tense nerves a little.
"Is Senior Ye Sheng also Chinese?" Lu Mingfei asked.
"Yes, I'm from Beijing," Ye Sheng said. "But I came to Kassel ten years ago. In a way, we're from the same hometown."
"Ten years?" Lu Mingfei asked in surprise. "Then what about now, senior...?"
"I'm a PhD student and also an executive officer," Ye Sheng said. "The academic system in Kassel is quite flexible. As long as you have enough credits and the ability, you can study for as long as you want. Of course, the prerequisite is that you have to survive."
He spoke those last words very softly, but Lu Mingfei could hear the weight in them.
Survive.
This is not something a university should say.
"Kassel...is it dangerous?" Lu Mingfei asked.
Ye Sheng remained silent for a few seconds, then looked at Professor Schneider. The professor still had his eyes closed, but nodded slightly, indicating that he could answer.
"Let me put it this way," Ye Sheng said, carefully choosing his words, "In a regular university, your biggest worry is failing a course; in Kassel, your biggest worry is... whether you'll see the sun rise tomorrow."
Lu Mingfei's face turned pale.
"Don't scare him," Professor Schneider suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse. "But don't lie to him either. Lu Mingfei, Kassel College's mission is to research and combat dragons, which means our students and faculty are all on the front lines of the battle. Danger is certain, but the college will do everything possible to protect the students' safety."