"What abilities does the Seer potion grant?" Klein kept his tone calm and curious.
"There's a lot under that umbrella—astromancy, cartomancy, divining, scrying. And don't be mistaken—drinking the potion only gives you the potential to learn those skills.
"Seers lack any direct combat methods, but tend to be scholars of the occult. In terms of mystical knowledge, they're far more versed than Mystery Pryers."
Dunn watched Klein silently, secretly smiling. "No need to rush. Tell me your answer Monday morning.
"Listen to your heart."
Dunn walked past Klein.
Klein remained still—bowing his head slightly—watching Dunn's figure fade into the dim corridor.
Klein drew a long breath.
He approached his bed and lay down.
'I can finally become a Beyonder.'
....
Sunday.
Looking at the newspaper, Benson said, "Let's start with 2 Daffodil Street."
It was time for house hunting.
....
The three stood before their new home. Surprisingly, they had few issues with the terrace at 2 Daffodil Street, and they rented it for 13 soli.
....
The next morning, Klein arrived at Blackthorn Security Company.
He looked older, sharper, more dignified in his new tuxedo.
"Good morning, Klein!" Rozanne said brightly. "Don't you men feel suffocated wearing those suits? It's summer, you know."
"The price of style, Miss Rozanne." Klein chuckled.
She laughed. "The captain's in his office."
....
"Come in," said Dunn Smith's calm, resonant voice.
Dunn looked up, noticing Klein's polished attire. "Thought it through?"
"Yes, I have." Klein drew a slow breath.
"Then tell me."
Klein met Dunn's gaze, unflinching.
"The Seer." Klein declared.
Dunn gazed at Klein for a full minute, silent.
"You understand that once you drink a potion, there's no going back."
"I know. But I trust my heart."
'If I wish to return home, I need knowledge of mysticism. I could have chosen Mystery Pryer, but Roselle mentioned Seer in his regrets.'
"Alright," Dunn said. "Go to the alchemy room. Old Neil will fetch the formula and ingredients from Chanis Gate and meet you."
"Okay. Thank you, captain." Klein simply responded.
....
Long workbenches filled the alchemy room, cluttered with glass tubes, pipettes, burners, and strange metallic tools.
Moments later, Old Neil stepped in, carrying a small silver chest.
"Ah, lad." Neil rasped. "I never expected you to choose the Seer. You've got a robust sense of self—like me in my youth. Haha!"
....
"Concocting low-Sequence potions is quite simple. Just follow the steps, measure precisely, and mix."
"For real?" Klein asked, half in disbelief.
Old Neil simply shrugged.
He prepared a small cauldron along with all the necessary ingredients, and began the potion's preparation.
"100 milliliters of pure water.
"Thirteen drops of night vanilla extract.
"Seven gold mint leaves.
"Three drops of poison hemlock.
"Now, nine drops of dragon blood grass powder."
Klein felt naturally uneasy, unfamiliar with these bizarre components. Even the original Klein had never heard their names.
Old Neil continued, "These ingredients are supplementary. A little more or a little less won't ruin the brew.
"But these last two must be exact, otherwise the enhancement will fail. If not, then the best-case scenario is you only needing psychiatric care."
Klein froze as Old Neil withdrew a black glass bottle.
"Lavos squid blood, 10 milliliters.
"Final ingredient—Aqua Star crystal, 50 grams."
A pale, white fog burst forth—light and ethereal. For a brief moment, Klein saw countless constellations swirling above him, like a universe compressed into breath.
"It's done." Old Neil's voice was calm but grave. "Your Seer potion."
Klein stared at the dark-blue, jellylike liquid. His Seer potion.
"Am I supposed to just drink it like this?"
"Of course not!" Old Neil said seriously, gravely. "First, pour yourself a cup of wine, light a cigar, and dance a lively court jig."
Klein blinked, frozen for a moment.
Old Neil chuckled. "If you're nervous, that is."
'You think you're funny, don't you...' Klein suppressed a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"Don't hesitate. It only affects the absorption."
Klein nodded. He took a long breath and tipped the cup back.
The cool, smooth liquid slid down his throat.
A chill instantly raced through his body—icy tendrils wrapping around every muscle.
His limbs convulsed.
The world around him melted.
Shapes formed in the void—things that should never exist. Impossible angles. Crawling colors. Fractured silhouettes.
The horror snapped his awareness back. He was still in the alchemy room.
Then came the whispers.
"Hornacis... Flegrea... Hornacis... Flegrea... Hornacis... Flegrea..."
The murmurs clawed at his ears, like insects chewing at the edges of thought.
"Your vision's off? Hearing things?" Old Neil's voice drifted in.
"Yes, Mr. Neil! What should I do?" Klein answered, unmistakable panic in his voice.
Old Neil smiled. "You have to control the potion's energy. Think of something simple—an everyday object."
Klein imagined his half-top hat as clearly as he could.
"Does it ease a little?" Old Neil asked.
"Yes." Klein exhaled. "Much better."
He instinctively flexed his fingers. "So... I've succeeded? I'm a Seer?"
"Look at your eyes." Old Neil held up a mirror to Klein's face.
Klein's brown irises had darkened into an uncanny, obsidian black.
"That's the potion's mark. You must learn cogitation.
"What you just did now—replace that object with one born purely of your mind. It mustn't be something from this world."
'Would something from Earth count?'
He imagined an intercontinental missile, but it remained inert.
'Doesn't work...'
He conjured a sphere of light, then countless small orbs—close enough to touch... with spirit.
"Excellent." Old Neil smiled. "Now let's move on to Spirit Vision. The black color in your eyes also manifests because of this skill."
Old Neil's body split into multiple colors—vibrant yet faint—visible only through Klein's changed perception.
"So, do I look a little different? From this, you can even tell my health."
'The colors are a bit dim. Is that just his old age?'
Klein looked at his palms, clenching his fists.
'I'm really... a Beyonder.'
Then his eyes caught movement behind Neil—in the faint gray air.
A pair of translucent eyes floated in the void. Browless. Emotionless. Cold.
"There are eyes behind you!" Klein jumped back.
Old Neil turned slightly, then smiled. A thin, weary smile.
"Ignore them."