Selina recounted Klein's advice and smiled.
"Klein had shared with me his discoveries."
"And what is that?" Dunn repeated the question in a serious tone. He relaxed his arms.
"You see, I had been the department's doctor for quite some time. Ever since, similar to what Klein has experiencing when attending the divination club, I too feel much aligned, like a job meant for me.
"He concluded and soon I realized, the names of Sequence potions encompass a whole set of principles that can help us gain control over them, a set of principles that allow us to avoid the negative impacts. It is when we do this do we feel much aligned with corresponding job.
"Similarly, these sets of principles are inherent. We can only make conclusions for our own bit by bit and adjust our understanding based on the different feedback we receive.
"Thus, when Klein became a real Seer at the Divination Club or I became a real Apothecary and obtained my set of principles for it, the auditory and visual illusions that plagued me just vanished.
"That is my understandings."
I hope we're right. Captain is an experienced and smart person. Once he understands the "acting method," he'll definitely notice that the Church is hiding relevant information. He'll know what he should say and what he shouldn't...
Sigh, otherwise, a lot of attention will be placed onto us... Selina tried to filed her thoughts linearly.
To which made her settle an ultimatum.
If Captain is still oblivious after all this? Then he'll better prepare for a whole lecture straight up!
Dunn listened quietly to Selina's description, his gray eyes becoming even deeper.
He was silent for nearly twenty seconds as he rubbed his temples before he picked up his pipe and took a whiff.
After sniffing it, he took out a matchbox, seemingly forgetting about the rules of the Nighthawks.
The white smoke billowed into the air as Dunn closed his eyes, seemingly appreciating the smell of tobacco.
After a while, he opened his eyes and smiled at Selina, looking unimpressed.
"Oh, heh heh, I'm sorry."
"Secondhand smoke is just as harmful as smoking." Selina reminded casually.
"I forgot that you're the doctor." Dunn blew out the pipe, carrying a wind that made the sparks instantly die out.
After putting it away, he added, "Heh also, why did you sat close to the door?"
Because I fear I may forgot what Klein told me earlier... Selina jolted out of slight fear and smiled.
"I've recently found doors quite peculiar."
"Hmm... because we couldn't open the door last time..." Dunn sighed melancholically.
Huh? Selina snapped as she realized something. "Oh! Captain, it is nothing as you would think. I am merely just not fond of smoke..."
Dunn looked at the direction, where the dim light fades and the darkness grow.
Of course, he too would see that her excuse is flawed. But instead,
"I seem to have understood something as well. Several even. Some I am not fond of."
What did Captain meant by that? Hmm... Klein mentioned Captain's been practicing it on him. Poor Klein... Selina held the urge to chuckle at herself.
"Perhaps it won't be too long before you submit the special application to me as well..." Dunn said to Selina, half-jokingly while exhaling faintly.
Well, I couldn't submit it right away even if I wanted to. Klein kept on pressing me to wait until he becomes Sequence 8 first... Selina sighed inwardly. She took her silver pocket watch, glistening under the dim light.
It had an intricate linings frozen in its surface, with an "S" initial that stood out as a vine.
How thoughtful... Selina recalled what had happened again and quickly withdrew the pocket watch after knowing the time.
"Uhh Captain, I have to be at Old Neil's. Today's mysticism lessons are starting soon."
Although Klein would be missing with his lessons. He instead asked Old Neil for notes he can study.
"Alright." Dunn returned back to his chair and started writing.
After closing the door, Selina made her way towards the steps leading to the basement. She saw two strangers, a male and a female, while walking past the clerk's office.
The new clerks... Selina thought of Ademinsaul right then.
If he starts his job as a clerk soon, how will we navigate the department then?
As she starts to question herself. She realized there weren't many holes to avoid encountering the Monster beyonder.
I would just have to ask for his schedule and where he'll be stationed...
...
Along the silent underground passage, Selina turned to the armory and pushed the guard room door open.
"Mr. Old Neil! What happened to you?" Selina was shocked to look at Old Neil.
Old Neil looked dispirited, his face was pale. He yawned constantly as he said, "I've been a little constipated lately. I tried ritualistic magic that can solve such problems last night. In the end... I didn't sleep well the entire night. I had to head to the bathroom multiple times, and in the end, and I nearly fell asleep on the toilet bowl."
Selina creased her eyebrow. "How about medication? I can prescribe you one."
Following her suggestion, she saw Old Neil looking slightly hesitant, but still answered, "I've already taken one. I apologize because I used one of your labeled vials from the alchemy."
"It's alright." Selina felt slightly relieved but clicked her left molar twice anyway out of concern.
Instantly, she saw the brightly crimson all around Old Neil's body. At the same time, some parts of his body grew much dimmer among the red colors.
Selina can't be settled with just looking at it. However, Klein's words from their earlier walk made her stay silent.
Klein's right, I have no idea of what this crimson could mean... Ugh, but red generally means danger right? Both symbolically and mystically...
She sighed while controlling herself. Crossing her arms as she asked, "How do you feel now?"
Other than the crimson hue. There are some darkness and impurities in the digestive system's yellow and the kidney's orange colors, but it's nothing too serious and is within an acceptable range...
"I'm fine now thanks to it." Old Neil yawned like a drug-addict. "Self-study for today's supernatural lesson. There's only two or three days left of content anyway."
"...Alright." Selina dropped her arms. "By the way Mr. Old Neil. Where's Ademinsaul?"
"He's in a separate room across." Old Neil casually responded and smiled once again. "I'll visit him later for his another therapy and to record his condition. Heh, it won't be long before he'll attend our ranks as another clerk"
It seems Old Neil's coughing died down quite a bit... Selina had just realized that and was at least glad about it.
Other than Old Neil. Frye, Dunn, and Seeka would sometimes seek medicines from her. Mostly to soothe their minds and maintain a healthy condition.
"Rozanne would be super happy." Selina remarked. Along her way to a fetch a seat, she added, "I could help you guard the armory and study here. How about you go rest or finish Ademinsaul's daily therapy for today?"
Old Neil immediately straightened his back, his eyes glimmering as he answered, "Ms. Roy, you are one excellent doctor. A very kind one at that!
"Haaah... Alright, I'll hand over the armory to you!"
He picked up the cushion he had placed on his knees and stormed out of the guard room like a typhoon, leaving Selina in a daze.
...
The morning went on, during which Leonard and Frye returned earlier than Klein. It was just in time when the Blackthorn Security Company accepted another mission. The task involved escorting a rich merchant to the harbor for a deal. Leonard and Kenley completed it easily, earning themselves some extra pay.
When lunch receded like tide around 1pm. Klein finally returned from the Saint Selena Cathedral. He wasted no time to study his materials first before accompanying Selina out and into the Underground Shooting Range.
Bang! Bang!
Selina fired two more rounds of shots and finally run out of bullets.
"Old Neil had constipation..."
Klein heard her voice, which made him lower his own revolver and asked, "How is he now?"
Pursing her lips, Selina looked at him with concern as she said, "I checked him with Spirit Vision, but crimson color did not disappeared. I fear it had gone brighter."
"We can't report anything yet. Being able to see this likely comes from your connection with the White Maiden." Klein had turned his head back onto the dummy and spoke contemplatively.
Then, he added softly, "Did you tell anyone else about this?"
"Only Mr. Old Neil when I was caught by surprise." Selina answered as she replace the bullets from her revolver.
"That's alright, maybe he saw it as you being paranoid." Klein relaxed his shoulders. "Did you already asked this from Mrs. White?"
Mrs. White doesn't know because I don't know what this means! Selina exclaimed inwardly and she answered, "I have not, and it's best not to disturb her."
"Right..." Klein went silent and aimed his thoughts into shooting the dummy.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After his own revolver run out, Klein thought of an absurd hypothesis.
"Was Old Neil the only elder you casted your vision on?" he asked in all innocence.
Selina looked back at him, puzzled. But later she realized Klein's train of thoughts and she answered honestly, "I don't. No I have not."
Maybe it's really just the age that I'm seeing?
Klein returned the safety cap of his revolver after replenishing it. He said casually, "Do you want to test it before going back?"
Selina quickly nodded. Hopeful that perhaps that is the case and that the uniqueness was merely the change in color from grayness to crimson.
The two packed their things and quickly headed out of the booth and shooting range.
A horse-drawn carriage drove pass the entrance of 3 Zouteland Street. Its slipstream carried a gentle draft under the ambient sun of the afternoon.
Walking next to Klein, Selina activated her Spirit Vision and instantly, the surrounding turned gray where Ether bodies burned like bonfire.
"Looks like there aren't many elders here during this time of day." Klein scanned while keeping a calm pace. He also clicked his left molar twice to ensure of the surroundings.
"Let's get to Iron Cross Street."
...
The scorching sun bathes the road, encompassing the colors of the street.
When Selina and Klein encountered an old tramp, wearing a torn brown shirt, long beard and head lowered where his cap hid his face. The former quickly set her eyes as they walk pass him.
Red... Selina gasped internally.
This meant that crimson merely replaced the gray colors of age!
She immediately turned to Klein with her excitement piqued and eyes alit.
I guess this means I'm right? Klein was feeling glad. Earlier he planned on resorting to divination, but he guessed that the need for it is gone.
He fished and opened his pocket watch, and upon looking at the time, he smiled and said, "Let's go back. Captain said we'll meet with him in his office."
"Okay." Selina answered and she retracted her gaze away from the tramp.
...
When the two couples, wearing a formal suit and coat finally disappeared.
The tramp from the corner lifted his head and placed a hand on his abdomen.
A loud grumble was heard, but none of the pedestrians even bother to turn an eye. He spotted a rodent not long after, and he immediately eyed it.
"Everything is food..." he muttered with teary mouth.
Like a flytrap, he remained still, only when the rat came to check on him, his body motioned to a style, akin to an ape.
And he lounged. His deep squat sprang onto the unsuspecting and appetizing rodent. Catching it with ease.
Of course, the rat tried to escape by sinking its teeth onto the man's skin. But the man bit harder and gorged and feasted on the animal's head.
None of the pedestrians saw it, nor intend to intervene.
Soon after, even the bones of the carcass was nibbled. The tramp's hand had scratches and bites, enough that infection is almost certain for his health.
But he was satiated, he looked up into the sky and recalled another group of tramps. Ultimately, the silver braided-bun haired woman came into his mind.
An unsettling smile formed on his face.
"Food is Heaven, Way to Heaven is Silver."