On how PhDs become human evil

After listening to their stories, Hatayama Aiko finally realized a fact—Bai Jie was the one who was most good at causing trouble.

She thought that Daisuke Hiyama and the others in her class were already quite willful, but she never expected that Bai Jie's willfulness would be even greater than theirs!

"When those two get back, I'm going to give them a good talking to!"

In the lakeside town of Ur, at the Water Sprite Inn, after a day's work, Aiko Hatayama and the students of the guard team were having dinner around the table.

Hearing Hatayama Aiko say this, Sonobe Yuka, the captain of the guard team, gave a wry smile: "Teacher, I understand your concern for them, but now that it has happened, all we can do is pray that they are safe and sound."

"However, with Fafnir around, I don't think there's any need to worry about Nagumo's safety."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding students nodded with wry smiles, while Hatayama Aiko, seeing this, couldn't help but feel puzzled: "Sonobe-kun, why do you all speak with such an air of entitlement when you mention Schariac?"

They exchanged a glance, and then Sonobe Yuka said, "Teacher, although it's not appropriate to say it like this, Fafnir... is probably the strongest 'monster' in the world."

Aiko Hatayama was stunned. She never expected that Yuka Sonobe would address Shirokuchi in such a way, and the other students seemed to approve of the term.

"for..."

"Speaking of which, things seem to be getting a bit restless in the northern mountains lately."

As if trying their best to avoid the topic of Bai Jie and Nan Yun Hajime, the students awkwardly changed the subject, not even giving Hatayama Aiko time to ask questions.

This unnatural feeling frustrated Hatayama Aiko, as if everyone was resisting the two people, which was unacceptable to Hatayama Aiko, who was wholeheartedly concerned for her students.

However, the digression forced Hatayama Aiko to perk up: "That's right, I heard the owner say that this shop's Neilshisil (otherworldly curry) is only available until today."

Generally, to avoid this situation, inns always keep a sufficient stock of spices and there is no shortage of supplies. However, in the past month, a series of unusual events have occurred in the North Mountain Range, causing few people to dare to go out and collect spices.

Specifically, it refers to the appearance of monsters.

Normally, as long as you don't cross the mountain peaks, the North Mountain Range is a relatively safe place, with mountains that extend northward like a protective barrier.

With each mountain range they cross, the inhabitants of the monsters become stronger. However, the monsters don't specifically cross the mountains to come here, but several people have already seen groups of monsters that shouldn't be on this side of the mountain.

Humans are always afraid of the unknown, so naturally no one dared to venture into the Northern Mountains.

“However, I’ve heard that the branch manager of Furen has commissioned a powerful adventurer to investigate the cause of the anomalies in the Northern Mountains,” a student said.

"I heard this news from the boss too. Judging from the timing, it seems to arrive today."

"jingle!"

Just as Aiko Hatayama and the others were talking, the doorbell rang at the entrance of the Water Fairy Inn, and then a figure appeared at the door.

Because Aiko Hatayama and the others were sitting in the innermost seats, which were surrounded by walls on three sides and offered a panoramic view of the entire inn, they immediately spotted the person who entered the inn.

White hair, red eyes, and although they didn't know why there was a sword hanging at her waist, they would never forget that face.

"Fafner...?"

".....teacher?"

When Hatayama Aiko met Hakujie, Hakujie also noticed the group of people sitting in the inn, and his face showed a look of astonishment and bewilderment.

It's amazing to run into someone I know here. What a small world!

Section 240, paragraph 15: When a mage picks up a sword, he is invincible.

"It really startled me to run into a teacher here."

Arriving at the dining table where Aiko Hatayama and the others were sitting, Bai Jie spoke with a slightly surprised tone.

"How long has it been since we last met? About two months, I think. How has everyone been?"

Upon seeing Bai Jie standing before them, Hatayama Aiko suddenly pinched her arm. The pain made her realize that Bai Jie was not a dream, but a real, living person.

“Shaniat…I heard from everyone that you jumped into the depths of the great labyrinth? Why…?”

"Yes, I jumped down with Nanyun, then we cleared the maze, and finally found the magic circle to return in the deepest part."

Bai Jie casually uttered words that caused everyone's expressions to change drastically.

They've cleared the great maze?!

How is this possible! That's a vast labyrinth that was only explored up to fifty-odd floors before these otherworldly beings arrived! Even the hero Amagawa Radiant could only barely defend himself against the monsters deep within the labyrinth.

However, Bai Jie and Nan Yun Shi actually managed to clear the entire maze.

"Wait! You just mentioned Nagumo's name... Is he still alive?!" Sonobe Yuka suddenly realized something.

"Yes, he's still alive and well, and he's become incredibly strong. I'd say he could probably take on a dozen or so Heavenly River warriors."

Nan Yun was able to defeat more than a dozen Heavenly River Radiances.

That incompetent one?

Upon hearing Bai Jie's words, the first thought of everyone was disbelief. After all, Tian Zhihe Guanghui was a hero with the highest level of ability and talent, and he was improving rapidly every day. His ability value alone was estimated to have exceeded one thousand.

If Hajime Nagumo can really fight more than a dozen Ame no Kagawa Brilliant, then wouldn't his ability value have already exceeded 10,000?

Seeing the skeptical looks from his classmates, Bai Jie didn't plan to explain anything. Anyway, Nan Yun Shi and Yue would see everyone again someday, and then he could prove it himself.

To prove just how terrifying the monster that crawled out of the abyss really is.

"Well, believe it or not, it's up to you. Anyway, let me have some dinner now. I'm starving after walking for a day and a half. If you have any questions, ask me after I finish eating. Boss, a curry rice, please!"

----------------------

Nighttime, in Aiko Hatayama's room.

Because Bai Jie had said that any questions should be asked after he finished dinner, before the students could even make a move, Hatayama Aiko grabbed Bai Jie by the back of his collar and took him back to her room.

"Alright, Shaniat, explain to the teacher what exactly happened!"

With her hands slammed on the table, Aiko Hatayama stared down at Bai Jie with an imposing and condescending gaze.

“Tell me everything about how you took Nagumo-kun down into the Great Maze, what happened inside the Great Maze, and what happened after you left the Great Maze!”

"Teacher, I understand your concern for the students, but could you ask one question at a time? I can't handle this barrage of questions." Bai Jie sighed helplessly.

If someone else had questioned him in such a condescending manner, he would have drawn his sword and attacked long ago, regardless of who it was.

However, Aiko Hatayama's actions were all based on the good of her students. Everything she did was for the students, and Bai Jie was also her student. Having such a dedicated, even somewhat excessive, teacher, even Bai Jie couldn't bring himself to hit a woman.

"Well, where should I begin? It would take several days to explain everything, so I'll just give you a brief overview, teacher."

After organizing his thoughts, Bai Jie began to speak.

"Nagum wanted to become stronger, so I took him to train in the Great Labyrinth. After we cleared the Great Labyrinth, we parted ways. — To put it simply, that's how it is."

"You've gone too far with this! Explain things clearly!" Hatayama Aiko slammed her hand on the table. "Besides, why would Nagumo want to become stronger? He doesn't seem like a very competitive student."

Not competitive?

With a slight upturn of his lips, Bai Jie laughed and said, "You're wrong about that, teacher. Nan Yun isn't just not competitive; you could say he's excessively competitive."

Because of Shirasaki Kaori, Nagumo Hajime has always been ostracized and bullied by all the boys in the class. Under such circumstances for a long time, anyone would harbor resentment. In addition, Shirasaki Kaori is always accompanied by someone as perfect as Amanogawa Kōki, so it's natural for men to feel jealous.

No one is willing to be subservient to others, and Nagumo Hajime was no exception, but he couldn't do it before because he had nothing.

However, after arriving in this world, Hajime Nagumo's competitive spirit was ignited. After communicating with Hakuge, he finally put his competitive spirit into action. The revolver was proof of that, and the first bullet he fired was also a farewell to his past self.

After that, in order to survive in the hellish labyrinth, Hajime Nagumo's competitive spirit evolved even further.

I want to become stronger. I want to surpass him. I want to survive.

Supported by these three obsessions, Hajime Nagumo successfully transformed into a true monster. Perhaps if Hajime Nagumo hadn't entered the abyss, he would have certainly become a powerful figure in the future, but that would have been far less impressive than his current state.

"Well, let's not worry about Nan Yun's matter. I guess we'll hear news about him soon. After all, the inhuman values ​​he developed in the Abyss are completely out of step with the outside world, and he'll probably cause all sorts of trouble."

"As a teacher, I really don't know whether to feel sad or happy. My students have clearly grown up... Sigh." Aiko Hatayama sighed softly. "By the way, Schariac, why did you come here?"

"Actually, I didn't plan to come here, but when I was in Furen, I beat up everyone in the Adventurers' Guild in order to earn a living. Then the branch manager there took a liking to my strength and hoped that I could come and handle the situation here."

As he said this, Bai Jie walked to the window and looked out towards the direction of the Northern Mountains.

Although he couldn't use magic, Bai Jie could still sense the aura of magic, and right now, in his perception, the North Mountain Range was continuously emitting an astonishing amount of magic.

"I initially thought it was just a small matter, but now it seems... I'm in for a lot of work."

————————————————————

Aiko Hatayama: Speaking of which, why are you carrying a sword, Shaniat? I remember your calling is Alchemist, right?

Bai Jie: Teacher, you must understand, when a mage picks up a sword, he is invincible.

P.S.: I apologize to everyone here. As you can see, the quality of the recent chapters has not been very good. The reason is my own fault. My school has evening training sessions, which last until after 9 pm every night. I'm exhausted. To be honest, being able to manage two chapters a day is my limit. After finishing writing, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. In addition, the temperature difference between day and night in Nanjing is large, so I caught a cold and haven't been in good condition.

However, military training ends tomorrow. During the upcoming seven-day National Day holiday, I will try my best to get myself back into shape and avoid showing you any low-quality content. After all, you have to act with conscience no matter what you do.

Section 241, Chapter 16: Why are there so many troublemakers?

One night passed.

As the moonlight dimmed and the eastern sky began to lighten, Bai Jie stood at the gate, preparing to enter the Northern Mountain Range.

Will Kudetta and his team entered the Northern Mountains to investigate, and have been out of contact for five days. Their chances of survival are so low that it is hopeless.

Although Bai Jie also believed that the chances of Will and the others surviving were very low, there was always a chance. Moreover, Bai Jie believed in the theory that "humans can do anything when they are driven to the brink of despair." The most conclusive evidence was Nagumo Hajime, who was driven to the brink of despair in the abyss and turned into a monster.

Besides, even if Will really dies, it's fine. As long as the time since his death is less than a week, Bai Jie can bring him back to life. So whether he lives or dies isn't a big deal.

Therefore, Bai Jie simply treated this job of finding someone as a side quest, while the main quest was still the abnormal situation of a large number of monsters appearing in the Northern Mountains.

However, when Bai Jie arrived at the North Gate, he encountered several unexpected people there.

As the morning mist dissipated, what appeared were... the figures of Aiko Hatayama and six students, including Yuka Sonobe.

"Although I know why you're here, teacher, I'll ask anyway."

“We’re going too. You’re searching for missing people, right? It’ll be easier with more people, and the teachers don’t trust students to go alone.”

That's a very Aiko Hatayama-esque answer; she's truly a very competent teacher.

but--

"Following me is no problem, but you have to be able to keep up with my speed."