"You're alright, that's what matters." Alaric let out a relieved sigh as he tucked away the cross, then looked at Klein with concern. "You don't look so great. Maybe you should head back and rest? Don't worry... whatever the Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings is, you'll be fine. I'll help you…"
He paused, then, as if struck by a thought, grinned. "And even if I can't handle it, there's always my teacher! He's insanely capable... he'll definitely sort you out."
Klein thought of Lucifer, another suspected transmigrator. Seeing Alaric's radiant smile, his heart settled a bit.
He didn't fully trust this unseen Lucifer, but he chose to trust Jack.
Klein was well aware that if anyone in this world could unravel the mysteries of his transmigration and the Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings, Lucifer, as a fellow transmigrator, was the most likely candidate.
As for whether Lucifer might harbor ill intentions…
"My life's already a tangled mess... what's there to fear?" Klein gave a wry smile in his heart, his mindset oddly nonchalant.
After all, when you're drowning in debts, what's one more? When you're covered in lice, what's another itch? Klein was practically a magnet for trouble... his fate tampered with, possibly targeted by the Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings. What was left to be afraid of?
Still, Klein wasn't in the mood to study extraordinary knowledge. After chatting with Alaric a bit longer... mostly warning him not to investigate the Fool or the Antigonus family on his own... he said his goodbyes and left.
"Poor Klein. The moment you stepped into the gray fog, you were caught in the game, no longer in control." Alaric murmured to himself after seeing Klein off, shaking his head with a sigh in his heart.
His earlier words were deliberate, partly to tease Klein and partly to give him a heads-up, heightening his vigilance toward the Celestial Worthy and fueling his drive to advance.
Would this overwhelm Klein? Nah, Alaric trusted Klein's resilience. Besides, hadn't he brought out "Lucifer" To share the pressure?
"And pressure doesn't vanish just because you're ignorant. Better to live awake, even if it hurts, than to die in a sweet dream…" Alaric reflected, then gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "But am I really any better off? This world is just like that... mad and twisted…"
Alaric shook his head, pushing down his swirling emotions. He stretched lazily and turned his thoughts to another matter. "Looks like Klein really isn't planning to recruit me into the Tarot Club. Fine, time for Plan B... but that'll have to wait for a full moon."
He glanced up at the crescent-shaped crimson moon in the sky, smiling faintly. Pulling out his pocket watch to check the time, he decided to dive back into studying occult knowledge.
…
Time flew by, and soon the full moon Alaric had been waiting for arrived... August 14th.
During this period, Alaric immersed himself in learning, covering everything from foundational occult knowledge to historical events mentioned or omitted in the original story. He also read several books on the social conditions and customs of Loen and other nations, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the world.
After all, he was going to live in this world... he couldn't remain ignorant about it. From the moment he opened his eyes here, Alaric had been deliberately studying these things.
Of course, he didn't deny that he genuinely enjoyed learning new knowledge; otherwise, he wouldn't keep getting lost in it.
During this time, Alaric also visited Leonard and Pallez a few times under the guise of a junior. Pallez seemed quite content with his current life, but when it came to "dealing with Amon." The old man was in no rush, likely still harboring reservations.
Alaric understood Pallez's caution and didn't press him. He simply maintained Jack Jones' routine, studying and enthusiastically tutoring Klein in knowledge the Nighthawks couldn't teach him. Every few days, he wrote letters to Azik, making sure to keep up with everyone.
Over this period, Alaric's Actor potion digestion progressed slightly, though not by much. He wasn't worried... his plan for digesting the Actor potion was already in place.
Alaric proceeded at his own pace, and then came the night of the full moon.
"Beautiful, isn't it? Hard to believe such a lovely moon harbors an ugly Outer Deity." Alaric remarked, pushing open the window and gazing at the bright crimson moon. He chuckled as a thought struck him.
With a flick of his hand, an unremarkable stone appeared in his palm.
This stone came from Fors's bracelet. During his last trip to Backlund, Alaric, under the pretext of research, spent a few pounds to buy one of the stones from her.
Fors had initially refused... it was not only a keepsake from Mrs. Aulisa but also a lifesaving tool, each stone enabling a single "travel." But Alaric's offer was too generous, and the impoverished Fors couldn't resist the cash.
Alaric's reason for wanting the stone was simple... he intended to use it as a medium to summon Mr. Door from the past.
This was entirely feasible. The medium for his Shadow of Time ability wasn't limited to people; it could also be items tied to the individual in question.
As for why Alaric wanted to summon Mr. Door? The reasons were plenty.
"Let's see what kind of person you really are, Bethel Abraham." Alaric tossed the stone lightly in his hand. With a swift motion, he drew his hand through the air, and a figure began to solidify.
The man who appeared had a stern face, looking to be in his thirties or forties. His hair was a rare void-black, streaked with a few strands of white, and he wore a meticulously tailored suit in the asymmetrical style of the Fourth Epoch, adorned with numerous gemstones.
Mr. Door's overall aesthetic resembled a mythical vampire duke. But when he opened his eyes, revealing deep blue irises rippling like layered waves, it became clear that assumption was wrong.
Alaric looked at the King of Angel before him and greeted him with a smile. "Hello, Mr. Bethel Abraham. Welcome to the future!"
***
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