Shade's Past

Shade actually had few secrets: his identity as an Outlander, the occasional unusual nature of the voice in his head, and his ability to understand every written language he had encountered so far. None of those were particularly serious problems.

"Yes, not much of a problem."

That was how he convinced himself.

"It is good that you understand. The Academy has considered the issues with Bill Schneider's group for many years and even contemplated splitting the group apart. But fortunately, you came along. Compared to all correspondence Ring Arcanists admitted to Saint Byron's over the past decade or so, your background is among the most trustworthy. Your past is exceptionally simple, with no connection whatsoever to the mysterious or any other forces."

Professor Sanchez said with a smile. Since the matter had come up, Shade took the opportunity to ask:

"Professor, since you investigated my past, do you know how I became a vagrant? Sorry, but I have almost no memory of that period."

Judging from the scars on his body and his physical condition, the original owner could not possibly have been a vagrant since childhood. As he asked, his ear twitched. Little Mia seemed to have completely given up scratching at the door; he had not heard a sound from her for quite some time.

Professor Sanchez coughed and cleared his throat.

"As for your past, the problems with your head have existed since childhood. As for your life as a vagrant, it likely began when you were sixteen. Mr. Hamilton, your hometown was Green Shade Town in Carlton County, in the south of the Dellaireon Kingdom. That year, the entire southern region suffered a great famine. Your family died while fleeing the disaster, and you came alone to Tobesk. Sorry, if you are curious about this, we can give you the report later."

Professor Sanchez wore a regretful expression. Shade pressed his lips together, shook his head, and said nothing.

His curiosity about the original owner's past was limited to worrying that the other man might have left behind some major secret or attachment. Perhaps he was secretly an illegitimate son of the royal family, or the descendant of some great noble. But it seemed that those plots found only in Knight Novels could not possibly happen to him.

The original owner had left behind no Interpersonal Relationships, which was instead beneficial to the Outlander who had inherited none of his memories.

"Then, Professor, please allow me one more question. Since you investigated me, does the Academy know anything about Detective Sparrow Hamilton? About his affairs?"

He looked at Professor Sanchez expectantly, and the professor nodded as well.

"The Academy has investigated him too, and that was truly no easy task. But rest assured, Sparrow Hamilton's secret has nothing to do with Ring Arcanists or the mysterious. As for his affairs, I do not intend to tell you directly. I want you to investigate them yourself. This is also an important stage in your integration here. I believe you understand."

"It really has nothing to do with the supernatural?"

Shade sought confirmation.

"I swear on my reputation that Sparrow Hamilton's secret concerns only ordinary people. Is that enough?"

The professor joked with a smile, and Shade immediately said there was no need for that.

"Oh, since we just mentioned the report, to make it easier for you to keep an eye on the Doctor—cough, cough, I mean monitor the Doctor—the Academy will give you a Poet Level relic, Poet Cohen's Manuscript. But this page may only be used when necessary. Normally, you should continue using Bill Schneider's page to contact the Academy."

Professor Sanchez added.

"Then how will the page be given to me? If it comes through the Doctor's channels, would that not expose this Secret?"

"It has already been mailed. It should reach you by tomorrow morning."

"Mailed? Through the post office? From the Far North to here? What about safety, or if it gets lost along the way—"

Shade had never expected the Academy to use such a simple and crude method.

"Of course it was not mailed from the Academy. That would waste far too much time and would not be safe either. Saint Byrens Comprehensive College has quite a few properties across the Old Continent. They serve as Transfer Stations for formal students' off-campus internships, as well as sources of revenue for the Academy. Since we are talking about revenue, I think we can discuss your compensation for monitoring the Doctor."

The topic shifted there abruptly. Shade did not think he needed any payment. He regarded the Doctor as a friend and a guide, and he was willing to contact the Academy for assistance if the man lost control. That was beneficial to all three parties. But since the Academy wanted to pay him, he had no reason to refuse with false modesty.

"Since this work does not require much labor, the compensation is not particularly generous. However, History College values you highly. After discussion, the dean of Astronomy College performed a divination for you this afternoon, divining your approximate Destiny over the next few days.

After taking office, Ring Arcanists are always Lost amid their heavy studies. Divination can effectively point out a path."

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

He read it aloud in standard Delarion Language, as though reciting a Council speech:

"I saw the Silver Moon. I saw the young Detective holding a Rhodes Card. I also saw blood. The young Detective should stay away from places filled with blood."

After reading it, he put away the slip.

"Divinations and prophecies usually do not point directly to anything and require interpretation. Mr. Hamilton, do you understand the meaning of this result?"

"Yes, I understand. The latter warning is not entirely clear, but it probably guides me away from danger and conflict. At least I understand the first sentence very clearly."

Shade nodded, suppressing the tremor in his Heart. The moment he heard "Rhodes Card," he understood. A possibility—a possibility he had considered nearly zero—had been infinitely magnified by this prophecy.

He wondered whether this had been caused by rolling the Dice of Destiny during the day, but on further thought, the professors happening to help solve the matter of the statue tonight also seemed like Good Luck brought by Luck.

"Tomorrow morning, after feeding the Cat, I will go to the Seer Association for an appraisal."

"It is good that you understand. But let me remind you, Mr. Hamilton, Rhodes Cards may be interesting, but do not become obsessed with them. It is late. Tonight's meeting will end here. Miss Jones and I will leave first. Professor Garcia will be responsible for your lessons. Sweet dreams."

Tonight's meeting ended in that atmosphere.

Miss Jones also put away her fountain pen and stopped taking notes. She smiled at Shade. Shade then rose to see them off, watching as their transparent bodies stood from their chairs and gradually vanished into the air on the second floor of No. 6, St. Derain Square.

Professor Garcia remained seated and gestured for Shade to sit and speak as well. It was now time for the two of them to be alone, but Professor Garcia still looked as stern as ever.

"Now that the other matters are finished, we can begin the lesson.

It has been a long time since I set foot on the Old Continent south of the Far North. I am not accustomed to speaking with students of ordinary origins like you. Please forgive me. But it is late, and I do not think we need say much more. Mr. Hamilton, you are about to begin your journey through time. Please."

"Sorry, you are not coming with me?"

Shade heard something different in those words.

"Yes. A key permits only one person to travel through time, and only once."

PS: The original owner's story was naturally not so simple. Of course, neither professor lied.

Also, Doctor Schneider, Priest Augustus, the woman writer Louisa, and Miss Annette, the female diviner who has not yet fully appeared, all have important side stories of their own. None of them are mere tools serving the plot.