A Core Ship From The Start Chapter 1232

Chapter 1232: Chapter 835 Judgment Chapter 1232: Chapter 835 Judgment In the wake of these events, the investigation had circled back to square one for Duanmu Ai.

The initial theory that revolved around Shanye Anchor as the central figure in the crime had been overturned. Upon closer reflection, the connection between the second victim and the case wasn't very tight, after all. She was merely the first eyewitness on the scene and unless the criminal was incredibly bored, why would they target her?

Now, it seemed that they could only depend on the investigation results from Lumiaire. Hopefully, she could catch the big fish who was exploiting cognitive science within the government.

Although Duanmu Ai wanted to delve deeper into the investigation, there was a troubling matter that needed to be addressed first.

“Psychological assessment?”

“Yes…”

Faced with Duanmu Ai's impatient expression, Kawakami Sensei appeared somewhat timid–after all, she knew the true identity of the person she was speaking to.

“Teacher Maruki has decided to conduct psychological assessments on all students, including you. However, you have been absent until now…”

“I understand. I'll take a look.”

It was an opportunity to investigate this Maruki Takeru individual.

In other words, whether he lived past today depended on his attitude.

And so, after school, Duanmu Ai made her way to the infirmary and met with the man named Maruki Takeru.

“Hello, Duanmu.”

Maruki Takeru was a man in his thirties who looked affable and smiled gently. The girls in class described him as handsome and understanding–at least, he certainly seemed that way on the surface.

“I've heard from other teachers about your situation. Are you troubled by anything?”

“It's none of your business, is it?”

Duanmu Ai clearly had no intention of engaging in idle chatter with Maruki Takeru for long.

“Of course I'm troubled, but unfortunately, you can't solve my problems.”

“Oh? Do tell?”

“For example, if you knew who the serial killer was, that would solve my problem.”

“That's…”

Upon hearing Duanmu Ai's words, Maruki Takeru's expression changed ever so slightly, followed by a wry smile.

“Sorry, that's indeed beyond my field. After all, I'm just a psychological counselor, not a police officer.”

“That's what I thought.”

Duanmu Ai spread her hands.

“So, tit for tat. Teacher Maruki, you wouldn't mind answering a few questions of mine, would you?”

“…Of course not.”

“Good.”

At this point, Duanmu Ai's gaze sharpened as she stared at Maruki Takeru.

“Why do you study cognitive science?”

Faced with Duanmu Ai's sudden question, Maruki Takeru was taken aback.

“…How do you know about this?”

“That's irrelevant. My question is, why do you study cognitive science?”

“…Since you already know, I don't have anything to hide.”

Maruki Takeru sighed.

“I've been researching cognitive science ever since I was a student. I've tried to alleviate the hearts trapped in pain and despair by interfering with individual cognition… Unfortunately, due to certain reasons, my research was not recognized…”

Saying this, Maruki Takeru looked up.

“But I haven't given up. I carried on seeking ways to prove my hypothesis. In fact, I suspect the Gang of Thieves did the same, which explains the unbelievable sincere repentance of such evil criminals…”

“Isn't that just brainwashing?”

However, Duanmu Ai interjected calmly, cutting off Maruki Takeru's speech.

“Changing others' cognition as you please is basically brainwashing, isn't it? The actions of the Gang of Thieves are no different, twisting others' will arbitrarily. Can such actions really be considered acceptable or just?”

“I know that society wouldn't accept this, but even so, I intend to fight against reality. I'll use my research to make the world a better place.”

“That's just what you believe will make the world better.”

Duanmu Ai stared at him once more, arms crossed.

“What do you plan to do? Use cognitive science to brainwash everyone into painless slaves?”

“A world where nobody sheds tears anymore, what's wrong with that!”

Hearing this, Maruki Takeru suddenly stood up, glaring at Duanmu Ai.

“This kind of world simply does not exist.”

At this point, Duanmu Ai also stood up, coldly staring back at Maruki Takeru.

“What you've done is nothing more than a desire to destroy humanity! To make others change their cognition and immerse themselves in happiness without crying? How is that essentially different from taking drugs? You have merely created a bunch of junkies who get high spiritually to escape reality!”

“Perhaps in your eyes, it is but a distorted world, but it's a reality where everyone can achieve happiness.”

“False happiness? If humans were satisfied with mere falsehoods of happiness, it would be better to just destroy them all. After all, if humanity were to perish, there would be no more pain to feel, right?”

“Humans indeed feel pain, but overcoming it on their own has always been the way of humans. What you're doing is a denial of human strength, an outright insult to humanity itself.”

As Duanmu Ai spoke, she huffed in disdain, looking at him with contempt.

“Not only are you unqualified as a human being, but as a psychologist as well. People seek psychological consultation in hopes of gaining courage and strength from others to stand up again. Not for you to decide for them what happiness and the future are! Who do you think you are? Presuming to decide others' happiness? Do you think you're God?”

“…… Perhaps you have a point, but I will not give up, and my thoughts will not change. I wish to change everything, to let everyone live happily in the reality I've created.”

“…… It seems there's nothing more to say.”

Duanmu Ai picked up her backpack.

“Scum like you who twist the will of others will face retribution.”

“I don't care, as long as I can make everyone happy, even if it means only I suffer, I am willing.”

“To exchange your single self for the destruction of humanity is sheer folly, dream on.”

After saying this, Duanmu Ai snorted coldly, turned, and went to the door of the infirmary, opening it.

“Whoa.”

However, just outside the door, there stood Yoko Hasezawa, who was startled when Duanmu Ai suddenly opened the door.

“Yoko? What are you doing here?”

“Ah, senior, I came to look for……”
Yoko Hasezawa seemed to have heard the previous argument between Duanmu Ai and Maruki Takeru, looking towards the man behind Duanmu Ai with anxiety.

“I suggest you keep your distance from this guy who likes to brainwash others, otherwise you might find yourself harmed by him too.”

“Eh? This……”
After the statement, Duanmu Ai left the infirmary, and Yoko Hasezawa stood at the door in shocked silence, not knowing what to do.

At that moment, Duanmu Ai had already passed judgment on Maruki Takeru's heart.

Death sentence, to be carried out immediately.

Ordinary people's opinions don't matter, but Maruki Takeru was knowledgeable about cognitive science and was trying to use it to brainwash all of humanity, which was dangerous.

Perhaps to Maruki Takeru, Duanmu Ai was just another student, and their debate just another ordinary dispute, but he would soon realize that was not the case.

Three days later, Shoujin School directly issued a command to dismiss Maruki Takeru, citing unsatisfactory performance as a psychologist. Of course, this surprised and bewildered the students, as most of them had interacted with Maruki Takeru and thought well of him, but unfortunately, it was the school's command, and they could do nothing to change it.

For Maruki Takeru, it was a bolt from the blue. He had planned to use this opportunity to further perfect his paper on cognitive science, but now, he clearly no longer had that chance. He wanted to protest, but regrettably, the only one in the principal's office was a proxy, who stated that he was only following the principal's orders.

That is to say, was it the principal who fired him?

Maruki Takeru knew the former obese principal had been dismissed, but he had thought that as just a psychologist, it wouldn't reach him, yet the outcome…… had still fallen on him?

Although disheartened, Maruki Takeru had no other choice but to silently pack up his things and leave Shoujin School.

“Sigh……”
Walking through the bustling crowd, Maruki Takeru felt a wave of exhaustion, knowing his ideas would not be accepted. But it didn't matter because he was fighting for the happiness of this world, for the happiness of all humanity, regardless of recognition, he would not give up his ideals, for he had already sacrificed everything to save the world, to save humanity!

“Woah…!!”

However, just then, Maruki Takeru suddenly felt a pain in his chest as if an invisible hand reached out of nowhere and clenched his heart fiercely. His face turned ashen, his complexion deathly, as all strength quickly drained from Maruki Takeru's body. He reached out, clutching his chest, mouth gaping——but at that moment, the invisible hand squeezed hard.

The next moment, Maruki Takeru collapsed to the ground, becoming a corpse.

“Whoa, what's happening?”

“Hey, are you alright? Hang in there!”

At this point, the people around started to notice Maruki Takeru's distress and hurriedly gathered around, while not far behind them, Duanmu Ai simply stood there, coldly watching the lifeless face of Maruki Takeru.

“Foolish idiot.”

After muttering that, Duanmu Ai snorted coldly and turned away.

“Let's go, Alice.”

Upon hearing Duanmu Ai's command, the blond-haired, blue-eyed girl nearby lowered her raised hand, then giggled and followed Duanmu Ai away from the noisy tumult.

Chapter end

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