Chapter 38: This Is... the Scent of a Lie
Looking at Rast's reply on the tablet, Dean Silver couldn't help but cast a meaningful glance at Shiltina beside him.
Moonlight once again reflected in its eyes. "This time, it's also the truth."
Dean Silver flicked his tail. "Alright, I suppose he's passed my test."
Upon hearing this, Shiltina couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
She wasn’t worried that Rast would lose control of his mental state. After all, she had personally seen him endure the Iron Cross Plague.
However, how Rast would view Starfall University and the Granwell Kingdom to which the academy belonged—this, even Shiltina couldn’t say for sure.
Dean Silver possessed a certain ability to discern lies from truth. Since he had passed this checkpoint, there would be no issue with the academy or the Board of Trustees.
In other words, Rast wouldn't need to be sent to the sanatorium on the deserted island, but could smoothly enroll at Starfall University.
Ding-ling——
Just then, a crisp chime rang out, pulling Shiltina back to reality.
She took out something resembling a cellphone from her pocket, and the screen unlocked automatically.
When she saw the newly received message on the screen, Shiltina’s expression slightly tensed.
"Dean Silver, I need to go to Red Frost Territory immediately."
"A new Nightworld Remnant has appeared in the portal there, allowing entry only to Night Travelers up to Tier Three."
Shiltina’s voice paused for a moment. "Also, the nature of this new Remnant seems to resonate with the Chariot. I'm planning to advance to Tier Four within that Nightworld."
"You little rascal."
Dean Silver’s lazy gaze instantly vanished. "If I recall correctly, you’ve already exceeded your mission quota for the year, haven't you?"
"Advancing to Tier Four is far more difficult than the previous three tiers. It's a huge watershed. According to Granwell Kingdom statistics, the mortality rate for advancement tasks in Tier Four Nightworlds... exceeds 60%."
"You should know that entering in a fully prepared, peak condition is the safest approach."
Listening to Dean Silver's warning, Shiltina smiled.
"I understand, Dean Silver."
"But within the academy, I’m the only Round Table Twelve who’s currently available and meets the Tier Three restriction."
"There are indeed quite a few transcendents in the royal capital... but unless the disaster from the Remnant truly spreads to the surroundings of the capital and affects the nobles’ interests, they absolutely won’t send any support."
Shiltina said softly, "I don’t want the tragedy that happened in my hometown to repeat elsewhere."
Dean Silver narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Shiltina, while Shiltina met his gaze without backing down.
After a long while, Dean Silver finally gave up and flicked his tail.
"Fine, I get it. I’ll explain things to the university on your behalf."
It resumed its previously lazy demeanor. "Anyway, even if I don’t approve it on behalf of Starfall University, you’ll sneak off on your own, won’t you?"
Shiltina smiled. "Then I’ll trouble you, Dean Silver. When I get back, I’ll treat you to grilled fish cake."
"Save the nonsense. If you don’t cause me more trouble, that’d be the biggest favor you can do for me."
Dean Silver lay back down and nonchalantly continued eating its small dried fish. "Just make sure to return safe and sound."
"Of course." Shiltina answered with a smile.
She stood up and spoke softly. "Right, Dean Silver, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask of you."
"What is it?"
Dean Silver lay unmoved on the sofa. "Let me say this first—I burned through the strength I stored up from eating two packs of dried fish just now when I used ‘Moon of Verity.’ If you need anything that involves activating powers again, count me out."
"While I’m away from the academy handling the Remnant in the Nightworld, could I trouble you to look after Rast?"
Shiltina looked at the image on the tablet. "He was trapped inside the historical echoes of the Nightworld for a long time. The civilization there is still stuck over a hundred years ago..."
"Rast is unfamiliar with the present-day world, and I’m worried he won’t be able to adapt to modern society."
"Oh?"
Hearing Shiltina’s words, Dean Silver narrowed its eyes again, its interest reignited. "First you used your Round Table Twelve seat to get him a special admission process, now you’re even burning through your connections to ask me to look after him."
"If I remember correctly, this is the first time you’ve cared so much about a student, isn’t it, little Tina?"
"Is this Rast... special to you?"
"Yes." Shiltina nodded calmly. "If it weren’t for Rast, I wouldn’t have made it out of Deep Blue Port alive."
A trace of doubt flickered in Dean Silver’s ruby-like eyes.
"Even a proud, arrogant little brat like you thought you wouldn’t have survived..."
"Got it. While you’re away, I’ll keep an eye on him."
It flicked its fluffy, snow-white tail.
"But you know this too—magical beasts like me don’t have much patience, so make sure to hurry back and take over for me."
I know, Dean Silver.
"Then, please allow me to take my leave."
Shiltina stood up, placed her right hand over her left chest, and gave Dean Silver a bow before turning to leave.
This time, the salute she gave was no longer a noble’s gesture, but a knight’s.
"These kids... none of them let me rest easy."
"I don’t know what I was thinking back then, letting that old headmaster rope me into Starfall University just because he offered food and lodging."
Dean Silver muttered a few complaints, then looked again at the psychological assessment scene on the tablet. It opened the mic. "The evaluation’s done. Ask the last question and then wrap things up."
Inside the psychological measurement room, Ishta also nodded firmly.
As a psychological assessor from the Hermit Sequence, she had always been used to taking control during psychological interviews.
But for some reason, facing Rast, Ishta felt as awkward as a freshman.
Still, glancing at the form, she decided to ask the last question at hand.
"You should know the Nightworld is dangerous, right? Then why do you still want to join Starfall University and continue entering the Nightworld as a Night Traveler?"
"It’s simple. If I want to live properly in this world, then I need an identity, and money."
Rast answered, "But I also know that without effort, there’s no reward."
"As they say, ‘The rougher the seas, the pricier the fish.’ Since the Nightworld is so dangerous, I figure your country’s government won’t be stingy with pay and benefits, right?"
Ishta nodded.
That was indeed the reason why a good number of people chose to join Starfall University and become Night Travelers.
But according to protocol, she still habitually asked, "Is that all?"
"Of course. What else could there be?"
Rast spread his hands and smiled.
"It’s not like I dream of becoming a champion of justice, using the power of the Nightworld to grow stronger and fulfill some grand ideal."
……
In another room, Dean Silver paused mid-air while lifting a dried fish with its tail.
It stared at the screen showing Rast’s answer to the last question, with a slightly suspicious expression.
Within those ruby beast eyes, the lingering afterglow of the “Moon of Verity” flickered and vanished.