The illusory pair of eyes then vanished, dissolving into nothingness as if they had never existed at all.
"This is a common peculiarity of ritualistic magic," Old Neil explained with a chuckle.
Klein slowly turned his head from side to side, carefully discerning the subtle differences between objects perceived through his Spirit Vision and those seen through his normal sight. The world seemed layered now, as though reality had quietly revealed a second skin.
He stopped suddenly.
By the door stood a figure.
It appeared human in shape, yet its aura colors blended seamlessly with the surrounding darkness, the edges indistinct and unstable, making it nearly impossible to clearly discern. It neither advanced nor retreated, merely existing in a vague, unsettling stillness.
'Is that actually a person…?'
Before Klein could focus further, a sharp, painful spasm struck between his brows. His thoughts scattered, his attention slipping helplessly away from the formless figure, as though his mind simply refused to grasp it.
Old Neil watched the scene unfold and smiled knowingly. "Spirit Vision exhausts your spirituality. You may even hallucinate. It takes practice to adjust to it. For now, you can use a little method of mine. Tap on the glabella twice."
Klein endured another wave of discomfort before following the instructions. He raised a hand and tapped between his eyes.
The deep black color within his irises quickly receded, retreating like a tide, and Klein's usual brown eyes returned.
"I've succeeded…" Klein smiled with delight, relief washing over him.
"Indeed," Old Neil chuckled. "You can also use your spirituality for other methods of divination, but that comes later."
"Thank you, Old Neil," Klein said as he stood up and gave a slight bow.
Old Neil soon returned to the armory. Klein rose from his seat as well, grabbed his cane, and left the alchemy room, sauntering up the stairwell at an unhurried pace.
After some time, Dunn Smith unknowingly came up behind Klein, the corners of his lips weakly hooked into a faint smile.
"So, Spirit Vision? Cogitation? Old Neil says you're a fast learner."
Klein's heart skipped before slowing once he recognized the voice. He smiled awkwardly, raising a hand to the back of his head. "Well, maybe it's a trait unique to Seers?"
"Perhaps," Dunn said, but the faint curve of his lips soon disappeared. "For us Beyonders, unique is another word for dangerous. In the beginning, you'll be engulfed in sights and sounds. Curiosity kills more than cats."
Klein fixed his attention on Dunn Smith, listening intently.
"Don't attempt to probe the murmurs you shouldn't be hearing," Dunn said, "or the sights that shouldn't exist."
"Alright." Klein recalled Dunn's lecture from the other day—about losing control—and committed the warning to memory.
….
Klein arrived at an empty home in the late morning. Melissa was at school, and Benson was at work. The quiet felt heavier than usual.
He decided to take a nap.
When Klein awoke, bright sunlight poured in through the windows, announcing the burning sun outside. For a moment, he lay still, disoriented.
He retrieved a silver pocket watch and checked the time.
His expression changed.
Only a few minutes remained until the gathering with "Justice" and "The Hanged Man"—a gathering he had completely forgotten about.
Klein hurriedly pulled the curtains shut and locked the door. Without delay, he activated Spirit Vision and surveyed his surroundings, carefully scanning for anything out of place.
After confirming that no one was hidden nearby, he swiftly performed the luck ritual—without bread this time. In the next moment, his consciousness rose above the gray fog.
As before, he summoned an opulent palace with 22 high-backed chairs arranged in solemn grandeur. He moved toward his seat of honor and tapped two familiar deep red stars.
….
Audrey, now above the gray fog, saw the figure immersed within it, sitting calmly and upright.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~!" She shouted in a cheeky voice. "Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~!"
"Same to you, Miss Justice." Alger responded, and both he and Audrey took their seats.
Klein discreetly activated his Spirit Vision, aiming to glean information about the current state of the two summoned participants.
The moment his gaze fell upon Alger, he saw a deep blue hidden within—vast and violent, akin to a raging tidal storm.
He assumed this was a characteristic unique to Beyonders.
'The gray fog really sharpens my Spirit Vision…' Klein chuckled inwardly.
When he turned his gaze toward Miss Justice, he felt the same sensation again—though this time, it resembled a calm, serene lake rather than a storm-tossed sea.
'She really did become a Beyonder…'
Just as Klein was about to look away, his eyes widened slightly.
The chair belonging to Miss Justice was changing.
The bright stars on the back of her chair rearranged themselves, forming an illusory constellation.
'Can they see that…?'
A similar illusion appeared behind The Hanged Man's chair as well.
'The 'Giant Dragon' and the 'Storm.' Storm obviously represents Sailor, but a Dragon and Spectator?'
Klein then caught sight of the symbol forming behind his own throne.
'The pupil-less eye denoting… concealment? And the contorted lines symbolizing change? But both symbols are incomplete. And the way they are overlapping like that… what does it add up to?'
Unable to comprehend the deeper meaning behind the symbol, he withdrew his attention and refocused on Miss Justice and Mr. Hanged Man.
"Miss Justice, congratulations."
"Thank you, Mr. Fool. I'm a Spectator now—thanks to Mr. Hanged Man~!"
Audrey suddenly raised a hand, signaling for attention. "I expect that they might be a price, but I have a few questions."
"Go ahead." Mr. Fool smiled.
"First, can you tell me more about being a Spectator?"
"Hmm… I can answer that." Alger chimed in. "You must live as an onlooker. Maintain a detached attitude at all times. You must calmly and objectively observe. Your heightened perception will unmask the true thoughts of others."
Klein remained silent, deep in thought.
'To live as an impartial Spectator… that would have to be… 'acting'?
'Is this the 'acting' that Emperor Roselle was referring to in his diary?'
The Hanged Man continued. "Also, the power is integral to its name. Grasp the meaning and control it. To avoid losing control, sus out the symbolism behind 'Spectator.'"
Audrey and Alger were both drawn to a gentle rapping sound echoing across the table.
The Fool was tapping softly.
"Potions aren't grasped but digested. Nor is it about discovery but acting.
"A potion's name isn't only symoblic—it is also imagery.
"It is the key to digestion."
Audrey looked dazed and confused, her thoughts tangled. She subconsciously glanced toward The Hanged Man, seeking his reaction.
"Digesting, acting… digesting, acting…" Alger muttered repeatedly.
After a long moment, he raised his head, his voice hoarse. "My deepest thanks, Mr. Fool. Your hint is as valuable as my life."
"Well, my second question," Audrey said. "If an animal were to consume a Sequence 9 potion, what would happen to it?"
In the next moment, an awkward silence settled over the table, blending into the surrounding fog.
'Miss Justice, what have you gone and done?' Klein barely suppressed an awkward chuckle.
"Well," Alger replied, "if it doesn't die or turn into a monster, then it would most likely become a Beyonder creature."
"Fascinating~" Audrey's breathing gradually slowed.
"For my final question—" Audrey turned toward The Fool. "Loen's aristocracy wishes to reform the government. My fa—I mean! They believe replacing all personnel with every change in the ruling party is too chaotic, albeit they can't settle on a way to rectify the system."
"The answer is far simpler than you think," Klein smiled.
"Huh?" Audrey and Alger exclaimed in unison.
"Conduct a rigorous exam open to the entire public. This'll determine the most deserving applicants to work as civil servants in the government. The examination being open to the public is crucial. If you need a name for it—Higher Exam." Klein displayed his wisdom in full force.
"Thank you, Mr. Fool," Audrey bowed slightly. "You must be very old and brilliant."
"Consider the advice as an advance payment." Klein responded.
"Then, Mr. Fool, what do you wish for us to do?"
Klein leaned back in his chair. "Collect some of Roselle Gustav's secret writings… his diary."
'Diary? It's a diary? How could he know?' Alger was taken aback…
…as was Audrey. 'Can Mr. Fool decipher them? He must be truly magnificent!'
After some time spent in casual conversation—proposed by Alger—the gathering came to an end.
….
A few minutes later, in an underground basement.
Alger's gaze shifted to a yellowed parchment. Written upon it in Hermes, serving as the title, was a single line:
"Sequence 7, Seafarer."
….
Later that afternoon, beneath the scorching sun.
After wandering the streets near Welch's apartment for nearly an hour, Klein was finally prepared to return home—until his eyes drifted past several signboards.
One of them read:
"Divination Club."