After leaving the Ironheart Dormitory, Alex went to look for Professor Gareth.
Fortunately, the Professor was still in his office, so Alex managed to see him without too much trouble.
"You have an artifact that can replay scenes of the crime?" Professor Gareth looked at Alex in disbelief. "Something like that exist?"
"Yes, Professor," Alex replied. "But if possible, please keep this a secret. It’s one of my most prized artifacts, so I don’t want anyone trying to steal it from me."
This sounded like a reasonable concern, but it was far from the truth. In reality, Alex had nothing to worry about.
It was because his super rare artifact, Memory Dial, was soulbound to him. Still, that didn’t mean Alex wanted to be on guard all the time so he could fend against opponents coveting it.
"Some memories are better left buried."
Item Grade: Super Rare
Active Skills: Echo Recall
— When this skill is activated, the owner of the Memory Dial can see the past events that happened in the location where they are standing.
— You can choose a specific date and time, or you can just let the artifact play the most memorable event that happened in your location.
Effect: Creates a temporary illusion that replays what happened within a 20-meter radius around you. This illusion will only last for five minutes.
Skill Cooldown: 48 hours
After Alex explained how the Memory Dial worked, the Professor took the young man back to the scene of the crime, so he could use the artifact.
When they arrived at the spot where Bob, Grint, and Jorven had first met Grumpy, Alex took out his pocket watch.
It didn’t look like anything special. In fact, its hands also weren’t moving, which would make most people assume that it was just a cheap and broken pocket watch.
However, the moment Alex activated it, the minute and hour hands started to spin counter-clockwise as if rewinding time.
A projection of Grumpy, Bob, Grint, and Jorven appeared. Although he had already been told of the artifact’s power, Professor Gareth’s eyes still widened in shock.
However, after his initial surprise, he scanned the surroundings to look for anyone who might have caused the Red Ape to become berserk.
Suddenly, the Professor saw a vial flying towards Grumpy. It shattered when it hit the Red Ape’s chest, releasing the dark red potion within.
The Professor glanced in the direction where the vial was thrown, but the range of Echo Recall was limited.
"If only we could expand the effect of this artifact, it would be many times better." Professor Gareth sighed.
"You’re right, Profess..." Alex wasn’t able to finish whatever he was going to say next because a blue window screen appeared in front of him.
< Would you like to expand the range of the Memory Dial for 2,000 Arcana Points? >
< if you choose this option, not only will its range extend to 100 meters, the duration of its effect will also be extended to twenty minutes. >
< Would you like to purchase this option? >
Alex blinked once then twice after looking at the option in front of him.
He wanted to choose yes, but if he did, he would lose his hard-earned Arcana Points.
’Alex, this is more important,’ he reminded himself as he gritted his teeth. ’Arcana Points can be earned later, but lives once lost are lost forever. You cannot sit around and hope that the person responsible will just suddenly develop a conscience and stop trying to cause trouble.’
He knew what should be done, but that didn’t make it easier to part with 2,000 Arcana Points. With a heavy heart, Alex chose the option to upgrade his Memory Dial.
The moment the upgrade started, the Memory Dial was bathed in a golden light.
A ripple of magic then expanded outward, allowing more things to appear in their surroundings.
"Dim!" Dim Dim, an expert when it came to throwing things, pointed to where the mysterious instigator must have stood, prompting Alex to run in that direction.
The effect of the Memory Dial moved alongside Alex, replaying the events that had happened in the past.
This filled Professor Gareth with hope, and he followed Alex, who was being guided by Dim Dim.
A moment later, a figure finally appeared. After recognizing the perpetrator, Alex’s jaw dropped. His identity answered some questions, but raised even more.
Professor Gareth, who could also see the culprit, felt his hope replaced by disbelief. The person in the trees was someone very familiar to him.
It was none other than his adopted son, Lucius, who often accompanied him during his class.
Alex and Professor Gareth said at the same time.
The two then glanced at each other for saying the same thing, albeit for different reasons.
Professor Gareth didn’t believe that his adopted son could do something , especially since Lucius was a Third Year student of the academy and was part of the Student Council.
Alex didn’t believe that it was Lucius because he was one of the main supporting characters who helped the Protagonists in overcoming the incidents and tragedies that transpired in the academy.
A few minutes passed until the effect of the Memory Dial faded away.
Even so, the two were still unable to accept what they had seen.
"Alex, I have a favor to ask," Professor Gareth said, his voice grim.
"Yes, Professor?" Alex looked at the Professor, who was very pale after witnessing the truth.
"Please keep this as a secret for now. I will interrogate Lucius and get to the bottom of this. If you do this favor for me, I promise that I will repay it in the future."
Alex hesitated a little but ended up agreeing.
However, he had two conditions.
"Please keep my involvement in this matter a secret, Professor," Alex stated. "Also, please tell me the real reason why Luc... I mean, the Treasurer of the Student Council did something ."
Alex suspected that Lucius Thornwell might have been ordered by the Student Council President, Theo, to disrupt Professor Gareth’s class.
But he immediately tossed this idea to the side.
Even though Alex and Theo had a bad start, he knew that the Student Council President would not go as far as to kill a student just for the sake of petty revenge.
Something—or someone—else must have pushed Lucius Thornwell to do such a thing, and Alex wanted to find out the real reason why.
"Understood," Professor Gareth promised. "I will keep your involvement a secret, and I will also tell you why my adopted son did it. I only ask that you keep this matter to yourself as well."
"Okay, Professor," Alex replied. "We have a deal."
After thanking Alex, Professor Gareth awarded him 5,000 Academy Points as thanks for helping him with the investigation.
The young man fervently wished that Lucius wasn’t really the one responsible because if it was really him... things would definitely be more complicated in the future.
This was especially true since Lucius was a supporting character, who would play important roles in future events in the academy.