The Tingen University professor was understanding, offering congratulations when Klein explained he'd found another job.
As Klein exchanged pleasantries and prepared to leave, he ran into his mentor, Professor Quentin, and history teacher, Mr. Azik, accompanied by an unfamiliar young man.
"Good morning, Mentor, Mr. Azik," Klein greeted, then glanced curiously at the youth. "How should I address this teacher?"
The young man, about Klein's age, had sunlit golden hair, emerald eyes, and a striking appearance fit for a fashion magazine cover.
Professor Quentin explained, "This is Mr. Jack Jones, a new history teacher at Tingen University, graduated from Backlund University. Very talented."
Jack Jones? What, are you a Caribbean pirate? Klein thought, amused. The names Jack and Jones, tied to Pirates of the Caribbean, were too iconic not to spark a quip.
Still, he smiled politely, extending a hand. "Hello, Mr. Jones. I'm Klein Moretti, Professor Quentin's student, just graduated." Teasingly, he added, "If I hadn't found a job, we might've been colleagues."
No worries, we may not be colleagues, but we could be fellow transmigrators! Luo Lin thought, mirroring Klein's courtesy with a sunny grin. He shook Klein's hand. "I'm Jack Jones, but just call me Jack. Nice to meet you, Mr. Moretti." With a playful pause, he added, "I'd prefer Captain Jack, actually."
Klein froze, recovering quickly. "Alright, Jack. You can call me Klein." Curious, he asked, "Why Captain Jack?"
Did Roselle bring over Pirates of the Caribbean? Or…
"Because Jack sounds like a captain's name!" Luo Lin said, his expression tinged with mock regret, as if his joke fell flat.
Klein: …Is he really a transmigrator?
He wasn't shocked the world had other transmigrators—Roselle was proof—but meeting a potential one so soon was surprising. Excited yet cautious, Klein held back. Even if Jack was a transmigrator, not all were trustworthy. Better to stay prudent.
Luo Lin, unsurprised by Klein's restraint, didn't push.
His "Jack Jones" identity was his recent handiwork: a Backlund University history graduate, recommended to teach at Tingen. As a seasoned Trickster with many aliases, Luo Lin knew how to craft a flawless fake. "Jack Jones" had a file in Backlund University's archives, with four years of impeccable records. Even Nighthawks investigating would find it legit—because it was based on a real person, just not named Jack Jones. Luo Lin had changed the name.
His method? He found a struggling Backlund graduate with similar features, struck a deal, sent him to another city, then posed as him with makeup and a recommendation letter to secure the Tingen job. Flawless in an era without instant communication or widespread photos, the risk of exposure was minimal. Luo Lin only needed the identity long enough to build rapport with Azik and Pallez. After that, exposure didn't matter.
Klein, unaware "Jack Jones" was a fresh alias, chatted with the group. The conversation drifted to the "Welch and Naya" murders—a cover for the dark divination incident, as Beyonder events weren't public. Knowing some details, Klein dodged specifics but dropped keywords like "Solomon Empire" and "Antigonus Notebook" to probe the knowledgeable history professors, as these weren't restricted topics.
"The Antigonus family?" Luo Lin interjected, feigning surprise, as if he knew something.
"You know about them, Jack?" Klein asked, eyes lighting up with hope. He desperately wanted info on the Antigonus Notebook.
"I've read about them in my ancestor's diary—er, ancient texts," Luo Lin said, catching himself. "They were a mysterious, powerful family in the Fourth Epoch, tied to the Solomon Empire and likely the Tudor Empire too."
He paused, eyeing Klein with curiosity and a hint of probing. "But the Antigonus family faded long ago, barely known now. Why ask?"
(Chapter End)