Hearing Chloe's words, Arthur's eyes narrowed as he became absorbed in thought, considering what the mysterious girl in witch's garments before him had said, especially the last part of her speech when she had talked about "magic." He began thinking, "Hmm... it seems this mystical world is far more complex and profound than I initially imagined. It's not just the Aether and the six Aetherial Edicts that govern it, but there's also the power that Chloe called 'magic.' If Chloe's words are true... and I believe they are, since she has no reason to lie to me about such matters. Besides, my intuition tells me she was sincere in what she said, so things will become even more complicated in what's to come.
Furthermore, that damned cult and the mysterious power they used against me and others at that time weren't part of any of the six Aetherial Edicts that Chloe just spoke about. It wasn't from space, or time, or any of the other edicts, but was a type of power entirely different. Therefore, most likely, they were perhaps practicing the corrupt power of 'magic,' which would actually explain many things."
But before Arthur could delve deeper into his own thoughts, Chloe continued speaking with a voice that grew more serious with each word. "Magic, ultimately, is nothing more than a deceptive mask, a false appearance that hides behind it a dark, rotten essence. While the six edicts and the mystical arts and sciences derived from them are based on the principle of harmony with the laws of reality and existence, the pursuit of truth, and expanding the boundaries of perception and knowledge, magic is based on the complete opposite of that. It is a breaking of that harmony, a manipulation of what should not be manipulated. It is a power that is not granted, but stolen... it does not illuminate, but extinguishes the light in souls, leaving behind hollow bodies and torn spirits.
Those who indulge in this thorny path, deluding themselves that they are walking toward absolute power, harvest in the end nothing but eternal downfall. Magic, and the 'absolute' power they thought was a gain, will soon devour them and everything dear to them, ultimately transforming them into mere hollow, lost puppets. It is a thorny path that leaves its owner nothing but inescapable eternal madness, unquenchable thirst, and feverish desire for what will never be theirs."
Indeed, this was completely true, for while the Aether and the six Aetherial Edicts of destiny formed the balance and precise order of the fabric of reality in this world, magic was the forbidden power and complete antithesis to this order and balance in the delicate cosmic structure. Magic, in its essence, is destruction and corruption, an embodiment of evil and the dark unconscious desires of all living beings!
"Anyway, I now believe that everything I've told you so far about the mystical world and the Aetherial system has been more than sufficient to answer your second question, hasn't it, my dear detective?" With Chloe saying that, she paused for a moment, a slight smile appearing on her lips before continuing, "And now, tell me... what is your next question, oh so great detective?"
Hearing Chloe's question, Arthur began sighing as he sank into a whirlpool of thoughts about what his next question should be. Now, for him, he had obtained some extremely important clues and hints that could be considered the foundation that would help him narrow the scope of his research within the family library and his father's studies, which were filled with hints about the mystical world and its various details.
Besides that, the answers he had obtained so far hadn't completely satisfied his curiosity, but had increased his enthusiasm to explore more. Everything he had learned so far had, in fact, deepened his desire to study the Aether and understand the Aetherial system that seemed to hold the keys to the deep secrets of this world, alongside studying everything he could about these fascinating subjects.
Therefore, he found himself caught in confusion about what his final question should be. Should he ask her for more details about the Aetherial system and the mystical world, and how he might begin to access and control this power? Or should he ask her about another matter and detail that had caught his attention when Chloe began explaining the details of the Aether and the six Aetherial Edicts to him, namely, what she had called the "Supreme Council," and then the various organizations and groups on the mystical side?
Because of this, Arthur stood confused between two paths, each promising him more answers, more mystery, and more questions.
But finally, after deep thought, Arthur had made up his mind about what his third question would be. Regarding the Aetherial system and what Chloe had called the mystical arts and sciences, despite his intense desire to learn more details about them, he still realized that what he had gathered so far in terms of clues and hints would be sufficient to guide him later toward discovering deeper details of these subjects by himself. Therefore, his eyes began staring deeply at Chloe, whom Arthur was looking at with intense focus, carrying a mixture of anticipation and seriousness, before posing his final question that the mysterious girl in witch's robes, Chloe, would answer for him.
Then, calmly and with a clear voice, Arthur finally raised his voice and asked Chloe the question he had decided in his mind to direct at her—the question that might be the key to opening a deeper window, enabling him to delve further into his understanding of the mystical world.
"Well... to be honest, I never expected that our world, and what you called the Aetherial system, would be this deep and complex."
Saying that, he paused for a moment, looking at the world around him as if trying to organize his thoughts before continuing, with a feeling of excitement and curiosity filling his chest. "And although I still want to know more... I know that I'm more than capable of finding more evidence and information about it myself, if I wish to do so later."
Then he took a deep breath and continued in a calmer voice, though it was still full of the curiosity burning within him. "What I want to ask this time is not about the Aether or the six Aetherial Edicts, nor about the mystical arts and sciences you spoke of… but about… the political structure of the mystical world itself. What is the governing power, and how is political authority distributed within it?"
Then he fell silent for a moment, closing his eyes briefly in an attempt to organize his thoughts and everything he had heard from Chloe so far. "I noticed during your explanation of the Aether and the six Aetherial Edicts that you said, and I quote, 'especially with all the deliberate obscuring by the Supreme Council and various organizations in the mystical world regarding the existence of the Aether and everything mystical'..."
Before pausing for a second, her words echoed in his mind, as if they had opened a small window for him into the secrets of this world. "And this specifically aroused my curiosity indeed... about the so-called Supreme Council, and about the various organizations and groups that control the mystical world, and all knowledge related to the Aether, and what the general public can or cannot know about its existence. Could you... explain this to me, if you don't mind?"
"Hmm... isn't this an interesting question, Mr. Detective? But are you sure about that, Arthur Leonharth?" Saying this, the cheerful smile that had always adorned her stunning features completely disappeared for the first time, before her two green eyes, emerald-like, began looking at Arthur with intense depth, which made him quite uncomfortable, actually, as he thought, 'Damn, what's with that intense look? This girl is truly terrifying.'
Before continuing, "You must know that your knowledge of the Supreme Council and the political and leadership structure of the mystical world is no joke at all. I'm certain that, with the type of overwhelming curiosity that characterizes people like you, you won't stop at anything to learn the complete truth behind everything you can learn in this world. You detectives have always been like that... but let me tell you, some things in this world cannot be tampered with, and the Supreme Council and other major organizations in the mystical world are among those things. Therefore, once again, Arthur Leonharth... are you sure you want to delve deeper than necessary into the murky waters of this world?!"
"Oh... I am well aware of the fact that you want to dissuade me from diving deeper into the affairs of the mystical world, what you have described as its murky waters. But even if the path before me is fraught with danger, I will not retreat. Having finally unveiled the truth about the existence of the mystical world and my family's involvement in it for generations, I can no longer just withdraw."
Therefore, while his voice was calm as he said this, his features spoke of unwavering determination, and his eyes radiated with the gleam of challenge as if they reflected and sparkled with the glow of fire burning within him. Then he continued with a tone that mixed steadiness with firmness. "Because ultimately... I am still the great detective Arthur Leonharth, the detective who never abandons any mystery or case that arouses my interest. And this particular case... has ignited the fires of curiosity within me, and an unquenchable desire to unveil more mysteries and solve what surrounds them with obscurity."
Hearing the words of the great detective, whom fate had returned to his current childish state, and seeing his determination and unwavering resolve despite his childlike features, Chloe couldn't help but let a slight smile appear on her small cherry lips, accompanied by a spark of hidden appreciation in her emerald-green eyes. She then giggled softly, the echo of her laughter filling the room. "Hehehe... as expected from you. But honestly, what less could I expect from the man whom even those with influence and supreme authority in the mystical world considered a threat to the current world order, even when you were unaware of their existence?"