A mage? A spell engineer!

Can Chapter 211 be a little more professional?

"Why did you nod first and then deny it?" Gerald felt like he had been played.

The eccentric apprentice clasped his hands together and said, "I've been studying Eastern magic lately. In one region, shaking your head means yes, and nodding means no."

"Master Gerald, isn't it amusing to distort the truth like this?"

The investigator, eager to rid himself of this unruly apprentice who was doing nothing to advance the investigation, quickly said, "Alright, let's talk about one last question: Did Master Rorschach have a conflict with the second son of Grand Duke Merovingian during his substitute teaching?"

"That depends on how you define the meaning and scope of 'conflict'."

Gerald had already gleaned some information from a few apprentices: "It is said that Philip was injured that day."

“Yes, we all saw it.” Rorschach saw Gerald’s eyes light up, as if to say, “I want to hear this!” But what he said next was immediately disappointing: “But Philip fell by himself. He was having some mental problems that day, and he was dizzy and disoriented. Everyone can witness that, including the teacher who treated him.”

Gerald was still unwilling to give up; he stopped writing halfway through and asked, "Really?"

"In fact, if you ask around, you'll find that Philip volunteered to join Master Cano's research group and was even assigned to Master Rorschach's research lab."

At this point, the "apprentice" suddenly pulled out his little notebook: "Gerald de Villefort, right? Please answer me:"

Do you believe the relationship between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire is tense?

Gerald was a little confused, and subconsciously answered, "Yes."

"Do you believe there's a possibility that the Empire could infiltrate the Holy Kingdom under the guise of academic exchange?"

"have."

Rorschach nodded: "Then do you agree to conduct a reliability investigation on Rorschach, the mage from the Imperial Royal Magic Academy?"

"I agree." Bearing the blood of the kingdom's nobility, Villefort must always be vigilant against the kingdom's enemies and not dishonor the "virtue" in his name.

"Great! Now, three more questions:"

"Do you agree that mages should maintain relative independence from secular governments and uphold cross-regional cooperative organizations called 'Magic Guilds'?"

Gerald was able to maintain a sense of superiority over his heir brother and other relatives precisely because of his magical abilities; his proud status as a spellcaster allowed him to answer without hesitation: "I agree."

Do you believe that the dissemination and exchange of magical knowledge should not be hindered by geographical or other factors?

"Yes."

Do you believe that mages from the Empire, as well as mages from the Holy Kingdom who come to the Empire, should receive the respect they deserve and be treated fairly within the mage organization?

"certainly."

"Including Master Rorschach?"

"Bags, etc."

Rorschach didn't wait for Gerald. He put away his notebook and smiled, "Mage Gerald, you may be skilled in magic, but you don't seem very professional when it comes to conducting investigations." With that, he turned and left.

Villefort wanted to keep this master there, but the apprentice had barely walked a distance before his figure blurred into the other pedestrians.

"Strange. Quickly write it down." The investigator had just thought of the first "three-question combo" when the main character of this trip appeared, successfully interrupting his train of thought and the act of picking up his pen.

Gerald, seeing that the newcomer was still completely unaware of the situation, looked at him with a bewildered expression: "Who are you?"

The purple robes intimidated him for a moment. Although he was also a newly promoted intermediate mage, this Rorschach was far too young. Out of politeness, Gerald extended his hand warmly:

"You must be Master Rorschach? I am Gerald, representing the Senate of Arcane Law. I have been ordered to investigate the matter concerning High Master Valuwana and would like to learn more from you."

Upon hearing the other party's self-introduction, Rorschach's expression immediately turned cold: "Last time, two disgusting fellows claimed to represent the will of the guild, and now someone has come to represent the Senate. Mr. Gerald, I didn't expect that the Valois branch would have such a young senator as you."

Although he was rebuffed, Gerald saw that Rorschach made no attempt to hide his disgust and judged that this boy, who wore his heart on his sleeve, should not be a troublesome fellow and should be easier to deal with than the previous "strange apprentice".

Gerald spoke in a businesslike tone: "Master Rorschach, I am certainly not an elder, but elders can't do everything themselves, can they? I am their representative, and the investigation team includes more than just me, Villefort."

Rorschach gave a slight indication of agreement: "But words alone are not enough, and I haven't seen any documents or certificates to prove your mission, so I'm afraid I can't cooperate until you produce proof."

Rorschach deliberately spoke loudly, causing passersby to slow down and look in his direction. The other party's stubbornness forced Villefort to reluctantly pull out the Senate decree. He had only intended to flash it briefly in front of Rorschach, but his hand was firmly gripped by an invisible force.

Rorschach immediately noticed the signature fluttering in the lower right corner. Of course, it wasn't just one elder's signature, but this gentleman's name occupied the largest space: "Louis de Granols".

Very good, very much in the style of a count.

Rorschach released the enhanced [Mage's Hand], and Villefort had a bad feeling. But he still pretended to be calm: "Mage Rorschach, please take me to the bedroom."

"You are to search."

"No, it's just to rule out unnecessary suspicion."

Rorschach didn't insist any further, and instead opened the door to let this annoying guy in.

Rorschach's room was simple. To be honest, he hadn't spent any money on property anywhere in mainland China yet. Old Merkel's mud house certainly wouldn't be big enough for him, but hopefully, the family could leave a room for their eldest son after buying a house in town. Rorschach also didn't have any extra money to buy property in Byrne.

The small single dormitory room was all there was to it, with just a few sets of clothes, a walking stick, a table and chair, and half a bed of books. When Villefort came in, he was also surprised, as there was obviously nothing to explore here.

It was precisely because he had nothing that gave Luo Xia confidence; his important documents were either burned or stored in the ring on his hand.

Gerald walked around the small space twice, flipping through Rorschach's books one by one, and carefully put them back in their original positions under the room owner's angry glare.

He picked up a bound manuscript, flipped through it for a moment, and found many things he didn't understand: "This is..."

"Given to me by Maestro Poincaré."

Villefort flipped through the pages and indeed found Poincaré's autograph and inscription, so he made a mental note: Rorschach and the great mage Poincaré had a good relationship.

Then he saw the letters between Kober, Humboldt, Feuerbach and the intermediate mage.

He made sure he found nothing that could embarrass his master. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "That's it?"

"That's all. There's also a separate toilet and shower. Want to see them?"

"No, never mind." Gerald dropped the subject, only suggesting that he needed to review Rorschach's lecture notes again. "Here you go, it's been the same set from beginning to end. And the unused final exam papers, do you want them?"

He took out the printed copy, but he wouldn't take out the original unless the unprofessional investigator brought it up.

Hmm? I don't think I can do this question. Gerald took it and glanced at it, realizing that he had forgotten most of his alchemy skills, or perhaps he hadn't learned the new knowledge system that Rorschach had brought. However, Villefort disdained this approach and stuffed everything into his file folder as "spoils of war."

"Finally, I was also entrusted by a certain lord to investigate your affair with Merovingian." Villefort had not completed his original task, so he put his mind to it and did not let this matter go.

(End of this chapter)