Besides being able to control the form of flames, a Pyromaniac can also manipulate their movement.
Lex raised his palm, and a crimson glow danced in his palm again. Under Lex's control, this small flame, from a state of quiet burning, began to spin, forming a miniature fire tornado.
Immediately after, the flames stopped spinning. They gathered towards the center, erupting at the top, as if a volcano were erupting.
Then the flames contracted inward again, layer upon layer. Lex could feel its internal pressure constantly rising; if not suppressed, it would explode!
The contraction stopped, and the crimson slowly expanded again, releasing the internal pressure bit by bit, returning to its initial state. Lex closed his hand, extinguishing the fierce flame.
"Hmm, a Pyromaniac possesses the ability to freely manipulate flames. Making flames simulate different forms, having the characteristics of the corresponding form, is the external manifestation."
"Being able to manipulate the movement of flames—spinning, erupting, compressing—these are the internal manifestations."
"According to need, giving flames a targeted form, using different movement methods to achieve different effects. Is this the core of a Pyromaniac's ability?"
"It's a pity that conditions here don't allow for experiments."
Lex thought of another question.
How should a Pyromaniac be 'acted out'?
He couldn't really go around setting fires, could he?
That night, there was a light rain, making Tingen City's night air fresh and moist.
Lex walked into the Elk Bar, passed through the lively but not noisy hall, and came to a door with a deer head hanging on the wall. He knocked.
The door opened a crack, and a pair of eyes looked at him, then opened the door completely. The doorman, whom Lex had subdued in a few seconds, said gruffly, "You haven't been here for quite a few days."
Lex nodded and smiled, "I went on a long trip and just got back."
He passed through this room, pushed open another door, and arrived at the Hunter Club's hall.
The lighting in the hall was not bright, but not dim either.
From afar, Lex saw Old Parker. The old man was, as always, standing behind the bar, wiping glasses. His bow tie and formal attire were impeccable; not even a single wrinkle could be seen on his clothes.
In front of the bar, the club's manager, Eiros, was facing away from Lex, seemingly drinking alone. Hudson was dead, and the hypnosis on him should have been lifted.
Lex didn't rush to the bar but walked towards the east side of the hall, where a fellow who once called himself a musician often played solo by the window.
Now.
A table was placed by the window, and a young man in a black classical robe sat behind it. He had light brown hair, delicate features, deep black pupils, and a faint smile on his lips.
He was drawing a star chart, seemingly preparing to do a Seer for someone. On the table, a plump blue cat was curled up, occasionally opening its mouth to yawn.
That was the 'Seer' Kaven Brook. He no longer disguised himself, showing his original appearance. He looked like a raw, big boy. At this moment, he said to a man with a small mustache, "On wednesday afternoon, buy a bouquet of roses and go to Green Emerald Street, number 45. You will have the surprise you want."
"Really? That's great! How much should I pay you?" A hunter with a round felt hat, a pair of upturned mustaches, and yellowish skin asked excitedly.
"1 soli, thank you."
Kaven smiled, took a banknote from the hunter's hand, and put it away.
Then a familiar voice was heard: "It seems you're doing well here."
The Seer looked up. Although Lex was wearing a half-mask tonight, he immediately recognized him: "Mr. Bodyguard, when did you return?"
The young man's joy was evident.
"This afternoon."
Lex looked around: "How are you doing? Are you getting used to this place?"
Kaven nodded: "Everyone is very kind to me. Mr. Eiros takes good care of me. He allows me to do Seer for everyone in the hall, the kind that charges a fee."
"Old Parker also got me a new identity. Now I'm an employee of a porcelain company in Tingen City."
Lex smiled and said, "It must have cost a lot of money, right?"
Kaven's smile was bright: "It was a lot, but worth it! Old Parker also rented a room in the club to me for only 1 soli a week!"
A Seer has no means of combat. Staying in the club, with hunters looking after him, would be much safer.
"Sounds good. Congratulations, you've started a new life."
Lex looked towards the bar: "Sorry, I need to go say hello."
"Okay."
By the time he reached the bar, Eiros had already noticed Lex and had Old Parker pour him a glass of white wine in advance.
"I must apologize to you, Duke. I didn't expect Hudson to be an 'Spectator'. I thought he was my friend."
Eiros pushed the glass of white wine towards Lex.
Lex picked it up and smiled, "It seems you already know."
"I think it's hard not to know."
Eiros glanced at the old man behind the bar: "Weren't you hunting him at Old Parker's house? Many people saw that fat man fall onto the street, so I immediately knew the problem was with that guy."
"When he first arrived, he even came to us for help. I always thought he was an ordinary person."
"That bastard hid himself well."
Lex drank his wine: "Don't mind it. Anyway, you're not the only one he fooled."
Then, putting down his glass, Lex's lips curved slightly upward: "Sorry, Old Parker, I'll compensate you for the damage to your house."
"Very good."
The old man deftly pulled out a bill: "The cost of aftermath and redecoration, plus furniture and such, totals 26 pounds."
You've been preparing this bill for two weeks, haven't you?
Lex pulled out banknotes of different denominations from various pockets, gathered the amount the old man mentioned, and pushed it over.
Old Parker took it without much expression, counted it in front of Lex, and said, "You shouldn't be here."
Lex gave him a questioning look.
The old man glanced at him: "You should go to Evil Dragon Bar. Don't you feel like you've left something behind?"
Lex laughed: "I didn't leave anything at Evil Dragon Bar."
He picked up his wine, about to drink.
Suddenly, Lex threw down his wine glass and rushed out of the hall like the wind.
Evil Dragon Bar.
It was lively every night here, and in the past two weeks, it had been even livelier.
"Come on, again!"
In the middle of the bar, where a boxing ring used to be, there was now a table.
A tall, beautiful girl sat by the table, placed her hand on it, and shouted, "Who else! Are you men, is this all the strength you have?"
"Come on, who else wants to arm wrestle with me!"