Interesting trick

After that Klein only lay down on bed. He only made dinner do some reading and also give Benson some points to remember and after that siblings go to sleep.

The next morning, after ensuring that Melissa took a public carriage, Klein and Benson separated and went to their respective companies .

The moment Klein stepped into the door, he saw Old Neil and Rozanne chatting by the reception desk . The former was still in his classic black robe, without any concern for the gazes of others . The latter had changed into a casual cream-colored dress .

"Good morning, Mr . Neil, Miss Rozanne," greeted Klein as he took off his hat .

Old Neil gave him a mischievous look .

"Good morning, you did not hear anything you shouldn't have heard last night, right?"

"No, I slept very well . " Klein was also quite puzzled over that .

He could only put it down to his inadequate perception . . .

"Haha, don't mind that . Actually, it's not that easily heard . " Old Neil pointed to the partition and said, "Go to the armory . We will continue out mysticism lessons this morning . "

Klein nodded and followed Old Neil down the stairs and arrived at the armory to replace Bredt who had been on duty the entire night .

"What will we be learning today?" asked Klein curiously .

Old Neil dragged out his response and said, "The complicated and basic knowledge . But before that, let me teach you an interesting trick . "

He pointed at the silver chain on his wrist . There was a pure moonstone hanging from the chain .

"An interesting trick?"

Klein asked out of extreme curiosity .

Old Neil chuckled and said, "I'll complete my patrol of the armory, storeroom, and archives . Use the two cups on the table to make two cups of coffee . In one of the cups, put something unpleasant . As for what it is, you can decide for yourself . Use your imagination . The only request from me is to not waste too much coffee powder . Those are coffee beans grown on the Feynapotter plateau and hand ground by me!"

"Alright" Klein knew what old Neil was going to do. He just did what he said.

He watched him open the iron gates to the armory with a copper key and then heard the echoing footsteps inside . Slowly, he settled the cups down and confirmed that there was still hot water in the kettle .

He removed the silver tin can's lid and using a tiny spoon with a metallic sheen, Klein scooped a spoonful of rich aromatic coffee powder into each of the two cups . Then, he poured in the hot water and stirred it .

After finishing the task, Klein pondered for a moment and sat down . He crossed his right leg and took some of the mud which had stained the bottom of his leather boots and placed it in the left cup .

Then, he carefully stirred it again until the colors and smells of the two cups of coffee were practically indistinguishable .

A few minutes later, Old Neil walked out the armory while swinging his keys . He then closed the iron gates with a clang .

"Are you done?" His turned his slightly turbid dark red eyes over and looked at Klein across the table .

"Yes," replied Klein with a nod .

Old Neil chuckled and removed the silver chain around his wrist and sat down .

His expression quickly turned serene . He held out his chain-holding left hand and allowed it to hang over the coffee cup to his right . The moonstone nearly touched the liquid .

Amid the relaxing calmness, the moonstone trembled suddenly . It began spinning the chain in a counterclockwise manner .

"This cup is the one with the unpleasant thing," said Old Neil surely .

Without waiting for Klein to confirm, he put away the silver chain and picked up the other cup of coffee and took a sip .

"Do you like bitter coffee? I'm used to having a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of milk . "

Klein did not reply but instead asked with his interest piqued, "Your divination sure is accurate . Was it because of the moonstone? That was moonstone, right?"

"This is known as pendulum dowsing in divination . It's also called spirit dowsing . It relies on your own Astral Projection's connection with the spirit world and space to communicate with spiritual intelligence through the aid of natural materials such as crystals, gems, or special metals . The good and bad of things can be divined . . . Let's talk about the two cups of coffee . A counterclockwise motion implies bad, while a clockwise motion is good . If it doesn't move, it's neither good or bad . You can write the statement on a piece of paper . Take note, it's a statement and not a question . " Old Neil put down the cup of coffee and explained in detail .

"It can also be interpreted as success or failure," corrected Old Neil . He taught Klein the other usages and details of spirit pendulum divination.

"I will have to quickly save money to buy crystals or pure silver to create a spirit pendulum . . . " Klein sighed .

Old Neil looked at him in puzzlement .

"You can apply for one directly . This is standard issue for Beyonders, especially Beyonders like us who take on a support role . There's still a topaz and pure silver spirit pendulum in the armory . "

Following that, he added a few vertical lines beneath the curve . He looked up at Klein and asked, "Do you know what this symbol represents?"

Klein looked at it for quite a while before saying hesitatingly, "Eyelashes?"

" . . . " Old Neil exhaled . "This is the symbol of the Bumper Harvest constellation . This is the Thunderous constellation, and this is the Frost constellation . . . "

He casually drew a few more symbols .

As Klein memorized them, he could not help but comment, "The names of these constellations are really . . . especially unsophisticated . Yes, unsophisticated!"

Old Neil revealed a smile .

"Emperor Roselle thought the same back then . He always had the intention of changing the constellation names to things like Virgo, Cancer, and Scorpio . Unfortunately, he did not have the strength to go against tradition . At the very least, these constellations' old names and the corresponding dates they represent guide farming and harvests . "

"I have to say that Emperor Roselle sure is decent person. " Klein was at a loss for words .

No, Emperor Roselle was not a person you think if you read his diary you will lose control on spot. Klein thought.

While talking about these, he would teach Klein how to draw the divination astrolabe and indicate what things to pay attention to . He also taught the materials and creation of a crystal ball, and the choice of incantations . 

"That's all for today's mysticism class . Think over it yourself and ask me if you have any questions . " Old Neil took out a gold pocket watch and opened it with a snap to check the time . "Do not forget to read the historical documents I prepared for you . To be frank, I feel fear seeing them . "

"Alright . " Klein took the pieces of paper that were sketched with symbols by Old Neil . He quickly went through the mysticism knowledge he learned today.

Old Neil took a sip of a newly brewed cup of coffee and said, "Memory itself won't do . You have to use if often . That way, you can make the knowledge instinctual . Also, Cogitation has to be carried on every day . Only more practice and usage will allow you to grasp the power of the potion, digging into the mysteries it hides away and removing its unpleasant effects .

He was going to divination club for that. Today he was alone in Blackthorn Security Company.

"We actually only have one Nighthawk here today . . . " Rozanne said as she delivered a spoonful of thick soup into her mouth .

"I heard that a case with cultist elements is going on in Golden Indus . Therefore, the police department has requested for two Nighthawks . . . " Bredt said as he put down his bread .

Klein used the remaining wheat bread and dabbed it into the last bits of meat juice before stuffing it into his mouth . He did not say a word .

Under his left sleeve, there was a silver chain with a topaz hanging .

At that moment, knocks sounded outside the half-closed main door .

" . . . Please come in . " Rozanne was taken aback as she put down her spoon . She quickly used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and stood up .

The door was pushed open as a man in a halved top hat came in . The left shoulder of his black formal suit was drenched .

The sides of his hair had grayed . He put away his umbrella and said to Klein and company, "Is this the former small mercenary squad?"

"You can say that," answered Rozanne like clockwork .

The lanky man coughed and said, "I have a mission request . "

We can find a clue about Ray and that sequence 7.

Rozanne's eyes darted around as she thought for a moment before saying, "Our security personnel are all out on missions . The fastest it will take for them to return is an hour . If your matter isn't urgent, you can consider our services . "

Among the six formal Nighthawk members, Captain Dunn Smith had been invited to the cathedral by the bishop for some unknown discussion . Leonard Mitchell was guarding Chanis Gate in his place .

Corpse Collector Frye and Sleepless Royale Reideen had already headed to the Golden Indus Borough to assist the police in the investigation of a robbery case with cultist inklings . Sleepless Kenley White was on leave, while Midnight Poet Seeka Tron had gone to Raphael Cemetery in the north suburb for a daily patrol .

As for the remaining two Beyonders, Old Neil was frail and too advanced in his years . He had not taken any missions in a long time . Klein was still a novice and was truly inadequate in various aspects .

"They are all out . . . " With one hand holding his umbrella, the lanky man's expression turned gloomy as he took off his hat . He bowed and said, "Sorry for intruding . Goodbye

He turned around and walked out . He went down the stairs and left 36 Zouteland Street amid the spattering rain and howling winds .

"What a bloody pity . " Rozanne watched the man left and sighed regretfully .

Although she would not have gotten any share of the commission, she definitely would have been able to partake in a sumptuous meal .

"There's nothing we can do about it . Chanis Gate needs someone watching it all the time." Klein didn't say anything because in the eyes of others he was just a novice.

After everything was done, Klein, who did not bring his umbrella, decided to stay at Blackthorn Security Company due to the ongoing rain .

He took out some newspapers and sat on the soft but bouncy sofa as he leisurely began his 'afternoon break . '

"The airship route from Backlund to Desi Bay is now in service . . . "

"The complete anthology of the Great Detective Manseng is publishing soon . . . "

"An advertisement for Lagolas Weapons? A standard model revolver carrying six bullets costs three pounds and ten soli, a double barrel gun costs two pounds . . . "

Klein was about to take a nap in the break room when a knock came from the door of the reception hall again .

"Please come in . " Rozanne, who was dozing, suddenly jolted awake .

The half-closed door was pushed open again . The lanky man from before walked in once again .

"Can I wait here? Your mercenaries, no— security personnel should be back soon, right?" He asked sincerely, trying his best to hide his anxious expression .

"Sure . Please have a seat . " Rozanne pointed at the sofa nearby .

Klein asked out of curiosity, "Where did you hear about our security company? Who introduced you here?"Klein wanted to know if he still can affect by that quill.