Morning. The bell rung nine times as a carriage departed from Xavier's mansion.
Xavier and Eulene's expressions went back to their usual states. The heaviness they had been feeling last day seemed to have completely disappeared.
Xavier was the one to compose himself and come to terms first. He had already done it during their trip to Bailey Avenue.
As for Eulene, she had to sacrifice some sleep--more than just a bit of it--to wash away all the burden. She did not beat around the bush and accepted this as fate, bringing peace back to her Dao heart.
The sleep that came after--refreshed her even further.
Eulene was wearing the silk dress she had worn through the first case--the silk dress gifted by aunt Maisel. As for why she did not wear the premium item she bought just yesterday, Xavier warned her against wearing something flashy today.
After all, they departed from the house today with the intention of 'looking for a job'.
After almost a whole hour, they entered the premises of their destination.
Eulene, who had her eyes beyond the uncovered window, spotted a giant gate encompassing all the four lanes of the road.
The gate was old, carrying the scents of history itself, with a design that was treat to the eyes--both modern and classical. On the top beam of the gate, letters of pure silver were nailed, along with an insignia.
'The University of Aramon'--it said. Beside, there was a coat of arms--portraying a book, a candle, and a crown.
Eulene's eyes twitched. The gate itself emanated an aura of prestige.
Soon, the carriage passed through the gate.
The whole landscape was green--filled with trees, grass and shrubs. After green, came brownish yellow. Most of the buildings Eulene spotted wore that colour. Clearly, the buildings were hundreds of years old.
"The university was established more than five hundred years ago," Xavier said. It was as if he knew what question Eulene hand in mind.
Eulene nodded, but she kept her eyes fixed outside.
In the distance, she could see a grand building--bigger than any other she had seen since coming to this world.
It had a huge dome above the centre, and dozens of pillar held the corridors before the entrance. It was the main body of the university--undoubtedly.
The carriage stopped before the building. The duo walked out and sent the carriage away. There were dozens of people walking by, but the pair's arrival did not grab any attention.
'Administrative Building'--the plaque above the entrance said.
"Is it in there?" Eulene asked.
"Yes," Xavier answered, "and no."
Eulene frowned, but did not say anything. She knew that she was going to find out soon anyway.
The duo walked through the gate.
Though the building was large, it was all illuminated and bright thanks to the large ceiling made of glass above. Light entered easily, and the prismatic design made share that the light reached everywhere.
There was a reception desk, behind which sat a man who looked in his late twenties.
"Greetings." He bowed when the duo approached him.
Xavier nodded. "We want to have a talk with the Pro Vice Chancellor."
"Do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked.
"Unfortunately, no. It was he who invited us to visit anytime. It would be incorrect to call it an appointment."
The man raised a brow, but did not dare to retort. After all, Aramon was full of powerful people. And he was not in the position of taking a risk of offending one.
"Please follow me." The receptionist stood up, and began to walk towards a certain corridor.
The duo followed.
After walking dozens of metres and climbing two levels of stairs, everyone reached the Pro Vice Chancellor's office.
"Please wait." The man looked back at the duo. "Can you please state your identities?"
"Just tell him that we met at the Department of weather and disaster management," Xavier said.
The man did not say anything further and entered into the room. Less than a minute later, he came back out.
"Mr. and Mrs. Godwin?" the receptionist asked.
Eulene's face became best red. On the other hand, Xavier coughed, "We have just engaged."
"Please enter. Sir is waiting."
The duo entered the room. The room was big for an office for one person. Shelves of books and files covered the entire wall. As expected of a top tier academic.
"Greetings," the man behind the desk said. The pro vice chancellor was a man who was in his late forties. He had a dignified and peaceful look, with strands of white mixed with his black hair. "I am Rion Harlow."
"Greetings," Xavier took of his hat and gave a gentleman's bow.
Witnessing Xavier's respect towards the man, Eulene curtsied.
"I would love to have a long talk with you," PVC Harlow said, "but I am afraid we don't have time. Please follow me."
Xavier nodded.
The man walked to a shelf and slightly pulled out a book. The shelf began to move, revealing a dark pathway behind. The PVC walked in.
Xavier and Eulene followed. After a three minute walk through the suffocating and dark pathway, they finally entered a chamber.
A few torches barely brought light to the cave like space. But it was more than enough to show the water body that lay in the middle.
"Are you aware of the existence of other worlds?" PVS Harlow turned back and asked the pair.
Eulene's eyes twitched. But Xavier remained still.
"Ohho! Seems like you were expecting this." The academician laughed.
"This came with no surprise," Xavier said. "After all, not everything can hide a whole structure."
The PVC nodded and pointed at the pond in the chamber. "This is only active till noon everyday. After that, it becomes a regular pond." The man brought out a pocket watch. "There's still a few minutes left."
Xavier nodded.
"Have a safe trip." The man smiled. "Hope we can meet again, and that too--as colleagues."
Xavier wasted no time and jumped into the pool. Eulene raised a brow, but she took the leap as well.
The PVC waited for a minute, but the pair had yet to resurface.
The smile on the man's face disappeared.
"Tsk. Those government bastards. Not giving us a moment of peace."
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