The transfer begins
But having this ambition isn't a bad thing; in any case, Kronos wholeheartedly supports it.
If one day Backlund Technical University is able to replace Backlund University, it would mean that this Research Center has countless high-level Project.
The Argel Family is also one of the owners of this Research Center, so there's absolutely no downside to it.
"Good luck then!" Kronos offered Portland a half-hearted encouragement.
"Oh, by the way, I'm going back to Midseashire in a month or two, and I won't be returning to Backlund anytime soon. You'd better find someone to take over my Project, or you could dig up a new Project."
"Back to Midseashire? When will you be back?" Portland asked. "I was even planning to have you head this Research Center."
Kronos quickly replied, "Then forget about it. He definitely won't be back within a year."
Kronos is more suited to stirring up trouble on the high seas; he can forget about being in charge of Backlund.
"Will you be able to finish this Project before you leave?"
Kronos thought for a moment, then said, "Here's what we'll do. You send me someone you have your eye on, and I'll mentor him. He should be able to finish about 80-90% before I leave. The rest he can finish on his own; you just need to keep an eye on things."
Portland about it for a moment, and also felt that this method was good, so he nodded in agreement.
"I'm meeting with some good Scientists in the next few days, would you like to come along?"
Portland's schedule is already packed these next few days, with many people to meet, so naturally I wanted to introduce Kronos to everyone.
Kronos naturally understood Portland's intentions, as he had long wanted to pave the way for Kronos.
So Kronos said, "Portland, you know, I can't just settle for your path. If I were forty, I probably would have made the same choice, but I'm only in my early twenties and want to take a chance."
Portland sighed. "I know what you're thinking, but now is a great time for you. If you miss this opportunity, it will be hard to find another one later, and I'm afraid you'll regret it."
Kronos smiled confidently and said, "What is there to regret? I am destined to become Demigod or higher. With that status, it's never too late to do anything."
Kronos does have some interest in scientific research, but compared to his own abilities, it's just a hobby.
Since that's what they've said, Portland stopped trying to persuade them.
He could sense the persistence in Kronos's words, a persistence he also possessed; otherwise, he wouldn't have been willing to give up his Beyonder Ability to delve deeply into the field of science and technology.
Having sensed this persistence, he knew that he could not persuade Kronos.
"Since you've already made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you anymore. But you need to put some effort into the Project; at least make sure it's done reasonably well, otherwise no one will be able to take over."
After speaking with the Professor Portland, Kronos devoted most of his energy to the New Materials Project.
Although it's called New Materials, for Kronos it's just Replication of some materials he already knows, so he handles it quite well.
Professor Portland sent Kronos a promising student, a senior at Backlund Technical College, who was quick-witted and had strong practical skills.
Under Kronos's guidance, he quickly became familiar with the Project and was even able to offer some of his own ideas. Kronos was quite satisfied; such a person could easily complete the Project.
Although his mind wasn't on this, he still didn't want his hard work to be wasted.
A few days later, Professor Portland brought back four Project, and the inauguration Ritual of the Research Center could finally begin.
Whether out of respect for Professor Portland or because everyone was happy to have such a center, many people attended the opening Ritual, not only from the scientific community, but also from many government officials and Member of Parliament.
The main figures in this Ritual were naturally Portland, Kask, and Kronos.
Although he was about to leave Backlund, the Research Center was, after all, his own idea, and to make this idea come true, Kronos "voluntarily" did things for the inauguration Ritual.
Portland entrusted him with the responsibility of welcoming and sending off guests at the Ritual and overseeing the entire event. Portland and Kask also had their own tasks, which naturally involved taking care of the people in their respective areas.
After the Ritual began, the three of them took turns going on stage to give a speech full of "bitter tears and blood," mainly to show how hard-won the Research Center was.
In the end, everything went smoothly, causing quite a stir in a small circle. The next day, the name of this Research Center was on the front page of all major newspapers.
The next morning, as Kronos returned from his run and ate breakfast, he looked at the newspaper and smiled with satisfaction. The matter had finally come to a satisfactory conclusion.
Since we were staying at the Research Center, we naturally ate in the cafeteria. Portland came over while we were eating, so we sat down opposite him.
"What are your plans next?" Portland asked.
Kronos swallowed the bread in his mouth and then replied, "I don't have any plans. I'll just see when the time is right, and then I should leave Backlund."
Is there anything I can do to help?
"No, it's all family business, nothing for me to get involved in. I'm just waiting for them to finish so we can leave together."
Portland nodded and said, "Well, I'm fine with helping you, but I can't be bothered with your family."
Kronos burst out laughing. "Portland, I'm my father's only son. You've helped my family, but in the end, it all comes back to me. How can you say something like that?"
But Portland retorted matter-of-factly, "Who knows if your father will have another child and pass it on to him? It happens all the time among you nobles."
Looking at Portland in this state, it feels like they've been tricked.
Kronos considered for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Were you tricked by Mr. Kask?"
Portland's statement is not very rigorous. Most noble families would designate their eldest son as heir, even if he wasn't very capable, and it wouldn't be that strict.
After all, the inheritance rights of most nobles don't have much impact, and none of them hold a position of such importance as the Duke Negan.
Therefore, there are not many examples like Mr. Kask, where the eldest son failed to inherit, but the second son did.
Professor Portland wasn't particularly sociable, and there were very few nobles he could ask for help, which is why Kronos made this guess.
As a result, Kronos watched as Portland's expression shifted, as if he had remembered something, but he still didn't say anything.
Kronos laughed heartily, then pointed at him and said, "You have this kind of dark history? I'll have to ask Mr. Kask about it later."
That one sentence was enough to enrage Portland, who turned and left the table.
After that, Kronos diligently focused on advancing the Project at the Research Center, not wanting his Project to fail because of him.
Until one day, the Butler of Marquis Argel came to the Research Center to see him.
"What's going on? Are they about to start moving?" Kronos guessed.
The Butler didn't speak, but handed over a piece of paper, which appeared to be a telegram.
Kronos took it and saw that it was indeed a telegram from the Marquis Argel.
The report stated that after several investigations and probes, it was determined that MI9 and the Royal Family family had not taken any action against the Argel Family.
Therefore, after careful consideration, the family decided to begin the relocation immediately, making sure the operation was small and fast.
After reading the telegram, Kronos asked, "Are you ready to buy back your shares now?"
The Butler thought for a moment, then said, "It's time. If the shares can't be recovered quickly, it will greatly affect the procedures at Kain Bank, because a lot of the family's funds are transferred through Kain Bank. If things are slow here, it will indeed affect many things."
Have you sounded out the intentions of any of the shareholders? Are they interested in selling?
The Butler said confidently, "We've always handled things very meticulously, so those shareholders don't know the true size of Kain. In their eyes, it's just a small bank, so the likelihood of them willing to sell is very high."
Kronos has always been good at grasping the key points, so he went straight to the point. "You mean you haven't talked to them and don't know their true thoughts?"
The Butler hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "We weren't at the operational stage before, so I didn't reveal this intention."
"Okay, starting today, you'll try to find out what these shareholders think. Send me the time and place of each Message in advance, and also have someone inform me of their attitude afterward. Is that alright?"
Kronos wasn't interested in the shareholders' attitudes at all; he mainly wanted to know about Jason.
When the Butler arranged to meet Jason, Kronos had another opportunity to sneak into his house.
Before taking action, they should at least block Jason's escape routes; otherwise, how could they possibly kill him in one blow?
However, Kronos couldn't say directly that he couldn't sense Jason's malice from Message, but if the Butler found out about it, he would be able to sense the Butler's malice.
Forget about whether we can subdue this Desire Apostle; he might inadvertently behead the Butler out of some unwarranted malice. In that case, we'd lose our shares and Beyonder Characteristic, and even our lives.