The study of mysticism began with learning the Hermes language and Ancient Hermes, the languages used for rituals, prayers, and foundational knowledge of acting methods.
This made Laurens suspicious that Annette was actually a high-ranking member of the Demoness Sect. But if that were true, shouldn't she have captured her younger sister, who was being hunted by the organization?
Maybe, as she had explained before, Annette saved her and betrayed the Demoness Sect.
That would mean her sister's life was in greater danger than Laurens' own. Traitors were definitely more hunted than female Assassins.
On the other hand, there was something more surprising than being taught acting methods, it was the cheat she possessed.
It turned out that after learning some Hermes and Ancient Hermes vocabulary, her brain could immediately recall it as if it was already ingrained in her, like she had always known the language but had just forgotten it.
This realization was terrifying because Laurens knew that things affecting perception and awareness were related to the Spectator Pathway.
However, she was slightly reassured after remembering that no Sequence 0 of the Spectator Pathway existed at this early stage.
Even if she had a cheat to prevent corruption, she didn't dare to think of that character's name, as they might be able to read her thoughts.
She studied diligently under Annette's supervision for several days until the circus troupe finished preparing to leave. They had completed their performances and were resting for a while in Tingen before dividing their earnings.
Her sister, who was fighting for her salary and retirement, decided to stop following the circus troupe.
So, after a seemingly sorrowful farewell, Annette packed her suitcase and dragged Laurens away to rent an inn for the next few days in Tingen. Her plans to go to Backlund were postponed for three months, further fueling Laurens' suspicions.
Didn't Klein also stay in Tingen for only three months? Was this a coincidence? Did Annette have another agenda in Tingen as a former member of the Demoness Sect, or was she still a member of that organization?
Confused, Laurens also saw this as an opportunity to get to know Klein and maybe form a friendship as fellow transmigrators, even though their experiences of transmigration were different.
After placing their belongings in a decent inn, Annette instructed her to rest while she went out for her usual business, "pleasure."
As soon as the door closed, the dazed Laurens quickly prepared to go out as well into the cold night, planning to visit Daffodil Street to see Klein's house and find out how he was doing.
When she checked today's date, tomorrow would be the time when Klein became a Seer. Tomorrow was also Monday, the day the Tarot Club meeting would be held.
She actually wanted to participate in the Tarot Club meeting, but she had no way to get involved at the moment. Perhaps after she obtained a certain item like the ones Miss Justice and The Hanged Man had found, she could join the meeting by chance.
Setting aside the chaos in her mind caused by transmigration and organizing her goals, Laurens became calmer and more willing to accept her current situation.
After all, she was just an ordinary modern woman and had never faced a terrifying world on the brink of apocalypse.
Her emotional turmoil upon realizing that she could only become a Demoness in the future was enough to make her goals crumble.
She read from second book that the Demoness was necessary in her role to awaken the sleeping Klein, but the fact that Demonesses caused disasters was still true.
Maybe this was orchestrated by something...
So, after acceptance and a hidden desire to uncover the secret of her unique transmigration, Laurens finally found the mood to think about her favorite character.
She admitted that she was quite selfish. She did like her favorite character, but she never expected to live in the same world as Klein.
After all, were there readers out there who wished to be the hero? Perhaps, but Laurens was not one of them.
Now, Laurens stood at the corner of the street facing Klein's house on Daffodil Street.
She glanced at the still-lit window on the second floor, wondering what Klein was doing. Was he reviewing his knowledge of mysticism?
Her bluish-gray eyes reflected in a mirror she held. As a half-Demoness, she could use it slightly for surveillance. She would wait for Annette to give her the Assassin potion and fully become a Demoness.
Fortunately, she arrived after Klein moved to Daffodil Street, or she might have been captured by Dunn Smith the day before when Klein faced members of the Secret Order.
For some confusing reason, Laurens could vividly remember the events of the upcoming week, or more precisely, the next ten chapters.
Tomorrow, Klein would stroll around the area where the circus tent had previously been set up. According to his monologue, he hoped to meet a hidden expert, Laurens, who would later lead him to choose the name 'The Fool.'
So, in short, tonight was something unwritten in the novel, something behind the scenes. If the novel's plot was the stage, then the unwritten parts were the shadows beyond the stage.
---
The next afternoon, in the place where the circus tent had once stood, Laurens lingered, waiting for Klein to arrive.
She hid in the corner of an alley, wearing a black cloak that covered her black hair and appearance, resembling an evil witch waiting for her prey.
Laurens applied some makeup to her face so she would be difficult to recognize at first glance. Of course, it wasn't clown makeup.
As the twilight light gradually arrived, she finally saw the familiar figure approaching with his silver-inlaid cane.
This would be my first step truly entering the plot, not just lurking offstage... I don't know what the consequences will be...
The unknown was always the most terrifying. However, she couldn't just stand by because she needed to know if this world's plot could truly be changed.
When Laurens saw Klein seemingly searching for someone, she finally revealed herself and stepped out of the alley.
Still in the shadows, her figure wasn't visible to other passersby.
"Are you looking for me?" she asked in a voice that was almost hypnotic.
Klein was briefly surprised, but it seemed he had expected a cliché like this.
Showing caution, Klein observed her before replying in a confused tone, "Are you that animal trainer?"
His tone indicated that he found Laurens' appearance very different.
Laurens smiled. "How are you?" she spoke in a language only she and Klein in this world recognized.
The young man's expression turned into shock, followed by intense suspicion.
Narrowing his eyes, Klein responded, "I'm feeling well today."
Laurens said nothing more and simply smiled at him.
"This isn't a good place to talk," Klein implied that they could discuss it elsewhere.
At this moment, it wasn't that Laurens couldn't say more, but her body had become rigid. Her smile froze, and she felt as if everything around her was moving in slow motion.
If she didn't know that this might be a result of interacting with Klein and directly interfering in the plot, she would have thought there was a Marionettist nearby.
Laurens slowly shook her head. "No… let's meet… offstage."
She drops clues with falling pieces of paper for a specific time later tonight, then turned and hurried away without waiting for Klein's response.
Her slim figure running into the alley was reflected in Klein's brown eyes.
"Fellow transmigrator..." Klein murmured with a complicated expression.