: The Art Student Who Failed the Exam

When I arrived in this dream, I saw Archduke Ferdinand.

Qiao Ye already had a guess.

This so-called Holy Union Empire of Alchemy and Magic is very much like an alternate world version of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Vienna, the capital of Austria-Hungary, in 1913.

It was indeed a gathering of stars.

Countless figures who will shake up the world in the future are here.

Qiao Ye had a premonition that the side characters guided by the system might all be heavyweights.

I just don't know how many I can recognize.

【1. Huancheng Avenue - Truth Workers Mutual Aid Association】

A bank robber exiled from his homeland is planning a heist that will shock the empire, claiming he will "break all shackles."

You can join in, complete this feat, and unlock the "Breakthrough" class.

This is?

Qiao Ye frowned, feeling that this description seemed familiar.

Exiled, robber, breaking shackles...

Could he be a young, loving father?

He was indeed in Vienna in 1913.

Not only him, but also several of his famous rivals were present.

Qiao Ye wasn't sure.

Let's continue reading.

2. Old Town - St. Mary's Mental Hospital

A psychologist who studies dreams firmly believes that the dreams of all the insane hold divine truths.

Accompany him into the patient's dream, complete the research, and unlock the profession "Dream Enterter."

This one is easy to recognize.

Isn't Freud the psychologist who studies dreams?

Studying dreams...

Qiao Ye shook his head. He was indeed somewhat interested, but now was not the time.

I wonder if Freud ever realized, while studying other people's dreams, that he was also in someone else's dream.

【3. Imperial West Capital University - Forbidden Book Archives】

A newly hired young administrator is responsible for organizing those "unclassifiable" books.

At this moment, he came into contact with a completely new belief: that an invisible hand was manipulating everything in the world.

Accompany him in a deep study of related beliefs to unlock the profession of 'Manipulator'.

An invisible hand?

Qiao Ye thought, "They must be talking about Hayek, right?"

This is someone I know well.

Hayek's powerful hand is exerting its influence every day.

4. Schönbrunn Palace - The Emperor's Astrological Room

An old emperor, suffering from severe insomnia, would sit alone in the astrology room every day at three in the morning. He said he could hear the whispers of the stars, voices warning him of something.

[Help him decipher the whispers and unlock the profession 'Star Listener'.]

emperor?

No need to guess, it's Archduke Ferdinand's father.

Qiao Ye wasn't very interested in this task.

He continued reading.

5. ...

6. ...

7. ...

It has to be said that there are a lot of people in this city who have special opportunities.

Qiao Ye had no idea how many side quests he had seen.

suddenly--

[20. Xidu Central Prison, Section 7]

[An art student who failed his college entrance exams twice was taken away by the police three days ago on charges related to a murder case involving supernatural powers.]

The deceased was a professor at the Xidu Academy of Fine Arts. When he was found, his body was nailed to the wall, with no signs of struggle around him. His body was covered in paint, depicting demonic patterns.

[Clear his name and unlock the profession 'Demon'.]

This...this!

Qiao Ye's pupils contracted.

Is it really you?

Little painter!

Moreover, the unlocked profession was both unexpected and perfectly logical.

【demon】.

Qiao Ye looked at the task and pondered for a long time.

Ultimately, he made a decision.

Head to Xidu Central Prison!

The reason is not hard to understand—

He's going to enter Dracula's Castle next.

Changing to the [Demon] class might be the best choice.

……

Western Capital Central Prison.

Qiao Ye obtained visitation permission very easily.

After all, his current identity is the [Imperial Security Advisor].

He can visit anyone he wants under the pretext of "matters concerning the security of the Empire".

Led by the prison guards, Qiao Ye passed through three iron gates reinforced with alchemy.

He met the young painter in the reception room.

Thin, pale, with sunken eyes.

He had a small mustache.

He was wearing prison clothes and alchemical shackles on his hands, alchemical artifacts specifically designed to suppress superhumans.

But Qiao Ye did not sense any extraordinary aura.

Neither [Demon Hunter Knowledge] nor [Mystical Knowledge] was activated.

He seemed like an ordinary person.

"Are you a lawyer?"

The little painter looked up, his voice hoarse.

"Private investigator".

Qiao Ye sat down opposite him. "Let's take a look at your case."

The little painter stared at him for three seconds.

During those three seconds, Qiao Ye had a strange feeling.

It felt like I was being watched by something, from top to bottom, from the outside in.

But that feeling only lasted for a moment before it disappeared.

This is very wrong.

"Who commissioned it?" the young painter asked.

"No one has commissioned me," Qiao Ye said calmly. "I'm simply interested in your case."

Qiao Ye leaned back, his gaze falling on the gold shackles on the young painter's wrists.

Runes were carved on it, and it was emitting a faint glow.

[Silence Rune], [Affliction Rune], [Power Word Rune]...

These are shackles specifically designed to suppress superhumans.

Under normal circumstances, any superhuman locked up by it would suffer terribly.

But the person in front of me showed no sign of discomfort.

"Why are you interested in this case?" the young painter asked.

"Because of this demon symbol."

Qiao Ye picked up the newspaper and showed the photo on it to the young painter.

"I am the Imperial Security Advisor. We can't just let a potential demon roam freely in the Imperial capital, can we?"

The young painter was speechless.

That reason is indeed plausible.

"I've reviewed the case file."

Qiao Ye continued, "It's unreasonable to list you as the prime suspect just because the other party caused you to fail the exam."

"There are still unexplained aspects to the case, and there is no evidence to prove that you killed anyone."

"I'll try to get you released on bail, and you'll come with me to investigate the case."

"Find the real killer and clear yourself of suspicion."

"What do you think?"

The young painter remained silent for a long time.

"Well... thank you."

"It's alright, I enjoy helping others."

Qiao Ye stood up.

"Then you should wait for news."

……

The iron gate closed behind him.

Qiao Ye passed through three alchemical gates, walked out of the prison, and stood under the gray sky of Xidu.

He glanced back at the gray building.

He couldn't explain the feeling of being watched just now.

But there was one thing he was certain of—

That young painter is definitely not as simple as he seems.

……

After Qiao Ye left.

The young painter was taken back to his cell.

He had just sat down when a voice suddenly came from beside him.

"That person is not simple."

The little painter turned his head.

Beside him was a phantom-like black shadow, constantly emanating an extremely ominous aura.

The prison guards walked past the cell, but no one could see the dark figure.

"What's so special about it?" the young painter asked.

"He's not just a detective," the shadowy figure said. "He's a witcher too!"

The Witcher!?

The young painter's pupils contracted, and he hurriedly asked, "So he found you?!"

"Don't worry."

The voice chuckled softly, "He's just a novice demon hunter; he couldn't possibly see through the Demon King's form."

Hearing this, the young painter finally felt relieved.

It's good that it wasn't discovered.

"You're really amazing."

The little painter muttered to himself, "He helped me kill so many people, but no one ever found out."

"To be honest, I'm a little afraid of you because you're so powerful."

The shadowy figure shook its head slightly upon hearing this.

"No."

He stared at the young painter and said softly, "He deliberately put himself in prison to experience pain."

"This base color..."

"I should be afraid of you."