Tracking Down

After thoroughly testing him on the material, the old gentleman known as Eye of Wisdom nodded approvingly. "You're even more outstanding than I expected. While the Reader Potion certainly improved your memory, mastering it to this extent shows that you have quite a talent for languages!"

"That is also thanks to the materials you gave me being so clear and easy to understand." Abner modestly replied out of habit.

"Emperor Roselle once said that excessive humility is hypocrisy, Abner. When I studied these Ancient Feysac materials, it took me a full month to learn them! Though I had not yet consumed a Potion at the time." Eye of Wisdom shook his head with a smile.

Without any cheats, you learned a language in a month? You're the Monster here, aren't you? Abner grumbled inwardly while maintaining a humble smile on the surface.

"What is your faith?" Old Mr. Eye of Wisdom suddenly asked.

If I say I believe in the Fool, would you take out a Sun Brooch and Purify me on the spot? Startled by the question, Abner complained inwardly before recalling that the original owner's entire family had been believers of the goddess. He answered, "Uh... the Evernight Goddess."

Eye of Wisdom chuckled. Clearly seeing how weak Abner's faith was, he said in a persuasive tone, "Judging from your hesitation just now, you are not a devout believer of the Evernight Goddess either. I think your personality and principles align quite well with the doctrines of the Knowledge Church. How about converting to my Lord, the God of Knowledge and Wisdom?"

So you think I look like an unfaithful traitor, so I'm better suited to worship that Traitor Dragon? What kind of logic is that? Are our personalities compatible?

Abner lowered his head and pondered for a moment before looking up and asking, "What are the benefits of converting?"

"..." Even with old Mr. Eye of Wisdom's vast experience, the question left him somewhat speechless. He began to wonder whether introducing someone so pragmatic into the church had really been the right choice... After a long while, he sighed and said, "Perhaps you heard something from Kaspars. I had intended to take you as a student before, but seeing your talent and diligence now has made me like you even more... If you convert to my Lord, I will become your teacher and teach you mysticism. I can tell that this is precisely what you lack right now."

That was true. Abner had indeed read the entirety of Lord of Mysteries, and he indeed knew quite a bit about certain secretive or high-level knowledge. Yet because much of the basic mystical knowledge had only been briefly mentioned in the novel, he was instead clueless about it.

Although there was no reason not to cling to a leg that had been offered to him, Abner did not immediately respond. Instead, he asked:

"Why?"

Why insist on taking me as a student? There were so many people in Backlund, and quite a few talented young people. For a Sequence 7 Keeper of Knowledge, taking in students should have been extremely easy. There was no need for him to be so proactive.

Eye of Wisdom understood what Abner was asking. He also approved of his caution in not being dazzled by a windfall from the sky. The old gentleman apparently had no intention of concealing his thoughts, either. He said bluntly, "If I said I simply took a liking to you and sincerely wanted to help you, you certainly wouldn't believe me..."

Seeing Abner nod, Eye of Wisdom changed tack and continued, "However, that is the truth! From the first time I met you yesterday, my Spirituality intuition told me that if I helped you as much as possible now, I would receive very generous returns in the future. It might even help me survive a calamity! I do not know where this intuition comes from, but it has helped me through difficult times before. It has simply never been this strong, so I trust it."

"Hey, hey, shouldn't an occult premonition like that be an ability of a Sequence 4 Prophet of the Reader Pathway? You're just a Sequence 7 Keeper of Knowledge. Do you really have to be this outrageous? Unless a higher-up on your Pathway is watching over you and letting you experience it early..."

Abner had been grumbling inwardly out of habit, but this thought suddenly made him break out in a cold sweat! He had realized a question, one he had previously overlooked: as a lonely soul from another world carrying a cheat, after forming a bond with the Reader Pathway immediately upon Transmigration, could the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, who stood at the apex of that Pathway and was known as Omniscience, have already noticed him? Furthermore, his cheat was clearly highly compatible with the abilities of this Pathway.

He had never considered this before because his cheat clearly possessed a quality of concealing its own divinity, helping him block divination and corruption. Besides, that Traitor Dragon should not have specifically paid attention to a minor figure like him.

Yet the "goodwill" Eye of Wisdom displayed made Abner less certain. Perhaps the God of Knowledge and Wisdom's perception and control over this Pathway far exceeded his imagination!

"Suppose He knows of my existence, yet did not immediately move against me. Instead, He sent a believer to indirectly 'invest' in me... Does that mean He foresaw that the changes my arrival would bring to the world would have positive significance in the future? Well, at the very least, those changes would benefit Him! And the way He chose to help me is not exactly subtle either. Is this a case of 'good deeds deserve recognition'?" Abner gradually calmed down and analyzed the matter seriously. However, he no longer dared call Him the Traitor Dragon in his thoughts, referring to Him only as "He."

"All gifts from Fate have their prices secretly marked... I wonder what I will have to use to repay this 'goodwill' in the future? No point overthinking it. Even if I knew all this, I would have no power to change anything. What if rejecting His goodwill made Him regard me as an enemy? Sigh, knowing too many secrets is not always a good thing. If I understood nothing, I could happily be a tool or a chess piece right now... No, it would be best to treat these guesses as me frightening myself. Perhaps the truth is simply that Eye of Wisdom suddenly had a whim?"

After thinking through many things, Abner mocked himself a few times. He looked up at old Mr. Eye of Wisdom, who was still waiting for his answer, took a deep breath, and said, "I am willing to become your student, Teacher. My name is Abner, Abner Braine."

After saying that, he removed his iron mask. Since he was becoming someone's student, he naturally had to show his true face.

Old Mr. Eye of Wisdom also seemed quite pleased. He likewise removed his mask, revealing blue eyes and a lean face. He was an elderly gentleman with graying temples and an exceptionally refined bearing.

"My name is Isengard Stanton, a Sequence 7 Keeper of Knowledge and a believer of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom... From today onward, you are my formal student. I will recommend you to Lenburg later." Eye of Wisdom—old Mr. Isengard—introduced himself.

That was it? So casual? There was no ceremony or anything?

Isengard seemed to notice Abner's surprise and explained with a smile, "Unless we are conducting a ritual, we in the Knowledge Church do not have so many cumbersome rules. Everyone does their best to guide companions who love knowledge and are willing to study earnestly. Besides, this is Loen, the Tyrant's territory. Everything is kept simple."

Abner nodded in understanding, then heard the other man continue, "Starting tomorrow, move into my residence. I will guide you when I have spare time, and when I am working, you may read my collection. Naturally, you must also help me organize and analyze materials to offset the cost of your meals and lodging. Oh, my residence is at 16 Gnar Street, Hillston District."

No salary? Abner instinctively grumbled inwardly. But after thinking about it, he decided not to complain about the food while eating for free. Thus, he merely mentioned that he would go out in the mornings to practice firearms and combat. Unsurprisingly, Detective Isengard granted permission.

"Alright, go call that young lady in. Then we'll find the Beyonder who cursed her and eliminate him together! Now that I am your teacher, I naturally have to resolve my student's worries." Detective Isengard stood up and tapped his cane.

Abner was quite surprised. He had not expected the other man to help with this, and the thought that accepting this teacher was not so bad immediately arose in his mind.

Xio soon reentered the sitting room under the attendant's guidance. Upon seeing the master and student without their masks, she clearly froze for a moment and looked at Abner uneasily.

"I have become Teacher Isengard's student!" Seeing that his teacher did not mind revealing his true face before Xio, Abner briefly explained. Then he continued, "Teacher has agreed to help us find the person who cursed you."

Xio pursed her lips upon hearing that, feeling that she owed another debt of gratitude. Yet she did not wish to refuse. If they did not resolve that person soon, he might very well bring danger to Fors in the future. She did not want to drag her friend into trouble because of herself again.

Thus, Xio also removed her mask and sincerely said to both of them, "Thank you, Abner. Thank you, Mr. Eye of Wisdom." She assumed that Abner had pleaded with his teacher, which was why he was willing to help, so she thanked them both.

"No need to be so polite. Time is of the essence. Let us depart immediately! Explain the details to me on the way." Detective Isengard waved his hand, displaying the decisive efficiency of a great detective.

Xio and Abner exchanged a glance, then hurriedly followed Isengard on either side. As they led him toward the subway station, they recounted their previous encounter.

At the subway station near Saint Wind Cathedral, Isengard stared intently at a corner near the platform lounge. Drawing upon his observation and Analysis of the curse's power on Xio before the Purification, he rapidly reconstructed in his mind the image of a badge cracking apart. This was one of a Keeper of Knowledge's spell-like abilities: Scene Replay.

"That person suffered the backlash here. Heh, the badge he used for the curse should be a Grade 3 Sealed Artifact... Your Beyonder item is of quite a high grade!" Isengard glanced at Abner with an ambiguous smile. However, he possessed quite a few powerful items himself, so he was not coveting his student's belongings. He was merely reprimanding the boy for not being entirely truthful.

Abner gave an awkward laugh and offered no explanation. The Pure White Eye was his greatest trump card, and he would not expose it of his own accord.

"The traces of his movements have not been cleaned up. It seems he is not a professional Criminal... At least, not a professional Criminal who has dealt with a Detective. You two follow behind me. I can roughly deduce where he is hiding."

(End of Chapter)