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nEdward’s intent was clear: he was implying that William was impressive.

nKelly, of course, picked up on this. He was somewhat puzzled as to why Edward was lavishing such praise on William. For a moment, he felt a bit lost. But his perception of William had shifted from that of a mere freshman.

nYet, William wasn’t pleased or flattered by Edward Taylor’s compliments.

nThinking of having him as a mentor wasn’t a simple matter. To William, it was more about the mood; he wasn’t inclined to take on an older man as a disciple. After long conversations with William in the past, even Socrates had expressed a desire to make William his teacher, only to be firmly rejected.

nWilliam simply nodded and smiled at Kelly, setting aside the ancient book he had been perusing. “I’m not interested in these books,” he told Edward Taylor. “You can take them back.”

nAncient books? Hadn’t William seen enough of those in the past?

nWhile others might find them intriguing, to William, they were no more interesting than quantum mechanics.

nKelly glanced at the books on the table, exclaiming, “Edward, you’re willing to part with these? Why not gift me a few? Is our friendship not deep enough?”

nHearing Kelly’s interest, Edward’s demeanor changed instantly. “If you want to read them, just let me know. Just remember to return them after.” .

nThis is probably differential treatment, right?

nWith a smirk, Kelly finally turned to William and asked, “So, William, what’s your take on the fall of the Byzantine Empire?”

nWilliam paused for a moment, his memories of the Byzantine Empire’s history vivid. “The Byzantine Empire, initially the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, became an independent empire, enduring for nearly a thousand years. Under the reign of Justinian I, it reached its zenith, with the Byzantine fortress being unparalleled in splendor, making Constantinople one of the most prosperous cities of the medieval period. However, over time, the empire waned for various reasons. Primarily, its geographical location was a disadvantage. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, it became the target of various empires and nations. Prolonged wars and invasions drained the empire’s resources and military power. Religious disputes, particularly the schism between the Eastern and Western Christian churches, led to internal conflicts and made governance challenging. Lastly, political corruption and dwindling morale in the military also significantly contributed to its downfall.”

n“The collapse of the Byzantine Empire resulted from a multitude of factors,” William concluded. “Geography, politics, religion, among others, all played their part.”

nWilliam succinctly addressed Kelly’s query, indifferent to how Kelly perceived his response. All he did was express his viewpoint.

nKelly furrowed his brows. As historical researchers, they typically delved into the internal issues of the Byzantine Empire, such as political strife and religious conflicts. However, the geographical aspect William highlighted was indeed an insightful perspective.

nEdward Taylor, listening in, was a tad surprised but found himself deep in thought. Historians often zoom in on the specifics of events, but occasionally, they need to adopt a broader perspective. William’s simple answer was a reminder to consider the multifaceted factors behind historical events.

nViewed in this light, the downfall of the Byzantine Empire was not a mere accident but a historical inevitability. Over the years, whether considering the Byzantine Empire or other nations, the course of history has always been shaped by a combination of factors. William had to admit that the present era’s understanding of history is more profound than ever before.

nAlice was diligently transcribing the two volumes of Celsus’s medical books downstairs when she suddenly received a message.

nThe person who sold the Radiant Empress Pearl two days ago had died!

nHe had suddenly passed away in a hotel!

nThis news left her utterly stunned. Even though she had braced herself for such an outcome, it was still eerie how William had predicted the man’s death, and then it had happened just like that.

nIt seems the Radiant Empress Pearl really did have issues.

nWilliam came downstairs and seeing the distraught Alice, asked, “How many times have you transcribed it?”

nAlice hesitated for a moment before replying in a low voice, “The tomb raider really died.”

n“Indeed.” William’s expression was neutral. Was it that unusual?

nAlice said, “I… I want to visit the ‘Eternal Life Emporium.'”

n“Just go.” While William wasn’t keen on rescuing people, he wouldn’t stop Alice either. After all, it’s the duty of a doctor to heal and save lives, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

nWith a sly smile, Alice said, “Alright, I’ll go. I have over a hundred more transcriptions to make. I’ll finish them when I get back.”

n“Fine! Don’t forget about Nathaniel’s illness,” William casually remarked. “If you leave, will the shop be closed for a while?”

n“No need to close. I have a friend who promised to work during the day. He should be arriving soon. You can give him a brief on what needs to be done at work.” Alice started packing up her stuff on the table. “His name is Walker.”

nWilliam nodded. Once Alice was done packing, she shouted upstairs, “Mr. Taylor, I’ve got some things to handle, so I’ll head out. Feel free to take any books you want. My cousin will be here in the evening. If you need anything, you can talk to him directly.”

n“Alright! You go ahead with your tasks!” Edward, with a glint in his eye, descended from the upstairs. So, William would be minding the shop? Would that mean he could visit more often?

nOne should know that Mount San Juan Teotihuaca doesn’t just have that one ancient stele. There’s much more there worth studying. Edward wondered if William could decipher any of those artifacts.

nLittle did he know, many of the artifacts on Mount San Juan Teotihuaca were actually William’s personal belongings. In the past, William would’ve taken everything back, but now, he decided to leave them in the care of the nation. After all, he didn’t need them anymore.

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