Klein paced back and forth in the small shooting range, mulling over the
"No—in the classified materials I can access, they haven't even provided the potion names corresponding to Sequence 8 and Sequence 7, merely describing the relevant combat characteristics... In other words, they don't want the rank-and-file knowing that the higher-ups possess the corresponding information..."
"Could it be that every Nighthawk who chooses this Pathway might turn into an 'Avenging Specter' of the
For a moment, Klein was filled with suspicion toward the Church of the Goddess of the Night's higher-ups, his guard raised high and his wariness sharpened, as he reconsidered whether he should submit a special application to openly become a "Clown": "If some terrible secret is hidden in all this, wouldn't I be jumping straight into a volcano? I'm not the kind of person who can calmly submit to a thorough investigation..."
"Then again, the Tingen branch did submit the 'Clown' formula. It's perfectly natural for a 'Diviner' to learn about this and seek promotion, isn't it? Besides, Sequence 8 is still considered a low Sequence—it shouldn't attract anything close to exaggerated attention..."
"The only problem is that I 'mastered' the potion in just one month and submitted a special application. If the higher-ups know about and understand the Acting method, they'll see through it at a glance... Of course, my justification is more than sufficient. After all, I know Daly the 'Spirit Medium,' I'm friends with
"Hmm, even Daly spent three years at the Sequence 7 'Spirit Medium' rank before showing signs of digestion. Only then did she truly enter the higher-ups' sights, being groomed as a future Archbishop and high-ranking deacon... At the 'Clown' stage, I definitely won't attract too much attention—unless I digest the potion within just a few months again, convincing them that I've truly mastered the Acting method..."
"So applying for the 'Clown' potion isn't too risky a move. I can go ahead with it. But I'll need to be more careful afterward... Well, I can only take it one step at a time. I'll go home and make another divination to decide."
Klein gathered his thoughts, drew the revolver from the holster under his arm, and went through his daily shooting practice and routine maintenance.
The firearm from his classmate Welch was of surprisingly good quality—barring any accidents, it would last a good while longer. Of course, this was also thanks to the maintenance techniques he'd picked up from Dunn and Leonard.
"Even if it breaks, it's no big deal. These are all supplies I can apply for." Klein glanced at the target, holstered his revolver, and left the "Shooting Club."
He took a trackless public carriage back to 2 Narcissus Street. Before he even got close, he spotted a young woman pacing by the entrance.
The young woman wore a blue dress trimmed with beautiful lace and a hat with a fine-mesh veil hanging down—none other than
Spotting Klein approaching, she hurried over, removed her hat, her face beaming with joy.
She paused for two seconds, then suddenly spoke up with a wide smile: "Good afternoon, Mr. Moretti."
"I imagine you just got back from Rammude Town, didn't you?"
Sorry to disappoint, but I was back this morning... Klein smiled and said: "No, I came from Zouteland Street."
Mm, that's an entirely truthful answer... he thought to himself with quiet amusement.
Elizabeth blinked, then said with barely contained excitement: "Well, I guessed wrong then. I came to find you today—I've been waiting here to tell you that I didn't have any nightmares last night! I didn't dream of that knight in the full black armor again! That's exactly what your divination predicted!"
Of course—the vengeful spirit had been completely purified by sealed artefact "3-0782." I couldn't even perform on-the-spot spirit communion, let alone deal with your dreams... Klein chuckled softly and responded gently: "I'm glad you've been freed from your troubles, and I'm quite satisfied with yesterday's divination."
"Thank you, thank you again! Well, I should be going—I have classes this afternoon. Bye-bye, Mr. Moretti. I'll find time to visit Melissa~" Elizabeth departed with light, skipping steps and climbed into a hansom cab nearby.
Gazing at the scenery slowly receding beyond the carriage window, the corners of her mouth curled upward bit by bit as she thought smugly: "Melissa definitely doesn't know she has such an impressive older brother…"
…………
It felt like my explanation just now had absolutely no effect at all… Girls are always willing to trust their instincts and the facts they fabricate in their own minds… Klein watched Elizabeth get into the carriage, shaking his head as he pulled out his key, unlocked the door, and made his way back to his bedroom.
He rested briefly, then began to review and summarize the events of the past week, including the parts that remained unresolved from before.
After completing this daily routine, he burned the papers, took out his silver pocket watch, and snapped it open with a click to check the time.
"Half past two? Another fifteen minutes…" Seeing he still had time, Klein simply put on his oldest formal jacket and headed to "Slyne's Bakery" on Iron Cross Street, where he bought a cup of sweet iced tea from Mrs. Wendy.
Sipping his drink, he strolled back at a leisurely pace. At two forty-five, he sealed his bedroom with spirituality, then walked four steps in reverse to ascend above the
In the silent, ancient grand palace, Klein wrote a new divination statement on the manifested parchment: "I should obtain the 'Clown' potion through the Nighthawks."
Setting down his pen, he unwound the spirit pendulum from his wrist, held it steadily in his left hand, and let the citrine pendant hover just above the parchment's surface.
After silently repeating the incantation seven times, his eyes deepened in color, and the pendulum in his hand began to rotate in small arcs—clockwise.
The answer was affirmative, an "should"… but whether the Sequence after "Clown" would be as straightforward was hard to say. He still needed to seriously develop his
Then, he reached out and pressed his hand toward the deep crimson star that represented "The Sun."