"What are you doing here? You are not permitted to be here" it was just Milles luck to run out dry when he wanted it the most.
The guard was dressed similarly to an officer from the law keeper department. It was weird to see that the uniform had not seen any updates in the time frame he had been gone.
There were a few minor differences but the general concept had remained the same - to allow the officer to channel magic without an external interface.
There were magic coding and neural receptors woven in the fabric of the uniform that allowed the user to wield greater magic than a general user. However, it did take a toll on the body if used in access.
But still, to be caught by a guard red-handed like this was not good for Milles.
"I'm just out here for a stroll. I was not aware that this was a restricted section. I will be more careful next time" since he had already been caught, all Milles could do was lie to the guard.
But the guard did not look impressed with his lie.
"Good try kid, but I don't believe you. It is standard procedure for the neural system to issue a warning when you get close to a restricted area. Now, show me your ID so that I can report you to the higher-ups" Milles was busted.
It was a shame too. He had not even gotten an opportunity to check the restricted area out before he had been caught.
Milles had no choice but to open his ID on his phone and present it to the guard.
"A Type Null? What is one of you- of course, it's you. Did you not receive a warning regarding this area?" for the first time, doubt entered the guard's eyes.
The guard's words also gave Milles an out of the situation.
"I did not receive one. You see, magic and I do not mesh well. I will be more careful in the future" Milles felt hopeful.
Only for it to be crushed.
"Sorry kid, but I will need to report it to the principal. I understand that it might be a misunderstanding but the protocol is a protocol. Follow after me" Milles could do nothing but follow after the guard.
He wanted to ask the neural system to help him out but it did not look like Milles was going to get an opportunity any time soon.
The guard still had his phone, his only means of connection to the neural system currently. Besides, the guard had a good few pounds on him.
Milles would not have any chance in a head-to-head confrontation.
The guard dragged Milles back to the principal's office.
"Stay here while I explain the situation to the principal. Do not try and run away since I still have your phone" the guard held Milles's phone up in front of his face.
Even Milles knew running away was hopeless for him. Not because of his phone, but because of all the cameras and surveillance being kept on him. He would not get far before he would get caught.
The guard disappeared behind the principal's doors and Milles felt his nerves attacking him. The five minutes it took the guard to reappear felt like a century to Milles.
"Come inside. You are not in trouble, well much" those words did not reassure Milles in any shape or form.
The principal still looked like the same old cunning man. Those piercing green eyes paired with the aged white hair made the man look remarkably harmless.
Had Milles not faced the old man before and known of his shrewdness, he might have taken the old man as a sweet grandfather figure.
"So, Mr guard here told me that you were found loitering near a restricting area and you did not get the issued warning for the same?" the principal's voice was soft and warm.
Everything in Milles screamed that it was a trap.
But he had to answer or the other side would get suspicious of his intentions. There was no other way out of this situation but to swallow his pride.
"I think it is because I lack magical capabilities" It felt bad to talk like this about himself but Milles could not break his cover.
"I'm sure that is the reason. I will have a technical staff look more into this. You are free to go now" the principal's words seemed to surprise the guard at his side.
"Just like that? What if he's lying? He was about to breach the law. " the guard looked pissed at Milles's lack of punishment.
Milles felt it odd as well. The old man was taking his near law-breaking a little too well. He seemed not to be worried at all.
It made alarm bells ring even louder inside Milles's head.
"Now, I'm sure we can all agree that it had been an accident. Also, Mr. Raycraft here technically had not broken any rule yet. I'm sure we can all agree to let it all slide" the principal assured.
The gentle smile on his face had not faded for even one second throughout the whole exchange.
"Fine, have it your way. But you will be the one to explain to the authorities why you let him go unpunished" the guard finally seemed to have realized that he was not going to get his way here.
It had been a weird interaction and not unlike Secretary Sha and the principals.
Had that been a fight for dominance? Milles was not so sure about it.
"You are free to go Mr. Raycraft. I'm sure you are anxious to go back to your room and rest for the night" Milles realized that the principal was giving him a way out of the situation.
The sun had hardly begun to set in the sky but it was a good idea to agree nonetheless.
"Yes sir. I'm sorry for the misunderstanding" the principal just passed Milles one of his harmless smiles before his attention was focused on the guard in front of him.
"Hey, you can't do that. The restricted area is restricted for safety reasons. First that wild girl and now him. One would think that you were trying to shelter rebellious people under your roof-" the guard's words were cut off as the door closed behind Milles's back.
He tried not to think about it or the whole encounter but it would not leave his mind.
Ideally, he would have loved to reach his dorm room and start researching this topic. But it was not a possibility with his compromised internet connection and unstable neural network coverage.
Milles needed to start up a side business and collect enough funds to get some material. He would have to build up his device, a secure device that was unregistered on every device and would help Milles go under the radar.
And for that he needed funds.
So it was time to do what he had done in his last life to survive - use his skills to earn money.
Milles was about as good as caught up with the current era's technology. He was sure he would be able to repair minor issues and earn some money.
But he needed to make good connections before he could get customers for his business. And a new identity as well.
And new tools as well. Tools were something he could officially use his funds on since he would need them for his classes as well.
"System, when do I have time in my class schedule to be able to visit the local market?" hopefully, he would have time soon enough for a visit.
[Scanning code for relevant information.
You have a scheduled visit to the market tomorrow as a part of the first-year supply program along with other newcomers. The meeting time is scheduled to be at 11:00 AM in front of the front gate of the main building.
The scheduling notice would be floated in the next two hours for all the first-year students]
So soon? Looked like the luck was finally beginning to turn in Milles favor.
He had expected a supply visit to the market science he had read the provided data on the first-year program but he had not anticipated the visit to be held for another few days at least.
He had not realized how late he had entered the academy when compared to the other first-year students.
Finally, Milles could his part of the plan. He just hoped that the leads he had put into motion in his time had survived till this time.
If not then things were about to get a lot more difficult for him in the coming time.
But he believed in Maria and her capabilities. His sister had yet to let him down and he had confidence that she would have left some clues for him.
And if there was one where he could find those clues, it was in the neural system itself.
But first, he would need a secure and unguarded connection he could use to get access to that code. That would be his first task tomorrow, to find a secure enough connection.
Just how difficult could it be to find one connection not under the government eye? There had been plenty in Milles's time after all.