The carriage traveled along the road, finally coming to a steady halt in front of the gates of the Norvigel United Academy.
Along the way, Ansu and Vera peered out the window from time to time, both filled with a hint of curiosity toward the unfamiliar scenery.
The temperament of this largest city in the North was indeed completely different from that of Benalu City.
If Benalu was a prosperous metropolis filled with steampunk style, and the Holy Dome Cathedral of Saint Milton was white, holy, and heavy with history, then Norvigel was like a Northern giant clad in stone armor, brimming with the ruggedness and majesty unique to the North.
David nimbly opened the carriage door, and Ansu stepped down before turning to extend his hand to Vera.
Vera smilingly placed her fingers lightly on her brother's palm, using his strength to land gracefully.
"Brother is so considerate~"
Vera laughed happily, her eyes curving into adorable crescents. "And we've been enjoying such great service lately... I really feel like some wealthy young lady."
"Aren't you?" Ansu blinked in confusion. "You probably don't know how much your brother's net worth is now, do you?"
"How much?" Vera asked curiously.
"Anyway, even if you squandered it for several lifetimes, you wouldn't be able to finish it all." Ansu smiled.
Of course, with Vera's usual expenses on buying dresses and tasting desserts, she indeed couldn't spend it all. However, if it involved building forces and plotting for the future... the speed of burning money would be like opening a bottomless pit.
Ansu couldn't help but calculate secretly. He had been too busy with other matters before, and now it was time to find some ways to make money...
No matter how deep one's family background was, one couldn't just live off one's capital; using money to make money was the way to go.
"The environment here is much better than I imagined~" Vera couldn't help but exclaim as they walked through the central courtyard of the academy. At first glance, this place looked even more grand than the Royal Academy.
Ansu also looked around the campus of the United Academy.
This was an institution built with the heart and soul of the Northern nobles—the people of the North, who were mocked as country bumpkins by Benalu and the Royal Capital, also marveled at the immense power brought by the magitech industrial system. Therefore, they emulated the Royal Academy, contributing money and effort, and even spent heavily to hire famous scholars from the magitech academic world.
"Perhaps it wouldn't be bad to find a teaching position for Professor Duncan here..." Ansu thought silently.
Although he was employing him to do research, it wasn't good to work behind closed doors away from an academic atmosphere like an academy.
Ansu wasn't in a hurry to take Vera to complete the transfer procedures. Instead, he chatted with her while strolling. It was a rare moment for Vera to enjoy spending time with her brother.
Their outstanding appearance and temperament naturally attracted the gazes of many passersby.
Vera glanced at several young girls who kept staring at Ansu and subconsciously hugged her brother's arm tighter.
They strolled along the shaded path for a long time before sitting down side-by-side on a bench in the academy park.
Mottled shadows of trees fell upon them. Vera pressed close to Ansu, quietly leaning her head against his shoulder, her heart filled with secret joy.
Whenever she was alone with her brother in such intimacy, she felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction~
"Brother... so what exactly do you need me to help you with?" Vera tilted her face up and asked again.
Ansu gave an answer quickly this time.
"Investigating a case."
"Investigating a case!" Vera's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Here? Investigating a case in the academy?"
"Exactly." Ansu's gaze swept over the students in small groups in the distance. "In this United Academy you are about to enter, there are likely members of the terrorist organization, the Squirrel Party, lurking... and your mission is to help me find these villains."
Ansu recalled the original plot. The 'explosion maniacs' of the Squirrel Party would cause a world-shaking magical explosion in the future, leveling this great Northern city to the ground.
Although the time for this major event was still far off, many things had happened ahead of schedule due to the changes in the world line, so he had to be vigilant.
Since Norvigel had become an important stronghold for his layout in the North, this catastrophe had to be strangled in its cradle.
But because it was background lore, it was only mentioned in a few strokes. Ansu didn't have much information now. He only remembered that this explosion originated from the cooperation between the Squirrel Party and the 'Northern black mages', and that this magical explosion used a certain special technical principle.
The technical source of the explosion must have come from the Northern black mages; otherwise, how could those guys from the Squirrel Party have swapped their pea-shooters for heavy artillery, upgrading from the black powder of a few days ago directly to a city-destroying weapon comparable to a 'magical nuclear bomb'...
As one of the few places in Norvigel where magic research could be legally conducted, and possessing a large amount of precious and dangerous magitech materials, the United Academy naturally became his primary target of suspicion.
"So Brother sent me to school because he wanted me to be an undercover!" Vera blinked, her large azure eyes swirling with excited light. "That sounds so cool! Brother~ don't worry, I'll definitely be of help!"
Ansu helplessly patted her head. "Being an undercover isn't that easy. When your brother was an undercover back then, you have no idea how dangerous it was..."
If not for the simulations, he didn't know how many times he would have been done for...
"Your main task is still to attend school properly." Ansu stroked her soft hair and patiently instructed: "But while you're at school, I need your sharp eyes, Vera, to help me watch for any anomalies within the academy."
"Especially the magitech department!" Ansu emphasized. "Teachers, students, assistant professors... even the janitors... help me keep an eye on any potential abnormal personnel. If there's any sign of trouble, don't act rashly! Use the magitech communicator I gave you to report to me in time."
Vera nodded her small head obediently.
Back in Benalu City, her brother had given her many precious magic items. At the time, she thought the situation in Benalu City would be very dangerous, but in the end, she hadn't used them once.
"I understand, Brother. I'll keep a close eye out for you!"
"Mhm, good girl." Ansu showed a smile.
In fact, regarding this case, he had already started investigating when he first arrived in Norvigel, and the cult executors had already begun activities throughout the city.
He mentioned it to Vera partly because the child always complained about him not playing with her and joked about him being snatched away...
On the other hand, Vera indeed possessed very keen observational skills, as could be seen from the last time she discovered they were being followed. After all, Vera was a natural-born little demon hunter.
While the two were sitting on the bench chatting.
David suddenly walked over and reported at Ansu's side: "Elder Hermit, I have brought the executor responsible for the United Academy."
Ansu and Vera turned their heads together and saw a female teacher in professional attire wearing glasses, who gave a respectful, slight nod.
"I am Catherine, the executor responsible for the Norvigel district in the North." Catherine lowered her voice and said, "Elder Hermit, Miss Vera, it is not convenient to talk here. Please come to my office for a moment..."
Rate on N.U.
