"T-this… this proves it!"

I sigh.

My gaze rests on Regulus Heathcliff as he yells in excitement, his crimson eyes glistening with both amazement and incredible satisfaction.

For the first moment since we met, I sense a kind of childishness from him.

'What should I do now?' I wonder to myself. 'While some Leviathan secrets were undoubtedly exposed, there wasn't any sensitive or dangerous exposition.'

The most important information involves the Potions, which are frankly useless to someone like Regulus. He isn't a Leviathan, so he won't need to take Deficiency-related Potions or Potions that improve Interference Power.

However, maybe that is exactly the problem.

'What would happen if a non-Leviathan takes these Potions? Will they become monsters, or will they die? The Potion wouldn't be suitable for their anatomy, so it's likely that the effects are adverse…' My body shudders in mild worry.

Regulus Heathcliff seems like a good, well-meaning lad. He has also been considerably helpful to me. I don't want him to suffer because of this forbidden knowledge.

"Regulus…" I finally open my lips to speak.

But, before I can even let another word out, he looks at me with a peculiar gaze and smiles.

"Javier Aditi, I will be frank with you at this moment…" His gaze narrows on me as his lips curl higher than ever. I can feel a certain chill emanating from his cold, hard stare, almost as though he is trying to burrow deep within me.

"… I deeply suspect you of being a Leviathan."

"What?!" Naturally, I control my expression, but the confession shocks me without a doubt.

"It simply doesn't make any sense. All those tragedies that happened to you, all your actions leading up to them, and the current benefits you enjoy in the Kingdom. Anyone paying close attention can see some discrepancies. You are far too fortunate…"

"Me? Fortunate?" My brows curl up slowly. "My entire Household was destroyed."

"Yes… Yes, it was." Regulus mumbles, his fingers itching his lips. "But you were on a winning streak before then. After their demise, your winning streak has become even more noticeable. It seems the Royal Family is on your side too… which is compatible with my working model of Leviathans."

"Just because of that…?"

"There are other reasons as well. These notes, for one… they clearly concern the affairs of Leviathans and the founding of the Randalorion Kingdom. Something like that should only be found in the recesses of the Royal Vault or something of the sort, yet it's sitting in your hands."

"I found the notes in one of the ancient ruins I explored in my travels."

"Oh? That makes sense…" He itches his hair and chuckles softly. "I suppose you can actually explain most of the weirdness related to your actions and life like this. But after studying certain historical patterns, I have learned to spot certain clues. I haven't yet connected the dots, but your obtaining these notes can hardly be coincidental."

After frowning in silence for a moment or two, I finally speak again.

"… What's that supposed to mean?"

"This deceased Leviathan, Sir Arthur Snow, made arrangements for a successor to his Randalorion Kingdom. From my limited knowledge involving Leviathans, their schemes usually affect the world on a massive scale and affect generations. Is it purely a coincidence that you, whose life has certainly been tampered with by Leviathan powers, stumbled across this note—even if it was in an ancient ruin? No… even if I believe you aren't a Leviathan, it's highly likely that you will be one eventually."

'This kid… how is he so sharp?' My thoughts ring as I stare at his crimson eyes.

His perception is on another level.

Regulus Heathcliff… was it a mistake working with him?

Now that I think about it, I have somewhat dug a trap for myself, haven't I? He can trace my purchase records with his contacts, and if I try to purchase any of the materials recorded within the notes, his suspicion of me will only increase.

No, I can't think that way.

It wasn't a mistake working with him, since it has yielded such great results.

As for getting my hands on these resources, I can use the channels of the Dark Guild. There's always a solution to every problem, so I shouldn't feel too rattled.

In fact, this is probably what he is after.

Besides…

'All he has are mere suspicions. He can't prove anything with all these guesses and circumstantial evidence, can he?'

"Which are you?" He suddenly mutters to me. "Which Pathway would you say you belonged to as a Leviathan?"

"What are you on about?" I nearly slap my face with my hand, shaking my head.

"Hypothetically speaking, of course."

It's a shame I don't have a Memory Wipe Potion or its recipe, else this young man would have already forgotten all these details and stopped pestering me already.

"If I were to guess, I'd say you were a Seeker or Leaper. Extrapolating from their names and what Sir Author Snow said about them—If only I were a Leaper… I could do some things about my regrets. If I were a Seeker, I would have no such problems—I have a guess that Leapers have a way to return to the past and correct mistakes, while Seekers can see the future so they won't even have regrets, to begin with…"

"And why would you think I would be one of them?"

"It would perfectly explain how you were able to beat Professor James Lindester. You're a smart man, Javier… but after spending some time with you, it's hard to believe you are on the same level as the professor. I also spoke to him after the debate, and while it took some time to get it out of him, I looked through his prepared notes, and they have many similarities to the points you brought up early in the debate. If you could travel back in time, you would know these details, or if you could see the future, you would also know these things. Of course, all of these things seem like impossible things to conceive, but Leviathans are definitely deeply involved with time, so is it so ridiculous to imagine that they can control time?"

That settles it.

This young man is too smart for his own good.

Despite how stunned I am by his line of reasoning, it is still clear to me that he is mostly guessing, as many of his conclusions are a stretch from the premises and evidence he has at his disposal. He is relying on his working hypothesis too much to create the existing model he has of Leviathans.

I will admit that he is on point.

But—

As a Scholar, his approach is filled with too many holes, hence he can't be too certain about them.

He surely has many doubts as to the validity of his suspicions.

But he is presenting an air of confidence.

Perhaps he thinks I will relent in some way and give myself away, but he doesn't know me at all. I haven't even told my Uncle or Leon of my identity, so why would I share such information with someone I just met a few days ago?

The only reason I let the King know about my status was the great gains involved.

But what benefits exist here?

'This guy will likely keep pestering me about Leviathan secrets and might start scheming behind my back. He's also a University student, and he's from another Kingdom, so I can't properly keep tabs on him.' I suppress my groan and explore other alternatives in my mind.

Killing him could work, but even if I somehow convinced myself to go ahead with it, it would only lead to some undesirable consequences.

He's an exchange student from another Kingdom, and his family appears to be extremely powerful. If he is killed in the Randalorion Kingdom, it could trigger a major international crisis, one that will affect a lot of lives and even disrupt my plans.

Even if I manage to stage a perfect murder and set it up like an accident, such a thing takes a lot of time, and I'm leaving tomorrow.

There's also no telling what kind of preparation this guy could make so that his death will trigger a disadvantageous outcome for me. He could maybe write somewhere that "If I die, Javier Aditi is a Leviathan and he killed me."

Ordinary people might not believe him, but it could get the attention of other Leviathans.

Such statements could even attract the curious gazes of others like Regulus.

With so many eyes on me, I won't be able to freely make moves, and it will be like multiplying my problems. Let's not even talk about his family's retaliation for my killing of their son if he chooses to pull a move like that.

No…

I can't afford to put myself in any mess like this.

I also don't want to kill someone like Regulus, considering his presumed innocence and massive potential. It's not every day you get to meet a genius like this.

Maybe he could be of use down the line.

'As it currently stands, all I have to do is deny the allegations and operate lowkey, using the Dark Guild to handle my more pertinent business.' I nod to myself.

Also—

"I have two questions…" I speak to him calmly. "Firstly, if I could see the future or travel to the past, wouldn't it make sense that I would have foreseen this outcome? As such, you could likely be playing into my hands if I were a Leviathan. Because why else would I need you to help me out with the translation? I would already know."

"Oh… true. But what if this is the outcome you wanted?"

'Ridiculous…' I shake my head, deciding to simply ignore his question and ask my second one.

"If I were a Leviathan, why would you be so open about your suspicions of me? Don't you think by pushing so hard… You could end up getting killed?"

Upon hearing that question, Regulus Heathcliff looks at me, stunned, before holding his belly and laughing aloud. His laughter feels childlike, but also carefree, as though he does not care about his own life or the magnitude of the situation.

"What's so funny?" I ask, a little exasperated.

"Sorry… It's just a funny question. Why would I try to hide my thoughts from a being that can manipulate time? I reckon such an individual would already know my intentions, so what would be the use? As for my death… well, I would imagine that any Leviathan who wishes to kill me for merely suspecting me will have to weigh the repercussions. Killing me now would go against the will of Sir Arthur Snow, who entrusted the Randalorion Kingdom to his successor, since my death will spark a major international conflict, which will undoubtedly cause irreparable damage to your Kingdom. If you choose to kill me later, I would have made several preparations that would point to you being the perpetrator. In fact, I already have such arrangements in place. I understand that a Leviathan could uncover all of them and stop my preparations, but this is my mortal limit. If you can do all of that, then I concede. It'll be my loss… my defeat. Dying at the hands of a Leviathan… that doesn't sound like a bad way to go, now does it?"

I look into his eyes, and I can tell.

He is being genuine.

It appears this young man truly does not fear death.

"Hmm…" I narrow my gaze on him once he's done rambling and laugh lightly. "I suppose you are correct. But, alas, I am not what you seek."

"Sure… I understand."

His gaze tells me that he isn't convinced, but it appears he has decided to drop the topic for now.

That's progress.

"Now, for everything you've learned here—"

"I know. The promise still stands. I won't tell anyone about anything I learned here. I've also handed back the translations and original notes, so none are in my possession."

"You're acting like you didn't memorize everything already."

"Ah… you got me!"

It was not a short note by any means, and the recipes had a lot of complicated ingredients and step-by-step processes that are hard to remember—even for me. To think he was able to memorize everything in such a short period… he's amazing.

Honestly, what talent!

If he were a Leviathan… just how frightening would he be?

If we were both Rank 1 Leviathans, I don't think I would be able to win against him.

"As for the Potion recipes, I wish to experiment with them. Of course, since I am not a Leviathan, and don't understand what any of those things—Conception, Aego, Interference Power, and so on—means, I won't experiment on myself like an idiot."

"You'll experiment on others?"

"Animals, actually…" Regulus smiles at me and laughs. "I operate ethically, you know? I may be curious about Leviathans, but I'm not that desperate."

"I see…"

"But thank you, Javier Aditi. This was a fulfilling and eye-opening experience. I quite enjoyed myself, to be honest."

"Same here. Thanks for all your help today."

Both of us shake hands and nod amicably, but it's clear that there is hidden tension swirling in the room. Both of our minds are working overtime, wondering what the other person is thinking at this very moment.

It's so tiring.

Ahh, what kind of mess have I gotten myself into?

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