Chapter 11: Exorcism
Kaspars looked Enber over, curiosity clear in his eyes. "How did you know I could reach that organizer?"
'It's pretty obvious, isn't it? If you weren't close, would you dare bring people to his gathering?' Holding back his smirk, Enber replied calmly, "I trust in your professionalism."
'Professional as a middleman, huh? This kid really doesn't know how to give a compliment.' Kaspars muttered inwardly. But when he noticed the young woman behind Enber, recognition flashed in his eyes—the Arbiter of East Borough.
After a pause, he nodded. "I can pass on a message. But no matter the outcome, you'll owe me a three-pound contact fee."
"Agreed!" Enber answered without hesitation.
After all, Xio will be the one footing the bill. "Wait here." Kaspars hobbled into a back room. His tone suggested he had a reliable method of contacting the "Eye of Wisdom." 'Could it be a mystical item? A messenger? A telegraph?' Enber mused.
Xio tugged on his sleeve. "What rank is this organizer?"
"He's a Sequence 7 Beyonder. But with a Sealed Artifact in hand, he's closer to Sequence 6," Enber explained briefly.
"A Sequence 7?" Xio's eyes widened. In their time, that already counted as mid-tier.
Their conversation ended as Kaspars returned. Limping forward, he announced, "The gentleman will see you tonight, at the same place. Same signal."
Then Kaspars gave Enber a long look. "When did you become that old man's student?"
"Huh?" Enber blinked in confusion.
"He called you his future student in his reply," Kaspars explained.
'Wait—so passing his test already makes me his student? Isn't he forbidden from proselytizing in Loen? …Ah, but students don't count as converts. Still, isn't this too sudden?' Suppressing his irritation, Enber accepted the implication. If he's willing to extend a leg, why wouldn't I hold on? Even if there's an agenda, I'll grow strong enough soon. With his potion digesting quickly, that "soon" wasn't far away.
Once Xio paid the fee, they left. It was only noon—far too early to loiter until evening.
"So, where to now?" Xio asked.
"Lunch, then home to study." Enber answered simply.
"Studying...?" Xio echoed blankly.
"You don't need to follow me. Rest up. We'll meet back at Braveheart tonight. The attacker won't risk another curse so soon."
Xio hesitated, then shook her head. "I can't go home. I don't want to endanger Fors and the others. And your pathway isn't suited for combat, is it? I'll stay and protect you. It's my fault you're in this mess."
'So we're both feel guilty, huh? I think my meddling dragged her into danger, while she thinks she dragged me...' Enber rubbed his chin, but let it drop. 'No way I can explain knowing the whole plot.'
"Alright, let's go."
---
After a quick lunch, they returned to Enber's sparse apartment in East Borough.
'Xio glanced around. This place is even worse than the one Fors and I share. He's frugal, but doesn't act poor… is he hiding his identity?' She quickly dismissed the thought. Everyone has secrets. If he's a friend, there's no need to pry.
Enber spent the afternoon alternating short bursts of using the Pure White Eye to study Feysac for ten seconds, then two hours of review and rest. Since Xio had already seen him use it, he explained it away as a mystical item's effect.
---
At 7:30, the pair returned to Braveheart. Disguised in hoods and masks, Enber repeated the signal. A panel slid open—The Eye of Wisdom's assistant's eyes peered through—before they were ushered into the familiar parlor.
The elderly figure sat in his usual seat, candlelight flickering. He looked at them and smiled. "So it's the young lady who needs aid."
Not surprised by the quick assessment he Enber replied briskly. "Your insight is remarkable, sir," he said smoothly, silently thanking Roselle for his convenient idioms.
"No need for flattery. First, the transaction. Then we'll see whether you've mastered half those materials in a single day."
Turning to Xio, he observed, "You're under a Coldblooded Whisper Curse. It's already weakened—just residual corruption. One cleansing with the Sun Brooch will suffice."
Xio's eyes filled with respect and hope. "Thank you , sir. I'd be grateful if you helped." The Eye of Wisdom nodded. "One moment." He left briefly, returning with a dark-gold brooch shaped like a sunbird. Beads of sweat clung to his brow.
Seeing their looks, he smiled. "This is the Sun Brooch. It purifies, exorcises, even wields spells of the Sun's domain. Its flaw: while wearing it, you'll never feel cool—always the heat of midsummer."
'Can't resist showing off, can you?' Enber mused.
The brooch glowed. Golden light filled the room, warm and pure, washing over them in steady waves. After a minute, the glow faded, leaving them refreshed, as though basking in sunlight.
Discreetly, Enber opened the [Pure White Eye]. He saw the black mark on Xio's forehead melt away under the radiance, vanishing like frost in fire.
"All done," the old man said, returning the brooch. "Now, my payment. Let's hear that Fourth Epoch lore."
"Thank you so much!" Xio bowed deeply.
"No need for thanks—it's business," the Eye of Wisdom said lightly, before fixing his gaze on Enber.
Clearing his throat, Enber began. He recounted how, after the Solomon Empire collapsed, the Tudor-Trunsoest United Empire rose and later fell—its capital none other than Backlund. He carefully omitted any mention of gods or angels.
The story intrigued Xio, but the old man leaned forward, fascinated. "A double consul period after Solomon's fall? That explains much… though it doesn't align with the Four Emperors' War… And how did the union collapse?"
Enber hesitated, then hinted cryptically: "The Black Emperor of Solomon's empire was resurrected." He stopped there—best not to risk too much outside the safety of the Gray Fog.
"The Black Emperor… resurrected..." The old man murmured thoughtfully. He sensed there was more, but lacked the knowledge to piece it together.
Xio listened intently, though most went over her head. Still, she stored it away. 'Even if I don't understand it now, it may prove useful later.'
Unbeknownst to her, Enber had chosen this story as a warning—George III's ambition to become the Black Emperor was no simple rumor.
Leaning back, satisfied, the Eye of Wisdom said, "This enriches my understanding of the Fourth Epoch. Praise the God of Knowledge and Wisdom."
Then he waved Xio outside, leaving Enber behind. "Now, young man," he grinned, "let's see if you've truly completed your assignment."
(End of Chapter)
I tried trimming the chapter of unnecessary dialogue and info-dumps. Although this brought it from 1.5k words to 1k, I think I did a good job here. If i get positive reviews in the upcoming chapters then I will continue to trim the chapters of unnecessary points. Comment to let me know if I should do that.