Mr. Azik can see that I'm a Beyonder? His abilities are truly impressive… Klein was stunned for a moment, then frankly replied:
"Yes."
He thought for a moment, then added,
"Because of that matter with Welch and Naya."
"That's what I suspected…" Azik sighed and said, "Among the police officers who came to the school to question Coch and me, there were two people with supernatural abilities."
That must be the Captain and Leonard. They were the ones handling Welch's case… Klein nodded almost imperceptibly without interrupting.
Azik slightly raised his cane and said,
"You must have entered that circle by now. I hope you can help me find clues about my origins. You don't need to do it deliberately, just remember to take note when you encounter them."
Having said that, he gave a bitter smile.
"Besides you, I don't know anyone else with supernatural abilities… You can never imagine what it's like for a person without a past. It's like a ship drifting at sea. The scariest thing isn't encountering a storm, but not being able to find a harbor, not finding a route to land. You can only face disaster time and time again, without end, never feeling peace or safety."
No, Mr. Azik, I completely understand your feelings, because I'm the same way. Fortunately, I have the fragments of the original's memories, I have Benson and Melissa… Klein silently replied, then asked,
"Mr. Azik, since you possess such amazing abilities, why don't you enter that circle yourself and look for useful clues?"
Azik looked into Klein's eyes and smiled wryly.
"Because I'm afraid of danger, afraid of death."
He sighed and said,
"I'm used to my current life, and I like it. I don't have the will or the courage to take risks. I can only entrust this to you."
Klein didn't say anything more and promised,
"If I encounter any relevant clues, I'll be sure to pay special attention."
"Alright, we should head back to the office. Once Coch finishes his business, we'll have lunch together. Do you remember? The Dongbeilang restaurant on campus is quite good. Heh, my treat." Azik raised his cane, pointing back the way they came.
Sorry, I really don't remember. When I was a university student, how could the original have had any money to go to the Dongbeilang restaurant? Even if Welch treated him, he would refuse such a relatively luxurious place… Klein pressed his hat and followed Azik back to the three-story gray stone building of the History Department.
After walking a few steps, Azik suddenly spoke again.
"Once my work at the school is finished, I'll be starting my summer break. You can come visit my home afterwards, or write me a letter."
Klein nodded and made small talk.
"Mr. Azik, I thought you would be going to Desi Bay for your vacation."
"No, it's too hot in the south right now. I don't like so-called sunbathing. Look at my skin color, I get tanned very easily. Comparatively, I'd rather go to Winter County, or the north of the Feynapotter Empire, to ski, enjoy the scenery, and hunt some seals." Azik, who had bronze-colored skin, smiled in reply.
I'd like to go too… Klein, the newly sworn Nighthawk, showed a look of envy.
After lunch, he returned home, took a short nap, and then began reviewing and studying advanced knowledge of Charms and Amulets, hoping to master them quickly and produce items barely usable in combat that could initially help him.
A few minutes before three in the afternoon, Klein packed up his things and sealed his bedroom with a Spirit Wall.
————
Above the Gray Fog, within the grand and majestic palace, the ancient, mottled bronze long table sat quietly.
Klein, shrouded by dense grayish-white fog, sat at the head, watching Justice and The Hanged Man, still blurry, appear in their fixed seats.
Huh, Miss Justice's mood is rather unstable. Anxiety, unease, and confusion… Klein, who had activated his Spirit Vision earlier, noticed the anomaly in the Tarot Club's only female member with just a glance.