The Erudition, The Genius Club vs. The Harmony, The Family?

Her last sentence carried an unmistakable warning.

The dense atmosphere of strangeness filled the screen, shattering the earlier tranquility completely.

These BloodBloodhounds seemed to be there to protect Chadwick.

But their attitude lacked even a hint of respect one might expect when guarding someone important.

Even Chadwick himself appeared so powerless and resigned when facing the BloodBloodhounds.

All these signs made their protection feel more like surveillance!

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

Chadwick just looked like an ordinary old man.

The audience only saw peace and a deep sense of loneliness in him.

When faced with something he couldn't resolve, he could only resort to pleading with words.

How could such a pitiful old man gain the attention of the Bloodhounds?

With this question in mind, the audience continued to watch.

Under the gaze of the Bloodhounds, Stelle reluctantly moved to the other side.

If not for Himeko's instructions, she would've already picked up her bat, ready to take action.

Fortunately, after guarding for a while and ensuring no one disturbed Chadwick, the Bloodhounds whispered something to him, then hurriedly left.

It was clear that Penacony's security was indeed tight, leaving almost no spare manpower.

But this gave Stelle the perfect opportunity.

She quietly snuck around from behind the flowerbed and approached Chadwick.

"Why … haven't you left yet?"

"I really want to chat with you more, child,"

"But you can't stay here long … The Bloodhound family never warns the same person twice." Chadwick raised his head, advising her with some concern.

"There won't be a second time!" Stelle put her hands on her hips and declared confidently, "Instead, it's you—uh, Doctor, should I call you that?"

"Anyway, you seem like someone with something on your mind."

"Can you tell me about it?" Stelle tried her best to mimic the tone of Himeko and Welt.

She had finally found someone who looked suspicious.

It wouldn't make sense to give up so easily.

"Hmm …" Stelle's words made Chadwick lower his head, his emotions almost tangible.

But through the camera, the audience could see that Chadwick's body was trembling slightly.

The passing of years had taught this old man not to wear his emotions on his face, but the uncontrollable joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness still made him tremble.

After a moment, Chadwick regained his composure.

He looked up at Stelle, his gaze somewhat confused and conflicted.

"My memories are still fragmented, with many pieces incomplete … But, thanks to you… I can indeed see them."

He closed his eyes, revisiting his broken memories.

A long silence filled the screen.

During this time, the audience began exchanging comments.

...

: Incomplete memories? Could it be that something significant happened in his memory that drew The Family's attention?

: The Bloodhound family called Chadwick "Doctor." Hmm, does this have anything to do with the Genius Club?

: Stop joking, bro. Your imagination is running wild.

: Someone from the Genius Club coming to work here? Even the Scholars' Association is backed by corporations.

: Someone like Ruan Mei would probably be rejected by The Family if she tried to visit Penacony.

: Everyone in the Genius Club is a madman, wielding "knowledge" hundreds of times deadlier than any weapon. If they don't cause chaos, the world can already count itself lucky. Surveillance? No way!

...

As the comments scrolled by, Chadwick had already begun piecing together many important fragments from his memory.

"Countless scattered fragments flashed before my eyes, but I couldn't fully grasp them."

"I only found a few scattered pieces. I need to carefully preserve them."

Chadwick panted, frowning as he struggled to record these memories in his mind while narrating them to Stelle.

"I saw … something. Some sort of … weapon, accompanied by endless death and slaughter."

"It seems to be related to me."

"But why … I don't see myself as someone who loves violence. I don't want to believe that…"

Chadwick was deeply troubled by these fragments.

His conscience told him he wasn't a willing participant in acts of harm.

"Were you caught up in some kind of war?" Stelle made a reasonable guess.

"Maybe … perhaps. But this feeling is very different, completely different."

"I don't want to follow this line of thought."

Chadwick didn't want to delve further into this memory.

His face was pained as he forced himself to shift his focus to another meaningful fragment.

"I also saw some people."

"A group of extraordinary individuals who shone brightly even in my fragmented memories."

"I, I was one of them. I was …"

"A member of the Genius Club."

"I finally remember … I was once a member of the Genius Club."

As the words fell, the audience, who had just been heatedly discussing, seemed to hear three phantom "thuds, thuds, thuds!"

Stelle's eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief as she looked the man up and down.

A plain overcoat.

Perfectly neat, almost stiff, trousers.

An utterly unremarkable pair of leather shoes.

A face full of stubble, hair and beard completely white.

Warned by the Bloodhounds, but refusing to back down an inch.

How could someone like this possibly have any connection to the Genius Society?!

Ruan Mei, Herta, Screwllum. The images of these geniuses flashed through her mind one by one.

…

: Huh?! He really is from the Genius Society?

: Could it be that my memory is failing? Is this another smokescreen?

: This old man doesn't look like a genius in the slightest.

: No, seriously, if he were a genius, how could he be trapped here?

: I can't accept this!

…

The audience, at this point, still didn't want to believe Chadwick's words.

Even Stelle shook her head vigorously.

After a long silence, she finally spoke, "You might need some help…"

Chadwick caught the meaning behind Stelle's words.

If he was a true "genius," then his current situation must be dreadful.

If he wasn't, then it meant he was in even greater need of help.

Something must be wrong with his mind.

In Stelle's eyes, Chadwick probably seemed like someone who had lost his sanity.

But he didn't care.

Being able to recall such an important matter with Stelle's help was already a blessing.

"I want answers just as much as you do, child. I've lingered in this dream for far too long."

"Why have I allowed time to slip by without ever thinking of saving myself?"

"The family… They must have exerted some kind of influence on me, and I was powerless to resist."

As Chadwick said this, he furrowed his brows tightly, as though trying to recall memories that eluded him.

After a moment, he gave up.

He could only look at Stelle pleadingly, "Child, would you lend a helping hand to an old man you've just met, even if you don't believe what I'm saying?"

Stelle sighed.

"I think you're a good person. So, wait here. I'll deal with those Bloodhounds first."

Stelle glanced back at the Bloodhounds approaching from a distance, nodded at Chadwick,

and then slipped away once again under his hopeful gaze.

"Genius Society, Chadwick… Never heard of someone like that."

"Well… it's a good thing I have connections."

Stelle didn't dwell on it for long.

She found a secluded corner, pulled out her phone, and quickly sent a few messages.

Under the watchful gaze of countless viewers, Herta responded almost instantly.

"Chadwick? That's just an ordinary name. There are probably billions of people with that name across the universe."

"Can't you provide more details?"

Seeing this reply, the audience immediately relaxed.

…

: Misunderstanding cleared up. Resume the music and dancing!

: Feels like a story about an old man lost in his dreams and fantasies. Kind of interesting to watch, though.

: Just wondering if the Bloodhounds' family is playing along with the old man or what.

: I knew it! If there really were someone named Chadwick in the Genius Society, Herta would've instantly responded more seriously.

…

Just as the audience was getting comfortable.

Stelle scratched her head and added more details.

"I met an old man named Chadwick in Penacony's dreamscape."

"He said he used to be part of the Genius Society."

Stelle didn't expect much as she sent the message.

But Herta responded again almost instantly.

"??? I don't have time for jokes right now. Are you joking?"

In less than two seconds, Herta's attitude changed completely in her next reply, leaving the audience stunned.

There really was a twist?!

At that moment, Stelle seriously replied to the message.

"… So you're serious."

"I understand. Wait a moment."

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Keep your mouth shut. Don't go around telling others about this."

"I'm not joking, either."

Herta's response, unusually serious, left the audience utterly bewildered.

The scene shifted.

The view turned to the Herta Space Station.

Due to timeline constraints, special measures were taken.

The three individuals communicated through messages, while Screwllum was sent to Penacony to find Stelle, rather than having Stelle come over.

At the moment, inside her office, Herta was discussing the Simulated Universe with Screwllum…

"Big news. Screwllum, I'm adding you to a group chat."

Herta wasted no words, directly creating a small group chat.

During this process, she shared Stelle's recent messages with Screwllum.

In the group chat,

Stelle, "Screwllum's here too? Your place sure is lively."

Screwllum, "It's been a while, Miss Stelle. I hope you've been doing well recently."

Herta, "Enough with the pleasantries. Let's get down to business."

Screwllum, "No need to rush, Herta. Suppose Chadwick has already spent tens of thousands of system hours in Penacony. In that case, there's no need for us to get anxious over just a few minutes."

Herta, "It's mainly because "those things" in his hands are simply too valuable."

Stelle, "I have no idea what you're talking about, so... is Chadwick really..."

Herta, "Yes, he's indeed a member of the Genius Society, under my certification."

The comments section exploded.

...

: Damn, so it's true! But why would The Family resort to such extreme measures against him?

: This is unbelievable. It's not that I don't want to believe it—it's just, how is this even possible?!

: A member of the esteemed Genius Society being guarded by The Family's Bloodhounds? Just that fact alone makes me feel like he's a fake.

: He looks way too plain for this!

: Putting that aside, if Herta certified him, then this scene just became way more interesting!

: No wonder the director chose to release this kind of storyline at this moment. The family is so dazzling on the surface, but what's being hidden underneath?

: They dare go against the Genius Society, even playing captivity games?!

: If what Chadwick just said is true, we really need to pay attention!

: Weapons, endless slaughter, and death? Is that the real reason The Family imprisoned Chadwick?

: Before, I thought it was a joke. But now that his identity is confirmed, we really need to think carefully about the extent and scope of this slaughter and death... Damn, this is heavy.

: It reminds me of the brutal stuff Ruan Mei once brought up.

...

The audience was shocked.

Then, the trio's conversation unfolded, gradually transforming the image of this ordinary-looking old man in their minds.

...

Herta, "That man is the real deal... Ahem, I mean, the subject of his research is of immense value."

Screwllum "Calderon Chadwick, Genius Society Member #79. Specialized fields include solid-state physics, imaginary number application theory, and orbital mechanics."

Stelle, "Higher rank than Herta?!"

Herta, "A rank isn't equivalent to strength. If you're trying to provoke me, it won't work."

Screwllum, "Since the Flame of Life ignited within me, I have spent this long time witnessing those who truly deserve the title. The lady beside me, Herta, is one of them. Chadwick is another."

Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.

Since the moment the crown of the extraordinary and divine revealed glimpses of the Genius Society, the audience had never heard such high praise from these two figures.

At the same time, their curiosity and anticipation surged.

A true genius, so highly praised, with a rank higher than Herta's—why is he now imprisoned in Penacony?

With this question in mind, everyone continued watching.

In the subsequent group chat, more information was revealed.

Screwllum mentioned that he had met Chadwick twice.

Once when Chadwick was young and ambitious, and the second time, decades later.

And the reason for the second meeting?

It turned out Chadwick had sought Screwllum for help!

Screwllum agreed to Chadwick's request. However, after that, Chadwick disappeared without a trace. Not even Screwllum's abilities, nor those of other geniuses in the society, including Herta, could locate him in the entire galaxy.

So many people—and they couldn't find Chadwick.

And there's more. Chadwick isn't an immortal species. With his lifespan, he should have died long ago. How could he still be alive now?

One explosive revelation after another shocked the audience.

For them, the familiar sense of mystery surrounding Penacony had returned!

"At this moment, the power of reason may hold the key to unraveling the mystery before us."

"I will personally go to Penacony and visit Dr. Chadwick under the guise of a casual visit."

"Ms. Stelle, could you meet me in the hotel lobby?"

Screwllum revealed his plan in the group chat.

Without hesitation, Stelle immediately agreed.

The storyline development left the audience more excited than ever.

Screwllum was actually going to Penacony himself!

And he was going to confront The Family directly!

What is this?! The Genius Society of Erudition versus The Family of harmony?!

Penacony was already in chaos, and now this independent storyline was adding more fuel to the fire.

Moreover, since it's a standalone story, there was no worry about an incomplete ending.

This meant more information surrounding Chadwick would be revealed to the audience.

They were losing their minds with excitement.