"There are far too many uncertainties in the 'Extraordinary World.'"
"In fact..."
"They are far more terrifying than you can imagine."
"They are intangible, without form, yet omnipresent, and they appear without any warning."
"When you face them, you will not only need strength, but also the 'courage' to fight them, and more importantly, you must learn to 'cooperate'—at the very least, do not betray your companions."
As Mrs. Pence spoke, she raised her hand.
Four throwing knives immediately flew back and slid into her sleeves.
Gore and Kyle looked at Mrs. Pence in front of them with suspicion and uncertainty.
They couldn't be sure if what the elderly woman was saying was true.
After all, her earlier display of 'mood swings' was still fresh in their memories.
"Don't worry."
"I'm not deceiving you."
"Everything just now was a test."
As Mrs. Pence spoke, she clapped her hands lightly.
Immediately, the tightly closed door opened, and the butler, with a smile on his face, stepped aside.
The way out was now open.
Mrs. Pence's gesture was meant to show her sincerity. Kyle exhaled slightly in relief but did not lower the revolver in his hand.
"A test?"
"Does Morey know about this?"
Kyle asked.
Gore, meanwhile, held guns in both hands—one pointed at Mrs. Pence, the other at the middle-aged butler—and began to slowly back away.
After taking two steps, Gore was already out of the room and in the corridor.
But he didn't stop.
He continued to retreat.
The corridor wasn't safe; he needed to reach the staircase at least.
Not only did the staircase lead directly to the first floor, but the window opposite the staircase opened to the outside.
Breaking through the window was a good option in a desperate situation.
Gore was quite familiar with such actions.
He did it often back home.
However, Gore quickly stopped moving.
Because—
He saw Morey.
Dressed in a tailcoat and wearing a top hat, Morey was coming up from the first floor. When he saw Gore, the official responsible for the extraordinary removed his hat and smiled.
"Morey!"
Seeing Morey, Kyle called out in surprise.
But Gore frowned.
"I need an explanation."
Gore said, never lowering his gun.
He had seen a fake Swart; who could guarantee that the Morey in front of him wasn't a fake too?
"I'll give you an explanation."
"Don't worry, I'm real. I saw the information about you in the daily newspaper."
Morey guessed Gore's thoughts and immediately mentioned something only the two of them knew. Then, the official responsible for the extraordinary walked up to Mrs. Pence, removed his hat, and placed it over his chest, bowing slightly with respect and guilt.
"My apologies, madam."
"Due to personal reasons, I had to ask for your help."
The official's words were full of regret.
"No need to apologize."
"Why did I agree to help you?"
"Naturally, because I hope to see more young people like them—just as you were back then."
Mrs. Pence replied.
Her response confirmed the deep relationship between them.
"Next, I will give you ten minutes. During these ten minutes, you can use this classroom. After that, it will be my time to teach."
Mrs. Pence spoke, returning to her serious demeanor, and, with her butler, headed downstairs.
After watching Mrs. Pence leave, Morey walked into the classroom.
Kyle immediately followed him in.
Gore hesitated for a moment, then entered as well.
"We don't have much time."
"So let's keep it short."
"This is the test for 'Apprentice Keepers.'"
"I'm glad to say, both of you passed."
Morey said with a smile.
The smile on this official responsible for extraordinary affairs was filled with unconcealed happiness.
It was clear that he was genuinely happy for the two of them.
"So it was a test!"
Kyle stood there, scratching his head with a silly grin.
That smile had a bit of foolishness to it.
But Kyle himself didn't notice at all, the young man simply looked at Morey, the respect and admiration in his eyes almost tangible.
"Taking Morey as an idol?"
Goethe mused. He had previously felt that Kyle's attitude toward him was somewhat unusual, and now it seemed he had the answer.
As for the test that Morey mentioned?
Goethe fully accepted it, because compared to the somewhat casual way Morey had invited him to join the 'Keepers' before, this test was more in line with his understanding of an official force: not too bloody, yet maintaining sufficient 'intensity.'
But that didn't stop Goethe from continuing to probe the extent of this 'intensity.'
"The test for 'Apprentice Keepers'... What would have happened if we hadn't passed?"
Goethe asked.
Kyle, who was beside him, also looked at Morey.
"The 'Keepers' are strict, and although there has been prior observation, the actual test is still necessary. If you hadn't passed, your memories would have been erased, and you would return to your original lives."
Morey answered, causing Goethe to nod slightly.
Perhaps losing a period of memory wouldn't feel good.
There would also be many aftereffects.
But at the very least, they'd still be alive.
For most people, that's enough.
"In a sense, it can be called merciful."
Goethe commented.
Kyle, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness, I passed, or I would have forgotten about Morey..."
Kyle muttered to himself.
Morey patted Kyle's shoulder, glanced at Goethe, and smiled again.
"Congratulations to both of you for becoming 'Apprentice Keepers.'"
"Here are your 'Apprentice Keeper Certificates.'"
"With them, you can exercise some of the Keepers' rights, such as coordinating with the police in investigations, mobilizing police forces, entering official extraordinary gatherings, and so on—remember, it's not just an ID. In critical moments, it could save your life."
"It contains a small forcefield shield that can withstand a close-range gunshot."
As Morey spoke, he pulled out two black certificates and handed them to Goethe and Kyle.
The certificates were palm-sized, and when opened, they recorded the name and number—
Name: Goethe Wayne.
Number: 0X0X2048
...
Apart from that, there was nothing else.
However, Goethe did not underestimate this thin certificate.
According to Morey, it was not just proof of identity but also a life-saving tool.
Kyle, standing nearby, happily put away his certificate.
Ding!
After glancing at his pocket watch, Morey asked Goethe directly.
"Time is limited."
"Goethe, you published some information in today's newspaper. Did you discover something?"
"Last night, in my dreams..."
Goethe began to recount the details. As he spoke, Morey's expression grew serious. When Goethe mentioned human skin, bones, and flesh, the official responsible for extraordinary affairs in Luste showed a solemnity Goethe had never seen before. Then, a term reached Goethe's ears—
"Flesh and Blood Church!"
(End of chapter)