Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Chapter 65, Part 2: "The Sudden Silence of Part 2"

[July 4, 2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the duel]

Three years passed quickly, and Ming finally reached the crucial moment of the duel, five years ago, a time when the threads of fate intertwined with those of countless people.

During this period, due to the friendly persuasion of Ming after that comic convention, Erya also joined Gangfeng Comics Publishing House.

“At first, Erya often avoided me, but the relationship improved later, although she would still feel subconsciously afraid when she saw me take off my blindfold.”

Ming lay on his side on the office bench, thinking to himself, before glancing at the calendar by the office door and the package on his desk.

"Is it already five years ago? Time really flies. But logically speaking, it shouldn't be long before Erya is kidnapped by that woman Allen and the Great Fire of the Heavenly Palace on August 3rd happens."

Ming then picked up the package on the table and gently patted off any non-existent dust.

The label on the package indicates that it was mailed to DEM, London, UK.

This is a return gift from the elven "Nun" after Ming gave her hair samples and research data to DEM's chief scientist, Möbius.

(Erya: That's strange, where's all the hair I usually lose from staying up late?)

During the years he was away from the UK, Ming would occasionally talk with his mentor, who missed him dearly, about their mentor-mentee relationship (trade). For example:

“Old woman, I heard that the evil spirit [Nightmare] is coming to London. Protect her secretly for me, and I will send you some of her spiritual energy field data when she arrives.”

Anyway, because of the illegitimacy of this data, she couldn't use it to enhance DEM's technology, but that didn't hinder her master's enthusiasm for elf research.

Then Ming slowly opened the package. As it was gradually opened, inside were two circular display devices engraved with intricate patterns, and a letter.

Immediately afterwards, Ming glanced at it casually, then removed the sealing wax from the envelope and took out the letter inside.

"Oh, it's been a long time, my lovely Klein~" As soon as Ming unfolded the letter, it was as if he heard that playful voice in his mind.

"Hehe, these two display devices behind you are good things I prepared for you, my good disciple. You can never stabilize your combat power in battle. You always have to stab yourself too many times before you become that... art-like form."

"This display device is a good thing. It can increase the wearer's pain perception to a certain extent, and it can enhance emotions. It can be used on the forehead originally."

At this point, a small, noticeable blank area suddenly appeared on the envelope.

And right beneath this blank space, at the very bottom of the letter, Möbius used her:

"I heard that adorable little Allen traveled all the way to Japan a few days ago to catch a Pokémon! I don't know who it is, but...hehe, so, dear Klein, you'd better be extra careful~"

It's as if you can see the sly and playful smile on Möbius's face through these words. He even has the leisure to draw a little cat at the end of the sentence.

Upon hearing that Allen was coming, Ming's lips curled up slightly as he muttered to himself, "Looks like it's coming sooner than I expected. But let's make Erya owe me something for now, so I can use her later."

Then, Ming picked up the two display devices and examined them carefully. Just as he was happily thinking about it, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

With a creaking sound from the door, Takashiro Hiroki, his face full of anxiety, rushed into the room.

"Oh no, President!" Her eyes were filled with panic, and she didn't even put on the round glasses that she usually wore to avoid affecting her appearance.

Ming carefully concealed the two display devices behind his back, then frowned slightly and whispered a reminder to Takashiro Hiroki, who had suddenly barged in:

"Hey! How dare you barge in without knocking? That's incredibly rude!" Once Honggui had regained his balance, Ming softened his tone and continued, "..."

"What happened? Why are you in such a hurry today, Hiroki?"

Hiroki Takashiro gasped for breath, his hands supporting his knees. After a moment, he didn't know how to start the conversation.

After staring at each other for almost two minutes, she finally said, "Teacher Cang Er... she seems to have blocked me!"

Ming raised an eyebrow. "That's it? I thought it was something big. Maybe it was just a whim of hers."

Hiroki shook his head. "President, you don't understand. Ms. Niya has always been a very cheerful and generous person. She would never be so petty. Besides, we've never had any conflicts before. She wouldn't just stop answering my calls and block me for no reason."

Ming crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Have you noticed that Erya has been acting strangely towards you lately?" Ming suddenly looked up and stared directly into Honggui's eyes.

Hiroki didn't think of it for a moment, but suddenly she seemed to remember something. "President! I suddenly remembered that recently, it seems that Mr. Cangji has been intentionally or unintentionally distancing himself from me. He hasn't even invited me to the comic convention anymore."

Ming thought for a moment, then said, "This is indeed a bit strange, but I'm not quite sure why either."

"Why don't you go ask Niya's family yourself?" Upon hearing this, Hiroki's face immediately turned somewhat embarrassed. "President, it would be too awkward for me to go directly. You should go."

“After all, you’re the president. Go and find out what’s going on.” Ming sighed wearily. “Fine, what can I do? I’m the president.”

However, Ming's mind was racing. "Did Allen already take him away? Impossible. At least under my nose, even if the strongest magician is more skilled and powerful than me, he couldn't possibly have done that!"

"Wait, I remember in the original story... Nia started to completely distance herself from Hiroki because she read a hint of darkness in his heart using the [Whispering Scroll]..."

Ming, who had already walked out of the clubhouse, pondered for a moment, then jogged towards the upscale rental apartment where Er Ya was located.