"Alright." Crestet Cesimir nodded. He leaned forward. "Then swear upon the Holy Artifact."
Klein looked curiously and at the same time, tensed.
...
"You will only be permitted to know after you become a core member of the Church, such as an archbishop or a high-ranking deacon," Crestet emphasized afterwards.
Klein nodded sternly.
Crestet placed the silver suitcase back beside his foot and crossed his legs.
"In the long history of time, the Church has had generations upon generations of genius Beyonders slowly figuring out a way to avoid losing control.
"And the core to this method is the name of the potion. It's not only critical; it's also the key."
After looking at Klein's thoughtful expression, Crestet continued, "We have realized that the names of the potions all point to a certain group, and this group has their own approach and operates in unique ways. In simpler terms, there are a set of rules that come with the name of the potion, different rules for different potions. When we follow these rules strictly, the risk of losing control is reduced to a minimum."
"Similar to my set of Seer principles?" Klein took the opportunity to ask.
This explanation isn't as simple or understandable as the one I gave to Lovers, Justice and Hanged Man... Klein silently criticized.
"Yes." Crestet gave an affirmative answer. "When we follow the rules of the potion, we become more and more like the group described by the name of the potion. In other words, we are acting as the job that the name of the potion points us toward. That is the 'acting method.' You must remember, the spirituality of every individual is special, unique. Even though the core rules must be followed by the people who consume the same potion, there are always certain variations to the rules that are unique to the individual. Thus, the experiences of others can only serve as a guide."
That is a point that I didn't realize... Klein said sincerely, "Thank you for informing me. I will remember that."
Crestet laughed.
"These are the experiences accumulated over the generations.
"After using the 'acting method,' we not only gain mastery over the potion, we're also digesting it, just as we would our food. When you truly digest the potion, you will feel a unique, mysterious sensation, understood?"
"I understand. 'Digestion,' this term is very appropriate..." Klein pretended to be deep in thought.
After Crestet explained the method in more detail, Klein weighed his words as he asked, "Your Grace, since the name of the potion is not only the core, but also the key, then how did the first Beyonders obtain them? I heard that it was recorded on the Blasphemy Slate?"
"Yes, that is correct," Crestet replied frankly. "But the Blasphemy Slate was inscribed with the ancient names. The names of the potions which we use today were derived in part from divine revelations. Some were also consolidated by the experiences of the Beyonders themselves."
Klein nodded slowly. He pursed his lips and asked, "Your Grace, since the 'acting method' is so effective, why wouldn't the Church tell every Nighthawk about it?"
"I have said that it is a secret of the Church. You will understand the reason behind it once you become an archbishop or a high-ranking deacon," Crestet answered, unfazed. "Alright, return upstairs and tell the rest of the Nighthawks to come down one at a time. I have to carry out the final step of the examination."
Klein didn't add more and instead nodded.
...
"How is it?" Selina asked right away after the door was opened and Klein walked out.
"Archbishop will need to carry out the final step of the examination." Klein was smiling. "This is the last step. Which means there's no problem."
Selina's mood spiked but it diluted down right after, "But Royale's guarding Chanis Gate, Leonard is that the asylum and Kenley and the rest are on break..."
She lifted her chin from pressing it with her fingers and met Klein in the eyes. They both suddenly laughed.
"Hehe I'll go tell Captain. You can go ahead and enter to be the first to examine." Klein said while his chuckle died down to a smile.
Selina pinched her head and remarked, "I heard lullabies and songs earlier. They're still ringing in my head."
"Are you alright?" Klein asked immediately. To which she heard her answer, "Mhm, now Klein excuse me."
"Don't exert yourself." last moment, he added.
Selina smiled softly and still answered, "Yes, now remind our forgetful Captain."
The door closed. Inside was the same old alchemy room, with her brewing set placed aside on a separate table.
There are two high-back chairs, from which she saw the Archbishop Cesimir across and empty one where Klein left.
"Good morning Your Grace." Selina curtsied briefly.
Crestet Cesimir adjusted the violin case on his said, leaned back to his chair and smiled, "Good morning Ms. Roy. You may take a seat."
It seems the sword Captain talked about is stored in that case... Selina guessed thoughtfully before taking the chair.
Crestet sized her up and afterwards placed a finger on his chin, seemingly contemplating.
"I heard from Dunn that Klein and you are much closer than anyone in this department."
Selina perked up. She heard him continue, "I don't mean to dabble into anything, but that must mean you knew him better than anyone."
"Yes." Selina nodded and admitted candidly.
"I plan to first examine how you've mastered the potion. Just like Klein. That won't be an issue?"
Selina shook her head slowly and answered, "Not at all."
Crestet smiled, but he remained in his poise. Watching Selina without lifting a finger.
Selina felt the same instance from before. The gas lamp's light faded, the darkness consumed the corners.
She felt exhausted, as if her biological clock had struck the late night hour.
Due to this familiarity, her nerves wasn't as tensed as before. She tried to remain calm but the imposing air was clutching.
The silent "night" filled her surroundings as Selina heard the noise of dripping water from a tap that wasn't closed properly. Then, she heard the conversations in the Blackthorn Security Company and the movement of the wind blowing through the stairway.
Besides that, she didn't see anything that he shouldn't see, nor did she hear any noises that she shouldn't be able to hear.
"Just like Klein's," Crestet's hypnotic voice dispersed the darkness, and the light from the gas lamps inside and outside the alchemy room came into Selina again.
"Indeed, he may have shared it with you much earlier than the others."
Selina simply smiled impeccably, secretly heaving a sigh of relief.
Crestet Cesimir clasped his hands and put them on his knees.
"Even though you did not submit a note. It is clear you have achieved a level beyond outstanding in mastery of your potion.
"And with the merits Dunn spoke of you. I don't see why you won't be qualified for a promotion."
Seline joyfully replied, "I am waiting for my chances to arrive before submitting my own special application. Yes, it will be soon enough."
Cesimir nodded but didn't add more.
"I can examine you now so that once you do submit, this procedure can be skipped. Is that alright with you?"
Selina thought about if carefully before nodding, "Mhm please."
This is the phase where I'll be observed if there are any hidden dangers in my mind, making sure there are no mishaps like the potion's remaining spirit affecting me subconsciously or left some problems behind...
"You have three minutes to prepare."
Selina replied, "Very well."
She secretly took a breath and allowed herself to enter Cogitation to remove various negative thoughts.
Crestet didn't speak again. He took out a silver pocket watch from the inner pocket of his black windbreaker and flipped it open.
Then, he attentively watched the second hand move.
Three minutes later, Crestet closed his pocket watch and said with a smile, "I'll begin singing."
...
It was unknown when Crestet Cesimir had stopped singing. The noises in the alchemy room disappeared and room the was awash with tranquility and silence.
Selina, who displayed slight pain, irritation and mood swings quickly recovered. Of course these were merely cruise as being too calm would divulge something about her.
"Very good, excellent. There are no latent problems in your soul. Of course, if you wanted to beat me up or stuff my mouth with something, that's only normal." Crestet said with pleasant tone.
"Similarly before, I discourage being violent." Selina smiled genially.
Crestet smiled and said, "Congratulations, next time, your tests would be just be minor answer and questions."
Selina calmly nodded, not opposing it at all.
"Now." Crestet leaned on his side and added, "Then swear upon the Holy Artifact."
The Goddess's sword? As Selina thought of this, she saw him bent down and lift the silver suitcase by the chair's foot.
Crestet placed the suitcase on his knees, his dark green eyes instantly turning black.
...
Selina broke from a trance and the nightmare that wasn't there before. A suction force draw all darkness and air at a point from which the suitcase was being pried.
She looked at the porcelain, unblemished white bone sword in Cesimir's hand, moving it away from her.
She cast her gaze to the side and asked gravely, "Your Grace, do I... need to put my hand on the holy sword?"
"Yes, come over." Crestet's voice was melodious as if he was singing a lullaby.
Selina stood up, still looking to the side as she took small steps forward. As it was dark, she couldn't see where the legs of the deacon were, nor her heeled boots.
"Stop," Crestet spoke calmly.
Selina immediately halted on the spot. Her gaze remained fixed on the opposite direction, refusing to give into curiosity, less something might happen.
Cesimir then slowly made the sword closer to her, for Selina to reach until it was just an inch to her hand.
"Okay, you can extend it."
Having said that, Selina felt a cold feeling swept through her skin and into her mind.
The distracting thoughts and feelings of worry instantly eased, as if he was sitting on a roof in a noisy village, smelling the scent of the harvest and admiring the starry night sky.
"Recite after me," Crestet said solemnly.
...
"Oh Evernight Goddess, nobler than the stars and more eternal than eternity.
'I swear to you in my real name and my spirituality.
"I, Selina, will never reveal the details of the 'acting method' to those who do not know of it from this moment forth.
"If I go against this, I shall accept any punishment you deem fit.
"Please witness my oath."
Selina's voice reverberated in Hermes. Afterwards she collected herself and followed the Archbishop's lead.
She had the faint feeling that a connection has been established between her and a faraway being through the pure white bone sword.
After retracting his right hand, she drew a crimson moon on his chest.
"Praise the Lady!"
...
An hour and a half passed.
In the break room, Selina and Klein were left alone. She discussed with him what the Archbishop had said to her until he was called again downstairs.
Selina still followed and she saw Kenley walked out of the alchemy room in puzzlement and dazed. After a greeting, she said, "Okay, I'll be waiting again."
Klein heaved a relief and entered, seeing Crestet Cesimir again by the creak of the door.
This time, the golden-brown-haired and blackish-green-eyed deacon wasn't seated. He stood there, allowing the breeze in the basement to blow at his black windbreaker.
Crestet's collars stood tall, hiding his chin in the shadows.
He looked at Klein and smiled.
"Nighthawk Klein Moretti, I announce in the name of the Goddess that you have passed the examination of the Holy Cathedral.
"Congratulations. With your contributions, you can immediately advance to become a Sequence 8 Beyonder!"