Chapter 20: Brass Charm
'Investigate Mr. Grant's secret lover? Was this really the infamous "cheating investigation"?' Enber muttered to himself. He never would have suspected Mr. Grant—with his thick eyebrows and straightforward manner—of being the type to sneak around.
Seeing Jane's frustrated expression, Enber sighed. "Tell me everything from the beginning. You might have misunderstood something."
"Really, Enber?" Jane looked at him with a glimmer of hope. She had grown up happy and content, and the thought of her father's betrayal filled her with both dread and determination.
"Go on," Enber encouraged patiently.
"Let me think… It started last Sunday. I was up late reading, around eleven at night, when I heard a noise at the shop's door. I thought it was a thief, so I grabbed my dad's shotgun and went to check. But I saw my father sneaking out the door, wrapped in a cloak… I stayed up all night waiting, and he didn't return until around four in the morning."
'Enber frowned. That doesn't sound right. Most men would at least make an excuse before leaving, instead of sneaking out like that… Was he just bad at it?
And another thing: Jane, you grabbed a shotgun to face a thief by yourself? That's bold.'
"I pretended to go to bed early the next few nights but secretly kept watch. Every night, he left around the same time!" Jane said, fuming as she remembered her father's behavior.
"What about your mother? She hasn't noticed anything?" Enber asked.
"My mom's been sleeping really well lately, straight through the night. And I don't know what my dad's doing, so I haven't told her yet…" Jane added, thinking of her mother's healthy glow these past few days.
'A perfect sleep schedule… could that really be a coincidence?' Enber was beginning to suspect Mr. Grant might be hiding something other than an affair.
After a pause, he asked, "Have you noticed anything else unusual?"
Jane thought carefully before replying. "Whenever he comes back at three or four in the morning, he takes a long bath—something he never did before. And he always looks exhausted, only back to normal around midday."
That does sound like a late-night fling… but it could be something else entirely.
Weighing everything Jane had said, Enber decided to accept the investigation. First, Jane had been a true friend to the original Enber, helping him through his darkest times. For that alone, he owed her. Second, her innocent, cheerful smile had given him comfort in this otherwise dark world. He couldn't bear to see her troubled like this.
When Enber agreed, Jane's face lit up in relief. She quickly pulled fifteen soules from her pocket and pressed them into his hand.
"This is my allowance—use it as the investigation fee."
Enber tried to refuse, but Jane insisted. "You already advanced your wages four weeks ahead. You must be strapped for cash. And since this is personal, you can't expense it at Detective Isengard's office. So don't say no." She turned slightly, running a hand through her golden hair, before adding, "Besides, I know you feel indebted to me for what happened with your family… but you don't need to. It didn't cost me much, and you've already repaid me by helping at our shop."
Listening to her awkward attempt to justify the payment, Enber couldn't help but laugh. It warmed his heart, making him feel even more protective of this friend. She was no longer just "a girl from the original Enber's memories."
'It really feels good to be cared for.' He thought to himself while escorting her to the door.
After Jane left, Detective Isengard glanced at Enber with a teasing smile. "Technically, since you're my assistant, I should take a cut of this commission. But since the lovely Miss Grant's visit has brightened even this old man's day, I'll let it slide."
Enber knew his earlier conversation hadn't escaped his mentor's sharp ears.'The old man is really enjoying the subtle teasing.' Enber lampooned and choose to Ignoring the teasing and asked seriously, "What do you think is going on with Mr. Grant?"
"Certainly not an affair," Isengard said firmly, temporarily reliving his student the supposed embarassment. "But as for what it is… I can't say without looking into it." He studied Enber with a knowing eye. "A handsome young man, that's for sure. No wonder you're so popular. First Miss Xio, now Miss Grant."
(P/s: And there we go again. I just thought adding a small banter and stopping but the teacher ruined it by the next line. Forget it. I'm not going to change it now. Be embarrassed for now Enber.)(Ignore this. I was just ranting.)
"Please, Master, let's keep this serious," Enber protested. Romance was the last thing on his mind, now with the Fool's descent drawing near. All he wanted was to grow stronger and survive.
"Just trying to ease you up," Isengard replied lightly. "You looked tense and frustrated when you came back earlier. Did something happen?"
The visit from Jane had calmed Enber somewhat, but he still sighed. "Thank you for your concern, Master. I encountered a Sequence 5 today and was reminded how weak I am."
At the mention of a Sequence 5, Isengard grew solemn. He didn't ask for details, but placed a reassuring hand on Enber's shoulder.
"Knowledge is power. Since you feel weak, today I'll teach you a ritual to improve your combat ability."
"What kind of ritual?" Enber asked, surprised. In the past few days, he had learned much about rituals, but most required lengthy preparation—useless in sudden danger.
"The charm-creation ritual," the detective explained. "As low-Sequence Readers, we lack direct combat ability, but charms, once made, can be activated with a short spell."
'A charm… Klein once used a Flaring Sun Charm infused with the Eternal Blazing Sun's blood to interrupt the True Creator's descent. They can be that powerful. Though I doubt I'll be working with godly blood anytime soon.'
As Enber mulled over the thought, Isengard continued, "I recall when you bought the main ingredient for Reader, you picked up an extra five grams of Manhas Monkey brain slices. Bring them here. I'll need them."
Enber blinked. "How did you know—ah, of course." His question was pointless. His mentor naturally knew the Reader ingredients, and he had bought them at Isengard's own gathering. Ignoring him, the detective set up three candles and laid out three pre-prepared brass charm bases.
Enber examined them closely. Both sides were inscribed with symbols of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Isengard then took out a vial of mercury and carefully guided thin streams into the grooves with his spirituality, filling the engravings.
After finishing, he placed the charms before the candles, then accepted the monkey brain slices from Enber, dividing one grams into each charm.
"The charm's strength depends on the offering. Manhas Monkey brain slices aren't rare, so these charms will only have a minor effect—but it should enough for you," he explained. Enber nodded, stowing the remaining four grams before focusing on the ritual.
After saluting the holy emblem, Isengard stepped back and began chanting solemnly in Ancient Hermes:
"I call upon the power of knowledge."
"I call upon the strength of reason."
"I seek the blessings of the God of Wisdom."
"I ask for these items upon the altar to become charms…"
His voice was steady and full of weight. As he spoke, the altar grew dim and unfathomable, a divine presence radiating faintly from the flickering central candle.
The flame leapt higher, casting no light but cloaking the charms in a web of flowing symbols and numbers, dense yet indistinct.
Moments later, the glow faded.
Isengard massaged his temples, slightly weary, then murmured, "Thank you for your blessing. Praise be to Your existence."
With that, he ended the ritual and dismantled the spirituality wall.
"All right," he said, checking the results. "With some divine favor, these charms should last at least six months. Normally, they'd only remain effective for a month or two." He handed them to Enber. "Since you provided the ingredients, they're all yours."
Enber accepted them gratefully. "What's the effect, and how do I activate it?"
"Speak the Ancient Hermes word for Venus. The charm will overload the target's brain for one or two seconds. It's only useful against lower Sequences—anyone Sequence 7 or higher would barely feel it." Then, with a grin, he added, "But don't underestimate it. Charms like these are popular; each would fetch at least thirty pounds at a gathering."
Enber's eyes lit up. For low-Sequence Beyonders, even a second could decide a battle. These charms were a perfect trump card.
'I'll need to practice making more of these… and maybe sell a few at tonight's gathering.'
(End of Chapter)