All Andrew felt was paranoia. Why was here, and who had sent him?
His father? Was he really willing to send his son to the slaughter?
He had also met him at the market inside the shop called Guns & Roses; maybe he was tailing him...
Andrew didn't pull out his gun right away, perhaps because part of him still believed the boy wasn't like him, not a Beyonder. In that case, Andrew could have used much more than just his firearm to take him down. Moreover, if the boy was truly innocent, he would have escaped without giving up any information.
This is not to say that Andrew seemed uninterested in his words; in fact, Michael himself had not seen the boy so aggressive.
Fierce gaze and tense muscles ready to spring forward.
Precisely for this reason, Michael raised his hands, including his bag, in the air, his eyes slightly open. His nervousness seemed to have reached its limit.
"...What do you want?"
Andrew's voice was hoarse and tense. Denying it was no longer helpful; after all, if the boy had dared to utter such words, he must have been quite sure of the subject.
Michael's hands lowered slightly, perhaps in response to the first phrase of the conversation, his mind automatically relaxing as he saw a possible dialogue.
With slightly trembling lips, the boy took a breath before speaking.
"W-Well," cough, "I have a slight -er- favor to ask of you. I swear I won't a-ask you anything else!"
In response, Andrew looked at him even more intensely, which made Michael take a step back.
You want my help? You have a Sequence 6 as a father; ask for his help!
Before going home, he had done a brief divination to check if it was safe. Yes, a new paranoia, and he had received a positive answer.
So, either the blond boy had anti-divination properties, which could not be ruled out, or he was really safe.
Andrew weighed the pros and cons before relaxing slightly, but not completely.
The main problem wasn't just his father, but also the fact that they knew each other at university. If Michael started to behave strangely around him, questions would arise, and even if Andrew decided to... eliminate him, who knew if the boy had told anyone about his destination?
Wait, how does he know where I live?!
He immediately returned to his defensive posture. Michael, who as an outside observer had seen the boy change his attitude at least twice, could only be confused.
"Can I... can I come in and talk about it?"
Oh right, neighbors were a thing.
Shit, Andrew thought, frustrated by another obstacle standing between him and murder.
The Reader Beyonder moved slightly, allowing a narrow passage to form.
Michael wasted no time and entered rather hastily before the boy changed his mind again, still being careful of both the bag and Andrew.
As soon as he entered, Michael quickly scanned the area, carefully examining the various cluttered books and papers. He then gave Andrew a quick, surprised glance before looking away.
Perhaps he expected something else from a gentleman like him.
Andrew approached the table, inviting the boy to sit down. As Michael leaned into the chair, Andrew's face moved closer, startling him.
"W-What?"
Andrew hadn't sat down yet, but instead, still standing, he had placed his palms on the table, leaning toward Michael. It looked like a scene from an interrogation.
It was obviously to establish his dominance over the dialogue, and also standing would allow him to draw any weapon more quickly.
"How do you know where I live?"
"I... may have asked the university secretary. I-I told them I had to give you a document from the professors... nothing special, really!"
But why are they giving out my information to you?! Just because he's the son of the head of security?
Confirming his fears, Andrew sighed somewhat disappointedly before continuing.
"How did you know I was a Beyonder?"
"I wasn't entirely sure."
"...Excuse me, what do you mean?"
Okay, now Andrew was convinced. Michael Lionheart was an idiot.
Michael gave a cracked laugh, which died down quickly enough under Andrew's gaze.
"Well, you seemed interested in the ghost story, and I saw you at that market, sooooo," the boy didn't even finish the sentence, perhaps out of embarrassment.
To say that Andrew was amazed was an understatement.
You see, Andrew reflected on the common sense of the mystical world and how the Beyonders act among themselves. People with an underlying agenda, with great attention to detail, and of course, to their own lives.
They usually only act when they are sure of their data and information.
Andrew, in fact, fully believed that there had not been more attacks by the mechanical puppets because the enemy, confused by their strength, decided to retreat momentarily.
For this very reason he hadn't considered the possibility that Michael had gone to meet a Beyonder without knowing for sure.
Melissa Moretti had repeatedly criticized Andrew's actions, as he had ventured into the school in search of ghosts. But at least he was a Beyonder first and second, he came armed.
For The Fool I could have denied everything and moved on...
"What do you want?"
Moving away from the table, Andrew said with annoyance. He looked just like old Charles!
Michael licked his lips, weighing his words, and set the bag completely on the table. Moving his hands slowly, he found the knot, undoing it with equal slowness.
Before Andrew's eyes, the contents of the bag were revealed, and the contents were enough to raise the Beyonder's eyebrow.
A blood-red eye, a gray horn with a red tip, two test tubes with liquid inside, a damn heart, and a piece of metal.
They were all ingredients that seemed to have nothing in common, except for one thing.
I repeat, they were INGREDIENTS.
A silence no longer awkward but tense surrounded the two, who were unsure of what to say.
And just as Michael seemed to find the courage to speak, Andrew interrupted him bluntly.
"Are you crazy?"
"...Pardon?"
Another silence.
Breathing in, Andrew closed his eyes as he felt a headache coming on.
"You want to make a potion and become a Beyonder in my house... do you know what you're asking of me?"
It wasn't just about becoming a Beyonder, but the risks involved in the transformation. The risk of becoming a monster.
And he wanted to do it inside his house?
Michael bowed his head, almost in shame, as he continued to examine the ingredients. It seemed as if he, too, was aware of the strangeness, the absurdity he was asking of Andrew.
He bit his lower lip, hard enough to cut it and draw a drop of blood.
But Andrew didn't stop him; he had no reason to.
Just as he had no reason to help him.
As if in those few seconds the boy had acquired a new courage, he looked up defiantly at Andrew before speaking.
"...I don't know any other Beyonder who can help me. I don't know what I should do. But I could pay you for your knowledge."
Money, that's a good reason to help him.
Andrew looked at the boy for a second before speaking.
"How much money do you have?"
Michael didn't flinch, but his words came out more slowly.
"Not much. I used most of it for all of this."
It certainly wasn't in the boy's favor, but he did have something equally interesting, something that would earn dear Andrew a few pounds.
Tic, tic
Andrew drummed his fingers on the table as he let the tension build.
The rhythm of the noise echoed throughout the room, reminiscent of the ticking of a clock. This ticking continued for at least ten seconds before Andrew decided to speak.
"...I want the formulas you have in your possession. I also want a favor, which you must repay. I will not accept compromises."
Michael nodded immediately, clearly accepting the terms. They were heavy, but it was minimal for what he was asking of Andrew.
Taking the paper and ink already on the table with Andrew's permission, his hands quickly wrote a formula before handing it to the boy.
Sequence 9: Warrior
Main Ingredients:
A Mutant Black Bear's eyes.A Bloodthirsty Rhinoceros's horn.
Supplementary Ingredients:
100 milliliters of Mutated Black Bear 's blood.The Heart of a Bloodthirsty Rhinoceros.10 drops of Sweet Basil Essential Oil.1 piece of Onyx.
Afterward, the previously confident hand paused for a moment, almost uncertain. Yet the same amount of time it took for this doubt to appear was the same amount of time it took for it to disappear.
Just as quickly, Michael's hand wrote another formula to be offered as payment.
Sequence 9: Arbiter
Main Ingredients:
The facial skin of a White-maned Hunter.3 tail feathers of an Imperial Crown Falcon.
Supplementary Ingredients:
100 ml of blood from a White-maned Hunter.1 claw of an Imperial Crown Falcon.1 Green Olive.1 gram of Gold.
Andrew took the two formulas and examined them carefully. It was obvious that the boy had purchased the ingredients to become a Warrior. And considering his father, perhaps the boy had stolen the second formula from him.
Stealing, yes, because Andrew doubted the boy would come to him if his father knew or approved, at the very least.
In any case, Andrew took out his clock to check the authenticity of the two formulas, thus obtaining a positive result.
Michael remained silent while observing the whole process, and only after Andrew put away the clock did he allow himself to speak.
"Um, what did you do?"
"A divination."
"They're real?!"
Ignoring the boy's shrill voice, which seemed to have serious gaps in such matters, Andrew moved into the kitchen, opening various drawers.
"Do you like chamomile tea?"
Stunned, Michael didn't immediately reply, but soon afterward, he muttered a faint "It's okay."
Without giving any kind of answer or explanation, Andrew began handling utensils in the kitchen.
After boiling some water, Andrew added the appropriate leaves, causing the entire cup to change color. A few minutes were fully sufficient, and he slowly brought, without spilling a drop, the cup to Michael, who silently accepted it.
Remaining still to observe the contents of the cup, the blond gave the Beyonder a faint, comforting smile.
"Thank you, you're very kind."
Having said these words, Michael began to sip the drink he had prepared while Andrew could only groan mentally.
What kindness... if you stay so tense even afterward, you'll surely lose control!
Smacking his lips in annoyance, Andrew decided to focus on other fundamental aspects.
"What is your faith?"
Michael, hearing the question, put his cup on the table before answering.
"My family has always believed in the Evernight Goddess!" the boy exclaimed proudly.
It makes sense, Andrew thought.
After the War, faith in the God of Steam and Machinery not only began to weaken but was also viewed negatively by those who had suffered during the conflict. This made the Evernight Goddess and the Lord of Storms the primary religions of the Kingdom.
...The problem is that many of His followers are in social -er- difficulties.
Mainly because of their traditionalist ideas about women.
In the past, Chancellor Portland Moment had thought that debates would be a useful and interesting activity for students. It could help develop debate, dialogue, and much more skills.
The main problem arose when students instinctively shifted the topic to religious themes...
"In that case, I advise you to pay close attention to the Nightawks, the official Beyonder team of the Church of the Evernight Goddess. You might even join them if you play your cards right."
Hearing his words, Michael tensed up like a board. He seemed very doubtful about the possibility.
Perhaps, after all, he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.
"Why didn't you choose Arbiter?"
"Unfortunately, I couldn't find any of the main ingredients," he replied, embarrassed.
Maybe it was better this way, Andrew reasoned. Since it was a Pathway primarily controlled by MI9 and nobles, finding formulas and ingredients would be much more difficult.
Andrew looked at him one more time until he realized the time had come. He still had to clarify a few points.
"The moment you drink the potion there's no turning back. You will remain a Beyonder forever. And you will face dangers forever. Are you sure?"
Hearing the words, Michael regained his previously present courage, nodding solemnly and confidently.
Andrew didn't say anything else; perhaps he had found some respect for the boy's conviction.
Clarifying this last point, the Beyonder held out a bowl containing liquid. Earlier, while preparing the boy's drink, he had poured 100 ml of pure water into the bowl.
Alas, Andrew possessed no more elegant tools for making a potion that required materials so large.
He took the two test tubes first and opened one.
"You see, these are the supplementary ingredients. They aren't essential to the potions themselves, but they are essential for us to survive the negative effects."
That said, he began to pour in those drops of Sweet Basil Essential Oil, and after a brief moment of dispersion, the liquid began to change, becoming a little more yellowish. However, it still wasn't uniform; as the saying goes, water and oil don't mix perfectly.
Once done, he took the last red test tube, which, when opened, released a smell of iron and metal. The smell of blood was quite pungent and stronger than that of normal human beings.
Andrew himself, who had already had to deal with blood, more from others than his own, could not help but be annoyed by it, let alone Michael!
Added to the bowl, it seemed to help the yellow color spread, but now it had taken on a reddish hue. From this perspective, it looked like pus.
Michael observed the incomplete potion and swallowed some saliva.
"It will be better in the end, right?"
"Or worse," the Beyonder replied absently.
Ignoring the boy's loud "What?", Andrew reached for the heart first, feeling its weight. Having never seen one in person, Andrew felt a certain disgust but also a morbid curiosity. Perhaps "academic thirst" was the more accurate term.
Surely in other conditions he would have "played" with it, feeling its gelatinous consistency and shaping it.
He carefully began to immerse the heart in the liquid. He didn't want to get his hands dirty or let a drop spill out of the container.
As the heart came into contact with the liquid, it began to lose its consistency, reaching a level of fragility that caused it to break into smaller pieces even with the slightest force. The reddish color increased further, and the potion was now beginning to resemble a bloodier version of meat stew.
Finally, he picked up the piece of onyx. Andrew was still careful but with a certain haste. He was well aware that many minerals, or rather metals, such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, reacted violently with oxygen and air. And while the onyx didn't look like one of those, it would probably react differently with a potion.
Indeed, once it came into contact, the liquid began to move violently. Numerous bubbles formed on the surface, while a light vapor began to rise.
The violent reaction had not only destroyed the remaining pieces of meat, or rather heart, but had also increased the solubility of the three liquids, which had now acquired a predominantly red color, with some yellow reflections still present.
Having finished this preparation, Andrew looked at Michael very seriously.
"Now we need to move on to the main ingredients. Once you've added them, you won't have much time to think. Once you've created the potion, it's best to consume it immediately. Do you understand?"
"Fully."
Having received confirmation for the umpteenth time, Andrew took the eye first, and after inserting it, he took the horn and inserted it very quickly.
Now that both main ingredients were present, they too began to naturally disintegrate in the liquid, as if the perfect solvent had been created for them beforehand.
But Andrew's keen eye noticed one thing: a small coincidence that perhaps had a greater meaning.
By the time the two ingredients began to disintegrate, they had started to get slightly closer, but nothing significant, really. However, considering they contained the supposed Warrior Beyonder characteristic, Andrew couldn't help but ponder.
Is this an application of the Law of Beyonder Characteristics Convergence?
Once completed, the liquid was completely different from its initial state, no longer a drop of pure water or oil, but instead just red. The potion was now blood-red in color and gave off a strong smell of... fish?
Andrew blinked as he found the new smell curious. The potions he drank didn't have such distinctive odors.
Looking up, he found Michael looking quite disgusted. He wasn't sure if it was because of the color or the smell-maybe both.
Drawing the Clock of Fate once more, Andrew repeated the phrase, "This is the potion for Sequence 9 Warrior," seven times, and finally, the answer was a resounding "Yes."
Having thus completed his part, the Beyonder handed the finished potion to the future Beyonder, who took the bowl in his own hands.
"Remember, don't give in to panic or other emotions."
With this last warning, it was now up to Michael alone.
To say he wasn't hesitant would be a lie. Contrary to his determined words, the mere fact that he hadn't raised the bowl to his lips betrayed a sense of insecurity or fear in the act he was about to perform.
However, it would be a lie to say that those words were truly empty. This was because the boy was genuinely determined.
In fact, after having chased away all doubts and uncertainties, Michael, now a pillar of conviction and determination, began tasting the potion.
Gulp, gulp!
Michael tilted his head back as he raised the bowl slightly, drinking every single drop.
Andrew thought he resembled a traveler who, after many miles in the desert, had found a canteen of water on the ground. That sense of desperation and longing seemed to be the same as what emanated from the boy.
Finally, after a few seconds, Michael forcefully placed the bowl on the table, while simultaneously swallowing the remaining liquid in his swollen cheeks.
The effect was instantaneous.
Michael shot up from his chair as various changes became ever closer.
His dark blue eyes were losing their clarity, replaced by a red hue. Furthermore, the boy's muscles seemed to be swelling to the point of causing tears in his simple white shirt.
By this point, Andrew would have already exposed his gun; the only reason he was still in doubt was due to the boy's feelings. If Michael saw a gun pointed at him, wouldn't he feel more anxious? Wouldn't he be more likely to lose control?
Michael began clutching his head in pain as what looked like wrinkles began to form on his forehead. But there was one significant difference: they were vertical!
The central wrinkle in particular looked much thicker and deeper into the skin than all the others put together.
Ping!
A single drop of blood leaked from the wrinkle as it slowly slid from Michael's forehead to his nose. Using it as a springboard, the drop fell to the floor, staining it.
Things seemed to worsen when Andrew noticed that the same wrinkle appeared to open up, but everything changed when the whole process stopped.
The small crack that had formed was soon closed, and the wrinkle disappeared completely. But that didn't mean the boy was out of danger. In fact, the other wrinkles were still there, his eyes still had a red glow, and his muscles hadn't returned to their former state.
Ignoring all of this, Andrew spoke in a calm, relaxed voice, aiming to reflexively stimulate the same emotions in the mutant.
"Very good. Now think of something in your mind. An object that you know very well and that you can easily reconstruct. Think of every edge, corner, and fold!"
Concluding with a hint of emotion, Andrew moved on to observe Michael's work, which he soon began to focus on. After half a minute, the situation was considered resolved, with few complications present.
The now wrinkle-free boy had regained his natural eye color while gaining some muscle mass.
Looking at the boy who was clearly tired from the effort, Andrew could only compliment him and himself.
Without me, he'd be lost, eh!
Ignoring his baseless pride, the now-not-only Beyonder of the room approached the new Beyonder and held out his hand.
Michael offered a small smile as he accepted the help.
Practically dragging the Warrior, Andrew carried him to the chair he had previously abandoned. Under close observation, the results were clear.
"Congratulations, Warrior."
His voice was surprisingly happy, with a hint of mischief. Was this perhaps how parents felt watching their child overcome a challenge?
He didn't know it, and perhaps he never would. However, if he had truly become a professor...
Previously, the profession had seemed tempting only because of the money for materials and ingredients as a Beyonder, but after this incident, he now felt a little more driven.
Cough
Coughing quickly, Andrew pushed these thoughts away as he entered Cogitation.
Speaking of Cogitation... he might have some difficulty as a non-mystical-oriented Beyonder, but still...
"I have to tell you something: a meditation technique that allows you to enter a trance state-"
Michael, already exhausted and tired, could not even respond to the compliment since he was subjected to a lengthy and tiring explanation.
"-is everything clear?"
"Y-Yes, imagining something that doesn't exist, crystal clear."
Goddess, are these the stars?, Michael thought, very confused.
"Did you get any information?" Andrew asked, clearly intent on using the boy's confusion to gain knowledge.
Michael paused for a moment, as if he'd guessed what Andrew was referring to. After muttering to himself for a while, he blurted out a few incoherent sentences.
"Stronger-er weapons?"
Putting aside the boy's pathetic response, it was clear that he had only acquired physical enhancements, nothing too mystical or requiring spirituality.
He can't even use Spirit Vision most likely
While Michael could probably beat him in any form of physical competition, it was ultimately clear that Andrew could gain some semblance of an advantage thanks to his mystical knowledge and skill in ritualistic magic.
The two Beyonders remained silent for a while longer. Michael clearly needed rest, and Andrew needed to make sure the warrior didn't suddenly lose control.
After a few moments, Michael began speaking again with a smile on his face.
"I really thank you for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you... Do you think you'd be willing to teach me a few more things? Like rituals or something!"
The warrior made a sudden proposal that took Andrew by surprise. More lessons? With him?!
Andrew seemed to think for a while before answering.
"As long as I get formulas."
"Eh-eh! So you have a sense of humor!"
Who's kidding?, Andrew thought, annoyed.
Michael rose from his chair and, with a shrug, began to collect the now-empty test tubes and the bag. After that, looking out the window, he began to head toward the door, with Andrew following a few steps behind.
"I have to go; thanks again for everything."
The open door let in a pleasant breeze. The sun had just set, and now the crimson moon was revealing her full body.
Letting him go, he watched as the boy, limping a little, made his way until he disappeared.
He wondered whether Michael would tell his father about his choice or not. And above all, whether he would mention Andrew himself!
Finally, he closed the door, intent on cleaning up the blood that had fallen on the floor and a few other things. He sighed heavily before continuing; the next day would have many things ahead of him.
--------------------------
Ah, the Backlund Bridge, what a strange road.
As an area adjacent to East Borough, it was also destined to be riddled with poverty, which was like a contagious disease and spread rapidly until it reached areas like Empress Borough.
One move, just one, could condemn the lives of a noble family to become, in a strange twist of fate, like those of the homeless. And these no-longer-men were forced to circulate in the center of everything, East Borough, in search of inexpensive housing, job opportunities that barely paid a few pence a week, and much, much worse.
Yet it had a certain something, perhaps because the road passed over the Tussock River, which divided the city in half.
Returning to the topic, inside the same bar that Andrew Locke had used as a meeting point to recruit Luke Ross and find the much-desired Detective formula, there was a familiar face.
Sitting on the stools near the counter, a man with greasy dark hair was nervously scratching his hands, as if his entire body were infested with ants. This man inside the Bravehearts Bar was the same rat that had followed Andrew the day before!
His name was Joshua, a poor homeless man from these parts. He was once a young man full of hope who left his village to seek wealth and fame in the land of Backlund. And he succeeded! He had a good job, a good home, and even an official fiancé!
Then something happened, he wasn't even sure what, maybe it was the War, maybe the death of their ruler, or something else, but in any case, he lost everything.
Everything he'd fought for had vanished, as if it had never existed. And now he found himself working for a young boy...
As he continued to squirm in his seat, the man's nervousness grew with each passing second. If he didn't come, then it would be the end for him.
Luckily for the poor man, the door opened, and he didn't have to turn around to find out who it was.
The humid morning breeze entered the bar as a man entered without much ceremony.
The footsteps were heavy, not because of their size but rather because someone wanted the sound to reverberate throughout the bar. This powerful sound stopped near Joshua, who felt as if he were being watched from above.
As he turned around, he noticed a man dressed in formal black clothes with matching black hair and eyes. He had wrinkles near his nose that made him look a bit old, but in reality, he was probably in his thirties.
The man took a handkerchief from his pocket and began wiping the stool. After wiping it thoroughly, he carefully sat down.
"What do you want?" he said without even turning to look at the homeless man.
Joshua nearly choked at the man's disinterested and annoyed tone. Still scratching his hands, Joshua tried to defuse the situation by chuckling, which earned him a look of disgust from the man in black.
Stopping the laugh, Joshua began, "Y-You see, m-my Lord, I have to a-ask you something."
Hearing the tramp's words, the elegant man raised his eyebrows and picked up his handkerchief again, but this time began to pass it across the counter. And ignoring the annoyed look of the bartender who was washing some mugs, the man began to place his hands on the counter. Slowly, almost theatrically.
Finally, he turned fully toward Joshua with the intent of making their eyes meet.
"Look, I didn't hire you to ask questions. I don't think you understood your job; you were supposed to follow the boy and understand his routine. That was until October 3rd. All this for 5£. Have you ever seen 5£ in your life?"
"I have been so magnanimous as to give you the opportunity to send me letters with your bad handwriting to my safe address so that you could inform me of some particulars."
With that, the man's fingers began to curl into fists as a menacing aura began to emanate, all for our Joshua alone.
"And in the end, what did you do? You wrote me three letters, three, desperate for a meeting. A meeting to be held on September 31st, just two days after you were hired. Not only that, but in a bar like this, shortly after sunrise."
Yes, it was so early that the ring for the fights inside the bar was empty, and the same was true for the ring where bets on rat hunting happened.
The same thing extended to the rest of the bar, which only had three people: Joshua, the elegant man, and the bartender.
Now moving his head closer to Joshua, the man lowered his voice, perhaps trying to intimidate him.
"All this will take something away from you, my dear. Yes, why don't we make it 3£ from now on?"
Perhaps it was fear or the man's logic, but Joshua instinctively agreed with the man. In the end, it certainly helped that for someone like him, 3£ was still a lot. Could it be that the man was so rich he didn't realize it?
In the end, Joshua, still indignant at the various poorly veiled insults, said nothing, noting the man's aggressive air but also driven by the fact that his task would soon be over.
"I understand what you mean, sir, and I fully agree with your assessment. But please, at least listen to me on this. After all, you were kind enough to come and meet me."
This time, Joshua naturally used a more elevated way to speak, wanting to prove he wasn't a trump like the others. He had been a businessman! Someone who could call himself the equal of the man before him! Perhaps a part of him that still believed in that fever dream refused to see himself as anything else.
The man raised his eyebrow, intrigued by the new vocabulary, only to let out a light laugh.
"Come on, my ' friend, ' you wanted to tell me something very important, no? So tell me."
Hearing the words, Joshua froze in place, something that the man didn't miss. There was a reason Joshua was reacting this way. He had nothing to say!
Of course, the man who continued to observe him with his dark eyes didn't know this. As time passed, Joshua found himself wanting to get down on his knees and confess everything.
But at a certain point, something changed.
The man's hard, annoyed face changed dramatically. His eyes showed a moment of confusion and wonder as his interest seemed to shift from Joshua to someone else.
However, just as he was about to look around, a loud noise sounded right in front of them.
Boom!
The bartender's hand fell like a meteorite, leaving only a deafening silence. His other hand held a glass mug containing beer, perhaps malt beer. In any case, he set the mug down, delicately this time, next to the elegant man.
The man in black looked at the mug for only a second before looking back at the bartender.
"I didn't order anything."
"You idiot, you think you can talk shit about my place without getting something? Drink or go out," the man snapped his fingers and began to walk away toward the back.
It made sense; his voice was loud, and he was annoyed, so in the end, it was clear that he didn't want to deal with this rich guy.
But said rich guy noticed something strange. Something in the man's tone that was unnatural. A certain haste...
Realizing its meaning belatedly, both Joshua and he heard a second "Boom!" but this time beside them. There, a man -no- a boy-wearing a coat and tie had appeared out of nowhere.
His hand was resting on the counter, but it was rising slightly. Not before saying a single word in another language, which Joshua didn't understand.
"Sleep"
The slightly raised hand revealed a charm! One silver in color, with the center painted red.
The elegant man, hearing the words, leaped up from his stool and kicked the counter in the air again! He wanted to dive for the exit!
Unfortunately for him, it was too late. While he was still in the air, a short distance away, a black aura spread from the charm, affecting everyone present.
Joshua remained asleep in his seat as the man in black fell to the ground from a considerable height. Fortunately, nothing fatal happened.
Despite this, in his last moments of consciousness, he managed to see a face. That of a young man with a slightly long nose and glasses framing his blue eyes.
It was Andrew Locke!
--------------------------
Looking at the man tied to the chair Andrew could not help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
With permission, he used an empty room in the building as an interrogation room. It was truly perfect, completely empty and with only one window.
The man tied at the feet and hands was still asleep while the tramp was woken up by Andrew.
The man was now enjoying a nice glass of water offered by the student. He was still clearly shaken by the sudden events, and with trembling lips said, "C-Can I go?"
Andrew turned with a slight smile and, reaching into his pants, pulled out a small pouch. This was Joshua's "wallet"! He must have sold the real one a while ago...
It contained only a few pennies, but those pennies meant the difference between life and death for people like him, so Andrew had taken it from him the day before as insurance.
Handing the bag to the man who practically had tears in his eyes, Andrew murmured an elegant, "It was a pleasure working with you."
Opening the bag to check the contents, the homeless man found his eyes widening.
5£!
Looking towards the Beyonder, he noticed that the boy was looking at him with some interest and confusion.
"Why the shock? This gentleman promised you 5£, didn't he? You did your part; you fully deserve it."
And it's not my money, he concluded happily.
Checking the man in black's wallet, he found a nice stash of money. He decided to give the rat 5£ out of politeness and gratitude, and he decided to take £ 10 for himself -enough so that the change in weight wasn't noticeable.
He was really rich after all. Andrew wondered if he could kill him and take his money; the man deserved it, after all. But he decided against it.
Joshua nodded, his face bordering on ecstasy, before opening the door to leave. However, he paused with one foot outside. His eyes continued to flicker between Andrew and his former employer.
In an almost timid voice, he asked a question that worried him enormously.
"Do-Do you want to kill him?"
Evidently, that part of himself that continued to cling to his identity as a human being still refused to be part of a murder.
Understanding his hesitation, Andrew didn't even turn around, finding the matter extremely easy to resolve.
"Kill? I fear you are underestimating the difficulty of covering up a murder."
Especially for someone of this man's rank.
Nodding, dear Joshua practically ran out of the room, intimidated by the boy's casual sentence.
Ignoring the noise, Andrew continued fiddling with another charm in his hand. It was still silver, but it was shaped like a semicircle, with numerous inscriptions on both sides, written in Hermes. There were also small drawings, or rather symbols.
Smiling, the boy squeezed the charm in his hand and began to inject his spirituality.
He would have his answers soon.
"Dream"
A few minutes later
The first thing the man felt wasn't his soft, cool cotton blankets. Not even his wife's warm embrace.
But rather a good slap that would certainly have left its mark for many minutes.
Snapping his eyes open, his vision was blurry for a few seconds before he focused on the only person in the room.
Recognizing the person, the man in black tried to give the same aggressive impression as before, but he wasn't entirely successful. This was mainly due to the pain of the fall.
"You don't know who you're making an enemy of."
Andrew smiled wryly before answering.
"How dare you think I want to make you my enemy?"
He had a doubt when he saw the man, but he'd confirmed it with the dream. He was the Beyonder who tried to scam him at the abandoned hospital!
After a second, the man smiled slightly, maintaining the same confident air.
"What an honor to be remembered by you."
"How could I forget you, Thomas Taylor? "
Ah, finally, finally the man's confident demeanor broke. Even in that hospital, the man had been slightly surprised at best, but never so shocked as to lose his arrogant demeanor.
"I don't know who you're talking about."
Smart, going on the defensive. Surely better than letting emotions get the better of him. Unfortunately for him, Andrew still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
"Oh yeah? I think I was wrong. My apologies, Mr. Swindler."
"What-!"
Ouch, Andrew thought with satisfaction. He reacted.
In those few minutes in the dream, Andrew had gleaned a lot of information about the man in front of him.
Thomas Taylor was a very rich man but not noble. He aspired to be, though. And that required money. Lots and lots of money to buy the title.
Which is why he took the Beyonder path, making him a Sequence 8 Swindler of the Maraunder Pathway.
He owned a small bank in Hillston Borough, from which his main income arrived.
From a private life point of view, Thomas was married, but Andrew would not have touched that issue.
Having regained his composure, Thomas laughed for a moment before smirking.
"Heh, I underestimated you. You're certainly an intelligent Beyonder, but I wonder if you've thought carefully about your actions. Now that you've kidnapped me, what do you intend to do? There's not much choice.
I can promise you I won't bother you anymore, and I won't tell the police about this either if you let me go."
"Really?" Andrew asked with a smile on his face.
At that moment, as if seeking comfort and security, his hand reached for his neck and touched the necklace beneath his clothes for a moment. Afterward, he returned to a relaxed position.
The seemingly random movement was noticed by Thomas, who seemed to become even more confident.
"You know, I don't think I can do this. I really think you need to do more to convince me."
Returning to the subject, Andrew continued to be adamant, ignoring all those charming words. After all, he had already decided that he wouldn't compromise with him even before the conversation began. This meant Thomas couldn't convince him with words alone, no matter how gifted he was with eloquence thanks to his Pathway.
"Are you sure? If you know my name, it means you know who I am, and you didn't even cover your face, not that it would have helped," his smile grew a little. "I can easily destroy you if you don't leave me out now. Both socially and physically."
"I didn't cover my face because there's no need."
"Eh."
Swift!
Thomas's arm shot out toward Andrew. He freed his hands!
However, it wasn't very useful because Andrew immediately created a thread from the ceiling that looped around his arm. The arm was thus stuck in mid-air like a puppet.
This actually seemed to help the Swindler, who, using the strong thread, made a nice, quick swing with his legs! The boy decided not to escape from the hit, and so Thomas's feet together hit Andrew's chin.
By falling backward, Andrew gave Thomas time to regain his upright position after his spin, but he didn't use the time to free his feet. He used it to dishearten his opponent!
Thomas moved his free hand, twisting his wrist. Suddenly, a necklace with a black rope and a dark effigy appeared in his hand. It was the Demoness Insignia that Andrew always carried with him.
Having witnessed the boy's powers, the Swindler began injecting Spirituality to surround his opponent in a silken cocoon. However, at that moment, Thomas let out a cry of pain before releasing the weapon.
At that moment, he felt like he was burning! As if his entire body were on fire...
Thomas's senses were on overdrive. The smell of burning flesh, the sensation of feeling his own flesh falling off piece by piece. For a moment, he saw his skin turning coal black and wrinkled.
Maybe it was the effect of suggestion, but it was enough to distract him.
In that moment of pain, Andrew, still free, attacked the man on the head.
The blow was strong and painful, but not because of the boy's strength. But because of what he had hit him with: his gun!
Thomas's eyes widened as he saw the gun.
In the dream, Andrew had asked Thomas about the powers of his Sequence and had received interesting answers.
One of the hardest to ignore was the man's ability to perceive mystical items within ten meters! That's what had aroused his suspicions at the counter, because of the tools that Andrew was carrying.
Precisely for this reason, before waking the man, he had gotten rid of everything except the necklace, to prevent him from stealing anything else. That movement of the hand around the neck hadn't been accidental, but rather a way to increase the chance of theft by revealing to the man the location of the necklace.
He knew he couldn't handle the negative side effects, and Andrew would use the moment to pull out the real weapon, his very ordinary gun that he couldn't sense.
Still gripped by the grief of the conclusion, Thomas was unable to do anything. Meanwhile, Andrew took the necklace back and continued the Swindler's plan.
Thomas found himself surrounded by many threads forming a cocoon, held in place by a single string from the roof. If he'd been able to move when the thread was forming, he would have been able to break them, but now? No.
Inside, Thomas could only ask himself one thing: how could the boy endure all that pain? Maybe, just maybe, he was stronger than him? Had he misjudged him?
Andrew had used a good deal of Spirituality to make the threads so resilient, and now he was clearly tired. But he couldn't show it.
Walking in front of Thomas's still-painful face, he pointed the gun at his forehead.
Feeling the cold edge, the Beyonder seemed to recover from the crisis.
"Wait-"
"A real shame, really."
His finger lightly pressed the trigger.
"Okay, okay!! I'll do what you ask!"
Andrew kept his smile on his face, and only after a few seconds did he put the gun away.
Perhaps more than the weapon, what caused fear in the man was the boy's unchanging expression, which did not show even an inch of pain.
This was also part of the plan; Andrew had originally decided not to wear anything on his face, specifically to intimidate the man. His actions and speech had shown a certain arrogance, which meant he would only listen if he was frightened by something.
After meeting Mr. Fortune, Ms. Justice, and Mr. Star, Andrew realized one thing. That was, high-sequence Beyonders had a relaxed demeanor, especially around someone like him.
This is because they possess powers that weaklings like him can't even imagine, which allow them to tackle problems with great ease. Or at least that was his reasoning.
So he decided to adopt the same attitude with Thomas. If he didn't show a drop of sweat and revealed that he had a trick up his sleeve, wouldn't he have shown he'd always had him in his hands, even if he hadn't?
"Let's start with the simple things. This is exactly why you persecuted me, right?"
Together with the question, the necklace was back around Andrew's neck, but now clearly visible to the thief.
The man looked doubtful for a moment, but after seeing Andrew move the gun slightly, he decided to spill the beans.
"...Yes, I noticed, thanks to one of my abilities, that you had many spiritual objects on you, one of which was very precious."
The man paused for a moment. He was clearly bitter; he didn't want to die, but he also didn't want to lower his head to a child! However, this is the world of the Beyonders; only the very best matters, not the age. So Thomas was forced to bite the dust and continue.
"I do this with other Beyonders too. If I find their items interesting, I look them up and have someone track them, and once I've figured out their routine-"
"You steal their stuff and resell it at another meeting point, right?"
At being interrupted, Thomas showed a moment of indignation, but it quickly disappeared. He was still at Andrew's mercy, after all.
Playing with the pistol's drum, Andrew decided to test the man's sincerity.
"How do you find your victims after the first meeting?"
Andrew had already figured out the method, but he wanted to see if the man was desperate enough to show sincerity.
"I... sigh, my ability can tell me how valuable it is, but it doesn't give me any other details. However, a derivative of this ability is the ability to analyze body language. To a lesser extent than a Spectator, obviously."
The man didn't seem to care about the possibility that the Reader Beyonder didn't know about the Spectators and continued talking.
"See? By following my spirit intuition, I can be guided to find my victims, as you call them, and by analyzing the value of the tools they have on them and comparing their body language, I can confirm."
"I guess you don't always find your victims, though."
Spirit intuition couldn't always help him, right? That would have been too amazing.
Thomas simply nodded; it seemed that the longer the interrogation went on, the more his proud nature rose to the surface.
Noticing this, Andrew decided it was time to wrap things up.
"I see I'm looking for something, and you definitely have great knowledge, so all you have to do is bring me into your circle, and I'll let you go."
Hearing the final part, the man was strengthened to... share his sad news.
"You see, I used my abilities to... take advantage of some noble's weaknesses, nothing too illegal though. If I dared to go to a circle of nobles with Beyonder powers, I'd risk getting caught and revealing my status as a wild Beyonder. And they'd be so angry they'd turn MI9 against me, so I don't have one. Sorry, ah!"
What's wrong with him? Andrew thought in surprise.
Was he really so proud of ruining his plan that he laughed in his face? When he's the one with the gun against him?
He's stupid, really stupid
Feeling a sense of satisfaction rising, Andrew asked, still with a smile.
"And your master?"
Hearing these words, the man froze. He was definitely scared now!
This was the last thing the dream Thomas told Andrew. About a certain master who had introduced him to the world of the Beyonders. But he didn't reveal any other information.
If the dream self refused to continue, does it mean he values its secrecy? Is he afraid of the master? Or perhaps...'
"What master? I don't have any master! -Ep!"
With the point of the gun against Thomas again, he let out a cry of terror.
"What a shame, then."
Or maybe it's this master who finds all the ingredients and materials, right?
If Thomas Taylor uses the various circles as opportunities to find potential victims from whom to steal items to resell, then by offering money to this master, he could receive the ingredients for the potions.
"Goodbye!"
"Hazel Match! That's her name, please!"
Hazel Match...
Luckily for Thomas, that was enough for Andrew.
Turning toward the door, Andrew began to walk. And as his heavy footsteps echoed through the room, the Beyonder offered his final words.
"Arrange a meeting between me and your master. She can choose the location too. I only want to do business, as you've probably understood. And send me a letter to this bar."
Once the door opened, Andrew turned slightly, just to look the man in the eye.
"Oh, remember that I know who you are."
His lips still curved in a smile.
With that, the door closed, and Thomas was left alone. Finally, after so long, Thomas let out a frustrated sigh.
...He would only do it for his wife.
"...He didn't free me," he muttered to himself.
--------------------------
After leaving the room, Andrew silently leaned against the wall, letting out silent hisses.
He was really exhausted; he had been producing charms and mystical items like a factory for days, and now he had even fought.
Enough! I'm staying home tomorrow...
Oh, how sweet was the thought of sleeping late under the sheets...
But unfortunately, he had a mission to accomplish, right?
Protecting Melissa...can't be done from home, right?
Grimacing, Andrew pushed himself away from the wall and walked down the stairs to the ground floor.
An hour had passed since he'd put Joshua and Thomas to sleep, and now the first customers were there. The ring was still empty, but they were bringing in the first dogs of the day...
These witnesses were one of the reasons why he could not use his firearm.
Ignoring a few curious glances, Andrew walked straight into the bar's kitchen, finding perhaps the most important man in the building. Or rather, boy.
He wore an old coat that was a bit big for him and a brown bowler hat. He used to wear fake sideburns, but lately, he was trying to grow them naturally. But his most striking feature was his red eyes.
Ian Wright sat on a barrel, watching the situation with attentive eyes. Despite his silent air, he was actually slightly younger than Andrew.
Seeing the Beyonder's arrival, the boy nodded as he waited patiently while Andrew slowly approached.
"Did it go well?"
"Certainly. Thank you for your concern."
Ian simply shook his head.
"You'll keep your promise, right?"
"...Yes, I will."
After the death of a certain man, Ian had become the center of intelligence gathering and the illicit arms trade. A pretty important position, right? He also led other Beyonders to a meeting held by a certain Eye of Wisdom.
To carry out the prank he committed in the bar, he had gone the day before to make a pact.
To use the bar in the early hours as he pleased, without causing damage, Andrew had, in exchange, to create many charms that Ian would sell to the highest bidder, keeping 100% of the profits.
Luckily, the boy had at least been kind enough to allow Andrew to hand over the charms slowly and not all at once.
"Good work then."
"Hmm."
Receiving only that as an answer, Andrew moved outside, took a public carriage to the edge of the Backlund Bridge, and after a few minutes' walk, took the North Borough public carriage to the university.
Nothing strange around, Andrew noted.
At least that was good news...at least until Andrew felt a pat on the back.
Recognizing the hand, Andrew didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"...Good morning, Michael."
"Morning!"
Andrew fell silent for a while as he watched the young man.
In addition to a white shirt, he now wore a black jacket with a small red scarf around his neck that made it look more like a headscarf than anything else.
The scarf didn't look out of place, as Backlund's cold climate often required heavy clothing, especially today as it was quite humid with no sign of the sun in the sky.
On the other hand, he seemed to have chosen rather large clothes, probably to hide the change in his body.
"May I ask the reason behind your visit?"
Hearing the question, Michael looked a little perplexed and even a little hurt.
"Well, it's because we're both Beyon-"
"Shh!"
Hearing that term being mentioned made the boy snap and quickly silence the Warrior, who in response laughed out of embarrassment... it seemed to be a habit of his.
"Sorry, I'm not used to it yet."
"...Sigh, forget it. How do you feel?"
"I'm fine; I still hear some whistling, but overall I can't complain," he said, with some good humor returning.
"I'm happy about that," he replied, trying to maintain basic courtesy.
Michael continued walking with him, mentioning school stuff like homework, tests, and more.
Just before entering the building, however, Andrew was grabbed by the shoulder while Michael leaned in slightly to whisper.
"Hmm, hey, I... I owe you a big favor, right? You can ask me for help anytime! I'm really strong now."
Andrew was taken aback for a moment before thinking, … a bodyguard wouldn't be bad.
It wouldn't be bad to also study the future powers of a Warrior Beyonder
"I understand; thank you very much."
With that, Andrew moved slightly so that Michael was no longer attached to him.
They continued walking together to class.
--------------------------
After spending his classes having to put up with Michael, who included him in every single discussion, even those with people he had never spoken to, Andrew was more than happy to walk away from the classroom.
He didn't have to go home; rather, he had to first hand over the gun to Melissa and then go talk to the Chancellor.
What a mess...
Groaning in his mind, Andrew made his way to the girl's classroom, passing several other students. As he reached the door, Andrew noticed small groups of students gathering, preparing to leave as well.
Among these groups was Melissa, talking to some friends. Today, she was wearing a white dress with hints of blue. She was adjusting a matching poke bonnet on her head.
It didn't take long for everyone except Melissa's group to leave the classroom. Melissa herself, noticing Andrew standing awkwardly outside, said something to her friends. They soon said goodbye to Melissa and, after grabbing their belongings, left the classroom.
However, as they came out, Andrew heard a giggle as the manager glanced in his direction.
I have a bad feeling...
Despite these worrying thoughts, Andrew entered the classroom immediately so as not to miss the opportunity created by the Savant.
"Good afternoon, bad weather, isn't it?"
This time it was Melissa who started the conversation, perhaps copying the boy's stiff way of speaking.
Andrew nodded in full agreement.
"Horrible, if I may say so."
Having finished fixing the poke bonnet, Melissa looked Andrew over analytically. To her, the boy seemed a little exhausted, as if he hadn't been able to sleep that night. However, there was another possibility.
"Don't tell me you've already completed my request?"
Traces of anxiety showed in the girl's expressions. It was clear that she feared Andrew had exhausted himself because of her.
Finding her innocent thoughts adorable, Andrew smiled.
"Certainly, this is the meaning of being allies. But rest assured, your request was merely the tip of a string of misfortunes."
Saying this, he presented the girl with the same wooden box she had entrusted to him, and after Andrew placed it on the table, Melissa delicately took it before opening the box.
Obviously, she didn't take it out, just in case someone might walk in unexpectedly, but she removed the cover just to have a look at it.
To someone unfamiliar with the weapon, the gun might have looked the same, but to Melissa, that was far from the truth. This was largely thanks to the perfect memory gifted to all Savants and her characteristic acumen.
The firearm was now accompanied by symbols and small hand-crafted engravings. Although she wasn't as skilled in Ritualistic Magic as the boy in front of her, Melissa could only understand through reasoning that these symbols could be divided into two groups.
Where there was gold, there were symbols that seemed to be connected to warmth, wealth, and other things that Melissa couldn't understand.
However, where silver was present, the Savant found it more difficult to connect the various symbols to concepts. They seemed strange, elusive, and the only one that stood out most was the infinity symbol engraved near the barrel.
Andrew had woken up very early not only to go to the meeting and set up this ambush, but also to create this mystical weapon. He needed Mr. Fortune's help, after all.
After a nice lesson, he had understood from Him the right symbols and the Honorific Names to use to refer to Him.
The Embodiment of Luck;
The Clairvoyant Monster;
The Calamity that Spreads Misfortune;
The Witness of all Fates in Backlund;
The Keeper of Chaos and Madness.
It was an understatement to say that Andrew was amazed to have such an exceptional teacher!
Returning to the matter at hand, Andrew turned to the girl.
"I managed to give the weapon two effects. The first is the ability to imbue fired bullets with a purifying attribute, which manifests as flames. To activate it, simply say the word 'Flame' in Hermes or any other language that resonates with nature while applying Spirituality to the gun.
It risks overheating the gun, so I recommend not using it too many times in a row. Bring demon-hunting bullets with you to solve the problem."
Pausing for a moment to catch his breath, Andrew looked at the girl and, after confirming that she had understood the first part, continued.
"The second ability is activated by saying the word 'Luck' once again in Hermes or any other language. You can use both abilities together; however, Luck consumes much more spirituality and has negative effects that last longer.
Luck guarantees a sure hit, not necessarily a fatal one, but in exchange, you'll be unlucky for a day and a half. It shouldn't be fatal unlucky unless you're in a desperate situation yourself."
Melissa remained silent for a while, searching for the right words. Once she found them, she looked at Andrew with a puzzled expression.
"...Thank you, really. What you did is fantastic, but it seems a bit excessive to me... I don't have any ways to repay you at the moment."
Hearing the Savant's dejected voice, Andrew smiled as he spread his arms dramatically.
"I repeat, this means being allies, helping each other to the best of our ability. What kind of man would I be if I didn't give my all to your first request? You just have to give me materials if you want to thank me... Actually, more compliments wouldn't be a bad way to pay me back. I really think I've out myself this time."
Showing a hint of pride in his work, Andrew concluded by hoping Melissa would recover. And she did!
Hearing his words, the girl smiled, happy to be able to repay the Reader Beyonder in some way.
All of a sudden, however, the boy took on a defeated demeanor, with slumped shoulders and a hint of embarrassment on his face.
Melissa herself was surprised by the change in attitude, which did not suit the Andrew she knew.
"Is everything okay?" she asked with a hint of confusion and fear.
Andrew closed his eyes as if thinking until they opened slightly.
"Actually, I... I wanted to reveal my identity as a Beyonder to the Chancellor," he said, spitting out the last words hastily. He wanted to appear conflicted about this decision.
Melissa opened and closed her mouth, looking shocked by the boy's words. She hadn't expected this time.
"Why the idea?"
Hearing the question, Andrew offered a somewhat bitter smile.
"Well... not only would it help simplify our alliance, no longer having to hide it from your teacher, but I admit I'm feeling uneasy these days."
"Uneasy?" the girl muttered this word to herself a couple of times until she came up with a hypothesis.
"Is it about the accident at school? But nothing happened afterward, right?"
'Nothing has happened to you!' the Reader Beyonder's heart screamed these passionate words.
Folding his hands, Andrew simply replied, "Nothing has happened, yet."
He wanted to blame a paranoia that was not at all unfounded. He had to make Melissa believe it was a request born from this pure emotion.
Nodding in understanding, Melissa began to walk slowly toward the door.
"Come on, I'll walk with you. It'll be easier with me here... I think."
Having achieved the desired result, a wave of relief passed through the boy.
Reaching the girl's side, he offered his due thanks, and they began their "journey." The short journey was silent and filled with a subtle tension born from the purpose of the visit. Neither wanted the meeting to end in a fight.
Melissa kept glancing at Andrew, perhaps to check if he was sure of his choice or to see if the boy was too tired.
In any case, once she reached the door, Melissa knocked but in a strange way. A heavy knock, then a light knock, followed by two heavy ones.
A possible code between them, the boy noted.
A very friendly and polite "Come in!" resounded from the room. There was a slight lack of formality, but that was probably due to the code itself.
Once inside, Andrew immediately noticed Chancellor Portland Moment, wearing glasses. Although the suitcase on his desk was packed and ready to be picked up, the man was still reviewing some papers. His position certainly required a lot of sacrifice.
As he entered, he had a warm smile that quickly faded as he saw the other student. Mind you, this didn't mean he was currently displaying a hateful expression, but rather that the only adult in the room, seeing this unexpected turn of events, had entered a state of intense anticipation and reflection.
Removing his glasses, the man offered the duo his full attention, saying, "To what do I owe this surprise?"
Melissa looked ready to speak, but Andrew's hand gently grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
It was his choice to come here; therefore, it was his duty to start the talk.
Taking a few steps forward from Melissa, the boy began to gather the courage to say those words.
"I am a Beyonder."
Gods, how long had it been since Andrew last said those words? Had he ever said them to anyone?
Over the course of what could be described as a long week, Andrew found himself being discovered multiple times by Melissa, by Michael, and even by Thomas to some extent. But he never admitted it.
It's a strange feeling...
The Chancellor seemed to be fiddling with the corner of a paper, lost in thought.
"I know," he paused for a second before continuing, "And I know you know it, so why? Why now?"
Andrew answered confidently this time; he didn't feel like making that pathetic scene again.
"I understand the strangeness of my actions, but acting secretly as a Beyonder at a university where one of the most important figures is also a Beyonder would not be fruitful. I am also concerned about the recent events in the building."
"And that's the point," he said as he snapped his fingers. A smile soon spread across his face, a smile that was both happy and hopeful.
"You see, I'm really happy you came to me and not the other way around. I really am. And under normal circumstances, trust me, I wouldn't have made such a fuss. However, as you pointed out, I can't trust everyone when my university is at the center of strange events.
So forgive my skepticism, but I have to ask some questions."
Expecting this result, Andrew was not discouraged, "I fully understand your point of view; please continue as you wish."
Looking at Melissa from the corner of his eye, Andrew noticed a certain discomfort; she clearly didn't like being the third wheel.
Drumming his fingers rhythmically against the wood of the desk, Portland Moment closed his eyes, seemingly waiting for a divine revelation on what to ask.
Once this moment was over, the Chancellor asked in a hoarse voice, "What Sequence?"
"Sequence 8, Student of Ratiocination. I am on the Reader Pathway."
The man showed a great deal of surprise this time.
I wonder what he was expecting? Andrew wondered curiously. Perhaps the man's surprise was also heightened by the boy's own Sequence.
Looking at the boy with interested eyes, the man pushed the topic further.
"The Reader Pathway? But all the formulas are under the control of the Church of the God of Wisdom and Knowledge! How did you obtain the formulas?"
"...A family friend," Andrew spat out the words with as little venom as he could muster, which was still a considerable amount to those present, who looked at him with confused expressions.
Cough, realizing he had over it, the Chancellor returned to a neutral stance.
"Do you have any particular mystical items?"
Having touched a sore spot, Andrew responded more slowly this time. He reached around his neck and pulled out the Demoness Insignia. He didn't want to reveal the existence of the Clock of Fate because of its origin.
The first look he felt was from Melissa, who curiously examined the "weapon, " and immediately afterward, the gaze of the more experienced Savant also became intense and seemed highly interested.
"Incredible..." the man muttered to himself. Even though the two boys didn't know it, a Sequence 7 Appraiser allowed the Beyonder to understand the value, power, and drawbacks of nearly every mystical item. This made them nearly capable of understanding and using any weapon they encountered to its full potential.
However, if the instrument had a higher status than theirs, not all information was revealed, and that was what was happening! The necklace's status surpassed that of a Sequence 7!
The man understood from his vast experience that it certainly couldn't have the status of a Demigod or even higher. At the very least, and more likely, it had the status equal to that of a Sequence 6.
But there was another factor that shocked him.
"You know that item is related to the Demoness, right?"
"Certainly."
Once again, a certain annoyance passed through the neglected Melissa, causing Andrew to mentally smile.
I have to explain some things to you later, right? It's basic courtesy, after all!
While Andrew was busy thinking, the Chancellor rose from his chair and walked over to the window beside him.
After a tense moment, he moved his mouth.
"I'm truly grateful. You've answered so many of my questions and even revealed something so precious. You truly are a trustworthy gentleman."
The Chancellor of Backlund University of Technology and Industry turned to Andrew with a warm look, similar, if not the same, as the one he had always given his disciple.
Andrew was so surprised that for a moment he forgot that this was the same man towards whom he had felt doubts and not very peaceful emotions.
As the man approached, he slid his hand against the perfect wood of the desk.
"Nevertheless, I have one last thing to ask of you: to play along with this old man."
His gaze shifted to Melissa and then to the room in general. No, his gaze went beyond as if the man could see the entire university from this vantage point.
"I have a duty to protect every student. So I have a proposal for you: let's form a teacher-student relationship. I don't know how much I can teach a Sequence 8 as I'm by myself a Sequence 7, so let's say senior-junior. And to make everything extra safe, let's sign a contract with a friend of mine, a Notary, a Sequence 6 on the Bard Pathway! What do you think?"
Notary... interesting
This night, in addition to receiving the various symbols linked to destiny and the Honorific Name of the powerful Mr. Fortune, the Angel himself gave a general description of the advanced abilities of the various Pathways to clarify from now on what powers the boy wanted to learn. And casually, Notary was among them.
The possibility of forming mystical contracts could negate the presence of betrayal in a pact after all.
Finding the request acceptable, the boy nodded.
"Now?"
The Appraiser shook his head. "Meet me outside the building in twenty minutes, just the two of us. I still have some paperwork to finish."
The tension evaporated, and Andrew approached the man, offering a handshake that was returned.
That said, there were no goodbyes; after all, they would see each other soon, so Andrew and Melissa quietly exited.