Chapter 226 Can this level be called a genius?
"Mr. Garcia, what exactly is this 'mysterious power' you speak of?" The old professor furrowed his brow, saying, "Those relics from before, people would die upon merely approaching them. What kind of power is that?"
Steven replied calmly, "Professor Miller, there are many things in this world that can't be explained by science. I believe you saw that massive black hand in the sky today, didn't you? What do you think that unnerving force is?"
"Are you... suggesting there really are gods?" The professor hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Could you perhaps speak with the old sorcerer Kyle for me? I have some academic questions I'd like to consult him about. I always thought calling him an 'old sorcerer' was just a gimmick to attract tourists to the site, believing that actual magic was a myth. I'd like to seek the truth."
Steven couldn't help but laugh. Just moments ago, the professor was talking about arresting Kyle, and now he wanted to engage in academic discourse?
Such a swift change of heart!
Chuckling, Steven patted Professor Miller on the shoulder, speaking earnestly, "Professor Miller, there are certain matters that I believe the old sorcerer Kyle might not wish to discuss with you. Now that we have the artifacts, let's all leave this mountain."
The implication of his words was clear: having an academic discussion with Kyle was out of the question.
A group of archaeologists seeking to discuss supernatural phenomena with a wizard from the Arcane Society?
And most importantly, these very individuals had previously stood outside the Arcane Society's premises, berating Kyle and calling him a charlatan.
Did they honestly think that the wizards of the Arcane Society were pushovers?
Steven was efficient,he summoned a few members from the 13th Bureau to retrieve the artifacts.
Edward, who was among the group of old professors, approached William after speaking with Steven, smilingly said, "Mr. Johnson, you're here too. Have you seen those items?"
Mr. Johnson?!
At that address, all eyes turned to William and Edward.
Though Edward wasn't part of the archaeology team, he was a renowned professor with significant clout in the academic world. To pay such reverence and respectfully address a young man as "Mr."—what stature must he hold?
With an impassive face, William responded to Edward, "I've seen them."
Edward quickly asked, "Can you determine the origins of these items? I showed you the photographs previously. Did you discern anything new upon seeing the real thing?"
Several people around them fixed their gaze on William, who simply responded coldly, "I can't determine the origin of those items. Take them and research them at your own pace."
All of those are forgeries, and they're surely going to be seized en route. This talk of research is just a superficial excuse.
"You couldn't tell?" Edward remarked, then fell silent. He sensed that William wasn't particularly keen on discussing these matters.
William preferred to keep a low profile. It would be better to inquire about these matters privately once they returned.
"Mr. Garcia, may I ask what this young man does?" Professor Miller couldn't contain his curiosity.
Edward Taylor had previously been the dean of Hudson University. His academic prowess in historical research was no less than Miller's. Generally quite prideful, Edward found it hard to fathom what sort of individual the young man was to command such reverence from him.
Seizing the moment with wit, Edward replied with a smile, "He's a dear friend, currently in his freshman year of college."
Edward had promised William not to disclose to anyone that William had translated the inscriptions on the stele.
"A freshman in college?" Professor Dylan Miller took a longer look at William and then turned to Steven. "Mr. Garcia, is this young man a member of your agency?"
The 13th Bureau was renowned worldwide as a mysterious entity. For this artifact search, they had no choice but to rely on Steven and his team. In Miller's view, the personnel of the 13th Bureau should possess abilities beyond that of the average person.
Especially considering William's youth, yet accompanying the former Director of the 13th Bureau, he surely had extraordinary talents.
At first, Steven had his doubts, but knowing William's knack for crafting forgeries, it was evident that William had a deep understanding of historical artifacts. Based purely on these abilities, William could be considered exceptionally gifted.
Edward's show of respect for him didn't seem misplaced at all.
With this realization, everything became clear to Steven, as if all the pieces had fallen into place.
However, he couldn't exactly tell Professor Miller that the artifacts he was about to receive were all replicas crafted by William.
He could only offer a slight smile and respond, "William recently joined our agency. He does have some expertise with antiquities, but of course, he can't compare to the esteemed professors present. Taylor Miller, you're too kind."
Edward simply smiled without offering any clarification. After all, he had witnessed William's capabilities firsthand.
William chose to remain silent.
Once Steven's people had brought everything from the room, a group of elderly professors were nearly bug-eyed with amazement, itching to start their research right there.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have retrieved the items. It would be best to return and study them at leisure," Steven said. "I've arranged for a professional security company and our team to escort these artifacts. Please rest assured."
Given that the items had been retrieved and, as Steven had mentioned earlier, the old sorcerer Kyle had taken them to help seal the mysterious power within, they would not have had the chance to study them up close otherwise.
Thinking about being able to touch these mysterious relics up close after returning, each of the old professors is exceptionally excited.
A group of people marched down the mountain with these items in tow. Steven, with his hands clasped behind his back, had a gleam in his small eyes. He pulled out his phone and made a call: "Once the batch of artifacts from Ravenwood arrives in New York, transfer them all to the 13th Bureau for research. Intercept and rob them midway, make it look like a robbery, but be careful not to harm those professors."
William made no comment, as this was his initial suggestion.
It must be said that such an approach was rather disgraceful.
The 13th Bureau arranged for the transport of the items, yet they were also the ones planning to "rob" them.
After William and his team had managed affairs, Alice finally emerged from the deep forest.
Having practiced her arcane pulse for over ten hours in the wilderness, with the diligent guidance of the two Sword Spirits by her side, she had managed to cleave a tree a hundred meters away!
She dared not cheat the process. If she hadn't cut down that tree, she wouldn't have dared to leave the forest. If she had cheated, the two Sword Spirits would certainly expose her, and then William would undoubtedly abandon her.
Just as an elated Alice was about to share her training achievements with William, Kyle suddenly appeared, blocking her path.
"Young lady, I'm curious to know who taught you to release the arcane pulse with your fingers?" Kyle had observed Alice practicing the arcane pulse earlier and was intrigued. Initially, the energy she gathered between her fingers couldn't even reach half a meter before dissipating. However, by the next morning, she was projecting it a hundred meters away, cleaving giant trees.
Such progress was truly astonishing!
A once-in-a-century prodigy!
Many organizations within the Soulmancer community had sent representatives in recent days, vying for control of various arcane sites around the world. Kyle was curious about which organization Alice represented.
If William knew how highly Kyle regarded Alice, he would likely burst out laughing.
Among his apprentices, Alice was probably the least talented and had the weakest aptitude. Yet, to think she was being perceived as a prodigy was truly amusing.
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