Damir Port's Sole School
Ebner listened to Viscount Cullen's solemn request and put away his usual smile, asking seriously, "What exactly do you need me to do?"
As long as the request wasn't excessive, he was willing to help. Cullen had always been generous with his advice whenever Ebner sought him out.
"Lydia's 'desire' for that boy, Terrance, is becoming increasingly uncontrollable. I can concoct a potion to suppress such urges, but I'm missing a few key ingredients. It will take at least two to three days to gather them. I'm worried she might do something she'll regret during that time," Cullen explained before adding, "I'm not concerned about Lydia suffering any harm—I'm more worried she might harm the boy in a moment of lost control."
Are vampires really that dangerous when they lose control? Ebner mused, but outwardly, he appeared thoughtful as he asked, "So you want me to keep an eye on Lydia during these few days and stop her if necessary?"
That could be tricky. There's no way I can maintain a "psychological invisibility" state for two or three days straight. Without it, my counter-surveillance skills might not hold up—I'd likely get caught immediately. Worse, I could be mistaken for a pervert stalking a 'young girl.'
My reputation is already colorful, but at least it doesn't involve anything that sleazy… I don't want the tabloids screaming headlines like: "Heroic Detective Caught Stalking a Teenage Girl!"
As Ebner's thoughts wandered, Cullen shook his head and said, "That's not what I mean. First, it's impossible to monitor her every second. Second, forcibly stopping her would essentially be the same as taking her away—it would damage her psyche and create significant risks when she consumes her next potion.
"From experience, the only viable method is to ensure she can wake herself up at the critical moment. Even a split second of clarity can allow her willpower to regain control and suppress her actions."
Hearing this, Ebner's thoughts clicked into place. He asked tentatively, "You're suggesting… 'psychological suggestion'?"
"Exactly! Adding a safeguard in her mind via psychological suggestion. This was the method my mother used back then," Cullen confirmed, looking at Ebner with expectation. "Can you do it now?"
Ebner didn't answer immediately. After pondering for a moment, he carefully replied, "At my current level, I doubt I can achieve the effect you're hoping for. However, if I use a ritual to assist, it should work."
"When can you prepare the ritual?" Cullen asked after a brief pause.
"I can do it anytime," Ebner replied confidently. He always kept the necessary materials for invoking the God of Knowledge and Wisdom.
"Would you be willing to help, then?" Cullen inquired solemnly once more.
"It would be my honor," Ebner replied with a smile.
"I'll bring Lydia over right away," Cullen said seriously. He stood up and transformed into a swarm of ethereal bats, flying out through the walls.
Middle of the night, a man brings his sister to another man for hypnosis… Why does this feel like the plot of a low-budget "action film"?
As Cullen left, Ebner muttered to himself, shaking his head before starting to set up the altar and the necessary items for the ritual.
When everything was ready, Cullen returned, carrying an unconscious Lydia into the room.
This… the sense of déjà vu just got stronger…
Suppressing his inner thoughts, Ebner couldn't help but remark, "If Gaston saw this, he'd definitely call the authorities."
Cullen placed Lydia beside the altar and replied matter-of-factly, "You needn't worry. Everyone in this school will remain asleep until sunrise."
This sleep-inducing drug… could it be something you developed back when you followed Roselle?
As he entertained this mischievous thought, Ebner activated a spiritual barrier around the altar. Then, he used a sacred emblem of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom to symbolize divinity and candles to represent himself, constructing the foundation of a "dualistic ritual."
Lighting the candles with lavender and mint essential oils, he recited an incantation in ancient Hermes:
"I beseech the power of knowledge;
I beseech the power of reason;
I beseech the blessing of the God of Wisdom.
I pray for Your strength;
Bestow upon me the power to enhance the strength of my psychological suggestion.
Lavender, herb of the Blue Planet,
Convey strength to my spell!
Mint, herb of the Blue Planet,
Convey strength to my spell!"
As the chant echoed, Ebner felt a peculiar connection forming between himself and the spirit world, the astral world, and even the real world.
It was as though he could observe and comprehend these realms from a different perspective, but his vision remained shrouded as if by a veil.
Is this the "reality" of the world? Could this state be "Insight"?
Has the God of Knowledge temporarily bestowed upon me some trait of an "Prophet," allowing me to leverage certain rules to amplify my suggestion's power?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Ebner sensed the divine state fading rapidly. Without delay, he turned to Lydia, lying beside the altar, and carried out the psychological suggestion.
Using his Pure White Eye, Ebner noticed that while his technique itself remained unchanged, entering Lydia's mind's eye was unexpectedly smooth. It was as if her very psyche was aiding the process.
It feels like the heavens themselves are lending a hand. Is this an aspect of the "Prophet" ability?
The ritual's effects dissipated just as Ebner's suggestion completed successfully.
Dispelling the spiritual barrier, Ebner turned to Cullen, who was visibly relieved. "It went smoothly," Ebner said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you. Consider this a favor I owe you. If you ever need my help, just ask.
"Also, I'll prepare a token of gratitude after I finish the potion," Cullen said, lifting Lydia in his arms.
"She'll wake soon since my potions don't work well on her. I'll take her back first," he added.
After Cullen disappeared, Ebner muttered to himself, "I wasn't planning to refuse, but you didn't need to run off so quickly…"
---
A Motel in Cherwood Borough
Klein, who had rented a second-floor room under disguise, rubbed the Nightmare Emblem he had just acquired at the gathering and smirked wryly.
"Good thing I have this emblem; otherwise, I'd have to sneak into a married woman's bedroom tonight…
"Not that I didn't do this often as a Night Watcher," he added, his usual self-deprecating smile resurfacing before fading just as quickly.
Pulling out his pocket watch, Klein saw that it was already midnight. After a quick divination to ensure no immediate danger, he activated the Nightmare Emblem with his spirituality, entering Mrs. Corsen's dream.
Mrs. Corsen, currently separated from her husband Thomas, had temporarily moved into this motel. Her room was just a short distance from Klein's.
Inside the dream, Klein found himself in a dimly lit sitting room.
Apart from Mrs. Corsen, there were seven or eight other women in their twenties or thirties, though most of their faces were indistinct. Only two were clear, likely the ones Mrs. Corsen knew well.
This seems to be their usual meeting spot. But according to Thomas, he once secretly followed his wife and didn't notice her visiting suspicious places…
It must be some sort of supernatural ability masking her actions, Klein surmised, continuing to observe.
Suddenly, a hooded "woman" appeared abruptly in the room.
Klein assumed she was a woman based on her ample chest and long blond braid, which hung from under her hood. Her voice was soft, carrying a feminine tone.
As soon as she arrived, Mrs. Corsen and the others became visibly excited, addressing her as "Teacher."
The woman began delivering a speech about women's rights, echoing the teachings of the Church of the Evernight Goddess.
While her content was nothing new to Klein, and her delivery was unimpressive, Mrs. Corsen and the other women grew increasingly fervent.
A "Instigator"... Klein thought, his suspicions growing. He focused on the hooded figure, scrutinizing her carefully.
Though her image was shaped by Mrs. Corsen's perception, Klein noticed habits and mannerisms more commonly associated with men.
A man disguised as a woman and playing the role of an "Instigator"? Could he be attempting to prepare for the role of a Witch?
That hood also looks familiar…
Suppressing the urge to immediately divine its origin, Klein approached Mrs. Corsen and asked directly, "Who is that 'woman' giving the speech? How did you meet her?"
"She's Kay Shaw, my mentor who will guide me to happiness!"
(End of Chapter)