The translucent face said, "Even though you found inspiration through the maxim of the Mystery Pryers and confirmed your theories through my experience and performance, it only took you a month to understand the 'acting method' and come up with your own Seer principle. That shows that you possess outstanding wisdom and an open mind."
Klein asked in response, "Madam, do the higher-ups in the church know about this so-called 'acting method?'"
"No doubt, they understand it very clearly. I once read through the historical information in the church and searched through stories of people ignoring the norms and advancing quickly. I realized that there were more than a few Nighthawks and bishops who have done so; I'm not the most unique one either. But their ending..." Daly paused.
"What kind of ending did they have?" Klein asked. Could it be that the Church of the Evernight Goddess views the "acting method" as the seduction of some devil or evil god?
The translucent face continued, "Their endings were rather great. Besides the few who lost control or were sacrificed in Beyonder incidents, the rest of them have at least become archbishops or high-ranking deacons. Among them, there are also experts that have successfully become High-Sequence Beyonders. In the Church of the Goddess, Sequence 4s and Sequence 3s are called Saints, while Sequence 2s and Sequence 1s are called Grounded Angels. Of course, every angel was once a Saint."
"Since the Church has mastered the 'acting method,' why didn't they just tell every Nighthawk? Although it wouldn't prevent every Nighthawk from losing control, it would definitely lower the probability and reduce unnecessary losses."
"I have no idea why either. They told me that when I become an archbishop or high-ranking deacon, I'll be able to know the secret. I came here today because I hope that you can tell Dunn about the 'acting method' more clearly before you hand in your special request."
Klein asked, "Once noticed by the Church, one has to swear not to tell anyone about the 'acting method?'"
"Yes, you must do it before the Goddess's holy items and swear upon Her name. That holds enough binding force. Trust me, you definitely don't want to know the outcome of a violation. I can only talk about it with people who have mastered the 'acting method,' like you. Your body language already gave me the answer before you replied; that's why I dared to say the term.
I only faintly grasped the essence of 'acting' back then and digested the potion very quickly. Yes, among the higher-ups in the Church, using the term 'digesting' to describe the control of the potion is very aptly worded. Anyway, before I made the pledge and found out about the 'acting method,' I had no clear understanding of it, so I couldn't accurately explain it to Dunn and the others.
I gave up at first. I never thought that I would meet you, an eccentric wonder that could clearly understand the 'acting method' before handing in a special application—no, a genius."
Klein's mouth twitched before promising, "I originally intended to remind Captain about the existence of the 'acting method' through my special application. With your explanation, I don't have to worry further."
"Very well, you're such a kind lad." Daly said.
Madam, you're only about two to three years older than me...
The translucent face continued, "If you have any problems or anything that you require assistance with, you can write a letter to me. Wait for me, heh heh. When I become an Archbishop or a high-ranking deacon, which allows me to understand why the Church hides the 'acting method,' I'll give you a hint whether it's a good or bad thing."
Klein asked, "Madam, what's your address?"
To him, the more help he got, the merrier. Plus, she was a pretty strong Spirit Medium.
Seeing that Klein didn't oppose the idea at all, Daly said, "Our communication shouldn't go through the post office, as we would be using normal letters. That's very dangerous.
Instead, I'll teach you a relatively easy ritualistic magic. You can use it to summon a special spirit, one that belongs to me. Pass the letter to it, and it'll send it precisely to me. It wouldn't be faster than a telegram, but it's faster than a steam locomotive. If you were to send a message at noon, I would receive the message in Backlund that same night."
Klein nodded faintly. "A very reliable ritualistic magic."
Daly said, "The uniqueness of the ritualistic magic is to pray to yourself. Obtaining power from your own spirituality, without going through a god. Hence, it's quite secretive, but it isn't very powerful.
First, you select an herb and essential oil in the corresponding domain. This is no different than normal ritualistic magic. However, you only need the candle that represents yourself. Then, regarding the spell, there are three parts. The first part is 'I.' Shout 'I' in either ancient Hermes, Jotun, Dragonish, or Elvish. The second part is 'I summon in my name.' That part can be said in Hermes. The third part is the exact description of the summoning object. For instance, you would use this in the future: 'the spirit that wanders about the unfounded, the higher-dimensional creature that a human orders, the messenger that belongs to Daly Simone."
Higher-dimensional? In mysticism, this is normally referred to as the spirit world... Klein memorized the ritual procedure.
In that aspect, he could barely be considered an expert.
Daly repeated the description a few times and emphasized, "Remember, don't change the actual description of the summoning object, or the ritual could easily attract a terrifying existence."
"Okay." Klein nodded. If I were to change the description of the summoning object to "The Fool that doesn't belong to this era, the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck," what would be summoned?
Would it fail? Would the gray fog suddenly descend? Or would I need to respond in that mysterious space?
Klein asked, "Madam, if one were to strictly practice the 'acting method,' how long does it take to go from Sequence 8 to Sequence 7, and how long from Sequence 7 to Sequence 6?"
Daly described roughly, "According to the information that I've read, it varies from three months to two years for Sequence 8 to Sequence 7. It depends on whether you can grasp the core spirit and corresponding principle during the 'acting' process. From Sequence 7 to Sequence 6, it varies from half a year to three years; likewise for Sequence 6 to Sequence 5. As for Sequence 5 to Sequence 4, three to twenty years..."
Klein asked, "So, Madam, are you already at Sequence 6?"
He heard from Dunn that Daly used a year's time from Sequence 9 Corpse Collector to Sequence 8 Gravedigger. Then, from Gravedigger to Sequence 7 Spirit Medium, she used another year. She had been a Beyonder for five years. In other words, Daly was at the Spirit Medium stage for about three years.
"Yes, that's the reason why I was transferred to the Backlund diocese," the translucent face answered. "My current occupation is a Spirit Guide. However, I prefer the name Spirit Medium. Alright, this little guy is getting tired. I have to go. Under such circumstances, I won't be saying 'may the Goddess bless you.'"
"Sweet dreams." Klein bowed.
"No, there won't be any sweet dreams tonight. I have to rush back to Backlund. This isn't a happy experience; it's like having a relationship with someone you don't like..." Daly's voice grew fainter, and the translucent face shrank back into the wall without a trace.
The gas lamp light became bright again. Klein, who had his Spirit Vision activated the entire time, watched the changes in a daze.
"Spirit Medium—no, Spirit Guide is very impressive. It can actually conjure a 'messenger.' I wonder what the specialty of my Sequence 7 and Sequence 6 is."
Klein dispelled the spiritual wall, switched off the gas lamp in his bedroom, and silently lay down in the darkness.
...
On the second day, Klein arrived at the Blackthorn Security Company three minutes early.
"Good morning, Klein. The new clerk is here!" Rozanne said.
"Congratulations, Rozanne. The Goddess heard your prayers." Klein said.
"My skin shall be back to perfect condition!" Rozanne said.
After they chatted for a while, Klein walked through the partition and knocked on the door to the Captain's office.
"Please come in," Dunn said.
Klein pushed open the door and sat down. "Captain, I have something that I'd like to report."
"What is it?" Dunn asked.