Klein nodded. "I know of it, but I'm not particularly well-versed. Could you explain it to me, Teacher?"
Though Klein had learned of the acting method through Emperor Roselle's diary, his understanding was far from thorough... he was still fumbling his way through it.
Now that he had Alaric as a convenient teacher, Klein wasn't about to hold back. Why waste the title if he didn't ask questions?
"Well, I'm not exactly an expert on the acting method myself. I'm just a novice Beyonder, after all." Alaric said, scratching his head as he shared his perspective. "But to me, acting is like immersive role-playing. You fully embody a role to gain some kind of recognition, tapping into its power. The name of the potion is the role you're meant to play."
Alaric could have parroted the detailed explanations from the original story, but that wasn't necessary. He stuck to his persona: someone from a knowledgeable family, privy to many secrets, but still a fledgling Beyonder.
A novice didn't need a profound grasp of the acting method... just a general understanding that was on the right track.
Klein's brow twitched at Alaric's self-description as a "novice Beyonder." Though he wasn't entirely surprised. He'd already suspected Alaric was a transmigrator, and this only confirmed it. "There's one crucial thing, though…" Alaric's expression turned serious as he looked at Klein. "No matter what, always remember: you're only acting as the role, not becoming it."
Klein froze. He'd initially thought Alaric's understanding of the acting method was shallow, but this advice hit like a revelation.
The acting method was just that... acting. Fully immersing oneself in the role and forgetting one's true self could lead to disaster.
Otherwise… loss of control was all but certain.
"The Beyonder world really is fraught with danger…" Klein exhaled inwardly, then looked at Alaric with genuine respect. "I understand. Thank you, Teacher."
This "Teacher" was said with heartfelt sincerity.
If his earlier use of the title had been half-joking... akin to calling a friend "daddy" to get them to grab food... now Klein felt genuine admiration for Alaric. Their teacher-student bond might have been established casually, but Alaric was teaching him with true earnestness.
"Hey, you're getting all serious on me. It's kind of embarrassing…" Alaric scratched his head again, feigning a touch of awkwardness. "I was just kidding earlier. We're close enough that I'd teach you this stuff anyway. Making you call me 'Teacher' was like asking you to call me 'Daddy'... uh, you probably don't get that one."
Klein couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head. "Is there a chance you're forgetting this is only our third meeting?"
Truth be told, Klein admired Alaric's laid-back demeanor. The man gave off the vibe of a naive university student, someone who could be swindled in the real world without batting an eye.
Alaric, of course, knew exactly what Klein was thinking. This was the effect he'd deliberately cultivated. For someone like Klein... a good person... a persona that was skilled in other areas but innocent and in need of looking after was the perfect way to build rapport.
Still, he played along, putting on a serious face to counter, "You don't get it. It's like we clicked instantly. I don't know how to explain it, but when I saw you, I just felt… you're like one of my own kind."
His words trailed off into a carefully timed mix of confusion and melancholy.
Klein paused, lips pursed, falling silent for a moment.
After a few seconds, he broke into a smile and steered the conversation forward. "So, does calling you 'Teacher' still count?"
The implication was clear: did their teacher-student relationship still hold?
"Well, I'd like it to count. It's my first time being a teacher, after all!" Alaric blinked, his expression a mix of shy embarrassment and eager anticipation.
Joking aside, who wouldn't want to play the mentor? Being a teacher was its own kind of authority.
Klein wasn't surprised by the response, only amused. He thought for a moment before asking, "Teacher, what's your plan for my studies going forward?"
Alaric's eyes lit up, and he coughed lightly, adopting a slightly smug yet restrained demeanor. "How about you come by once or twice a week for lessons? I may be a novice Beyonder, but I know enough to teach you without interfering with your work."
At the mention of his work, Klein's expression grew subtle. He looked at Alaric, testing the waters. "Do you know what I do for a living?"
"Sure, you're a historical consultant for a security company, right?" Alaric replied with a puzzled look. "You mentioned it last time." His acting was so convincing it seemed he genuinely knew nothing more.
Klein was silent for a few seconds before deciding to probe further. "Teacher, are you familiar with official Beyonders?"
Alaric nodded. "Yeah, I've heard of them in Backlund... Nighthawks, Heart of Machinery, Punishers. They're the ones, right?"
"What's your take on them?" Klein pressed.
"They seem like decent folks, I guess? Though I've heard the Punishers are pretty harsh... if they catch you, you're done for. The others seem more lenient. As long as you're not committing crimes, you might get a chance to reform if you're caught."
Alaric's expression turned thoughtful, then confused. "Why bring them up? You haven't gotten on their bad side, have you?"
Klein relaxed slightly at the response, then cleared his throat. "Is there a chance… I'm an official Beyonder myself?"
"What?" Alaric's face registered shock, pointing at Klein uncertainly. "You? An official Beyonder?"
"Strictly speaking, a Nighthawk." Klein corrected.
Alaric's expression morphed into a mix of bewilderment and disappointment, like a squirrel whose pinecone had been stolen. After a long pause, he glanced at Klein, visibly deflated. "So… you're here to arrest me?"
"Why would you think that?" Klein shook his head, half-laughing, before turning serious. "I'm just asking if you'd consider becoming my informant. That way, even if the officials find you, you won't end up locked behind the Chanis Gate."
"That's an option?" Alaric's eyes widened, his naive student persona in full force as he nodded eagerly. "Sure, sure, I'm in!"
"Alright, I'll sound out the captain in a few days. If all goes well, we should be able to formalize your informant status." Klein said with a nod.
As a new Nighthawk, he'd need to wait a bit before arranging an informant.
***
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