LIGHT NOVEL Chapter 378: On the Train
It has been a full day since Charles achieved victory in the alchemist duel, resolved the threats facing Genosha, and showcased the indomitable spirit and strength of the Genosha people in front of everyone.
The crowd of Genosha citizens gathered at the entrance of Cyber Academy has not diminished at all, in fact, it has increased significantly, even affecting the normal entry and exit of the academy's students.
Some students, while coming in and out of the academy, are frequently asked a question or two by the onlookers.
"Hey, do you know Charles? Could you please deliver this cake I made for him? It's really delicious."
"Excuse me, can you help me pass this token of appreciation to Charles?"
Looking at the Genosha people around them, all carrying various gifts, the students of Cyber Academy can only think of one thing: they just want to leave quickly.
Charles was in his dormitory, looking at the chat records in the academy group on his phone, and absentmindedly scratched his head.
He felt that he had caused trouble for the academy all by himself, and it couldn't go on like this forever.
Just as he thought that, he noticed Jace had sent a picture and a message in the academy group.
Charles opened it to find a photo of Jace surrounded by a crowd of Genosha citizens, looking excited and smug.
[I just said I know Charles, and they went crazy, shoving all kinds of gifts at me! I can't even refuse!] Jace wrote in the chat group.
Immediately, someone replied: [They're not giving those to you, they're for Charles. What are you so proud of?]
As soon as that message appeared, Jace casually responded: [Someone is envious of my good relationship with Charles, I won't say who, though.]
[I'm the one who's envious! So what? If I had such a good relationship with Charles, I'd enjoy it too!]
Charles looked at the messages on his phone with a sense of helplessness.
He glanced at the time, it was almost time. Xavier, the president of the Genosha the Forging Masters Guild, said he would deliver that disguise item around this time.
"Knock, knock, knock!" The sound of knocking echoed.
Charles leisurely opened the dormitory door and found a Cyber Academy student standing outside, a bit of bruising around his eyes.
He was holding a box with both hands, looking at Charles with excitement, and quickly spoke up:
"Hello, Charles! This is something sent over from the Forging Masters Guild. Could you please sign for it?"
Charles nodded. The Cyber Academy usually doesn't allow outsiders in, so some students take on delivery jobs to earn a little pocket money.
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As Charles signed the receipt, the student's eyes grew brighter, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift in a big smile, looking very thrilled.
Charles gave him a curious glance, and the student immediately suppressed his smile, slowly saying to Charles:
"You have no idea, Charles, I took down three other delivery guys just to get this opportunity to deliver this box to you."
"Uh... it's already signed," Charles replied slowly.
He didn't expect that simply delivering a package would lead to such competition, no wonder this student had bruises on his face, it looked like the other delivery people didn't hold back either.
"Alright then, goodbye, Charles! I won't bother you any longer!" The delivery student didn't have any other requests, took the signed receipt, carefully folded it, and placed it in his pocket with a satisfied smile.
"Hahaha, I have Charles's signature now!"
As Charles closed the door, he heard the student's joyful shout.
Even the students of Cyber Academy couldn't resist wanting to see him, and some were even willing to fight with other students just to deliver something to him. It was clear that the Genosha citizens outside would surely cause a commotion and chaos upon seeing Charles.
Thinking of this, Charles quickly opened the box in front of him, it was his hope for solving the current problem.
Inside, a white mask appeared before Charles, and immediately, a notification popped up:
[Inferior Disguise Mask [Blue Quality]: Forged from special materials, it has strong malleability and can naturally alter a person's appearance. However, due to material and forging method limitations, this item can only be used three times, each lasting three days. Additionally, after using the disguise, perceptive fifth-level Beast Masters can detect some unnatural aspects.
Remaining uses: Three.]
Charles looked at the notification in front of him, feeling a bit helpless. A blue-quality disguise item was priced similarly to an ordinary purple-quality item.
This was because disguise items required very high-quality materials, and most blacksmiths simply couldn't forge them, only a very few blacksmiths could create such items.
"But this is enough," Charles thought to himself. "Even if a fifth or sixth-level Beast Master detects something unnatural, they won't connect it to me being Charles, let alone the Genosha citizens outside."
Now, he was even more curious and eager about the orange-quality disguise item Jamie had mentioned.
Faced with the frenzied Genosha citizens, Charles felt it was essential to prepare a second identity, preferably one that was more low-key and ordinary.
With that in mind, Charles put on the [Inferior Disguise Mask] on his face, and instantly, a refreshing sensation washed over him, like applying a facial mask.
He quickly searched for a mirror and began making subtle adjustments to the mask.
In just two to three minutes, an average-looking, unremarkable boy appeared in front of Charles.
"It looks pretty good, it's enough to fool an average Beast Master. I just need to be careful with my voice, or else it will give me away," Charles said as he observed his reflection in the mirror, continually adjusting his tone.
Once he fully adapted, Charles looked at his reflection with satisfaction and nodded.
Next, it was time to buy a ticket, leave Genosha Calivia, and head to Flower Falls Gorge.
Relaxation and finding the master-level blacksmith that Dean Jamie mentioned were the two main purposes of this trip.
Four hexagram arrays appeared in Charles's dormitory, revealing the figures of Max, Mousie, Mia, and Little Gold.
Among the four mystical beasts, only Max and Mousie remained relatively calm, quickly recognizing the disguised Charles, while Mia took a closer look before confirming that this new face belonged to its master.
Little Gold looked completely puzzled, scanning the area as if searching for Charles.
"The effect isn't bad, by the way, Little Gold seems like just a simple foodie, kind of daft," Charles couldn't help but sigh.
...
On the train from Genosha Calivia to Flower Falls Gorge,
Luna and Snow sat facing each other, watching the scenery quickly retreat outside the window.
Snow couldn't help but exclaim, "It's so much better out here, the air is filled with a sense of freedom."
Luna couldn't help but glance at Snow again, her mouth slightly open as she slowly said, "Is that really okay?"
"What's wrong with it? I may have snuck out, but it's for your happiness, Sister Luna. Father will understand, he won't blame me!" Snow declared confidently.
Luna didn't say anything more, just fixed her gaze on Snow, making her lower her head slowly, mumbling, "Heh, a woman who refuses to admit things, too scared to face her own inner feelings."
Luna felt helpless as well, Snow was the daughter of Prince Avery of Genosha, and she had sneaked out of Genosha Calivia. It was likely that Prince Avery had already sent people to look for her.
At that moment, Snow raised an eyebrow at Luna and whispered, "Sister Luna, there's a boy over there who's been watching you secretly, he's already glanced at you a few times, pretending to be casual."
Luna frowned, she had sensed the person's gaze earlier, but it didn't seem malicious. It was probably just curiosity that made him look twice.
Charles, on the other hand, was quite puzzled. He hadn't expected to spot a familiar figure as soon as he entered the train, which is why he had glanced a little longer.
"Why is Luna also leaving Calivia? That girl across from her seems somewhat familiar, but I don't think I've seen her before," Charles thought to himself.
He had originally planned to buy a ticket for a first-class cabin and sleep until they arrived at Flower Falls Gorge, but then he thought the scenery along the way might be nice, and listening to the conversations around him could be a good experience too.
The train sped along, and the people in the cabin were continuously discussing the hot topics happening in Genosha. Every speaker mentioned one name, and that was Charles!
"Sigh, I really want to see what kind of genius Charles is. It would be amazing to have the chance to meet him!" a mature woman in her thirties seated nearby said wistfully.
The people nearby nodded in agreement, expressing their regrets, "Yeah, I heard many people are waiting at the entrance of Cyber Academy just to catch a glimpse of Charles. It's a pity I have urgent matters, otherwise, I'd be waiting there too."
"He's so handsome! Those few words Charles said at the end of the alchemist duel are engraved in my heart, I will never forget them! I want to join the military and protect Genosha in the future!" a boy who looked around fifteen or sixteen shouted loudly.
Charles's face remained expressionless as he endured. The discussions happening around him were all about him!
At that moment, the boy glanced at Charles and curiously asked, "Hey there, friend, what do you think of Charles? I noticed you haven't said much during the trip, do you think we're wrong in what we're saying?"