Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Stargazing Room
Translator: Exodus Tales Editor: Exodus Tales
Reality.
The name of Han Dong did indeed appear on the “Outstanding Achievers” list.
However, the individual in charge didn’t announce it because he had received a last-minute notice, instructing him not to mention the name of “Valen
Nicholas”
The reason was not yet known.
At this moment, another lady teacher wearing a bird beak mask spoke:
“Now the ‘Qualifying Score’ students will begin to choose their mentors based on the order of the names just read…ln addition, Valen Nicholas.
There seems to have been some issue with your test. Come with me.”
“There’s a problem?”
The apprentice knights in the audience had thought that Han Dong, like the other two “Outstanding Achievers,” was a naturally gifted person who had survived the test unscathed.
However, it now appeared that he might have ‘cheated’ his way through the test and was thus being taken away for a reevaluation.
Immediately, people began to discuss, “I knew it, this guy looks like he came from the commoners’ district; how could he possibly have passed the individual test without a scratch.”
“Being taken away like this, he may not even have the chance to retake the test.”
“Getting through the test by cheating also shows his ability, doesn’t it? At least we couldn’t think of a way to cheat.”
The apprentice knights all had their views about Han Dong’s departure.
The short-haired girl known for her expertise in herbology, looking at Han Dong’s retreating figure, revealed a smile and seemed to have a different perspective.
The woman leading Han Dong away was a female teacher.
She was wearing a bird beak mask, a belly-baring corset, and a light long skirt, with various metallic ornaments on her hands.
Judging from the exposed skin, she seemed young too.
After walking out of the conference room, she led Han Dong onto a special elevator marked with a Star Mark, heading to the higher levels of the tower.
“Valen Nicholas, ‘Outstanding Achievers,’ total score 95… the best student in this batch.
Do you know why you were singled out, and not participating in the ‘Mentor
Selection’?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Just as your name was about to be announced, Mr. Black White suddenly issued a special order to us teachers to bring you to the Stargazing Room, which is Mr. Black White’s private office.”
“Mr. Black White wants to see me?”
“Yes, but it’s strange. Mr. Black White also purposely instructed us not to announce your score. It seems he found some issue with your test… However, even if there is an issue, we should be the ones handling it. Such minor matters shouldn’t bother Mr. Black White.
In Mr. Black White’s eyes, apprentice knights are still fledglings who can’t fly completely independently, and he doesn’t like interacting with them… you are a rare exception.”
“Thank you.”
When the elevator arrived, a corridor made of brilliant starlight glass appeared before Han Dong.
With the leading teacher lowering her head, the bird’s beak brushed against Han Dong’s cheek, whispering in his ear:
“It’s a bit strange that Mr. Black White asked me to accompany you to the Stargazing Room… Make sure you remember your manners later. Mr. Black White’s mood is unpredictable.”
“Yes.”
Han Dong was not nervous.
Truth be told, he had a similar experience before.
When he was studying abroad at Florence University, he received high praise during the doctoral interview.
At that time, the dean of the School of Life Sciences requested a personal meeting with Han Dong after the interview, considering having this foreign student directly join his research group to study cellular research.
The situation now was similar. Han Dong was required to meet with the head of the Mysterious Department.
On the main door at the end of the glass corridor, there was a simple map of Astrology’s twelve houses… The door was about five meters high, and it didn’t seem to be designed for ‘humans’.
The lady teacher seemed to have already received Mr. Black White’s permission to proceed. As she leaned on both hands against the door and a light green power appeared, the door was easily opened by her.
“Plague…”
Upon seeing the woman teacher’s power, Han Dong seemed to realize the reason why Mr. Black White had called him and the teacher here together.
As the door was opened, there was a wonderful feeling of stepping into the milky way.
The floor and walls were all made of a fluorescent stone.
Internally, there seemed to be tiny stars moving slowly. The hemisphere-shaped room could create a sense of the vastness of space.
Half of the room was occupied by a giant astronomical telescope.
And there was a man in a white robe with black hair, sitting under the telescope, gazing at the stars.
“Mr. Black White, as you instructed, I have brought this apprentice knight to you… The ‘Mentor Selection’ is still going on. There are many promising seeds in this batch. If I don’t go back now, I might lose them to other teachers.” The female teacher seemed to still be very concerned about the students.
Being a ‘lecturer,’ she was weak in competition with the professors and urgently needed to recruit talented students to help her.
“Hmm… Pasha, don’t worry about the students, I’ll sort that out. Please sit…”
“Pasha!? ” Han Dong was taken aback, the Middle Eastern girl he met when crossing the Dark Moon Forest also had this name.
The moment Mr. Black White stood up, the room that originally looked like a galaxy changed instantly.
The stars receded, transforming into a room with a rich European aristocratic atmosphere.
Signs of the astronomical telescope were gone, The hemisphere-shaped room shrank to a common rectangular room, Fur sofas, kerosene lamps, black iron fireplaces.
Not just an optical refraction issue, everything in this room was real… Han Dong was completely perplexed by this scene change.
The female lecturer named Pasha seemed accustomed to this. Since Mr. Black White had spoken, she could only stay here.
Pasha sat on the fur sofa with Han Dong, removing her bird beak mask.
Healthy wheatish skin,
Black hair that reached her shoulders,
Lightly dusted with black eyeshadow,
Three metallic nose rings on her high-ridged nose,
Her somewhat prominent cheekbones added a touch of beauty to her face, making her even more attractive.
Her appearance made Han Dong think of the Middle Eastern girl he had teamed up with in the Dark Moon Forest… She looked exactly like the adult version of that girl.
“Could it be… all of this was arranged by Mr. Black White?” Han Dong didn’t dare to speculate irresponsibly. He would know the answer soon.
Mr. Black White walked to his seat in the single-person leather chair, facing the two of them.
Mr. Black White’s face was concealed by a black smiling mask, making it impossible to see his features.
“Pasha, you haven’t seen this kid’s testing process yet, have you?” From beneath the mask, a deep and elegant duplex tone resounded, robust and full of charisma.
“I have a basic understanding from his file. He defeated the stitched creature head-on, eliminated the ‘disturbance,’ passed the test in a short amount of time, his disposition aligns with the values of Mysticism… He obtained an excellent evaluation with a score of 95.”
“It’s not that simple. Have a look at the recording.”
Mr. Black White pulled a crystal ball from his sleeve that recorded the entire testing process.
Upon seeing the disheveled little girl in the recording, the lecturer Pasha suddenly became startled, and couldn’t help but touch the scar on her ankle..