In an underground basement without any 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 hair was disheveled like seaweed with a deep blue color that resembled black. He wore a robe with lightning patterns embroidered on it. He clasped his hands with his thumbs facing each other while he focused on a bottle of black liquid to the left of the candle.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Splash! Splash! Splash!
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 would swirl. It was as though it grew eyes and a mouth.
Alger cocked his head to glance at the clock hanging on the wall and watched the needle strike three.
He pressed down on his temple as his eyes turned dark.
Fascinating colors surfaced from the various items on the table.
At that moment, he discovered a deep-red light that appeared like a tidal wave from nowhere, drowning him instantly!
...
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.
The sun outside was bright and gorgeous. There was a light-brown notebook made of exquisite goat skin. It was flipped open to reveal that it was blank. To its right was a fountain pen with a golden tip and embedded rubies.
Audrey did a test and 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 it reflect herself. Instead, a dark red and illusory beam burst out from her body!
…
The gas lamps in Arthus's office burned low, casting wavering shadows across the oak desk as the hour hand of the brass clock clicked toward three. He sat motionless, gloved fingers intertwined together forming a bridge to support his chin.
Then, as soon as the clock struck three, a sudden red glow flared around him enveloping him in an instant.
…
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. They surged upwards like a fountain before pattering down. It 'carved' three blurry figures who sat in the same spots as before.
Audrey, with her soft blond hair and tall, slim build, instinctively looked towards the Seat of Honor. She saw the figure immersed in thick gray fog sitting back. One hand was flat, touching the table's side while the other hand was stroking his chin.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~!" Audrey shouted with a cheery voice.
Following that, she turned her head and looked at the people seated opposite to her. With the same tone, she said,
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hanged Man~!"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Priestess~!"
"Good afternoon, Miss Justice" replied Mr Fool whilst smiling and lowering his head.
Arthus soon followed after Mr Fool's example and returned a greeting in a polite manner.
"Good afternoon to you too, Miss Justice"
As soon as he said that he felt a chill run through his whole body. The kind you get when you think someone is looking at you. Sure enough, from the corner of his eyes he saw the great Mr Fool gazing at him intensely.
He must be experimenting with his Spirit vision now that he is an official beyonder. Arthus was a bit envious in his heart and wondered whether The Hanged Man managed to get his potion formula. Arthus pretended not to notice Mr Fool's gaze and waited for the exchange to start.
Audrey drew a light gasp as she asked in anticipation, "Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the box of Ghost Shark blood?"
Alger took a quick glance at Mr Fool who seemed to be in deep thought and answered in a frank tone stating his gratitude.
"Thank you very much. It perfectly met my expectations.
I never expected you to send it to me so quickly. The Ghost Shark blood is not the typical extraordinary creature"
As soon as Alger spoke Athus looked in his direction with an expectant look.
Audrey smiled humbly and said, "I'm very happy to see this outcome"
Alger looked deeply at The Fool who was enveloped in fog seemingly not noticing Arthus's hopeful gaze before turning his head back with a smile.
"According to our agreement, I will tell you the formula to 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 the news of Beyonders losing control. I believe there's no need for me to repeat it?" Alger first mentioned things to take note of.
Audrey nodded gently and said, "I understand completely" turning to look at the mysteries Mr Fool expecting him to say something.
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 familiarising yourself with a chemistry experiment"
"I have a family tutor for such matters" answered Audrey without feeling the burden.
After Alger mentioned the furthest extent of the deviation, he 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 matured Manhal Fish's eyeball. Add 35 milliliters of goat-horned black fish blood.
The final two items are the main ingredients. They are extraordinary creatures from the sea. 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" reminded Alger.
Arthus waited patiently for this exchange to come to an end, but they continued.
"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!"
Just as Alger finished his lecture, everyone heard a rapping sound. Mr Fool was tapping the bronze table gently. After getting all their attention he said in a deep voice.
"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 dazed and confused from hearing that. She was not very clear on what Mr. Fool was trying to express.
She subconsciously eyed the two other members for a reaction, from the corner of her eyes. She was surprised to see Mr Hanged Man jolt and freeze. It was as though an ordinary person had heard a loud and sudden clap of thunder.
"Digesting, acting... Digesting, acting... Digesting, acting key..." Alger repeated it again and again softly as though he had grasped a key concept or had succumbed to a strange curse.
Miss Priestess just nodded her head, perhaps in agreement? Or maybe she was confirming something? Regardless, it seemed she knew this information beforehand. Audrey then realised that she referred to Mr Priestess as Miss Priestess mistakenly. At least she didn't say it out loud, she thought to herself before looking away guiltily.
After a while, Mr Hanged Man seemed to have recovered from this shocking revelation and replied with a hoarse voice.
"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"
Mr Fool then replied mysteriously with a smile and stated, "That was an advance payment"
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 us with?"
Arthus didn't reply because he already knew that Mr Fool was hinting at the acting method. But he still leaned forward and pretended to pay attention as if anticipating what Mr Fool would demand from them.
Mr Fool leaned back slightly as he glanced at the three of them before saying in a soft and pleasant voice, "Collect Roselle Gustav's secret diary on my behalf, even if it's just one page of it"