"Who is this?"
Ethan looked at El.
El awkwardly blocked in front, saying to Ethan, "It's nothing, just an academic lunatic. Ethan, let's go this way."
"Academic lunatic, why do you say that?" Ethan didn't insist on going over to see, he just exchanged a look with Anya and followed El.
"Actually, I didn't mean to belittle him, he is truly mad." Seeing Ethan seemed quite interested in the scruffy man, El thought for a moment and started explaining.
"This man is called Gustav Anos. He was originally the most promising historian at Royal University of the Capital. But for some reason, he was later dismissed. Our principal, thinking he couldn't let such talent slip by, recruited him to enhance our university's history department. Who would have thought..."
El couldn't help but shake his head at this point.
"When he actually arrived, we understood why Royal University dismissed him. He had gone mad, completely abandoning historical research. He spent all his time diving into a script nobody else could understand. He claimed it was the oldest language he discovered, possibly related to the gods, which is simply blasphemy. How could mere mortals understand the language of the gods? I attended his lecture; it was complete nonsense. I think he's a fraud, but the principal believes his research might have value and continued to support him, it's simply..."
El clearly wanted to swear but immediately covered his mouth and began to pray in a low voice.
Ethan heard him praying for divine forgiveness for harboring malevolent thoughts and speaking ill of others behind their backs.
Unexpectedly, this El was indeed a traditional orthodox follower of the Sun God.
The two arrived at what seemed to be a special dining area for distinguished guests, where they had a light meal before Ethan excused himself and left.
Of course, he wasn't really leaving; he intended to find Gustav Anos.
As he followed El earlier, he had sent Anya to track down the academic lunatic, and he already knew where he was staying.
To be honest, the situation of this academic lunatic seemed quite dire. His dwelling was in the most remote corner of the entire university, a lengthy walk away, and the building looked dilapidated and long overdue for repairs.
When Ethan entered the house, the roof was still leaking.
Gustav had several bottles and jars placed around to collect the water, completely ignoring the fact that his room was leaking like a sieve. He remained hunched over his desk, writing and drawing.
He was oblivious to Ethan's arrival; El calling him an academic lunatic wasn't entirely wrong in a way.
Ethan didn't disturb him, instead examining some sheets of paper Gustav had pinned to the wall.
They were densely covered in text, filled with massive amounts of arguments and analysis. To the untrained eye, just looking at these things could cause a headache.
Yet Ethan was thoroughly enjoying himself.
After a while, it was Gustav who noticed him first.
"Can you understand it?" Gustav asked, staring at Ethan.
"Not quite, but I'm very interested."
Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery appeared at the corners of Gustav's mouth. He buried himself in his work again and dismissed Ethan: "Leave."
"I noticed you went to ask for a grant today. It's not too comfortable here, life's not easy, is it?"
"What's it to you?" Gustav's voice was muffled, sounding a bit angry.
"It's not my business, but it's a pity for someone of your talent to be in such a place..."
"Get out!" Gustav angrily threw a water jar, looking as if he was ready to get up and hit someone.
Ethan extended a calming hand, helping the violence within Gustav—triggered by Ethan's words—subside.
"Don't misunderstand, I mean no harm. I just think working under such conditions is too arduous. I'm willing to finance you, as research funding, so you can better pursue your studies. In exchange, I hope to join this research. What do you say, Professor Gustav?"
Ethan maintained his politeness and composure throughout.
Gustav seemed frozen for a while before turning to look at Ethan.
"Really?"
"Of course it's true. I'm very interested in your research. The money will be available by tomorrow."
Gustav fell silent, covering his face, unsure if he was crying or laughing.
As they left Winster University, Anya was puzzled.
"Young master, why sponsor him?"
Ethan didn't reply directly, instead handing Anya a sheet of paper he had casually taken from Gustav's place.
"Look at the most complex text on this. What does it resemble?"
Anya studied it for a while, then shook her head.
"Think again. If these characters had more curvatures, morphing like living things?"
Ethan gestured on the paper.
Anya suddenly realized.
"Ancient script?"
"Ancient script."
Indeed, it's ancient script.
In fact, the moment Ethan saw those papers scattered on the floor, his 'True God's Name' reacted.
Although it was a slight nudge and on the surface, Gustav's script seemed different from ancient script,
the 'True God's Name' wouldn't lie.
This was ancient script.
Truly a treasure.
Ethan couldn't believe it himself; he had merely planned on making an appearance today and ended up with such a find.
The ancient script, something so many dreamed of, lay right before him.
Of course, Ethan was not without caution.
He first inquired about Gustav through El, then observed and tested him up close.
Gustav truly was just an ordinary person.
He wasn't even someone with a true name.
No wonder people considered him insane, and no wonder he was once deemed the most promising historian at Royal University.
A mere mortal seeking divine knowledge.
Even if his current research wasn't mature, with Ethan's 'True God's Name,' decrypting the ancient script was definitely not an issue.
As the car drove down the mountain, Ethan was in an excellent mood, unaffected by the cold rain, having discovered something beyond imagination.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the city,
Lewis was in a considerably worse mood.
Even though today was his rebirth day.
He had permanently lost his right hand.
Standing atop the tallest building of Winster, overlooking the city below, Lewis couldn't help gripping the empty sleeve of his right arm.
He had bathed, eaten, and changed into clean clothes; he was now invigorated but filled with hatred.
He swore he would make everyone in this city who caused him to lose everything pay the price.
Especially...
Ethan Polleta.