AnalogHorror: Rule Kaidan 4016
Chapter 216 - 101 The Watchtower

Chapter 216: Chapter 101 The Watchtower

Mu Daxian led Mao Feiyang through the Art Classroom, allowing Lin Yi to closely observe the graphic carvings on the interior walls.

These carvings closely resembled the works of ancient humans who recorded certain events or mythologies, utilizing many symbols beyond the Huaxia system and employing extremely abstract narrative techniques.

The four walls of the Art Classroom were covered with such reliefs, which didn’t seem to be the work of a single person, yet they might have portrayed a fundamentally identical story system.

And these carvings, especially in the backdrop of the Central Stage, were highly exaggerated whether they were reliefs or sculptures.

It was as if they depicted a certain battle, but it looked as though the non-human side held an absolute advantage...

It also resembled some ancient pilgrimage ceremony, with countless people armed with weapons or scepters facing some kind of creature enshrouded in mist.

But the part about that creature was damaged, and what remained were strange runes on the carvings, resembling feathers or scales, possibly related to that creature...

"Could the contents of these reliefs be related to that so-called ’Doomsday’?" Lin Yi mused, suspecting a connection, but without any evidence.

"The reliefs inside the Art Classroom are as old as this castle; some teachers also say they may be older than the castle itself, excavated by the builders from some ruins and transported here."

"Others speculate that these reliefs could have been created based on the descriptions from documents recording mysterious legends."

"They may relate to Mayan civilization’s legends or even have connections to Norse mythology—there are many interpretations."

"But regardless of the variety, their origins could likely trace back to the dark period at the dawn of human civilization."

"If you’re interested, you could rummage through the bookshelf for relevant books, but it’s probably better not to bother the teachers with questions."

"Ah? Why’s that?" Mao Feiyang asked, puzzled.

Mu Daxian shrugged, "There are two kinds of Art Teachers, one type gives you the Student Souvenir Coin and helps you with registration; they are actually quite nice, and in most cases, you can choose to trust them, but they don’t like us exploring those mythological stories and never discuss anything related to the murals and reliefs with us."

"They always seem to know something, yet they refrain from telling us... even though they send us on the Artistic Journey, they still hold back, leaving us to discover on our own."

"This teaching method is prone to end up like the Martial Arts stories’ ’Subduing Dragon twenty-eight palms,’ which eventually get passed down till only the ’Subduing Dragon Palm’ remains."

"The other type you’ve already seen, like the Art Teacher who looked off from the start. Some of them deviate on their Artistic Journey, their perception of self or the world severely distorted, mumbling oddly all day... and some are not human at all; anyway, when you meet them, instinctively you will feel a strong repulsion."

"Though they won’t consider an ordinary Art Student like you a target for exclusion, I think you are an exception."

"You are lucky, you arrived here just on the commemoration day of ’Doomsday,’ and the Night Watchman’s Bell Sound deterred them, or they would have noticed your uniqueness just like I did."

"By then, they would be incessantly pestering you, not resting until they turn you into one of them."

"So when you are by yourself, be extra careful; of course, you can choose to act with us, but if you wish to do so, it’s best to understand our rules beforehand to avoid any unpleasantness later."

Mu Daxian went on, leading Mao Feiyang around the vast Art Classroom like a tour guide, and in no time it was 12:40.

"That’s about it, is there anything else you want to ask?" Mu Daxian stopped near a certain area close to the Central Stage.

Having listened all the way, Mao Feiyang’s head buzzed even more; he had heard almost everything Mu Daxian said but digested very little, feeling as if he were following a guide in a museum tour.

"You said too much, I actually didn’t remember a lot." Mao Feiyang candidly admitted.

Mu Daxian said, "It’s normal, the Artistic Journey is a process of reshaping one’s self-perception, having a general understanding for now is fine, you can ask me or other colleagues if you don’t understand something later."

While talking, an Art Student came over and greeted Mu Daxian, "Old Mu, are you going to do some plein air painting?"

"Of course, Mao Feiyang, do you want to join us?" Mu Daxian pointed towards the door leading to the Watchtower, inviting Mao Feiyang, "We’re going to that Watchtower over there."

"I’ll go." Mao Feiyang nodded, as Mu Daxian had said so much, and this was the only thing overlapping with what was mentioned in the Art Student Rules, so naturally, he wouldn’t refuse.

The three of them then went to the rack to pick up drawing boards and drafting tools, and carrying these supplies, they entered the Art Classroom’s inner passage, heading towards the Watchtower.

Lin Yi stroked his chin, thoughtfully watching the backs of Mu Daxian and the other Art Student.

Clearly, Mu Daxian’s words carried a strong personal will, especially when he unmistakably showed an extreme aversion after hearing Mao Feiyang was going to the Cafeteria to eat, as if the Art Student Rules’ stipulation to visit the Cafeteria at least once every 24 hours was a form of torment for him.