Chapter 165: The Empty Classroom’s Test

“Hmm, a deserted corridor where one couldn’t turn back. The sound of a piano echoing from an empty music room. Trees in the forest that would ensnare lovers. And a vacant classroom from which escape was impossible unless you completed the test paper.”

Yi Zhiqiu read aloud each of the files I had submitted.

Some of these reports came from those who had sought consultations yesterday. Others were deliberately provided by Mo Qingyan, while a portion I had gathered myself, reluctantly chatting with students to glean information.

Indeed, Xia Yubing’s popularity proved immense. Regardless of gender, students were willing to chat with me just by looking at my face, and they eagerly answered whatever I asked.

The only problem was my inability to verify the authenticity of these rumors. I strongly suspected that some were fabricated by male students, simply for the chance to converse with the campus belle. Many were full of holes or sounded inherently false.

“Hmm, merely looking at them isn’t enough to confirm anything. We need someone to investigate. Xia Yubing, would you be willing to assist me?” Yi Zhiqiu asked.

“Me? Of course, I’m willing. But how would I assist?” I looked at Yi Zhiqiu, puzzled. With his formidable abilities, did he truly need my help?

“I’ve been investigating the school almost every night this week, yet I haven’t found anything substantial. It seems something is missing. The very thing I’m looking for likely only appears under certain conditions, and perhaps you are particularly suited for it,” Yi Zhiqiu explained.

The nights at this school were far from peaceful. I suspected Yi Zhiqiu had at least fought with that hanged girl, and he hadn’t managed to subdue her. So, was he fighting malevolent spirits every single night these past few days?

“That’s possible. So, which one should we start with?” I asked, even if I wasn’t sure which one was real, or where to even begin looking for them.

“This one—the classroom you can’t leave until you finish the test paper.” Yi Zhiqiu pointed to it.

A stir went through me. This was precisely one of the urban legends students had told me when I chatted with them. Moreover, someone who came to the Department of Supernatural Occurrences yesterday had mentioned a similar tale.

“I’ve also heard similar tales from other students, but their experiences vary,” Yi Zhiqiu said. “Some claimed they were trapped there for an entire night, others were led inside by a teacher they didn’t know and taught a class, and some said they entered an empty study room where their minds became exceptionally clear, allowing them to write furiously and study for a long time.”

Their recounted experiences were all rather bizarre and distinct, yet they shared certain commonalities. Firstly, the classroom was always empty before they entered. Secondly, the experiences were always related to studying. And finally, afterward, none of them could recall the classroom’s exact location.

“Uh, I have indeed heard some similar rumors. Do you really believe such a thing exists in this school? An empty classroom and all that?” I asked.

“It’s hard to say, but since so many people have encountered it, it shouldn’t be baseless. So, it’s worth investigating,” Yi Zhiqiu replied. “Furthermore, from the various rumors, the danger of this particular urban legend seems relatively low. At least, I haven’t heard of any students disappearing or dying because of it. So, we’ll investigate this one first.”

With that, Yi Zhiqiu opened the door and led me out of the office.

Every time I walked through the academic building, I was the center of attention. Now, with Yi Zhiqiu beside me, it was even more pronounced. I could hear numerous whispers, discussing my relationship with him. I could only try my best to ignore them.

Yi Zhiqiu, however, completely disregarded their chatter. He spoke to me, as if to himself: “If such an empty classroom truly exists, it must be fueled by the students’ desperate desire for academic improvement.”

“But how do we find it? All the rumors state that the students couldn’t clearly describe the classroom’s exact location,” I asked.

“That’s perfectly normal. After experiencing an urban legend, many people find some of their memories become blurry. Typically, the blurry part of the memory is the most crucial, just like the restroom incident that girl experienced yesterday,” Yi Zhiqiu explained.

“Last night, after you all left school, I went into the girls’ restroom on the third floor. Everything was quite normal. That can only mean I don’t meet the trigger conditions, and the anomaly in that restroom is likely mobile. This classroom should be the same; it doesn’t have a fixed location.”

I furrowed my brows. “If there’s no fixed location, then how are we supposed to find that classroom?”

“It’s simple. We simulate the events that occurred before those students encountered it. Do you remember the commonalities before they found that classroom?” Yi Zhiqiu countered.

“Uh, first, it was an empty classroom, and then they all unconsciously stepped into it?” I recalled the students’ words.

“Yes, and there’s more. They were immersed in their studies and forgot the time. Some stayed in school past dismissal and then wanted to leave but couldn’t,” Yi Zhiqiu said, leading me to an empty classroom. “So, I’ve simulated these conditions.”

“Eh?” I looked in surprise at the empty classroom. This was Class 2-D. Students were still in the surrounding corridors, but the room itself was completely deserted. Even their schoolbags and other belongings had been taken, leaving only a very few personal items.

“I applied to the principal to use this classroom this afternoon. It’s now sports activity time, and the students of Class D have been dismissed early under the pretext of renovation work,” Yi Zhiqiu explained.

“That wouldn’t be… you need me to go into that classroom and see if I get trapped inside, would it?” I had an ominous premonition.

“Precisely. You go in alone and start studying. It’s best if you can immerse yourself completely, forgetting everything around you. Don’t worry, I’ll be watching you,” Yi Zhiqiu said.

“Ah?” I froze. Wasn’t this using me as bait?

However, thinking of the Tai Chi manual and other potential rewards, I gritted my teeth and said, “Alright, I’ll go in and try.”

“Thank you. Please don’t be afraid. If anything truly happens, I will rescue you. I’ll be right at the door, watching you,” Yi Zhiqiu assured me.

His words greatly eased my mind. There was nothing else for it. I stepped into the empty classroom and randomly picked a seat.

Although the students of Class D had been dismissed early under excuses like circuit renovations, and had taken most of their personal belongings, many students still left their books on their desks and in their drawers. After all, high school students’ books often piled up like small mountains.

I randomly grabbed a math textbook and started reading. If it had been me last week, I probably would have been drowsy within five minutes. But ever since those two calligraphy scrolls were hung in my home, the more I studied, the more energized I felt, able to study for hours without tiring.

Gradually, I forgot about Yi Zhiqiu. The playful chatter of students outside faded, and only math remained in my vision. Until the sound of a door closing echoed, interrupting my thoughts.

“Students, the exam has begun.” A voice rang out from the podium.

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