The Last Gentleman

As the only train connecting the interior and exterior of the Academy arrived at the station on campus, Qian Bosen, with a solemn expression, was just about to exit when a faint star formation fluctuation was detected by the owl perched on his shoulder.

At the end of the carriage, a lady sat, her plump long legs provocatively raised.

A black robe trimmed in dark gold and a “Crying Mask” adorned with starlight tears.

“Professor Qian Bosen, don’t worry, William will be fine.”

“Principal Daislin!” Qian Bosen immediately bowed, his gaze lowered to the ground, “After all, William is my only student, I am still somewhat concerned, especially since the First Gentleman’s condition has been declining rapidly recently.”

“I have been observing the star formations recently and have come across many interesting things.

Included among them are William’s blurred lines, obscured by various strange stars and their divergent formations; his future will extend far and not end here.

You also need not worry about his subsequent contact with the First Gentleman. After all, he is a student in my Academy, and naturally, I, as the Principal, will take care of him until he graduates.”

“Okay.”

“Yes.”

When Qian Bosen looked up again, Principal Daislin had already disappeared.

The brief encounter dispelled his worries, as Principal Daislin, being one of Zion’s Prophets and also the most significant, her direct presence and reassurances naturally meant that Yi Chen would be fine.

…

Deep in the Mansion

Looming over six meters long, a figure was penetrated and bound by iron chains, suspended in the form of a cross above the altar; the First Gentleman, Alexis, feeling the familiar aura of a visitor, slowly opened his eyes.

Yi Chen, coming alone, bore a solemn expression as he looked at the First Gentleman, who had aged significantly more than during their last encounter, even showing signs that his end was nearing.

With white hair, some of which had fallen out,

his eyelids puffed up, barely holding in place the eyeballs that might slip out,

and his clothes more tattered, crinkling like his skin and even showing white patches, swollen with tumors.

“William Behrens, it’s a pleasure to meet you again… cough cough!

I hope you don’t mind my decision to have Professor Qian Bosen wait outside, as today, besides giving the reward of skin, there is also an important matter concerning the development of the organization and the continuation of humanity that I need to discuss with you alone.”

“Yes.”

Although Yi Chen’s expression did not change upon hearing these words, a drop of cold sweat slid down from his scalp.

“As usual, first accept my skin.”

The iron chains connected to the four corners of the Underground Church slowly lowered, bringing the First Gentleman close to the ground. As Yi Chen stepped onto the altar, both extended their hands to touch.

The skin from the First Gentleman began to transfer into the palm of Yi Chen while simultaneously checking the Gentleman’s Skin that he was currently managing.

The latter couldn’t help feeling nervous, each second feeling very slow.

When they separated, a neatly folded 20×20cm extra-large Gentleman’s Skin rested in Yi Chen’s hands, the First Gentleman hadn’t noticed the presence of the Yellow Skin, even displaying a rather appreciative look.

“William, your level of skin management is very high! For someone who hasn’t yet broken through the Limit to perfectly manage a Gentleman with 20% Skin Content, it is exceedingly rare throughout the history of the Organization.

I hereby invite you to become one of the candidates for the First Gentleman.”

Yi Chen noticed the key phrase ‘one of’, and just as he was considering giving his reply later, a voice came through his consciousness.

§Agree to it§

“It is a great honor to become your candidate, and I will redouble my efforts.”

Seeing Yi Chen decisively agree, the First Gentleman’s face, usually marred by hardship, revealed a rare smile.

“Once you complete the Extreme Breakthrough, using this skin will allow your ‘Skin Content’ to just reach 50%. With your talent, you will inevitably see more possibilities in the skin and develop a way to use it that’s unique to you.

There isn’t much time left. The final candidate selection may be held within two years, or even sooner. I hope you will be prepared.”

“I will not let you down! I will make all the necessary preparations and bring my full strength to compete honorably with the other candidates for this prestigious qualification.”

“Cough! This selection will be completely different from previous ones; we need to choose someone who can surpass me, even past First Gentlemen, as the human leader in controlling the skin.

The other candidates are also elites among contemporary humans; the selection rules might be quite brutal and could exceed your understanding of gentlemanly conduct.

But all this is based on the continuation of human civilization; I hope you can accept it.

Cough, cough, cough~ After you achieve your breakthrough if you need more Skin Content, you can apply at the Divine Skin Mansion. As long as you can handle more skin and maintain stability, we will supply an infinite amount.”

“Thank you.”

“Go about your business, there isn’t much time left.”

The conversation ended.

After making a hat-doffing bow, Yi Chen quickly left,

The initially nervous Yi Chen, who had stepped into the mansion, felt somewhat sad as he left, seemingly tasting the special emotions of the First Gentleman from their conversation just now.

The other, too, was once a genius endowed with high expectations, unique talents, and strength, but he assumed such a special identity to maintain the stable output of skin, the pivotal relationship between the Organization and the Skin Market, and the stability of Zion.

…

Omphalo-Centric-Academy, O.C.A.

Yi Chen knocked on Professor Qian Bosen’s office door and then placed the feather for help on the office desk.

“As expected… you are just listed as one of the candidates; perhaps I was too sensitive.

William, what do you think? By now, you should be well aware of the kind of outcome that following the candidate’s path will eventually bring.”

“I have already agreed with the First Gentleman; I’ve decided to go ahead and try.”

Yi Chen chose to completely conceal the matter about the Yellow Skin, including from Professor Qian Bosen, who was almost like a family to him. It wasn’t that he did not trust him, but even someone as strong as Qian Bosen still wore clothes made from Gentleman’s Skin.

The existence of the Yellow Skin must be kept secret by Yi Chen alone.

“Hmm~ as long as it’s your own will, that’s fine.”

Qian Bosen put away a stack of documents into the drawer; he had even prepared all the documents needed for Yi Chen to escape just now.

As long as Yi Chen did not want to become the First Gentleman, he could use these documents to quickly leave Zion and head to human areas not governed by the Organization.

“Don’t worry, Professor. I’ve had deep interactions with Duke Garrisen in the Old World and have been branded with the ‘Transaction Seal’. Even if I truly become the First Gentleman and am confined below.

When the Grey Zone completely erodes our world and the powers of the Old World expand, I can pay a price to have the Duke pull me out.

The Duke is easy to talk to; as long as the money is right, he can get anything done.”

“Hmm~ as long as you are cautious, that’s good.

By the way, Principal Daislin asked me to convey a message. She needs you to go to the top floor of the Fetal Heart Church, which is her office, tonight; she has something to discuss with you alone.”

Upon hearing this, Yi Chen’s eyes lit up, as he had been considering this matter on his way back.

“The Principal reaching out to me personally? That’s great, just the opportunity to get some advice about enhancing my Sensing… Once the Sensing reaches its limit, I can seriously consider facing the breakthrough issues.”