Chapter 89: “Nina’s Abnormality”
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Duncan felt a mild itch and absentmindedly scratched the back of his head, clearly puzzled. Full of laughter, Nina sped past him, rushing up the stairs as if she was in on a joke he didn’t understand. He murmured to himself, “What on earth has gotten into her?”
From across the room, near the counter, the distinct voice of Mr. Morris interrupted his musings. “You know, Mr. Duncan, you’re not at all what I expected.”
Duncan, slightly taken aback, quirked an eyebrow in surprise. “Really? And what, might I ask, was your initial impression of me?”
Moving with purpose, Duncan strolled over to the entrance, flipping the store’s sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed.’ He then dragged a chair closer to the seating area, indicating that Mr. Morris should sit. It was, after all, inappropriate to keep a teacher standing during a home visit, especially one concerning family matters.
“Thank you,” Mr. Morris said, showing his appreciation with a nod. Once settled, the elderly teacher directed his gaze towards Duncan, his face illuminated by a calm, sophisticated smile. “Though we’ve never formally met, I’ve come across a few tales about you and, more specifically, Nina’s family dynamics. I hope you don’t find me forward, but from the whispers I’ve gathered, Nina lives with her uncle who has quite the penchant for alcohol, gambling, and a rather fiery temper. Such stories have painted the picture of a chaotic household, which unfortunately has resulted in Nina being isolated at school. It seems her peers are hesitant to be associated with her.”
As Duncan prepared a pot of coffee, his hands momentarily froze upon hearing Mr. Morris’s candid remarks. He mentally chided himself for being so transparent and quickly resumed his task. Once done, he gracefully set down two mugs on the counter, sliding one towards the teacher. “I assure you, I only serve top-tier coffee. Some even say it’s the best in town.”
Taking his own seat across from Mr. Morris, a decorative dagger lay between them, creating a symbolic boundary.
Duncan inhaled deeply, choosing his words with care. “In all honesty, the stories you’ve heard hold some truth. I went through a rough patch, a very challenging period in my life where pain became unbearable. To cope, I sought solace in alcohol when traditional painkillers failed me. My downfall, I now realize, had a larger impact on Nina’s formative years than I ever imagined.”
Mr. Morris studied Duncan intently, his gaze unwavering. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke, “Your story is compelling, but I find it hard to believe. The man in front of me exudes the grace of someone who’s never truly lost his way, not the remnants of someone scarred by alcoholism. There’s a sharpness to your wit, a genuine humor that’s hard to associate with past addictions.”
Taking a leisurely sip of his coffee, Mr. Morris continued, focusing not on the brew but on Duncan, “I pride myself on being quite discerning when it comes to reading people.”
Duncan let out a chuckle, the sound light and carefree. “Perhaps I just have a knack for shifting my perspective rather swiftly,” he mused, the calmness of his tone surprising even himself. While he couldn’t deny that Mr. Morris possessed an uncanny ability to read people, it still baffled him that a local historian could potentially uncover his concealed truths. “Nina’s on the brink of adulthood, and with me being her sole guardian, there comes a time when I must step up and take responsibility.”
Mr. Morris leveled a discerning gaze at Duncan, taking a moment before speaking, “Your sentiment is commendable. It bodes well for Nina.” He paused, his expression thoughtful. “You know, despite the common belief that public school graduates are only fit for menial factory work, I stand firm in my conviction that knowledge, in itself, is a treasure. When its brilliance eventually shines, it can be instrumental in catapulting someone to unparalleled success.”
The elderly educator shook his head sadly, a hint of frustration evident. “It’s a pity that many parents I encounter don’t share this belief. They seem fixated on pushing their children to wrap up their education quickly and secure a job.”
Duncan’s thoughts drifted to his past experiences on Earth, where, as a teacher, he often found himself echoing Mr. Morris’s sentiments to the parents of his students. Yet, a quick glance around the stark surroundings of the lower city reminded him of the stark differences between his past life and the present. “You have to understand, Mr. Morris, in the lower city, most people’s concerns are immediate, primarily centered around meeting ends meet for the coming month. It’s hard to expect them to have lofty aspirations under such circumstances.”
The weight of the reality seemed to press down on Mr. Morris, a look of sorrow clouding his features. “It’s heartrending to see how life’s harsh realities stifle so many. I apologize for imposing my musings on you. I’m sure you have your own set of challenges. But now, after our conversation, my concerns seem misplaced.”
Duncan’s brow furrowed, sensing a deeper implication in Morris’s words. “Concerns? Has something transpired with Nina at school? Is she struggling academically?”
Mr. Morris took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully, “Nina’s academic record has been consistently strong, but of late, she seems… adrift. Her focus in class has waned, and she’s often caught napping during study sessions. In a recent chemistry class, she inadvertently ignited a lab table – an unprecedented act for her.”
He hesitated, weighing the gravity of his next words, “Though her grades have seen a minimal decline in the first two terms, if this pattern persists, I fear she may not graduate with distinctions. I concur, opportunities are limited for public school graduates. But there’s a vast difference between mundane tasks in the factories of the lower city and the sophisticated work with the steam cores in the upper city’s churches. As Nina’s guardian, I implore you to monitor her academic progress more closely.”
Duncan’s eyebrows knitted together in concern. “She’s been having trouble concentrating in class? Why didn’t she mention anything about this to me?”
Mr. Morris sighed and shook his head. “Young girls, especially at Nina’s age, tend to keep many things to themselves. Initially, I thought her distractions might be related to issues at home, perhaps even influenced by stories I’ve heard about her ‘troubled uncle.’ But now, it seems that my assumptions were misguided.”
Duncan’s mind raced, trying to piece together any recent changes in Nina’s demeanor or behavior, searching for clues that might explain her sudden lapse in concentration at school.
Before he could settle on any potential reason, Mr. Morris probed further, “You’re her guardian. Have you noticed any changes in her lately? Perhaps she’s been restless, or her health has taken a turn?”
Racking his brain, Duncan finally admitted, “I’m regretfully at a loss. I can’t pinpoint any particular change.”
It was a perplexing situation for Duncan since he had only come to know Nina a mere week ago. How could he possibly discern any subtle shifts in her behavior?
Mr. Morris’s reaction to Duncan’s confession wasn’t one of surprise. Perhaps he had come prepared, having heard the local gossip and stories about ‘Nina’s wayward uncle.’ He advised, “You should be more observant when it comes to Nina. At this age, it’s not just about providing for their physical needs.”
A sudden thought struck Duncan, “Could she possibly be in the throes of her first love?”
He couldn’t help but draw from “Zhou Ming’s” experiences as an educator.
Mr. Morris looked momentarily taken aback, a quizzical expression painting his face. “You do realize she attends an all-girls school, don’t you?”
Duncan, undeterred, replied gravely, “Even in an all-girls school, such things can happen.”
The reaction on Mr. Morris’s face was priceless – a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
Realizing he might have ventured into uncharted territory given the old teacher’s shocked reaction, Duncan quickly steered the conversation back. “I’m merely speculating, of course. I’ll make it a point to speak to Nina. If there’s something bothering her, I hope she’ll confide in me.”
Regaining his composure, Mr. Morris nodded, “Indeed. From what I’ve gathered, Nina is a sincere and forthright young lady. I believe she will open up if approached correctly.”
Duncan probed further, “Is there anything else that I need to be informed about?”
Mr. Morris pondered for a moment before replying, “Aside from her recent lack of focus, nothing stands out. My primary reason for this visit was to discuss her attention lapses and to gain insight into her family dynamics. Speaking of which, about Nina’s parents…”
“Eleven years back,” Duncan began, his tone reflective, “the official documents noted that there was a chemical spill in the sixth block’s factory.”
Mr. Morris let out a weary sigh. “Ah, I recall that dreadful day. My daughter and I were near the Crossroad when the news broke out. Panic ensued, and people scattered in every direction, trying to escape the impending threat of the chemical spill. And if my memory serves me right, post the incident, reports came out stating that some rogue cultists seized the chaos as an opportunity, causing havoc throughout the lower city.”
Duncan felt a pang in his chest upon hearing this. Struggling to maintain an unaffected demeanor, he inquired, “Was there also talk of a fire raging through parts of the lower city that night?”
Morris thought for a moment, his eyebrows knitting together. “A fire? No, I can’t recall any mention of fires
that night. Perhaps you’re confusing it with another event?”
Duncan chuckled lightly, tapping his forehead lightly, “Must be my muddled memory. Maybe it’s a sign I should cut back on my drinking.”
Thank you for the chapter!
And again, thanks mate!
Thanks Bro!
Nothing better happen to Nina!!!
What If nina is the sun fragment? I mean she tried to burn the lab right? Isn’t it that a flag?
Are your reading comprehension that bad? She didn’t try to burn the lab, she got distracted during a school chemistry class and burnt a lab table.
Is your reading comprehension that bad? She didn’t try to burn the lab, she got distracted during a school chemistry class and burnt a lab table.
Yuri? Yabai!~
The person speculating that Nina is that Sun fragment is correct to some degree j believe. Suntist have started gathering in the city and in this moment Nina is experiencing whatever this is. Plus, we also to remember that Duncan has a very strong institution, so maybe he by sheer coincidence chose Ron’s body for it may be somehow connected to Sun fragment.
*has a very strong intuition.
This history teacher seems like he is a skinwalker. Anyone else getting those vibes? It’s like the story is trying to make him out to look too nice. He seems to be a top dog in the sunist group. I wonder if there will be a thing where he tries to adopt Nina, but since Ron is now stable, he can’t really do that. Maybe he sabotaged the chemistry tools, or maybe Bob is thinking too much, and this guy is just a nice guy concerned about his student.