Chapter 30: Age
Next morning, Tingen Nighthawk base Klein ride a carriage. After entering he noticed Rozanne didn't come. At the same time The elegant Mrs . Orianna with her fashionably coiled hair stepped into the reception hall with a light-green dress .
"Good morning, Mr . Neil . Good morning, Klein . " She held a small leather handbag as she greeted with a smile . "It's another fabulous day today . A pretty good day . "
"Good morning, Orianna . You are still as beautiful as ten years ago," replied Old Neil with a chuckle .
Orianna's eyes turned to slits as she upturned her face .
"Mr . Neil, the way you praise is still as infuriating as ten years ago . "
She enunciated the words 'ten years . '
"Is that so?" Old Neil looked at Klein, confused . He wore a perplexed look .
Never mention anything that will remind the ladies of their age . . . As a keyboard warrior that knew a little of everything, Klein instantly understood what had peeved Mrs . Orianna . He smiled lightly and said,
"Good morning, Mrs . Orianna . You are as beautiful as always . "
"Thank you, our outstanding Khoy University graduate . " Orianna smiled with a nod before saying, "That old butler has already paid the mission's commission . According to Captain's rules, half of it will be used as additional funds, while the other half will be split between you and Leonard . But since you aren't a formal member, you can only take ten percent of the half . Come over later to sign for it . "
"How much did he pay?" Klein asked happily while also feeling the pinch .
"200 pounds . This was what he said back then—'Lord, the esteemed Storm! I never imagined or believed that this was resolved just like that! This is even harder than us having a dream! Why is your security company so unknown? It's an insult to the entire industry!'" Mrs . Orianna mimicked the old butler's southern accent .
Klein thought seriously for a few seconds before saying humorously, "This is just too unfair for those kidnappers . "
Two Beyonders had resolved the problem quickly using methods that could be described as easy and pleasant . . . This is like an adult bullying a few kids while in full combat attire . . .
"They were just too unlucky . They must have lost the protection of the divine," said Orianna with a soft laugh . "I told the butler that we were only lucky . One of our informants happened to see the kidnappers bring the child into the hideout . Therefore, do not have too much hopes for us . We really are just a very ordinary security company . "
Old Neil puckered his lips by the side and said enviously, "You really are a lucky lad . You haven't joined us for long and you've encountered a job worth 200 pounds . "
Yes, it's very strange. It influences very strong.
"According to Orianna's accounts, we might not encounter a single job an entire week . And most jobs are worth less than twenty pounds . " Old Neil rubbed the moonstone by his wrist and sighed .
Following that, he looked at Klein with anticipation .
"If you encounter any similar jobs in the future, remember to inform me . "
Upon hearing Old Neil's words, Klein suddenly felt a strange feeling arise in him . Therefore, he asked directly, "Mr . Neil, you seem to be lacking in money . How much do you get paid a week? If you aren't comfortable telling me, just ignore my question . "
Old Neil leaned back into the sofa and chuckled .
"This isn't something that needs hiding . I've been here for so many years . At present, I will obtain salaries from both the Church and the police department every week; a total of twelve pounds . "
Klein nodded simply because old Neil is an experienced Beyonder.
"However—" Old Neil shook his head . "Such a salary is insufficient for Beyonders like us who have to frequently study the hidden mysteries, practice and attempt rituals . "
"There's a limitation to it . At times, we have to give a sufficient legitimate reason . If you want to learn more and experiment in the field of mysticism, you can only spend your own dime to buy materials . It can be bought internally or at underground markets . "
"There's no way to control such matters . Yeah, from the viewpoint of mysticism, all beings are sentient with their spirits and they stem from the same source . The materials we use are not limited to those extraordinary creatures . It also comes from ordinary animals, plants, and minerals . For example, the poison hemlock, gold mint leaves, and night vanilla in the bottle of Seer potion; they are items we can encounter frequently in our daily lives . They might not have any extraordinary characteristics, but they have special characteristics . Through concoction and blending, they will derive certain effects . Therefore, this is not a trade that the Church can ban," explained Old Neil in detail .
Without waiting for Klein to say a word, he continued, "Besides, it's not only the core of extraordinary beings that are of use . For example, the Lavos Squid . Apart from its blood, its eyeballs, skin, and tentacles are pretty good materials . Unless the Church captures it entirely with its own manpower, to completely corner and control any outflows would be a tremendous financial burden . The lower the grade of the extraordinary material, the more it is so . They can only do their best to prevent the more special materials from flowing out . "
Old Neil suddenly laughed . "There's another important reason . It's better to know of an underground market than not knowing of it . Under the premise that secret organizations have not been fully eliminated, this is a pretty good strategy . Besides, it can help us obtain materials we are lacking . Of course, with the existence of such markets, contraband items will appear . As long as it's not something ridiculous or overly dangerous, we will turn a blind eye to it . At most, we would use them to enrich our vaults . "
"Is it because the few large Churches put each other in place, so no one can take excessive action?" Klein guessed .
Old Neil acknowledged tersely but did not elaborate .
"I'm a Seer . In the future, I'll definitely need to practice and will need more materials . Mr . Neil, can you take me to the underground market to have a look?" Klein requested with a valid reason .
Old Neil appeared to be placed in a difficult position .
"In fact, those guys who are active in those places are mostly not Beyonders . Some of them might be aristocrats that like mystery or rich people who have inclinations towards mysticism . . . Uh, alright . I have a thirty pound bill that needs paying soon . It wouldn't be convenient for me to head over there for the time being . "
Oh! That one.
"Mr . Neil, do you need me to lend you money? I just earned a commission of ten pounds . "
"Haha, there's no need . I'll be able to settle it . " Old Neil patted the sofa and slowly stood up . "Sigh, age is truly an enemy that biological creatures can't fight . I'm exhausted from last night's watch . Yeah, revise what I've taught you later this morning . Read more documents . Tomorrow, I'll teach you the foundations of ritualistic magic . "
"Alright . " Klein got up and bade him farewell by taking off his hat .
When Captain Dunn did not return at noon, Klein pretended that he was still searching for the notebook as he roamed the streets again .
Having earned ten pounds, he no longer needed to wait for the next disbursement of the funds . He could head directly to the Divination Club!
I wanted to digest my potion quickly.
In the Divination Club situated at the second floor of 13 Howes Street, North Borough of Tingen City .
Klein saw the beautiful lady that attended to visitors once again .
She was still having her brownish-yellow long hair coiled, making her look mature and elegant . It was hard to tell her age .
"Hello, Mr . Glacis isn't here today . Would you like to change fortune-tellers today?" said the beautiful lady with a smile .
Upon hearing that, Klein, who had just taken off his silk hat and put it back on, was immediately surprised .
"You still remember me?"
That was already five days ago!
The woman puckered her lips into a smile .
"You are the first customer that sought Mr . Glacis's services . You are also the only one to this very day . It's hard for me not to have a deep impression of you . "
Was this the image of him being penny-wise, pound-foolish? Klein lampooned himself as he deliberated a question .
"When was the last time Mr . Glacis came to the club?"
The lady shot a glance at him and answered seemingly in recollection, "To be honest, we are unable to grasp when our members will come and go . They have their free will and personal matters to tend to . Well, I do believe that Mr . Glacis hasn't come to the club since he told your fortune that day . "
I wish him the best of luck . May the Goddess bless him . . . Klein prayed and did not ask further . Instead, he asked with a smile, "I'm not here for divination services this time . I plan to join the club . "
"Really? That's our pleasure . " The lady expressed a timely look of surprise delight . "For the first year as a member, the membership fee is five pounds . It will be one pound a year thereafter . I believe there's no need for me to describe in the details again?"
Klein took out a five-pound note he recently received as he watched Henry Augustus I's portrait depart him .
After seriously checking the anti-counterfeit watermark, the woman stored away the note seriously and handed a form to Klein .
"Please fill in your detailed information . Let me prepare the receipt for you . "
There's a receipt? You should bill it to Blackthorn Security Company . . . Klein was amused by his own thoughts as he picked up a fountain pen on the desk . With the blackish-blue ink, he filled in his name, age, address, and company information .
However, he had deliberately left his date-of-birth empty . To a Seer, that provided profound mysteries about his body through his Life Path Number .
After receiving the receipt and finishing his registration as a member, the lady extended her right hand .
"Congratulations on joining Tingen City's Divination Club . I'm Angelica Barrehart, your hardworking server . This is your member cufflinks . There are special inscriptions on them which will identify you as a member . "
"Hello, Madam Angelica . " Klein shook her hand and took the dark gold cufflinks .
He realized that the special inscription was written with the root word for 'fortune-teller' in Hermes .
Angelica retracted her left hand and thought for a few seconds .
"Might I ask what divination arts you are most familiar with? Or would you prefer to learn some divination methods from the club? We will consider inviting famous fortune-tellers of the corresponding domain to give classes . We will also introduce you members with similar expertise so that you can have a good time interacting with them . "
"I know a bit of every divination art . There's no need to give me any special considerations . " Klein replied with some embellishments . In addition, he inquired, "Can I begin telling the fortunes of others? I'm not a total rookie . "
He was here to act as a Seer and not learn the divination methods ordinary people could learn .
Angelica maintained a polite smile as she said, "You can tell the fortunes of people anytime in the club . However, before we confirm your skills, we will not promote you when our customers ask . How much do you plan on charging for your fortune-telling?"
"Two pence . " Klein decided to gain at advantage with price while he was still unknown .
"We will go by the standard of taking an eighth, so we will be taking a quarterpence for fees . . . " Angelica repeated the various rules first before writing Klein's information into the fortune-teller album which customers could choose from .
After all of this was done, she pointed at the meeting room at the far end of the corridor with a smile .
"Mr . Hanass Vincent is currently explaining astrolabe divination . You can find a quiet spot to listen in . You can also raise your questions if there are any queries . "
"Alright . " Klein walked toward the meeting room.
At that moment, Angelica chased up and whispered, "Mr . Moretti, would you want coffee or tea? We provide Sibe black tea, Southville coffee, and Desi coffee . "
Klein, who had been reading the papers regularly, knew that these coffees and black tea were considered as one of the inferior varieties, but he also knew that they were definitely of better quality than the ones he had at home . After some thought, he said, "A cup of Southville coffee . Three teaspoons of sugar without milk please . "
Loen Kingdom's Southville was famous for its beer and red wine; many important figures were fond of them . However, their coffee was relatively unknown .
"Alright, I'll send it to you in a bit . " Angelica pointed towards the meeting room .
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