Since the gathering was quite different from Eye of Wisdom's, Casper had to ensure that his identity remained a secret. He didn't really trust the Beyonders who attended gatherings held by the Aurora Order.
Hence, he borrowed a mask from Xio and Fors and paired it together with his black robe.
Fors and Xio mainly came for the exorcism but Xio had hopes to purchase the Sheriff formula which she had seen before.
While Casper came to see the "results" of the exorcism and to see whether someone was selling the Barbarian formula.
Well the Barbarian formula could wait and it didn't matter if no one was selling it here, he didn't have the funds to purchase it even if it was available.
He still had other sources — the Sealed Artifact lady in Pacheco Dwayne, the Pound Family and the one he was most eager about — the Blasphemy Card of the Black Emperor Pathway.
No matter what, he had to acquire it.
Sorry Klein, Casper apologised in his heart but the faint smirk on his face betrayed his emotions.
As he was browsing the transaction board, a certain request caught his eyes — someone was asking to defeat their past self.
Casper's eyebrow pricked up, Is this Goatvsky?
He beckoned Mr. A's attendent closer, "I'll take this request," he stated directly. Before long, he was led to the study on the first floor.
Casper quickly meet the solicitor. He was a tall and buff man with arms that would make cows look like chickens.
Yep that's definitely Goatvsky, Casper thought amusingly. He smiled faintly under the mask before beginning, "The problem you want to solve is quite easy and also quite complex at the same time."
The man that was akin to a mountain nodded. "Indeed. I've attended many gatherings but no one has able to give a definite answer. I hope you aren't the same." He said gently.
"Yes that's quite fair," he said, acknowledging the man. "In mysticism defeating a last self means defeating a last personality or at least that's my interpretation. Is my understanding right?"
The Bishop nodded. "Yes, I'm searching for an answer for that."
He continued. "The man when an youth committed many crimes and walked the path of evil but under the guidance of a benevolent Deity, a man had a moral awakening.
"After that, the man repented and became a priest. He vowed to dedicate his life helping people and spreading the faith of the man's Deity.
"However, the man's younger self would not let him go that easily and has been tormenting the man. So a man wants to kill his past self."
Casper paused and thought with appalment, Is this guy really tryna to act like Jaqen H'gar?
…
Casper coughed. "Yes my understanding seems to match with your problem. But first, let's talk about payment."
He said with a wide grin and unconciously rubbed his hands together.
Utravesky solemnly nodded. "That's quite fair. What about 100 pounds?"
Hearing the outrageous offer, Casper's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. Money, Money, Money. He thought, salivating at the thought of a hundred pounds. But he quickly shook his head…. Momentary benefits shouldn't distract me.
He pinched his glabella and fell into serious thought. While I could get quick cash by accepting it, I would be a fool if I did. Since he's the Bishop of the Harvest Church he definitely knows the Apothecary formula.
And who else wants the Apothecary formula and will pay an outrageous amount for it? …..Viscount Glaint! I could easily make 250-300 pounds with that sale. I could buy myself either the Barbarian formula or its ingredients.
Thinking of all that, Casper smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid that offer doesn't match with my expectation."
"I see….. how about 120 pounds."
Casper once again shook his head. "I'm more interested in the Apothecary formula." He stated without further adieu.
Bishop Utravsky's body immediately straightened. "How… how did you know?!" He asked urgently.
Casper tilted his head and mockingly pushed the bottom of his eye up as if adjusting a monocle. "Does that really matter?
"I suppose it doesn't," he muttered, lowering his head in resignation.
Casper grinned. "Don't worry, I have no foul intention towards you. I only care about getting my money worth and that Apothecary formula is really appetizing."
Utravsky sighed. "You're asking price is a little high. A Sequence 9 potion would go 200 pounds, I'm only willing to offer 150. What about the remaining 50 pounds?"
"Yes that's a very good question…. You know what? I'll help you get rid of your past self."
Utravsky was taken aback, "What do you mean?"
"To defeat a past self one must need either a mid sequence Beyonder from the Spectator pathway or a corresponding Sealed Artifact.
"The method is for the Spectator or the Sealed Artifact to hypnotize you and "seperate" your evil, bloodthirsty personality.
"Then, someone — a Beyonder must kill them for the personality to be vanquished and so that you can rest easily."
Casper said quickly before continuing, "To get such a Beyonder you'll have to pay an exorbitant price but I'm willing to do it for free…. in exchange for the Apothecary formula of course."
Utravsky nodded. "I see. I'll accept this transaction," he said before quickly following up, "When do you think you'll be able to vanquish my evil personality."
To that question, Casper could only shamelessly rub his neck. "About that…. I'm only a Sequence 9 Beyonder and I don't have any abilities currently. But… when I advance to Sequence 7, I'll definitely help you.
"So please give me 2 months of time or you can wait for my friend… he'll arrive in a month I suppose and he is a Sequence 7."
Casper said, the friend he was mentioning was Klein of course.
"Why are you so sure you'll advance to Sequence 7 in 2 months. Most take years to advance." He stated matter of factly.
Casper smirked, a playful smile dancing upon his lips as he said, "Why? It's because I'm the protagonist of this era after all!"