Shadow Slave novel Chapter 878

Chapter 878: VIP

There were not a lot of old people in the outskirts, where average life expectancy was rather low. However, even in the city proper, elderly were not a common sight - simply because the previous generations had been decimated by the arrival of the Nightmare Spell. So, Sunny had little experience dealing with really old people.

The man in front of him, however, was not just old... he was certifiably ancient. He had to be eighty years, at least, or even older. His skin was thin like paper, with knotty blue veins clearly visible beneath it, and his neatly combed hair was completely white. The old man's eyes, however, were still brimming with sharp intelligence and awareness.

This was someone who had been born long before the descent of the Nightmare Spell, and lived both through the terror of the Dark Times and the turbulent chaos of the modern era.

Sunny hesitated for a moment.

"...Obel? The Professor Obel?"

The old man smiled.

"You know who I am, Master Sunless? How flattering! It's nice to see that the young generation still appreciates obscure scientists like me."

His assistant - a young woman with dark hair that was gathered in a bun and eyes full of attitude - sneered.

"Indeed. I thought all Awakened only know how to swing a sword."

Sunny gave her a deadpan stare.

"... For your information, I am a researcher and lecturer back in the Academy, with several academic publications under my name. I only swing a sword when there's a reason to."

The assistant blinked, then looked down in embarrassment.

"Oh..."

Professor Obel let out a good-natured chuckle.

"Don't be rude, Beth! In any case... we'll be in your care then, Master Sunless."

He looked at Sunny with curiosity, and then asked:

"What department are you assigned to in the Academy, if you don't mind me

asking?"

Sunny shrugged.

"Wilderness Survival. My specialty is Dream Realm exploration and the history of dead languages."

Professor Obel raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Do you, perhaps, know a brat named Julius?"

Sunny stared at him in bewilderment.

"Uh... Teacher Julius? Of course. He is my mentor, after all. But I wouldn't call him a... a brat. With all due respect."

The old man laughed.

"He is to me! Julius used to be my student, you know, before Awakening and choosing a different field of expertise. How is that rascal doing?"

Sunny scratched the back of his head. Never in his life had he imagined hearing someone address Teacher Julius as a bratty rascal...

"He is doing great. His health is good... and he is very passionate about his research..."

Professor Obel nodded in satisfaction.

"Good, this is good. Then... Master Sunless, what happens now? Are we leaving LO49 already?"

His assistant frowned and looked across the chamber, where lots of scientists were busy copying data on external storage devices and running around in something that resembled panic.

Sunny shook his head.

"That... we can't contact Army Command right now, so it's hard to say. There will be news in around eight hours. That is the earliest we can leave, but depending on what information comes back, there can be a delay."

The young woman - Beth - sighed with relief.