After making sure that she didn't mix up her thoughts again and look like an idiot the woman picked up her pace.
She needed to be more careful with her own mind from now on, as this poorly timed mishap cannot keep ruining her image!
Following Leonard, Amanises entered the door to the right, which she previously mistook for the Captain's office.
The door extended into another hallway, this one was shorter and smaller. It connected more smaller rooms, each behind regular wooden doors that were indistinguishable to each other, leaving anyone to wonder which room was which.
The man holding that poetic air to him wrapped his fingers around his chin, looking to be thinking very hard.
Whatever rusty gears were inside his head took the correct turn as he smiled and waved his finger, signaling Amanises to continue following.
It's not like I have options but to go after him. Is my entire life going to be like this?
Following people like a dog?
She wasn't keen on looking like this is her first time in this world. Even if that might be somewhat the truth, no one needed to actually know!
While walking, Amanises remembered more details that Daly shared regarding this gentleman.
He was a man in his mid twenties, who had an unfortunate past of growing up in an orphanage managed by the Church of Steam and Machinery.
He became an Arcanist a while ago, almost being considered a senior member, and showed impressive results using the acting method. His progress reached stagnation at sequence 7 however, no one really knows the reason.
Perhaps he doesn't like giving people nightmares? Or, is mindful of the organization's resources and doesn't waste them on his ass?
Whatever the reason was, Leonard didn't feel the need to act and advance further, which left the possible sequence 6 ingredients free for her to take.
If she were to manage and reach that level before dying a tragic death, of course.
Another thing Daly mentioned, was that Leonard was actually part of a special division codenamed 'Red Gloves'. Basically, he had free roam but more responsibilities.
Daly thinks that he chose to go back to Tingen and solving this case was for him to have a good enough reason to be lazy.
But Amanises thought otherwise. Captain Dunn mentioned that Leonard was the only one who caught the similarities between cases and found a common point, he was also the one who showed genuine concern regarding it.
Not like the other members turned a blind eye, but that Leonard Mitchell was peculiar enough to notice and work on the case.
Was he a genius in disguise, or did he stumble upon it randomly?
That's what piqued Amanises's curiosity, she wanted to figure it out.
Both Arcanists stopped by the third door on the left side of the corridor, behind said door was a regular room, looking like a place reserved for rest.
It had a lower ceiling, regular square windows with beige translucent curtains dropped over them. Windows in the Spirit World rarely displayed any scenery, besides a sight that could be mistook for hypnosis.
There was a low coffee table with a bunch of different magazines scattered on top, four armchairs and a sofa on the side of the room.
Taking her place in one of the armchairs, Amanises allowed herself to rest while Leonard Mitchell took the seat right in front of her.
He rested his feet on the coffee table, initiating the conversation with a carefree smile.
"So, how's Tingen, Miss Evelyn? I reckon the call for the mission was quite sudden. Surely your family members didn't question your unexpected leave?"
Amanises stared back with no expression, she opened her mouth before even thinking. "Well for startes, my family is dead so I don't think they have much to say."
Leonard had an odd look on his face, his eyes and lips twitched as if he almost blurted out 'Same'. On the floor, his shadow twitched slightly, but not enough to be noticed.
Evelyn changed to an easy smile, hoping to drop the strange mood: "I'm quite surprised actually! Tingen is much more pleasant than the crowded Backlund. The air doesn't feel as caging and taking a breath doesn't come with possible smoke!"
She leaned back and audibly exhaled. "But I'm more curious about the night. I hope it's just as pleasant, if not even more!" Her tone was light, almost breathy, giving that serene dead-wife vibe.
Leonard inquired. "The night? I'm guessing you're digesting Sleepless?"
"Keen eye! Sleepless allows me to glance deep into the night, enjoy the quiet and solitude it brings. Actually, I'm curious... Why did you choose this pathway, sir?"
"I felt like it." He responded briefly.
Both man and woman stared at each other, it gave the sense of looking at a talking mirror. Only the gender might be different but it didn't change much.
This feels so strange!
Ahem! Leonard quickly cleared his throat, it seemed he reverted back to his carefree and laid-back demeanor, matching the way Amansies would let Evelyn bother with politeness and people.
He raised his hands slightly, she wasn't sure what it meant but it seemed like he just wanted to catch her full attention.
"Let's ignore our poor attempt at small talk and discuss the mission! I'm sure that wouldn't be as boring or offensive."
"I hope." He murmured, not low enough since Amanises caught it nonetheless.
You get to the point. I like that!
"Yes, yes, I agree! We should cut to the chase." She nodded quickly, begging to change the atmosphere to a more serious one.
"Ahem! I've only joined this a bit after the first important case happened, so sadly, I wasn't able to get all the necessary details."
He crossed his fingers over his stomach, eyes turned sharp. He now had Amanises's full attention.
"Less than a month ago, what i would call a triple suicide happened..."
The woman sitting across from him interjected: "A suicide doesn't necessarily mean it was affected by supernatural elements. Is there any proof?"
Leonard let out an audible sigh, his expression contorted weirdly.
"That's the thing, I was only able to connect it to the chain, but there wasn't any clue regarding this, much less evidence." He looked up and said: "Hold on here, I'll be right back."
He left the room hurriedly, leaving Amanises to herself for a moment.
Triple suicide huh... How was he able to connect them without evidence? Something is off...
The man returned just as quickly as he had left, in his hands were a stack of documents and dossiers.
He threw them on the coffee table to her display, picking up a thicker dossier and rummaging its contents.
Shortly after, two files were taken out. Each had one portrait, name, date of birth, background and a small summary of the victim's life and cause of death.
He held one plain for her to see, the portrait belonged to a wealthy man with a chubby body and pale skin. In the portrait he had a wide smile on his face.
"This is Welch McGovern, a university graduate from Khoy University. He was found dead in his house with a severe blunt force trauma to the head.
"The autopsy showed cerebral contusions, skull fractured and heavy bleeding."
Amanises put her fingers around her chin, appearing to be deep in thought. But in reality—Hmm...So many fancy words! The poor guy bashed his skull open, how hard is it for you to tell me that!
She nodded, signaling for him to continue.
Leonard Mitchell picked up a second file. This one featured a young woman, with an angular face and soft brown hair.
"This is Naya, Welch's friend. She was found alongside him in his house. She drowned herself in a deep basin."
Kept it brief this time huh? You've learned your lesson! Evelyn gave a polite smile, she understood the details faster this time.
"And the third?" She raised an eyebrow.
As per request, Leonard raised the third file. It contained a young man with an average-looking face, black hair, brown eyes and a deep outline. He also had a slight smile in his portrait.
"This is Klein Moretti, he also committed suicide that same night and around the same time, the only difference is the place, as he did in his house.
"The cause of death was a shot from a revolver point blank to his temple." He then added a comment. "Instant death."
"Wait wait wait." She stopped him again. "Just because the method and time is the same, doesn't mean that they share a reason too. What if Klein had a whole different reason to take his life? And the file shows that he hit the bottom of the barrel, so how was he able to purchase a gun?"
"We were only able to get details after the Church of Steam and Machinery was done with their initial investigation. We think that Klein was able to acquire the gun from Welch."
"Think. What about proof?" She tilted her head. "One cannot get a gun without a license these days. So, unless Welch had connections within the black market, there should be one somewhere.
She crossed her hands. "Since you were able to investigate his residence, something like this should've been found."
A loophole.
Leonard sighed, he didn't expect this woman to refute him. He always thought that new members would just shut up and follow the superior's instructions. This woman was the complete opposite.
"They all share the same connection and have been good friends before the suicides took place. There's no reason to refute this assumption."
Amanises narrowed her eyes and stared directly at Leonard before her. The weight of her gaze nearly caused him to shrink.
"You seem awfully confident in your reasoning. Most would, at least harbor some doubts but you show a strong conviction. I wonder, why's that?"
Her voice was low, drilling into his mind. A slight shiver ran through his spine, and his forehead started to show beads of sweat.
He opened his mouth to explain but was once again interrupted by a loud clap.
"Well, this isn't my place to talk! Your arguments make complete sense! I was just testing to see if you didn't miss anything." She brushed off any concerns or scepticism that might've been shown before.
"Sir Leonard, what can I be of help with?" She flashed him a light smile.
Leonard was utmost confused, her total change in expression scared him! But alas, he couldn't do anything.
"There is another person, this one is connected to Khoy University itself." He showed a new portrait.
It was a man with bronze skin, black hair, brown eyes and gentle facial features. The name under the image was—
"Azik Eggers, he is a lecturer that taught those three former students. When asked about his origins, he claims to have amnesia and frequent nightmares."
"Nightmares?" This piqued her interest.
"Yes, one thing our colleagues discovered was his connection to the Beyonder world. We aren't sure how deep that connection is, but it is enough to warrant an investigation."
He placed all the files down and leaned forward. "This is where my personal request comes in. I would like either you or Madam Daly to contact Azik Eggers, be it his personal residence or University office."
Going to someone's house to ask them questions, especially while alone is basically a death treat!
I would rather have Daly go... But ,claims to have frequent nightmares,... Hmmm...I can't help but be curious.
"Why wasn't this done earlier?" She swayed her right hand.
"None of our members had a good enough reason to visit Khoy University."
"And I do?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Of course." Replied Leonard, shoving another file in front of her on the table.
She read its contents: Evelyn Dusk, a woman of high-class, enjoys history and education.
You asshole! You had no intention of asking Daly!