"You can address me as the Aeon"
The simple answer soon emanated through the grand hall and dissipated into the specks of star light. However, the voice kept resounding in Ignatius and atur's hearts, stirring something profound within them.
They never expected such a designation, but they felt that he was deserving of it. The designation perfectly embodied his image as someone mysterious, powerful and always watching!
After a few seconds of silence, Ignatius stood up and bowed slightly to Adam kairon.
"Honorable Mr. Aeon, would you please permit me to take the liberty of requesting you to be the witness of our trade?"
" It's nothing." Adam's mind whirred as he answered in a way that matched his status.
"it's our honor, Mr. Aeon." Atur stood up as well. He bent his back slightly with his right palm over his chest.
Adam lowered his right palm and smiled.
"Continue, both of you"
Atur nodded and sat back down before looking at Audrey.
"if you have obtained the book on summoning rituals, get someone to send it to a merchant that travels through underground trier, below the crowded city. Tell the merchant, that it's what the contractor wants. Once I acknowledge receipt, will you be giving me an address to mail the potion formula to or do you want me to tell it to you here directly?
Ignatius thought for a moment before saying, " let's do it here, I have a really good memory."
Since Mr. Aeon had agreed to bear witness for the trade, it also meant that there would be more similar gathering the next time.
With this in mind he turned his head towards Adam. With a tone of interest, he suggested, "Mr. Aeon, would you mind making a few more attempts like this."
Atur listened to his suggestion calmly; he was tempted by the suggestion as well. He hurriedly echoed "Mr. Aeon, don't you find such gatherings interesting? Although your power exceeds our imaginations, there has to be certain domains that you don't understand or excel in. the person across from me is obviously a young man of noble standing. I also have my unique set of experiences, insights, mediums, and resources. Perhaps a day will come when both of us can help you complete something trivial that might be inconvenient for you."
From his point of view, the fact that he had been pulled into this space without any resistance meant that the mysterious Mr. Aeon was in control. Hence participating in the gathering couldn't be refused. Therefore, it was better to gleam something useful from this encounter as much as he could to make up for his disadvantaged state.
The trio at the long table had different backgrounds, resources, information, channels and comprehension of the mystical domain. A limited cooperation could produce immeasurable effects!
The resource trade that had just been negotiated was one example. If he wished to get information about someone. He could request the gathering's members who did not appear to be related to him for help. Perfectly misdirecting any suspicion from investigators if murder was involved.
Noble young man... was my behavior and accent that obvious? Ignatius stared blankly for a second then focused and nodded without hesitation.
Mr. Aeon, I think that's a good suggestion. As long as this gathering becomes regular, you can totally leave certain things that are inconvenient for you to us if its withing our capacity.
When he heard the suggestion Adam was already weighing the pros and cons. More gatherings definitely allowed him to gain more knowledge of the secrets of the beyonders which is paramount to survive in this world. For example, it was very likely that the clown potion formula would appear at the next gathering. Also the information he gained was bound to be helpful for his present life.
Adam didn't think he was deceiving these people by pretending to be a powerful entity, he doesn't recall whether he was one or not, and this mysterious space clearly belongs to him.
However more gatherings also meant it was easier to expose himself!
Indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch a price is always enacted… Adam extended his right hand again as he rapped the side of the long table with his finger gently.
Considering the fact that he was in control of the gathering's summoning and dismissal, any threat of exposure was within his control. The pros clearly exceeded the cons, so Adam rapidly made a decision.
He stopped his rapping as he smiled at the anticipative and perturbed gazes of the duo.
I'm a person who likes a fair and equal exchange.
Your help will not go unrewarded.
"every Monday at three in the afternoon, try your best to be alone. After I make a few more attempts and figure out certain things, perhaps you can apply for a leave of absence ahead of time. You will no longer need to worry about being in inappropriate situations.
This was a form of agreement to Atur's and Ignatius's suggestions.
Ignatius had just turned twenty. Having been taken care of by his family most of his life, he wanted independence so he decided to grow himself and form connections. Therefore, he could not help but be thrilled when he heard The Aeon's reply.
Without waiting for Atur to say a word, Ignatius said with controlled excitement, "then, shall we give ourselves code names? We can't use our real names for conversation."
Although I might not be able to deceive Mr. Aeon regarding my identity, the person opposite me although slightly younger poses some danger. I must not let him know who I am!
Good idea, answered Adam in a simple and relaxed manner.
What code name should I choose, if your name had been from the tarot like the new orthodox church of The Fool, we could have easily choses one of the names from the tarot cards but that's not the case. He began to ponder on a good name
His tone slightly turned smug.
I've decided. My designated name shall be Jester!
It was another word that had similarities with The Fool from the twenty- two Major Arcana tarot cards.
"what about you? Ignatius smiled at his 'partner' sitting across from him.
Atur frowned slightly before relaxing it immediately.
"The Sinner."
Atur derived it from a tarot card from a major arcana called The Hanged Man.
Alright, then can we be considered as the founding members of the Aeon club! Ignatius was first to blurt it out happily, only to look fearfully at Adam concealed by a mirage. Will that be alright Mr. Aeon?
Adam shook his head in amusement.
You can decide on such matters amongst yourself.
Thank you! Ignatius was slightly thrilled.
Following that, he looked at Atur.
Mr sinner, can you say the address now? Lest I forget before the gathering ends.
No problem. Atur was quite pleased with Ignatius's seriousness and told him the address.
As a seer Ignatius had good memory even if he forgot he could easily perform dream divination to recall it so there was no issue.
After placing the address to memory Ignatius said in excitement, I heard that tarot cards were invented by emperor roselle as a game. In fact it comes equipped with the power to divine the future.
No, most of the time, divination stems from one's self. Everyone has something spiritual about themselves, allowing them to attune to the spirit world and connect to information about themselves at an even higher level. Ordinary folks are unable to notice much less be able to interpret the signs they receive. This information will prevent itself with the help of divination tools. Let me raise a simple example, dream and dream interpreters. Atur took a glance at Adam and seeing no response from him he refuted Ignatius's claim. Tarot cards are in fact, such a tool. It uses more symbolism and more logical elements to help us in conveniently and accurately interpreting the signs."
Although Adam appeared indifferent, he was actually listening very carefully. He realized that new orthodox church of the fool might have some connections to these normal tarot cards used for divination.
Got it, Ignatius nodded in agreement. Following that, he emphasized, that's not what I meant. I heard that Emperor Roselle had actually created another set of cards, secret and mysterious ones which symbolized a particular unknown power and were also twenty-two in number.
He looked at Adam as though he was attempting to get an answer from the mysterious Mr. Aeon.
All Adam did was smile without saying a word. He turned his head to the sinner as though putting him to the test.
Atur subconsciously straightened his back and said in a deep voice, that's right emperor roselle had seen the blasphemy slate and that set of paper cards contain the profound mysteries of the twenty- two path of the divine.
twenty two paths of the divine… repeated Ignatius with a longing tone.
At that moment, Adam thought. the twenty- two paths must connects to the tarot cards, and emperor roselle made them from the information he obtained from the blasphemy slate. Wait slate?
Adam then recalled that he had seen a slate that contained insight about pathways in this mysterious room.
He decided to not think further on this as he began to feel the connection of with the stars and the white room was beginning to falter.
Alright that will be all for today's gathering." He said in a deep voice after making an immediate decision.
By your will" atur bowed his head respectively.
By your will Ignatius followed the sinner.
He still had more questions and thoughts, thus he was unwilling to have it end soon.
As Adam severed the connection, he said with a smile let us look forward to the next gathering.
The stars brightened once more as it's light receeded like water. Just as Ignatius and atur heard Mr. Aeon's words, their figures turned into a blur as they phased away
In a second the 'projections' shattered as the whiteroom restored it's silence.
As for Adam, he felt himself turning heavy rapidly. His surroundings turned fleeting as his eyes met darkness before changing into dazzling sunlight.
He was still standing in the middle of his room. And the sun shone brightly on his face.
It was like a dream… what the heck was that white realm… what sort of power created the changes that just happened… Adam sighed softly. He was completely puzzled as he walked towards the study desk as though his legs were filled with lead.
He looked at the wall clocked at Adrian corner of the room to determined how much time had passed.
Times flowed at the same pace huh. Adam made a correct judgement.
After laying down on his bed, he found himself unable to endure the splitting headache any further. Using his left thumb and middle finger to massage his temples.
After a while he suddenly let out a sigh and said from the looks of it my situation is far more complex than I realized.
After witnessing such a fascinating event and learning the situation regarding beyonders and the mysterious world, Adam no longer dared to rashly try the ritual using ancient Feysac or Loen language or if he had decided to release his blood during the ritual.
Who knows what other kinds of situations would happen, perhaps it would be more strange, bizarre and horrifying.
At the very least, I should attempt only when I have a deeper mastery of mysticism, thought Adam helplessly.
Thankfully, the so called gathering could provide him with help.
…
Adam tried his best to refocus his solutions and plans he had made before.
He was more resolved to become a beyonder of the savant pathway when he read about it in the slate above the white realm.
The gathering had given him new information, he wasn't sure if such methods to gather were common, but at least he had his own gathering now, what he learned was paramount as those two individual had unique character. The young adult appeared mature and calm during the whole ordeal, while the apparent adult was more expressive and optimistic.
Adam focused his thought to recall what he had learned. There are indeed twenty pathways each corresponding to a tarot card which makes the church of the fool quite interesting, there's some sort of blasphemy slate that contains the paths of the divine. Oh yes emperor roselle now I remember he was in aurore's book as the leader of the intis republic and he was also called the son of steam.