Amanises spent more time under the moonlight, slowly feeling her increasing position digestion.
Shouldn't take me more than a week to complete the digestion. This potion is fairly easy.
It came naturally for her. Enjoying the night was something she has done since her younger years. Sometimes, along with some friends, they would sit on a rooftop and stargaze, few of those times they could actually see stars, instead of the remains of light pollution.
Tingen was much quieter and serene than Backlund, but that distinct feature became more dulled once night rolled out.
In the distance, one could observe oil lamps that still haven't died out, people choosing to catch up on work rather than sleep, or students burning the midnight oil.
This reminds me of my days at university.
Back then, all-nighters were the norm, if one wanted to pass the test with flying colours there was no better way than ruining your rest.
If only I had Sleepless back then... It all would've been so much easier!
She lamented the absence of Beyonder powers in her world. Or perhaps there are supernatural people, but I'm just a regular passer-by, oblivious to it all.
Just like the ordinaries of this world. Dying of reasons they will never be able to get.
Even if I were to question the existence of powers, I would be called a lunatic! I can handle a bad sleeping schedule for work rather than dying of unknown causes!
It was better to keep her life as it was, if she could ever return, that is. I still have to try my best!
Amanises raised her chin, her eyes reflected the red dot in the sky, features glowing under the crimson moonlight.
I have to.
***
Like usual, Amanises returned back to the house she shared with Daly.
Her anxious roommate calmed down gradually after waking up, as she prepared a hearty breakfast and two cups of tea. Amanises was delighted to be spared of the task as she couldn't guarantee what kind of abomination would come out if she touched the pan.
Lately, her cooking had become even worse than it could ever be and she couldn't, for the life of her, figure out why.
Is this some kind of equivalent exchange for beyonder powers? I'm offering my ability to sustain myself on the table for staying up late at night? Isn't this the average student?
She was at a loss for words.
A comfortable silence filled the small kitchen, Daly finished her breakfast already and was looking at Amansies.
"If you continue to stare at me like that, I might choke." She mumbled between bites.
Daly just continued to stare, not saying another world while her lips curled up.
Only after Amanises was done with her chocolate filled bun, she procured yesterday, and the plate of eggs with fried sausage, did she open her mouth to speak.
"You're not talking as much as you used to, lately." Daly remarked in an even tone.
Amanises froze, before her forehead scrunched up in an angry frown. Did she notice I'm not that talkative? I often try to fill in the silence, but now I'm eating! You really want me to choke!
"Hehe!" The Spirit Medium chuckled. "That's not a bad thing, actually it makes you more—how should I put it? You?"
Amanises leaned back. "More me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"The facade of an outgoing woman you put on before was extremely forced. But now, you're much more relaxed. I'm glad."
She said while lifting herself up from her seat and taking away the plates to wash them in the sink.
This is only because I deliberately let myself be more carefree around you! Don't think you're smart!
Unknowingly, Amanises's frown eased into a small smile, subconsciously she was glad that someone recognized her for herself, not Evelyn —even if it was deliberate. She wanted to be herself.
***
Daly stepped out of the house, saying she would drop by a few shops and have some time for herself. Amanises had no objection, as she too wanted to leave the secluded space. No matter how much she loved to be alone, there was the necessity to socialize.
She called it 'keeping up the appearance'.
First, she dropped by Tingen's Spirit Domain, hoping to check up on any updates regarding the mission.
There, Amansies was met with an enthusiastic young woman who looked to be in her mid twenties, with short brown hair that nearly bordered brick-red with light-brown eyes. Her face was round, donning a cheerful smile.
Almost immediately upon seeing her, the young woman approached with light steps—as if she wanted to catch a scared prey.
"Hello! You must be the woman sent from Backlund!" It was quite a robotic type of greeting, as if she simply tuned in to a daily routine.
"Good morning, young miss." She gripped the ends of her skirt and offered a short bow. "Evelyn Dusk, pleased to meet you!"
Before the woman could open her mouth again, Amanises interrupted: "Rozanne Adelaide. Am I right?"
"Huh?!" The woman named Rozanne was quite shocked. "You know me?"
"Hehe. Daly gave me a quick introduction to everyone here. Don't worry, I only heard pleasant things about you."
Rozanne Adelaide was quite shocked, her cheeks became red with embarrassment. "A-ah! That's good then! It cuts to the chase!"
Amanises nodded. Intending to keep the conversation going, she inquired. "I heard that you're not a Beyonder, if so how do you work here?"
She signaled for a nearby armchair in the rotunda, since they were next to eachother—both could sit comfortably and communicate.
"Oh? Have you never heard of regular informants?"
"Informants? Actually no, I'm still new to this place."
"Well—" She leaned back. "This is how we gather intelligence, from the churches, government and the like. There are informants spread all around—most aren't even aware they have this job!"
She pointed to her chest proudly. "Actually I'm the one managing these people, you don't need to be a Beyonder for this work."
So you're a manager? Thankfully I didn't get this job. Imagine going to another world and being stuck with the same poor career choice you had before!
"This seems like the way a captain handles Beyonders, is it easier or harder than that?"
Rozanne shook her head. "Actually I'm not sure, I don't talk much to the captain..." She shifted her head to the side. "As a matter-of- fact, I'm quite scared of him. He has that air of a father, caring—but strict."
Amanises chuckled at that notion. She truly understood it, but her father was more warm hearted and easy going. While Evelyn's father wasn't that present due to his work.
Rozanne glanced back at Amanises. "What am I saying? I'm sure for you, Captain Dunn seems like a child!"
"Huh?" She was taken aback. "Where did you get that idea from?"
"You and the captain are around the same age, so I thought you would see him as a peer!"
We're the same age??? I could've sworn that guy looked fourty!
"To me, he seemed older. But that must be because I'm surrounded by manchildren!"
None of the nobles actually behaved like proper adults, mostly like children in their father's coat!
The young lady chuckled lightly. She was really fond of gossip and jokes.
"Either way, this knowledge will definitely make me breathe easier next to the captain. Captain Cesimir from Backlund is like a stone statue! Each time I try to strike a conversation I'm shunned away like a wet dog!"
This time Rozanne burst out laughing. "I'm sure Backlund is also interesting, but in Tingen here—everyone seems more...connected, if that's the right word.
"Perhaps because it's not as big of a city or because we frequent the Spirit Domain and sometimes organize outings between members!"
"How nice...I've only met three others, including the captain. I wasn't even sure if we had any more!"
Rozanne held her chin with her fist. "One of them must be Daly, then who is the other one? I haven't been to Backlund."
"He is my mysticism teacher, a Savant, Theodore. He's a cheerful young man who loves knowledge and his experiments. The way he explains each lesson is like an ode to the extraordinary!
"That reminds me—" Amanises suddenly remembered, it was like being hit in the head with a falling piano. "I completely forgot to continue my classes here! Theodore told me to search for someone called Old Niel, do you know where I might find him?"
"Old Niel? Don't worry, he will be here in the evening. He comes here almost everyday, you must've missed him yesterday."
Phew. She breathed a sigh of relief. They said that my memory would become bad after reaching Nightmare, not before!
After that, both women continued to chat for a while. Soon enough, however, Rozanne had to leave for her actual job.
She works as a receptionist and a manager for the Arcanists. I hope she gets a lofty pay for both.
She sighed in her heart.
***
It was around 9:45 pm. Evelyn had just made her way to the renowned Khoy University.
She stood at the grand open gates made entirely out of metal.
This looks like how I imagined Cambridge or Oxford...
It really lived up to its name of a University.
It was grand and majestic. Rising in Jacobethan style with flattened, cusped "Tudor" arches, lighter stone trims around windows and doors, carved brick detailing, steep roof gables, often terracotta brickwork, balustrades and parapets, pillars supporting porches and high chimneys.
But compared to Tingen University placed on the other side of the river, one could say this one looked shabby.
The campus is organized in a central quadrangle with main academic buildings forming a square around the large open lawn.
Inside, the corridors were spacious and empty, all of the students already in their classes. The echo of heeled footsteps resonated within the spacious expanse.
Walking, her heart pounded in her chest; it felt as if soon enough, she would be cast out from the building due to unauthorized entry.
But that wasn't the case at all.
At the entry, Amansies was met with two receptionists both busy, rummaging through files and writing down something.
She approached the desk and knocked on the hard wood in a polite fashion, catching the attention of one of them.
"Good morning, sir. I would like to visit the library here. Am I granted permission?"
The receptionist stared at her with wide eyes, as if lost in a trance for a few seconds, before he snapped back into reality.
"Ahem! Absolutely, madam. You can do as you wish, as long as you don't disturb the students." He pointed in a direction down a hall. "At the end of this corridor there are the stairs. Climb up to the second floor. There are marks to show the way to different classrooms and offices, follow it to reach the library or ask directions if there are any staff members around."
She sincerely thanked him and continued to the appointed direction.
The young receptionist continued to stare as she left, cursing himself in a whisper.
***
In a place forgotten by the world, deep within darkness and flashes of thunder.
A group of young, but incredibly tall, men entered what looked like an ancient cathedral.
It donned large stained windows, making the flashes of thunder strikes appear in countless shades of colours like a kaleidoscope.
Not that these people would ever know what a kaleidoscope was.
They walked cautiously to the end of the grand cathedral's hall, slowly climbing up a small set of stairs to reach the altar.
On said altar, a small statue stood straight, as if imposing its presence upon the hall, making everyone within its view want to bow their head down in reverence.
The group of young men stopped before the altar, one of them lowered himself down to one knee and started chanting.
The Fool that does not belong to this era;
The mysterious ruler above the gray fog;
The king of yellow and black who wields good luck
Above the gray fog, in a palace that seemed to belong to giants, a figure glanced down upon the cathedral, its eyes glowed bright yellow nearly golden in hue.
Its figure was blurry and obscured, constantly shifting, as if it couldn't decide which form to take.
Ultimately, it settled on a robed silhouette resting its head on its fist glancing at the group before raising its other hand.
All of a sudden, inside the cathedral a rain of thunderbolts rolled in, destroying everything in its wake.
Only smoke and ruined debris was left of the building and the group.
Once the smoke cleared, however, a small crystal monocle sparkled on the pieces of burnt stone, reflecting the thunder.
A shadow forming a black robed man with a wizard's hat tsked in annoyance, but smiled after getting the answer.
Back in the castle, the figure closed His eyes and drifted back into His deep slumber.
***
The library was a place she could only envy.
Extravagant and luxurious, filled with countless fascinating books. One could only marvel at its grandeur, spinning in circles to take each hard spine in their view.
Amanises approached the librarian, who was too engrossed in a story to care.
They simply mentioned that no book should be missing once she's done reading.
What a wonderful mission! I can read as much as I want and call it work!
She picked up a random one from the shelf nearby, sat at an empty table and began her 'work'.