Saturday morning, Tingen City fell under heavy rain, dense raindrops striking against the windows, producing a series of sounds.
In the second floor entertainment room of Blackthorn Security Company, the Night Watchers were casually sitting on sofas and backed chairs, exchanging words in low voices.
Usually at this time, apart from patrolling within their jurisdiction and tracking extraordinary events, when they gathered in the entertainment room it was often to play "Fight the Evil," earning lunch money and colleagues' good-natured cursing, or to mutually share some interesting things encountered in life and work.
And Angel liked to read the latest received newspapers at this time, understanding some current news. This was a habit she retained from her previous life in the information age. Of course, back then there was internet available, now she could only look at paper media, naturally the timeliness couldn't compare.
But this morning, the conversational sounds of card playing and laughter from sharing interesting stories were replaced by mutual discussion. After Angel and Klein shared the "Acting Method" with everyone on Thursday, such discussions had already taken place several times.
"I still think 'Sleepless' shouldn't just be staying up late that simply... otherwise wouldn't 'Corpse Collector' have to..."
Koenley frowned as he spoke. Although he had become an Extraordinary for several months already, because he had a fiancée waiting at home, he didn't often stay up late like the other several "Sleepless" ones.
At this time, hearing that mastering potions required seeking inspiration from the word "Sleepless," he was quite troubled.
"Of course it's not just that, you also need to understand the essence of the entire 'Sleepless' pathway. Think about the Captain, what connections are there between his 'Nightmare' and 'Sleepless'..."
Leonard patiently answered from the side. He was originally off duty today, but braved the rain to come to the Night Watcher station to help these teammates quickly understand the significance of the Acting Method.
After answering Koenley's question, his face again showed that familiar exaggerated expression, speaking with the cadence of recitation: "By the way, let me tell everyone a piece of news. After listening to everyone's understanding of how to master potions, I myself have also gained some new insights, and experienced what Angel mentioned - that unique feeling, clearly knowing that I had completely mastered the potion."
"You're going to advance? From 'Midnight Poet'?"
Seeka Tron, who was drinking coffee on the side, nearly sprayed hot coffee onto Klein's face across from her. She hurriedly swallowed the liquid in her mouth and asked incoherently.
As a fellow "Midnight Poet," she instantly felt crisis.
"Mm, yes, I might also submit a 'Special Application' in the near future... well, maybe it won't even be necessary, after all my progress isn't that fast either."
Leonard smiled with feigned modesty, but those familiar with him all knew that "modesty" simply wasn't in his dictionary.
This guy, wouldn't he have digested the potion long ago, just never had a chance to say it... and he also wants to take the opportunity to tell others how to perform "Acting"...
Looking at the pompous poet's affected expression, Angel thought secretly.
"How did you do it? Like your usual reciting of famous poems?"
Koenley asked curiously.
"Cough... of course not, and I've also created many original poems." Leonard's smile on his face nearly couldn't hold, he coughed once to escape embarrassment and continued, "You're committing a kind of philosophical 'formalism error.' Many potions have both ancient and modern names, this doesn't mean their implications differ with time. You should penetrate the true meaning of the potion's name, and based on these meanings extract your own unique principles, and master the potion under the premise of following them."
"So that's reciting poetry at midnight?"
"..."
Just then, the entertainment room door was knocked from outside. Klein, who was closest, stood up and was about to open the door when Dunn Smith pushed open the door and walked in.
"Good that you're all here. Mm, don't go out later. Angel and Klein come over for a moment."
Scanning the room in a circle, Dunn said seriously.
The two people whose names were called looked at each other, then followed the captain out of the entertainment room to the corridor.
Seeing Angel, who came out last, close the door behind her, Dunn said in a low voice: "The people from the Holy Cathedral have arrived."
Holy Cathedral? Angel was stunned, then reacted.
"Are they the people who came to examine us?"
Klein asked. Angel could see his facial skin was somewhat tense.
She believed her own expression was the same.
"That's right, don't be nervous, come with me."
Dunn nodded, didn't continue speaking, but led the way toward the reception hall. The two followed step by step behind, passing through the partition to reach the main hall.
A beautiful woman was sitting on the sofa, sipping steaming coffee. Brett, who was on reception duty today, was nowhere to be seen. Two wet umbrellas were placed in the corner, with some accumulated water on the floor.
"Ms. Daly? How did you come to Tingen?"
Angel recognized this "Spirit Medium" dressed in black skirt at first glance.
Today she hadn't applied that weird and aging makeup from before, revealing skin more pale than ordinary people. Apart from the crystal pendant silver chain on her wrist, she wore no other jewelry - she was simply unlike the former Daly.
Simply put, she was more beautiful than usual.
Hearing Angel's voice, she put down her coffee cup, turned her head to look over, and said with a smile:
"Didn't you submit 'Special Applications'? So I rushed over from Backlund."
"So you're saying, you're the one who came to examine us?"
Klein asked back in surprise.
"Cough, Daly said she just happened to pass by Tingen to see you, the examiner is someone else." Dunn interjected, drawing Daly's slightly reproachful gaze. "The one responsible for examining you this time is Mr. Crests Sesima, he's one of the nine senior deacons of the Night Watchers, already waiting in the underground alchemy room."
Within the Church of the Evernight Goddess, there were a total of nine senior deacons and thirteen archbishops. They only needed to follow the Evernight Goddess's divine oracles, only needed to be responsible to the Pope - they were the true high-level church officials.
Among them were quite a few powerhouses who had reached Sequence 4 and above.
Since she had heard Daly reveal information before, Angel didn't show surprised emotions. She looked toward the latter, but found the other party's mouth corners curved into a smile.
Not noticing others' expressions, Dunn continued: "Crests Sesima's title within the church, even in the entire extraordinary world, is 'Sword of the Goddess.' Although only Sequence 5, he has been acknowledged by a certain holy relic, his combat power is no less than many Sequence 4s."
"You're very fortunate, he's considered one of the more gentle among all senior deacons, and thinks highly of you." Daly also took up the conversation. "He even brought the potion formulas and materials for 'Clown' and 'Instigator,' convenient for you to directly advance after passing the examination."
Very gentle, thinks highly of us... meaning this examination is very simple...
Wait, "Instigator" potion?
Angel was stunned. She subconsciously looked toward Daly, looked toward this lady who had once suggested she "submit the special application as soon as possible."
Daly, who had removed her usual makeup, looked back with emerald eyes. Her smile remained unchanged, but her left eye slightly winked.
Angel felt a chill rise in her heart.
Finished, hand slipped and directly sent it, and didn't write a title... I heard editors work five days and rest two?