"I guess you want me to help you investigate this matter?"
Hayden nodded somewhat guiltily: "That's right. I want to find out what the source of this life force is, but I can no longer use the school's database. Besides, I don't have the analytical equipment like in the advanced alchemy laboratory."
The research equipment is a given; everyone knows that. It's not only incredibly expensive, but also incredibly large. Hayden simply couldn't possibly set up a proper advanced alchemy laboratory in his basement.
What about information? Knowledge is a valuable commodity in this era, and companies like to control valuable commodities. Hayden sometimes pays some magical community websites to use their databases, but as a lone wolf, his access to knowledge is always relatively limited, at least far less than that of professors at the best public universities.
That's why Hayden had to ask the old professor for help.
However, even with better databases, libraries, and analytical equipment, as Professor Albion stated, investigating the source of this gas is still a very troublesome matter, requiring numerous experiments and extensive research; it's not something that can be accomplished simply by casting a spell on the bottle. Arcane research is far from simple.
I'll pay you—but before Hayden could say that, Professor Albion reached into his drawer and put the gas canister into it.
"I don't have much to do during the summer semester."
He said happily,
"Of course, I think this will take at least a few months. I hope you're not in such a hurry?"
Seeing the astonished look on Hayden's face, the old professor smiled.
To be honest, this is very unusual. Generally, if you hire someone to do this kind of research, you'd at least have to pay them, let alone have connections. Hayden never expected Professor Albion to help him investigate this kind of thing for free.
Why did Hayden specifically seek help from this professor?
The first reason, as I just mentioned, is that he lacks equipment and resources.
The second reason, however, was that Professor Percival Albion was an extremely learned man whom Hayden could trust.
He is a natural human, but he is already 219 years old this year. More than a hundred years ago, he was already a tenured professor at Evergreen University, holding two degrees. He is a master of classical sorcery theory and an expert in StarNet communication engineering, a pioneer in both ancient and modern fields. Moreover, he is proficient in alchemy and potion-making, and can even brew longevity potions for himself, which is why he has been able to live to this age, which is inconceivable for a natural human.
Incidentally, longevity potions aren't as expensive as rejuvenation potions, but they can't reverse aging, and they must be consumed regularly—one dose every year, forever. Fortunately, Professor Albion doesn't mind his gray beard; instead, he dedicates himself to teaching and sharing his knowledge with his students. Hayden and Karen became friends because they took Professor Albion's Classic Potions class together during their school years.
If Hayden usually liked to dress up as a mysterious wizard in a gray robe, then Professor Albion looked like an old headmaster from some children's fantasy novel—unfortunately, he wasn't the headmaster of Evergreen University, but just an ordinary professor.
"Is it really okay?"
So Hayden hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking anyway.
“I know you don’t usually do research, and professors at state universities like ours can’t be paid too much.”
These days, university professors' main income generally comes from various research grants. Laboratories are like workshops, and the graduate students under university professors are like exploited apprentices in those workshops. Once the apprentices graduate, they become new professors, then leave to lead their own teams, exploiting new apprentices.
If a professor has even a modicum of conscience and treats his apprentices well, then funding from universities or companies will easily become insufficient, research projects will struggle to produce results, and without results, funding will be difficult to secure. Over time, conscientious professors will be weeded out by the less ethical ones. Nowadays, most university professors are, in effect, no different from company bosses.
In contrast, Percival Albion was the kind of old-fashioned professor who didn't pursue funding or research, taught from home, and was always cheerful. He'd probably been like that for two hundred years. Hayden sometimes wondered how he'd managed to survive at the university.
"Perhaps it's not entirely without problems, but it's not something that requires me to make a little money off you—don't worry, Hayden, I'm not that short of money."
The professor answered casually.
"There are many reasons why I'm helping you with this, but the main reason is because I know what you want to do. Please forgive me if I'm wrong. But actually, because of your parents, you've always wanted to invent affordable high-level healing potions, haven't you?"
Hayden, who had just relaxed, froze again.
This was partly because the professor suddenly mentioned his deceased parents, and partly because it was simply too strange.
How many students does Professor Albion teach each year? Does he remember the family situation and, uh, life goals of every student he's taught? Are truly great teachers like that?
"In this era, there are far fewer students who actually want to use the knowledge they learn in college to do good things than you might imagine."
But Professor Albion's gaze seemed to pierce through Hayden's skull, seeing right through his thoughts, and he spoke slowly and deliberately...
"Whether professors or students, few remember why this school was founded, few remember why we teach, why we learn, or what our ever-evolving magical technology exists for. Technological development alone will not make our world any better."
"However, I've gone a bit off-topic. Let me put it this way—I will always offer help to students who need it."
The professor's tone was very calm.
Hayden was speechless for a moment. In a way, he was stunned.
Two minutes later, Professor Albion took a sip of hot cocoa before breaking the silence again in a cheerful tone: "Well then, Hayden, as we all know, the Day of the Dead is just around the corner. Do you have any busy plans lately?"
Hayden shook his head and, mimicking the professor, took a sip of cocoa. To be honest, his palate had recently become quite discerning thanks to Angela. He always felt that other foods paled slightly less appealing than Angela's.
"In fact, Professor, I'm puzzled as to why people can be so happy about holidays commemorating the dead."
He answered in a somewhat sharp tone.
“My parents died in a very painful way, and they didn’t even have the chance to upload their consciousness. To be honest, I don’t think there should be any shopping spree or celebrations on Day of the Dead every year. I suggest that everyone stay at home to mourn the dead.”
His words drew an equally sharp look from Professor Albion: "Ten years have passed, and you still have many misconceptions about death. Do you think the dead truly leave us? No, they live on in their descendants—but I won't go into that now, because some things can't be understood by words alone. Let's get down to business."
The professor put down his cup, his expression turning serious.
"I happen to need your help with something."
Ah this
Hayden should have known that free things aren't so easy to get.
Of course, even if Hayden refused, the professor would probably still help him analyze Angela's aura. The problem is, Hayden did feel psychological pressure. And how can you say no when your favorite old professor asks for your help?
So Hayden raised a hand: "Could you tell me what kind of help it is, Professor?"
He wasn't stupid enough to agree without saying a word.
Fortunately, what Professor Albion told him next wasn't anything particularly serious; rather, it was something Hayden often did on a regular basis.
“I just said that there are very few students who really want to use the knowledge they have learned in college to do something good, but they are not completely non-existent. In fact, I just met one recently.”
The professor, having said this, touched the tips of all ten of his long, slender fingers together, and examined Hayden closely.
"He was one of my students in the Department of StarNet Communications Engineering. Humble, easy-going, quiet, and just as thirsty for knowledge as you are. In fact, there are some strange similarities between you two."
Do you mean I was neither humble nor easy-going and was impolite in college?
Hayden seemed completely unable to refute this assessment. He even accidentally blew up a statue on campus before graduating.
————————————————————————
Evergreen State Public University Semester System
There are four semesters a year: spring (March to June), summer (June to August), autumn (September to December), and winter (January to March). Students can choose to have a break during one of these semesters, so most students choose to attend all three semesters consecutively (autumn, winter, and spring) and have a summer vacation.
Professor Albion said he "doesn't have much to do in the summer semester" because he only teaches and doesn't do research, and there are fewer students and courses in the summer semester.
026: Just simple detective work
There's an interesting phenomenon in social psychology. If you unconditionally do something for someone first, and then ask for their help again, they'll feel more pressure. Sometimes, giving someone twenty dollars unconditionally if you want them to do something is even more effective than spending two hundred dollars to buy it for you.
Professor Albion was doing just that. He had unconditionally agreed to help Hayden analyze Angela's scent and investigate her affairs, and now he was asking Hayden for a favor. If Hayden refused, he was quite certain he would be met with the professor's disappointed expression.
Of course, even if Hayden refused, the professor would probably still help him analyze Angela's aura. The problem is, Hayden did feel psychological pressure. And how can you say no when your favorite old professor asks for your help?
“I just said that there are very few students who really want to use the knowledge they have learned in college to do something good, but they are not completely non-existent. In fact, I just met one recently.”
That's what the professor said.
"He was one of my students in the Department of StarNet Communications Engineering. Humble, easy-going, quiet, and just as thirsty for knowledge as you are. In fact, there are some strange similarities between you two."
"But I'm worried he might be doing something unsafe lately. I know what kind of work you do. So could you please keep an eye on his movements?"
Admittedly, although Professor Albion's expression was solemn, it was not a particularly difficult task for Hayden, and it was not much different from the private detective work he occasionally did.
So Hayden nodded: “That doesn’t sound like a problem. I’ll investigate whether he’s doing anything dangerous, and if necessary, I’ll try to stop him—you have his name, student ID, photo, and other information that I can use to track him down, right?”
Professor Albion waved his wand and conjured a piece of paper covered with writing and photographs in front of Hayden.
The photo immediately surprised Hayden.
Because he had seen the person in the photo.
Just now, less than half an hour ago.
The male student in the photo is the young man with black hair and black clothes that Hayden just met in the red brick square.
————————————————————————
Alastor Dirag, 21 years old, male, natural human
Evergreen State Public University, Arcane Academy, Star Network Communications Engineering Department, Third Year
Both parents were ordinary office workers at the Mitra Group, but they passed away two years ago due to an engineering accident.
"Damn. No wonder the professor said there were some strange similarities between you two."
Hayden put down the paper the professor had given him and couldn't help but mutter to himself.
He noticed it too, of course. He and this college student named Alastor both came from ordinary working-class families, were both natural humans, their parents had both passed away during their university years, they were both Professor Albion's students, and both had good grades in university.
With black hair and black eyes, they even look somewhat alike.
Heaven knows why Professor Albion asked Hayden to help investigate this young junior. But now that things have come to this, Hayden can't just quit, and there's no need for him to quit.
He first sent Angela a message, telling her the general outline of what had happened and asking her to stay home obediently, before starting his work.
With the professor's help, finding a student was naturally not difficult, even easy. Hayden quickly obtained Alastor's class schedule and immediately began to keep an eye on him.
Honestly, it's not difficult at all. It's just a matter of hiding and watching whether a college student is attending class on time. It's so boring that it doesn't need further explanation.
While Angela was away and couldn't control him for the time being, Hayden bought a bottle of Coke and a bag of potato chips at school to pass the time—he hadn't had a chance to sneak a Coke for over a month. Angela was really scary in some ways.
Time flew by. Soon it was past five in the afternoon, and dusk was approaching. Hayden, who was hiding on the school rooftop scrolling on his phone, finally saw his target emerge from the Arcane Academy building and head out of the campus.
Ivy League public universities have dormitories, but Alastor Dirag didn't live there because his deceased parents had left him a house. However, Hayden didn't go directly to his house to confront him, because the professor had asked Hayden to investigate his "movements," and the young man might not actually go straight home after class.
So Hayden took a wax figure out of his robe. The small wax figure looked almost exactly like himself, tied up with his own hair, and had tiny symbols and mysterious writing engraved on it.
He sang:
“Ninurta, Enlil, Ninglil. By the name and symbol of great power, wherever I go, you shall follow closely, making my body as obscure as a dream.”
Then Hayden put the little wax figure in his pocket.
In the next instant, he silently became invisible. He wasn't completely invisible, but the color and texture of his entire body became consistent with the surrounding environment, like a humanoid chameleon.
This is one type of classic hidden magic, which is very complicated to use. First, it requires a small wax figure, and this wax figure can only be made when Saturn, Earth, and the Sun are aligned in a straight line, that is, on the day of "Saturn's opposition." When Saturn reflects the sunlight, a special rune is pierced into the wax figure using a lead needle and frog blood to complete the preliminary preparations.
After that, as long as you chant the spell and put the wax figure in your pocket, you can become invisible at any time.
Incidentally, only one wax figure of this kind can exist for the same magician at a time; in other words, it cannot be mass-produced and stockpiled in advance. Moreover, each person's wax figure can only be used by themselves.
How does it sound?
Therefore, it is clear that ancient magic deserved to be eliminated by modern arcane magic.
The era of spending countless hours preparing rituals and chanting lengthy incantations to resonate between the sky and the earth, the world and the human body, is over. If one could simply press a button and expend a little magic to become invisible, who would want to use such cumbersome rituals and magic to change their own color?
In fact, the current version is already an improvement by Hayden. The ancient version was even more troublesome; it required burning incense and using frog blood as a sacrifice when chanting the incantation, and this had to be done every time. Hayden spent two whole months researching before he figured out how to optimize this step.
So why did Hayden go to such great lengths to improve this ancient concealment magic instead of simply using the modern arcane spell of invisibility?
The answer is actually quite simple—because the invisibility magic in modern arcane arts is regulated, requiring specific permits to legally master and use it. Ordinary people simply cannot obtain such permits.
In an era where anyone can fire magic arrows using a mobile app, the invisibility spell requires strict certification, which is unavoidable. But Hayden's concealment magic is different. It won't be detected by the barrier that controls invisibility magic because it's an original spell Hayden created using classical magic; it's neither true invisibility nor registered in the barrier's database.
So Hayden could now track Alastor almost invisible. From one block to another, from one alley to another. Soon it grew dark. Alastor and Hayden, who was tracking him, left the heart of New Jersey and entered those poorer, more dilapidated areas.
The crime rate here is high; many buildings are damaged, abandoned, or rarely used, and streetlights in many places are broken. As night falls, the area begins to darken, and there are no pedestrians. Alastor was walking hurriedly down the street in this incredibly charming place. Suddenly, Alastor glanced left and right, then darted into a building and disappeared.
"Gan"
Hayden stared at the building where his figure had disappeared, cursing inwardly.
It was a building that looked like an abandoned department store. The main door was sealed off, and all the windows were boarded up, making it look like the hideout of a serial killer in a horror movie.
Something wasn't right. It was normal for a college student to go home after class, and it was normal for him to go out and have fun, but for him to wander into a place like this was clearly unusual. Hayden couldn't help but stop and think for a moment—what exactly was this young man trying to do?
Could he have joined some street gang entrenched in the ruins? It's not surprising that something like this would happen to a young person who has lost their parents.
So Hayden thought it over and over, and finally followed them into the dark interior of the department store ruins.
This was truly a sinister and eerie place. The wreckage of shelves still stood, forming long aisles, but there was no merchandise. Empty lamps hung from the desolate ceiling, and the floor below was littered with shattered glass. Hayden walked among the abandoned shelves when he suddenly heard voices, a low, hurried tone. He immediately went over and found himself in a wide corridor. There was no one there, only a dusty silence.
A chill suddenly ran down Heden's neck: something was wrong here.
"【Dispel the spell】!"
The next instant, a voice shouted, unleashing arcane magic. A torrent of colorless magic surged against Hayden, terminating his hidden spell.
Many people poured out from both ends of the corridor, blocking the way on both sides and surrounding Hayden.
“fxck”
So Hayden finally couldn't hold back and cursed out loud.