As Dunn and Selina walked a lineal path.
A middle-aged gentleman's deep voice spoke. His tone was melancholic.
"Daly left."
"Rozanne already told me. She seemed to be happy that she got to personally meet her. Although that what I assume", said Selina as she focused on each of her steps.
Dunn sighed.
"Daly was just transferred to the Backlund diocese, which is the world's busiest and most crowded city. They have the highest population of Beyonders and the most opportunities... She has a higher chance of becoming an archbishop or a senior deacon than me."
"I have heard quite a few praises direct to her, they're mostly from Rozanne; but when we finally met; even I began looking up to her", replied Selina.
"It wouldn't be surprising to see her achieve such a status."
"I agree", Dunn kept his eyes forward. "She has a unique talent in mastering and exploiting Sequence potions... As I've mentioned before, the internal rule of the Nighthawks. If you want to consume the next potion in the Sequence, you'll have to wait three years and go through a strict examination to prevent any loss of control. But typically, three years is far from sufficient. I spent three years going from a Sleepless to a Midnight Poet. It took me nine years to go from a Midnight Poet to Nightmare—a full nine years. And to go from Nightmare to Sequence 6, I've already spent three years. I have no idea how many more years I need.
"When our bodies age and our energy starts to decline, even if we overcome the latent dangers, we shouldn't attempt advancing anymore. This is because the risk of losing control at that point is so high that no one is willing to risk it.
"As for Daly and I, we are different from most Beyonders. After she became a Corpse Collector, she handed in a special application after only a year. She hoped to consume the follow-up potion immediately. What surprised everyone was that she actually passed through the stricter examination and obtained the Gravedigger potion.
"It only took her one more year to go from Gravedigger to Spirit Medium. Heh, this year will be her fifth year as a Beyonder. She is only twenty-four this year, young enough to have many opportunities ahead of her."
Madam Daly is a famous spirit medium. Not only that, she seemed to be a true Spirit Medium... A sign of Acting? Selina felt she had grasped the reason behind Madam Daly's quick ascension in ranks.
"How remarkable. But Captain, you're enough as well. You're only in your thirties. Opportunities lay themselves before the ones who seek them", Selina tried her best to console Dunn.
Dunn lowered and shook his head before smiling bitterly.
"She told me to become a true Nightmare... I don't know what that means."
That is the most direct hint of Acting Method I have ever heard... Captain please don't be dense and take the hint... Selina creased her brow in silence.
Soon they reached the intersection.
Selina turned her head to Dunn and said, "Captain, I still have mysticism class with Mr. Old Neil. I'll be taking my leave."
"Alright", Dunn raised his top hat and resumed his pace. But just before he left, he suddely shifted his body and added, "Right, don't worry too much on the dream. Focus on the mysticism lessons being taught to you by Old Neil. Also stay here as much as possible for the time being."
Selina nodded, "Very well."
With that said, Dunn finally left the intersection.
...
After finishing her daily mysticism lesson with Old Neil.
Selina turned from the partition and arrived at the staff room.
There, she saw the white-haired Seeka, scribbling a few words onto her note.
Since Klein won't be present until the afternoon and the documents given by Old Neil that she was reading was almost at the end. Selina figured that it would healthy to get a rest before lunch.
However, throughout her time with Old Neil. Selina could not help but help unease. Finding it difficult for her to fully pay attention.
Seeka's gaze left the notebook from her hand and noticed Selina about to occupy the sofa next to her.
"How your lesson coming along?" she said, attempting to initiate a conversation.
Selina sat down and replied, "The pages of the documents Mr. Old Neil gave me is becoming thinner. Perhaps by afternoon the next day, I have already finish it."
"That's great. Anyway, the drafts that I have been writing are complete. Today, the Tingen Daily Post is expecting a grossing ads to be included in their future news. Following an advertisement of products, a promotion of companies and also the publishing of promising works", said Seeka as she assembled the stacked papers beside her.
"I plan to head there after I process these few pages. Do you want to come?"
Selina fell silent for nearly ten seconds before saying softly, "Sure."
And a little walk should clear my mind...
Seeka Tron smiled in content.
...
North Borough. 23 Birchwhite Street.
After an hour. Seeka led Selina to a wide, four-story building.
The establishment is not anywhere near a factory. However, there was a sign at the front engraved on the wall:
"Daily Post Office."
"Let's head in. But before that, let me apologize for dragging you here Ms. Roy... You must've looking forward to your rest today", Seeka said as she adjusted the paper notes from her hand.
Selina smiled, "I have no matters to attend today until Klein or Leonard returns... I think accompanying you and seeing the procedure of publishment myself could invoke a sort an interest for writing in me."
"You intend to write?" asked Seeka curiously.
"In my free time perhaps", Selina answered in passing. "Also, can I ask? Do you often visit here for promotion?"
"This is not the only place where I tried my luck. It's just that the chances for my works to be seen are more favorable in this particular company", Seeka Tron explained.
"Not only that, my previous works had also been approved only by them. Have you seen "Falling Promise" in one of the Tingen Morning Post last week?"
"Uhm..." Selina struggled for a response. In the end she replied honestly, "No, I haven't subscribed to any newspaper company after I arrived here."
"That's alright", Seeka Tron comforted her and added, "Then how about you subscribe now?"
Selina raised her right index finger and chuckled behind it, "That was one of my reasons for agreeing."
With that said, the two ladies helped themselves in. She saw Seeka Tron entered first before assuming her turn.
However, just before she could step inside. From the corner of her eye, a man with an angular face and dark hair walked passed the establishment while hefting a heavy box. He wore a gray breech, a heavy blue wool cloth while sporting a cap.
She felt that the man was familiar. No matter how she tries recall, she failed in recognizing him.
Have I seen him somewhere before?
At that moment, woman's voice suddenly spoke.
"Ms. Roy. What are you idling for?" asked Seeka out of concern.
Selina jolted out of reverie and blurted, "N-Nothing. I'm sorry for my sudden manner."
Seeka sighed in relief, "Alright. By the way, I saw that the line for the promotion of their work is quite long."
She pointed at the single filed narrow people at the hallway, each of them waiting for their turn.
"We might need to prolong our stay here if we joined their fiasco..." Seeka's voice seemed to be a bit disappointed.
"I'm fine with that", said Selina, knowing how much time needed for their turn.
"Hmm... Alright, perhaps we can settle your subscription first before heading to line?" Seeka Tron offered in consideration.
Selina nodded.
With Seeka Tron on the lead. They skipped passed a long line of people, extending toward an office by the corner and instead walked to the Postal Service area.
There, Selina watched as Seeka Tron conversed to one of the staffs. They handed a paper to her, requiring an address, followed by the terms and conditions as well as timestamps for the daily distributions.
The Morning Post starts at eight, this is considered a daily distribution. One pence per handouts and their service is active throughout the week, except for holidays... Selina carefully read the description.
After a deduction of three soli, a requirement for subscription and as monthly payment. Selina received a receipt.
"That will be your assurance in case the company failed to account your address", said the young lady wearing a staff's uniform.
With the receipt tucked into her coat. Selina and Seeka Tron left the area, casually conversing about the latter's work as they took their time going to the line.
...
In the afternoon.
Having been called by Dunn Smith to the lounge, beside the reception area. Selina walked in and saw Leonard standing by the window and Klein seated at a sofa, enjoying his brewed tea.
"How are you feeling?" a voice with a poet's temperament spoke.
Leonard smiled, a way to properly break the ice.
After occupying a seat for herself. Selina simply replied, "Yes."
She turned to her side and saw Klein placed his cup down before saying, "Captain told us that you had a dream of a ritual... Before we begin the task about the tracking of Huddsman's accomplice. Do you us to divine your dream first?"
Selina nodded and again confirmed with the same answer.
"Alright, then please informed of us what happened", Klein said amiably.
Right now, she felt like she was being interrogated and examined by two doctors. Which was ironic considering that she can see herself as one.
For ten minutes. She reviewed the scene thoroughly, she was careful not to miss any details that might help in the case.
Klein quietly listened and after the end he confirmed, "That dream is related to that wooden idol. The bloody site seemed to correspond to the level of danger and the mysterious figure is the culprit.
"A normal human's dream might just be meaningless but a beyonder's nightmare holds many symbolics. Ms. Roy, by chance did you encounter anyone outside of your circle?"
Selina thought for nearly twenty seconds before shaking her head in denial, "No. So far it's only been my neighbors and our team."
Klein caressed his armchair for awhile before asking, "Can I divine it?"
"Very well", Selina agreed, believing that the method Klein gave was the most suited for the task.
Klein took a slow breath and said while extending his palm, "Could you give me your hand?"
"Very well", with a bit of hesitance, Selina gave her hand to him.
She felt his large hand could wrap hers entirely without any difficulty. Subconsciously, she commented.
It's firm...
On another note. Klein fell into silence for full ten seconds, his heart ramming his throat as he exerted enough strength to finally say, "...I will try a method known as Dream Divination. Let me know if you're feeling any discomfort."
Selina's unease faded when she heard his assurance. She nodded as a reply.
Standing right next to Klein. Leonard quietly closed his gap as he watched in amusement.
He chuckled and said, "There are times where being a diviner have noticeable perks. I did not expect to see one in action..."
"Besides being in a protagonist of an action novel, perhaps a little dallying could brew the taste even lovelier."
What does he mean by that? Selina thought as she focused on regulating her breath.
Klein was visibly peeved that in turn he squeezed out a smile and said, "You're right... However it's best for you to stay quiet. Silence could make the room much more lovelier."
Leonard retreated and did not add any more words.
Holding Selina's hand with his right palm. Klein retracted his attention.
Now is the best opportunity to carefully divine Ms. Roy's past... Alright, I'll briefly divine this first before her dream. I apologize Ms. Roy...
With this in mind. He lowered his head and muttered the seven lines he constructed in his mind while in a state of Cogitation.
His eyelids grew heavy. In a matter of three seconds, his vision blurred as clusters of colors blended into the scenery.
At that moment, the shrouding darkness dispersed and there came an open area room, with multiple people lining up. Their faces had no features. Lacking the mouth, nose, eyes and ears.
Klein felt horrified for a second, then he suddenly heard a loud, illusory voice of a man, writing a signature from the counter.
He called at the lady carrying an infant beside him, "No! It should be 'My daughter'!"