The next morning, Julian rose early and took a hired carriage to Khoy University.
"Phew... the air at Khoy University really is better."
Julian took a deep breath. Looking at the lush green campus and the Khoy River winding through the clusters of red-brick buildings, he felt considerably better.
He first reported to the administrative office of the physics department and wrapped up his work before the summer break. Only then did he head toward the building housing the history department, humming an Azshara-style tune and twirling the Agarwood Cane in his hand.
"...It's a security company involved in finding, collecting, and protecting antiquities. They need a professional consultant, and the weekly salary is three pounds.
"As you know, I enjoy exploring history rather than summarizing it..."
Just as Julian pushed open the door, Klein's voice drifted out of an administrative office.
He smiled and walked straight toward it.
Creak.
The sound of the opening door drew everyone's attention. They soon saw Julian Albrecht walk in, wearing a beige trench coat and a gentleman's hat.
"Gentlemen, I hope I haven't interrupted your conversation."
Julian held his hat with his left hand and greeted them with a smile.
Klein paused at Julian's appearance before greeting him:
"Professor Albrecht, it's a pleasure to see you."
"Hello, Klein."
Buzz...
Just as Julian was speaking to Klein, the Colour Out of Space began emitting a faint buzzing sound again.
In fact, Julian had been on guard against an excessive reaction from the Colour Out of Space since his first glimpse of Klein that day.
They had met before, and the Colour Out of Space had shown no reaction to Klein then.
But things were different now. It had absorbed some life force from the Magician the previous night, strengthening its presence, so its reaction might have changed as well.
After all, although Klein was not yet a Seer, his actual possession of Sefirah Castle gave him a mystical connection to the Seer Pathway.
Another thing Julian found interesting was that the Colour Out of Space did not display nearly as much hostility toward Klein as it had toward the Magician and the Antigonus Family Notebook. Instead, its hostility was mixed with confusion and a faint trace of fear.
As a result, it made no rash moves, allowing Julian to breathe a sigh of relief.
"And you are...?"
At that moment, Klein's mentor, Senior Associate Professor Cohen, looked at Julian and asked in puzzlement.
This refined young man with his distinctly scholarly air looked very familiar to Cohen, but he could not immediately remember who he was.
"Cohen, this is Assistant Professor Albrecht from the physics department. He's from Lenburg."
Mr. Azik picked up the conversation, then paused and added:
"The physics department is on the other side of the Khoy River and has little contact with the history department. It's perfectly understandable that you don't know him."
"I'm honored that you still remember a humble scholar like me, Mr. Azik Eggers."
Julian stepped forward with a smile and shook hands with Azik and Cohen in turn.
In fact, Azik's response did not surprise Julian at all.
Although he fell into a deep sleep and lost his memories every few decades, as a Sequence 2 Angel, his memory while awake far surpassed that of ordinary people, and even the vast majority of Beyonders.
Not only that, Julian keenly noticed something indescribably unusual in the way Azik looked at him.
"Professor Albrecht, what brings you to the history department today?"
After exchanging pleasantries, Cohen asked curiously.
"I came to see Klein."
Julian smiled and patted Klein on the shoulder.
"I'm also an external expert consultant for the company he's about to join, so we may be working together from now on."
"I see. But if I may ask, what would an antiquities preservation company need with a physics expert like you...?"
Cohen asked with some suspicion.
"I've recently invented a technique that uses a radioactive isotope of carbon to date antiquities, but I still need samples to verify its reliability."
Julian made up a story on the spot.
"I don't have access to many undated antiquities at the university, so I need to get out into the field to continue my research."
Could he mean carbon-14 dating? It's already been invented in this era?
Hearing Julian's words, Klein immediately raised his head and gave him a strange look.
Back on Earth, carbon-14 dating had only been invented in the 1940s, while the Northern Continent's current technology was only equivalent to that of the late nineteenth century. No matter how he looked at it, those words did not fit the present era.
"Dating antiquities? How precise can it be?"
Senior Associate Professor Cohen's interest was piqued.
"At present, the technique has a margin of error of around eighty years, but my goal is to bring that down to within thirty years."
Julian smiled as he continued making things up.
"A thirty-year margin of error... thirty years?"
Cohen's eyes widened.
"If that's true, archaeology will undergo a complete transformation."
Lecturer Azik, standing beside him, also spoke:
"Indeed. There are still many ancient artifacts we cannot accurately date, which greatly hinders the progress of archaeological research.
"If Assistant Professor Albrecht can make further progress in his research, that will change considerably-many mysteries that have troubled scholars for years will finally be solved."
Then he added with feeling:
"I truly never imagined that physics and archaeology, two disciplines that seem to have so little in common, could converge like this."
"Precisely. That is what gives our work as scholars meaning."
An idea stirred in Julian's mind, and he continued:
"Mr. Azik, Associate Professor Cohen, given these circumstances, if Klein and I find antiquities of uncertain age during our work, could we ask you to help date them? That would also help me calibrate my research data."
"Of course. If it contributes to academic progress, I
"would be duty-bound to help."
Cohen nodded, but added:
"However, my research workload is very heavy. Even with the students on vacation, I still have several projects to oversee.
"So I may not have much time to leave campus. If you can bring the items to Khoy University, I would be delighted to help."
"My schedule is a little more flexible."
Hearing Cohen's response, Mr. Azik promptly added:
"When I don't have classes, I can accompany you on an outing whenever you need."
"Thank you both so much."
Beaming, Julian shook hands with the two history lecturers.
In fact, this was exactly what he had hoped for.
As a descendant of the Jacob Family, he currently had some Fourth Epoch antiquities he could bring to Cohen and Mr. Azik for dating. Once he grew familiar with the latter through this process and got him to lower his guard, he could develop their relationship further.
The benefits and convenience of having a Sequence 2 Angel as a friend went without saying!