Chapter 13: Drawing a Pie
Klein sat in the conference room at the end of the corridor, sipping Southwell Coffee at a leisurely pace while listening to Haynes Vancent explain the star-disk divination method in detail, whiling away the afternoon.
He planned to spend some time first watching how other "diviners" studied and practiced, so he could prepare for his future role as a Seer.
Not only could he play the Seer, he could also earn fees—what could be better! Klein's thoughts were lively, yet outwardly he remained quietly contemplative, maintaining a composed persona.
Suddenly, the creak of a door reached Klein's ears.
Just then, the conference-room door was slowly pushed open, instantly drawing the attention of the day-dreaming Klein.
He saw a well-dressed young man in a suit enter—but what truly caught Klein's eye was the newcomer's appearance.
Black curly hair, black eyes... I haven't seen such pure black hair and eyes since arriving in this world... Reminded of home by Ning Lu's features, Klein silently mused, exchanging a glance with Ning Lu as he stepped inside. He offered a polite smile and a slight nod.
At that moment, Klein heard a diviner beside him mutter quietly:
"Another newcomer today..."
A new member... he's joining the Divination Club today too? Klein frowned slightly but dismissed it as coincidence.
Ning Lu returned the nod, dispelling Klein's lingering caution, then basked in the bright sunlight while listening to Haynes's lecture.
[You show none of the vigilance befitting my heir!]
Heavenly Venerable's voice rang in Ning Lu's ears, full of disappointment.
[Compatriot, shall we eliminate him? He now controls Sefirah Castle—remove Klein Moretti and I can help you seize it...]
Sensing the undisguised malice toward Klein, Ning Lu rapped his knuckles on the table and ignored the suggestion.
—Heavenly Venerable clearly wanted to take control of Sefirah Castle.
Yet within the conference room, the rap of Ning Lu's knuckles still reached the diviners listening to the tutorial—and Haynes Vancent.
Haynes frowned slightly and looked up, trying to see who had made the noise.
Then he saw the face branded deep in his mind—the "Divine Envoy"? Divine Envoy?
For a moment Haynes wondered if he was hallucinating.
—Divine Envoy!
Haynes's face drained of color; he swayed, wanting to stand and salute Mr. L, then realized he was in his usual workplace, the Divination Club, and had to conceal his identity!
What should I do... Panic seized him, but when Ning Lu made no further move, Haynes took a deep breath, composed himself, and said to the diviners:
"Sorry, I'm not feeling well; I need a break."
His pallor convinced everyone, and though some were reluctant, they politely bade the renowned diviner farewell.
Haynes left the conference room and hurried toward the White Crystal Chamber, looking truly unwell.
Klein remained seated, watching the sudden commotion, and quietly finished his thrice-sweetened coffee.
"Not feeling well... but I sense Mr. Haynes is 'afraid'—what could scare him so badly?"
Klein's gaze lingered on the conference room; after a moment, a smile tugged at his lips as he rose to do what a Seer must do.
A Seer, of course, solves things by divination!
..."Huff, huff, huff..."
After politely deflecting his students' concerns, Haynes Vancent rushed into the White Crystal Chamber. Surrounded by the crystals' mysterious shimmer, he gradually calmed down.
"Lock the door."
Suddenly, Haynes heard a voice beside him; he looked and saw a figure seated in the shadows.
"Mr. L..." Haynes swallowed, obediently locked the door, and managed, "An honor to meet you."
Haynes was clever; though a member of the Aurora Order, this ordinary man not yet in the Beyonder world still held more than faith in the True Creator.
Ning Lu spoke coldly: "You know you've made a mistake."
A bead of sweat rolled down Haynes's forehead; after a moment he lowered his head and admitted, "You're right. Cyril and I shouldn't have sold that notebook—shouldn't have let the Heretics of the Night discover us..."
...I have no excuse."
"Recognizing that means you're not beyond redemption." Ning Lu rose from his chair and walked over.
"The Lord loves the world, so I'll give you a chance to make amends—I'll assign you a task. Succeed, and you'll atone for your mistake."
Ning Lu paused, then continued: "I'll give you an item. Use it to draw out the 'enemies' that notebook has brought us."
He planned to use his link to Sefirah Castle to bait Ince Zangwill.
Seeing Haynes's frightened look, Ning Lu smiled.
"Other compatriots will watch your back—and if you perform well—"
He began to draw a pie with practiced ease:
"I will grant you the power of the Beyonder world you've always longed for."