Chapter 12: Conversation
Byrd Mastang picked up a black-covered book from the desk. On it, several words were written in Hermes: "Meditation Method."
"The knowledge in this book consists of simple occult basics. I had Keene buy it at the Backlund underground market; it's only suitable for those who haven't become Beyonders yet or Sequence 9 Beyonders who have just started."
But for me, it's enough. I've been a Sequence 9 for 'two years' and I'm still an occult novice, Rolls complained to himself.
"I have a few more at my place. I'll have someone bring them to you after I return. The knowledge in those books isn't very profound either, but it will be quite good for you. However, don't get too obsessed with them. Knowledge is knowledge; power is power."
Byrd Mastang tossed the "Meditation Method" back onto the dark red desk.
"Why? Doesn't knowledge bring power?" Rolls knew that in this world, mystical knowledge brought danger, but it also brought power—even if it was far from the level of a "Knowledge Emperor," where power was literally equal to knowledge.
"That sentence itself isn't wrong, especially for pathways like 'Mystery Pryer' or 'Savant' that gain power through the acquisition of knowledge. They can often understand mystical knowledge to craft charms or establish various rituals to enhance their strength. But 'Lawyers' cannot."
"What's the difference for a Lawyer?"
"First, our pathway does not involve the domain of knowledge. Second, we are not members of the Church, so we have no way to pray to the seven orthodox deities to create charms through rituals."
"Then aren't we at a great disadvantage?"
"It's not just us; Beyonders of many pathways are like this. Everyone has to spend money to buy charms crafted by 'Artisans.'"
"Artisan" is Sequence 6 of the "Savant" pathway, also known as "Machinery Expert." They could create mechanical wonders and non-legendary mystical items. Whether in reality or the occult realm, they were undisputed masters of manufacturing; Beyonder items formed by their hands had lower negative effects and better utility.
Byrd Mastang's lips curled up into a chuckle.
"For most low-sequence Beyonders, close-quarters combat is the best choice. Aside from lacking the ability, the thickness of their wallets forces them into it. A single low-rank charm starts at one pound at the very least, and even then, they are hard to come by. Furthermore, the power of a charm weakens over time, and most are rendered useless after a single use."
"For you, however, money is not an issue." He changed his tone and pointed at Rolls. "Although there are many Beyonders in Backlund, relative to the population of over five million, the number you'll actually encounter is very small. The probability of getting into a fight is low, so charms are optional for you."
You have no idea how chaotic Backlund will become in the future! Anyone could easily crush me to death!
Rolls felt helpless but couldn't say it aloud. Thinking about it in his head was safe, but saying it meant he wouldn't even know how he died.
Still, being able to buy charms would be good. Even though Klein was known as the "God of Poverty," he threw charms around like they were free during battles! Although Klein's charms were made by praying to himself, those materials really were single-use items!
"I'd still like to buy some. Sir, do you know where I can purchase them?"
Byrd Mastang frowned.
"I'm not very familiar with the Beyonder circles in Backlund. Keene should know some, but don't hold your hopes too high. Charms are rare everywhere. Even for low-rank charms, a large portion of those that circulate are sold by Beyonders from the Churches."
That seemed true. Aside from Klein, there were indeed very few people in the original story who threw charms around as soon as they made a move. Those who could produce high-level charms—besides Klein—were limited to people like Admiral Amyrius Rieveldt, the Supreme Commander of the Sonia Sea Navy, with his "Ninth Law," and he was already a demigod of the "Arbiter" pathway.
While one didn't need the power of charms for combat after reaching the High Sequences, it was clear that charms—especially high-level ones—usually required the help of Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts or demigod-level materials to craft.
"Don't think too much about these things right now. Focus more on learning, especially close-quarters combat. That way, after you advance to Sequence 8 'Barbarian,' it will be easier to digest the potion and act. However, remember to hide your identity while acting. You are a barrister and you're in Backlund; if you're discovered, you'll easily attract the Beyonders of the three major Churches."
Rolls nodded hurriedly in agreement, then suddenly remembered his recent abnormal behavior and thoughts, and asked:
"Sir, I feel like something is wrong with my 'acting' lately. I keep feeling like I want to take shortcuts and be lazy. What's going on? Is it a sign of losing control?"
He didn't dare mention his predecessor's previous brush with losing control, so he could only exaggerate the severity of the current situation.
The "Viscount of Fear" stood up abruptly, causing the chair to wobble before it suddenly stopped.
"How long has this been happening? Besides these, are there any other abnormalities?"
His voice was clearly tinged with anxiety. Rolls had become a Beyonder because of him; if Rolls lost control, how could he face his old friend?
"About a month. Besides those feelings, there are no other abnormal symptoms."
Byrd Mastang breathed a sigh of relief. If that was the case, it wasn't too bad. But Rolls was only a Sequence 9—how could he show such signs?
"Your behavior is more like what happens after advancing to Sequence 6 'Baron of Corruption,' when spirituality is hard to restrain and the spirit is unstable. Have you eaten anything special lately?"
"No. Why Sequence 6? Isn't it normal to have unrestrained spirituality right after advancing?"
Rolls carefully recalled his diet over the past month and didn't feel anything was out of the ordinary. As for his predecessor, he didn't know; he still hadn't remembered exactly what happened on the day the original owner of the body lost control.
"Sequence 6 'Baron of Corruption' has the ability to make a person's heart dark and greedy, making it easy to make irrational choices. Combined with a 'Lawyer's' grasp of loopholes, it's easy to have thoughts of taking shortcuts when the spirit is unstable.
But you're only a Sequence 9; you shouldn't be showing this. It's possible you've been a lawyer for too long, and while guiding others' emotions, you were influenced by them."
Before boarding the Black Emperor, Byrd Mastang had been arranged by "King of the Five Seas" Nast to be a lawyer in Intis for three months, so he didn't fully understand Rolls's situation.
Beyonders of the "Lawyer" pathway lacked those strange and exotic methods. Although "Lawyers" claimed they didn't care, saying that power should reside in oneself, it was indeed quite limiting. Just like Byrd Mastang—clearly a Sequence 5 "Mentor of Confusion," yet he didn't even have a messenger.