Coming back to her senses Amanises scanned the room, feeling something hard in her clenched fist.
It was the hexagonal charm.
She rubbed her thumb along the inscribed layered symbols, recalling its uses.
She injected her spirituality in the charm, getting the extra information that The Fool had no need to mention.
It indeed points to him.
The charm from The Fool's domain would last for no more than 3 months.
Hmm it's definitely a high level charm. Theodore mentioned that low level ones are renewed every two weeks but this one can last for so long! Mr Fool is surely generous!
She sincerely thanked the deity in her mind.
Actually, this charm is mostly a combination for two different types. The 'Miracle' charm and a summoning charm. No wonder neither me, nor The Hanged Man knew of such an item. It was a fusion of two different ones!
She couldn't be sure if The World knew he was as passive as ever.
The range of wish making is chaotic. It definitely cannot bring back a person from death, or kill someone of a high sequence, but it can make them feel certain effects.
It can also be used for teleportation, as long as one knows exactly where they would end up, and it can modify an entire area along with the user's wish.
There were countless uses for the Miracle she would have to do an extensive research on how to make most out of her last resort wish.
It's not bad to use something to its fullest potential right? I can't have Mr Fool make hundreds of Miracle charms, simply because I used a wish carelessly.
I'm also pretty sure he will kill me.
She noted that this was an item that should be carried around at all times, however most of her dresses and garments didn't have pockets.
And there were no guarantees that a pocket on a dress wouldn't rip and cause the charm to fall and be lost.
Mr Fool would also kill me if I did that.
But, she quickly came up with a solution.
She got up from her study desk and rummaged to a drawer nearby, taking out a sewing kit. I can make my own charm pocket!
As a dignified lady in an era similar to the Victorian Era, she wore a set of undergarments.
Evelyn had a lot of them, but Amanises only kept two, switching them out once every two days.
From her closet, she took out the second set, already washed and clean. It was a camisole made out of cotton calico. It wasn't expensive at all, providing maximum comfort and wasn't restrictive.
20 minutes later, both pockets on both camisoles were done. They were sewed on the inside, right under her neckline above the breast. She tested their rigidness by tugging on the fabric.
This should hold!
Her sewing skills were not bad, she noted.
Glancing at the clock, Amanises noted that it was time to grab a meal, she felt incredibly hungry.
The diner down the street is still open, I can go grab a bite. She took out her apartment keys, handbag and her black mesh lampshade dress hat.
***
Some time later, evening—in a run-down apartment in East Borough.
Amanises walked headfirst into the weathered wall which had paint strips coming off of it.
It's still hard getting used to passing through walls.
It was already time for her mysticism classes, today was a more in-depth guide on ritualistic magic.
Walking out the long dark hallway she reached the multiple grand doors, to her surprise, someone was already there, standing in the middle.
The person turned around and flashed a genuine smile, happy to see Evelyn back.
"Daly? You're here today? What for?"
The woman's presence was random as always. She often appeared when it tickled her fancy. But this time it felt different.
"You're right on time, Evelyn!" She made her way over, grabbing Amanises by the hand and dragging her into the captain's office.
The heavy doors were pushed with ease, and the overworked Crested Cesimir came into view.
He wore his usual coat with the collar propped up hiding his chin.
"Captain, explain the details to this madam right here! She just arrived."
His eyes narrowed and an audible sigh was heard as if saying 'Why don't you do it yourself'. Nonetheless, the captain rested his hand on the table and greeted Amanises with a nod.
"Good evening, lady Evelyn. As Daly mentioned earlier something came up."
Oh? Is there a problem I should know about? A slight nervousness filled her heart.
"You will be assigned your first mission."
Her heart nearly jumped in happiness. She has just received her first ever mission! One more week of idling around and she would die of boredom!
"Ahem, this mission is quite special as it is not in Backlund."
She tilted her head in question: "Not in Backlund? Where then, exactly?"
"There's a shortage of personnel in Tingen City. You and Daly have been recommended to depart." He tapped his finger on the desk loudly, then emphasized his next statement. "Tomorrow morning."
Tomorrow?! I don't have enough time to pack any bags, browse temporary apartments or do a thorough safety check!
Not to talk about preparing my documents and the necessary money.
Visible disbelief was seen on her face.
From her side, Daly chuckled and dispelled her worries. "Don't worry, all you have to do is get some money, and a few clothes to change, your apartment will be kept safe. Everything aside from your personal expenses is paid, including train tickets, residence and the like."
She rubbed circles on her back. "All you have to worry about is whether you die during the mission or not."
That's no comfort at all! In the blink of an eye, Amanises was shrouded in agonizing distress yet again.
Crestet Cesimir sighed, and rubbed his forehead with his thumb. "The mission is mostly about investigation rather than fighting, let your superiors do the labor. All you have to do is use your brain."
Phew, she was now finally relieved.
"What's the problem there?"
The captain got up from his seat and waddled around the room, touching a few books from the nearby bookshelves on the way.
"There's been a chain of death lately, the assigned Beyonders think they're all related to a grand scheme. Your job is to find the correlation between the deaths and defuse the possible timed bomb."
He cleared his throat and clarified. "The bomb is an analogy if you didn't get it."
Don't worry, I did. She lampooned inwardly.
She was extremely curious about the supposed chain of deaths. What could have caused them?
"You and Daly will depart at sunrise, from the first train. The tickets are on the desk. Don't be late."
With that he picked up a book and started browsing through it, showing clear disinterest in continuing the conversation.
Amanises took one of the train tickets from his desk and went directly for the door, not intending to burden Captain Cesimir any more.
Out of the office, both women pocketed the tickets and started talking about the details of their joint mission.
"Actually I'm wondering, why are both of us chosen?"
It was strange, one of them was sequence 7 and the other a fresh sequence 9 sleepless. Neither were experts in the intelligence department.
Theodore might've worked better to crack a case.
Daly yawned and stretched her hands.
"Yawhh, it's been a while since I've been to Tingen. Man, I'm excited to go back."
"Back?" She was taken by surprise. "You're from Tingen?"
"That's right! I was actually born there but brought here later."
"Why here though?"
Daly gave a side eye. "I'll tell you later."
Uhhh, alright I guess. She didn't know why her friend didn't want to explain, but didn't press any further.
"Don't you have your mysticism class? Theo might be waiting."
Ah! Shit I'm late.
Amanises stormed to the Alchemy room without another word, panic all over her face.
Theodore was already waiting, he waved his hand in greeting with a bright smile.
"I heard about your mission. Congratulations!"
"Ah, y-yes. It's crazy how my first assignment is not Backlund—the branch which I'm in."
"Yeah, but it is what it is. Just give your best!"
She rubbed the back of her head. "I'll probably be staying there for a while, I'll miss out on more mysticism knowledge."
The Savant laughed out loud. "O-oh! You don't have to worry about that! Naturally, the Tingen branch also has a mysticism professor. He is known as Old Niel."
"Old Niel? Must be pretty wise then."
"You don't say! He's a Mystery Pryer so his knowledge is even more vast! His practices are just as interesting. When you go there you can resume your classes as long as you remember the last lesson."
"Yesterday you taught me about summoning magic, and today more in depth ritualistic magic."
"Hahaha, your memory is still good! Uncharacteristic to the Sleepless Beyonders."
Oh yeah. They're known for their bad memory. But I don't know why?
"Anyway let's stop the chit chat, today is much more interesting! I even prepared a ritual for you!"
He took out candles and all sorts of herbal powders, essential oils and incense.
"Didn't you tell me that rituals point to a deity? Isn't this too dangerous?"
"Not at all! Because today we will learn another type. Praying to oneself!" Are you ready?"
She was taken aback by this. Does that really work?
Amanises nodded her head eagerly. She was ready to start.