"So the 'Seer' pathway indeed only gains abilities like flame flash and paper figure substitution at Sequence 7..."
Klein introduced the new abilities he gained through the "Clown" potion, including body enhancement, improved combat skills, and the ability to intuitively predict an enemy's next move and gain premonition of approaching danger.
When Angel launched her attack earlier, he had sensed it in advance and made appropriate reactions, but the potion couldn't grant him combat experience. After just one move, he was countered by the experienced Angel.
The failed "Clown" Klein looked enviously at Angel's left wrist, where the "Magic Pocket Watch" containing "Magician" characteristics was hidden, possessing three extremely practical Beyonder abilities.
That would be his next goal.
As the three chatted, Dunn and Leonard emerged from behind the partition.
"Why are you all here? Have you finished the examinations?"
Seeing both Angel and Klein—the two Nighthawks undergoing examination today—in the reception hall, Leonard asked in confusion.
"They're both Sequence 8 now, Leonard. You'd better pick up the pace, or you'll be overtaken by your juniors."
"Both already..."
Leonard could hardly believe it, his gaze moving back and forth between Angel and Klein.
Dunn seemed to have expected the result, nodding calmly. He wasn't wearing his almost-permanent wind coat, but vest and white shirt, making him appear thinner but more spirited.
"By the way, Captain, when I came up, Lord Cesima asked me to tell you that all Beyonders, including Old Neil, should go to the alchemy room one by one to complete the final step of examination."
Klein, still immersed in the joy of advancement, quickly conveyed the "Sword of the Goddess's" instructions to Dunn upon seeing him.
The final step... According to Daly, this should be making everyone swear not to reveal the "acting method" secret...
Angel speculated.
"Alright, I'll go first, and notify Old Neil and Frye—heh, he's on duty guarding Chanis Gate today. Leonard, you're second. When I come up, it's your turn. Then we need to notify Royale who's resting at home—only she's not here now."
Dunn quickly arranged the order, then left the reception hall for the basement.
The remaining four sat in a circle around the coffee table on the sofas, enjoying the pot of coffee Angel had brewed.
"Maybe I should find an opportunity to submit a special application to advance to Sequence 7. These past few days listening to you discuss how to master potions, I've gained some insights too."
Drinking the carefully brewed coffee like a bull, Leonard said seemingly casually.
You should advance to Sequence 7 "Actor"...
Watching his poor acting, Angel thought to herself.
"If you can advance quickly, you might have a chance to serve as acting captain of the Tingen squad."
Daly's gaze finally left her newspaper, looking at Leonard.
"Acting captain?" Leonard's face showed undisguised confusion and bewilderment, which then turned to shock.
"Could it be that the Captain is advancing to Sequence 6?"
Sequence 6... like that "Red Gloves" captain Soest from a few days ago? Angel looked at Klein, who had just advanced to Sequence 8, and saw the same shock in his eyes.
Daly, who had revealed the information, only smiled without speaking. Her smile at this moment was completely free of past gloom, completely free of the seemingly gentle but distant aura. Combined with today's makeup-free and ornament-free appearance, it left several young Nighthawks momentarily dazed.
"Don't tell anyone else yet, okay?"
Leaving this sentence that was tantamount to confirmation, Daly stood up and left the reception hall.
The remaining three looked at each other.
"I never thought... the Captain, who had been waiting at Sequence 7 for three years without any clues, would actually advance."
Leonard murmured.
Angel had already sensed this. When she and Klein were preparing to submit special applications, Dunn had asked about the feeling of "completely mastering a potion" and had been thoughtful. He probably already had similar insights then, but wasn't certain this was the sign of having digested the potion.
"I bet Lady Daly must have confessed to the Captain!" Leonard's next sentence was completely off-topic and caught people off guard. "I just don't know which side spoke first. Rosanne and I had a bet... Sigh, after all these years of being too shy to speak, what finally pushed these two..."
His last word was extremely quiet, making it difficult to hear clearly.
This was accomplished by me risking being killed by a gas lamp explosion...
Behind-the-scenes hero Angel's mouth twitched, unable to suppress a smile, yet worried Leonard might guess the truth, so she could only struggle to control her expression.
...
Before long, Dunn returned from the basement wearing his shirt and vest without his hat, replacing Leonard, who was still wanting to gossip about his captain.
"What's wrong with him?"
Seeing Leonard's strange look before leaving, Dunn asked curiously.
"Maybe he wants to ask you for advice on 'Nightmare' acting insights. He seems to be preparing to advance to Sequence 7."
Klein answered while suppressing laughter.
After Dunn took the oath, he should have also learned about the acting method. They didn't need to worry about revealing secrets or violating oaths between them.
Hearing the answer, this "Nightmare's" gray eyes became profound.
"Then I could indeed teach him... or let him experience it firsthand."
Is the Captain getting too into character... Remember, "acting" is just acting...
Angel lit a mental candle for the unfortunate Leonard.
————
As Nighthawks entered the underground alchemy room one by one, returning to the reception hall either with doubt or deep in thought, this examination conducted by the "Sword of the Goddess" was also nearing its end.
Frye, Seeka, and Cornley all congratulated Angel and Klein—the former for their advancement to Sequence 8, the latter thanking them for sharing the "acting method" secret.
After being required to swear oaths, these intelligent teammates also became aware, understanding why Angel and Klein had been so purposeful, even seemingly urgent, in telling them "how to master potions" after submitting their special applications.
Perhaps that high-ranking deacon, Crestet Cesima, had also seen through their intentions but had tacitly allowed their sharing behavior before taking oaths.
At least during the examination process, he hadn't raised questions about this.
Now only Old Neil, who had entered the alchemy room, and Royale, who was resting at home, remained. Once these two completed their examinations, today's events would be perfectly concluded.
The Nighthawks' conversation grew increasingly animated, while Dunn stood smiling in the corner, watching his high-spirited team members.
Until Crestet walked from behind the partition with a serious expression, his upturned collar now lowered, revealing his lips and chin.
This high-ranking deacon surveyed the hall, his gaze settling on Dunn.
"Dunn, come with me to the alchemy room... Miss Granger, go find Daly and have her come down too."
The noisy reception hall seemed to have a pause button pressed, instantly becoming silent as death. The Nighthawks looked at each other, not knowing what had gone wrong with the examination in the alchemy room.
Dunn gave them a reassuring look and quickly followed Crestet away.
He asked me to find Lady Daly, which means I should be fine... Could it be Klein? Angel quickly reviewed the entire examination process, then looked at Klein, who shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.
But the high-ranking deacon's orders must be executed. Angel also left the reception hall, searching through offices, recreation rooms, and other rooms, finally finding Daly napping in the captain's chair in Dunn's office.
"Have me go down too? What's happening?"
Daly's sleepy face was full of confusion.
"Not clear. It's Crestet's instruction. The Captain is already there."
Angel was equally puzzled.
The two followed the stairs to the underground passage, turned left at the crossroads, approaching the hidden door leading to the alchemy room.
Before reaching the door, Angel smelled a faint bloody scent. The closer to the alchemy room, the more obvious the smell became.
But the corridor was empty—no bloodstains, no other abnormalities.
She looked at Daly beside her, who also wore a serious expression.
Taking a deep breath and drawing "Thirst for Blood," Angel quickened her pace, walking ahead of Daly, came to the hidden door, and pushed open the alchemy room door.
Blood—blood everywhere!
The floor of the alchemy room, plunged into darkness, was covered with bloodstains of various sizes and without any pattern, as if splattered by an abstract painter.
Looking carefully, one could see tufts of fine, long hair scattered among the bloodstains.
Through dark vision, she could see a naked person lying on his back in the center of the room, covered in blood, his graying hair and beard also stained with coagulated blood clots, with pairs of wounds on his forehead and cheeks still bleeding.
Crestet Cesima stood nearby, holding that bone sword less than a meter long—this sacred relic was absorbing the surrounding light.
Behind the high-ranking deacon was Dunn, exhaustedly pressing his temples, his eyes rarely showing a trace of bewilderment and pain when he turned at the sound of footsteps.
Angel's heart gradually sank.
Old Neil had lost control.