Chapter 86: Canaan’s Secrets
“Mm, I received the message in advance.”
Professor Barbalossa, who resembled a gorilla, glanced at Ingrid through his gold-rimmed glasses.
Clearly, he was not unfamiliar with this senior figure from the military.
“Since you also have clearance to access Level Nine files, I won’t interfere.”
As he spoke, he shifted his body aside, making way to the archive room behind him.
Ingrid gave him another standard military salute before leading Rast inside.
As Rast followed behind Ingrid, walking past her.
He sensed a shift in the surrounding energy. Professor Barbalossa lowered his gaze, his beast-like pupils locking directly onto him.
“A newcomer chosen by that stoat, huh?”
Perhaps due to his enormous size, Professor Barbalossa’s voice rumbled like thunder.
“To be chosen by that stoat means your temperament and talent must be quite decent.”
“But judging from your weak aura, you’re probably not even at Tier Three. I’d guess you haven’t been to the Nightworld many times either.”
“The Academy’s ideals are noble… but before you truly enter the Remnant, don’t let others’ will or expectations sway you. Instead, follow your own will to make decisions.”
“You only have one life. Once you step into the Nightworld, there’s no turning back.”
“Avoiding risk appropriately, choosing to back down before you're mentally prepared—there’s nothing shameful about that.”
Professor Barbalossa’s tone grew heavier.
“I’ve watched over the Arcane Tower for years. I’ve seen too many cases.”
“Ending up like me—not quite human, not quite ghost—is actually one of the better outcomes. More often, those once high-spirited Night Travelers now slumber forever in the Nightworld, their bones never even recovered.”
“What’s more, the Terminal Nightworld within the Arcane Tower offers greater rewards, but the danger is far beyond compare… Not only can you not enter with a team, even the historical context nodes are uncertain, making targeted intel gathering impossible.”
He shifted tone again, speaking earnestly.
“So, little Rast, if you’re thinking about exploring the Terminal Nightworld… you can come to me more often. I’ll provide you with real combat training.”
“I’ve guarded the Arcane Tower for so many years—no one knows the Terminal Nightworld better than I do.”
A wise glint flashed through the professor’s gold-rimmed lenses.
“With my training, your chances of surviving the Nightworld will increase significantly.”
“Don’t pay attention to this big oaf.”
Dean Silver leapt onto Rast’s shoulder, rolling her eyes at the boastful giant ape.
“This guy was a battle maniac even when he taught at Lionheart Academy. He used to wear his students out in every combat class.”
“After turning into what he is now and getting reassigned to the Arcane Tower as a guard… only a few Night Travelers with permission can enter the Arcane Tower and the Terminal Nightworld. And they’re all busy with missions, no time to chat with him.”
“Over the years, he’s probably grown mushrooms on his butt from boredom. Every time he spots a newcomer, he starts with that same line about ‘combat training.’ Truth is, he’s just lonely and wants someone to keep him company.”
“Just pretend you didn’t hear him.”
So that’s how it was...
Rast looked at the massive figure exuding visible waves of powerful aura, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and gazing down at him.
From those beast-like eyes, Rast actually read a trace of eager expectation.
Like an empty-nest elder in the countryside watching younger relatives come to visit, not wanting them to leave so soon but too embarrassed to say so.
“Professor Barbalossa, may I ask you a question?”
Rast thought for a moment and asked.
“Your Nightblade—what exactly does it do?”
“My Nightblade?”
Barbalossa was clearly taken aback.
“Strictly speaking, a freshman at your level doesn’t have the clearance to ask about my Nightblade.”
“But since you’re an excellent student of the Academy, a bit of curiosity is understandable. I’ll do that stoat a favor.”
Barbalossa’s voice carried the weight of his identity, but he answered quickly, as if he had been waiting for someone to ask.
“My Nightblade is called 『Silent Disqualification』. I’ve developed two abilities so far. The most basic one, 『Withering Pebble』, nullifies all ‘supernatural’ effects on anything my body touches.”
“Of course, this nullification has limitations—like it doesn’t work on mental or soul-based effects, and it only fully negates powers from those of lower rank than me.”
“And against enemies of the same or higher rank, it only partially disables their supernatural abilities, weakening their effects.”
Perhaps afraid Rast would lose interest, Barbalossa quickly added:
“The second ability I developed is 『Lake of Silence』. As the name suggests, it forms an external domain that silences all supernatural effects within it.”
“Of course, a projected Silence Field comes with even more restrictions. It’s mostly useful for mopping up weaklings.”
“So, little Rast, you don’t need to worry that my tier is too high to train you in real combat.”
“Back when I was at Lionheart Academy, I taught military combat techniques. Plus, I can apply the Silent Field on myself to suppress my tier, matching yours exactly as a sparring partner.”
Perhaps fearing Rast wouldn’t believe him, a wave of twisted light shimmered, and Barbalossa’s massive body quickly shrank.
Soon, his ten-meter-tall ape form had transformed into something only slightly larger than a normal human.
Still ape-shaped, though.
Rast noticed that during Professor Barbalossa’s shrinkage, even his gold-rimmed glasses shrank with him.
Without a doubt, those glasses were also an emblem artifact.
Though their effect remained unknown.
“Negating all supernatural abilities… Professor Barbalossa’s Nightblade is that unique?”
Listening to the professor’s explanation, Rast couldn’t help but ask softly through Moonlight Whisper.
“That’s right. This brute is part of the 『Forest』 sequence—normally a support and logistics path. The druid beast transformation is just a last resort for survival… but Barbalossa fights like he’s from the 『War Chariot』 sequence.”
“In every battle, he just turns into a giant beast and charges in. Since his Nightblade disqualifies other supernatural powers, most people can’t beat him in pure physical combat.”
Dean Silver shot Rast a suspicious glance.
Given this kid’s ‘no free visits’ nature, he was asking a bit too seriously this time.
No surprise if...
On the other side, looking at his now-shrunken body, Barbalossa seemed a little deflated too.
『Silent Disqualification』 sounded powerful in negating powers, but it didn’t help at all with his own soul’s distortion.
The way he looked now would definitely scare outsiders. Unless he found a cure, he might be stuck in the Arcane Tower for life.
The Academy did mention this year’s Round Table chief held a rule-based instant-death Nightblade... once she reached Tier Six, maybe she could ‘kill’ the curse on his soul.
Still, Barbalossa didn’t place much hope in that. He had a hunch...
His soul wasn’t just cursed—it was already fully twisted, becoming something inhuman.
Even if the girl named Akxia really reached Tier Six, there would be little she could do.
What, kill his twisted soul directly?
He had already prepared to live in this form.
It was just that the Arcane Tower was far too boring. Visitors always came in a hurry, looking up data or heading into the Terminal Nightworld.
Not one to talk with.
Despite being a professor at Starfall University, Barbalossa had no students to teach here.
To maintain secrecy, the Arcane Tower blocked all internet signals, not even allowing online browsing.
Just then, he heard Rast’s voice.
“Professor Barbalossa, I’m very interested in the combat training you mentioned.”
“Before I enter the Terminal Nightworld next time, I’ll come visit you and ask for advice.”
The youth’s sincere tone warmed Barbalossa’s lonely, elder-like heart.
Only the stoat rolled his eyes at the wholesome teacher-student scene.
Knowing Rast’s usual ways… he probably had his eyes on the Nightblade, just like he did with little Shiltina back then.
『This Nightblade and I are fated ×2.』