Chapter 550: Departure
The dean suddenly got up and put a crystal ball from the bedframe in his hand. The crystal ball shined with a warm glow before softly floating in the air. The various pictures started to appear on the surface of the crystal ball. Upon closer inspection, it looked like Earth, but upon even closer inspection, Xiao Lin noticed the differences with this ball and Earth. The glowing ball looked like fractured gla.s.s, and it was already filled with countless cracks.
“This is a replica of the state of Earth’s laws that I had someone make with astrology. These years, we have basically been using various methods to test the state of Earth.”
The dean raised another hand as he said that, condensing a light blue ball of light the size of a fingernail. That was the most basic level of an energy ball. After that, he threw the energy ball at Earth.
The moment the two of them touched, a soft cracking sound could be heard as the crystal ball shattered in the air, turning into a blue liquid that flowed out of the dean’s palm.
Xiao Lin was more and more horrified as he looked on, as the dean was telling him that Earth could no longer withstand any amount of commotion, even if it was just a breeze; Earth could very well end up like that crystal ball and turn into dust that was just careening in the void of the universe.
Even though he had already mentally prepared himself in various ways, Xiao Lin never expected Earth to be in such a dreadful state. He was extremely anxious because his parents and friends were all still back on Earth. Even if he could never return to Earth in the future, he could not bear to look on as they are buried along with the planet.
Xiao Lin quickly felt a deep frustration in his heart, as he knew very well how miniscule his current strength was in the face of such danger. No, it was possible that even the entire academy could not do anything in the face of such a large-scale threat. It was because of that that they started to invade and expand their territories on Planet Norma all those years ago. Rather than calling them colonists, it was more accurate to say that they were just preparing a protective retreat for themselves.
“What else can I do? No, what else can we do?” Xiao Lin’s mood drastically fell at that point. It was the first time he felt such a real sense of powerlessness that he felt like he could do nothing.
The dean suddenly walked forward and reached out, miming the action of patting Xiao Lin’s head. Even though there was a membrane in between them, a warm light emitted from the dean’s large hands, causing Xiao Lin’s complicated and hopeless mood to slowly get better. He raised his head again, forcing out a smile on his lips in thanks.
“In these hundred years, we’ve tried countless ways but never succeeded. Even Legend-ranked individuals are powerless in the face of such laws,” the dean said softly and gently. “We really can’t do anything, but you’re different. Xiao Lin, only you are different, so what we can’t do, you can!”
“Is it because I’m an SS-rank talent-holder?” Xiao Lin said. Even if he never admitted it, it was not a secret in front of the dean.
“Ivanovich’s appearance sparked hope for all of us for Earth’s future, but it’s a pity that the endless scheming and infighting between humans killed that genius. Thankfully, decades later, we once again obtained two new SS-rank talent holders, you and Lilith.”
Pausing for a moment, the dean half-jokingly said, “Considering that Earth is at the brink of destruction, and the fact that SS-rank talents are a special existence that surfaced less than once ever tens of millions of years, but yet in three appeared in the span of a century. In truth, even if I was an atheist, I would not be able to resist suspecting that some cosmic being had arranged your appearance.”
“Even if the natives said that we were gifted by G.o.d, even if we have more potential than regular people, is there still enough time?” Xiao Lin could not help but be doubtful, because his and Lilith’s strengths were still way too low.
“It has nothing to do with skill; it’s someone only the two of you can do. It’s an ability that G.o.d has given you, and no one else; even those at Legend-Rank would not be able to do what you can do with your SS-rank talents.”
“Ah, can you please explain it more clearly? I still don’t know what I have to do.” Xiao Lin felt more confused the more he listened.
The dean waved his arm, helplessly smiling. “I don’t know either. Ivanovich might have known back then, but he’s already taken those secrets to the grave… Xiao Lin, you’ll need to investigate by yourself in the future, as no one can help you with it. I didn’t interact much with Ivanovich, but I know that Ivanovich worked toward this before. It’s a pity…”
“What about Lilith? If I have her help, it might be easier.”
“It’s possible. Lilith might help you, but the Judge Academy might not allow that to happen.” The dean sighed softly.
“Why?” Xiao Lin asked, confused. He was not just asking about Judge Academy’s att.i.tude; he was also asking about Ivan, the genius that had been killed by schemes and infighting.
“Is it really necessary to pay a price to save Earth? What rewards would we get if we did? Even if we save Earth, what do we gain? If we have no way to save it, are we really going to bring everyone on Earth to Planet Norma?” The dean looked at Xiao Lin’s eyes as he asked those questions.
Xiao Lin once again fell silent, bitterly smiling after a moment. “They want profits? I understand now; no wonder this was concealed. How many people know of Earth’s impending doom?”
“Only those who have the highest authorities have the right to know. If you weren’t an SS-rank talent holder who is fated to have something to do with this, I would not have let you know so early.”
“Even if you told me this today, the truth is, I have no clue what to do either.”
“Go look at Ivan’s old home. If you can find something Ivan left behind, it could help you.”
“Something Ivan left behind?”
Xiao Lin had wanted to ask more when a soft cough came from outside. After that, the sound of Song Junlang speaking could be heard, but he obviously was not talking to Xiao Lin.
The dean sighed with a faint smile on his lips. “It’s almost the time that you should head back. Remember, at least in one or two years’ time, don’t come back to Planet Norma; focus on staying in the Academy and on Earth!”
After that, the dean waved his hand in dismissal. Xiao Lin opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, a strong force came out of the dean’s palm, sending him softly yet unstoppably outward.
The large orb was still floating in the air. Xiao Lin startled away, and Song Junlang marched in quickly, grabbing Xiao Lin’s arm as Song Junlang forcefully pulled him away.
There were several more fully armored guards outside of the stone room, their hands were all pressed on their swords around their waists. The couple that Song Junlang called his cla.s.smates also had their hands on their blades and the atmosphere was very tense. When Xiao Lin walked out, Song Junlang laughed as he said, “It’s a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Alright, I’ll bring Xiao Lin back now.”