LOM: Lord of Mysticism

"Melissa, this isn't a waste of salary. In the future, my colleagues as well as Benson's colleagues might visit. Are we going to host them in such a place? When Benson and I get married and have wives, are we still going to sleep in bunk beds?"

"None of you have fiancées yet, right? We can wait a little while and save up more money in the meantime," Melissa said.

"No, Melissa. This is a societal rule. Since I'm earning three pounds a week, I should look like I'm earning three pounds a week." Klein explained.

Klein saw that Melissa was about to continue arguing and said, "Don't worry. I'm not planning to get a bungalow, but probably a terrace. It has to at least have a bathroom we can use. Also, I like Mrs. Smyrin's bread, Tingen biscuits, and lemon cakes too. We can first consider places near Iron Cross Street and Daffodil Street."

"Besides, I'm in no rush to move either. We have to wait for Benson to return. We can't have him be shocked when he opens the door to find nothing, right? Imagine him saying in astonishment—'Where are my things? Where are my siblings? Where's my home? Is this my home? Did I make a mistake? Goddess, wake me up if this is a dream. Why is my home gone after a few days of absence!?'" Klein said with a chuckle.

"No, Mr. Franky would definitely be waiting by the door to get Benson to hand over the apartment keys. Benson wouldn't even be able to come up." The girl disparaged the miserly landlord.

"Right, there's no way he would switch locks for the tenants after us," Klein pointed at the door and quipped, "Shall we head to Silver Crown Restaurant for a celebration?"

Melissa sighed gently. "Klein, do you know Selena? My classmate and my good friend?"

"Yes." Klein nodded in affirmation.

"Her elder brother, Chris, is a lawyer. He currently earns close to three pounds a week as well. His fiancée works part time as a typist," Melissa described. "They have been engaged for more than four years. To ensure a decent and stable life after marriage, they are still saving money to this very day. They have yet to go down the wedding aisle and plan to wait for at least another year. According to Selena, there are many people like her brother. They typically get married after 28. You have to make advanced preparations and save up. Don't squander your money."

It's just a meal at a restaurant. There's no need to preach to me... "Melissa, I'm already earning three pounds a week, and I'll have increments every year. There's no need for you to worry."

"But we need to save some money in the case of any unexpected emergencies. For example, what if that security company suddenly closes down? I have a classmate whose father's company went bankrupt. He had to find temporary work at the pier, and their living conditions turned terrible. She had no choice but to quit school," Melissa advised with a serious expression.

"T-that security company and the government... Yes, it has some connections with the government. It will not easily close down." Klein said.

"But even the government isn't stable. After every election, if the party in power changes, many people will have their positions stripped off, and it turns into a mess." Melissa retorted.

Tsk, you sure know a lot. Klein found Melissa to be annoying and gave up. "Alright then… I'll boil some soup with the leftovers from yesterday. Buy some pan-fried fish, a slab of black pepper beef, a small bottle of butter, and a cup of malt beer for me."

"Alright." Melissa did not object to Klein's proposal. She put down her backpack of stationery and took the notes.

Klein took a few brisk steps forward, taking out the remaining copper pennies from his pocket and stuffing them into his sister's palm.

"Ah?" Melissa looked at her brother in puzzlement.

"Remember to go to Mrs. Smyrin's and buy two lemon cakes." Klein said.

"..." Melissa blinked. "Okay." She quickly opened the door and ran toward the stairwell.

---

A river tore through the land, with cedar and maple trees lining the banks.

Klein walked down a cemented path and approached a three-story stone building. It was Tingen University's administrative block.

Truly worthy of being one of the two major universities of the Loen Kingdom... With this being his first time here, Klein sighed as he walked.

Compared to Tingen University, Khoy University right across the river could only be described as shabby.

"Heave-ho!"

"Heave-ho!"

Voices approached slowly as two rowing boats made their way upstream across the Khoy River, as oars were being rowed in an orderly and rhythmic manner.

This was a rowing sport that was popular among all the universities in the Loen Kingdom. With Klein requiring a scholarship to finance his university studies, he, Welch, and the others had joined Khoy University's rowing club.

"This is youth." Klein stopped and looked into the distance before sighing wistfully.

Such sights would no longer be seen in another week since school would break for summer. As he proceeded down a road sheltered by trees, Klein stopped by a three-story stone building and found his way to an office.

He knocked lightly on the half-closed door.

"Come in." A man's voice was heard from inside. A middle-aged instructor frowned when he saw Klein enter. "There's another hour until the interview."

"Mr. Stone, do you still remember me? I'm a student of Senior Associate Professor Cohen, Klein Moretti. You have read my recommendation letter before." Klein said.

Harvin Stone asked, puzzled, "Is there something wrong? I'm not in charge of interviews."

"Here's the situation. I've already found a job, so I won't be participating in the interview today." Klein explained.

"I see…" When Harvin Stone learned of the reason, he stood up. "Congratulations. You are really a polite lad. I will inform the professor and senior associate professors."

Klein shook Harvin's hand and planned on making a little small talk before bidding him farewell when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Moretti, you found another job?"

Klein turned around and saw a middle-aged man with a head of silver hair that left a deep impression on his silhouette. He had deep, blue eyes and few wrinkles.

"Good afternoon, Mentor, Mr. Azik," he hurriedly greeted. "Why are the two of you here?"

The elder was the Senior Associate Professor of Khoy University's history department, who was also his mentor, Mr. Quentin Cohen.

Beside Cohen was a middle-aged man with black hair, brown eyes, and bronze-colored skin, holding a newspaper. He revealed an indescribable sense of wisdom, like he had seen the vicissitudes of life.

Klein recognized him since he often helped the original Klein; he was Khoy University's history department lecturer, Mr. Azik.

He enjoyed debating with his mentor and friend, Senior Associate Professor Cohen, often having a clash of opinions.

Cohen nodded. "Azik and I are here to participate in an academic conference. What kind of job did you get?"

"It's a security company that seeks, collects, and protects ancient relics. They were in need of a professional consultant and are paying me three pounds a week." Klein further explained, "As you know, I prefer exploring history instead of summarizing it."

Cohen nodded slightly. "Everyone has their own choices. I'm very happy that you bothered to come to Tingen University to inform them instead of just not showing up."

At that moment, Azik interjected, "Klein, do you know what happened to Welch and Naya? I read in the newspapers that they were killed by burglars."

The incident has become a case of armed burglary, and is it already in the newspapers? Klein was taken aback as he weighed over his words.

"I'm not very clear on the specifics. Welch had obtained a diary of the Solomon Empire's Antigonus family from the Fourth Epoch. He sought my help in interpreting it. I helped them for the first few days, but I later got busy with job hunting. The police came to me two days ago." Klein deliberately divulged the matter regarding the Solomon Empire and the Antigonus family in hopes of getting any information from the two history teachers.

"The Fourth Epoch," Cohen muttered with a frown.

The eyes of Azik went blank first before he inhaled. Antigonus rings a bell... But why can't I remember...