Lord of Mysteries

Chapter 39 Interesting Techniques

In fact, I don't know whether the notebook was destroyed or hidden... But we can reason in reverse: if it was to be destroyed, it could have been done on the spot; there was no need for me to take it away first... Upon hearing Leonard's question, Klein instantly switched to "keyboard detective" mode and pondered for a moment before saying:

"Perhaps the unknown beings that Welch, Naya, and I encountered both enjoyed the 'sacrifice' of life and desired to continue similar things. Therefore, knowing that the 'suicide incident' would definitely be discovered, they asked me to take the notebook and hide it to prepare for the second 'enjoyment.' However, something went wrong during the process, and I ultimately failed to commit suicide."

This is a reasonable guess made by Klein based on the materials, novels, movies, and TV series involving evil priests that he had read in his previous life.

As for what went wrong during the process, he was very clear that it was because he himself was a "variable" from another time traveler.

"That's a good explanation, but I think there might be another possibility. Welch and Naya's suicide sacrifice made it possible for that unknown being to descend. That notebook carries or breeds evil, and you were asked to take it away and hide it because you were afraid that we would discover it and destroy it before it was 'born' and 'powerful'." Leonard Mitchell explained another possibility.

At this point, he looked into Klein's eyes and smiled slightly:

"Of course, the notebook may have been destroyed to cover up its contents, to conceal the object that truly carries or breeds evil. In that case, your suicide attempt would have a sufficient explanation."

What does this mean? Is he doubting me? Doubting that the original owner's body carries or breeds evil? No, it carries or breeds a transmigrator... "Breeding" is a better word... Klein paused, inwardly criticizing as he carefully considered his words:

"I won't defend myself, after all, I really have forgotten that memory, but both the captain and Ms. Daly have confirmed that I have no other problems, and your joke is not funny."

"I'm just exploring this possibility. It's not out of the question that you encountered a setback when that unknown being descended, which led to your failed suicide attempt. We must believe that the goddess is always protecting us." Leonard smiled and changed the subject. "What did you discover this afternoon?"

After the conversation and what had happened, Klein was deeply wary of Leonard, but outwardly remained calm and answered:

"No, I have to take a different route tomorrow afternoon."

He pointed to the partition and said:

"I need to go to the armory to get my ammunition."

The "Shooting Club" stays open until 9 p.m., since many of its members only have free time after get off work.

"May the goddess protect you." Leonard smiled and drew a circle on his chest that symbolized the Crimson Moon.

As Leonard watched Klein pass through the partition and listened to his footsteps as he descended the stairs, the smile on his face gradually faded, and his emerald green eyes were filled with doubt.

He muttered something under his breath, his tone slightly dissatisfied.

…………

After descending the stairs, Klein turned into the quietly lit corridor, which led to the weapons, materials, and document archives.

The iron gate was open, and a brown-haired girl named Rosanne was standing in front of a long table, talking to a middle-aged man with a thick black beard and wearing a top hat.

"Good afternoon, no, good evening. It always feels like midnight here, Klein. Old Neil told me you became an Extraordinary? What's your name? 'The Diviner'?" Rosanne turned her head and asked quickly.

She did not hide her curiosity and concern.

Klein nodded with a smile:

"Good afternoon, Miss Rosanne. Although it's always dark here, it feels peaceful. Your description wasn't quite accurate. To put it another way, the name of the sequence potion I took is 'The Diviner'."

"You still chose to become an extraordinary one..." Rosanne sighed, then fell silent.

Klein glanced at the middle-aged man beside him and politely asked:

"Who is this?"

Was it one of the other night watch team members, or one of the other two clerical staff members I had never seen before?

Rosanne pursed her lips and said:

"Bright, our colleague, wants to switch shifts with me to free up the night after tomorrow. He and his wife are going to the North End Theatre to see 'The Pride of Man' to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary. What a romantic gentleman."

Bright smiled and extended his hand:

"With Miss Rosanne here, there's no need to repeat anything. Hello, Klein. I didn't expect you to become an Extraordinary so quickly, while I, ha, perhaps I'll never have that courage."

"I guess ignorance is bliss," Klein said self-deprecatingly, extending his hand to shake hands with the other person.

"That's not a bad thing," Bright said with a shake of his head. "An extraordinary person once told me before he died that I should never delve into strange and dangerous things, because the less I know, the longer I will live."

At this moment, Rosanne interjected:

"Klein, don't worry about it too much. I heard from old Neil that your 'diviner' role is supportive, which is relatively safer, as long as you don't try to communicate with the unknown. Why are you dressed like that? It's not gentlemanly at all! What are you doing here?"

"Collect today's thirty bullets." Klein did not answer Rosanne's previous question.

He believed the girl would soon forget about it.

"Okay." Rosanne pointed to the table and said, "Bright, it's all yours. You should know where the keys and bullets are. Sigh, old Neil is so stingy, he didn't even leave any hand-ground coffee. He promised to let me drink my fill today..."

While she was rambling on and on, Klein received the bullets.

The two left the underground together and parted ways on Zotland Street. One took a public carriage home, while the other went into the "Shooting Club".

boom! boom! boom!

Grip the gun, raise your arm, fire, spin the cylinder, eject the spent cartridge, reload... Klein repeated this process over and over, familiarizing himself with and memorizing the feeling of shooting.

Of course, he took several breaks in between to summarize and revise his work.

After finishing his practice, Klein used the space to do a variety of exercises similar to push-ups, trying his best to train his body and improve his physical fitness.

When everything was over and he took a trackless public carriage home, he realized it was almost seven o'clock and the sky was already dark.

Just as Klein was about to go to the market or street vendor to buy ingredients for dinner, he found the door open and Melissa returning with a bag of stationery and books.

In addition, she was carrying a lot of groceries.

"...I thought you and Benson would be back late today. I took 1 sule from where you hid your money when I left this morning." Seeing her brother's puzzled look, Melissa explained earnestly as usual.

"You've already taken the money, why didn't you take the public carriage to school?" Klein, reminded of what happened that morning, asked.

Melissa frowned slightly and said:

"Why take the public carriage? It costs 4 pence to get to school, and 8 pence round trip. Including you and Benson, we spend 24 pence a day on the public carriage, a full 2 ​​sous. A week, well, not counting Sundays, that's 12 sous, which is roughly our rent!"

Stop, stop, stop. Don't show off your math skills... Klein chuckled and pressed his hand down.

Melissa paused first, then added:

"I walk to school, which is fine. My teacher said that everyone should exercise regularly, and I can also find some broken parts on the way."

Klein chuckled and said:

"Let's do the math again. The public carriage costs 12 soles, and the rent is 12 soles and 3 pence, which is only 1 pound, 4 soles, and 3 pence in total. Benson's salary can cover that, and there's still a lot left over. Hmm, he's received last week's salary... And I get 1 pound and 10 soles every week. Even if I eat meat every day, even if I factor in the cost of gas, coal, wood, spices, etc., I'll still have some left over if I'm frugal with lunch. I can even subscribe to a morning newspaper for only 1 pence a day."

"After two months, once I've made up for the advance on my salary, I can save up money to buy new clothes for Benson and for you."

"But, but, we have to consider unforeseen circumstances," Melissa insisted, maintaining her unwavering stance.

Klein looked at her with a smile and said:

"Then we can eat less meat. Don't you think spending fifty, no, a hundred minutes commuting every day is a waste of time? We could use that time to read more books, think more about problems, and improve our grades."

"That way, Melissa, you can graduate with excellent grades and find a well-paying job. What will you have to worry about then?"

"..."

Drawing on his previous experience debating in forums, he finally persuaded Melissa to agree to take a public carriage to school.

Phew, finally managed to fool them. No, it can't be called fooling them, it's called persuading them with reason... Klein thought to himself, took the groceries Melissa bought, and sighed:

"Remember to buy beef, lamb, or chicken tomorrow... Eat well and be full so you can have a healthy body and a smart brain to cope with the challenges of studying."

Just talking about it makes my mouth water...

Melissa pursed her lips, paused for a few seconds, and then said:

"OK."

…………

The next morning, after supervising Melissa as she boarded the public carriage, Klein and Benson parted ways at the street corner and each went to their respective companies.

As soon as Klein stepped through the door, he saw Old Neil and Rosanne chatting at the reception desk. The former was still wearing a classic black robe, seemingly unconcerned about the stares of others, while the latter had changed into a light yellow dress.

"Good morning, Mr. Neil, Miss Rosanne," Klein said, removing his hat and bowing.

Old Neil gave him a mischievous look:

"Good morning. Did you hear anything you shouldn't have heard last night?"

"No, I slept very well." Klein was also quite puzzled by this.

He could only attribute it to his lack of inspiration...

"Haha, don't worry about it, it's not that easy to hear." Old Neil pointed to the partition and said, "Go to the armory, we'll continue our 'Occult Course' this morning."

Klein nodded and followed Old Neil down the stairs into the underground armory, where he replaced Bright, who had been on night duty the previous night.

"What do we need to learn today?" Klein asked curiously.

Old Neil gave a long "hmm" and said:

"Complex, basic knowledge, but before that, let me teach you a fun trick."

He pointed to the silver chain wrapped around his wrist, with a pure white crystal hanging from the top.

(End of this chapter)