Chapter 144: The Academy's Gratitude, Visiting the Ryder Family

I intend to pay a visit to Charles at the Lade residence later. This tarot card, eh? Wang Yu remained composed; after reading the long string of text that had appeared on his communication crystal, he naturally brought out the tarot card once more, as if merely observing it.

Then, with a questioning tone, Wang Yu indicated he had discovered something. Charles left something on this; for the time being, do not speak to others about this tarot card of Charles's, and Charles will also pretend to be unaware of this matter.

Is that so? It must be related to the strange prophetic abilities of their family. Edward nodded, not pressing for further details.

I had originally intended to go with you to see how Charles is doing, but although I don't often use this identity, it would still be very troublesome if I were to go directly to the Lade residence. Even if my purpose had nothing to do with it, some would still interpret the action as an alliance between the Grand Duke and the Lade family.

Shrugging, Edward said with a touch of helplessness. Given his status, it was often quite troublesome to simply drop in on a friend of standing.

The two spoke as they waited for the cleanup work to conclude. Once the Night's Edge technicians and the support squads that arrived later had cleared the perimeter, the work for Wang Yu and Edward here came to an end.

Anything else fell outside their scope of responsibility; it was better to leave it to the academy to handle.

However, arriving even earlier than the academy or Night's Edge was Avia, who had stepped away for a moment while Wang Yu and Edward were talking. Avia walked over with Wendy, holding her hand and offering soft words of comfort.

Wendy, that boisterous and energetic girl, had lost all her usual liveliness and spirit. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to remain strong, her eyes red-rimmed and slightly swollen.

Her expression was somewhat vacant, yet deep within lay a profound sorrow. The shock had been too sudden and overwhelming; this vacancy was the result of a severe sense of unreality and detachment, an inability to accept the truth.

It seemed Avia had not concealed the news of Weber Lanchi's death. And rightly so; it was an inescapable fact. Whether it was a sharp pain or something else, it was merely a simple choice.

To Wendy, she had lost a relative; to the academy, he was likely nothing more than a sinner who deserved to die in the catastrophe he himself had created.

In the aftermath, the investigation and the thorough audit and distribution of Weber Lanchi's estate meant that Wendy, as his granddaughter, had to face much while cradling the grief of losing a loved one.

Wendy leaned her head on Avia's shoulder, listening to her soft consolations. Her eyes were dim, the sudden surge of sorrow having spent its force, leaving only the smoldering embers of grief.

At this moment, the girl Wendy had always called Sister Avia was perhaps one of the few, or indeed the only, support she had left.

Though Wang Yu did not know who Wendy's parents were—he had never seen them, nor had Avia ever mentioned them—the only people he ever saw with Wendy were Avia and her teacher, Barret.

Edward opened his mouth, wanting to say something as he watched the scene, but as an outsider in a sense, he could find no words of comfort. No matter what he said, it felt like the hollow platitude of someone standing on the sidelines.

Teacher Weber was trying to resurrect Wendy's father. I will stay with her now; she needs someone to comfort her. Afterward, she should be cared for by the knight-instructor Barret.

Through her wizardry, Avia's words reached Wang Yu's ears. She had to accompany the girl who had just lost her kin.

Patting Wendy's head, Avia led the girl—who possessed the physique of a warrior but was currently so fragile—away from the battlefield still littered with ruins.

Watching their retreating figures, Edward sighed. The helplessness and unwillingness in his heart could not be masked. Having experienced his share of things, he had not found numbness or adaptation, but rather an ever-deepening sense of injustice.

Wang Yu did not attempt to offer any words of comfort throughout. He knew his own limitations in counseling; his ability to speak was limited, and trying to say anything now would be like adding fuel to a fire, serving no purpose at all.

It was Avia, who once needed him—a man with no gift for words—to guide her, who was now able to provide that support to another soul in despair. He hoped Wendy would also be able to emerge from this soon.

Mr. Wang Yu! You are here. Dean Westin is looking for you.

Just as he was lost in thought, a respectful call came from a member of the Night's Edge squad nearby. The Dean is looking for me? What for...

Unsure of why the Dean would seek him out, Wang Yu stood up. The status of the academy's Dean in the capital was similar to that of Hughin and the others. Not knowing the man's character, he prepared to offer the same formulaic respect one would give when meeting a king.

With a brief ripple of magic, a man in robes with a youthful face appeared not far from Wang Yu. His attire was actually quite close to that of an ordinary citizen of the capital; his robe was not the bulky, functional type worn by traditional mages, but a tailored version designed for ease of movement.

His face was young and appeared quite ordinary, but the most striking features were his slightly elongated ears. An elf? No wonder he looked and sounded so young...

Without waiting for Wang Yu to bow to a Dean of such high standing, Westin Stevenson, who had teleported via spatial magic, bowed very respectfully and offered Wang Yu a solemn salute.

Lord Wang Yu, you are the savior of the academy. On behalf of the entire institution, I express our sincerest gratitude.

Uh, you are too kind. This is all part of the duty of Night's Edge.

He had not expected the Dean to come and express his thanks in person, let alone lower his posture so much. Wang Yu did not engage in excessive pleasantries, simply framing the event as something Night's Edge was meant to do.

Regardless, without you, the entire academy's facilities and the members remaining in the capital—save for a few with special preparations or power—would have perished. And even if those prepared members had survived, the academy would have suffered immense damage.

And now, during wartime, with resources scarce and manpower lacking, repairing the academy would be virtually impossible. The entire institution would have been a shell of itself for a very long time.

Therefore, Lord Wang Yu, you are undoubtedly the savior of the academy. The word gratitude alone cannot fully express my respect for you.

Dean Westin bowed sincerely once more, leaving Wang Yu, who had intended to go through the motions of a formal greeting, with nothing left to do.

To express my personal gratitude, please accept this small gift. Westin said, reaching into his pocket and handing a magic crystal card to Wang Yu.

Wang Yu did not decline. He took the card, and after checking the balance with his mental energy, he couldn't help but sigh at the world of the wealthy.

Five thousand gold coins exactly. While it might not even be a fraction of the academy's total value, being able to pull this amount out casually was still outrageous. The two thousand gold coins he had given Avia for alchemy supplies hadn't even been half-used yet.

This reward is certainly not enough to express our debt to you; it is merely a personal gift from me. As for the academy, I have given it some thought. Because we are still in a state of readiness and many resources have been sent to the front lines, we cannot offer you much.

So, after discussing it with the old guard, we decided to gift you what is still considered the most precious thing within the academy as a reward for saving us.

You should already be aware of the news that the Great Library is about to close. This item is not actually the academy's property, but the academy has the qualification to enter. There were ten spots reserved for students, but in reality, there should have been eleven.

Originally, this spot was intended for a professor with outstanding contributions, but after discussion by the decision-making group, we unanimously agreed that this spot should be reserved for you, who saved the academy.

Although this spot is identical to the most special of the ten reserved for students—allowing one to retrieve a physical object from the Great Library—we still believe that your friendship is a far more precious thing than this spot. We hope you will accept this gratitude.

Thank you. What else could Wang Yu say? The words had been spoken, and the Dean had lowered his posture so far that Wang Yu could do nothing but accept.

The Dean of the academy knew how to handle people. Wang Yu had made such a great contribution, and he had given the most equivalent thanks possible. For scholars who viewed knowledge as one of the most precious things in life, this eleventh spot was definitely not just a simple quota.

Being able to yield such a spot—anyone would feel the academy's sincerity and find the conversation pleasant.

I am very glad you accepted our gratitude. It seems you have things to attend to, and the academy has matters to handle, so I will not disturb you further.

We will send someone to inform you of the specific details regarding the final opening of the Great Library as soon as possible. Thank you again for your help. Goodbye.

Bowing to Wang Yu one last time, Westin Stevenson's figure vanished in a slight ripple of space.

Not bad at all. A qualification for the Great Library, and the ability to take out a physical object—even I am envious. Wang Yu and Westin's conversation had not been intentionally concealed, and Edward had watched the whole thing. Now, he came over to congratulate Wang Yu with a playful tone.

What exactly is the Great Library? Edward, you seem to know? Wang Yu asked. He had always wanted to know what kind of existence the Great Library was, and judging by Edward's tone, he seemed to be well-informed.

Hmm? Isn't your knight's secret technique from the Great Library? Edward's reply, tinged with confusion, finally resolved the doubt Wang Yu had harbored all along.

No wonder he had a sense of déjà vu when he heard the name Great Library. The place where he had obtained the Bloody Rage Wind knight technique was an incredibly vast, almost endless library. That was the Great Library...

It must be said that the Bloody Rage Wind technique obtained there had been of great help to Wang Yu. This technique, which the librarian named Samuel thought was quite ordinary, had provided Wang Yu with immense assistance since he first learned it.

It was the same in this incident; without the double body formed by the Bloody Rage Wind technique under the influence of the ripples, he would likely have died in that tide of creatures.

Moreover, through Wang Yu's long and ceaseless practice, he had been autonomously trying to modify and optimize the technique, changing it to better fit his body and form. This secret technique was transforming from a hidden, peerless skill into Wang Yu's own unique power.

Last time, it was limited to knight techniques, but if you enter this time, Wang Yu, there should be no restrictions. That is to say, if your goal is clear enough or your luck is good enough, you should be able to find something that will be of great help to you. This is definitely a rare opportunity.

Edward was genuinely happy for Wang Yu's harvest. Seeing those mountains of creature corpses, he could hardly imagine the fierce battle Wang Yu must have endured to quell this disaster. The vast number of lives Wang Yu had saved in the academy also filled him with heartfelt admiration. In any case, these rewards were well-deserved.

However, I don't know what that opportunity to take out a physical object is. It seems that in all the times the Great Library has opened, there has never been such an option. But since Dean Westin has said so, it must be a benefit, that's for sure. Thinking this, Edward added what he didn't know.

That's good. It's a good thing. Wang Yu smiled. This was indeed a good harvest. Later, he could discuss with Avia what kind of knowledge would be more suitable for him now, or perhaps, a way home? Would that be in there...

...

The biological remains have been basically processed. The scavengers have arrived. The incident is confirmed to be over. From here on, the scavengers and the logistics team will take over the follow-up processing. Thank you for your contribution, Mr. Wang Yu. We salute you.

The top-tier Night's Edge technician who had been responsible for breaking the barrier informed Wang Yu that the event was over after some time, expressing his respect. He felt even more respect for Wang Yu after his own failure to break the barrier.

In fact, the technician had done quite well; his speed had even improved under the pressure. Moreover, every trade has its masters; even a genius like Avia couldn't keep up with him in terms of individual magic arrays.

It was just that the plan she devised, influenced by Wang Yu's personality, was too reckless and relied on brute force, thereby bypassing all the difficult points and forcibly overcoming the array.

Then I will withdraw. Thank you for your hard work. Wang Yu returned the salute. He had always held a shred of affection for these members of Night's Edge who fought on the front lines of crises.

Goodbye. Leave the rest to us. Returning the salute again, the technician watched Wang Yu depart.

...

A carriage rented casually from the roadside carried Wang Yu through the city streets. Amidst the bustling crowd, several agile figures wove through the traffic, following the carriage, which was pulled by an ordinary horse of no particular pedigree.

The carriage moved at a leisurely pace, easily tracked by the shadows trailing behind, whose skills were far from negligible. Wang Yu’s chosen path, however, stirred their unease: he was heading straight for the estates of the Lyde family.

This newcomer, having just earned accolades within the Night’s Edge special operations unit, was now making a beeline for one of the King’s most favored houses. While it was known that Charles Lyde was also a member of the unit, a mere social call seemed highly improbable.

The presence of a family member within the ranks of Night’s Edge only heightened the specter of an alliance between the already formidable Lyde clan and an organization that had long operated outside the reach of the great powers. How could the other factions and noble houses remain indifferent?

Wang Yu’s sixth sense and ripples had long since detected them, but he was currently too drained and listless to care. Regardless of their suspicions, this was, in the end, nothing more than an “ordinary” visit.

The carriage pulled to a halt some distance from the Lyde properties; the driver, a commoner, dared not venture his vehicle into the domain of the high nobility. Wang Yu paid the fare and set out on foot for the remainder of the journey.

It was far more accessible than he had imagined. The Lyde defenses lacked the suffocating severity of other noble estates; though soldiers were plentiful, the atmosphere was one of prosperity rather than martial dread.

Wang Yu, who possessed little experience with the lives of the ultra-wealthy, found himself witnessing the true opulence of the royal capital.

Massive, luxurious mansions, family-owned boutiques overflowing with high-end goods, and elaborate artificial landscapes greeted him. Even the servants’ livery looked far too expensive for an average citizen to afford, and every family guard—even the most mundane street patrolman—was clad in uniform magic-imbued armor.

Securing an audience with Charles proved surprisingly simple. Wang Yu stated his name and purpose, and after an elderly man who looked nothing like a butler gave him a cursory glance, he was waved toward the main residence. Charles’s father was nowhere to be seen.

Guided by a maid through a labyrinthine mansion that felt absurdly vast, Wang Yu finally reached Charles’s door as the sun dipped below the horizon.

"Knock, knock, knock." The maid retreated, and Wang Yu rapped on the wood.

"Creak..." The old door, which seemed strangely out of place in such a lavish home, swung open to reveal Charles’s furtive face.

"The Professor and the Captain aren't with you, are they? I’m terrified they’ll beat me." Charles peered out, scanning the hallway with extreme caution to ensure Wang Yu hadn't brought Sieg or Shuguin along. It seemed he was quite guilty about his sudden disappearance.

"No." Wang Yu raised an eyebrow and pulled something from his pocket.

"Good. Get in here, quick." Satisfied that he wasn't being followed, Charles ushered Wang Yu inside.

"Thud!" The door slammed shut. Wang Yu, amused by Charles’s frantic demeanor, handed over the item he had retrieved.

"What on earth is this?" Charles stared suspiciously at the glass of black liquid.

"Don't be such a coward. It’s cola—something from my homeland. It’s delicious. Have a drink to steady your nerves," Wang Yu said with a faint smile.

"Fine!" Charles didn't hesitate, downing it in one gulp.

"Pfft!" Charles immediately spat it out. Wang Yu used his unseen wizard’s power to suspend the spray in mid-air before it could stain anything.

"What the hell! Is this even meant for human consumption?! Ugh!" Charles stuck out his tongue, his face twisted in agony; it seemed the "cola" had been a harrowing experience.

"Hmm... I suppose I understand why Gawain was tormented by cola. It’s not easy to replicate, and this was my first attempt at using the Void to manifest it. Still, this proves the Void cannot read my memories, only my mental descriptions. Interesting..." Wang Yu mused internally. It appeared his first attempt at brewing cola had been a failure.

"Now then," Wang Yu looked up at the startled 'Charles,' his smile vanishing. "You aren't Charles, are you? Care to tell me about the information you gave me?"

The real Charles, even knowing Wang Yu had no interest in treachery, would have been far too suspicious to drink anything handed to him without a dozen tests. He would never have downed a mystery liquid in one go.