How should I summarize the rest of the 'Magician's Rules'? — Klein, idly leafing through the newspaper he had long since read, mulled the question crucial to himself.
He had already considered one point — the difference of 'with or without audience applause' — but that alone seemed insufficient.
Riding this train of thought, Klein's mind quickly diffused; he inexplicably linked it to a few things:
Back when I was still in the 'Seer' stage, being recognized by others, being called a true diviner, gave me the feeling that my potion digested faster. But after I summarized the 'Seer's Rules', I started to think there was no direct connection — others' opinions and feedback were a manifestation, not the substance; if you play the role well enough, you naturally get recognition, and digestion accelerates naturally.
In other words, I'd always believed the two were different expressions of the same gain — not a cause-and-effect relationship.
But now there's the 'audience applause' 'option'… If it really can help me digest the potion, does that show that some performances really do need feedback — that others' opinions, in a subtle way, also affect my digestion progress?
Mm — and by extension, the seven orthodox deities founding churches, propagating faith, cultivating believers — is there a factor of this kind too?
…What a blasphemous thought — I really am not someone who reveres the gods from the bottom of my heart; I praise but cannot zealously believe… — Klein quickly adjusted his line of thinking and looked for another angle.
He repeatedly compared the subtle differences between 'Seer', 'Clown', and 'Magician', and gradually had an idea:
Comparatively speaking, does the 'Magician' — who needs to 'perform' — carry an implication of 'active initiative'?
Actively seeking opportunities to perform — unlike the passive 'Seer' and 'Clown'?
From the perspective of fate, it does fit: from the 'Seer' who reveres fate, to the 'Clown' who is toyed with by fate yet must keep smiling, to the 'Magician' who actively challenges fate — even if the result is fake, even if the audience's applause is obtained by deception…
Klein gave an almost imperceptible nod and decided to try performing actively — once.
Where should I start? Something relatively not so dangerous… ah, the matter of the vampire named
But first I'd have to confirm that these non-humans have always been law-abiding, with at most some petty thieving… Where in the South Bridge District did Emlyn's companion live? I can't quite recall — I'll divine and remember later; while at it, confirm the danger level…
Thinking this far, Klein set down the newspaper and rose to go upstairs.
He had to admit, getting himself mixed up — without ulterior motive — in a matter that had almost nothing to do with him, wasn't in his character; but for the sake of the role, he could only force himself.
My kind is relatively easy. What about a 'steel-iron straight man' who has to play 'Witch' or 'Hedonistic Demoness'? No wonder the
…………
City of Silver, in a dim room atop the round tower.
The flashes lit up his disheveled gray-white hair, the old scars — twisted or fierce — on his face, his deep nasolabial folds, and his eyes full of worry.
After who knows how long, Colin turned and looked at the dim corner, asking deeply:
"Find anything?"
From the corner, a shadow rose, casting jet-black onto the wall, twisting and swirling.
Its voice carried the feel of metal scraping — quite ear-piercing:
"After
Colin gave a light nod:
"What did he do?"
Having used the wondrous item at the base of the round tower to turn into a being of light and dealt with the runaway and the not-his-true-body mysterious person, he had always suspected the matter wasn't fully resolved.
The sudden runaway of the former exploration-team leader, and the mysterious person's bold action after biding for forty-two whole years — without weighing traps or consequences — these things instinctively struck Colin, who had hunted many monsters, as off.
So he believed it was a choice the mysterious person had deliberately made. Although the true purpose was as yet unknown, there must be corresponding follow-up means; the man would not be cleared so simply.
After detecting no anomalies via his 'Monster Hunter' ability, Colin deliberately played the part of someone who had been deceived and simply sent that boy Derrick Berg home — while secretly arranging tight surveillance.
This was a different approach from the previous detention-and-inspection method — a change Colin had no choice but to make.
The black shadow, swaying gently, answered:
"After he entered his room, he sat by the bed and muttered to himself in a low voice for quite some time. Because I was afraid of being detected by that mysterious person, I didn't get too close and couldn't make out exactly what he said — but I can confirm this is abnormal behavior."
"After muttering, Derrick seemed very tired and quickly fell asleep; but he hadn't slept long before suddenly waking up and performing a ritual. I suspect at that moment he was not lucid, but under control of that mysterious person."
"By the way, the ritual had Esoteric elements."
Colin's expression turned grave; after thinking for a while:
"As I expected… maybe he is communicating with his true body this way."
"What exactly is his purpose? Why would he settle down at the base of the round tower for forty-two years?"
The black shadow naturally could not answer this question; it continued: