The end of the workday had arrived for the Inspection Bureau. Henry Thompson was not a frontline law enforcement officer, so naturally, he left work on time.

Usually, Henry Thompson would have left long ago.

But today, Henry Thompson wasn’t in a hurry to go.

Office of the Director.

Jack Smith glanced at Henry Thompson and said in a deep voice, “You said you want to go to Ethan Bolton’s house to have a look?”

“Yes.”

“You were classmates, and now that the case might be a homicide, it’s not impossible for you to investigate. However... as a member of the confidential office, applying to take a firearm home is a bit troublesome.”

Indeed, Henry Thompson was here to apply for a firearm.

He needed Jack Smith’s approval before he could take a gun home.

Even though that red shadow was strange and a gun might not be useful, the red shadow might not appear for now. Given that, Henry Thompson should be more careful about people instead.

If it was a person, then a firearm would be extremely lethal.

“Director, I’m not taking it home, it’s for casework!”

Henry Thompson corrected him.

Jack Smith laughed. Taking it home and using it for a case were two different things. This kid really lived up to being a student of Silver City Ancient Academy—one sentence changed the nature of the request.

“Our confidential office isn’t the law enforcement team.”

Jack Smith shook his head, and Henry Thompson looked a bit disappointed.

He hadn’t thought of a good way to deal with the red shadow yet, since he didn’t know much about it. But if he had a gun in hand, it would at least give him some sense of security.

“The Ethan Bolton case has only been discussed with the law enforcement team so far; it hasn’t been officially filed. You can’t use this as grounds to apply for a firearm.”

As he spoke, Jack Smith thought for a moment, then quickly said, “How about this: soon, there will be an external field investigation at Silver City Ancient Academy, and the Inspection Bureau will send some people for protection. Fill out this form and apply to participate. That way, you’ll have an assignment, and as a protection officer, you’ll be qualified to carry a gun.”

Henry Thompson was stunned for a moment, then looked a bit helpless.

So after all this, he still ended up with this assignment?

That morning, Anna Brooks had mentioned this, and Henry Thompson had refused.

At Silver City Ancient Academy, he’d heard his own mentor would be leading the team this time. So if he took this assignment, he’d have to see his teacher again soon?

Seeing his silence, Jack Smith sighed and said, “What’s wrong? Afraid of being scolded by Mr. Foster? I heard things didn’t end well between you and Mr. Foster when you dropped out. Little Henry, since you’ve joined the Inspection Bureau, I think you should find a chance to improve your relationship. After all, he’s your teacher.”

“If Mr. Foster gives you a hand, your future in the Inspection Bureau will be much brighter. But if everyone knows Mr. Foster doesn’t like you—although he can’t control the Inspection Bureau—others will have to consider whether it’s worth offending Mr. Foster for a level-three inspector like you.”

Jack Smith really was being thoughtful. He didn’t know the details, but he’d heard that when Henry Thompson dropped out, things hadn’t ended well with his mentor.

The mentor couldn’t influence promotions in the Inspection Bureau, but the Silver City Inspection Bureau still had to show some respect.

“If you want a gun, this is the best way. You can also smooth things over with your teacher—two birds with one stone...”

He was about to say more, since he thought highly of Henry Thompson.

But before he could continue, he heard Henry Thompson nod and say, “Alright!”

The words he was about to say suddenly got stuck in his throat!

Jack Smith gave Henry Thompson a strange look. Wasn’t this kid supposed to be kind but a bit stubborn?

Why did he agree so readily today?

A sincere yet helpless smile appeared on Henry Thompson’s face. “Director, what people say outside isn’t necessarily true. My relationship with my teacher isn’t as bad as they say. When I dropped out, he was a bit disappointed, but it’s been a year—he’s long since let it go. Just a few days ago, he even urged me to work hard in the Inspection Bureau.”

“That’s good, that’s good!”

Jack Smith nodded, looking very satisfied. He didn’t know if it was true, but Henry Thompson seemed honest enough, so it probably wasn’t a lie.

“Then fill out the form. In a few days, you’ll have to go out on assignment, accompanying the law enforcement team to protect the Ancient Academy’s field investigation team.”

Henry Thompson took the form and glanced at it. The field investigation team’s departure date was set for the end of the month.

But the specific destination wasn’t listed—escorting personnel were simply told to be on standby.

This was to prevent information leaks. The Ancient Academy held a prestigious position and had its own value. The field investigation team, led by his own teacher, probably wouldn’t have a simple task this time.

He wondered if it would conflict with the red shadow incident.

If his teacher was going out, there was a high chance a Night Watcher would accompany them. If the red shadow acted then, maybe it would actually be a good thing.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Henry Thompson quickly finished filling out the form.

“Go to the armory and collect your equipment!”

Jack Smith put away the form.

Henry Thompson didn’t leave. After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously asked, “Director, the Ethan Bolton case is a bit... a bit strange. Do you think it might involve some unusual forces? Can our Inspection Bureau really handle it?”

“Hmm?”

Jack Smith quickly looked at Henry Thompson, his eyes flickering slightly, and frowned, “What have you heard?”

“N-no, nothing.”