Back to the Future 1999: Raining at the Same Time

Following Arcana to visit various facilities of the Hand of Reshaping, Chen Xi saw various places along the way, which were completely different from the dark, closed and creepy ones that Chen Xi had imagined.

There was also a supercomputing center here, filled with various instruments Chen Xi couldn't understand, responsible for recording and studying the rainstorm; there was also a hospital, where the people were not only skilled in using medical mystical techniques, but also quite warm and kind. Although it was true, as Arcana said, that the people here had a great interest in Chen Xi's body, they all extracted the necessary amount based on Chen Xi's inquiry, and would also tell Chen Xi not to be afraid, like comforting a child.

There was even a place dedicated to raising children! Although the children inside were still young, Chen Xi could still see their amazing talent in mysticism, and their expressions told Chen Xi that they were very happy now.

The more he looked, the more dazed Chen Xi felt. The huge gap between reality and imagination made it difficult for him to see clearly into his own heart for a while.

At that moment, a girl carrying a stack of documents hurriedly walked past them. However, even though she was walking fast, she still remembered to say hello to Arcana. Taking advantage of this brief pause, Chen Xi quickly called her over.

But perhaps because she was in a hurry, the girl's expression was not very happy at the moment. Arcana just watched quietly and smiled, indicating that she should not be nervous.

"Um, sorry to stop you so suddenly. Um... what do you think the Hand of Reshaping is like?"

Chen Xi's voice was a little trembling, but his eyes seemed to be filled with desire.

The girl who was called looked at Chen Xi with some confusion, and looked at Arcana with a questioning look, as if she felt that it was a bit too presumptuous to ask such a question in front of the manager of the Hand of Reshaping.

"Tell him your story, Tian. Don't worry about the documents in your hand for now."

After thanking Arcana, Tian slowly began to tell her story:

"The Hand of Reshaping is my only home. Everyone here is my family. There is no strife, no discrimination, and no constant fear."

"I accidentally unleashed my mystical powers when I was eight years old. When I created my first ball of water, it floated around me, and I thought I was the coolest girl in the world. But when I excitedly showed it to my mother, she screamed, called out to God, and called my father."

Having said that, Tian paused, as if struggling with past memories.

"They said I was possessed by a witch and sent me to a mental hospital. There I was tortured with electric shocks, high temperatures, and all kinds of strange drugs."

"I thought I would have died an ordinary death, until the Hand of Reshaping found me. The white coat was stained with blood other than that of the patient, and the air was filled with the smell of medicine, and that time it wasn't from an injection. Finally, in the flames that shot up into the sky, they took away a total of 12 children, including me. And then, we got a home, a home that was willing to accept and tolerate us."

"So, for me, the Reshaping Hand created by Miss Arcana is everything to me. I am willing to dedicate everything to Miss Arcana and to her ideal world."

After Tian finished speaking, she looked at Chen Xi calmly. Perhaps sharing this experience was a kind of relief for her, and also a kind of... praise.

After thanking the two of them again, Tian started on his hurried journey again.

Is my thinking really just one-sided? Is it possible that...

"You are very lucky, my child."

Arcana placed her hand lightly on Chen Xi's shoulder and gently held him in her arms.

"You didn't have to go through much hardship to find your home."

"Too many occultists are abandoned in mental hospitals, correctional facilities, abandoned orphanages, and on the streets."

"Your eyes are not blinded yet, my child."

"Welcome home."

A warm breath came from above his head. Being held in Arcana's arms, Chen Xi felt a sense of security and relaxation in a trance, as if he could really let down his guard and fall in love.

After a long time, Arcana loosened her arms and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Chen Xi's eyes, as gentle as a mother taking care of her child.

"feel better now?"

"Are you still planning on practicing the occult today?"

The meticulous care washed away Chen Xi's spiritual defenses again and again.

Chen Xi quickly touched her face, trying to make the traces of her tears look lighter, but her face turned red all the way to her ears because she felt embarrassed. She coughed lightly to ease the embarrassment and said with a strong face:

"Of course I went. Since I've decided to join the Reshape, I have to show some enthusiasm, right?"

As he spoke, he began to urge Arcana to lead the way quickly, and the two of them were silent along the way.

……

Pushing open the heavy door to the training room, Chen Xi was stunned by the sight before him. Unlike the European-style buildings he had seen along the way, this place gave Chen Xi the unreal feeling of having stumbled into a futuristic science museum. The alloy-textured walls and embedded Nixie tubes before him gave Chen Xi a sense of oppression no less than the first time he saw the real Arcana in person.

"Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Chenxi. I hope my presence will not affect your performance."

Arcana stood aside, tilting his head and looking at Chen Xi.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Xi drew out his sword with his backhand, and golden light instantly covered his whole body.

"Hmm, shield, it seems to have status buffs, interesting."

Arcana muttered to himself, but these words did not reach Chen Xi's ears as he began to concentrate.

Feeling that he had adjusted to the best condition, Chen Xi began to charge the wind blade and also prepared the sword dance. As Chen Xi swung it out with all his strength, a wind blade with a majestic pressure rushed towards the other side of the training room.

"boom!"

A massive explosion echoed from the other side, accompanied by a powerful blast that rebounded back, leaving Chen Xi somewhat unsteady on his feet. As the smoke and dust cleared, the wall opposite finally revealed its devastated state. Soon, black liquid began to seep out from the cracks, picking up the scattered debris and restoring the wall to its original state.

Chen Xi was momentarily stunned, then continued to unleash wind blades as if to compete. However, despite repeated blows, the wall remained intact after the smoke and dust cleared. In the end, Chen Xi was finally defeated by physical strength and collapsed to the ground, panting.

"How astonishing, my child. Enhancement, protection, and attack. Generally speaking, a person's mystical type is single and unchanging, but you are so different, so special!"

"I'm really looking forward to what kind of surprises you can bring me in the future."

Arcana helped Chen Xi up and took him to the door.

"Hot showers and food will be arranged after you leave. I still have some things to take care of. I hope you enjoy your stay in this 'home'."

After watching Chen Xi leave and feeling his mystical aura completely disappear from the vicinity, Arcana spoke:

"Now, stop all calculations related to the rainstorm and focus on the research of Chenxi's blood."

"Yes--"

From the shadows, a hoarse voice responded to the superior's command and left the room.

"What beauty, what power."

Arcana stroked the wall that was constantly being destroyed until it shattered and black liquid flowed out, covering his entire body.