People who can become academicians are naturally those who have in-depth research and outstanding contributions in a certain field.
Leandro’s research in toxicology can be considered as that of a seasoned expert.
In fact, twenty years ago, the National Academy of Sciences had intended to invite him to join and confer upon him the title of academician.
However, due to his lax nature and love for freedom, he refused.
The only person whom Leandro respectfully refers to as an academician is Professor Bray, who used to serve as the head of the Medical Toxicology Department. However, Professor Bray is elusive, as his background is not documented in textbooks, and various media outlets only have a pile of his published papers, often under different pseudonyms.
The most recent paper was his speech at the United Nations Biomedical Congress eight years ago, which caused a scholarly controversy because of his proposition of using poison in medicine, a concept that most people found difficult to comprehend.
Due to the external doubts and criticisms, his research projects were interrupted, and since then, Old Bray resigned from his positions as dean and department head, disappearing from sight. It turns out he went to Yrose, assumed a new identity, and became a scavenger. If those outside knew about this, they would surely be surprised.
Upon seeing Old Bray for the first time, Cheyenne knew he was not a simple old man. The reason was simple: his gaze was clear, and his whole demeanor exuded a mischievous old man’s aura. People with such a naturally humorous disposition are usually talented individuals, and indeed, Cheyenne did not misjudge him. Old Bray is a hermit with extraordinary abilities.
“The ancients were right, hiding in plain sight is indeed correct. Old Bray, can you help with this peculiar illness?” Cheyenne asked.
“I won’t help, I’ve been out of the world for many years. Isn’t it enough to have Leandro help you?” Old Bray replied.
Seeing that Old Bray was reluctant to assist due to past events, Paisley finally spoke up. “If he doesn’t want to, let me have a look!”
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Paisley, and Cheyenne felt uncertain but didn’t show it. Instead, she looked at Leandro for confirmation. Does Paisley also understand medicine? Leandro shook his head; evidently, he was not aware of this part of Paisley’s abilities.
“Let’s give it a try anyway. Thank you, Paisley, for being willing to help. I’ll take you to the laboratory now,” Cheyenne expressed her gratitude and took out the keys from the drawer to lead them there.
“No need to be polite. I may not be able to help, just coming to have a look.” Paisley responded coolly, glancing at Old Bray.
Old Bray was distressed by the situation. She was going to stay here, so could he leave? However, due to his awkward nature, he couldn’t express his feelings in a sentimental way, so he came up with a feeble excuse. “I don’t have money on me, how can I buy a ticket?”
“You can call your son to pick you up.”
“That won’t work. My child is busy with his own matters. I, I’ll reluctantly stay here to accompany you, so you don’t feel lonely in this unfamiliar place!” Old Bray awkwardly said, putting his hand on Leandro’s shoulder.
“I thought you were taking me to visit your laboratory. Let’s go!” Leandro responded.
In the laboratory, under bright lights, four transparent containers were placed in front of them, containing entities that had doubled in size since Cheyenne last saw them. They now appeared to be the normal size of snakes, all black, eyeless, coiled and intertwined in a tangle. Old Bray showed great interest in these mutated forms and couldn’t help but move closer to take a look.
“Oh, this little thing looks strangely cute. Is this what you’ve been raising for fun?” Old Bray remarked.
Cute? Cheyenne felt physically uncomfortable at just one glance, almost feeling like throwing up. “Old Bray’s taste is indeed… hard to understand,” Paisley quipped nonchalantly.
“Why else would he like scavenging trash if not for his exceptional taste?” She added mockingly.
Feeling ridiculed, Old Bray felt he needed to showcase some of his skills to gain respect. With a sudden move, he uncovered the red velvet from a container and reached inside with his bare hands. Everyone’s heart skipped a beat at his daring action.
“Be careful!” Cheyenne couldn’t help but warn since the creature could burrow into human bodies.
Leandro’s forehead started to perspire from anxiety. “You’re too bold. It will hurt your hand.” he worried.
Surprisingly, the ferocious form of the creature became as gentle as a small earthworm in Old Bray’s hand, coiling naturally around his arm. Old Bray pinched the head of the creature with his hand, catching its fangs between his fingers. Swiftly, he reached inside its mouth, pulled out a thin black thread, resembling a pen nib in size.
“This is it,” Old Bray said as he extracted the black thread from the creature’s body with a bit of force. Due to pain, the creature spasmed and excreted black liquid from its body holes, emitting a repugnant smell.
“These are its defensive toxins. Be careful,” Old Bray warned.
“You could have told us earlier,” Leandro sighed, seeing the toxin stain his lab coat.
The black “thread” was about sixty centimeters long, looking eerie and mysterious. Without this thread, the creature gradually lost its vitality and fell from Old Bray’s hand.
“What is this thing?” Cheyenne inquired curiously.
Old Bray, holding the extracted thread with fascination, said, “This is a precious substance called Black Dragon Blood. It’s highly poisonous, but medicinal. However, authentic Black Dragons are hard to find, and even if there are any, they often die prematurely before growing enough to produce dragon tendons.”