Chapter Text
"...Congratulations. You're now a Sequence 9 Beyonder: Savant!" Morgana congratulated me.
"So, how does it feel to finally become a Beyonder?"
I then tried to move my hands, looking around my body. But suddenly, I heard a small voice that seemed to whisper directly into my brain. It whispered, "Akasha... Arcopolis..." over and over again. After about 10 repetitions, the whisper slowly faded away.
Honestly, the whispering voice did feel creepy to me. But it sounded cute and insignificant compared to the flood of information Mr. Fool was injecting me with.
"Aside from the slightly annoying whispering voice... I don't feel any change." Finally, after some thought, I answered Morgana's question, slightly confused.
"Indeed, a Sequence 9 Beyonder is almost no different from a normal human." Morgana explained to me as she tidied up her alchemy tools, which she had just used to concoct a potion. "...Moreover, Savants are not much different from ordinary humans. Their spirituality is also low. They can't see or hear mystical things, so they can't be relied upon to solve most mystical cases."
I became a little annoyed with Morgana for underappreciating Savants.
Morgana continued, ignoring my irritation. "...Instead, Savants become experts in real-world scientific fields, such as mechanics, chemistry, and physics. But, the core of a Savant's power is in their Recall."
"A Savant will always retain memories of what they've read, experienced, and felt. But that doesn't mean those memories will always be in your head. You need active Recall to remember what you want to remember."
"For some easy image to compare, Savant Beyonder is like a library with infinite memory capacity, and any memory stored there will never be lost. However, to find that memory, you must use your spirituality to perform a Recall to find the desired memory within the library."
"If you've just been drinking the Potion for a year, you might not have grasped the power of Potion Savant yet, so it might take you about 5 seconds, or even 10 seconds to recall the memory you want. But as you grasp the Potion's power over time, the recall time will shorten. In fact, I've heard that if you fully grasp the power of Potion Savant, you won't need a second to recall anything at all."
I thought about it after hearing Morgana's explanation and couldn't help but laugh to myself. It's like my brain is a computer with unlimited storage, but minimal processing power and RAM. But over time, the more Savant Potion is digested, the more its processing power and RAM will improve.
However, there were a few terms that confused me a bit. Why did Morgana call it "grasping" the power of potions, instead of "digesting" them? Was it just a difference in terminology? I don't think the problem is that simple. Mr. Fool's notes explicitly state: "It's not about grasping them, but rather digesting them." So, it's not just a difference in terminology, but rather a fundamental difference in understanding.
I then thought about what Miss Justice had said, namely that the Acting Method and Potion Digestion were important materials that ordinary Beyonders wouldn't know. I thought by "ordinary Beyonders" she meant Beyonders unaffiliated with the church, as I had originally planned to be. But it turns out that the "ordinary Beyonders" Miss Justice was referring to most Beyonders, including those from the church!
I felt both joy and admiration well up in my heart. It turned out that the contents of Mr. Fool's notes were truly valuable to all Beyonders! Not just a beginner like me! Even Morgana, who has ties to the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, doesn't know about Potion Digestion, and it's highly likely she doesn't know about the Acting Method either!
"Melissa?" Morgana, who had finished tidying up her tools, suddenly called out to me who lost in my own thought.
"Ah!"
"Don't use your Recall too often for the next few hours. You've just drunk the Savant Potion. Your spirituality is still unstable," Morgana reminded me.
"Okay, Priestess Morgana..."
"You can wait and rest in my office. I will inform Bishop Gilbert of your success in advancement to Savant, and discuss our future plans for you." Morgana then opened the door leading directly to her office. I immediately got up and entered her office, resting on the sofa.
Meanwhile, Morgana herself immediately left her office.
While waiting for Morgana to return, I returned to thinking about the Savant Potion I had just drunk. There were three things I needed to think about here.
First, a small bonus ability gained from Potion Savant, besides knowledge and Recall, is the ability to determine the length, distance, and size of objects in millimeter-detail. This ability comes from one of the supplementary ingredients, a ruler that is stained by a Library Shadow Spirit.
Its application was very limited. The only objects I can instinctively measure are those within my direct line of sight, within 1 meter of my eyes. It may sound insignificant, which it is, but I really appreciate this small bonus. It allows me to focus on crafting tools or weapons without worrying about the exact length of a thing I want to create.
Second, there's the strange but pleasurable feeling I get immediately after drinking the potion. My instincts tell me that this feeling is what occurs when the potion in my body has been digested. Although only 50% of the potion has been digested, I don't think it's normal. Since I haven't performed my Savant act yet, surely the Potion shouldn't have been digested, right? Perhaps I should ask Mr. Fool about this on the next Monday.
Because my potion was 50% digested, I felt like only need 2 or 3 seconds to recall things. In addition, if I want to recall some memories from my previous world, it would take me 5 seconds.
Then the third thing, and this was the strangest of all.
I then manifested a book in my palm. To manifest it, I needed a significant amount of spirituality, about 1/10 of my total spirituality. But to keep it manifested, it doesn’t consume even a bit of spirituality. Yes, the book I was just manifested was one of the Potion Savant abilities I had acquired. However, from Morgana's explanation and Mr. Fool's notes, I had never read or heard of a Savant Beyonder gaining such an ability.
I then looked at the book I had manifested. The hardcover was half a centimeter thick, but there was no writing on the cover or back. The book itself was 6 cm thick, with each page feeling as thin as a paper towel. But strangely, the paper was so strong and firm that it couldn't be torn.
The contents of this book appear to be a list of all the knowledge I've learned. Yes, everything. Including knowledge from my previous world. However, what's written in this book is only an outline, not really explaining the knowledge in detail. Overall, this book isn't much of an encyclopedia, more like a catalogue of knowledge.
Then, when my finger touches one of the lists, for example, the one on "Quantum Physics Theory," my brain automatically recalls in less than a second all the knowledge about Quantum Physics Theory I've learned in college. I don't even need to invoke spirituality to recall it.
Furthermore, within the sections of this catalogue, there are divisions marked with bookmarks within the catalogue itself. These sections are: Philosophy, Formal Science, Natural Science, Social Science, Applied Science, Practical Science, Heuristic Science, Arts & Literature, Language, and finally, Mysticism. I then opened each of the bookmarks in this catalogue.
In the Philosophy section, there aren't many pages marked with bookmarks. As I only heard about the theories of obsolete philosophers from Ancient Greece through passing winds.
The Formal Science section is a different story. As a graduate of Theoretical Physics, I'm deeply involved in Formal Science, such as Logic and Mathematics. This is evident from the Formal Science section bookmarked in this catalogue had a quarter of the entire book's thickness.
However, this is still dwarfed by the thickness of the section bookmarked by Natural Science. Natural Science covers topics like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, and Geology. I certainly studied these topics extensively in my previous life. The section’s thickness accounts for half the total thickness of this catalogue.
Another 1/8 of the catalogue’s total thickness is sections bookmarked by Applied Science and Practical Science. Applied Science is the application of Formal Science theories, such as statistical theory and computer theory. Practical Science, on the other hand, is the application of Natural Science, such as Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, and so on. As a graduate of Theoretical Physics, I've had the opportunity to learn a bit about the applications of the sciences I've studied, especially Engineering.
The remaining 1/8 is sections bookmarked about other subjects. In fact, the Mysticism section consisted of only a single sheet of paper. There were only a few written lists, and most of them were information sourced from Mr. Fool. Some of it was superficial mystical information I'd learned from Potions, while others were mystical anecdotes I'd heard from Selena and Elizabeth.
I then put away the large catalogue in my hand. To get rid of it, I simply imagined it disappearing, and it barely consumed my spirituality.
I then thought about the catalogue. It seemed that catalogue was my own unique power. It was evident through Morgana's explanation and Mr. Fool's information, two different sources and two completely different entities, that neither knew about the Savant Beyonder who possessed this catalogue as an ability.
I could have asked Mr. Fool about this catalogue, but I was afraid that would only make Mr. Fool even more curious about me. I was afraid I'd be treated as a guinea pig by Mr. Fool. I couldn't ask Morgana about this either. Even though I'm sure Morgana wouldn't use me as a guinea pig, but Morgana's superiors and the entire Church of the God of Steam and Machinery surely couldn't contain their curiosity and made me their guinea pig.
While it's cool to have some unique powers, I feel this power is just too redundant compared to my other Savant power, which is Recall. Well, at least that catalogue is neat enough to map all of my knowledge.
While I was daydreaming about whether this thick catalogue could be used as a blunt weapon against the enemy, Morgana had just returned to her office.
"Melissa. Come with me. We're going to the Machinery Hivemind's main office to discuss your future plans." Morgana didn't immediately enter her office, but stood in front of the door and motioned for me to follow her.
"Okay." I immediately got up from the sofa and followed Morgana.
This time, I walked quite a distance from Morgana's office. I had to go down the stairs to the underground corridor, then walk along it until I finally arrived at a familiar place: the Tingen University Workshop. Upon entering the workshop, which I hadn't visited in a long time, I was directed to the Workshop Supervisor's office.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw a man in his 30s sitting at a table in the center, writing something. He wore thick, round glasses, his curly hair looked a little messy, but he had muscular hands and broad shoulders. Overall, the man in front of me looked like a nerdy bookworm with a passion for bodybuilding. It was a rather interesting contrast. He immediately stopped what he was doing when he saw Morgana and I had arrived.
"Ah! Morgana, and also... Melissa, right?" The man then greeted Morgana and me while adjusting his thick glasses.
"That's right, captain. We were instructed by Bishop Gilbert to report to you immediately once Melissa successfully advance to Savant," Morgana replied bluntly, and then Morgana introduced the man in front of me. "...Melissa, let me introduce you. The man in front of you is Allan Walker. Captain of the Tingen’s Machinery Hivemind."
"Nice to meet you, young lady." Allan immediately greeted me upon hearing his name.
"Likewise..." I actually felt a little awkward seeing the Captain's rather straightforward demeanor.
"Well, don't fret too much. We're here to discuss your activities as a Beyonder in detail." Allan tried to reassure me.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're already planned to enroll as a student at the Technical University of Backlund, right? We can start there, then slowly work out the details."
Allan then told me the church’s previous plan. The plan was for me to be given Potion Savant when I entered my second year of college. From there, I would be trained by expert lecturers in mechanical engineering and gradually advance in rank upon graduation. In that scenario, since I'd taken the Potion while studying at university, my membership and Beyonder background were clear: a student offered Potion Savant due to my intelligence. In that scenario, I wouldn't have to go through Machinery Hivemind membership screening, and I wouldn't have to undergo strict supervision because I would be supervised from the start by various lecturers and civil agents from the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery at the university.
But because I'd been exposed to the world of mysticism and its dangers, the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery was forced to give me the Potion a year earlier than planned. This would cause complications with church membership and bureaucracy between Tingen and Backlund.
Because I drank the Potion in Tingen, I'm technically a probationary member of the Machinery Hivemind in Tingen. However, since I plan to leave for Backlund next week, my membership will be transferred to the Machinery Hivemind in Backlund. Since I'm going to Backlund for college, my membership will be transferred to the civilian Beyonder section of the university.
While administratively, this can be resolved, the current change in faction leadership has disrupted all administrative services at the university. If I were transferred as originally planned, I would be an unsupervised Beyonder until the end of October. Or, if the problems at the top of nation persist, I could be an unsupervised Beyonder until the end of November.
This problem could have been avoided by not immediately transferring me to the university's civilian Beyonder branch and instead placing me in the Machinery Hivemind in Backlund. However, that would have required me to participate in Machinery Hivemind missions, which would have disrupted my studies. Furthermore, since I was technically still a minor, the Machinery Hivemind in Backlund would undoubtedly have a difficult time managing me.
But thanks to my earlier request to Bishop Gilbert, Allan finally found a compromise. When I transferred to Backlund, my membership would remain in the Machinery Hivemind and would still be under their supervision. However, I wouldn't be ordered to participate in missions; instead, I would serve as an informant for the Machinery Hivemind.
The details are still being discussed by the Backlund administration, but I will most likely be placed in East Borough, specifically at 15 Bacardi Street, near the Backlund Bridge. I would also be required to report regularly once a week to Lever Cathedral, which is near the Backlund Bridge.
Once the campus administration stabilizes, I can be transferred to the civilian Beyonder section of the university. I could still do my job as an informant if it didn't interfere with my studies.
After hearing Captain Allan's explanation, I felt my previous request had actually provided a solution to my somewhat ambiguous and awkward position. But that was fine, as long as I wasn't constrained by the Machinery Hivemind's systems and hierarchy while still receiving the identity, benefits, and guarantees I enjoy as an official Beyonder, I felt that was fair.
The discussion regarding my schedule wasn't over. Allan and Morgana still wanted to discuss my agenda for the next week until I departed for Backlund. Morgana also planned to teach me a week-long crash course in mysticism. This mysticism class would be held every day for the next week from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. I was advised to attend the class in my optimal spiritual state.
I agreed. Even though I had Mr. Fool's notes, I still didn't know what I didn't know. Therefore, I felt I still needed formal guidance from a senior Beyonder regarding mysticism, especially since this was a topic I had never touched before, either in this world or in my previous one.
"Oh right, Sir Alan. May I access this Workshop in my free time? And may I have access to ordinary ingredients and materials?" Just as I remembered, I asked Allan for permission.
"That's fine," Allan replied after a few seconds of thought. "...However, unlike the previous you in the Clergy Apprentice, you'll have to write a report detailing how much material you used and what you created with it."
"Reasonable conditions. I agree."
"What do you want to create, Melissa?" Morgana became curious.
"Savants don't have any fighting skills, right? So, I decided to create a weapon for myself. Oh, and I also intend to create a bomb as my ultimate weapon for combat."
"A bomb!?" Morgana looked shocked upon hearing my statement.
While discussing my plans to build weapons and bombs, there was a knock on the door of the Workshop Supervisor's office.
"Excuse me, Captain Allan. We'd like to submit a case report," a young male voice called from outside the office.
"Come in!" Allan replied loudly. Immediately, two young men entered the front door, each carrying several sheets of paper. Of the two men who entered, one I recognized: Priest Justinus. He was also the one who had helped me and given me the healing medicine during the terrorist incident last week.
I looked at Morgana, slightly confused. "...Is the report I'm about to hear is confidential? Do I need to step out of here for a while?"
Morgana and Allan exchanged a brief glance, but Morgana finally shrugged. "...Eh, no problem. you've already become a Beyonder. You'll encounter many mystical cases in the future. Perhaps you can learn something from hearing this report."
"Bruce, report your findings immediately," Allan immediately ordered Bruce.
"Yes, sir!"
Bruce immediately perform a verbal case report. The case he was reporting involved the mass smuggling of Beyonder materials, which were now freely circulating in the Underground Market.
The background to this case was that, two days before the terrorist incident at Saint Selena Cathedral, a freight train was attacked in the suburbs of Morse Town by an unknown group. The group was suspected to be the Aurora Order cult. The cult then looted the freight train's contents. The problem was that the freight train contained a large amount of various Beyonder materials. The materials in the freight train weren't just for the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, but also for the Church of the Evernight Goddess and even the Church of the Storm God.
This prompted church security teams like the Nighthawks, Mandated Punishers, and Machinery Hivemind to join forces to find where the materials were stored, sold, or distributed. Unfortunately, the search was hampered by last week's terrorist incident. The incident also left the Nighthawk’s ability to respond with major Beyonder case is crippled, only able to respond to minor Beyonder cases within their own jurisdiction, preventing them from joining the search together with two other churches for the stolen materials.
After hearing the background of this case, I became somewhat intrigued. This case seemed to be connected to last week's terrorist incident that resulted in Klein's death.
Bruce continued his report. According to his team's analysis, because the looted materials were mostly potion ingredients for Beyonders on Pathways controlled by the Church of Evernight, the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, and the Church of the Storm God, the cult couldn't optimally utilize the looted Beyonder materials, ultimately forcing them to sell them cheaply to the Underground Market in Tingen.
Then, thanks to Morgana's team's findings, they were able to recover some of the stolen Beyonder materials. Meanwhile, another team was still searching for the remaining Beyonder materials smuggled into the Underground Market. However, due to the considerable time that had passed since the freight train attack, the main perpetrators of the attack had yet to be fully identified. All they had apprehended were unlucky merchants selling those smuggled goods.
After some analysis, Bruce's team came to a preliminary conclusion regarding the freight train robbery and the smuggling of the looted Beyonder materials into the Underground Market. The Aurora Order cult needed quick cash, so they devised a daring plan. They looted the freight train containing Beyonder materials and then sold the loot to various merchants in the Underground Market at relatively low prices.
"Hmmm... actually, there's still something bothering me about the Aurora Order cult's actions." It seemed Allan was still unsatisfied with Bruce's report.
"Melissa, perhaps you have another opinion?" Morgana suddenly blurted out, asking for my opinion on the report.
I was a bit surprised. Really, you're asking a junior member like me for the opinion?
"Hmmm... rather than an opinion, I actually have two things I'm curious about regarding this case. Can I ask you about them?" I replied, holding up two fingers.
Morgana nodded in response, allowing me to ask.
"First, why was that freight train carrying such important Beyonder materials can be attacked and then looted by the Aurora Order cult? Wasn't there a Beyonder guarding a freight train containing such important materials?" I asked, glancing at Allan and Bruce in turn.
"Aah, yes, I know the reason." Allan hummed in response to my question. "...When we guarding such important goods, at least each church sent one Beyonder to guard the goods. It's just that at that time, none of us Beyonders from the Machinery Hivemind were able to guard the goods."
"None?" I muttered in surprise. "...Wait a minute, how many Beyonders are there in the Tingen Machinery Hivemind?"
Allan replied, laughing at his own situation. “...Heheh, the total number of Beyonders in Tingen Machinery Hivemind? Only 9. And that's quite a lot compared to other teams. Nighthawk, where your brother used to work, now has only 5 full-time Beyonders left due to yesterday's incident. I heard from a Beyonder acquaintance of mine who works for the Mandated Punisher, that there aren't many more Beyonders there than we are.”
Morgana then added an anecdote. “...The total number of Beyonders in Tingen City, both official and wild, is only 30 to 40.”
Bruce then added, shaking his head. “...The Beyonder Machinery Hivemind here is indeed larger because our jurisdictional scope also covers the entire suburban area. Meanwhile, Nighthawk and the Mandated Punisher only focus on the city. We're completely out of hand here.”
“At least we can build steam-powered rifles and give them to non-Beyonder security volunteers, so we can still control the suburbs,” Allan said, nodding to himself.
"Returning to your previous question, on the day the freight train was attacked, we happened to be preoccupied with something we hadn't anticipated."
"Bishop Gilbert couldn't make it because he was scheduled to guard the Hall of Illuminators. Morgana was also in Backlund at the time to pick up your re-enrollment documents for the Technical University of Backlund. Morgana also accompanied me to Backlund to attend the inter-branch Machinery Hivemind Captains' meeting that was taking place at the time. Bruce happened to be taking urgent leave because his wife had given birth earlier than her due date. Meanwhile, Justinus and four other Beyonders were recovering from injuries sustained on duty."
"So, in the end, we could only assign three non-Beyonder security guards equipped with steam-powered rifles. At the time, Bishop Gilbert, who was filling in for me that day, felt this plan was sufficient to guard the freight train carrying Beyonder materials."
"As for the Nighthawk team itself, I heard they didn't even send any guards. They were seriously short on Beyonders and combat officers, and at the time, I heard they were overwhelmed by the back-to-back cases that came up in their jurisdiction."
"The only team that sent Beyonder as a guard that day was the Mandated Punisher. And they only sent one Sequence 9 Sailor. Sailors wouldn't be very reliable if they were deployed somewhere far from water, like on a freight train."
"In the end, only three guards from the Machinery Hivemind and one Beyonder from the Mandated Punisher guarded our wagon that contain the material, while the entire freight train was guarded by a few police officers."
"Even though we in the Machinery Hivemind did our best, the Aurora Order attackers were ultimately able to loot the freight train." Allan concluded his explanation with a shake of his head.
"I see, by 'coincidence' all the Beyonders in the Machinery Hivemind were unable to guard the freight train..." I muttered softly after hearing Allan's explanation. I noticed that out of the corner of my eye, Allan and Morgana seemed to have realized something as soon as I mentioned 'coincidence'.
"If that's the case, then it can't be helped. Now, let me ask my second question." I then asked, "...What is the stance of the three churches as a whole regarding the Potion's Main Ingredients being sold in the Underground Market?"
Allan answered immediately. "...Our stance on Main Ingredients specifically... is to allow them to be traded after a brief inspection. We'll never be able to eradicate the black market for Beyonder materials entirely. Therefore, we've been gathering material traders to the Underground Market to make it easier to monitor the area."
"But what if the Beyonder materials turn out to be the main ingredients for the Potions of a Pathway typically used by the Aurora Order? What will the church do?"
Allan thought deeply upon hearing my question. Finally, he answered, "...Sadly, not all officers are allowed to know Potion recipes, especially non-Beyonder officers. So, officers can't report the specific Beyonder materials in the Underground Market, even if those Beyonder materials turns out to be the main ingredients for Secret Suppliant Potion."
Hoo? So the Pathway the Aurora Order cult typically uses is the Secret Suppliant? I heard from Mr. Fool that Beyonder Secret Suppliants often hear the ravings of the Evil God and are more likely to lose control, or at least become mentally unstable.
"But I can see where your reasoning is coming from, Melissa," Allan continued his explanation. "...I'm still pondering why the Aurora Order distributed their loot to Tingen's Underground Market. They took the loot in the suburbs of Morse Town, and they could easily have sold it to other cities' Underground Markets to avoid our surveillance if their goal was simply to make a quick buck."
"But if they were trying to smuggle the main ingredients for the Secret Suppliant Potion into Tingen, or Steam forbid, they were trying to smuggle the main ingredients for the Listener Potion to their members hiding in Tingen, then the Aurora Order's actions in distributing the loot to Tingen's Underground Market make sense. They intended to distribute the looted Beyonder materials as a misdirection!"
Allan immediately looked at Bruce as if a crisis were brewing. "...Bruce, immediately mobilize your team to search for materials such as; Singing Black Mushrooms, Darkness Bats, and Verbenna Powder. Also, report to me if you find any Beyonder materials shaped like black ears."
"Yes, sir!"
Upon hearing the list of materials from Allan, Justinus, who had been silently listening to Bruce's report, suddenly changed his expression to one of concern, then he expressed his opinion. "...Captain Allan, it seems my case on academy ground is related to this smuggling case."
"Okay, Justinus. Report what you found on academy ground.” Allan then invited Justinus to speak.
"Yes, captain! But... this case isn't something anyone like to hear." Justinus looked at me with a slightly worried expression.
"No problem, Melissa has already agreed of her own free will to become a Beyonder. She must be prepared for this at all times," Allan replied firmly.
"Okay then, I'll begin the case report."
Justinus then explained the case he encountered in his jurisdiction, the academy ground. Last night, Justinus received a report that a monster had suddenly appeared in the extracurricular building, specifically in the Mysticism Club room.
After Justinus and his team successfully defeated the Beyonder who had lost control, they immediately investigated the Mysticism Club room. And what they found there was like a stuff of slaughterhouse nightmare.
They found a total of eight bodies, their bodies torn to shreds by the claws and bites of monsters, to the point turning the bodies become barely recognizable. All of the bodies were young, aged between 20 and 23. It appeared they were all members of the Mysticism Club itself.
Justinus and his team inspected the clubroom. They found alchemy equipment and several Beyonder materials. It was clear that the tragedy at the Mysticism Club was caused by a botched potion, which turned the drinker into a monster and slaughtered the club members.
Allan narrowed his eyes upon hearing Justinus's report. "...You said thiss incident was related to the smuggling incident? Could the Beyonder materials in the clubroom be...?"
"Yes, I've identified Verbenna Powder and a fragment of the Darkness Bat's wing." Justinus immediately answered Allan's suspicions.
Hearing this, Allan didn't reply but pinched his chin in deep thought.
Justinus continued his report. After inquiring with campus officials, Justinus learned that the Mysticism Club had a total of 12 members. However, judging from the crime scene, including the monster that had been defeated, three Mysticism Club members were still missing. Justinus and the police had also visited the victim's house to confirm whether these three members were truly missing. After confirming that the three members hadn't returned home, Justinus came to a conclusion: either the bodies had been completely swallowed, leaving nothing behind, or they had fled and gone into hiding.
As I listened to Justinus's case report, my mind raced as I heard the details. I'd heard something in a similar detail before, but in a fun and joyful atmosphere.
"*Sigh... In the past three days, this is already the third case, isn't it?" Morgana complained in sad tones as Justinus finished the report. "...A group of amateur mysticists concocted a Beyonder Potion without proper knowledge and then consumed it, causing them to lose control and become monsters, slaughtering the rest of the group."
"Now that I know this case is connected to the Beyonder material smuggling case and the Aurora Order, it seems I'll have to reinvestigate it." Justinus expressed his opinion.
Allan nodded in agreement. “...Yes, you do that. Oh, and you can also request reports from Nighthawk and the Mandated Punisher on the previous two cases to compare them with your current case. I'll prepare the request form so you can access their documents.”
Justinus looked a little annoyed when he was suddenly given this additional task, “...Ri, right.”
Morgana then glanced at me. “...Melissa, I hope you know understand. That's the consequence of consuming potions without professional knowledge and supervision. Not only do they endanger themselves, but they also endanger others.”
I didn't really listen to Morgana's warning. Since Mr. Fool had actually given me notes on how to concoct potions, along with warnings and dangers, I was confident I could do it myself as long as I had the tools and ingredients. Mr. Fool also suggested I practice by conducting chemistry experiments before actually concocting potions. So I was confident the guidance in Mr. Fool's notes was sound and not malicious.
But that's not what I'm afraid of or thinking about right now!
I then took out my pocket watch and looked at the time; it was 5:50 P.M.
"Allan, sir, if you'll excuse me," I said hurriedly in panic.
"What's wrong, Melissa?" Allan replied, confused.
"My... My friends are in grave danger!"