radicalducati Page 49
Page 49
This red T-shirt was the only one Gao Kui picked out for her. She remembered that she asked Gao Kui to put together a set for her, and Gao Kui casually picked out a T-shirt from the shelf next to her that was similar to her hair color and threw it to her.
It's like dealing with random cats and dogs.
But Gao Kui had a point: "Anyway, you don't like my outfit, so I'll just pick out a red top for you, and you can mix and match the rest yourself."
Xia Mi stuck out her tongue: "Why such a big reaction? I'm not going to steal your clothes, Nuonuo. Besides, you have so many international brands, Chanel, Hermes..."
Chen Motong remained silent.
She was genuinely worried that Xia Mi would steal her clothes... no, rather, she had a faint thought of competing with Xia Mi for her clothes, though it was a very faint one.
Furthermore, Xia Mi somewhat underestimated the significance of this Metersbonwe garment in her heart.
Admittedly, in terms of fit, design language, brand awareness, and brand value, this Metersbonwe garment cannot compare to her other clothes, and its workmanship is even inferior.
Metersbonwe's quality has never been trustworthy.
But those things were never what she wanted most, just like Chu Zihang never wanted a Maybach or a Mercedes, but simply someone who could pick him up and take him home on rainy days.
That sounds very pretentious.
The pampered young masters and ladies say that this is not what I want; I only want care and a sincere relationship, blah blah blah...
It always has a bit of a "Tiny Times" vibe to it.
But that's exactly what Chen Motong was thinking at that moment.
Chapter 71 Heavenly Worship
Kassel College Main Campus, Principal's Office.
Professor von Schneider sat upright, his face covered by a black mask, a gas tube leading to a cylinder on a cart beside him, and his neck covered with dark red scars.
Its ferocious appearance is completely out of place with the solemn, elegant, and rustic atmosphere of the principal's office.
Bored, Professor Schneider casually looked around, taking in the layout and furnishings of the principal's office.
Compared to four years ago, the layout and furnishings of the principal's office are not much different, still modeled after the British Library in London. However, Professor Schneider, with his keen eye, can see the difference between the principal's office today and the past.
The Norse mythology paintings that used to adorn the walls and surround the office have all been replaced with paintings on Christian theological themes, such as "Saint Michael Defeating Satan," "The Creation of Adam," and "The Last Supper."
The most eye-catching of them all is an oil painting that sits directly opposite the desk.
The wooden frame, made of cedar wood, is engraved with countless Hebrew characters, resembling a gate to heaven, behind which lies the kingdom of heaven in the painting.
At the very center of the image is a throne, inlaid with countless rubies, emeralds, and jade, and surrounded by iridescent colors.
The area above the throne is a large expanse of blank space, as if something is sitting on it, yet also as if nothing is. But Professor Schneider knew that, at least in this painting, there must be something sitting on the throne.
The being on the throne was too great and indescribable, so the time traveler used a blank space to represent His image, just as His followers would leave a space before His name whenever they used words to describe Him.
This creative approach, compared to "The Creation of Adam" which directly depicts His image, highlights His authority and mystery.
Around the throne were many seats. Without counting them, Schneider knew there must be twenty-four, and on them sat twenty-four elders, dressed in white and wearing golden crowns.
Before the many thrones, at the very center of the scene, are seven lanterns, like a sea of crystal, their flickering flames conveying a sense of authority as powerful as lightning and thunder, inspiring awe and reverence.
This is not a very famous painting, far from being comparable to masterpieces like "The Creation of Adam" or "The Last Supper." Schneider didn't even know who the artist was.
But this obscure painting was placed directly opposite Angers' desk, in a position where he could see it as soon as he looked up.
What is so special about this painting?
Professor Schneider became curious and examined the painting closely. Perhaps because he hadn't slept well the night before, he was in a daze and actually saw the mystery in the painting.
The seven lamps in front of the central throne emitted boundless light, and the incomparably authoritative lightning, thunder, and praise came from the space outside the scroll, bringing the white-robed elders on the twenty-four thrones to life.
They prostrated themselves before the central throne, removed the golden crown, and joined the endless voices beyond the painting in praising His name.
"It was there then, it is there now, and it will be there forever."
Glory, nobility, holiness, Lamb of God, King of all!
Your ways are righteous and true; you will reign forever.
Holy, holy, holy!
A deep, resonant, yet energetic voice of praise pierced the quiet office and reached Schneider's ears.
Professor Schneider turned his head and looked in the direction from which the sound came. Principal Angers, dressed in a well-tailored suit, stood beside the bookshelf gazing at the painting, his eyes filled with complex emotions, as if in repentance.
It was rather strange; the hymn recited by Angers was rather odd.
Although the painting hanging opposite his desk was nameless, Professor Schneider knew that its title must be "Heavenly Worship".
This painting depicts the scene from the Book of Revelation, "Heavenly Worship," which contains two hymns of praise to Him.
Many believers in later generations created hymns and psalms to praise Him based on the content of this passage. These hymns are generally sung before sermons or at the beginning of Sunday services.
But most of these hymns praise Him, because He is the absolute subject of this painting, while Angers sings the part that praises Emmanuel.
Indeed, in the Book of Revelation, in the chapter "Heavenly Worship," Emmanuel does appear in this painting: the seven lamps placed before the throne symbolize the seven wills of God.
In the Christian world, both He and Emmanuel are God. However, when depicting Him, it is generally not accompanied by numerous metaphors or allusions such as the sevenfold will of God.
Because everyone knows that He is God.
However, when referring to Emmanuel, many allusions and metaphors are used. For example, the seven lamps symbolizing the seven wills of God, and the Lamb of God.
Those unfamiliar with Christian theology might wonder why Emmanuel isn't mentioned in the original text or the painting, yet it's said that he appeared.
Those who understand will know that certain things represent Emmanuel. Just as when people mention the General of Heavenly Strategy and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat of the Tang Dynasty, those who know history know that it refers to Li Shimin.
Therefore, Emmanuel does indeed appear in this painting, in a metaphorical way.
However, a metaphor is ultimately just a metaphor. The vast majority of the hymns created based on this work are used to praise Him. Even if there are parts praising Emmanuel, they are placed after the parts praising Him.
The first verse praises Him, and the second verse praises Immanuel.
It would not be surprising if Angers sang psalms praising Emmanuel at any time and in any place, as there are more psalms praising Emmanuel than those praising Him in Christianity.
It was somewhat strange that Koange looked at this painting, "Heavenly Worship," and recited the hymns praising Emmanuel.
However, these are all minor details.
Schneider didn't come to see Angers so early to discuss Christian theology.
“Principal Angers.” Schneider stood up and nodded slightly to Angers.
Angers withdrew his gaze, pressed his palm down to signal Schneider to sit down, and walked lightly to the desk to sit down, asking with a smile.
"You've come to see me so early, you must have some good news to tell me?"
"There is indeed good news... I suppose it can be considered good news."
Guderian just called to say that the lost preparatory class student files have been recovered immediately by Prince Gao Kui of Northern Qi, and the Executive Department no longer needs to send any special personnel to carry out related tasks.
Along with this report came a series of surveillance videos that Gao Kui had taken of him and the thieves during the recovery of the documents, as well as Guderian's report requesting commendation.
Guderian believed that Gao Kui had helped the school handle a potential A-level task even before enrolling, which was a great achievement and deserved at least some credits, even if not special commendation.
Chapter 72 An even greater crime
As soon as Guderian stuck out his butt, Schneider knew what he was about to say.
For the past four years, Schneider has also been keeping an eye on the progress of rescuing the prince of Northern Qi in China. After all, he is a super A-grade hybrid who surpasses ordinary hybrids, a top-notch dragon slayer.
Moreover, Gao Kui doesn't have a strong family background like Genjiro and Caesar. Genjiro returned to Japan to become a branch office manager immediately after graduation, and Caesar will likely do the same after graduation.
There is a very high probability that Gao Kui will join the executive department of the Kassel headquarters in the future, becoming a sharp blade charging on the front line of dragon slaying.
As the head of the executive department, it's only natural that Schneider pays attention to Gao Kui. What do you mean, "your students" or "his students"? After graduation, they'll all be my people.
According to Schneider, it would be almost impossible for Gao Kui to accumulate enough credits through conventional means after enrolling in school, as his mental state was insufficient to keep him focused on his studies.
Earning credits by completing tasks is the only way for Gao Kui to graduate smoothly.
"It would be an exaggeration to say that he made a great contribution, but he did save the Executive Department a lot of trouble. If that document had been sent to the Kassel headquarters, even if it hadn't been changed at all, the security level would have been upgraded from A to S."
Schneider, what do you think? Should we reward our Northern Qi prince with some extra credits?
Angers tapped his fingers lightly on the table and asked Schneider with a smile, which was very democratic.
Schneider didn't think Angers was a true democrat. He first acknowledged Gao Kui's contributions before asking for his opinion, clearly not wanting to hear a negative response from him.
“I have no objection. Merit should be rewarded. The Northern Qi prince’s contribution is indeed worthy of praise.”
Even if Angers doesn't acknowledge Gao Kui's contributions, Schneider won't reject Gao Kui's application for an award. As the head of the executive department, he's even more eager than Guderian to see Gao Kui graduate smoothly.
“Excellent! It seems we share the same views. This is a very good start.”
Angers clapped his hands, pondering with great interest what reward to give Gao Kui: "First of all, academic credits are a must. Without credits obtained through unconventional means, our Northern Qi prince will probably have a hard time graduating smoothly."
Certain material rewards are also necessary. How can a heroic dragon-slaying warrior who has risked his life be without delicacies and fine wine? However, our Northern Qi prince seems to be a novice when it comes to enjoying life. His scholarship money seems to be sitting untouched in his account.
If it were me, I would definitely use that money to buy a German-made convertible sports car immediately, even if it meant taking out a loan. However, it's understandable that Chinese people generally don't like overspending.
Finally, there are the divine weapons that truly deserve to be worn by warriors.
I remember I commissioned the equipment department to custom-develop a pair of Desert Eagles. How's the alchemical pistol pair coming along?
"They have been designed and made, but please forgive my bluntness, Headmaster, those alchemical pistols are probably not very practical. They can't even be turned into bombs and thrown."
Professor Schneider was very impressed with the pair of alchemical pistols.
On one hand, the pair of semi-automatic pistols were weapons that Principal Angers specifically requested the Equipment Department to design and develop. Their design faithfully recreates Dante's twin pistols from Devil May Cry 3, made of ebony and white ivory, making them gorgeous and exquisite. In terms of cosplay props, they are also among the finest.
On the other hand, those pistols were produced by the Equipment Department and were among the few pieces of equipment that could not explode on their own. Minister Akadula often complained about those pistols, saying that they lacked the soul of the Kassel Equipment Department.
As firearms, those pistols were indeed excellent. The ebony version could be loaded with high-powered alchemical bullets to forcefully penetrate armor and kill some Deadpools and pureblood dragons, while the white ivory version had a rate of fire comparable to a fully automatic assault rifle, shooting both fast and far.
But they are ultimately just firearms, and pistols with relatively small magazine capacities. Their practical value is far less than that of high-explosive grenades, assault rifles, and alchemical missiles.
"As long as it's gorgeous, that's enough."
Cherishing medals forged of metal and sashes woven of gold thread, sometimes it's the ostentatious displays that are needed to showcase a hero's achievements and bravery.
Angers maintained his smile: "Let's give those pistols to our Messiah. I'm going to China to see him soon, and I'm sure our Messiah will love the gift I'm giving him."
With its perfectly replicated ebony and ivory finish, what Devil May Cry player wouldn't want a pair of pistols like these?
"It's up to you."
Professor Schneider paused briefly; the name "Messiah" that Angers uttered always made Schneider somewhat uncomfortable.