Chapter 49: The Past of "Shade

Shade's secrets were actually not many: his status as an outsider, the occasional unusual nature of the voices in his head, and his ability to read any script he had encountered so far. Therefore, they weren't considered major issues.

"Yes, it's not a big problem."

He convinced himself.

"As long as you understand. The Academy has been considering the issue regarding Bill Schneider's group for many years; they even thought about splitting the group up. But fortunately, you have arrived. Relatively speaking, even compared to all the correspondence Ring Warlocks who have enrolled in St. Byron's in the last decade, your background is the most trustworthy kind. Your past is very simple, and you have never had any connection to the Mystery or other factions."

Professor Sanchez said with a smile. Since the topic had been raised, Shade took the opportunity to ask

"Professor, since you have investigated my past, does the Academy know how I became a vagrant? I'm sorry, I have almost no memory of that period."

Judging by the scars and physical condition of his body, it was impossible for the original owner to have been a vagrant since childhood. As he asked the question, his ear twitched; Miya seemed to have completely given up on scratching at the door, as there had been no sound for quite a while.

Professor Sanchez coughed and cleared his throat

"Regarding your past, the issue with your head has existed since childhood. As for your life as a vagrant, it likely began around the age of sixteen. Mr. Hamilton, your hometown is Green Shade Town in Carlton County, southern Kingdom of Delarion. That year, the entire southern region suffered a great famine. Your family died on the road while fleeing, and you arrived in Tobesk alone. My apologies—if you are curious about this, the report can be given to you later."

Professor Sanchez showed a regretful expression. Shade pursed his lips and shook his head, saying nothing.

His curiosity about the original owner's past was limited to worrying whether the man had any major secrets or attachments—for instance, being an illegitimate child of royalty or a descendant of a great noble house. But it seemed now that those plots found only in knightly romances could not possibly happen to him.

The original owner had left no interpersonal relationships behind, which was actually beneficial for an outsider who had inherited no memories.

"Then, Professor, allow me to ask one more question. Since you have investigated my affairs, does the Academy know about the detective, Spyro Hamilton? Does it know about him?"

He looked at Professor Sanchez with some anticipation, and the professor nodded

"The Academy has also investigated matters regarding him; it truly was not easy. But rest assured, Spyro Hamilton's secrets are unrelated to Ring Warlocks or the Mystery. I do not intend to tell you about him directly, but rather let you investigate for yourself. This is also an important stage of your integration here. I believe you will understand."

"It truly has nothing to do with the supernatural?" Shade confirmed.

"I swear on my honor, Spyro Hamilton's secrets are only related to ordinary people. Is that acceptable?"

The professor joked with a smile, and Shade immediately indicated it wasn't necessary.

"By the way, since we mentioned the report earlier, to facilitate your monitoring of the Doctor—ahem, I mean, your monitoring of the Doctor—the Academy will give you a Poet-level Relic, 'The Manuscript of Poet Cohen.' However, this sheet of paper can only be used when necessary. Normally, you will continue to use Bill Schneider's one to communicate with the Academy."

Professor Sanchez added.

"Then how will the paper be given to me? If it goes through the Doctor's channels, wouldn't that expose the secret?"

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

"Sent? Through the post? From the Far North to here? What about security, or what if it gets lost in transit?"

Shade had not expected the Academy to use such a simple and crude method.

"Of course it wasn't sent from the Academy; that would waste too much time and wouldn't be secure. St. Byron's Comprehensive Academy has many assets in the Old Continent, serving as transit points for formal students' off-campus internships, as well as a means of profit for the Academy... Speaking of profit, I think we can discuss the remuneration for your responsibility in monitoring the Doctor."

The topic shifted abruptly. Shade did not believe this required remuneration. He viewed the Doctor as a friend and a guide, and was willing to contact the Academy to handle matters if the man lost control; this was actually good for all three parties. But since the Academy wanted to give it, he had no reason to refuse, so he did not offer a hypocritical rejection.

"Because this job does not require much labor, the remuneration is not very high. However, the Faculty of History values you highly. After consultation, the Dean of the Faculty of Astronomy performed a divination for you this afternoon, predicting your general fate for the coming days.

Once a Ring Warlock takes office, they often get lost in heavy studies. Divination can effectively point out a path."

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

He read in standard Delarion, sounding as if he were reciting a Council speech

"I saw the Silver Moon. I saw the young detective holding a Rhode card. I also saw blood; the young detective should stay away from blood-soaked occasions."

After reading, he put the slip away

"Divination and prophecy usually do not have direct specificity and require interpretation. Mr. Hamilton, do you understand the meaning of this divinatory result?"

"Yes, I understand... the warning at the end isn't very clear, but it likely means guiding me away from danger and conflict. At least the first part, I understand very clearly."

Shade nodded, suppressing the throb in his heart. As soon as he heard "Rhode card," he understood. A certain possibility—one he had considered almost zero—was being infinitely magnified by this prophecy.

He wondered if this was the influence of the twenty-sided Fate die he had cast during the day, but thinking carefully, the fact that the professors happened to help resolve the statue issue tonight also felt like a stroke of good luck following good luck.

"Tomorrow morning, after I feed the cat, I will go to the Seer's Association for identification."

"As long as you understand. But I must remind you, Mr. Hamilton, while the Rhode card is interesting, do not become obsessed... It is late; our meeting ends here for today. Miss Jones and I will leave first, and Professor Garcia will be responsible for your lessons. I wish you sweet dreams."

The meeting ended in such an atmosphere.

Miss Jones also put away her fountain pen and stopped recording, smiling at Shade. Shade then rose to see them off, watching their transparent bodies rise from their chairs and gradually vanish into the air on the second floor of No. 6 St. Dean Square.

Professor Garcia remained seated and motioned for Shade to sit and talk. It was now time for the two of them to be alone, but Professor Garcia still looked as serious as ever

"Since everything else has concluded, let us begin the course content.

I have not set foot on the Old Continent south of the Far North for a long time, and I am not quite used to conversing with students from ordinary backgrounds like yourself; please forgive me. But it is late, and I think we need not say more. Mr. Hamilton, you will soon embark on your time-travel journey, please..."

"I'm sorry, you aren't coming with me?"

Shade caught a different meaning in those words.

"No. A single key only allows for a single person's time travel at a time."