Lord of Mysteries: The Color of the Stars

Hearing Melissa's words, Klein nodded slightly:

"I should be fine."

In this way, he can also get to know his sister's friends, so that if something happens to Melissa in the future, he won't have no one to ask for help.

"Me too."

Benson smiled and said:

"It seems we need to think about what to give Miss Selena for her birthday."

Klein agreed, and then added:

"But leave this to Melissa; she knows Miss Selena better than we do."

"All we need to do is what a gentleman should do: pay."

Benson shook his head upon hearing this and retorted:

"This is the first time I've heard someone describe laziness in such a beautiful way."

……

After leaving the "Divination Club," Julian first went home to prepare a meal for Ethan, who had already woken up, and then left him at home to continue reading. Afterward, he took two items passed down from the Jacob family of the Fourth Age and went to the History Department of Hoy University to find Mr. Azik Eggers, who was about to leave work.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Azik."

Julian greeted the other person politely upon seeing him.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Julian."

Mr. Azik also kindly extended his hand to shake Julian's, and then smiled and said:

"What good stuff did you bring today?"

"A badge, a metal bottle."

Julian took out the artifacts he had prepared beforehand from his bag and handed them to Mr. Azik.

The latter took out a magnifying glass, examined it briefly, and then said with certainty:

"This badge most likely comes from the late period of the Tudor Empire, spanning no more than 10 years... Although the writing on it is highly worn, it is still possible to tell that it is a military medal awarded to a nobleman."

"As for this metal bottle, it should be a storage jar made of brass, and it's from a slightly earlier period."

"About how much earlier?"

Julian pressed on with more questions.

"Around 700 years ago, it's impossible to pinpoint the exact year."

"Because the symmetrical style of brass artifacts has been unearthed over a very wide period of time, and the differences in their shapes are not significant."

Mr. Azik shook his head:

"However, according to my research, this type of vessel should have been influenced by the families of Trensust and Augustus, so this item should also have been used by nobles."

"Understood, thank you, Mr. Azik."

Julian thanked him again, glanced at his pocket watch, and then said:

"It's almost dinner time, and I'd like to invite you to dinner. Would you do me the honor?"

"I'd be happy to; I also happen to have some things to discuss with you."

Mr. Azik did not refuse, so the two found an East Bayon-style restaurant next to Hoy University, ordered some food, and sat down to eat at a street-facing table.

Julian, there's something I've always wanted to ask you.

After Julian had eaten his fill, Mr. Azik hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"You're probably not an ordinary person either... right?"

"Just like you?"

Julian smiled noncommittally and asked in return.

"...It seems I guessed right."

Mr. Azik sighed:

"You should be serving in the official Extraordinary Organization in addition to your teaching position at Hoy University, right?"

"You can tell from that?"

Julian raised an eyebrow.

"I have my own way of confirming things."

Mr. Azik smiled:

"As you said, I'm not an ordinary person either."

A gentle evening breeze swept by. Julian closed his eyes, raised his head, and savored the breeze for a moment before continuing to ask:

"Is it because of Klein?"

"You could say that."

Mr. Azik paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Speaking of which, I must remind you of something... Although I am certain that you have no ill intentions, you are indeed different from Klein, because you are attached to something extremely dangerous."

"When I first saw you, I noticed the strange, faint colors around you, and a vague sense of stagnation."

"That feeling of blockage makes me very anxious, and every time I feel this anxious, it means that there is something nearby that could threaten my life."

"This worries me a lot, and since you work with Klein, I investigated you in my own way... I hope you don't mind."

Julian shook his head generously:

"I understand, I don't mind at all."

"If it were me, I would have done the same thing... As a teacher, it is only natural to care about students."

"That's good."

Mr. Azik paused, then continued:

"That being said, you're treating me to dinner today, so you must be prepared to confront me, right?"

"How did you figure that out?"

Julian chuckled to himself.

"The artifacts you gave me were not recently unearthed, so your real purpose is not to have me date them, but to ask me for something else."

Mr. Azik smiled:

"I'm guessing this is from your or your family's collection, right?"

"You can't hide it from me."

Julian nodded:

"That's right, just as you said, I'd like to collaborate with you on some things."

Tell me about it.

Mr. Azik asked with great interest.

"Just as you know me, I also know you to some extent."

Julian tapped the table lightly with his index finger as he spoke:

"You are an immortal being, who knows neither your past nor the reason for your existence."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Azik was visibly shaken and looked at Julian with disbelief.

"To be honest, I have some suspicions about your true identity... I'm willing to work with you to figure these things out at some point."

"But you need to give me some time to improve my strength. I am too weak right now and am not qualified to participate in this kind of thing."

Julian didn't make any definitive statements because Mr. Azik's matter was closely related to "Death" Salinger, and there were many variables involved, so this cooperation would definitely be long-term.

"……Can."

Mr. Azik's eyes flickered slightly. He thought for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement.

"So, what can I do for you?"

"Provide me with some protection when I need it... Of course, I won't always bother you, nor will I expose you to dangers beyond your capabilities."

Julian took a sip of the black tea in his cup and continued:

"For example, there is something I need your help with right now."

As they spoke, Julian took out a map of Tingen from his person and then drew a circle on a certain spot on the outskirts of the city with his pen:

"There's a high probability there's an ancient ruin here, and there might be some treasure inside. I want to go explore it."

"However, we cannot rule out the possibility that there are some dangers involved, or even that some external forces are eyeing it, so I need you to accompany me."

After he finished speaking, he looked up at Mr. Azik:

"Of course, it cannot be ruled out that there are things in these relics that have not yet been discovered by the historical community, and there may even be some clues that can remind you of the past."

"Would you be willing to come with me?"