"I can only sense some discord in your fate... nothing more specific. I'm not a true Seer, after all." Azik said with a gentle smile, shaking his head. "But I suggest you stay cautious. If another coincidence occurs, it might mean something is interfering with your fate."
"I understand. Thank you, Mr. Azik." Klein replied, nodding solemnly. Curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "Is this one of your abilities, Mr. Azik? Are you a Beyonder of the Monster pathway?"
Klein recalled Old Neil mentioning the "Monster" Sequence.
"I'm likely not on the Monster pathway. Truth be told, I'm not sure which pathway I'm on…" Azik shook his head, his gaze tinged with melancholy as he stared at the Hoy River. In a measured tone, he shared his story... no past, no parents, no memory of who he once was, only occasional dreams of uncertain truth.
As for his Beyonder abilities, Azik had discovered them gradually during his university years, but he lacked detailed memories or knowledge of their full extent, relying solely on instinct to use them sparingly.
"This is why I wanted to talk, Klein." Azik said, turning to him with a serious expression. "I hope you can help me find clues to my origins. You don't need to go out of your way... just keep an eye out if you come across anything relevant."
Klein hadn't expected such a story, but his own transmigrator experience gave him a sense of empathy. He exhaled, then asked with some confusion, "Mr. Azik, why not investigate the Beyonder world yourself? And…" He glanced at Alaric, who was eagerly observing the conversation. "Why me?"
The unspoken question: You're close with Jack too... why not ask him?
Azik gave a self-deprecating smile, explaining his reluctance to dive into the Beyonder world... fear of danger, fear of death, and a preference for his current, comfortable life over risky ventures.
He clarified that he wasn't asking Klein to take risks either. Even now, his request wasn't for Klein to go out of his way but simply to note anything related to his past if encountered.
"As for Jack…" Azik glanced at Alaric, choosing his words carefully. "His personality isn't quite suited for this."
Klein fell silent, looking at Alaric. After a moment, he nodded thoughtfully. "Fair enough."
Now it was Alaric's turn to protest. He glanced between Azik and Klein, exclaiming, "Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Am I that foolish?" His indignation, of course, was an act.
"Ahem, we didn't mean it like that. It's just your straightforward nature might make you an easy target…" Klein coughed, offering an explanation.
"Jack, I just think you might not be the best fit for this kind of task." Azik said gently.
"That's stereotyping!" Alaric huffed, glaring at them before striking a confident pose, hands on hips. "And who says I can't help? I have ways to assist with both Klein's fate issue and Mr. Azik's past."
"What ways?" Klein asked, genuinely curious.
"I can write to my teacher." Alaric said with a smug grin. "He's incredibly capable and would definitely have solutions."
"..."
"..."
What else could one expect from him?
"You have a teacher?" Klein asked, snapping out of his mental commentary, surprised.
"Of course I do! Did you think I taught myself?" Alaric shot Klein a puzzled look, as if baffled by his surprise.
Right, why did I assume Jack didn't have a teacher? Klein fell silent for a few seconds before asking, "Who's your teacher?"
"Lucifer Zoroast…" Alaric answered without hesitation, only to clap a hand over his mouth as if realizing a mistake. "Wait, my teacher said not to use his full name…" He glanced cautiously at Klein and Azik. "Can you just pretend you didn't hear that?"
"Your teacher is lucky to have you." Klein said after a pause, unable to muster anything else.
Azik rubbed his brow, as if recalling something. "A Marauder?"
Klein's mind flashed to the Transmigration Diary he'd read above the gray fog. The name Lucifer, paired with the familiar surname Zoroast, sparked a suspicion. Could Jack's teacher be the transmigrator who crossed Amon?
Unbeknownst to Klein, Alaric was closely observing his reactions. With his already sharp perception, enhanced by his Joker potion, Alaric quickly confirmed what he wanted: Klein hadn't divined that the Transmigration Diary was his creation.
So, Nyarlathotep's fragment can indeed interfere with the Sefirah Castle? Alaric concluded inwardly, maintaining his persona outwardly. Noticing their reactions, he pouted. "I only blurted it out because I trust you both. I'm not like this with others."
Whether Klein and Azik believed him was unclear. They exchanged a glance, and Azik spoke first. "Thank you, Jack, but I'd prefer to keep this matter private for now."
Though Azik trusted Alaric, he remained wary of his teacher.
"I don't think my situation requires you writing to your teacher just yet." Klein said diplomatically, declining as well.
"Fine, fine, I get it... you don't trust my teacher." Alaric said, feigning disappointment before perking up. "But even without writing to him, I can still help you, Mr. Azik."
"How so?" Azik asked, not dismissing him outright this time, his tone gentle.
"My teacher once gave me a special gem. When used, it can summon a projection of someone's past. If you want to know your history, Mr. Azik, we could summon someone connected to you and ask." Alaric said casually, dropping a bombshell.
***
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