Chasing Time

“Next, we have the most noble recipient of the Order of the Garter, the Grand Cross of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Grand Cross of the Bath, the Victoria Cross and the lower grades of Knighthood, the leader of the anti-colonial movement, the bell-ringer of the East India Company, the hero of the Crimean War, a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifelong dear friend of literary giants such as Dickens and Great Dumas, a steadfast supporter of scientific luminaries like Faraday and Darwin, having served as assistant under-secretary, deputy under-secretary, and permanent under-secretary in departments of the Home Office and the Navy Department of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the inaugural Cabinet Secretary and head of the civil service, the first graduate and most distinguished alumnus of our school. Please welcome Sir Arthur Hastings to deliver a speech on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the University of London.”
Arthur's gaze swept across the crowd before him, looking at the young faces and murmured, “Agares, what do you think I should say?”
The Red Devil's wraith hovered behind him, saliva almost dribbling from the corner of his mouth, “Look at these ignorant souls; they still worship you as a hero. Why not say something they'd like to hear?”
Arthur took a deep breath and let out a deafening roar, “Oxford is a bunch of whores' bastards!”
“Oh!!!!”
The audience erupted into thunderous applause.
“Cambridge is the same!” he added immediately.
The applause grew even more fervent...
(The protagonist, possessed by a devil, travels through 19th-century Britain in a world without magic)

The Shadow of Great Britain

The streets of London were wet, blackish-gray water streaming between the damp tiles.


Under two wide-brimmed hats, red sparks flickered, from time to time emitting puffs of smoke; Arthur and Louis strolled leisurely towards their destination—the Royal Society located at Gresham College.


Louis began, "I heard that the royal charter from the University of London has finally been officially approved. Maybe in a while, the diploma will be in your hands."


With a bandage hanging around his neck, Arthur took a drag of his cigarette and replied, "No need to wait a while. When I helped Alfred register at the University of London the other day, the director of academic affairs already told me that the school is currently printing the diplomas, preparing to issue them to us first graduates, who should have received them long ago. He even asked me whether I'd like them mailed to me or if I would prefer to pick them up myself."


Chapter 269: The Mathematical Needs of Soldiers (4K8)