Four days later, Friday.
Klein and Audrey continued to meet each other in Sefirah Castle as usual, and scheduled their date for Sunday at 4 pm, Backlund time.
In these past few days, Klein fought the God of Wishes, Kotar, and obtained a black-velvet 'Curtain.' The Curtain contained a Sequence 1 Attendant of Mysteries characteristic as well as a Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker characteristic. By using the gray fog's power, Klein was able to separate the characteristics, and now all he needed was to complete the Miracle Invoker ritual to ascend to Sequence 2.
'Return a piece of history that has been left behind to the present era'
Returning the Forsaken Land of the Gods to the rest of the world is the only possible option I have... Derrick and his expedition team will arrive at the Giant King's Court tomorrow... What do I do now... Klein thought. He was currently at the entrance of the Giant King's Court, waiting for Derrick, but he still had to wait a day for them to arrive.
An idea entered Klein's mind. He took four steps counter-clockwise, entered Sefirah Castle, and grabbed the notebook that Audrey gave him.
There is also a detailed section about restaurants and popular date spots in here...
He flipped through the pages over and over, studying them with sheer focus. After thirty minutes, he sent a prayer to Miss Magician.
...
"...summon me to Backlund."
"..." Fors Wall had just received a vision of Mr. World praying, asking for Miss Magician to summon a Historical Projection of him, immediately.
Does he need something from me?! Why such short notice?
Fors, who was currently inside a small apartment, mustered her courage and summoned a Historical Projection of Gehrman Sparrow.
A tall, refined-looking gentleman with sharp features appeared out of thin air.
He looked at Fors with an intimidating gaze.
"Mr. Sparrow? How can I help—"
He teleported away.
"..." Fors was left confused. "Am I just a tool for him?"
...
Backlund has definitely seen better days... Klein thought as he looked around the streets of Backlund. The war had begun, and its effects were already starting to be apparent. The city wasn't a warzone, nor was it in ruins—just heavy with melancholy.
However, some parts of the capital were still blooming with positivity, such as Empress Borough, North Borough, and West Borough. Perhaps the positive environment was a way for the nobles to fight off the pessimistic feeling of war.
Klein summoned a Historical Projection of the notebook that Audrey gave him.
He then teleported to a place that was listed under the 'Trending Dining Spots' section in the notebook.
Klein had changed his appearance to that of the detective Sherlock Moriarity and entered the establishment in West Borough.
It looks good, and it smells good too... Klein observed the inside with much attention.
He was seated quickly, and his order was brought just a few minutes later.
Man, this steak is amazing. Too bad I can't eat it with my real body... Wait, what am I doing? Miss Magician can only sustain my Historical Projection for fifteen minutes. I've already spent five minutes. I have to go to the next spot!
Without anyone looking, he teleported out of the restaurant without paying his bill.
With only ten minutes left, he had to teleport all around Backlund to visit as many locations as he possibly could.
Klein went from one spot to another, each location leaving a fleeting impression in his mind. A quaint little cafe famed for its Desi pies in North Borough, a quiet corner in Sivellaus Yard overlooking the Tussock River, and the grand lobby of the National Theatre, with posters advertising the latest opera.
As time passed, he felt the spiritual connection to Miss Magician waning.
This...
Klein stood before the perfect spot. Completely isolated from the rest of the city and with a perfect view of the sunset. This was the kind of date spot he had been looking for.
A few moments later, his vision turned blurry, and his environment returned to that of the Giant King's Court. Miss Magician's spirituality had run out, and his Historical Projection had been dispelled.
We're definitely going to that spot! Klein could already picture his date with Audrey.
...
Colin Iliad said to Derrick, "Go. Open that door. I want to see what the sunlight outside is like…"
Derrick made his way around the iron-black throne and arrived in front of the grayish-blue door. He stared at it for a second, bent down, stretched out his hands, and pressed them against the sides of the door.
A crack appeared, letting golden sunlight flood in.
This was the outside world.
The Forsaken Land of the Gods was reunited with the present era.
It's time… Klein thought.
Klein had already ordered Danitz to pick up the City of Silver's team via boat, so he had no need to stick around.
He teleported to an uninhabited island in the Sonia Sea and concocted the Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker potion.
Klein hesitated. After all, becoming an angel meant that he would become colder and more indifferent to life. It would deteriorate his humanity.
He held the potion in his right hand. He held his breath and then downed the entire potion.
As the potion entered his body, it turned into 'worms' that swam towards every corner of his body. His mind suddenly tore apart into a multitude of Worms of Spirit. There was no longer any distinction between the main body and the auxiliary ones.
"I.."
"Who am I?"
"Am I…"
"The main body?"
Worms of Spirit were spread to the Historical Void, each with a mind of its own. However, the newly popped-up City of Silver in the Historical Void served as an anchor that attracted these maggots. They all concentrated here and allowed Klein to regain partial control over himself.
The next step was to not lose control.
He cogitated to focus his thoughts. With a clear mind, he was able to notice the potion's power going around every inch of his body, and with each second, he felt himself becoming colder.
My humanity is fading…
His eyes began to lose their luster, and his emotions waned.
Benson, Melissa... The City of Silver, the Tarot Club… Audrey…
Suddenly, the potion's flow slowed down. His humanity fought hard against the potion's cold embrace and successfully allowed Klein to remain rational and human.
Klein advanced to Sequence 2 Miracle Invoker.
...
Empress Borough, Sunday, 3:45 pm, inside Audrey Hall's room.
Audrey was sitting at her desk, writing down ideas for her date with Klein.
Would he like the theater, or would he find it dreadfully boring like so many other nobles? She tapped her pen against the crisp paper, a small smile appearing on her lips. Gehrman Sparrow would undoubtedly find it a waste of time, but Klein… Klein might enjoy it. The thought sent a pleasant warmth through her.
The air inside her room turned eerily chill. Her spiritual intuition tingled rapidly.
She wasn't alone.
Her smile vanished. She quickly stood up and looked towards the balcony, the source of her spiritual intuition's warning.
There, on the balcony, was the silhouette of a man.
Susie is not here, so I can use my Mythical Creature form... but it'll end up destroying the room… I'll have to come up with an explanation later
She raised her guard, ready for any incoming attacks.
The mysterious figure on the balcony opened the door and walked inside.
Audrey was ready to infect the man's mind with a Mental Plague, but then she stopped short, puzzled by what was in front of her.
"Klein?"