Regnum Aetern: Dual Rebirth

Chapter 157: Each with their own agenda

The Starshaper smiled as she looked at the boy.

Appearing about fifteen, the boy had soft black hair with a purple tint and purple eyes, and wore a black military jacket with the crest of the Caelwyn kingdom clearly visible.

Looking at the amicable smile on his face, she felt both in danger and safe at the same time.

"In the right place at the right time," she spoke in a casual tone. "Just like always."

The boy’s smile deepened as he replied while offering her a gentlemanly bow.

"Would you have me any other way, Star Lady?"

Her eyebrows twitched at the word ’Star Lady.’

’What grudge does everyone have against my title?’

Most people didn’t know her name, knowing only the title the people themselves gave her. She liked the title since it sounded elegant, but why did everyone have to twist it in strange ways?

She shook her head of the unnecessary thoughts. Taking a step forward, she casually patted the boy’s head.

"Thanks, Xion. I would’ve lost my life there if not for you. Thanks for protecting me just like you always do."

The boy continued smiling.

Removing her hand from his head, she scanned the area.

But Xion shook his head and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Don’t worry, Star Lady, there aren’t any more of them now. You’re safe."

’And how can you know that?’

Still, she believed him since Xion had always been right about these kinds of things. And so, they began walking toward the ‌kingdom’s borders with unhurried steps.

They didn’t talk much as they walked. The Starshaper was not someone very good at conversations, and Xion wasn’t much of a talker despite constantly oozing with friendliness.

But just then, she remembered something she had been forgetting for quite some time now.

She hurriedly rummaged through her pockets as the boy looked at her curiously. Taking out a folded paper, she handed it to him.

"Ah, I know. It’s totally my fault for forgetting." She looked at him apologetically. "I was supposed to give you this months ago but..."

Xion tilted his head.

"And what might this be?"

"Orders from those living skeletons—I mean, higher-ups." She pointed at the folded paper. "One year from now, you are going to infiltrate the Valcarion Imperial Academy as a commoner student. Your training was supposed to have started a few days from when this order came, but it was delayed for so long because I forgot."

The boy unfolded the paper and read its contents with focus. When he was done, he folded it and put it in his pocket.

"Isn’t this dangerous? Despite my strengths, I don’t have experience with infiltration and information gathering. Moreover, it’s not my style."

"Not your style, is it?" She replied playfully. "Sad for you, but this is an order, and you have no choice but to follow."

"..."

Instead of replying, he took out a coin of dull gray color and began rolling it between his fingers.

’Well now, isn’t that cute.’

He usually did this action when he couldn’t think of a good comeback.

The Starshaper giggled.

"Hey now, no need to sulk. Think of this as an opportunity to learn something new. Besides, it’s not like you won’t be able to pull this off. It is you we’re talking about."

She gave him a thumbs up and said playfully.

"Good luck on your mission, Mister Spy."

Xion replicated her tone.

"Why, thank you, Miss Trator."

***

While the borders were a place filled with death and misery, life went on within the empire.

And one such lively place was Valcarion Imperial Academy.

Even with there being several other academies within the empire, none could compare to the Imperial Academy.

And the reason for that was both simple and complex. Imperial Academy was more than just an academy.

Its full name was Valcarion Imperial Academy and Research Society.

It was a combination of both an academy and a research society.

And not just any research society either. It was the greatest research society within the empire, funded by the imperial family itself. Being part of it was every scholar’s and magical researcher’s dream. And so, the greatest talents from throughout the empire fought tooth and nail for a position within this research society.

Most of those genius researchers were also academy professors, teaching the students. This was one of the core reasons that elevated the academy to its current height. This was the secret behind the unrivaled quality of education it could provide.

Sadly, just being part of the research society was not all; there was a constant struggle even after that.

The research topics were countless, but the funds were limited, which meant that not every researcher’s research could be funded.

One such struggling researcher was sitting behind his desk in his office, reviewing ‌his research papers with utmost focus.

With his short blond hair neatly swept to the side and square-framed glasses resting on his nose, the young man’s appearance alone was enough to make others think of him as a scholar.

After he finished, Linden neatly arranged the papers.

Looking at his precious research papers, he clenched his fist as his eyes burned with determination.

’No matter what, this time for sure. This time, I will secure the funding for this research.’

He glanced at his assistant researcher, and the young woman was sleeping at her desk. Her hair was messy, and drool was dripping from her mouth in a very unladylike manner.

Linden grimaced and stood up.

’Maybe I’ll just go by myself.’

And so, he left his office and soon reached the office of the chief researcher of the department.

Taking a deep breath, Linden pushed open the door and entered the office as he nervously adjusted his glasses.

Inside, a middle-aged man was sitting behind his desk, working through a huge pile of documents. Noticing him, the man stopped working and smiled.

"Well, look who we have here. Lin, looks like you have finally decided to get out of that office of yours and grace us with your presence. So? What’s the occasion?"

Linden offered the man a short bow and spoke politely after clearing his throat.

"Sir, during our previous meeting, you told me that my research was going to be funded and that I just had to wait a bit more. You had said the same thing even before that time. It has been so long, and I haven’t heard anything from you."

The middle-aged man’s smile slowly disappeared from his face, replaced by annoyance.

He let out a tired sigh.

"Look here, Lin. As I’ve told you before, your research will definitely be funded. It has already entered the queue. It is just that several ongoing research projects have achieved a breakthrough recently, so most of the funding has gone there. Your research requires quite a lot of funds, so I was forced to drag it down a bit in the queue."

Sitting at the table, the chief researcher leaned in and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Lin, just wait a bit more, and you will have a ton of funding. I will even personally select the best researchers to join your project. Don’t be in a rush; have patience, and you will thank me in the future."

Linden nodded lightly.

"Okay..."

Saying that, he turned and walked out of the chief researcher’s office.

Walking through the hallway, Linden increased his pace and soon entered the restroom.

Walking towards the washbasin and the mirror, he calmly removed his glasses and put them in his coat. And the moment he did, his polite expression began to twist as he ground his teeth.

"Wait, wait, and wait. That is all they ever say!"

Clenching his fist, he threw a punch at the wall. His fist punched straight through, creating a hole.

"Just why the hell do I have to wait?! I don’t want to! I just don’t, you old bastard!!!"

Every passing moment was time wasted that could’ve been used to progress his research. It was being wasted!!! Every passing moment was a lost opportunity that will never return.

Maybe the chief researcher was right, and maybe waiting will give him greater opportunities. But he didn’t want it. He just wanted funds to start his research, and he wanted them now!!!

He would rather act now and regret in the future than wait and regret not having taken action when he could’ve.

Splashing water on his face, he pulled his hair back and looked into the mirror. His appearance right now made him look anything but a researcher.

With water dripping down his face, he met his reflection’s fiery gaze and spoke in a firm, heavy tone.

"I will not wait anymore."

In his office, the wind blew inside through the open window. Due to the wind, the first page from the stack of papers neatly arranged on his desk flew away, revealing the page below it.

There was only a single large title on that entire page.

{Research topic: Mind Realm}