Under Surveillance

According to Deboning, Philip had entered the academy in Zigurd's tenth year as Dean. By this reckoning, Zigurd and Philip had known each other for nearly forty years. Over such a span, unless they were sworn enemies, they must surely have forged a rather strong friendship.

How much did Zigurd know about Philip's experiments? Was he aware that Beibei hailed from the nineteenth-level laboratory?

Duchen's heart was riddled with questions, yet outwardly, he swiftly chuckled, "Excellent, Esteemed Mentor! When would you be free? I can bring the child over at any moment! My little darling is truly adorable!" Given Zigurd's influence on Battle God Isle, it would be all too simple for him to see Beibei. Duchen decided to be forthright, abandoning any pretense of excuse.

"Make it soon," Zigurd replied, "for I am about to prepare for another matter, and then I shall be exceedingly busy!" As he spoke, Zigurd retrieved several notebooks from beneath his desk and placed them before Duchen. "I am a Water-elemental Titled Battle God, perfectly matched to your talents. These are my insights on cultivating battle qi; take them and peruse them first! Should anything remain unclear, you must come and ask me!"

After Duchen accepted the notebooks with gratitude, Zigurd continued, "With your innate talent, you should at least be able to advance to the rank of Three-Star Battle Mage before the mid-year grand examination in June. Have you made any progress with your battle techniques?"

A First-Star Battle Mage initially communicates with the Elemental Primal Force, allowing them to wield lesser sacred artifacts! A Second-Star Battle Mage demonstrates greater proficiency in manipulating battle qi, manifested most prominently by generating an expansive external battle qi shield. A Three-Star Fighter, however, attains a certain degree of understanding of the Elemental Primal Force, enabling them to begin cultivating their own unique, exclusive battle techniques based on that comprehension.

There are two paths to acquiring unique battle techniques: one involves techniques developed by ancestors and passed down to descendants, such as the Saint Sigurd Cain family's secret Sigurd's Sacred Flame Sword, and certain universally practiced Secret Arts within the Battle God Academy — though these are typically rudimentary, incomparable to a family's exclusive arcane skills. The second path is through one's own comprehension and epiphany, akin to Sem, the Xino Dwarf's Corona of Fire — a technique crafted specifically around his unique dwarven physique.

Currently, Duchen could not seek aid from the fire-elemental Saint Sigurd Cain family. Moreover, even if the family were willing to offer assistance, the incompatibility of his elemental affinity would render him unable to cultivate their techniques. Thus, his only recourse was to either develop his own comprehension or seek guidance from others.

Duchen asked, "Esteemed Mentor, do you have any sound advice?"

Zigurd suddenly offered a wry smile. "Originally, I could have imparted my Sea of Clouds Secret Art to you, but having lost my sacred artifact, the Cloud Mist Chains, it is difficult to unleash the full power of the Sea of Clouds. I am currently refining this Secret Technique, but it is incomplete! To impart something unfinished to you would only be detrimental, yet your time for advancement is imminent. Not immediately acquiring a Secret Art upon advancing would put you at an even greater disadvantage... Therefore, I suggest you diligently study my notebooks during this period, thoroughly comprehending all foundational Water-elemental theories, and then independently gain insight based on your own characteristics!"

Damn it all! Duchen felt like weeping, though no tears would come. Zigurd, the Dean of Battle God Academy, undoubtedly possessed Secret Arts that one could infer were exceptional even by thinking with one's toes. Yet now, because Duchen himself had 'stolen' his sacred artifact, he was unable to learn it!

Indeed, a time comes for all, and evil deeds shall reap evil retribution!

Yet Duchen had to respond with a cheerful smile, saying, "You've truly gone to great lengths for my sake, Esteemed Mentor; I shall strive my utmost!"

Duchen's heart bled, and he even felt an impulse to return the Cloud Mist Chains to Zigurd right then and there! Of course, it was merely a fleeting urge.

After expressing his thanks, Duchen, seeing that Zigurd had concluded his matters, tentatively inquired, "Esteemed Mentor, are you well-acquainted with Mr. Rogliff?"

"We are friends!" Zigurd replied. "Oh, that's right! I heard you won all the assets Mr. Rogliff brought on his recent tour. This matter... is quite improper!" Zigurd shook his head gravely. "I'm not saying you shouldn't have won, but rather that you shouldn't engage in gambling! After all, you are still a student!"

"Your guidance is apt, Esteemed Mentor; I am prepared to accept any penalty!" Duchen looked every bit the 'obedient child'.

"While student participation in gambling violates academy regulations," Zigurd continued, "there is another tenet: as a Battle God, one should rescue those in peril! Pied is not an irredeemable villain. Your gambling to save him is understandable, making your actions incorrect, yet you shall not be punished!"

Zigurd's candid gaze fixed upon Duchen. "Is there something you wish to ask him about?"

"It is thus," Duchen improvised smoothly, "I wish to allocate a portion of the vast sum Mr. Rogliff lost to me towards charitable deeds, and do so in both our names! Therefore, I sought to discuss this matter with him." In truth, Duchen's sole objective in seeking Rogliff was to ascertain the connection between the *Belkus* and the old man, thereby unearthing clues to his missing Maternal Grandfather!

Zigurd offered a faint smile, immensely gratified to have accepted a student of almost impeccable character. "To use winnings from the gambling table for charitable work, Francis, that is an excellent decision! If all students within the academy were like you, then I would truly be at ease! However, Mr. Rogliff has already departed from Battle God Isle and will not return for another three months."

Duchen probed, "But I wish to deliver these charitable funds to the impoverished as soon as possible, Esteemed Mentor. Could you perhaps tell me Mr. Rogliff's full name and his nationality? As you know, many individuals across the Three Continents bear the name Rogliff. When making a joint donation, I cannot simply use his given name, as that would be gravely disrespectful to him etiquette-wise."

"That poses a bit of a challenge!" Zigurd mused. "Mr. Rogliff possesses citizenship and noble titles from numerous nations. His full name originates from an ancient and mysterious lineage. Without his personal consent, I am not at liberty to reveal his family surname!"

Duchen listened with rapt attention, mentally cataloging the gleaned intelligence: numerous nationalities and noble titles, and an ancient lineage — all indicative that Rogliff commanded a significant power, certainly not merely the twenty-odd servants Pied had claimed.

Therefore, when he interacted with Rogliff three months hence, Duchen would need to adopt a humble demeanor, not appearing arrogant simply because Flaying and Deboning, his two formidable bodyguards, were by his side.

"How about this," Zigurd suggested. "You make the donations in installments. For this first batch, use your own name, and then I will inquire about Mr. Rogliff's wishes once I meet him!" Saying so, Zigurd rose and perused the dossiers on his desk. He then remarked, "I have no other pressing matters today. Shall we go and see your daughter immediately? Heh heh, I hear that little darling is quite adorable!"

At that moment, Zigurd seemed every inch a doting elder eager to see his grandchild.

Could Duchen refuse? He merely chuckled, "Very well then, let us depart!"

Returning to Dormitory Number Eighteen, Duchen found neither Shieb nor Beibei present. However, on a stone platform in the courtyard lay a letter penned by Harry. It turned out that Beibei, ever since seeing the *Belkus*, had been utterly captivated by the vessel. Duchen had, however, cautioned them against venturing out unless absolutely necessary, to guard against unforeseen events — after all, the dormitory district, while populous, offered a relatively higher degree of safety. Yet, with Duchen absent today, Beibei, holding Harry's Spiritual Contract, had coerced him into taking her to play on the ship.

The two then changed course and headed for the *Belkus*, anchored by the sea, finally spotting the little one thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Heh heh, this little one truly is adorable!" Zigurd chuckled, embracing Beibei, who stood at the bow, waving a small flag.

Without Duchen needing to prompt her, the clever little lass sweetly called out, "Grandpa!" She then unleashed her universally endearing charm, puckering her lips to plant a kiss on Zigurd's chin, leaving a glistening drop of... drool on his goatee.

Zigurd, unfazed, instead gazed out at the nocturnal seascape, finally fixing his eyes upon the ocean's surface as he smiled and asked, "Francis, where did you adopt this daughter of yours?"

Duchen's heart constricted. The sea breeze in March and April nights remained chillingly cold. The sailors on the nearby docks had already finished their work, and the *Belkus* lay quiet. In this hushed atmosphere, Duchen couldn't shake the feeling that Zigurd's deep voice conveyed an unusual undertone.

Before Duchen could even utter a lie, little Beibei, tugging at Zigurd's goatee with 'childlike innocence,' piped up, "Grandpa, Beibei was just floating in a little river when she woke up that day, and Papa carried Beibei out of the river!"

Ha, well done, little one! Duchen cast a glance of approval at the lass. If he had spoken those words himself, Zigurd might not have believed them, but now, uttered from Beibei's own lips, their credibility was magnified countless times!

"Oh, in a river! My poor child!"

As Zigurd spoke, Duchen's heart gave a sudden lurch. Harry, serving nearby, broke into a cold sweat, his legs trembling. For as Zigurd spoke, a sharp, chilling glint suddenly flared in his triangular eyes, striking fear into the hearts of those who witnessed it.

Was Zigurd enraged? Duchen felt the ambient temperature plummet to freezing point, and subsequently, the air he inhaled through his nostrils became damp and clinging.

"Little Beibei, do you still remember what your birth parents looked like?" Zigurd asked, his face cold, as he moved towards the railing at the ship's side.

"I don't know, Grandpa," Beibei replied. "Beibei has forgotten so many, many things. En, Papa says he's Beibei's adoptive father, but Beibei says he's Beibei's *real* Papa!" The little one gazed at Duchen with profound affection, her eyes brimming with familial love. "Grandpa, you look so scary right now, Beibei is scared!"

Zigurd let out a proud laugh, comforting her, "Don't be scared, Beibei. Grandpa has discovered some troublesome fellows, and now he's going to drag them out! Hmph! Come out!" As he spoke, Zigurd's form did not seem to shift, and little Beibei in his arms didn't even feel the slightest tremor in his body. Yet, the seawater around the *Belkus* suddenly turned viscous.

Then, as if a chunk had been scooped out of a sheet of jelly, two masses of seawater, thick as paste, floated up along the *Belkus*'s deck. Within them, several strange figures were trapped.

Duchen let out a long breath of relief. So, Zigurd's sudden shift in aura wasn't directed at him, but rather because he had discovered someone spying on the *Belkus*!

Damn it all, who was monitoring the *Belkus*? Were they in league with the thieves who had 'visited' his dormitory last time!?

Slowly, the viscous seawater, encasing the figures within, descended onto the deck. Shieb Harry's initial gut-wrenching terror dissipated; he reasoned that with Zigurd present, he had nothing to fear. Subsequently, he saw the figures, now on the deck, suddenly begin to laugh.

"Heh, it's those wretches even baser than us Shieb folk!"