Chapter 48: Codename: Shoreguard
Dean Silver's words paused briefly.
Immediately after, its voice did not travel through the air, but directly sounded in Rast’s ear.
“I know that little brat Ishta is quite dissatisfied with the actions of some nobles in the royal capital, and she has probably complained to you a lot about the filthy deeds of this world’s transcendents.”
“But those people are far from being the whole, and the nobles of the Granwell Kingdom certainly do not represent Starfall University.”
“The Nightworld passage has existed for nine hundred years, and so too has Starfall University.”
“In these nine hundred years, the academy has been the first barrier between the Nightworld and the present world, and also the firmest and most powerful barrier… blocking all the twilight disasters of old, as well as the ambitions of countless secret organizations and cult groups beyond the threshold.”
“If necessary, Starfall University can exist for another nine hundred years… until the day the Nightworld and the remnants of history completely vanish.”
“Will there really be a day when the Nightworld disappears completely?” Rast asked.
“Who knows?”
Dean Silver yawned nonchalantly: “But rationally speaking, since the lost histories of the past can’t be infinite, then the power of the Nightworld remnants can’t be infinite either.”
“According to the latest speculation from the Institute of Ruins, the total number of Nightworld passages might be seventy-two.”
“Based on Starfall University’s records, in the past nine hundred years, the Nightworld has already appeared or been conquered more than sixty times. And recently, the speed at which the Nightworld appears has been accelerating…”
“Maybe within decades, or even just a few years—possibly before you and little Tina graduate—all seventy-two Nightworlds will have appeared.”
“By then, either the entire continent will be destroyed by the twilight disasters of old, or the Nightworld will be completely cleared… Everything will be settled.”
It gently swayed its tail, and the illusory pitch-black sky curtain and twinkling stars vanished entirely.
Only a ranking list with hundreds of names remained on the obelisk, stretching from top to bottom.
In the tenth position, Rast saw the name Shiltina.
Her academy codename was “Ranger.”
“Ranger” Shiltina.
“Every student who truly becomes a Traveler of the Night must register on the obelisk, engraving their soul imprint.”
A silver light flickered in Dean Silver’s eyes: “Since you said before that you’ve permanently fixed your mental state at seventeen, I’ll register you as a second-year student, same as little Tina.”
“No rush on assigning to a college branch, we can do that later. Hmm… You still need to fill in your intranet codename and your Nightblade information.”
“Of course, the Nightblade info can be filled out however you like, it’s just to pad the file.”
“Considering the corresponding abilities of Long-Step Sequences are mostly public, the Nightblade remains every transcendent’s greatest trump card… Though it will eventually be exposed as you continue to use it, hiding it for a while is still worth something.”
Rast looked at the black stone stele in front of him, flickering with prompt symbols and a phantom keyboard that appeared out of thin air.
For a moment, he felt like he was creating an account.
In a way, it wasn’t an illusion.
The level of civilization in this world was not inferior to his past life, and he was, in fact, creating an account on Starfall University’s campus network.
【Please enter your Nightblade information:】
Looking at the prompt on the stone stele, Rast smiled slightly: “Actually, my Nightblade is pretty ordinary, so there’s nothing much to hide.”
“My Nightblade is called ‘Copy Eye.’”
“This Nightblade greatly enhances my dynamic vision, and allows me, through prolonged observation, to mimic and copy others’ movements, Sequence abilities, and even specific types of Nightblade effects.”
“Of course, the final effect of the copy depends on many factors, such as the level difference between me and the target, the time spent observing and mimicking, my own physical qualities, and skill compatibility.”
While speaking, he finished entering the Nightblade information and then clicked the “Confirm and Submit” button.
“Copy Eye?”
Ishta’s eyes twitched slightly at the words: “So you’re also like me, with a pupil-type Nightblade.”
“Besides, your Nightblade isn’t simple at all.” She checked her smart terminal: “This is an extremely rare mimicry-type Nightblade. Even the database at the Arcane Tower only has one similar precedent. That Nightblade was called ‘Replicate,’ and it could copy an opponent’s Nightblade just by touching them for five seconds.”
“Maybe you think your Nightblade is far inferior to ‘Replicate,’ but that’s not the case. ‘Replicate’ can only target those with lower rank than the user, and its effects are forcibly downgraded by one level.”
“But your Copy Eye is different. Though it produces a counterfeit through mimicry and might be less direct than ‘Replicate’ in the early stages, the fact that it learns rather than copies means you can train and refine the ability just like the original Nightblade’s user.”
“One day, the fake might surpass the original.”
Ishta’s ahoge swayed slightly.
“Moreover, ‘Replicate’ only applies to an opponent’s Nightblade, but your Copy Eye also includes physical techniques, Sequence abilities, and more—its scope is much broader.”
“Trust me, in terms of development potential, your Nightblade is no worse than those currently sitting in the Twelve Seats of the Round Table.”
Dean Silver, who had been napping with its eyes closed atop Ishta’s head, also opened its eyes. A trace of doubt flashed through its ruby-like beast pupils.
Copy Eye—
If taken literally, the heart-image could be interpreted as Rast having seen too many people and things, allowing him to mimic others’ heart-images and personalities just through imitation. The Nightblade and heart-image did seem to match.
However—
Dean Silver glanced sideways at Rast.
It felt like this kid was pulling a fast one, but it had no evidence.
As Rast input his Nightblade information, new text appeared on the obelisk.
【Please enter your academy codename. This codename is for internal use within Starfall University only.】
【If left blank, the obelisk intelligence will automatically generate an internal codename based on your Nightblade information.】
Seeing the prompt on the obelisk, Rast’s hand paused.
Then, his fingers moved slightly, and he input new text on the black surface of the obelisk.
【Once confirmed, your academy internal codename cannot be changed. Confirm?】
【Confirmation complete】
【Registration information submitted. Your obelisk inscription is now recorded.】
【Your internal academy codename is——】
【Shoreguard】