NOVPUBNikola saw Professor Landry approaching, his tone as deep and emotionless as ever.
"Okay, I’ve finished all my lessons for today, and I can accompany you now."
Lanci maintained a carefree demeanor, a slight smile curling at the corner of his lips as he nodded in ready agreement,
"I’ve kept you waiting, Captain Nikola."
He expressed his thanks to Nikola.
"My work today was actually to investigate and record that classroom, 4-21, so this works out well."
Red Falcon Nikola saw that Professor Landry had accepted the invitation without any hesitation, which surprised him slightly, but he didn’t show it.
He gestured "after you."
"The car from the Special Operations Department is parked not far from the Elliot Building."
Nikola moved with brisk strides, and Lanci walked alongside him through the grand and dimly lit corridors of the Elliot Building.
The students watched the two men walk away, whispering among themselves, their questions gradually being replaced by curiosity.
What was the enigmatic connection between Professor Landry and the Empire’s Special Operations Department?
Countless speculations whirled in the minds of the students, even daring to ask Professor Landry’s sister Elsa, but she only clenched her sleeve tightly at her chest and shook her head.
Elsewhere.
"It seems you are quite popular with the students."
Red Falcon Nikola seemed even more familiar with the Elliot Building’s surroundings than Professor Landry, walking half a step ahead, as if he were the one guiding the professor.
He had noticed the students who had come out of classroom 4-43, but they all shrank back when they saw the military officer, Red Falcon Nikola.
"After all, I do like interacting with the students."
Lanci lowered his gaze and replied with a slight smile.
"Do you have a special talent for emotional communication? Are you quick to get along with those around you?"
Red Falcon Nikola scrutinized the man once more and asked.
"Perhaps it’s not so much a talent as it is a field of study—a study of people or society ’should’ behave. Even without this knowledge, it wouldn’t affect everyday life, but there may come a day when you face a major barrier in life, and if you know ’what should be done,’ you might find the clue to overcome that barrier."
Lanci looked out the window into the distance and replied.
"Your sister seemed to be looking for you just now, why are you so indifferent to her?"
Red Falcon Nikola nodded, not continuing the subject further, but rather, he spoke with a half-joking and probing undertone.
Looking toward the direction of classroom 4-43, at a glance, one could see a girl among the students who looked very much like Landry.
Nikola had done prior research on Landry, and he knew his family registration details clearly.
Elsa Washington, Landry Washington’s dearly attached younger sister, grew up with Landry in a small town on the northwest border of the Cerryti Empire, Nixasende, and was sent to the Capital, Brilda, a few years ago. The siblings had not seen each other for a long time and should have missed each other.
It seemed she had originally wanted to speak to her brother, Professor Landry, about something, but seeing her brother being watched by someone from the Empire’s Special Operations Department, she decided not to approach him. As if understanding that getting close might cause trouble for her brother, she nodded in acknowledgment after catching his eye and then turned to leave.
"Time is like a wild donkey, once it starts running, it doesn’t stop, and in the blink of an eye, my sister has grown up."
Lanci contemplated the past and remarked,
"I can always return to deal with family matters, but the Empire’s government business cannot be delayed even for a moment. I think besides Captain Nikola, there are others from the Special Action Department waiting for me."
He looked at Nikola, as if to say they could have found a nearby place to talk, there was no need for Nikola to wait so punctually outside the classroom and take him to the headquarters of the Special Operations Department.
"Of course."
Red Falcon Nikola did not deny Lanci’s statement.
Indeed, his job was to bring Professor Landry back.
"Elsa is a child who is so sensible it’s heartbreaking, and I haven’t been in much contact with her these past few years. If Captain Nikola has any suspicions about me, please feel free to talk to me, but don’t disturb her, okay?"
For once Lanci’s stance was somewhat more forthright.
"... No problem."
Red Falcon Nikola chuckled in relief and nodded.
It didn’t take long for the two men to walk down from the labyrinthine Elliot Building to the street by a plaza on the side.
"Lanci, why would you let him know that Elsa is your weak point?"
Talia asked in confusion inside Lanci’s mind.
She felt that Nikola was suspicious of Lanci at all times, and Lanci’s recent reply to Nikola was very risky.
"In fact, if I didn’t care about Elsa, that would make Nikola suspicious. Besides, it’s good to give him a weak point—he’ll not only be convinced that I care about my sister, but also think I’m easier to control, as a person with vulnerabilities and family ties. Often those who are true spies are completely alone, without any worries."
Lanci replied to Talia.
"... You’re strangely clever."
Talia considered for a moment and then agreed with Lanci.
The boy played the spy all too skillfully, maintaining his composure in the face of problems, instantly sidestepping all traps to find the optimal solution—as if born for undercover work.
In a short while, a black Magic Guided Vehicle parked on the other side of the plaza’s road quickly moved onto the road upon seeing Red Falcon Nikola and Professor Landry.
"Good day, sir."
A secret service agent in formal attire saluted Nikola through the window.
Nikola, with one hand behind his back and the other opening the rear car door for Lanci, watched him sit inside the vehicle and then took his place on the opposite side of the back seat.
