Apocalypse Forecast

Fu Yi looked down at the iron rod in her hand, then at Huai Shi’s face, trying hard to suppress the urge to shove it in his mouth.

"...This is really practical."

She rubbed her aching forehead and casually put the thing aside: "Now you’re at least a district chief, can’t you give something with a bit more ambiance?

I saw on the news, King of Tanbo, amazing!"

"But in reality, it’s completely different from the news."

Huai Shi shook his head, unable to hold back a wry smile: "Some news makes me blush; it’s totally overblown. I didn’t know I was that impressive."

"But I think you’re actually more impressive than the news says." Fu Yi thought for a moment and then seriously told him, "More impressive than those people think."

When she said this, Fu Yi’s expression became earnest and joyful.

As if she genuinely believed from the bottom of her heart that everything he created had irreplaceable value.

It made Huai Shi increasingly embarrassed.

"Alright, stop sitting around, let’s go."

She stood up and reached out invitingly: "Since you’re here, I’ll take you for a tour of the school. After all, you’re so famous, I’ll definitely feel proud."

"Hmm? Am I really that famous here too?"

"Of course, tons of fans." Fu Yi nodded, unable to resist glancing at the Husky splashing around in the lake in the distance.

Her expression suddenly became subtle.

Rome Empire University mascot contender, ’Huai Shi.’

It’s incredibly popular...

.

To Huai Shi’s surprise, the time spent at Rome University was much more peaceful and serene than he expected. No disturbances, no inconsiderate people interrupting.

It seemed like everything unpleasant was blocked out.

What was left was just lazy time.

In the warm afternoon sunlight, they walked along the path through the vast school, with Fu Yi introducing the area and places to Huai Shi.

They chatted idly, like a conversation after a meal.

"Going to the moon?" Fu Yi marveled: "That’s amazing."

"It’s not a nice place anyway." Huai Shi sighed: "Going back and forth is a huge hassle, no bus even, it’s really not a good tourist spot."

"Well, it’s outer space after all."

Fu Yi walked ahead, her hands behind her back, skipping lightly "Back then, the school had quotas for the moon research base, I wanted to go too, but didn’t get accepted, failed at the first screening. Maybe my major was too niche, not a match."

"I remember you majored in social psychology?" Huai Shi asked puzzled: "Psychology has no point in a moon lab... What were you thinking when you applied?"

Fu Yi turned her head, giving him a glance like she was annoyed, and told him: "Of course because it’s easy to slack off."

"...That really doesn’t sound like you."

Huai Shi couldn’t believe that someone like Fu Yi, who focused on performance, results, and efficiency, would choose psychology, such a vague field.

It should be management and economics that interest her.

He couldn’t imagine Fu Yi being a counselor comforting patients, and she might even hit those who didn’t follow advice.

"Correction, not psychology, nor sociology." Fu Yi emphasized again, "It’s ’Jungian Theory,’ thank you."

"Pretty much the same, right?" Huai Shi, an outsider, only had a vague idea.

Jung? Isn’t that the historical researcher of sociology and psychology?

Due to its unverifiable and non-replicable attributes, it couldn’t even form laws to be categorized in the scholar’s field.

It seemed like it didn’t have a bright future.

"If you think it’s the same, then it’s the same."

Fu Yi shook her head, giving up on explaining to this guy, who apart from art, was clueless about the importance and actual function of Jungian Theory and the significance of ’archetypal theory’ to the Sea of Silver.

This restricted major, a joint training program between the Existence Institute and Empire University, never existed in external publicity, so it’s natural people wouldn’t understand.

In the end, they’re just students.

Compared with those truly glorious things, those feats that truly change fate, they’re not worth mentioning.

Nothing to boast about.

Along the way, it seemed that Fu Yi was quite respected here.

Often people greeted them, warmly and friendly, some even petted the dog running around in front, giving it a hot dog sausage.

"Because recently it’s been campaigning for mascot, lots of fans are actively canvassing for it," Fu Yi explained: "At this rate, it might become Empire University’s official mascot next year."

Incidentally, the gap with the second place right now is about as large as the total of third to tenth places.

’Huai Shi’ getting promoted and debuting at Empire University is almost a done deal!

Huai Shi listened, and his eye twitched, "Can’t you give it another name?"

"I want to change it too, but it doesn’t respond to other names." Fu Yi shrugged: "It just seems to like this name, if you don’t believe me, try calling it."

"Isn’t it a bit much to make someone yell their own name at a dog?"

"I think people who get so caught up with a dog should reflect a bit too."

Fu Yi looked over with a half-smile; that gaze made Huai Shi suddenly speechless for no reason.

Silence remained.

A gentle wind blew from afar, and through the gaps in the tree shade, scattered sunlight fell, illuminating her cheeks and her smile.

As if she was waiting for him to say something.

But soon, a low bell rang from afar.

Announcing the end of leisure.

When turning the quiet corner, Huai Shi saw the two people waiting at the end of the path.

Marcus and an old teacher draped in a robe seemed to be talking. Noticing their approach, they stopped.

Waiting quietly.

Huai Shi sighed uncomfortably.

Fu Yi, seemingly understanding, looked over: "Is the lunch break over?"

"Yes."

He could feel those gazes cast from afar, staring quietly at the intruder of the campus, constantly reminding him of his identity.

"Sorry." He said, "I probably have to go."

"It’s fine."

Fu Yi thought for a moment, casually smiled: "Business is important. Remember to bring me a souvenir from the moon."

Then, she seriously emphasized again:

"I’ll be keeping an eye on you, don’t forget."

"Don’t worry, no problem!" Huai Shi patted his chest to assure.

So, she laughed, standing in the tree shade, nodding farewell: "Well, have a safe journey."

"Mm, goodbye."

Huai Shi waved, lifting his backpack, and finally waved goodbye to her.

After walking far, he turned his head, seeing her still standing there, watching him leave.

Leaving him feeling a sense of loss.

Even after exiting the school gate, there was a bit of melancholy and daze.

As if something was overlooked, something left behind.

But he thought for a long time, and couldn’t remember what he had forgotten to bring.

He could only look back, take one last glance at the Empire University behind him, until confirming he could no longer see that familiar figure, he sighed lightly, and left with the leash in hand.