Tap. Tap. Tap.
Under the gentle morning breeze, Lumian walked along the road with his sister by his side. He wore a neatly pressed blue shirt and dark trousers, while Laura, her shoulder-length hair swaying lightly, had on a blue dress layered with a black sweater. Around them, other children passed by in similar sweaters, chatting softly as they headed to school.
As they walked, Lumian couldn't help but grumble inwardly about the broken car. The Ward family's vehicle had broken down four weeks ago, and repairing it would require a hefty sum. Since then, they'd been forced to rely on taxis or simply trek long distances on foot.
The inconvenience irritated him more than he cared to admit.
...
Suddenly, Laura looked up at him and chuckled.
"Brother, you're walking me to school today? What happened to Kelvin?"
Lumian was slightly taken aback but quickly laughed it off.
"Hehe, nothing happened. I just felt like dropping you off today."
She smiled and nodded, humming softly as they continued down the road.
"So when are they starting the school fees drive?" Lumian asked casually.
Laura rubbed her chin in thought. "If I remember correctly… next week."
Lumian nodded. "Don't worry. By then — maybe even today — Kelvin will pay it.
Laura's smile widened as they approached the school gate.
When they reached the entrance, Lumian bent down and straightened her bowtie carefully.
"Remember, don't go outside unnecessarily. The crimson sun can be harsh on children — keep your sweater on. Listen to your teacher."
"And always be a good girl," Laura finished with a playful sigh.
She grinned. "I'm not a kid anymore, Lumian. I'll be eleven in July, hehe."
Lumian chuckled and stood upright. "Alright then. Just have a wonderful day."
She turned to leave, then suddenly ran back and wrapped him in a tight hug before darting through the school gate.
Lumian watched her small figure disappear into the courtyard, a faint smile resting on his face. He knew Laura was intelligent and responsible — there wasn't much to worry about.
After a moment, he hailed a taxi and headed toward Lamenti.
...
Inside the taxi, the space felt open and quiet, the morning rush yet to begin at just eight o'clock.
"Good morning, sir," the driver greeted with a friendly smile.
Lumian returned the smile, rubbing the back of his head. "Yes, it's indeed a good morning."
He added jokingly, "You taxi drivers never seem to rest. You're already active this early."
The driver gave a self deprecating chuckle. "It's all for the money, sir. You know how it is — one has to wake up early to get the bag, heh."
Lumian laughed lightly. "But even if you start around nine, you'd still get customers. Taxi drivers earn quite a lot, don't they? Imagine going from Blackhead all the way to Metropyl — that's a long ride. Carry a few customers like that and you're set."
The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror and chuckled. "Sir, it sounds like you've really thought this through."
Lumian smiled faintly, but inwardly he mused,
Well… I am greedy enough to think about money I won't even spend, hehe.
...
After that, a brief silence settled in the taxi. Lumian took out his phone and glanced at the time. It was half past eight.
As the wheels rolled steadily along the road, he leaned back and began reviewing what he had learned from Derrick the previous day.
I'm not sure Mr. Derrick knows about the curse logic theory… Does that mean no one else has thought about it?
As for Prenakes and Anakes, I'm not entirely certain about those either. But I'm sure they're important. If my curse logic theory is correct, then curses directly tap into the 'Logic' the Creator spreads…
He paused, staring absentmindedly at the passing buildings outside.
But if curses tap into that 'Logic' wouldn't they go more mad? Or maybe they don't... Since they already follow it.
Lumian let out a quiet sigh.
There's still so much I don't understand.
...
Everise street, the king's Mansion.
Inside one of the mansion's dim chambers, a man stood before a steaming cauldron. The room was dark, lit only by faint candlelight that flickered against the stone walls.
He clasped his hands together and began murmuring a low prayer.
With trembling fingers, the slightly balding man brought his hand to his mouth. Slowly, almost reverently, he bit down on his index finger — then tore it off.
He dropped it into the cauldron.
In the next instant, blood gushed from the wound, splattering into the pot. The liquid inside began to bubble violently, shifting into a murky green as thick smoke coiled upward.
The man tilted his hand, allowing more blood to pour in.
Suddenly, a crimson glow flared from within the cauldron, illuminating the room in an eerie red haze.
The mist became more stronger, swirling around and creating vague silloutes of which some, had the shapes of beasts and others the shapes of humans.
At the same time, the severed finger regenerated.
His eyes widened with fanatic devotion.
"Find me the Beyond."
"Find me the one who gazes at infinites."
"Find me the one who looks into definite possibilities."
"Find me the ruler of the White Kingdom."
"Find me the one who dispels misfortune and brings fortune!"
...
As the final words left his mouth, he coughed violently, as blood erupted from his lips. But that was only for a moment!
With a crazed expression, he staggered to his feet and rushed toward King Mathew, who was descending the staircase.
"Great King Mathew!" he exclaimed breathlessly. "I have received a revelation! The person Lady Catherine spoke of — I attempted to locate him, but I was attacked. He must be extraordinarily powerful… hehe… a revelation!"
His voice grew unstable. He began repeating the titles over and over, his laughter turning unhinged, until he finally crumpled to the ground once more.
King Mathew stared down at him, as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Softly, he repeated, "The one who looks into definite possibilities…"
...
Lamenti, Moonlight Watchers Faculty.
At that exact moment, Lumian stepped out of the taxi. As soon as he did a sharp pain pierced near his temple.
Frowning, he paused briefly, then paid the driver and walked toward the building, with one hand pressed lightly against his head.
...
Entering inside, he met lury near her table as she cleaned a desk.
"Good morning, Lumian!" Lury said brightly as she looked up from cleaning the desk.
With one hand still pressed against his head, he forced a faint smile. "Good morning, Lury."
She stood upright and chuckled lightly. "What happened to your head?"
Lumian smiled slightly. "Hehe… just a slight headache."
It must be an effect from not performing the role of my order. I need to ask Mrs. Hathway what exactly diviners do… but since I've been expelling the spirituality, it seems to reduce. But I'm pretty sure that's not my role, even though I do call it that sometimes, hehe.
He fell into brief silence, as he reviewed the situation. Seeing him distracted, Lury pouted playfully and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward her desk. Though slightly unwilling, Lumian allowed himself to follow.
She took out some medicine and a glass of water, handing them to him.
Lumian accepted it with a smile, and was just about to thank her, but just then a call came through the receiver.
"Oh, I have to take this," she said quickly as she picked it up. "Later, Lumian~."
He smiled and gave a small nod before stepping through the partition and heading upstairs.
...
Lumian turned left and tapped lightly on the door before stepping inside.
Derrick and Vincent were standing near the wooden desk, engaged in idle discussion.
"Good morning, Derrick," Lumian greeted as he entered. Then he turned to the other man. "Good morning, bro."
Vincent gave him a playful smile. "Good morning. You arrived early, hehe. The infiltration plan will start in the evening — when the Captain and I head toward the Olympic Coast."
Lumian gave a small smile and muttered, "I wasn't even going to ask."
"Just telling," Vincent replied with a chuckle.
Derrick slowly shook his head. "You two should carry your banter outside my laboratory."
Hearing that, they both laughed lightly.
Lumian pulled a chair closer and sat beside them. "Sir… I know this might sound a little stupid — especially since you're not from the Diviner Order, hehe — but I was hoping you could teach me divination."
Derrick raised a brow. "Boy, I'm a Mystery Pryer, and you're asking me to teach you divination?"
Lumian nodded, with his eyes practically pleading.
Derrick rubbed his philtrum and closed his eyes thoughtfully. After a moment, he opened them and chuckled.
"This reminds me of something a friend once mentioned," he said. "It was about how the respective phase order of a Red Bishop includes Dreamer. Have you heard of that? Completely different order, hehe. Apparently, some people end up taking the wrong potion and have to restructure their entire path."
He waved the thought away casually. "Anyway, I do have a slight understanding of divination. Mostly tarot."
He stroked his jawline. "But I don't own a tarot deck."
Without hesitation, Lumian reached into his pocket and pulled one out. "I've got you, Mr. Derrick."
Derrick stared at the deck for a second, then shook his head with a resigned sigh.
...
Inwardly, Lumian thought, Though I may not fully understand tarot… it's the only method he has. I still prefer star alignment.
Derrick took the tarot deck and scattered the cards across the desk.
Seeing this, Vincent chuckled and stepped toward the door. "I guess that's my cue to leave. See you around four, Lumian." With that, he exited.
Lumian watched his retreating figure for a moment before turning his attention back to the tarot.
The scattered cards suddenly gathered together as if guided by invisible hands, then began to shuffle themselves beneath Derrick's steady gaze. When the movement stopped, Derrick drew a card.
It depicted an old man standing alone on a mountain peak, holding a lantern beneath a shining star.
"This," Derrick said calmly, "is The Hermit. It symbolizes wisdom, solitude, inner guidance, and self-reflection."
He drew another card from the middle of the deck.
It was the fool!
It showed a young man standing at the edge of a cliff, a white flower in his hand, unaware of the drop before him.
Derrick placed the two cards side by side and looked at Lumian, who was watching intently.
"With this combination," Derrick continued with a faint smile, "it suggests a period of introspection that leads to new beginnings."
Lumian nodded slowly, as his gaze wandered to the hermit card.
Suddenly, the old man in the card turned his head and smiled at him.
Lumian didn't panic, instead he understood the situation. This must be the state of a Diviner, when performing divination.
Derrick continued explaining, "Actually, Diviners don't need to memorize too much. The key is invigoration. Remember what I told you before?"
Lumian nodded.
"Activate your mystic vision," Derrick said. "Let your mind drift into a spiritual state — similar to when you expel spirituality, like do as though your expelling your thoughts to the environment."
He lifted his head slightly and chuckled. "I hope you've been practicing what I told you."
Lumian nodded again, completely absorbed.
Derrick slid the tarot deck toward him. "Try it."
...
Lumian picked up the tarot deck and thought inwardly,
So it's similar to releasing spirituality… I thought I had to master the meaning of every card.
Maybe I should try divining the whereabouts of the text. I'm not entirely certain it's even the same Lacey I'm searching for.
As he focused, he activated his mystic eyes, as his thoughts gradually grew lighter — even lighter than when he entered the state of invigoration. His mind felt unburdened, clear.
He was certain now, this was truly the role of a diviner!
His body and spirit settled into a strange calmness. He felt as though he had returned to being a human.
He shuffled the cards slowly, concentrating on Lacey's whereabouts — and the location of the text.
The moment the intention solidified in his mind, a sudden sensation came over him. It was as though he was being watched.
Without hesitation, he drew two cards and placed them on the desk.
The Moon.
And The Hermit.
At once, Lumian felt as though he were drifting through thick fog. His consciousness swam in a hazy sea of gray mist. But oddly, there were no visions nor any 'divine message.'
He opened his eyes and frowned. "I didn't get anything."
Derrick raised his brows slightly and studied the cards before chuckling lightly. "That means the matter cannot be divined."
Lumian tilted his head slightly. "Cannot be divined?"
Derrick nodded. Lumian sighed and then flashed a smile. "Thank you once again, Derrick."
With exaggerated grace, he lifted an imaginary gown as though curtsying like a lady.
Derrick immediately grabbed a nearby book and tossed it at him.
"Get out." He said playfully.
Lumian laughed and slipped out of the laboratory.
...
Soon enough, the crimson sun sank beneath the horizon, leaving streaks of red across the sky as the clock struck four.
Inside one of the offices sat a "girl" with short brown hair and rather delicate features. She leaned back in her chair, lightly tapping lipstick against her lips while holding a small white mirror. "She" wore a black dress, and looked rather majestic.
Clink. Clank. Suddenly, the door swung open. Vincent stepped in, dressed in a black shirt and trousers. He placed his hand over his chest before raising it reverently into the air.
"May Skywalker bless you," he declared with a chuckle as he walked inside.
He gave Lumian a once-over and grinned. "See? It actually fits you."
Lumian parted his slightly glossed lips and replied smoothly, "I suppose it does… I do look rather ravishing." He flashed a wide smile.
Vincent laughed. "Alright. The Captain and I are heading to the Olympic Coast. Remember—blend in."
"Got it."
They both raised their hands and performed the same gesture before Vincent turned and left the room.
After a brief moment, Lumian rose, adjusted his dress slightly, and walked downstairs. He hailed a taxi and calmly gave his destination.
"Greenland."