I certainly wasn't expecting this..., Andrew mused silently.
After the midnight snack, Ms. Justice had reassured him about the possibility of going to school. She didn't think there would be a second attack.
Especially not in the middle of the day.
So he arrived and sat down calmly, trying not to attract attention.
As much as he liked the idea of being perfectly normal, he was actually pretty sure he was acting a bit strange.
He kept glancing around rapidly, paying little attention to the lecture.
That's why he jumped slightly when Ms. Justice appeared in his field of vision.
She wasn't even hiding! She was right next to the professor!
Somehow, not even his classmates could see her...
Yet Ms. Justice was ignoring the entire room as she whispered in the professor's ear, and the more time passed, the slower the professor's movements became.
After a few seconds, Ms. Justice pulled away from the professor, offered a polite bow to Andrew, and suddenly vanished.
No, it looked as if her body had slowly faded away.
Blinking, Andrew wondered what had just happened until he heard a grunt.
A grunt from the professor!
Raising his hand, he scratched his head with a slightly dubious expression as he hastily grabbed a piece of paper and placed it in an envelope.
Everyone in the class was now staring at him; he had interrupted the lecture, after all.
Coughing a little to clear his throat, he offered an embarrassed smile.
"Excuse me, but I just remembered I have a document to give to our Chancellor... Mr. Locke, could you go? I don't want to interrupt the class for the others..." he paused, then nodded with a smile, "I'm sure you already know this topic."
"Of course..." Andrew replied distractedly, not even sure what he was replying to-the request or the compliment?
In any case, ignoring the annoyed looks of some of his classmates, he stood up, still feeling a little doubtful.
This is the second time he's forgotten something like that... Ms. Justice almost certainly has something to do with it. I don't think he can be that forgetful
Taking the light envelope in his hands, he gave a brief salute and left the room.
Andrew honestly expected to see Ms. Justice as soon as he walked out the door, but, contrary to his expectations, the noblewoman was actually absent.
So I think I'm going to his office…, he thought to himself, a little disappointed.
Walking calmly, trying not to attract too much attention, he climbed the all-too-familiar stairs.
Arriving at the door of his potential enemy, he stopped, a little hesitant.
One thing he'd learned in the last few days was that perhaps he was too hasty in some situations.
Well, Ms. Justice seems to have led me here
He knocked on the door, hoping for the presence of Melissa Moretti. With two students around, Andrew doubted the man would attack.
After receiving permission to enter, Andrew was once again disappointed to see a girl missing.
It's not my day...
Meanwhile, Andrew could bet that the Chancellor's eyes had slightly closed when he saw him enter.
Gently placing the pencil he was using to write, he clasped his hands together at chin level.
"Ah... glad to see you, young Locke, may I ask the reason for the visit?"
His cadence was slow and calm; he seemed to be calculating the risks, or at least his presence.
"Did... did my professor forget again-?" Andrew stopped when he noticed something strange.
The Chancellor's eyes were becoming increasingly blurry and glassy.
"We can begin the interrogation if you wish."
"?!"
Andrew jumped in surprise when he saw the beautiful Ms. Justice appear at his side.
He received an amused smile in response.
Ignoring the beauty of the smile, he focused on the man in front of him.
His gaze was now completely blank.
Hypnotism, huh?
He had never seen this power among the Beyonders, but the term was well known and discussed in many novels and magazines.
It was now clear to Andrew that Ms. Justice was a Beyonder of the Spectator Pathway. He knew they were known for their powers over the mind, but he didn't know any of the names of the other Sequences.
Clearing his throat, he decided to go in order of events.
"What do you know about the nocturnal events at school?"
A little clarity returned to his eyes, just enough to answer.
"Basically nothing. I discovered these phenomena thanks to my student, Melissa Moretti. But they are certainly peculiar in nature because normally Trevor Lionheart would have noticed this unnatural situation long ago." The explanation was concise and precise, thus answering the question just posed.
Having mentioned the strange security chief, Andrew focused on him for more details.
"Tell me more about Trevor Lionheart."
Once again his mouth moved, his gaze almost dead. "Trevor is from MI9. He was sent to the school to keep an eye on me. But so far he's been nice... he's a Sequence 6 Judge on the Arbiter Pathway."
That high? In the next two Sequences, he becomes a demigod!
Looking at Ms. Justice's face, Andrew noticed no surprise, no reaction, no flinch.
...Don't tell me she's even stronger than him! Could she even be a Sequence 4?
Andrew felt much happier having joined this organization.
Returning to the subject, he decided to focus on MI9's mission.
"Why does he have to watch you?"
The government certainly doesn't send a member so strong to control a random wild Beyonder. Yes, of course, informants were a thing, but this strict?
It was certainly quicker to kill him than to control him.
"After the War, the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery lost its position within the Loen Kingdom and was driven out, along with many, if not all, Mystical Items in their possession.
I had many ties with them, and so I'm under surveillance to prevent any betrayal from my side or the preservation of any Items harmful to the Kingdom... thanks to my connections within the government and my various scientific successes, I've received favorable treatment. Someone else would have been in a much worse situation."
"Do you have such plans in mind?", Andrew asked quickly.
He didn't care much about his connections or friendships, but if he had any plans that could harm him in some way, well, Andrew wondered if the man would snap out of the hypnosis if he strangled him.
"No, they were just ties, that's all. I befriended some members of the Church to obtain some formulas, and they themselves have sought me out many times thanks to my work", he said all this, shaking his head very slowly.
But Andrew felt a hint of pride at the last sentence.
Maybe the hypnosis is about to end...
Uncertainly, he decided to ask about a certain girl.
"Why did you make Melissa Moretti a Beyonder... and what Sequence are you?", he added the last part quickly after realizing that it might be a little strange to ask just about the girl.
...Maybe he was wrong, but he'd seen Ms. Justice prick up her ears.
"Melissa Moretti is one of the best students at this university. A true genius when it comes to machine construction and theory. If she'd had a lot of money, she'd surely have made a name for herself by now... Not to mention her gender, which automatically makes her unpopular with mechanics loyal to the Lord of Storms... I liked her, so I invited her to become a Beyonder.
I'm a Sequence 7 Appraiser on the Savant Pathway."
Pretty good for his age
Now, what could he ask?
If he'd been alone, he'd have asked about the Fool, but in Ms. Justice's presence, definitely not.
If I were alone, I would have asked if he had anything I could blackmail him with!
It would be his revenge for his attitude towards him yesterday.
He paused slightly when he saw Ms. Justice move.
He had completely ignored the possibility that Ms. Justice could read his mind!
Fortunately, the woman ignored him as he asked a new question.
"What do you think of Andrew Locke?"
He still had one thing to do: confirm if the man was a direct danger to him!
Portland Moment seemed to think for a moment before answering.
"Smart but strange boy. He doesn't have much talent for creating machines, but he has a great memory and logic. I was going to offer him a place as my student and make him a Beyonder, but I almost confirmed he is already one."
"So what approach do you want to take with him?"
"I want to determine how dangerous he is. If he's not harmful, I'd like to offer him a place as a student of mine. Sure, he probably has other connections as a Beyonder, but as long as he comes to this university as a student, I have a responsibility to him."
So much... dedication to his work!
It was something worth praising.
Ending on an almost touching note, Ms. Justice finally took a step forward.
She leaned forward slightly, still elegantly, making it seem like a bow, and looking him in the eye, she said, "Once we get out of here, you won't remember anything about this conversation. You'll realize you fell asleep due to the fatigue brought on by recent events."
The man nodded, then rested his head on the desk.
His deep breaths filled the room.
Ms. Justice turned to Andrew and said, "Meet me by the bikes."
And with that, the woman vanished again, and Andrew started to move again.
-----------------
Tap Tap
The sound of his footsteps echoed along the path outside the school.
By university policy, students were only allowed a ten-minute break exactly halfway through classes, meant to let them relax, eat, and recover. Since the break was short, few tended to leave the building.
After a few steps, he reached the porch where many, including himself, were leaving their bikes.
Nearby, leaning on a bike he didn't recognize, he saw the gorgeous Justice, who offered him a small smile.
Once he approached, Ms. Justice adjusted her creases before beginning.
"I'll be brief", her voice was deliberately low so as not to be overheard, "We at the Tarot Club have introduced a new group within the Church."
"New group?", Andrew repeated, curious.
Nodding kindly, Ms. Justice continued, "We had already discussed this, but only today did we decide to make it official. We have called the members of this group the Minor Arcana. Since no one can become a member of the Tarot Club without Mr. Fool's permission, we, the official members, the Major Arcana, can recruit Beyonders with potential.
We will offer task for them to complete, and they will be rewarded by us.
Each Minor Arcana refers to only one Major Arcana, but a Major Arcana can have multiple Minor Arcana under it. Is that clear?"
"Yes", and then with a smile, Andrew continued, "Can I assume you are my Major Arcana, Ms. Justice?"
It made sense; after all, he had already established a certain acquaintance with her.
"That's precisely why I said I'd be brief, because I have to introduce you to your Major Arcana."
"Excuse me?"
It wasn't her? Another member, then?
Blinking, Andrew saw Ms. Justice disappear and a figure appear at his side.
Turning quickly, he discovered a tall man with a rather pleasant face.
He wore an elegant black coat with a red lining, gray pants decorated with tall boots, and a white shirt.
The man's green eyes seemed to reflect his smile as he gave a rather exaggerated bow.
"It's a pleasure to meet you; you could say our meeting was written, eh, in the stars."
He only raised his head just enough to meet their gazes.
"You may call me Mr. Star."
Still reeling from the somewhat too-quick sequence of events, Andrew remained still for a moment.
Finally, acknowledging his own rudeness, he moved to form a bow much smaller than that of The Star.
"Excuse my rudeness, Mr. Star; I'm haunted by recent events. My name is Andrew Locke... If I may ask, will you be my Major Arcana?"
His answer seemed to please the poetic-looking man, who snapped his heavily red-gloved fingers in response.
"Exactly. I can honestly say we will get along well", he concluded with a smirk.
From inside his coat, he pulled out a nicely packed deck of cards and began to shuffle them meticulously.
"Now you will draw a card to determine your Minor Arcana codename. You are very lucky; being the first, you have many options."
Exaggeratedly, he held out his hand as he opened the deck.
Andrew remained frozen, staring at the cards for a few moments. He certainly hadn't expected this outcome. Finally, after a moment of hesitation, he decided to take the one on the far right.
His hand paused in the air for half a second until he decided to rotate his wrist in a single motion.
A sword was held vertically in one hand, and a crown rested at its tip. The stormy sky brought a great wind that moved a rose that seemed to be tied to the hilt. An image that was simple enough overall, but it accompanied a name that would follow him from now on.
The name that other members of the Church must use.
Ace of Swords.
Mr. Star smiled warmly as he extended a hand to Andrew.
"Welcome, Ace of Swords."
"Thank you", Andrew replied as he grasped his Major Arcana's hand.
Compared to his, Mr. Star's grip was strong and solid. He didn't believe that even with all his strength, he could move this statue.
Perhaps his Pathway granted strength, or perhaps this man was naturally gifted with great power. Or perhaps Ace of Swords was weak...
Dispelling the less positive thoughts, he decided to take the initiative. Perhaps just to make a good impression.
Taking a solid stance like a soldier, he turned to his new boss.
"Mr. Star, what is my task?"
The man chuckled, perhaps pleasantly suppressed or just amused, but in any case, he decided to get straight to the point.
"Your job from now on will be to investigate the strange events at this school and, if possible, resolve them. But here are some tips: if you're in trouble and unable to report to us, you can inform another Church; try to hide your identity as much as possible, of course. And run away if you're in danger; don't face anything head-on if you're not capable of dealing with the situation."
He seemed to have finished, but after a few seconds, his posture changed completely. In Andrew's eyes, it seemed as if the man was about to give him a vital task; that was how much seriousness was emanating from his body.
With narrowed eyes and tense shoulders, he continued, "As a Church that intends to demonstrate its good intentions to the world in order to become a true Orthodox Church, the protection of innocents is essential.
That's why, from now until the end of these incidents, you will be tasked with protecting the Beyonder known as Melissa Moretti to the best of your abilities."
"...Excuse me?"
Andrew almost choked on his own saliva when he heard the request, which he found rather anticlimactic. He fully understood the importance of what he had said, but he expected... something else. Certainly not to guard a girl.
"You heard correctly. We want to make sure everything goes well and that the culprit doesn't target her like he already did with you. You are not to stalk her at home or stay in the same room every moment of the day. As long as there are people around, the possibility of an attack is low, and during the night, I will take over. I just want you to be ready to protect her whenever you can, understood?"
Concluding with a threatening tone, Andrew found himself nodding forcefully.
Seeing him react this way, he decided not to question his Major Arcana on the matter again.
Putting the deck back in his coat, he took out something that looked like a... pocket watch?
No, it was octagonal in shape and a little too thick for a normal watch. Furthermore, upon closer inspection, it was clearly made of a metal like bronze.
Mr. Star opened the watch and showed the inside to the young Beyonder, who was surprised. In fact, the inside was completely devoid of any kind of numbers, in favor of two simple hands, currently also immobile, and two engraved words.
On the top was written "Yes" and on the bottom was written "No."
"I don't think you've asked yourself how that monster found you yet, have you? It's not exactly your fault; after all, you were thrown from one situation to another hehe. This was inside the mechanical human, and you can consider it responsible for that encounter of yours."
"Responsible... does it have divination properties?"
"Exactly. It's a Mystical Item, or rather, a Sealed Artifact with the powers of a Monster from the Monster Pathway. After several confirmations, I can say that it increases the spirituality of the individual who possesses it and also allows for easy divinations similar to pendulum divination or dream divination, but the last one is more difficult to perform."
Taking the object in his hand, Andrew grimaced mentally due to a particular connection he made.
"...I fear it was created by a Savant."
"Yes, probably the same one who created that monster. Unfortunately, our divinations didn't provide enough information to find the culprit... But!"
At that point, Mr. Star patted the boy on the shoulder as if to cheer him up.
"Precisely because it was created by a Savant Pathway Beyonder, its negative effects are minor. Originally, it would have caused the owner to hear hissing sounds and voices that would have driven them crazy. It would also have generated illusory and fictitious voices to make one paranoid. Now, however, the first negative aspect has been greatly diminished in favor of the second. So whatever you hear, don't worry. It will be nothing."
Andrew nodded before commenting, "I suppose I'll be entrusted with the object for now."
It wouldn't have made sense for Mr. Star to explain everything and then do nothing about it.
Smiling, Mr. Star nodded before regaining a serious expression.
"It's time for our farewell. But don't worry, our paths won't be separated for long. Consider it a temporal separation of our intertwined fates. For any news, send a letter to the Midnight Cat for Hawk."
Does Mr. Star have a connection to that bar?, Andrew thought surprised.
How many connections and strings did the Tarot Club have to pull?
At that point, Mr. Star raised his hand in greeting as he walked away slowly, his figure gradually disappearing as if a blanket was hiding his body.
Andrew stood still for a few minutes, recovering from the encounter and thinking carefully about what to do, especially about Melisa.
What to do... I certainly can't expose my identity and my role. I feel like she would reject any kind of protection from me, so I can't even pose it as a simple defense for safety.
...From the Chancellor's words, if I approached him, I would have a chance of forming a relationship similar to his with Melissa. This is the ideal plan, but it's best to wait until tomorrow. If I reveal my identity to the old man now, there's a risk that Ms. Justice's hypnosis might not work perfectly.
Furthermore, even as a fellow student, there's no reason for me to be so attached to her; we need an... alliance'
Reaching a conclusion with pleasant results, he felt his potion on the verge of digestion.
Perhaps even at the end of this day, he will be ready to become a Detective.
Driiiiiiing
The bell rang throughout the hall, and so Andrew was forced to return to class.
She's late...
After class ended, Andrew decided to imitate his previous encounter with Melissa and wait for her at the entrance. But after about fifteen minutes, the Savant was nowhere to be seen.
Fearing he'd missed the girl and was waiting in vain, the boy decided to try out his new "toy."
Pretending it was a watch like all the others, Andrew opened it and looked at it for a moment while recalling his knowledge of the Divination Arts.
Most are based on the Spirit World, and the more difficult the question, the more basic knowledge of the question itself or some object related to the question is needed. He said it's great for pendulum-like divinations, so divination that answer questions with simple yes and no...
Opening his mouth slightly, Andrew let out a breath.
"Melissa Moretti is at home."
"Melissa Moretti is at home."
"Melissa Mo-"
He repeated the sentence seven times, hoping for a negative answer. Maybe the girl was sick and hadn't come to school. What did he know?
Finally, the still hands moved, first randomly, completing rounds and rounds, then stopping in the lower zone. More precisely, indicating "No."
Instead of trying anything else, Andrew decided to consider possible changes to the clock and to himself.
With further observation, he noticed that while the shorter hand was precisely in the center of "No", the longer hand was shifted further to the left.
Maybe it means that even though she's not at home, she could reach it, as if she were on the street. But in that case, shouldn't it be closer to "Yes"? Or her proximity to "No" means she's actually still at school but will be leaving soon
After considering these things, he decided to check his condition.
Indeed, he could hear voices and hisses of an unknown nature, which, rather than having a specific origin, seemed to permeate the entire area around him. They were similar in some ways to the voices Beyonders heard after drinking the potion until it was completely digested.
Normally, he would have been anxious, but knowing that they were almost certainly fictitious calmed him. Perhaps even if they were real, it was better to ignore them rather than listen.
Finally, he decided to try the clock one last time, repeating the phrase "Melissa Moretti is at school" seven times.
Finally, the hands stopped on "Yes," with the longer one tilted slightly to the right.
Confirming his theory, he decided to re-enter the building, having a rough idea of where he might find her.
The girl's reputation as a "prodigy student!" or "the future Roselle Gustav" gave him a general idea of where she might be, or rather, in what area.
...Perhaps the last phrase was used as a taunt by jealous students, but he had no idea.
Heading toward the labs, Andrew noticed an open door, and coincidentally, or perhaps by fate, it was the same room previously occupied by the spirit. The same room they had used to escape together.
Inside the empty room, Melissa Moretti was bent over, fiddling with something metal. Perhaps it was a prototype engine, but he wasn't sure.
The girl was wearing a white apron and her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. The apron was probably to avoid getting dust or anything, and the ponytail was... well, it would be unpleasant to have your hair pulled by the gears.
Wiggling his head, Andrew couldn't help but compare the girl to Ms. Justice. To put it simply, she was inferior in every way. Beauty, elegance, and... wealth? Did that make sense?
Yet there was something about her that made him believe she would one day reach that level of beauty. Well, maybe she would not have the same soft hands, considering her hobbies, but did it matter?
Maybe it was because he was in a quiet moment and not in conversation, but he noticed for the first time that the Savant was a little too thin and pale.
Deciding that was enough observation, he approached the edge of the door and-
Knock! Knock!
He knocked on the edge of the door loud enough to be heard.
Melissa jumped from surprise, and her eyes darted toward the door only to meet the newcomer with confusion.
Offering a polite smile, Andrew turned to the girl.
"Good afternoon. You know, as a Beyonder, you should pay more attention to your surroundings."
Taken aback, the girl looked around to confirm the lack of observers, only to press her lips into a perhaps irritated line.
"Said by the one who went ghost hunting."
She'll remind me of that until the end of time won't she?, he thought, sighing mentally.
"What is it?"
"I came to visit my favorite Savant Beyonder."
"Am I not the only one you know?"
"Does that change anything?"
"Hm, maybe."
Melissa smiled slightly; perhaps she was as amused as he was.
Perhaps he had inadvertently slipped out of his gentlemanly demeanor, which frankly confused him a little. He resumed speaking only after mentally re-entering the role.
"I was waiting for you at the exit."
"Sorry, but I'm not interested in a coffee."
The girl responded almost immediately as she returned her eyes to the device below.
...Are you saying that to avoid spending money or to avoid me?!
With his perfect smile now wavering, Andrew decided to get straight to the point.
"No, this time I didn't want to offer a coffee. I wanted to offer an alliance."
"...Alliance?"
The girl's hands stopped as she looked up with a serious face. She certainly understood the weight of his words.
"Yes. An alliance between Beyonders."
Snorting, Melissa turned to Andrew with a tone somewhere between interest and suspicion.
"What would I gain?"
The single question was actually accompanied by a second, hidden one.
What do you gain? Which was perhaps the key part. After all, based on the profit he would receive, the reason for the offer or his reliability would become clearer.
"In your current state, you lack one thing: a lack of Spirituality, or rather, a lack of Ritualistic Magic. I, on the other hand, am a bit too rich in it. So I offer my skills to produce Charms and Beyonder weapons at your request. I ask only one thing: materials."
Spontaneously, he decided to let the last words resonate in the room before approaching one of the many machines on display.
"Certainly, as a student, you lack all the possible materials like gold and silver, which are inherently difficult to find in basic constructions. However, you have a bond with the Chancellor, right? That puts you in an advantageous position.
In exchange for materials for me, I will follow your requests until you are able to do it yourself."
"I could ask my teacher for help", Melissa replied simply.
"Certainly. But you won't be his student forever. Don't you think it's better to start building bonds?"
Andrew explained very carefully, fully intent on convincing the girl. However, something didn't add up.
Melissa didn't show any doubt or uncertainty for a second, as if she'd already decided what to do...
Don't tell me she's testing me?
The more desperate the other party was, the more one could demand favors or other things. Essentially, Melissa was asking questions to see how stubbornly the boy would try to convince her.
Perhaps in her eyes, the boy would never have come to her without a hidden motive. So, ultimately, this was a way to understand the gravity of the motive.
Once the alliance was formed, Andrew could seek help from Melissa, who in turn would be dragged into danger.
To be honest, he was pleasantly surprised. Even if this alliance had been formed because of his duty, he certainly wouldn't dislike having an alliance with someone so skilled.
Sure, she might have lacked skill in Ritualistic Magic for now, but she was certainly not inexperienced. And she had great observational skills despite her usually shy attitude.
Perhaps she would have been better as a Spectator.
"What do you think?"
Andrew asked without giving her time to ask any more questions. The girl seemed rather dissatisfied with it.
"Fine, I accept, under the condition that you create the first Mystical Item of this alliance for me. The item will also be chosen by me."
"That's fine, but what properties do you want me to give it?"
"I haven't decided yet..."
After the topic ended, a rather uncomfortable silence filled the room. Now that Andrew thought about it, perhaps he had never discussed anything besides the Beyonders matter with her.
With some hesitation, he decided to use the girl's work as a topic.
"Let's see... it's an engine, right? It's small, so I assume it's a prototype."
"Well, actually, it's wrong to call it a prototype. When Emperor Roselle licensed the first steam engine, he presented it to various companies and the former Church of the God of Craftsmanship with a sample of how the engine would move once it received enough power.
This is a replica I created based on the graphs and models the professor gave us. You can tell by the fact that, unlike the original, it's missing the crank used by the Emperor to demonstrate the movement and-"
Melissa Moretti continued speaking for what was a full two minutes, explaining how it worked and the various difficulties she was facing. Maybe Andrew was wrong; the girl was made for the Savant Pathway.
Not even during the exchange of information at the bar had she spoken so much and with so much excitement, or rather, emotion in general.
Andrew was surprised by the girl's lung capacity but decided not to interrupt. Besides making her happy, it was objectively an interesting topic that Andrew could understand at least superficially, leading him to ask the girl questions, which she answered quite easily.
It was important not to forget that before the division of the school, both Andrew and Melissa had taken the same subjects, and therefore had a common understanding.
Another minute passed before the embarrassed Savant realized that perhaps she had over the explanation, which led her to change the subject.
"May I ask what happened to your nose?"
"Oh."
Andrew hadn't given much thought to his own nose, previously broken by the monster's punch. This was because, by praying to the Earth Mother, he had made a mixture of herbs into a healing balm, restoring it almost to its original state.
Perhaps it was because of this wound that Melissa had previously wanted to understand the gravity of the reason that drove him to seek an alliance.
Bringing a hand to his nose, he touched it lightly without applying too much pressure. The surface had returned to the original smoothness, but he could still feel areas that appeared to have displaced bone relative to the rest. Fortunately, this would heal as the treatment continued.
"I had a problem during an attempt at Ritualistic Magic. I didn't think the energy behind that ritual was enough to knock me out."
"I see..."
Hearing the end of the conversation coming, Andrew decided to introduce the girl to something.
"You know, you should act like a Savant. Maybe it will help you."
Melissa gave a confused look while Andrew refused to provide any further information.
From her reaction, he gathered that she didn't yet know the Acting Method. Nevertheless, Andrew believed that once pushed, she would be able to discover it on her own.
Since she had already established a reputation as a studious student and a prodigy, recognized even by the Chancellor, there was a good chance that part of the potion, perhaps even half, had been digested. But it was always better to let her know so she could begin active digestion.
"Anyway, I have to-"
Tap, tap
The sound of quick footsteps echoed throughout the corridor as the two leaped forward with straight backs. Andrew silently grabbed the handle of the lightning knife without releasing it.
Certainly, spirits didn't make the sound of footsteps, and it wasn't the sound of metal. So it was probably human.
Appearing in the doorway was a worker with blond hair, a mustache, and dark blue eyes. It was Judge Trevor Lionheart.
Andrew remained still, but he saw Melissa freeze in place out of the corner of his eye. She'd already had an interrogation with him regarding the events of that night, and meeting him like this outside of school hours was certainly not ideal.
The same went for Andrew. He'd met the security chief a couple of times before and was aware of the dignified aura he carried with him, but only now, after discovering his Sequence, did he feel this aura oppressively.
He took a long look at both of them; especially Melissa, Andrew noticed, and stomped in.
"I'm sorry to disturb your work, Miss, but I must ask you to leave. The school will be closed immediately for gas tube inspections."
He spoke precisely and forcefully, almost making Andrew submit to his will. Who knows what Melissa, the person directly involved, felt instead...
Out of respect for their alliance and for the girl, and as a gentlemanly gesture, Andrew grabbed the man's attention.
"Excuse us, Sir, we promise to leave immediately. Please give my dear friend a few seconds to change."
Trevor Lionheart shifted his gaze to Andrew, looking him in the eyes. Honestly, this, combined with the knowledge of his strength, activated every survival instinct in him - fight or flight.
Finally, the man simply nodded as he moved out the door to wait.
To say Melissa wasted no time was an understatement. She practically jumped out of the apron as she quickly undid her ponytail.
Underneath the apron, she wore a black day dress with a small red bow near the neck-nothing too flashy, so perfect for Loen people.
They walked out the door quickly enough, only to stop and say their proper goodbyes.
"Good evening, sir."
"Good evening."
They only received a brief "hmm" in response, but that was enough for the duo, who quickly exited the building.
The two didn't even think about stopping to talk; the further away they were, the better. And while they were almost ready to say goodbye so Andrew could get his bike, Melissa stopped just in time to ask him a question.
"Since we are allies, I have a favor to ask."
"Of course. As long as it's not something I can't do."
"In that case, could you show me a black market?"
"...Don't you know the way?"
Andrew asked, surprised and puzzled by the request. Every Beyonder, besides their own meeting circle, should know the way to at least one black market -a market where you could wander through the stalls and buy whatever you wanted.
Melissa shook her head, a slight irritation showing on her face.
"The Chancellor refuses to tell me the location. He says it's too early for me."
A little overprotective isn't he?
After weighing the pros and cons, it seemed only right to accompany her. The girl had understood that he needed this alliance, and so it was better to show her how much he could offer her.
Besides, it's still early afternoon; I still have time before Mr. Star takes over as guard
"Sure, just let me get my bike, and we'll go together. Oh, on foot, of course."
Seeing her nod, the Ace of Sword walked away, pondering which market would be best for the Savant.
-----------------
In a part of South Borough, a single-plane building stood. Its roof was red, and its exterior walls had lost their natural color due to the constant smog. Perhaps the walls were originally white, but now they were dark gray.
The building was very large, or rather, long.
A sign hung above the double-door entrance, and the writing on the sign was large enough for everyone to see.
Guns & Roses
That was the name of the shop.
"Is this the place?"
Melissa asked, looking at the gun shop.
"Yes. A word of advice: don't do anything suspicious. There are a lot of Church spies in here."
With a simple nod, Melissa followed the Ace of Swords inside and immediately noticed something strange.
"It's small..."
The girl was clearly referring to the size of the shop, which was undoubtedly smaller than the building outside.
Andrew smiled at her observation skills; he couldn't expect anything less from his ally!
As soon as they entered, to the left was a counter manned by a rather thin man, while the rest of the room was filled with firearms propped up against the walls, along with animal heads. At the center, on a bearskin rug, stood a fairly long table where customers could freely test the weapons. Or rather, test them with the cap, open them under the watchful eye of an employee, try loading them with empty cartridges, etc.
Approaching the counter, Andrew knocked on the counter four times, and the skinny man simply nodded to an employee behind the counter with him.
The man, jumping down from the stool, proved to be quite short as he accompanied the duo. A door was located next to them. Opening it with a key, the duo entered, and they found themselves in a corridor lit only by a few lanterns. It wasn't very long, just the right distance to minimize the noise coming from the secret area.
Once through the door, they finally found the heart of the shop, where the black market resided.
The room was large enough to make up for the lack that Melissa had noted, and perhaps even more, blending in with some buildings at the back of the shop.
Despite being practically a large market, the entire area wasn't as noisy as one might think. Compared to other black markets, this was perhaps the most respectable in a certain sense.
It was one of the reasons he brought Melissa here.
"Where do they sell amulets?"
Observing the surroundings, the Savant expressed to Andrew the main reason behind their visit.
"They should be near the stands that sell metals like gold and silver... let's go in that direction."
Taking the girl with him, he walked for a while, passing vendors selling herbs, oils, strange and perhaps mystical animal meat, and much more, until they reached the desired stand.
Even without Spirit Vision, Andrew could tell that a good number of these amulets were nothing but fakes. The reason was the lack of any connection with a higher entity. Sure, you could use the right material and infuse some of your Spirituality, but without proper inscriptions and subsequent processing, this was useless.
However, there were indeed a smaller number of amulets that actually seemed at least partially processed and therefore at least slightly functional (perhaps), but he didn't say anything to Melissa.
It wasn't because he wanted to test the girl or something like that, but because she seemed... lost?
Her look seemed confused, as if a thousand thoughts were racing through her head.
Perhaps it was something related to the Savant Pathway, but in any case, Andrew began memorizing all the amulets there to compare them later with his own knowledge.
Let's be clear: they weren't the only people in front of the stand. There was quite a crowd interested in these... "masterpieces, " as the seller described them.
It was in bad taste and ungentlemanly to observe other people, or rather, to show that you were observing them. But when he heard a loud, excited "Oooooh!" his head snapped to the side to see the culprit.
Who would behave like that in a place like this?
Unfortunately, he knew that someone.
That's because a young man in a brown coat and a coachman's hat had just joined the crowd. A strand of golden hair was escaping from the hat.
Michael Lionheart, in incognito, appeared beside him!
First the father, and now the son? Seriously?! What are you doing here?!
He had already thought that the boy didn't look like a Beyonder. Did that mean he was wrong?
In any case, hearing someone move nearby, Michael turned and stared at him only to have his own mouth open in pure shock. Soon, however, the surprise was replaced by a smile quite large for Andrew's standards.
Stepping out of the crowd, he approached the boy, seemingly exchanging pleasantries.
"It's really nice to see you. I didn't expect to finally meet you in a place like this."
"I can say the same", Andrew replied with a fake smile.
Of all people, the Bastard had to be here...
"From your reaction to that story, I knew you were interested in mysticism. But not to the point of seeing you here!"
He concluded with a short laugh before surveying Andrew's company. Melissa hadn't actually joined their group. She had merely moved away from the crowd without getting too close to the pair of boys, continuing to observe them with her brown eyes.
"You're Melissa Moretti, right? It's nice to meet you. I certainly didn't think you were the acquaintance Andrew was talking about..."
The last part was said in a whisper, perhaps intended for the boy himself rather than someone else. His voice was filled with awe and surprise.
You really thought I didn't know anyone... hey, stop looking at me!
Andrew showed a clearly annoyed expression, not only at the boy but also at the Savant, who was looking at him strangely.
"It's a pleasure. You're Michael... Lionheart, right?"
Melissa clearly knew who the boy was; the ability to recall notions and memories was very high for Savants. However, given her interactions with his father, she was clearly on the defensive.
"If I may ask, why did you find yourself in a place like this? Maybe I misunderstood you, but I didn't think you were as knowledgeable about mysticism as I am."
Andrew asked the question that had been on his mind from the very first moment. Compared to him, Michael seemed like a normal boy from a family of at least middle class and with a good social life.
Of course, now, with the new knowledge he had about his father, perhaps it was time to reevaluate him.
Smiling almost sheepishly, Michael replied, "I certainly don't know much, but I wanted to start learning. Y-You seem pretty knowledgeable. Do you happen to know where I can find Bloodthirsty Rhino horn? It's supposed to... it's supposed to have mystical properties. At least I've been told that!"
The sentence was full of pauses and stammers, as if he didn't know exactly what he was looking for or why.
But in the name of getting him out of the way, Andrew pointed to several stalls selling animal parts.
"Thanks a lot, see you tomorrow!"
The boy smiled broadly as they walked away, not before slapping Andrew on the shoulder in farewell.
Seriously, what's his problem...
Thinking to himself, Andrew continued to feel Melissa's gaze, which made him turn away a little annoyed.
"What?"
"...Nothing. Do you want to buy something?"
Changing the subject in a masterful way, Melissa forced the conversation into a more serious one.
"Some metal for charms would be helpful."
In the end, he ended up spending more than Melissa, who only got some brass and carved wood.
Curious, he asked what it was for, but she said it was for the tool he'd have to turn into a Mystical Item according to the agreement and refused to say anything else.
Finally, when they went outside, they noticed it had started raining, so they waited for a carriage for Melissa.
"Are you sure you don't want to get on?" she asked, her lips pressed together in a straight line.
"I'd like to, but unfortunately, I can't leave my bike."
"Maybe you shouldn't take it with you everywhere."
"Maybe."
Finally, a carriage stopped in front of the shop, and opening the doors, Melissa disappeared into the sea of people. He could only greet her with a smile before watching her leave.
However-
Before leaving, he saw Melissa looking at something in her hand. It was silver and adorned with angel feathers.
It was the same necklace she'd risked her life for.
Having memorized the appearance of the amulets in the market, he realized something: a resemblance he hadn't noticed before. The necklace had inscriptions, didn't it?
The carriage quickly went off to its destination while Andrew stood emotionless.
Yes, apparently they had much more in common than the eye could see.
The thought didn't make him happy; in fact, a frown appeared on his face. It didn't make him happy one bit. Even that feeling didn't make him happy.
Yes, that shiver that ran through his entire body only to vanish like a wave in the great sea of his mind. It was as if he'd been holding his breath the entire time, only to finally get his first dose of oxygen in years.
'A Student of Ratiocination remains rational and logical even when thought hurts him.'
He had finally understood the last rule of the Acting Method. Finally-
-He had finally digested the Student of Ratiocination potion!
-----------------
After getting wet and thoroughly humidified in the rain, Andrew reached the front door. The journey was smooth and uneventful, as he had expected.
The enemy wouldn't attack him right away. He would wait at least a day to understand the enemy's strength and then pursue him.
Ultimately, he was unaware of the divine assistance, or Deus Ex Machina as Emperor Roselle called it, that had occurred the night before.
However, safety came first, which is why he attempted some divination to no avail. And it was the same reason why, instead of entering immediately, he decided to check the area with his own senses.
Touch: no anomalies on the surfaces of the wall, door, or floor.
Sight: no visual anomalies.
Hearing: no anomalies.
Taste: ...well, he couldn't lick the door...
Smell: ...the smell of wine.
Andrew's face went from surprise to annoyance and finally to disappointment.
Couldn't it have been an enemy?
To be sure, he performed a brief divination, repeating the phrase, "It's safe to enter the house."
The hands moved toward "Yes" much faster than before. Furthermore, both hands were perfectly centered.
It clearly indicated that it was more than safe, which Andrew was forced to grumble and accept.
As he entered, the smell grew stronger as a melodious voice resounded throughout the house.
"Home at last."
The sweet, beautiful, and seductive voice would have been enough to shake and melt every man in existence. The same was true for Andrew, but he remained still, motionless, and rigid. This was because, despite feeling emotions that were not appropriate for a gentleman, he also felt a deep anger that almost came out in the form of a growl.
How can you speak so calmly?! How dare you?!
"Why are you here?"
She shouldn't be back for a few days. Sure, it was almost the end of the month, but the woman here had the bad, or perhaps good, habit of being precise to the minute. Not a day more or less.
Who was this woman? Well-
A honey-sweet laugh escaped from the flesh-red lips of the woman sitting with her legs crossed on the chair. She wore a long purple dress that certainly broke many rules of the Leon Kingdom but certainly followed many rules of the Intis Republic.
The dress was slit at the hem, exposing the woman's thighs. It also had "slits" on the shoulders, designed to reveal them. And let's not even talk about the slits around her breasts, which were very generous.
She was a redhead with vibrant green eyes and a glass of wine in her hand, drawn from who knows where. Certainly not from the student home.
On the table was a black hat with a fabric hanging down to form a face covering. It was certainly the most decent part of her dress, but even this carried with it an aura of sensuality -a kind of see-through effect.
This woman was Andrew's legal guardian, or Auntie, as she liked to be called: the Demoness of Pleasure, Jeanne Rolland. A Sequence 6 of the Assassin, or rather, the Demoness Pathway.
"I finished my tasks early, so I came to see you. Is that really so strange?", the demoness said with a distinct Intis accent. Perhaps she was the daughter, or rather, son, of immigrants who had traveled from the Republic to the Kingdom.
You usually spend your time warming some man's bed, Andrew thought, disgusted by the woman.
"Yes, a lot. How long do you have to stay?"
"For the night."
The woman replied, completely ignoring the boy's aggression.
"I put the money on the nightstand."
Jeanne, as a guardian who traveled a lot, had a duty to provide a good allowance, right? An allowance of around 100 pounds a month.
A clearly incredible sum, easily obtained by a Sequence 6 like her. A sum that Andrew was forced to wait and accumulate to afford the various materials, like the formula for Sequence 7.
"Did you enter into my room?"
With a wicked smile, the woman spoke immediately, as if she had been waiting for nothing else.
"I didn't do anything on your bed. Unless you want me to~"
"Shut up."
"Yessss~"
Witch, traitor, and monster.
These were Andrew's thoughts about Jeanne. Perhaps they were clouded by past events, or perhaps they were perfectly objective. Who knows?
"Tell me, has anything special happened during this time in the city?"
"Hmph, just a few more thefts, nothing special, Jean."
Finally, the monster gave him an irritated look, one that many would have found sensual anyway.
Actually, it was wrong to say that Jeanne Rolland was Andrew's legal guardian. Because you see, all the documents Andrew Locke possessed indicate only one guardian:
Jean Rolland, the witch's old self.
After that day when he officially escaped the Demoness Sect, simply changing his background would clearly not have guaranteed safety. So the woman here exhumed her dead self as a favor to her mother-her dearest friend, she says.
No one in the Demoness Sect, which taught abandoning the old male self, would have sought the financial or legislative movements of the "dead."
Furthermore, Andrew wasn't important enough to require an investigation serious enough to include Sequence 6 or higher.
This combination of circumstances allowed Andrew Locke, an apparent orphan from the Church of the Evernight Goddess and later adopted by Jean Rolland, to live in peace until now.
Jean, or Jeanne, pressed her lips together in a beautiful pout.
"You only took on the appearance; in character, you're nothing like your mother."
"Yes, yes."
Andrew replied distractedly as he tried to escape to his room.
"Wait a minute."
The woman's voice rang out again as a tone of interest slowly emerged in her voice.
"Any problems these days? School, Beyonders, or girls?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I can give you advice, you know? Especially on the last topic~."
Finding the question absurd, he decided to officially enter the room so as not to have to listen to her anymore.
"The Evernight Goddess stands higher than the cosmos
and more eternal than eternity; -"
He spent the rest of the evening creating charms to better prepare himself and also to forget the conversation he just had.
-----------------
When his eyes opened, he saw the interior of the great hall he had already seen the previous night. He also saw the majestic Angel, who, having already descended from His lofty position, was peering at him with His own eyes.
It wasn't such a big surprise; after all, Andrew had meticulously placed the origami under his pillow, in a corner to make sure he wouldn't crush it.
But even in this expected situation, one certainly couldn't disrespect such a superior being. Therefore, Andrew placed his hand on his chest and bowed briefly.
"Good evening, Mr. Fortune."
"Good evening, young Andrew, or perhaps I should call you Ace of Swords now?"
The powerful yet strangely youthful voice resounded throughout the building.
"It makes no difference to me what you choose to call me."
"So, Andrew, tell me", Mr. Fortune moved His head closer to the boy, His eyes brimming with interest.
"Tell me a little about your research."
Andrew nodded and gave a brief summary, with accompanying speculation, of the discoveries he had made throughout the day. He also included the new alliance formed with Melissa Moretti and the happy news of the potion's complete digestion.
Without much thought, Mr. Fortune hissed for a brief moment before offering His thoughts.
"I think we can conclude, or at least reason, that everything is very much tied to the Savant Pathway. Or even to the state of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery after the War. Everything potentially revolves around Portland Moment, whether he likes it or not.
I owe you my congratulations on completing the digestion. But I must ask how you discovered the Acting Method. Not that it's a bad thing; quite the opposite, in fact; I'm asking out of pure curiosity."
Andrew nodded as he thought about how to politely explain with words that didn't use Witch, bastard, or anything else. And finally, he spoke.
"To help me become a Beyonder, my guardian gave me the knowledge of the Acting Method and the formula for Sequence 9 Reader. Much of my other knowledge comes from sources or books purchased or given to me by my guardian."
The Angel of the mighty Mr. Fool nodded in understanding.
"I regret to inform you that I do not possess the formula for Sequence 7 of the Reader Pathway. Unfortunately, as you may have realized for years now, this is guarded by the Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom.
However, what I can offer you is knowledge. Are you interested?"
The last part was said in a light tone, as if an Angel were not proposing something to a mere human. But ultimately, this was why Andrew had chosen to join the Church of the Fool, or rather, why he had decided to become Mr. Fortune's apprentice.
"Today, I will explain three fundamental laws for all Beyonders. But first, I must ask you a question.
Where do these powers we possess come from?"
Andrew fell silent as he thought for a moment. It wasn't a strange or new question. In a sense, he had asked himself this question a few times.
Incomplete as an answer, however, there was one theory he found interesting.
"Each potion increases a person's Spirituality, influencing our Spirit Body. I've always thought that these changes led to the development of the powers we Beyonders possess."
"In that case, wouldn't all Beyonders have different powers based on the uniqueness of their Spirit Body?"
"Perhaps, but we influence our Spirit Body using specific materials, usually linked to certain animals that carry symbols in mysticism. The stimulus always uses a certain base.
Since the base is always the same, this would lead to the development of the same type of powers."
Mr. Fortune remained silent for a while until He seemed to inhale some air with His serpentine nostrils.
"You certainly have good logical thinking, and even imagination in a certain sense. But you're missing a piece: why would these animals and materials have these symbols with them? Sure, we could say it's because of their behavior or nature.
But that shouldn't give them such power, right?"
Andrew was beginning to understand Mr. Fortune's point. In a sense, no matter how aggressive a human being may behave, they can never mystically represent aggression, anger, or anything of the sort.
So what separates them?
"Beyonder Characteristic."
The Angel spoke these words heavily.
"They are the basis of our existence as Beyonders. The first law is the Law of the Indestructibility of Beyonder Characteristics. It is impossible even for the Gods to destroy them; they can be separated but never completely destroyed."
Impossible even for the Gods?!
It seemed like pure blasphemy, especially coming from an Angel. However, one detail caught his attention.
"Is it possible to separate them?"
The serpent nodded.
"With great power, yes. Now you see where I'm going, right? For each Sequence, there is at least one Beyonder Characteristic. Long ago, various animals or minerals ate or absorbed these Characteristics into themselves. Split or whole.
In a certain sense, when you make a potion, the important part isn't even the Main Ingredients. Instead, it's the fragments of Characteristics they possess. Once successfully created, the various fragments reunite to form the entire Characteristic.
This brings us to the second law, the Law of Conservation of Beyonder Characteristics. If all Characteristics are indestructible, then there is a maximum number of Beyonder Characteristics in the world, and therefore a maximum number of Beyonders for each Sequence."
"Wait a minute!"
Andrew lost his temper, but was he really to be judged? He thought that after days of receiving nothing but information, he was safe.
But now these two laws emerged...
Indestructibility, Conservation, and Beyonder Characteristics
As Andrew tried to clear his mind by repeating these three terms one after the other, something inside him snapped. A question, a fundamental doubt.
So what are we Beyonders?
"Walking potions."
Andrew flinched at the Angel's sudden response. Perhaps he had said it aloud.
"Each Beyonder contains within themselves the Beyonder Characteristics related to their Sequences. They are part of us.
Once we die, these return to the surface after fusing with part of our body. After that, they have two fates: one is to be partially devoured by animals as mentioned before, or-"
"Used as potions", Andrew concluded.
"Correct. Upon death, a Sequence 7 releases a Sequence 7 Beyonder Characteristic, which also contains the Characteristics of Sequences 8 and 9.
This means that hunting down a higher Sequence Beyonder to advance is a good plan. But not only do you have to go against the individual's residual will, which will make digestion more difficult, but also against having duplicates of some Characteristics."
Andrew didn't know what to say. Sure, he was ready to kill, but eating a person's corpse? That's another story entirely.
However, he could understand on his own that it would be inevitable. He had already figured out one thing: the reason why the Churches keep the Acting Method secret despite its benefits for everyone.
That's because there aren't enough Characteristics to go around, right? The higher you go in the Sequences, the rarer they seem to be...
I wonder how Melissa would take it...
"...Does this have something to do with the Original Creator?"
"What makes you say that?"
"It's a pretty popular theory that we're able to tap into the supernatural because we're part of something greater. It doesn't help that all the Orthodox Churches agree on that legend. Are the Beyonder Characteristics the true remnants of that God?"
Mr. Fortune gave an amused and interested laugh.
"Something like that. I'm afraid I can't tell you more for your sake."
"For my sake?"
"And we come to the third law", He said, completely ignoring Reader's question.
"The Law of Convergence of Beyonder Characteristics. If everything comes from one, then this everything is destined to meet again. Sooooo?"
He said with a tone full of expectation.
"...So that explains why Beyonders encounter more mystical cases than other normal people?"
"You're a perfect student, you know that?"
Please stop..., he thought exhausted.
Will it be like this every single night?
"Actually, there's a third destiny for Beyonder Characteristics after death, and that's to merge with an object to become a Mystical Item, or Sealed Artifact as the Churches call them."
"What's the difference?"
"The difference is that these items don't have a time limit, a time limit that charms or other items that you can also create have. That's why we call them Beyonder Weapons, to distinguish them.
Also, Sealed Artifacts usually have major downsides to using them."
"Like the watch?"
"Hm? Oh yes, Ms. Justice told me. Correct, the watch is made of a Sequence 9 Monster Beyonder Characteristic, but in this case, it's not accidental but planned by a Savant Pathway Beyonder.
This is the basis of his power."
"I see..."
Andrew began to carefully examine his chest. His necklace, his memento, couldn't accompany him in his dreams, but it was always in his mind.
He always wondered how it could last for so many years, and now he was searching for it. Because he had finally understood the source of its power. The power that lasted for a long, long time.
It hadn't been created by a living Demoness, had it?
Mom...
Andrew... didn't feel well. His head was spinning and his vision was starting to blur.
Was it possible to cry in a dream?
Gods, he would have preferred a hundred explanations like the previous ones. Anything but thinking about this truth.
"The lesson ends here."
"Already?"
"I'm an Angel; I have other things to do!"
It wasn't a heavy or accusatory tone, but it was supposed to carry authority and respect.
So why did Andrew sense the Angel was sleepy?
"As a final question, I must ask you: Are you aware of the unique nature of the Reader Pathway?"
Andrew was taken aback by the question but answered anyway.
"You mean the ability to use the powers of other Beyonders?"
"Correct; that is only possible after in-depth study of those powers. So I have some advice for you."
His form grew larger and more majestic, radiating an oppressive aura that knocked Andrew to the ground.
Was this perhaps the divinity of an Angel?
"Make allies."
-----------------
Leonard Mitchell, The Star, stood still, gazing at a particular building. It was deep night, yet this house, like few others, still had its lights on. A clear indicator of life.
He was observing a certain house, the house identified as unit 26 Gunstedt Street in Cherwood Borough.
Even though he was far away, thanks to his Sequence 4 vision, he could see inside fairly easily.
A long-haired girl was talking to a man almost in his thirties with a receding hairline and black hair.
The two were talking animatedly, laughing and smiling, falling into comfortable silence. Suddenly, the man's shoulder was grabbed by a hand.
The hand belonged to a rather young man with a scholar-like aura-
No!
The Nightwatcher rubbed his eyes vigorously until the image changed.
The scholarly-looking man was replaced by a woman the same age as the man she had grabbed. In response, the man also grabbed her gently, holding her close. Meanwhile, the girl looked away, appearing a little embarrassed but still smiling.
Right.
Things can never go back to the way they were. Eh, Klein?
A presence appeared beside him, no, he was pretty sure it had always been there.
"...Mr. Star, are you okay?"
Ms. Justice asked in a gentle tone, clearly using some form of Placate.
"Why did you turn down the job?"
The Star changed the subject to another one. Namely, the identity of the Major Arcana of the Ace of Swords.
It was obvious to them that Ms. Justice should have become his Major Arcana, yet she suddenly rejected the idea. It was honestly a bit shocking. Wouldn't it be better to show as few members as possible?
In any case, The Star eventually got the job.
"Are you not satisfied with the boy?"
"It's not that, in fact, I feel we have something in common."
Ms. Justice laughed a little at the romantic poet's attitude.
"Mr. Star, you already know my identity, right?"
There was no need to confirm. After all, it was obvious.
Not only had he discovered her name in that strange hall, but anyone in Backlund with a certain position would have heard of her.
Backlund's Most Dazzling Gem.
Audrey Hall finally gave a slight, tired smile.
"You should know about my connection to that school. The Ace of Swords would have figured out who I am after a week at most.
Isn't it better to leave the role to someone capable of keeping their identity hidden for longer? Rather-"
Backlund's gem paused for a moment. This was undoubtedly a heavy topic to broach.
Even a Spectator like her seemed to have to search for the right words for at least two minutes.
"Why did you object?"
"To what?"
Mr. Star asked, feigning ignorance.
There was one thing the young Reader didn't know. Namely, that he wasn't the only potential victim that evening.
A monster identical to the one he described and found by Ms. Justice had come to this street to ruin it again. To ruin the normality of that family once more.
Unfortunately for him, a certain Nightwatcher was there.
Since his only friend had disappeared again, there was no one to protect this family. So he found himself spontaneously doing various night patrols in the area.
Perhaps he felt he could only do something this way.
"You rejected the idea of making Melissa Moretti a Minor Arcana."
The air grew heavy.
This was why the Spectator had sought out The Star.
Because in that meeting, he wouldn't accept reason, and he resisted with all his might.
Leonard Mitchell gulped his saliva noisily before continuing.
"By including her... we would ruin everything Kl-Mr. World has been fighting for all this time."
"She would be safe."
"You can't know that."
"She'll find out for herself one day."
"You can't know that..."
This time-his voice came out weaker. Like that of a beaten dog.
Klein wouldn't be so reckless as to leave traces, would he? That wasn't like him, was it?
...No, he wouldn't; he was sure of it.
When he looked up, he saw that the gorgeous Ms. Justice had disappeared.
Without saying anything, the Red Glove's gaze returned to the now lightless house.
...He felt a little better.
-----------------
File:
Name: Andrew Locke
Bio: Alive
Age: 18 (Born 12th July of 1334)
Parents: [REDACTED]
City of birth: [REDACTED]
Residence: Unit 13 Cherwood Borough, apartment n°9 (Backlund).
Pathway: Reader.
Sequence: Student of Ratiocination (8).
Occupation:
Student at Backlund University of Technology and IndustryMinor Arcana.
Affiliation:
Backlund University of Technology and Industry (as a student)Church of The Fool (as a disciple of the Angel of Mercury and as a Minor Arcana)Tarot Club (as a Minor Arcana of Mr. Star)Melissa Moretti (Allies)Luke Ross (Informant)Jeanne Rolland (Enemy) [Note: One sided]Demoness Sect (former) [Note: Formal member through his mother].
Abilities:
Mental Attributes are greatly enchantment, both logical, comprehension and learning ability. The memory is near perfect but some of the minor detail still escape him.An expert at using Ritualistic Magic, allows him to create high level charms or Beyonder Weapons through bestowment of power from higher entities. He can also make varies request such as to talk to the spirit of the dead (Evernight Goddess domain). Being an expert allows him to infiltrate his requests to the one offered by the official authorities of the Churches. Thus allowing the creation of charms of different domains.Spirit Vision allow to see Spirituality, spirits and somewhat strong emotions.Divination on his own is possible but the Reader Pathway currently isn't orientated in this area.
Weapons:
Normal: Gun (with normal and demon-hunting bullets)
Beyonder Weapons:
Charms (Purification, Slumber, Dream etc..)Thunder Knife (created praying to the Lord of Storm. Allows the creation of weak thunder from the tip to the range of 2 or 2,5 meters. Upon contact the thunder causes temporal shock on normal human. As a downside it might attract thunders, especially during bad weather.)
Sealed Artifact:
Clock of Fate:
Origin: Made from a Sequence 9 Monster. Created by a Savant Beyonder.
Power: It allows the performance of simple divinations such as pendulum. It allows dream divination but with great difficulty.
Downside: The carrier hears real and fake murmurs, voice and sounds increasing the chance of losing control. Thanks to the Savant intervention the carrier will hear in almost all case fake sound, making it a rather safe Sealed Artifact.
Demoness Insignia:
Origin: [REDACTED]
Power: 1) Incomplete Mirror Substitution.
2) [REDACTED]
3) [REDACTED]
Downside: [REDACTED]
-----------------
Note: "Usually represented as a sword held vertically in one hand, it symbolizes a position to be taken or indicates that, in a certain situation, there is a need for clarity or to eliminate ties."
This is the line I used to choose Andrew's Minor Arcana.
Oh, I'm back anyway! I'm done with my commitments, so you can expect more recent updates.
I'm very satisfied with this chapter. For the most part, I feel like I've improved in incorporating multiple different parts into one chapter, but I also think I'm lacking in portraying the strong emotions someone like Andrew would have when explaining the three Laws of Beyonder Characteristics.
Oh, by the way, in the next chapter, we'll have a slightly depressed Andrew-you know, he just discovered he's had a piece of his mother stuck around his neck for years :)
Yeah, let's just say the next time he sees Jeanne, bullets will fly.
For now, I'm trying to build a working relationship between Andrew and Melissa, mainly because they're not the most sociable people by nature. Melissa is often described as shy, and Andrew himself often avoids talking to others. Of course, he avoids them with a gentlemanly air! Who do you think you're talking about?
Let's just say things aren't helped by the fact that they're both Beyonders, which requires attention by nature, as well as the various unspoken social laws of Loen.
In any case, beyond their alliance, for now, Melissa helps Andrew sometimes out of kindness, and Andrew finds her kind, intelligent, and likes to think of himself as some kind of superior or senior to her .
The various rules of the Acting Method of a Student of Ratiocination are based on the concept of always reasoning in every case. The first rule explicitly states that the Beyonder must not panic in dangerous situations and must reach the logical conclusion, while the second (perhaps the most difficult) requires reaching the logical conclusion even when it hurts the individual emotionally.
When Andrew becomes a Detective, I'll start skipping unnecessary days and perhaps going from week to week. So, we've almost reached the end of the introduction!
Now I want to say thank you for your attention, kudos, and the comments you've offered me over the course of these 5/6 chapters. Precisely because I care about creating a story that truly engages you, I want to ask you a few questions.
1) What do you think of the characters introduced? Both original and not? Any advice on how to write them better or how to recreate the same personality as in the original novel?
2) What do you think of Andrew as the protagonist? Do you find him bland? Because I feel like I have some good ideas for him, but I've never been able to show them. I wouldn't want to create a normal MC without some definitive characteristics.
3) Any suggestions on chapter length or content?
Now, a few questions, more about Beyonder powers than anything else.
4) Which Pathway are you most interested in? Could it be in the form of other characters or powers Andrew uses thanks to Analysis?
5) What kind of Mystic Arts do you have in mind? I'm always open to ideas and suggestions, so go ahead!
Thank you for reading this far, and I apologize for the long list of questions.
See you next time!