Chapter 17 Exploration
The body temperature of the God-favored One was not hot, but carried the scent of wind and snow that swept across the barren rocky beaches on a desolate night. The other party politely grasped the back of his neck, but quickly changed his mind, wrapping one arm around his shoulders and pulling him into his embrace, while the other hand rested on the deck.
Beyond the steady human heartbeats, Nova heard the screams of the sailors in the cabin. His lungs were filled with the smell of seawater, and in the distance there was a huge roar of water, like the roar of an ancient monster. Then he felt the deck below him shaking violently, untamed, like an earthquake.
The golden hair of the God-Favoured One floated strangely beside his ear. A certain force, originating from his hand, quickly penetrated the deck, completely securing the entire hull. Then, after a moment of complete loss of direction and a sense of weightlessness, as if trapped in a whirlpool, Nova heard a shattering sound beside his ears—the Natalin ship broke through the water and reappeared above the sea level like a nimble flying fish.
“…”
Nova's eyes widened, not even noticing the arm that held him loosened. He stumbled to his feet and threw himself over the side of the boat—the boat heaved with the waves. Dark clouds rolled endlessly, unwillingly forming a sharp boundary at the horizon, beyond which lay a bright light. Behind them lay the silent, mountainous waves, poised to collapse. Just looking at them was enough to stir a fear deep within his soul, yet he was forced to stagnate in another world.
"…Professor, you're going to fall."
Azuka helplessly grabbed the other man by the back of his collar, yanking his nemesis back like a cat, even though he'd barely stuck half his body out. The other man ignored his slight offense, as the black-haired young man frantically pulled out his parchment notebook and, disregarding his appearance, began writing furiously on the deck. He leaned over to take a look—he couldn't understand it, it was all just some bizarre math and symbols, but he did understand the contrasting image of the man against the huge waves.
The sailors helped each other out of the cabin, exchanging glances at the professor's strange, prostrating appearance. However, they didn't interrupt him, continuing their work in silence. Azuka went back to the cabin, found a relatively clean stool, and gently placed it in front of him.
"Write it here."
The other man uttered a quick murmur, as if to say thank you—but he quickly fell back into observation, contemplation, calculations, writing, and mutterings of either frustration or joy, like a man possessed. From an outsider's perspective, it was quite frightening. It wasn't until the ship had completely left the waters near the Wall of Sighs and the huge waves gradually disappeared from view that the professor regretfully dropped his pen, leaned his head against the wall, half-closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead.
"...Are you okay?"
The sky gradually darkened, and faint starlight appeared on the horizon. An oil lamp swayed unsteadily on the mast. Azuka stood before his nemesis, lowering his eyes as he watched the pale, black-haired young man, completely obscured by his own shadow.
"A little seasick, but it's nothing serious." Nova rubbed his swollen forehead, frowning at the discomfort of a faint nausea. It would be strange if he didn't feel seasick after writing calculations on a bumpy boat.
He picked up the pen again and was about to take advantage of the light to sort out the data and ideas one last time, when suddenly his eyes blurred and his precious notebook appeared in the hands of another person.
The professor opened his eyes wide in disbelief and stared at the audacious robber who was half-crouching in front of him.
"you--"
"The captain and the others have cooked fish soup. You haven't eaten much all day. Let's go and have something to eat together." The savior interrupted his condemnation in a gentle tone, and it seemed that he didn't care about his enemy's angry glare at all.
"I don't feel like eating right now." The professor's tone softened a bit, and he frowned at him. "You guys eat, don't worry about me—please return the notebook to me."
The other person squatted there, looking at him calmly, without saying a word, but with an extremely firm attitude. Nova stared at him for a while, and finally said reluctantly: "...Okay, I understand."
...Why do I have this strange sense of déjà vu?
The professor struggled to get up while holding onto the side of the boat with a hiss, and refused another person's help - his legs were numb from sitting for so long - while thinking doubtfully.
The fish soup tasted surprisingly good, soothing even my cramped stomach. As the sailors began tossing fish bones and other trash into the sea, Nova found the God-Favoured One standing at the stern and extended his palms to them.
"Notebook," he emphasized expressionlessly.
"I won't steal your things here." Seeing the man quickly stuff the sheepskin book into his arms, Azuka felt a little amused, but also felt that the other person was a little... obedient?
It seems that as long as you find the right way to stroke his fur, his nemesis is easy to appease.
The starry sky was completely illuminated, and if one looked up, they would be completely immersed in the awe-inspiring vortex of brilliance. The sea breeze was moist and cool. Nova stood beside the God's Blessed One, looking up at the starry sky that seemed so frighteningly close, allowing his brain, which was tired from eating too much, to clear its mind for a while.
"...What do you think about the possibility of not being able to become a warlock?" Azuka was silent for a while and suddenly asked.
The words sounded like they were meant to poke a sore spot. The Savior hadn't meant to be so direct. He had always been the gentlest, most considerate, or as his companion Ole put it, the most pretentious. He could easily lead others to trust him, unconsciously revealing anything they wanted to know, and then being grateful for his "company and listening."
But the professor before him was different, Azuka thought. Using that kind of rhetoric with a professor would either result in him completely losing track of the subtext and becoming completely lost in the solemn academic discussion, dragging the subject off the topic; or he would be keenly aware of his motives and mercilessly criticize him.
So he only needed to confess his true desires deep in his heart to the other party - and this wonderful, unprecedented simplicity and ease actually made him feel happy.
As expected, the other person's face didn't show any sign of being offended or angry. He just thought for a while and then said calmly, "Oh, actually, I had a premonition, so I just feel a little regretful."
It sounds like self-consolation, but Nova is not lying.
Sorcerers were far more valuable and rarer than warriors, and their status was even more exclusive. Therefore, even if they didn't pursue military merit, nobles would still hope that their sons could become sorcerers.
Noble children began their enlightenment at age five, but to Nova, it felt more like brainwashing. Out of curiosity, and driven by Mrs. Brody's screams and tears, he devoted some time to pondering the meaning of "piety." Within three months, he taught himself the histories of dozens of mainstream gods and mastered various forms of catechism. But until he had gone through orthodox education and entered the White Tower University seminary, confident that no one could accuse him of feigning professionalism, Nova Brody remained just an ordinary person.
On the other hand, his cousin Percy Brody officially became a light sorcerer at the age of eight, and later entered the most prestigious St. Bartolomeo School of Warlocks for further studies. Now he is already a high-level apostle at such a young age, which makes Mrs. Brody extremely crazy.
Nova Brody was the only son of Viscount Brody Sr. and should have inherited the title naturally. However, Viscount Brody Sr. died too young, leaving behind only his young wife and infant son who was still learning to speak.
A young noble widow with her own fiefdom and wealth was like a piece of delicious meat. She even had a young son? No matter, the suitors came in droves like beasts smelling blood.
At this time, Nova Brody's uncle, Otless Brody, the younger brother of Viscount Brody, stood up and asked the Royal Court to clarify the ownership of the titles and fiefdoms owned by the Brody family, and Mrs. Brody also asked her family for help.
Ultimately, taking into account Imperial succession law and Mrs. Brody's request, the fiefdom officially fell to the future Nova Brody. As long as his mother didn't remarry, it would be temporarily managed by his mother. Once Nova Brody came of age and the Royal Court Council determined he met the requirements for succession, he would inherit the title and fiefdom.
Outles Brody wasn't some kindhearted person who'd help care for his brother's widow and young nephew. The Silver Iris Empire adhered to the principle of primogeniture, with the eldest son taking the title and the vast majority of fiefdoms and property, while the other siblings received only the little that slipped through their elder brother's fingers.
Although the Brody family's fiefdom was not large, even poor, who would be dissatisfied with having a lot of property? Moreover, Outles Brody really wanted that modest title, if not for himself, then for his descendants.
Out of fear of the Royal Council and the bloodline spell "Ode to Soul Protection," Ottless Brody hesitated to immediately plot his nephew's murder, but he was bound to stumble him, both overtly and covertly. The need for "deliberation by the Royal Council" meant numerous opportunities for tampering. Furthermore, the boy himself was a failure, remaining an ordinary person and even becoming a penniless professor at White Tower University. Ottless Brody then requested that his son Percy Brody's succession eligibility be deliberated upon until he came of age. Through his efforts, he secured the Royal Council's approval, his ambitions becoming clear.
Before leaving White Tower University for Graybridge Harbor, Nova received a letter from his mother, urging him to cultivate good relations with the bishops of the Glorious Church and try to suppress the arrogance of his uncle and cousin. However, Nova ignored the threats. His education in another world had made him unconcerned with aristocratic status. A university professor's salary was more than enough to support him and his mother. Furthermore, the conflict between the Royal Court Council, the Church, and the Imperial Power had intensified in recent years. If he got caught up in this situation, he feared he would never be able to escape. Nova didn't want to waste the rest of his life on such frivolous matters.
And the most important point is that instead of Nova Brody being hypocritical with those guys who are full of fake smiles and calculations but are so stupid that you can see the end of them, he would rather go to the mountains and forests and throw stones with a primate. The professor himself is a person who is absolutely unwilling to compromise himself, and his brain is always enough to support his rebellious and weird behaviors that drive others crazy but helpless.
Back in the present, Azuka was still trying to think of some words to comfort him when the professor suddenly raised his eyes and stared at him with a strange, eager look. "But perhaps you would be willing to serve as my observation and research subject? - Don't worry, I won't do anything unethical with you, nor will I disclose your experimental data to anyone. This is related to my moral bottom line, and you can trust this."
Warlocks were incredibly valuable, and for years, Nova hadn't had the opportunity to study them in detail. He couldn't possibly target his cousin, whom he had barely seen in years, could he? Even if he couldn't become a warlock himself, didn't he still have one right in front of him? Furthermore, he and the other party were partners, and the specimen was so unique it might be the only one of its kind in the world. Aside from a few quirks, it wasn't unpleasant; it was simply perfect.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
