Chapter 34: Advance Payment from the Fool

In an underground basement with no windows, the burly Alger Wilson sat by a long table with various apparatuses and goatskin parchments on it.

In front of him was a half-consumed candle. The dim, yellowish flame's flickering made the shadows of the objects and table move like a mirage.

Alger's deep blue hair was disheveled like seaweed. He wore a robe embroidered with lightning patterns and clasped his hands while he focused on a bottle of black liquid to the left of the candle.

The sound of tempestuous winds or the crashing of the sea waves howled from inside the sealed bottle, and in spots where the black ink did not sink, a faint fog swirled.

Alger cocked his head to glance at the clock hanging on the wall and watched the needle strike three. At that moment, he saw a deep-red light appear like a tidal wave drowning his figure.

---

Backlund, Empress Borough, Inside the Hall family's luxurious mansion.

After dismissing her dance teacher, Audrey locked the door and sat straight up in front of her dressing table where a light-brown notebook was placed open to reveal that it was blank. To its right was a fountain pen with a golden tip and embedded rubies.

Audrey made sure that she could pick up the fountain pen and write down the formula the moment she left the Gathering.

"I'm so looking forward to it…" She inhaled to repress her excited emotions as she looked at the mirror with puckered lips.

However, she did not see her reflection. Instead, a dark red and illusory beam burst out from it.

---

Above the gray fog stood a majestic divine hall that looked like a giant's residence.

Dark red colors bloomed on both sides of the bronze table, surging upwards like a fountain before pattering down to 'carve' two blurry figures who sat in the same spots as before.

Audrey looked towards the Seat of Honor and saw the figure immersed in gray fog leaning back. One hand was flat, touching the table's side, while the other hand was stroking his chin.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~!" Audrey shouted and then turned her head to look at the person opposite her. With the same tone, she said, "Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~!"

This lady sure is unsophisticated and naive. Is she so sure that I'm a good person? Why is she acting like a noble lady who has been protected too well? Klein smiled and maintained his unfathomable image.

"Good afternoon, Miss Justice." As he spoke, he lowered his head slightly and moved his left hand, tapping his glabella twice, only to see Justice and The Hanged Man emit the colors of their aura.

The surrounding gray fog and dark red stars remained the same, without things that seemingly did not exist or lustrous brilliances that possessed life.

He shifted his gaze and saw that Justice's aura perfectly matched the colors Old Neil described. It was easy to tell that she was a vibrant young girl.

The colors of her emotions are red and yellow. That's joy, zeal, and excitement... Klein made a judgment before casting his attention towards The Hanged Man.

His emotions are blue mixed in with some orange. Calm, thoughtful, careful, and a little pleased? With this being his first attempt, Klein came to a conclusion without much confidence.

Klein focused his mind and took another careful look. The aura of The Hanged Man's innermost layer was nearly of the same color.

He could faintly see that deep within his Ether Body was a deep blue color, akin to the sea or a tidal storm.

His Astral Projection? Or should I say the surface of his Astral Projection? From the looks of it, he's really a Beyonder, and one that's apparently stronger than Old Neil. Klein analyzed filled with questions. Not necessary. It might have to do with this being a unique environment, and because this is my home ground, I'm able to see these things that Old Neil did not manifest.

He turned his head toward Justice again, confirming that it was a characteristic only Beyonders possessed.

At that moment, Alger also completed his greetings, and Audrey drew a light gasp as she asked in anticipation, "Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the box of Ghost Shark blood?"

"Thank you very much. It perfectly met my expectations. I never expected you to send it to me so quickly, as the Ghost Shark blood is not the typical extraordinary creature," Alger said frankly.

Audrey smiled humbly and said, "I'm very happy to see this outcome." As she loved anything to do with mysticism from a young age, she had befriended those in aristocratic circles with similar interests. They had exchanged information, books, and rare artifacts among each other. But before this, none of them had ever obtained supernatural power to become a real Beyonder, while a few princes had hinted that they could gift her what she wanted if she became their princess consort.

However, she had obtained the Ghost Shark blood directly from her family's vault. The inventory stated 'one big bottle,' without mentioning how many milliliters or how full it was. She believed that pouring out a small portion of it would go unnoticed, and even if something went wrong and the matter was exposed, her parents were unlikely to pursue the matter.

Alger looked deeply at The Fool, who was enveloped in fog, before turning back his attention to Justice. "According to our agreement, I will tell you the formula for the potion, Spectator."

"Let me prepare myself. Alright, begin." Audrey inhaled as she focused her full attention.

"Low-Sequence potions are very easy to concoct. Just follow the order that I provide you. Do remember that there can be smaller quantities of the ingredients but not more. It would cause major problems. You should have heard about Beyonders losing control. I believe there's no need for me to explain." Alger first mentioned things to take note of.

Audrey nodded gently and said, "I understand completely."

While she spoke, she turned her head to look at Mr. Fool, wishing to know if the mysterious expert had anything to add; unfortunately, The Fool was sitting silently there like a statue.

Alger thought for a moment before saying, "Having smaller quantities does not mean it should deviate by too much... If you do not have an assistant, I suggest you spend some time familiarizing yourself with chemistry experiments."

"I have a family tutor for such matters," Audrey answered without feeling any burden.

After Alger mentioned the furthest extent of deviation and recited with great fluency, "Spectator. Sequence 9 potion. 80 milliliters of pure water. 5 drops of autumn crocus essence. 13 grams of cow teeth paeonol powder. 7 petals of elf flowers. A pair of mature Manhal Fish's eyeballs. 35 milliliters of goat-horned black fish blood.

The final two items are the main ingredients. They are extraordinary sea creatures. You have to be careful."

"Alright." Audrey recalled and repeated, "80 milliliters of pure water. 5 drops of autumn crocus essence, 13 grams of cow teeth... "

"Paeonol powder," Alger reminded.

With his help, Audrey gradually and precisely memorized the formula's order. However, she appeared worried as she mumbled it again and again.

"Do you know about Cogitation?" When Alger saw Justice nod, he continued, "I do not know how much you know about Cogitation. Let me describe it once... After consuming the potion, quickly begin Cogitation to control your spirituality and energy. Make sure to practice every day to truly grasp the powers of the potion. Dig out the meaning it symbolizes and even more of its mysteries. That way, you can avoid the danger of losing control to the greatest extent. And the meaning of a potion mainly lies in its name, such as Spectator!"

Klein was silently listening to the conversation and had no plans on interrupting. All he did was secretly memorize and study, but when he heard of the last part, he thought of something.

Audrey listened to The Hanged Man's explanations attentively, and just as she was about to inquire about something more detailed, she suddenly heard the rapping sound on the table.

She and Alger turned their heads and looked at The Fool, seeing that the figure was tapping gently with his fingers before saying.

"It's not about grasping them, but rather digesting them.

It's not about discovery, but rather acting.

The name of a potion is not only symbolic; it's also imagery. It is the key to digesting."

Audrey was confused from hearing that and was not very clear on what Mr. Fool was trying to express. She eyed The Hanged Man for a reaction from the corner of her eyes and was surprised to see him jolt and freeze, as if he had heard a sudden clap of thunder.

"Digesting, acting… Digesting, acting… Digesting, acting, key..." Alger repeated again and again softly, as though he had grasped a key concept or had succumbed to a strange curse.

After a while, he raised his head. "Thank you, Mr. Fool. Your hint is as valuable as my life. You have enlightened me greatly. Of course, I believe I have yet to fully understand or comprehend it."

Klein maintained his mysterious and unfathomable image and said, "That was an advance payment."

In fact, he did not truly understand the exact meaning of what was said. He was just certain that Emperor Roselle was more experienced than the typical Beyonder like The Hanged Man.

Advance payment… Audrey looked at The Hanged Man's reaction and knew that the hint from before was precious. As she ruminated over it, she asked, "Mr. Fool, what do you wish for us to do?"

Opposite to her, Alger said with a nod, "What matter might you wish to entrust to us?"

Klein leaned back slightly and glanced at the two of them before plainly saying. "Collect Roselle Gustav's secret diary on my behalf, even if it's just one page of it."