NOVPUBRed Falcon Nikola waited for Lanci to approach the classroom doorway where he was standing and asked,
"This time it won’t take up too much of the professor’s time, about five minutes should do."
He added.
"Then of course there’s no problem."
Lanci agreed readily.
He had reserved enough spare time and it would not affect his lecture schedule.
Red Falcon Nikola grasped the doorknob, twisted it open, and gestured for Lanci to enter the classroom.
Lanci nodded and followed Red Falcon Nikola into the 4-21 classroom which they had just used yesterday.
From the Cerryti-styled arched floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the classroom, the golden slanting sun traced grating marks on the ancient oak floor.
They slowly passed the long tables and desks weathered by centuries, and Red Falcon Nikola’s gaze fell upon the densely written paint pen inscriptions covering the glass windows, and he seemed to fall into deep thought.
Fluent handwriting of Demon Magic curses and magic techniques, as if flowing directly out of a master’s mind.
That was the rigorous deduction of magic engineering, woven from strings of Demon Race alphabet and human language, a few brief phrases containing an expansive and boundless material world, along with some vague, draft-like correction marks which seemed to affirm the birth of a new theory fermenting...
"I must admit, when I first saw this glass window, I felt as though I was in the domain of a gifted genius’ thoughts. Through those gleaming symbols and formulas, it was as if I could glimpse the ultimate nature and rules of fire and seals."
Red Falcon Nikola murmured solemnly.
The intricate formulas and symbols were emitting an almost religious sanctity and devotion.
As if the heavy bomb of theory had exploded within the microscopic world inside the classroom, invisible to the naked eye.
In the future, this centennial classroom will stand silently, becoming fertile ground for nurturing wisdom, hiding countless valuable intellectual heritages, awaiting the probing and understanding of those destined to find them.
"I underestimated you, Professor Landry."
Or rather, he felt more and more that there was something worthy of attention about Landry.
"Are you also from the Magical Engineering field, Captain Nikola?"
Lanci inquired with interest.
Headmaster Violet’s secretary, Nara, clearly did not favor those from the Empire’s Special Operations Department, so regarding Red Falcon Nikola’s wish to meet Professor Landry, she did not arrange it nor did she inform Lanci.
Thus, it became necessary for Red Falcon Nikola to find Landry himself at the school.
However, Red Falcon Nikola’s authority ensured that if he wanted to see someone within the Cerryti Empire, there would always be a way.
Besides professors from the Faculty of Magical Engineering and officials from the Imperial Army, ordinary students and school workers are now not allowed to enter this classroom at will. It is open only at fixed times, identification is required for entry, and the inscriptions on the glass windows and blackboard are protected by a barrier, making it difficult to tamper with, erase, or damage.
Red Falcon Nikola was one of those with the authority to enter the classroom for investigation at any time.
If these Magical Engineering principles of immense value to the Cerryti Empire were quickly leaked to Silvermoon Reform Association or spies of the Allied Forces, Red Falcon Nikola would have to deduce through clues who might be suspected of transmitting the original content and when.
Although even if such a thing truly occurred finding evidence would not be guaranteed, as the head of internal espionage for the Empire, any information could become a clue to identify those endangering the Empire.
"I’m not specialized in Magical Engineering; I am self-made. Of course, that does not prevent me from understanding Magical Engineering knowledge. My duty requires that I have a little knowledge of everything."
Red Falcon Nikola shifted his gaze from the window back to Lanci and replied.
"Are you interested in Magical Engineering? For example, if you have doubts, I would be very happy to discuss them with you."
Lanci sincerely offered to Nikola.
"Now is not the time for that; after all, I am taking up Professor Landry’s time. We need to discuss something more important."
Red Falcon Nikola looked at Lanci’s honest expression and smiled without much emotion,
"Regarding the clue you provided last time on the Bulida Magic Power Rail Train, concerning the sixty-two-year-old publisher from Granweifley in Cerryti Empire’s Northern Border, Lovia, after our investigation, I regret to inform you that he does not have any obvious suspicion."
He stated.
"It’s very unlikely."
Lanci pondered skeptically, holding his chin,
"If I did not mishear at the time, I can assure you, that old gentleman definitely had an issue."
He then spoke with certainty, his eyes as firm as ever.
"..."
Red Falcon Nikola observed Professor Landry’s expressions.
There was no panic evident on the face of this black-haired, blue-eyed professor, only deep doubt.
It was as if he was stubbornly insisting, or rather, became even more certain of the problem regarding Lovia, whom he traveled with at the time.
"Alright, rest assured, I will continue to investigate this individual. Before we make any final judgments, please rest easy, Professor Landry. We will not mistakenly arrest a loyal subject, nor will we let a traitor slip away."
Red Falcon Nikola nodded in agreement, promising the professor.
He thought that Landry was quite clever. 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
He had now publicly revealed a part of his academic achievements in the Empire, and these contents had also begun to rapidly ferment within the academic community of the Empire. Perhaps everything was within Landry’s plan.
When the time came, even if the intelligence from Lovia was pure fabrication from Landry’s side, there would still be those in the Empire who would protect him, ensuring that it wouldn’t be so easy for the Special Operations Department to lay hands on a magic engineer like him.
However, Nikola thought, when it came to arresting people, he had plenty of methods; it was just that the time was not right yet.
"Then is there anything else?"
Lanci glanced at the clock in the classroom and asked Red Falcon Nikola as if nothing were amiss.
Not only was Lanci calm, but Talia was not as nervous as she had been last time either.
Red Falcon Nikola hadn’t unearthed the identity of Lovia, the sixty-two-year-old man, as a spy for the Allied Forces; it was merely that Lanci had yet to secretly shake out any information.
It seemed like the kid was deliberately making Nikola suspect him, deepening his suspicion before starting to dispel Nikola’s doubts until a complete turnaround occurred.
He was doing it on purpose, playing it cool here.
Talia even felt that if Lanci were to date several girlfriends at the same time, he would be able to keep each one happy, even making them feel guilty and unwilling to doubt him on their own.
As long as nothing unexpected happened, he would be able to toy with people’s psychology utterly.
He was a natural philanderer incarnate.
Expert at manipulating both men and women.
"I would like to invite Professor Landry to serve as an honorary advisor at the research institution of the Empire’s Special Operations Department."
Red Falcon Nikola bowed slightly to Lanci, handing him a card with gilded edges, embossed with the Crest of the Imperial Army, and the unique symbol of the Special Operations Department.
At the corner of the card, there was also the certified coating of the research institution.
Lanci’s gaze fixed on the card before lifting to meet Red Falcon Nikola’s eyes again.
Rumors persisted among the public that the Empire’s Special Operations Department also had a secret laboratory, developing various silent and stealthy special weapons such as poisons, alchemy creatures, and high-performance explosive devices, with the institute also located in the Capital, Brilda.
An honorary advisor wasn’t an official position, but in name, he would be part of the Empire’s Special Operations Department, and Nikola would be able to see Landry without any bother in the future.
"Captain Nikola is inviting me to join the Empire’s Special Operations Department?"
Lanci asked Nikola, both surprised and intrigued.
"Of course."
Nikola replied firmly.
"That work is purely voluntary, he must be insane to agree to it."
Talia spoke in Lanci’s mind.
Without an official place in the hierarchy, without any real authority, just a title, and possibly even being summoned by the Empire’s Special Operations Department to assist with their tasks.
Should any unexpected event happen, Red Falcon Nikola would suspect Lanci first, and everything Lanci did within the Empire Action Department would be under extremely high surveillance.
Moreover, as soon as Lanci agreed, Red Falcon Nikola could arrest him at any time within the Empire’s Special Operations Department, even without conclusive evidence.
It was akin to walking into a trap voluntarily.
Entirely harmful without a single benefit.
"But Tata, think about it, if you were a magic engineer truly loyal to the Empire, wanting to make an irreplaceable contribution to the Empire at this point, what would you choose?"
Lanci responded in thought.
"... Then I might really agree."
Talia, taking on the role that Lanci had depicted, came to that conclusion.
"Then there’s only one answer."
Lanci said in his mind to Talia, while smiling in the classroom and extending his hand to Nikola.
It was unquestionable loyalty, an unshakeable stance, and a resolute decision.
"It would certainly be my honor, Mr. Nikola."
Lanci said to Red Falcon Nikola,
"Let us serve the Empire together."
