Chapter 676 “Request for Subscription” Dark Demon Returns to the Starting Point
Cameron Macefield was very low-key, rarely appearing on the public Dueling Stage from first year to fourth year.
Yet he was indeed excellent, gradually gaining recognition even with such limited exposure.
If he could successfully graduate from Saint Maryann Academy, he would likely become a research-oriented Magus.
Of course, this didn’t quite align with his identity as a student at the Knight Academy.
However, Cameron Macefield’s courage might manifest in other areas, like… research?
After picking up a book he had no idea who wrote, he dared to cultivate demons according to its contents. His boldness was indeed remarkable.
The professors exchanged glances after hearing this.
But Professor Kazel suddenly asked, “So, what about the book?”
Dark realized something and looked at Cameron Macefield with an odd expression.
He then heard Cameron Macefield say softly, “It’s gone.”
“Gone? Could a book grow wings?” Professor Lily chuckled while propping her chin.
Cameron Macefield turned pale.
Although he himself didn’t want to believe it, the book he had picked up mysteriously vanished.
Moreover, he hadn’t gained any real benefits from it.
Professor Kazel shook his head and sighed, “Not only did it fly away, but he didn’t produce any results either. The ‘Brain Fluid Demon’ wasn’t cultivated by him.”
Professor Lily’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands, “Got it! All for nothing!”
Cameron Macefield lowered his head even further.
But Professor Shylph frowned, “If he didn’t cultivate it, why is he regretting something? Is he regretting that the book ran off before he could produce results?”
Professor Kazel looked at Cameron and said, “That’s something he’ll have to ask himself.”
Cameron Macefield almost buried his head under the chair.
But honestly, he did have such a thought…
Under Professor Shylph’s stern gaze, Cameron Macefield reluctantly said, “In fact, my experiment ended fruitlessly after just half a month. Most of the knowledge I obtained from the book disappeared along with it, even the notes in my notebook lost their core. The same goes for the research on the ‘Brain Fluid Demon.'”
“But I originally thought it wouldn’t appear again if it disappeared, yet the ‘Brain Fluid Demon’ was actually cultivated by someone else two months later, and it even harmed Senior Fern Morse.”
“I’m truly sorry for not reporting this to the professors immediately!”
…
Professor Shylph was slightly displeased, “Since you didn’t do it, and the book wasn’t written by you, why apologize? Instead, think about where the book came from and where it might have gone. Also, does it have a title?”
Cameron Macefield pondered for a moment and shook his head, “I don’t remember.”
Professor Shylph frowned, “Even the memory related to the book’s title disappeared with it? What else do you remember that could help trace it?”
Cameron Macefield carefully thought about it and suddenly his eyes lit up, “I remember, it wasn’t printed! It should be handwritten!”
Professor Shylph and Professor Kazel exchanged a glance and whispered, “Good, this information is crucial. Can you deduce when the book was written? Perhaps there are some special features in the handwriting or font?”
Cameron Macefield frowned for a while but shook his head, “Although it looks modern, it could also be set up that way, so everyone sees the most familiar text.”
Professor Shylph nodded slightly, “Since it can erase traces of its existence, it must possess extraordinary power. Maybe it itself is some kind of creature.”
She recalled a special demon—the “Book Eater!”
The “Book Eater” feeds on books. If the book it eats is a unique or original source, it can completely erase the unique knowledge through photocopying, replication, and thought processes.
This phenomenon matched exactly what Cameron Macefield described about the book!
…
After questioning for about fifteen minutes, Professor Shylph let Cameron Macefield go after warning him not to disclose the information.
Then the professors discussed among themselves.
Professor Shylph said solemnly, “The book is likely a ‘Book Eater,’ or made from the skin of one.”
Professor Kazel said, “Like the ‘Heartful Demon’ and ‘Brain Fluid Demon,’ the ‘Book Eater’ is theoretically extinct.”
Professor Shylph added, “Since the writer knew how to cultivate the ‘Brain Fluid Demon,’ it’s not strange for them to create a new ‘Book Eater.'”
Dark put down his pen and spoke to his notebook, “Let me summarize. From known information, Cameron Macefield found the book near Lover’s Bridge on September 3rd, the day school started.
“He stayed there for a while but didn’t wait for the owner. He temporarily brought the book back to the dormitory, planning to hand it over to a professor the next day.”
“But after bringing the book back, he idly flipped through it and became engrossed. We can assume the book has a special allure, drawing people in…
“But considering Cameron Macefield’s high mental strength, the probability of him being lured is low; perhaps he was simply drawn to the content.”
“Just as he said, he wanted to use it to research directional formulation for demons.”
“But his experiments had barely begun, and he hadn’t even tried cultivating the ‘Brain Fluid Demon’ when the book vanished.”
“Though he didn’t explain, he surely searched hard, and the outcome is predictable.”
“Additionally, the book vanished on September 18th.”
“Exactly fifteen days since he found it.”
“We can consider fifteen days a special number.”
“If the book had its own intelligence and vanished on its own, it might have had a fifteen-day evaluation period.”
“Cameron Macefield failed during this fifteen-day evaluation.”
…
Dark paused briefly, took a sip of tea.
The three professors showed interest in his last statement about the “evaluation period.”
Dark put down his teacup and continued, “Cameron Macefield possesses highly advanced mental magic, which sets him apart. If we don’t attribute everything to fate, the book likely chose him initially because of this.”
“But personally, I think the book ultimately gave up on him for the same reason.”
“He protects his mind tightly, leaving the book no way to manipulate or dominate him, forcing it to give up after the fifteen-day evaluation period.”
“If the book had normal thinking and logic, learning from its failure, it would choose someone with less mental fortitude.”
“Downgrading compatibility.”
“This might not be good for us, as the range of choices broadens.”
“Further, if it fully dominates the second target’s mind and uses the ‘Book Eater’s’ characteristics, it can partially edit the target’s memories.”
“The result, everyone can foresee.”
…
There was a slight silence.
Professor Shylph said, “In other words, the screening system based on mind reading might not achieve the expected effect.”
“As I thought,” Professor Kazel nodded slightly, “Mind reading isn’t infallible. There are countless ways to avoid it. Once exposed, it becomes ineffective.”
Professor Lily immediately exclaimed, “But we did find Cameron Macefield through this排查!”
“This was a pleasant surprise,” Dark said, “Spike Leon and Wit Gold too. Without this screening, it would be hard to discover their inner issues.”
“Don’t forget, there’s still one person of focus left unexamined,” Professor Kazel reminded.
Andrew Morten, a rare “Wizard” in the fifth year!
…
“Strong mental will doesn’t measure skill level. Since the book contains methods for cultivating special demons, the purpose is certainly related. It needs someone with high-level skills but not outstanding mental will.”
“From Cameron Macefield being abandoned to the ‘Brain Fluid Demon’ being implanted in Fern Morse’s brain.”
“From September 15th to September 28th.”
“Only thirteen days passed.”
“Completing research that took Cameron Macefield fifteen days in just thirteen days, successfully cultivating at least one ‘Brain Fluid Demon,’ the second person chosen must be extremely skilled.”
“And Andrew Morten is professional in this area.”
After a brief discussion, the professors reached a consensus.
Then Professor Shylph summoned Andrew Morten.
…
Andrew Morten was tall and muscular, looking like a bodyguard at first glance, but he was a meticulous wizard.
Given that the memories of those being investigated might already be partially edited, Professor Kazel focused more in this round of investigation.
But Andrew Morten showed no issues.
The reason he hid his “Wizard” identity was surprisingly ordinary—just habit.
His parents were “Wizards,” but they were novice wizards with mediocre skills.
They were lucky enough to inherit “Wizard” abilities, but their talent was average, able to make only strange ointments at best.
They sold these ointments for money.
But due to the lingering smell and messy appearance from long-term research, they weren’t popular, only those troubled by poverty would endure the disgust to buy their ointments.
Andrew Morten grew up in this environment.
Thus, he naturally felt “Wizard” was an unworthy profession.
Don’t let his big appearance fool you; deep inside, he harbored self-doubt.
“Andrew Morten, can I interpret your disdain for your parents?”
Professor Shylph’s question struck deep.
Andrew Morten froze, then his face rapidly flushed with shame.
“Profession is不分贵贱,” Professor Kazel said gently, “Besides, ‘Wizard’ is never a profession to be despised. Before ‘Medicine’ was systematically developed, ‘Wizards’ saved the most lives. You’re in fifth year; haven’t you read ‘Chronicles of Wizards’?”
Andrew Morten left in shame, but his spine seemed straighter.
“Is he the one?” Dark asked after he left.
But Professor Kazel shook his head, “He has strong principles.”
“Wizards” being despised isn’t entirely due to appearance; many of their potions contain evil formulas.
But Andrew Morten never touches those things, requiring strong principles and willpower.
He’s not easily swayed.
…
“How do we find someone with high-level skills but not overly strong will?” Dark pondered.
He initially thought such people would be numerous, but now he realized they might not be.
If we could filter by these criteria, we might narrow the search to a small circle.
But continuing the investigation might not yield much value.
The awkward point was that not continuing wasn’t ideal either.
After all, we can’t confirm whether the “cultivator” had their memories edited.
All these speculations are based on limited information, not conclusive proof.
Therefore, Dark and Professor Kazel couldn’t stop.
“Continue,” Professor Kazel rubbed his temples, then added, “But this time, we can speed up a bit.”
Dark nodded and summoned the “Goddess of Heartful Eyes” without self-awareness, instructing her to follow Professor Shylph’s orders.
Now, the points of investigation increased from two to three.
While rigor might decrease slightly, it wouldn’t be much worse.
With preliminary information, they began to accelerate.
…
On November 22nd at 6 AM, the investigation of all students from six grades and four houses finally concluded.
They obtained more intelligence but failed to catch the “cultivator.”
Saint Maryann Academy returned to peace.
Dark Demon sipped his tea and suggested in a slightly troubled atmosphere, “I have an idea.”
“Perhaps we can make the Flower Cards popular again?”
