Chapter 408 Opportunity
Dels Rabelais arrived quickly. As soon as they met, he pinched the shoulders of the student who was waiting for him at the door, and patted the thin back. After confirming that the person was not missing any limbs, his expression became much more relaxed.
Nova stared at his mentor whom he hadn't seen for a long time in a daze.
Azuka's space magic was temporarily unable to reach places that were too far away, and Baita Town was indeed located in a remote area. Since returning from the North, he had not visited his teachers privately at Baita University for nearly several months.
Compared to their last meeting, he was noticeably older and frailer than he remembered. The old man leaned on a cane, his hair graying, his usually straight shoulders gradually stooped, and his legs and feet seemed a bit unsteady. Only his somewhat cloudy eyes remained clear and bright… Hmm, the force of the pat on his back seemed about the same as before, nearly causing him to stumble.
"teacher."
The ghost, so powerful outside, was as docile and obedient as a cat in front of his teacher. Seeing the old man gazing at him intently, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of bewilderment in his eyes. He reached out and held the old man's arm. "I was planning to visit you in person at Baita University later."
Unexpectedly, the old man was so decisive that he ran to Tiejiling to block him almost on the spot as soon as he got the news.
Then the professor was unceremoniously hit on the head with the handle of his cane, not too hard or too light, but with a loud bang: "Alright, alright, stop giving yourself trouble."
"Do you think I don't know you?" Rabelais said in disgust. "You're so busy running around every day, pushing yourself to death. It's a rare opportunity for you to spare a little time for an old man like me."
His student didn't respond, nor did he know how to say nice things to appease him. But the old man had long been accustomed to his eccentric temper. Even though he had become a big shot whose stomping of the foot could shake the entire empire, this kid had hardly changed at all.
Nova obediently helped the old man to the front hall, poured tea for him, stuffed some snacks for him, and settled him down. After a brief and inexplicable silence, he decided to speak first.
"The old Pope has passed away, and Pavardon Miller is carrying out internal church reforms. I'm afraid your old connections within the Vatican will no longer be of any use. Please be careful about your personal safety recently." The black-haired young man stated expressionlessly, straightforwardly, without the slightest attempt at euphemism. "Is there anyone with deep ill will towards you? If so, please let me know."
As a "prophet" who once helped the old Pope become a saint, it is inevitable that some foolish people will try to use him as a target to curry favor with the new Pope.
Rabelais nearly spit out the tea he had just taken. He choked and coughed violently. While patting his chest to catch his breath, he glared at the student and angrily scolded him, "You idiot boy, how can you talk to an elder like that? You start by asking me if I've been bullied - am I made of paper to be your teacher?"
"...It's just to synchronize information for maximum efficiency." The student was busy handing him a handkerchief to wipe his tea-stained collar. The boy was a little confused by his scolding and even looked a little aggrieved.
"Why not?" Rabelais reluctantly took the handkerchief and poked the man's forehead with his finger. "White Tower University itself is a thorn in the side of those old Vatican officials. They've been fighting overtly and covertly. It's just that in the past two years, because of you and the Okensele Society, they haven't dared to go as far as last time."
——After all, how many divisions does the current Pope have?
"What are you afraid of? The bodyguards you left for me are all very dedicated to their duties." The old man snorted coldly, "I've lived for so many years, I've experienced all kinds of storms. This little setback is nothing. Don't underestimate your teacher."
The student was stunned by his prodding and remained silent for a moment. Then he succinctly said, "The new Pope, Pavardon Miller, can be considered a half-ally of ours."
Delos Rabelais: "..."
The professor thought for a moment, then added rigorously, "Simply put, because Pavaton Miller cares deeply about worldly fame and success, I have enough leverage to force him to do my bidding—so if you need anything..."
He actually looked a little proud, as if he was waiting for praise from his teacher.
The old man stared at him, and for a moment he almost thought there was something wrong with his hearing, and he even felt a little dizzy.
Pavaton Miller is now the Pope of the Glowing Church. The sects of other gods are not considered to be of any use. Even though the Glowing Church is constantly weakening, at this moment, theoretically he can indeed be regarded as the supreme leader of the entire theocracy of the Silver Iris Empire - but the tone of this dead kid is almost the same as "asking the cafeteria chef to add an extra egg for him"!
If the new Pope's appointment was related to the People's Party... then what about the internal reforms initiated by the other party? What about the death of the old Pope? The more I think about it, the more I dread it.
Dels Rabelais knew exactly what the student had been fighting against, that he had great ambitions and dangerous actions, and that he had not lost any of the gains made by the Populist Party. But in his impression, the other party was always that pale, thin young man who had been imprisoned and needed his worry and concern.
So when the facts were laid bare before his eyes in a concrete way that he was most familiar with, the old man suddenly felt a huge impact as if he was hit by a tsunami.
At this moment, he suddenly felt that he needed to re-examine the black-haired young man in front of him - he was still pale and thin, with his shoulders straight, but he was surrounded by a kind of majesty that even he felt was a little unfamiliar, belonging to a person in power.
Why hadn't he noticed before? The old man thought with a mixture of sadness and relief. He was no longer just his gifted, eccentric student who needed his protection and care. The young man who had once worked for days and nights on a subject of his fascination, who had even asked for leave to chase a group of whales, had ultimately been shaped by circumstances and fate into the unfathomable person he was today.
Nova was puzzled by his mentor's complicated look: "...Teacher?"
Delos Rabelais: "...Alas."
...Why is he still looking so disturbing?
"You should take care of yourself," the old man said gruffly. "If your health breaks down, everything else will be in vain."
Before anyone could respond, he shook his head and slowly stood up with the help of his cane: "Okay, I'm leaving now. Seeing that you are still alive and well, I feel relieved."
It was worth it for him to come all the way here to see the person in person.
The fewer times they see each other, not to mention that this kid is doing such a dangerous job now. He is really worried that he will die earlier than this old man.
"...I'll be fine." The student awkwardly whispered to reassure him, "Azuka is here."
The old man couldn't help but glare at him. In his mind, an uncontrollable god was also an important source of danger.
His lips moved, but he seemed to swallow back something. The professor suddenly felt something was wrong, and his nerves suddenly tensed. He carefully observed the old man's expression, but didn't see much.
"In such a hurry? Can't you stay a few more days?" He asked tentatively, "At least have a meal before you leave."
"No, you have a job, and I have one too." The old man snorted coldly and said sternly, "Those useless students at Baita University are still waiting for me to come back and clean up their mess."
He turned and walked away with his cane, his steps more hurried than when he came, as if he was trying to hide something. Nova immediately followed him, carefully supporting him.
The carriage was already waiting at the door, or rather, the driver hadn't left, as if the customer had instructed him to do. The old man stopped in front of the carriage, turned around, and looked deeply at the student who worried him the most and made him the proudest. The look in his eyes was so complicated that Nova couldn't quickly identify it for a moment.
"How about having Azuka take you back?" the professor tried again. An inexplicable, far-beyond-rational, nagging premonition made his throat tighten. "It's definitely faster than a carriage, and much more comfortable."
"All right, all right, stop rambling on," the old man said, waving his cane impatiently. "I just love riding in a carriage! Don't bother with that guy—just focus on your own business. It's no use thinking about an old man like me."
After saying this, he did not give the students any chance to ask further questions. With the help of the coachman, he climbed onto the carriage with some difficulty. The door was then firmly closed, completely blocking the view of people outside.
The professor stood there, watching the carriage slowly drive away until it disappeared around the corner. The inexplicable feeling of unease didn't dissipate, but instead grew stronger, weighing heavily on his heart.
If he was "eager for the job at White Tower University," why did he reject Azuka's spatial magic? There were too many suspicious points, and countless negative speculations suddenly surged in his mind.
His teacher, Rabelais, was a "prophet" after all. If he really wanted to hide something, those who remained in White Tower University might not be able to discover it immediately.
Someone gently touched his shoulder. The professor was stunned for a moment, then turned his head to see the gentle and calm profile of the savior. He knew that the old man disliked him, so this person had not appeared in front of others when he was talking to the teacher just now.
"I'll go and see." The other person seemed to know what he was thinking and whispered in his ear: "But if there is a dispute between Mr. Rabelais and me..."
"If the teacher's personal safety is at stake, I'll bring him back even if I have to," the professor replied firmly. "Then I'll personally apologize to the teacher."
Elsewhere, after the carriage had driven away from the Brody residence and ensured it was out of the students' sight, Dels Rabelais finally let go of all his strength, closed his eyes tiredly, and leaned back in the seat. The carriage was bumpy, and he started coughing violently. It took a while for him to calm down, then he fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a bottle of potion, uncorked it, and drank it all in one gulp.
In fact, he shouldn't have come. With that kid's terrifying observation skills, it would be difficult for him not to be noticed.
...But he really wanted to see him with his own eyes, and he was afraid that he would never have the chance again in the future.
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