Lord of Mysteries: The Color of the Stars

"Professor Albrecht, this is Inspector Wilford, and this is Officer Beach Mountbatten."

"Officers, this is Professor Julian Albrecht, our new forensic expert consultant in our seventh team."

After getting out of the car, Dunn Smith shook hands with two police officers in uniform and wearing epaulets on the roadside, and then introduced Julian.

"professor?"

Villefort was a stern-faced, somewhat imposing middle-aged man.

Unlike Beach Mountbatten, who appeared relatively polite and sported a brown beard, he seemed far less approachable:

"When did your Group Seven start doing academic work? Weren't you always doing that kind of... thing?"

There was a strange emotion in his words, it was hard to tell whether it was disgust or fear.

That feeling was somewhat similar to the fear that non-magical Muggles had of wizards in the fantasy novels Julian had read in his previous life.

At this moment, with the help of the power granted by the "Four-Colored Awakener" potion, Julian was able to see Villefort's special colors very clearly.

"I was in a bad mood, and even a little scared—the aura was mostly red, but also contained a bit of dark elements."

"Although the men's cologne on his body was barely perceptible, the pale green halo produced by the slow evaporation of the scent was still visible... Yes, it was cologne. This color was different from ordinary body odor, and judging from the color stains on his shirt, he did not have the habit of using cologne before."

"A fragrance that can only be detected through close, intimate contact—she probably didn't want her colleagues to notice. Considering Officer Wilford's age... could it be an extramarital affair?"

Julian made a judgment in his mind in a daze, but on the surface he smiled and was not angry. He simply handed over his business card from Hoy University.

"If you are interested in physics—especially optics—we can exchange ideas more."

"I will be holding classes at Hoy University on the 15th of every month. If you and your family are interested, you are welcome to audit the classes."

Wilford took the business card with some suspicion and looked at the contents.

He really is a professor...

Villefort was momentarily speechless, but his brow quickly relaxed, and he swiftly shook hands with Julian:

"I'm sorry, Professor.

"I thought the seventh group consisted of... well, talents in a certain area."

How do you know I'm not suited for that?

Julian smiled and winked at Villefort, then brushed past him and whispered:

"This scent is too youthful for you; you can try a different one next time."

Wilford's face immediately showed embarrassment upon hearing this, while Leonard chuckled dryly and quickly followed.

Thump!

"Knock knock!"

The dull sound echoed in the hallway.

Julian and the other three stood behind Beach Mountbatten, watching him knock on an unremarkable front door.

"Who?"

A voice came from inside; it sounded like a young man.

"Klein..."

Julian recognized the other person's voice immediately.

He had previously met Klein Moretti at Hoy University, but at this point, he should already be Zhou Mingrui.

The feeling of watching others travel through time is quite novel, especially when it involves the original owner's memories.

To those who don't understand, it seems that these time travelers are not much different before and after, but if they know the truth, they will have a strange sense of disorientation.

"I am Mountbatten, Beach Mountbatten."

"police."

Upon hearing Officer Mountbatten's voice, the people inside shouted:

"Okay, I'm coming right away!"

A moment later, the door opened, and a young man appeared before everyone.

The young man had black hair and brown eyes, an ordinary appearance, and deep features, giving him a scholarly air.

"Sorry, I was taking a nap."

Klein struggled to suppress his emotions and spoke.

"These four officers have something to ask you."

Upon hearing Beach Mountbatten's words, Klein instinctively looked at the other four people.

When his gaze fell on Julian, he paused slightly, as if recalling something.

"Professor Albrecht?"

Klein said somewhat uncertainly.

"It's a wonder you still remember me."

Julian showed a relieved expression.

Although Klein was not a physics student, he had seen Julian before when he attended a faculty and student social event, so he had some impression of him.

"Also, don't be so formal, just call me Julian."

"You've come today to...?"

In response to Klein's question, Julian patted him on the shoulder:

"I'm just an assistant today. Officer Wilford and Officer Dunn have something to ask you."

Julian handed over Dunn's name without making a sound, and the whole process seemed quite natural.

In fact, he knew that Dunn would later infiltrate Klein's dream and announce his name through the door.

Therefore, if Klein knew the other person's name in advance, it would help him prepare mentally—although it wouldn't have a big impact on things, it would be a gesture of goodwill from Julian.

Afterwards, Wilford and Dunn asked some questions, while Leonard cooperated by looking through Klein's diary, which contained all sorts of strange statements.

"What does that sentence mean? 'Everyone will die, including me'..."

Klein covered his forehead and replied in a pained tone:

"I don't know, I really don't know... When I woke up this morning, I felt like something was wrong with me, like I had forgotten some things, especially the things that happened in the last few days, and I don't even know why I wrote this sentence."

Upon hearing this, Beech Mountbatten immediately displayed extreme distrust.

He thought Klein was joking, so he reprimanded the young man in a stern tone.

Dunn, however, was not surprised by this. He calmed Beach Mountbatten down for the time being, and then turned to look at Julian.

"Professor, what are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Leonard closed the diary and handed it to Julian, then looked at him.

"Well, nothing else seems out of the ordinary."

Julian glanced at Klein, who was trying to appear calm but whose forehead was emitting a faint white glow, as he flipped through the diary.

The guy was sweating profusely, but it was very difficult for others to notice.

Julian chuckled inwardly and deliberately sniffed:

"However, there seems to be a strange smell in this room..."

"What does it taste like?"

Everyone, including Klein and Dunn, looked at him suspiciously.

Julian stood up and walked straight toward the fireplace in the room.

This action immediately made the hairs on the back of Klein's neck stand on end.

Because hidden under the kettle and coals in that fireplace was the revolver he took from Welch to commit suicide!