Alaric glared at Tylor, his words still buzzing in Alaric's ears.
He closed his eyes for a long time. Should I do this? Is it worth it? But if I don't, the nightmares may return, and incidents like today's might happen again...
Alaric slowly opened his eyes and looked at Tylor. "I agree."
Tylor sighed and stretched out his hands. "A wise decision... so let me—"
Knock, knock.
Butler Kale swung open the door to Alaric's room and entered carrying a large tray.
He immediately looked at Tylor and spoke softly. "My apologies, sir. Hodig brand beer was unavailable, so I brought you Teal Charm instead."
Kale reached out and placed the tray in front of Tylor.
On one side of the tray sat a hot, sizzling, well-cooked steak with bones surrounding it; on the other side was a salad for Alaric.
After placing the tray, Kale hurriedly moved toward the door and, without a word, swung it shut behind him.
Tylor smiled softly and eyed Alaric. "Well, now I can explain things better."
Alaric looked suspiciously at Tylor. "It is time, I suppose, for you to tell me."
Tylor tilted his head and picked up a bone with his hands.
Slowly, the outline of the bone began to be covered in blackish-red particles.
Tylor looked at Alaric and spoke. "As a businessman, you know there are three basic types of trading: Intraday, BTST, and Delivery. If I'm not wrong, Conduit has three similar natures."
Alaric raised a brow, offering a silent compliment.
Tylor continued. "They are: Devil, Divine, and Specialist."
A question emerged in Alaric's mind, and he immediately asked, "The thing you just did... was that of a Devil nature , this meant you have are an Arcanist of Devil nature ?"
"Certainly. Specialist encompasses both Divine and Devil. For example, just as you have fixed capital before starting a business—a foundation—these natures are the foundation of a Conduit being."
Alaric hurriedly asked, "Then why doesn't everyone choose Specialist if they can have both? And how does a person find this out?"
Tylor gulped his beer. "A good question, but it works differently. You don't decide what nature you get; it depends on your Conduit type. The answer to your second question is: through another Arcanist."
Alaric nodded but remained silent, as if analyzing Tylor's meaning. "Please, continue."
Tylor said nothing as he took a bite of steak and chewed slowly. "And all natures share the same four basic uses, which are..."
Tylor picked up another bone; slowly, the bone grew larger and wider. "To make something from nothing, or to make something better. This is called Conjuration."
Alaric silently repeated the word, not interrupting Tylor at all.
Tylor then picked up a different piece of bone.
Gradually, particle by particle, the bone started disappearing, the process rapidly accelerating halfway through. "To unmake the world or your Conjuration. This is called Disintegration."
Suddenly, the beer that was in Tylor's left hand appeared in Alaric's hand.
Alaric's eyes widened, but Tylor only smiled.
"Moving yourself or the world around you. This is called Transportation."
Tylor observed Alaric for a second. "Do I need to tell you the fourth one?"
Alaric laughed weakly. "No... the fourth one is Modification, as you mentioned earlier."
Tylor opened his mouth to speak, but Alaric immediately pressed further.
"If Specialist is both Divine and Devil, then it is automatically superior. Also, what impact does a nature have on these four things you mentioned? And also—"
Tylor pinched Alaric's hand. "Ask one by one; I may answer."
Alaric immediately asked, "If Specialist is both Divine and Devil, it is automatically superior. Does it have a drawback or downside?"
"Of course there is. Haven't you heard, 'With great power comes great responsibility'? Well, it's not exactly like that, but the first downside is that it's incredibly rare. The second is that its consumption of Conduit is very fast."
"For example?"
Tylor sighed. "For example, if you use your Conduit perfectly while fighting someone, your Conduit will burn faster. It's not just about the amount; it's different. I'll explain it properly soon."
Alaric opened his mouth to ask another question when someone knocked at the door.
Kale opened the door and entered hurriedly.
He was sweating heavily, his eyes darting in all directions.
"Is everything alright?" Tylor asked, observing Kale.
Kale opened his mouth, but no voice came for a brief moment. "Si-sir... someone has called for you downstairs."
Alaric stood up, looking angry. "Who dares to call for me in my own house? What is his name? If it's another person wanting an investment, throw him out!"
Kale was now on the edge of tears. "Sir... it's Lord Volt, from the Nobility of Tor."
Caught off guard, Alaric immediately looked at Tylor.
Tylor was also not expecting this; his eyes grew wider. "Go down immediately," he ordered Alaric.
Alaric didn't move; he glanced at Tylor. "And if something goes wrong?"
"Then it's over."
Alaric walked out of the room and ran downstairs immediately.
Volt was sitting comfortably on a sofa, both legs stretched out.
As soon as Alaric saw Volt, he bowed deeply. "My Lord... accept my greetings."
Volt was wearing a strap, much like an eyepatch, covering one of his eyes.
Volt said nothing but stood up and glared at Alaric.
"I heard you were in the cathedral when something abnormal happened?"
Alaric's voice trembled, but he managed to steady it. "Yes, my Lord."
"So, do you remember the man's face?"
"N-no... my Lord. I was sitting far away from him."
Volt started walking around, inspecting the paintings in Alaric's house, when he sensed something from upstairs.
He asked, "Is someone upstairs besides your butler?"
Alaric's eyes grew wider. He nodded.
"Who is he?" Volt asked suspiciously.
"It is a gentleman who saved me during the incident at the cathedral."
Volt raised a brow. "What is his name?"
Alaric thought to himself, What do I tell him? I don't even know his last name. If I only give his first name, I'll be sentenced to death for disrespecting . Damn it.
Alaric opened his mouth to speak when a voice came from behind. "I am Tylor, of the Nobility of Vanevold."
Before Volt could speak or ask anything, Tylor continued, "I am also the heir of the Lord Regent."