Chapter 49: The Past of "Shade"

Aether's secrets were actually quite few: his identity as an outlander, the occasional unusual voice inside his head, and his ability to understand any script he had encountered thus far. Consequently, these did not pose any significant problems.

"Yes, not much of a problem."

He thus persuaded himself.

"It is good that you understand. The academy has deliberated on the issue regarding Bill Schneider's group for many years, even considering its dissolution. Fortunately, you arrived. In relative terms, compared to all the correspondence ring-warlocks enrolled in St. Bydes over the past decade, your background is by far the most trustworthy. Your past is exceptionally simple, with no prior ties to the occult or any other factions."

Professor Sanchez said with a smile. Since the topic was raised, Aether naturally asked:

"Professor, since you investigated my past, does the academy know how I became a vagrant? I apologize, but I have almost no memory of that period."

Judging by the scars and physical condition of his body, the original owner could not have been a vagrant since childhood. As he asked, his ears twitched; Mia seemed to have completely given up scratching the door, and no sound had been heard for quite a while.

Professor Sanchez coughed, clearing his throat:

"Regarding your past, the head condition has existed since childhood. As for your life as a vagrant, it likely began around the age of sixteen. Mr. Hamilton, your hometown is the leafy town in Carlton County in the southern part of the Deyeran Kingdom. That year, the entire southern region suffered a severe famine; your family perished on the road while fleeing, and you came to Tobesk all alone... I apologize, but if you are curious about this, the report can be provided to you later."

Professor Sanchez wore an expression of regret, while Aether pursed his lips, shook his head, and said nothing.

His curiosity regarding the original owner's past was limited to the worry that the man might harbor some major secret or lingering attachment—such as actually being a royal bastard or the descendant of a grand aristocrat. But as it turned out, those plots found only in knightly novels were certainly not going to happen to him.

The fact that the original owner left behind no interpersonal relationships actually benefited the outlander who inherited no memories.

"Then Professor, please allow me to ask another question. Since you investigated my affairs, does the academy know anything about Detective Sparrow Hamilton?"

He looked at Professor Sanchez with a hint of anticipation, and the professor nodded:

"The academy has also investigated his affairs, which was certainly no easy task. But rest assured, Sparrow Hamilton's secrets have nothing to do with ring-warlocks or the occult... Regarding him, I do not intend to tell you directly; rather, I will let you investigate it yourself. This is also an important stage in your integration into this world, and I believe you will understand."

"Truly nothing to do with the supernatural?"

Aether confirmed.

"I swear upon my honor that Sparrow Hamilton's secrets concern only ordinary people. Does that suffice?"

The professor joked with a smile, and Aether immediately indicated that such an oath was unnecessary.

"Ah, yes. Since we just mentioned the report, to facilitate your surveillance of the doctor—ahem, I mean your monitoring of the doctor—the academy will provide you with a Poet-class relic: [Poet Coen's Manuscript]. However, this page is only to be used when necessary. For routine communications with the academy, you will still use the one provided by Bill Schneider."

Professor Sanchez continued.

"Then how will the page be delivered to me? If it goes through the doctor's channel, wouldn't that expose this secret?"

"It has already been mailed. It should reach your hands by tomorrow morning."

"Mailed? Through the post office? Shipped all the way here from the Far North? What about security, or what if it gets lost along the way..."

Aether had not expected the academy to employ such a crude and straightforward method.

"Of course it wasn't mailed directly from the academy; that would waste a great deal of time and lack security. St. Bydes General Academy holds numerous properties across the Old Continent, which serve as transit stations for regular students' off-campus internships as well as a means of revenue generation for the academy... Speaking of revenue, I suppose we can discuss the remuneration for your task of monitoring the doctor."

The conversation shifted abruptly to this point, though Aether did not feel this required compensation. He regarded the doctor as a friend and guide, and was willing to contact the academy to handle the situation if the man ever lost control. This arrangement was actually beneficial to all three parties. However, since the academy wished to bestow it, he had no reason to refuse, and thus did not feign rejection.

"Because this work does not require excessive labor, the remuneration is not particularly substantial. However, the School of History places great value on you. After consultation, the Dean of the School of Astronomy performed a divination for you this afternoon regarding your general fate in the coming days.

Upon becoming a ring-warlock, one is invariably lost amidst burdensome studies, and divination can effectively point the way forward."

Professor Sanchez said, then retrieved a similarly translucent slip of paper from his translucent formal pocket.

He read in standard Deyeran, sounding precisely like a parliamentary speech:

"I saw the silver moon, and I saw the young detective holding a Tarot card. I also saw blood; the young detective should keep away from occasions filled with blood."

Having finished reading, he put the slip away:

"Divination and prophecy usually lack direct specificity and require interpretation. Mr. Hamilton, do you understand the meaning of this divination result?"

"Yes, I understand... The warning at the end is not entirely clear, though it probably guides me to stay away from danger and disputes. At the very least, I understand the first part completely."

Aether suppressed the stirring in his heart and nodded. Upon hearing "Tarot card," he understood. A certain possibility—a possibility he had deemed close to zero—was infinitely magnified under this prophecy.

He wondered if this was the consequence of casting the twenty-sided fate dice during the day, but upon closer reflection, the professors conveniently helping to resolve the statue issue tonight also felt like a stroke of good fortune brought by luck:

"Tomorrow morning, as soon as I finish feeding the cat, I shall go to the Seers' Association for an appraisal."

"Since you understand, that is good. But allow me to remind you, Mr. Hamilton, while Tarot cards are fascinating, do not become obsessed... The night is deep, and our meeting concludes here. Miss Jones and I will depart first, and Professor Garcia will take charge of your lessons. I wish you sweet dreams."

Tonight's meeting concluded in such an atmosphere.

Miss Jones also put away her fountain pen, ceased recording, and smiled at Aether. Aether stood up to see them off, watching their translucent figures rise from their chairs and gradually vanish into the air on the second floor of 6 St. Derain Square.

Professor Garcia remained seated and gestured for Aether to sit down as well. Now it was time for the two of them alone, yet Professor Garcia still appeared stern:

"Since the other matters are concluded, let us begin the lesson.

It has been a long time since I set foot on the Old Continent south of the Far North, and I am unaccustomed to conversing with students of ordinary origins like yourself; please forgive me. But the night is late, and I suppose we need not say much more. Mr. Hamilton, you are about to embark upon your journey through time. Please..."

"Pardon me, are you not coming with me?"

Aether caught a different meaning from those words.

"Indeed. A single key permits only a single, solitary journey through time."