Chapter 48: A Group Full of Problems |
Professor Sanchez paused after saying this, waiting for Miss Jones to continue taking notes before speaking again:
"It is Mr. Bill Schneider."
Shad held his breath, unable to let it out. He had been genuinely scared a moment ago; this habit of speaking halfway was really quite troublesome.
"The problem with Mr. Schneider was only discovered in his third year. He is a psychologist, and his Ring Warlock system is related to dreams and the mind. However, he harbors something extremely dangerous within. The academy has not been able to determine exactly what it is yet, but there are some speculations, and it’s quite dangerous. The academy needs someone to monitor him, or rather, pay attention to his condition. If Bill Schneider loses control, we must immediately inform the academy for intervention."
Professor Sanchez looked into Shad’s eyes. Shad knew that the "troublesome person" was not himself, so he relaxed significantly. However, he still felt concerned about Dr. Schneider’s situation:
"Dr. Schneider... could he lose control?"
The doctor was a very nice person.
"Currently, his psychological stability is highly rated, but the possibility of him losing control can’t be ruled out. However, that’s just a possibility—he might live his whole life without any problems. Moreover, we haven’t fully confirmed what exactly is in his mind, so we don’t have a solution. Mr. Hamilton, are you willing to take on this job? You don’t need to do anything extra, just ensure that if anything goes wrong, the academy is notified immediately."
Shad didn’t respond right away but glanced at Professor Garcia, who nodded at him. Shad thought it over and realized that reporting at the last moment wasn’t a big deal:
It might be more suitable for the other members of the group to handle this.
"Father Rath August has issues as well."
Compared to the serious Professor Garcia, Professor Sanchez, from the Library Management Academy, was a bit more lighthearted. He gave Shad a regretful look:
"You might know Father August’s story, and others in the group should know too. But I can guarantee that he hasn’t told anyone why he’s still just a priest after all these years, because even he doesn’t know."
The professor, with his round-framed glasses, suddenly lowered his voice:
"Thirty years ago, in his third year at the Dawn Church, Father Rath August, an ordinary man at the time, was involved in an incident where the containment of a high-level relic failed. The details of that incident are known only by the Dawn Church and the Nature Church, and Father August was one of the few survivors. To stabilize the survivors’ minds and souls, the Dawn Church erased their memories of that event."
"A high-level relic? Is it an Angel-grade (Level 1) relic?"
Shad asked, surprised. Even the recently heard "God’s Gift Box" was only a Sage-grade (Level 2) relic.
But the professor shook his head:
"Even higher."
The young detective opened his mouth:
"So, Angel-grade (Level 1) relics also have a standard of measurement. That makes sense after all."
"I appreciate your sharpness. Yes, Angel-grade is Level 1, but there’s still Level 0 and Unknowable grade. The incident involving Father August was a containment failure of an Unknowable grade relic."
Professor Garcia from the History Academy added, and Professor Sanchez continued:
"The public explanation for a disaster like the arrival of an Evil God is treated the same as a containment failure of an Angel-grade relic. But in reality, the academy views both the arrival of an Evil God and the failure of an Unknowable-grade (Level 0) relic as disasters of the same magnitude. The academy suspects that Father August gradually regained the memory of that event over the past three decades and, upon awakening his talents, joined St. Byrons not because of the church, but to uncover the truth behind the incident. We can’t be sure whether that Unknowable-grade relic left a lasting impact on him, so although he has fewer issues compared to the doctor, he must still be monitored. Of course, this is all speculation; the academy won’t treat him any differently."
"Then, should I also report to the academy immediately if Father August shows any signs of losing control?"
Shad asked, and Professor Sanchez nodded:
"Father August’s issues are smaller. If it’s convenient for you, you can monitor him as well."
"Well then..."
Shad hesitated, thinking of another question:
"Miss Dorothy Louisa and Miss Luvia Anat, they don't have issues, do they?"
"Unfortunately, you are correct."
As Professor Sanchez nodded, Shad seemed to notice the secretary, who had been taking notes, trying to suppress a smile. If Shad weren’t directly involved, he thought he’d probably be smiling too.
"But the issues with these two ladies are relatively smaller."
Luvia Anat is a Ring Warlock trained jointly by the Prophets' Association and us. Of course, we don’t distrust her just because of that connection. It’s just that the Prophets’ Association has revealed some information—Miss Anat is quite peculiar... She’s a diviner, but some of her prophecies are disturbingly accurate. This isn’t a good sign. Once you’ve gained a basic understanding of divination, you’ll understand. Anyway, Miss Anat’s problem isn’t serious, but we can’t assign her the task of monitoring the doctor or priest. You need not be wary of Miss Anat."
Professor Sanchez said.
"I understand. I'll pretend I didn’t hear what you just said about her."
Professor Sanchez smiled in satisfaction:
"I appreciate someone like you, Mr. Hamilton. Yes, that’s exactly the idea. Finally, Miss Dorothy Louisa, the writer, has the smallest issue. The academy merely suspects that she might be a spy."
When talking about the writer, Professor Sanchez’s tone became lighter.
"A spy?"
Shad was puzzled.
"Miss Louisa has connections with the royal family of the Kingdom of Drarian, but this connection is one we cannot trace, not at all. And the Kingdom of Drarian’s royal family, at the royal level, has a relatively deep relationship with the Zarasvin Academy. Therefore, the academy suspects that she might be a spy sent by the Zarasvin Academy to St. Byrons, to steal our knowledge and secrets."
Professor Sanchez raised an eyebrow at Shad:
"You understand, although the Three Grand Arcane Academies have good relations with each other, well... actually, it’s not a big deal, because we would do the same thing, cough cough. But because of that, we can’t entrust her with too many secrets. Of course, this is just a suspicion, so the academy won’t treat her differently. But the tasks given to you cannot be entrusted to her."
"So, the academy wants me to stay in this group, where everyone has issues, and be responsible for reporting certain things on time?"
Shad thought for a moment before summarizing. He roughly believed the information given by Professor Sanchez but didn’t develop any ill will toward the other four members of the group. He just sighed, realizing that outsiders truly never had peaceful lives. As for the others in the group, they seemed perfectly normal.
A woman's voice in his mind lightly chuckled.
"No, this isn’t the group where everyone has issues. You don’t have any issues."
Professor Garcia, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, corrected him:
"The History Academy has thoroughly investigated your background. Your identity is clean. Whether it was your past as a homeless person, being taken in by detective Sparrow Hamilton, or your awakening talent which restored your normal wisdom—none of it poses a problem. That’s why the academy trusts you fully and has shared these secrets with you."
"Fully trust me."
Shad repeated with a serious face, nodding as he continued to listen to the faint chuckling in his mind:
"Yes, I’m completely fine. I am trustworthy."
The outsider bearing secrets spoke.
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