"Huh? What? Sister Kali is coming to the Secret Investigation Department?"

"Yes. They said it’s to help her mature more quickly."

Yuan’s face showed a flicker of heartache. "My precious daughter... Out of all the places she could go, why did it have to be the Secret Investigation Department? It’s a filthy, exhausting place where no one respects you."

Wei’en: "..."

Filthy and exhausting, huh?

And no one respects you, huh??

’What did you tell me when you first recommended me for the job? Easy work, great pay, lots of respect, and they even give you nice clothes? That there wasn’t another job like it in the entire Caster City State? I can’t believe I fell for your bullshit!’

"I’m not saying the Secret Investigation Department is a bad place. I’m just worried Kali can’t take the hardship. And the work there involves constant contact with anomalies, corruption, and aberrations. She’ll be in danger..."

The corner of Wei’en’s mouth twitched. "So, you deliberately tricked me into joining the Secret Investigation Department?"

Seeing his expression, Yuan chuckled sheepishly. "You’re different. Apprentices from your Ghost Soul School have to deal with all sorts of anomalies and corruption to become Official Mages."

"And in all of Caster, the Secret Investigation Department is the place where you’ll find the most of it. I was helping you develop."

Hmm?

Wei’en spotted something odd. "You knew I was from Ghost Soul?"

"I’ve known since the very first day you got here."

Yuan pointed to the residence behind him. "I’ve lived here for twenty years. If I couldn’t even tell that place is a Ghost Soul intelligence post, all my years adventuring at sea would have been a waste."

"...That makes sense."

’Thinking about it, that does add up. Just based on the Skeleton Warrior and the Six-eyed Spider in the Yuan Clinic, he’s clearly not some ordinary Extraordinary.’

’Looks like I was influenced by my predecessor’s cautious and low-key nature. I’d always assumed no one would find out...’

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Wei’en said, covering his forehead. "In that case, I suppose I have to thank you for recommending me to the Secret Investigation Department."

Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, no need for that. Yegor already paid me..."

"Wait, paid you?"

"What payment? You must have misheard. I said I was talking about the fee for treating the Investigators," Yuan said, playing dumb with a perfectly straight face, trying to bluff his way through it.

Wei’en glared at him. "There’s a referral fee for getting people into the Secret Investigation Department, isn’t there?"

"Well..."

"I want half!"

"What? Impossible!"

Yuan leaped to his feet as if someone had hit a nerve...

After a long moment, Wei’en counted two gold pounds, beaming. "Uncle Yuan, don’t you worry. When Sister Kali gets to the Secret Investigation Department, I’ll be sure to take good care of her."

"Take care of her? With Kali’s strength, she’s the last person who needs you looking after her."

Yuan clutched his wallet and gave him a resentful look. "I just want you to tell me what she goes through at the Secret Investigation Department each day."

"Hmm? You want me to spy on Sister Kali?"

"Don’t put it so crudely. I just want to be a little more informed... Hmm, I’m not telling you why. Just tell me, will you do it or not?"

Wei’en gave him a suspicious look. His intuition told him something about this was very strange.

’Even for a doting father, isn’t this a bit much?’

"Uncle Yuan, I can’t do it. This kind of thing goes against my principles."

"One shilling!"

"This isn’t about the money..."

"Three shillings! No, 5 shillings!" Yuan held up a single finger and bit out, "Per day!"

"Done!"

’Five shillings a day... that’s a gold pound in four days. More than what I make from the Secret Investigation Department and the Ghost Soul School combined.’

’Sister Kali, you’d better stay at the Secret Investigation Department for a good long while...’

"But let me warn you about one thing: you absolutely cannot let Kali find out," Yuan said sternly, seeing that he had agreed.

"Don’t worry, I couldn’t agree more."

Wei’en was even more determined not to be found out.

’If Sister Kali found out, she definitely wouldn’t think of me as an upright private detective. She’d just see me as a stalking... creep. Oh, no, I mean, an admirer.’

"Right, where is Sister Kali?"

"There was a graduation ceremony at the Church School yesterday. It ran late, so she didn’t come home." Yuan looked up at the sky. "Anyway, that’s enough for now. You should get going to the Secret Investigation Department."

"Ten thirty already? I’m off."

Wei’en glanced at his pocket watch and quickly started running toward the Secret Investigation Department.

Yuan watched his retreating figure, a thoughtful expression on his face. ’A Holy Favored of the Dawn Church... I hope I’m just overthinking things.’

...

...

As Wei’en ran out onto Golden Street, he thought about hailing a carriage to go faster.

But when he found himself easily overtaking the carriages, he realized his current physical conditioning meant his running speed was far beyond normal.

To be specific, he was running at sixty kilometers per hour—about five times the speed of a normal person.

Of course, his Toughness level wasn’t just reflected in his running speed; it also included his physical strength, power, reaction speed, explosive force, and more.

It was a comprehensive enhancement.

But Wei’en wasn’t happy about this improvement.

He knew full well that in the Secret Investigation Department... no, in Division One, his power was at rock bottom.

Never mind Lisi; even the seemingly weak Tina had a much higher Toughness level than him.

And that was to say nothing of the others.

However, Wei’en had his own source of confidence: the rewards from his panel. As long as he had enough gold pounds and Survival Points, he was certain his future strength would surpass what most people could imagine.

It was only a matter of time.

Soon, he rounded the Church District and neared the Dumitru District.

Hmm??

[You have been scanned by Ognian Sherman’s Spirit Perception. Reward: Survival Points +1.]

[You have been scanned by Clelia Yuli Biondini’s Spirit Perception. Reward: Survival Points +1.]

[You have been locked onto by Ognian Sherman’s killing intent. Reward: Survival Points +1.]

’Ognian and Thousand-faced Kreya? Them again?’

Seeing this notification, Wei’en picked up his pace even more.

’No matter what they’re planning, as long as I can make it to the Secret Investigation Department, I’ll be safe.’

[Because your Spirit level is far lower than Clelia Yuli Biondini’s, you have been pulled into the Magic: Mirage Illusion Realm. Evaluation: Weak chicken. Congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot. Special Reward: Survival Points +3, Spirit Level +1.]

’Magic: Mirage Illusion Realm?’

Wei’en realized something was wrong, but before he could think any further—

"Wait for me~"

A sweet, melodious voice rang in his ear.

Wei’en stopped, looking at the woman with a slightly aged face who had instantly appeared before him. "Clelia?"

The aged woman looked at him with a pout. "You run so fast. You’re in great shape~"

Wei’en noticed that the passersby weren’t looking their way. This was clearly the effect of Clelia’s Magic.

He discreetly pressed the ’alarm’ in his pocket and asked, "What is it you want? Is this going to be like yesterday?"

’Sister Lisi, danger! Get here fast!’