Chapter 81: Senior?
Shiltina stared at the rapier in her hand for a long time.
It looked very similar to the Shimmering Morning Star, still bearing a silver-white blade, but there was now a faint blue trace in the blade’s pattern, like a sparkling sapphire.
However, the light reflected off the blade was not as dazzling as that of Morning Star... it was instead soft and delicate, like the silent and profound long night.
After a long while, her wrist gently turned.
And that azure rapier dissolved into a faint beam of light, eventually condensing into a small emblem that landed in Shiltina’s palm.
She carefully folded the pristine letter, placed it along with the emblem back into the wooden box, and closed it.
She tucked the wooden box into her chest, lifted her head slightly, and gazed at the dim sky.
Just like the pattern engraved on the Emblem Armament, the pitch-black dome above was speckled with stars, like a sea of floating lanterns.
“Thank you.”
Shiltina looked at the star-speckled night sky, her soft whisper dispersing with the evening breeze.
“You’re welcome.”
Rast casually took over the conversation and said with a grin, “So? How was the surprise I prepared for you as the finale of this trip—satisfied?”
The chestnut-haired girl was briefly stunned, clearly not expecting such a shameless person to exist.
But immediately after, a barely noticeable glint of slyness flickered through her eyes.
“Satisfied. Very satisfied.”
“To receive such a surprise, I’m truly happy today.”
She paused slightly, her gaze lingering on Rast.
“In fact, I’ve also prepared a surprise for you, Rast.”
“I was originally planning to tell you tomorrow, but since you arranged this trip for me today…”
“Then, I shall consider it my return gift.”
“Oh?” Rast glanced at her. “What is it?”
Though Rast gave a seemingly expectant response, Shiltina keenly sensed a trace of perfunctoriness in his tone.
That was a sentiment Rast would never have revealed in the past—he had always been the perfect actor, wearing just the right mask at all times, saying what needed to be said depending on the audience.
Only—
After their heart-to-heart earlier, Rast seemed to have relaxed a little more in front of Shiltina.
Allowing her to occasionally glimpse the true emotions hidden beneath the boy’s mask.
Clearly, this perfunctory response meant Rast didn’t believe Shiltina could truly offer a surprise that would matter to him.
Money, power, social status, even pleasures brought by the opposite sex... these were all things Rast had experienced many times over in Deep Blue Port's endless cycles and had long grown weary of.
If there was anything that could still interest him, it would probably be something like Emblem Armament that directly enhanced combat strength.
After all, the ideal of a so-called “companion of justice” required strength as its foundation.
But obviously, finding a powerful and perfectly compatible Emblem Armament wasn’t something that could be done easily.
That was also why Rast’s enthusiasm was somewhat lacking.
Thinking thus, the corner of Shiltina’s lips curved slightly.
“Then, how about—”
“A lead on ‘Canaan’?”
“Would such a gift be enough to repay what you’ve done for me today—and even surprise you?”
…
The next day, at noon.
Rast stood outside the main academy building of Starfall University, on a slightly shabby white platform, fallen yellow leaves piled beneath his feet.
The bleak autumn wind brushed his cheeks, sharp and cold as a blade.
Rast was reviewing the information of Nightblade “The Fool’s Library” in his mind.
【Your “fate” with Shiltina Ingrit has deepened. “The Fool’s Library” has gained new power】
【‘Chariot’ · Shiltina’s current bond level has increased from 4 to 5】
【You have unlocked a new Origin Tome】
【Nightblade “Infinity Sword” — True Name Liberation, unlocked】
The “True Name Liberation” he had long yearned to obtain for unleashing beam attacks had finally been acquired.
Though he had put quite a bit of thought into it.
He even went so far as to plan an entire performance—taking Shiltina back to their old dormitory to formally say goodbye to Fran and to his past self.
According to Rast’s speculation, the maximum bond level was probably ten.
From level 1 to 3, it likely represented the process of becoming acquaintances, then friends, and finally familiar companions.
While the transition from level 4 to 5, by his judgment, signified a close and trustworthy friendship, a confidant one could rely on…
Even so, raising the bond level to this point hadn’t been easy.
To max out the bond and obtain the complete form of Nightblade “Infinity Sword” would certainly be even more difficult.
And alongside raising Shiltina’s bond level to five—
He had received the “surprise” she had prepared for him.
Only, Rast hadn’t expected it at the time.
That what Shiltina called a surprise would turn out to be so overwhelming.
In fact, it could no longer be called a surprise… it was more like a shock.
…
“When we were in Deep Blue Port, you said that the name Canaan was very important to you, that it might be connected to your past… the past before entering Deep Blue Port, before falling into the three-hundred-year infinite cycle.”
“So ever since the historical remnant of Deep Blue Port surfaced, I’ve been trying to find clues about ‘Canaan’ for you, but found nothing.”
“There is no place called ‘Canaan’ on the current map of the continent.”
“But I didn’t give up. I suspected it might be due to my own limitations… so I used part of the authority I hold as a member of the Twelve Seats of the Round Table, along with some of my personal connections, and in the name of Starfall University, commissioned others to search for leads on ‘Canaan’.”
“In the end, there was actually a breakthrough.”
“Ingrid, a graduate of Starfall University who is now the Chief Inspector of the Granwell Kingdom’s Inspectorate, responded to me just yesterday.”
“She used her military clearance to investigate at the headquarters of the Arcane Tower and discovered some clues about Canaan.”
“The Arcane Tower was established through cooperation between the Ruins Institute and the Granwell Kingdom, but the clue appears to belong exclusively to the empire’s military intelligence database.”
“Due to its high classification, it wasn’t stored digitally in the cloud but exists only as physical documents within the Arcane Tower’s archives… even Ingrid, as Chief Inspector, couldn’t disclose the specifics.”
“If you want to know, you’ll have to go to the Arcane Tower yourself to view the records and evidence.”
“Ingrid will be returning to the university tomorrow to attend the anniversary celebration.”
“If you wish, Rast, I’ll ask her—under the name of academic collaboration—to take you to the Arcane Tower.”
Shiltina’s words from earlier still echoed in his ears.
“Canaan.”
He repeated the word again in his heart, tinged with a complex sense of homesickness.
Rast believed Shiltina wouldn’t joke about something like this.
If she said she had found a lead on Canaan, then there must have been a real discovery.
The real world beyond the Nightworld... might really be connected to the “Canaan” from that Nightworld crevice.
To Rast, who had long been seeking the truth about Canaan, this was undoubtedly good news.
It’s just that, to be honest—
At this very moment, even Rast himself could not clearly envision what kind of truth about Canaan he truly hoped to uncover.
“So cold, so cold.”
“Any other weasel at this time would’ve gone into hibernation, but I got dragged out of the house by you.”
“I need dried fish snacks to comfort my frozen heart.”
The complaint sounded from Rast’s shoulder.
A snow ferret was crouched on his shoulder, curling its whole body into its fluffy snow-white tail, shivering in the biting autumn wind.
Rast couldn't help but have a black line appear on his forehead.
It was his first time hearing that a magical creature—conservatively estimated to be at least sixth-tier—actually needed to hibernate.
And a snow ferret, a species native to the polar ice plains, shivering in autumn wind—wasn’t this a joke?
It could only be said that the Starfall University lifestyle, complete with heating, air conditioning, and internet, had utterly spoiled Dean Silver, turning it into a full-on housebound recluse ferret.
But given that Rast was currently the one asking for help, he had no choice but to swallow these complaints.
“No choice, Dean Silver.”
“We’ll be leaving the academy soon, entering imperial territory.”
“According to my sources, that Ingrid senior may have already broken through to sixth-tier… and in unfamiliar territory, without you, I really don’t dare go.”
“What if stuff from Deep Blue Port, or the time loop, or the secret of the Special Sequence Tier leaks out—what if I get thrown into a black cell?”
Rast explained.
“You coward. Did you get hooked on some cautious, ultra-stable survival novels recently? You even need me as a bodyguard just to investigate something outside school.”
Dean Silver glanced at Rast with disdain.
“Besides, the Empire and the university are partners. The Arcane Tower headquarters you’re going to was founded by the Ruins Institute and the Empire’s Inspectorate and Bureau of Confidentiality.”
“Ingrid is your senior, and she’s helping you at Shiltina’s request—do you really think she’d harm you?”
“But with the number of secrets you’re hiding…”
Dean Silver looked Rast up and down, then suddenly didn’t feel so confident either.
Not to mention, if the Granwell Kingdom learned that Rast’s copy-type ability could even replicate Nightblades like Infinity Sword and Angel of Death, it would surely draw attention.
Maybe not dissected for research, but certainly subjected to repeated probing and surveillance.
“Also, Ingrid graduated several years ago. Her current allegiance is to the Empire, not the academy…”
“Dean Silver, you think there’s a problem with her?”
Rast frowned slightly, sharply picking up the implication.
Ingrid—that name wasn’t unfamiliar to him.
She was the first Night Traveler file he had seen in the Starfall Obelisk when he had just enrolled.
【Ingrid】
【Academy Codename: “Dark Iron”】
【Sequence Tier: Justice】
【873rd Round Table Second Seat, graduated from Starheart Institute six years ago】
【Currently serving at Granwell Department of Homeland Order, Chief of the Inspectorate】
Her resume was flawless.
The second seat of the Round Table from six years ago meant Ingrid had been one of the most outstanding students of her time.
And judging by Dean Silver’s highly social nature, he must have had many interactions with elite students.
Like Akxia, like Shiltina—they all had close relationships with Dean Silver and were called “Little Xia”, “Little Tina” by him.
But this senior wasn’t called “Little Grid”—she was addressed directly by her name, which meant that during her time at school, Dean Silver hadn’t gotten along well with her.
“Not exactly a problem.”
“You should know, because of the Role System, training, and secrecy regarding transcendent knowledge, becoming a transcendent requires considerable resources… most of Starfall University’s Night Travelers are nobles.”
“But Ingrid was a rare exception.”
“She was a farmer’s child, born in a poor village too small to even show up on maps. She got into Starfall through the most basic educational path, passing exam after exam.”
“At first, her ranking and Nightblade aptitude were both mediocre—she was unremarkable in her first and second years.”
“But in the end, Ingrid relied on effort, and her relentless drive in the Nightworld, step by step climbing to Round Table Second Seat, surpassing numerous nobles with strong backgrounds and abundant resources.”
“She then joined the Empire’s military as an outstanding graduate and became Chief Inspector in just six years… none of that is easy.”
Dean Silver swayed his fluffy tail. “From a teacher’s perspective, Ingrid is undoubtedly a model student.”
“I just don’t like that girl much. She’s like Shiltina’s younger sister.”
Just as he finished—
At that moment, footsteps echoed on the platform stairs.
Firm and clear steps, the sound of military boots crushing dried leaves.
“You must be the student Shiltina mentioned… Rast?”
A voice sounded at his ear.
It belonged to a slender figure in a military cloak, the chest embroidered in gold thread with the emblem of a black griffin, her long black hair flowing.
Her presence was stern, causing one to unconsciously overlook her age and appearance.
“Nice to meet you for the first time, Rast.”
The inspector named Ingrid stepped before him, confirmed his identity, and then extended her hand to him with perfect formality.
Her right hand was gloved in black.
At the same time, Ingrid’s peripheral gaze fell on the snow ferret on Rast’s shoulder.
“Long time no see, Dean Silver.” Ingrid’s tone was respectful.
But Dean Silver, upon being noticed, instinctively slipped off Rast’s shoulder and ducked into her hood, avoiding eye contact.
Rast also extended his hand and shook hers.
In the next moment, through the fine cloth of the glove, he felt a cold, metallic hardness.
What clasped his hand was a prosthetic limb made of metal.