novelraw Chapter 355 - 16 - On the Matter of Welt's Late-Life Integrity
Chapter 355 - 16 - On the Matter of Welt's Late-Life Integrity
"…"
Welt was keenly aware that he wasn't on speakerphone, yet Tesla's voice seemed to carry a chill colder than the snowy day itself. No… not a chill, it was a heat. A heat… named social death?
He could feel three pairs of scorching eyes on his back, and was that a look of pity from the side? None of it mattered anymore. He could now confirm that this was a "Honkai World" from a different time and space. And it was very likely a time period he himself had once experienced. If that was the case, things would be simpler. First, he'd let Tesla know of his existence, and then he would share some information regarding…
No, wait. If he told them those things this early, would the future be altered? What if the timeline deviated because of his information? Would it directly impact the future?
If this was a parallel world, it would be fine. But if it was truly his own past timeline, then he had to be extremely cautious with every move…
"Say something! Why did you call?! You don't seriously want me to research a cold medicine better suited for a Herrscher's constitution, do you?!"
On the other end of the line, Tesla suddenly felt something was off. She frowned and pressed Welt for an answer.
"Mm… some things are too complicated. I may need to speak with you in person. Tomorrow afternoon, can you and Dr. Einstein come to St. Freya Academy? I will be waiting for you at the old spot."
After saying this, Welt hung up. He was afraid Tesla would expose more of his past exploits. If that happened, his prestige on the train would be in jeopardy…
"Was that… Mrs. Yang on the phone just now? She sounds… very forthright…"
March 7th, who had listened to the entire call, scratched her head awkwardly. She guiltily averted her gaze, not quite daring to look at Welt.
I heard Uncle Yang's private secrets… He's not going to silence me to protect his reputation, is he?! After all, that part about running naked in the snow…
"…"
Welt looked at the imaginative March 7th, pushed up his glasses with a sense of resignation, and sighed helplessly.
It seemed he was still the most reliable one here… First, he had to find this timeline's version of himself at St. Freya Academy. If it was his past self, he should also have a considerable understanding of matters related to time and space.
To Welt, looking at his past self was like looking at himself from yesterday. And for him, that was literally the case.
"Let's get moving. St. Freya Academy is only about twenty or thirty kilometers from here. We should be able to get there quickly on foot."
Using the train's comprehensive navigation system, Welt quickly confirmed their current position and located St. Freya Academy. He took the lead and started walking.
In a past timeline, it was best to avoid using the local satellites. Even the call he had just made to Tesla was routed through the train as a relay, preventing any reverse-tracking of the signal and saving a lot of trouble.
As it turned out, Welt's choice was correct. Tesla did indeed initiate a trace on the communication signal, but she came up with nothing.
"Something's not right… this is really not right. Chicken Coop Hair! Did you record that voice?"
Tesla shot up from her chair and shouted at Einstein, who was behind her with a sleepy expression.
"Mm, running a comparison now… The vocal print is a one hundred percent match with Joachim's. At the same time… it's also a one hundred percent match with the voice of Welt from the game Honkai: Star Rail. Given the previous appearance of 'Wende,' I don't think this is a coincidence. Our previous audio test showed that the game's Welt only had a ninety-eight percent match with Joachim."
Displaying the data on the screen, Einstein gave her assessment.
"Are you saying that the Welt who called me is actually the one from Star Rail? That's ridiculous! If you were talking about that Wende guy who appeared and disappeared, I could maybe see a connection, but this…"
Tesla rubbed her chin, then thought of the simplest solution.
"Can't I just call Joachim again? Why make it so complicated?"
Having finally realized this, Tesla promptly dialed Joachim's number.
(To facilitate distinction, the native world's Welt will now be referred to as "Joachim.")
Inside a classroom at St. Freya Academy, Joachim was engrossed in teaching his students about the history of the Honkai and the development of human civilization under its influence.
Huu… huu…
In the back row of the classroom, a sleepy white-haired furball was propping her cheek up with her hand, struggling to stay awake. But in reality, she had already drifted off to sleep, snoozing soundly in dreamland.
"…"
Wendy, sitting beside Kiana, watched this scene silently. She found it strangely fascinating. Taking advantage of the moment when Joachim was writing on the blackboard, she quietly poked Kiana's cheek.
Biu~
"Mmm…" Kiana only mumbled in her sleep, showing no signs of waking up.
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Joachim, who was teaching the class, silently turned around. Seeing Kiana, who was now about to start talking in her sleep, he silently pushed up his glasses and picked up a piece of chalk.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
Seeing that Kiana was now wide awake, Joachim picked up his textbook and continued his lecture.
Ring… ring…
"Hm?"
Seeing the incoming call on his phone, Joachim frowned.
"You will all have a study period now."
Joachim announced to the students, then walked out of the classroom with his phone. He found a corridor with no people or surveillance cameras and called the number back.
Beep… beep…
"Joachim?"
Tesla's voice came from the phone, but… why did it sound like a question?
"It's me. What happened?"
"Did you just call me?"
"No, I was in class…"
Hearing Joachim's reply, Tesla turned to look at Einstein.
Einstein rubbed her forehead with a helpless expression, then nodded at Tesla.
"I see. Listen, Joachim, something's come up…"
Tesla then told Joachim about the call she had just received from Welt.
---o---
Far East, in the vicinity of St. Freya Academy.
"Uncle Yang, are we really going to climb over from here? Aren't you good friends with the director here? Can't we just use the front gate?"
March 7th complained, staring at the high wall in front of them.