Early morning.
Bairon awoke from his dreams, rubbing his forehead.
The lingering discomfort from repeatedly crossing through the world of the Dark Tower still troubled him. W
ith some effort, he got up and freshened up.
Unexpectedly, just as he entered the dining room, he found Seasoft already seated there.
Her plate held six slices of white bread slathered with butter, a roasted rabbit leg, and a bowl of oatmeal.
Evelyn sat beside her, sharing breakfast though without the greasy rabbit leg.
"Good morning! Would you like some special bread from Mrs. Yarrow's bakery? Evelyn and I both highly recommend it."
Seasoft greeted warmly, pointing to the cupboard behind her, indicating that Bairon could help himself if he wished.
After scrutinizing her for a few seconds to make sure she wasn't an illusion, Bairon asked, "Why are you up so early today?"
"Got work later," Seasoft mumbled, tearing a piece of meat from the rabbit leg with her teeth.
"You found a job?" Bairon was genuinely surprised.
Turning to enter the kitchen, Bairon grabbed a loaf of white bread from the cupboard, a jar of butter, and half a pound of spiced beef jerky with a two-day shelf life.
For a Battle Magus, both Meditation and hand-to-hand combat required considerable energy.
If Seasoft needed meat for breakfast, so did he.
"To be precise, I found the perfect job!" Seasoft lifted her newly-purchased wooden spoon, her eyes sparkling with a teasing grin.
Seasoft didn't elaborate on what sort of job it was, and Bairon had no interest in prying.
Carrying his plate, he sat opposite her and Evelyn, took a sip of oatmeal and asked, "What about Evelyn?"
"She's coming with me. The job requires a child," Seasoft replied.
Bairon looked at Evelyn.
Evelyn nodded, "Seasoft and I will go earn some money; you can focus on your exams, big brother."
"When is your exam? Can family members accompany you on the exam day?" Seasoft's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Pulling out his temporary student card from his pocket, Bairon glanced at it. "The first exam is the day after tomorrow. It doesn't specify whether family members are allowed on campus that day."
Considering he had no blood ties with Seasoft, if she really wished to go in, Bairon planned to list her as a "nanny" on the registration form.
Of course, this minor detail didn't need to be shared with Seasoft.
Seasoft shrugged, "We'll figure it out the day after tomorrow."
Halfway through breakfast, something suddenly occurred to Bairon. "Be careful when you're out lately; we have a bit of a situation."
"You stirred up trouble already, just after arriving in San Sorus?" Seasoft complained, biting off a large chunk of her bread.
"Actually, to be precise, you're the one who stirred the pot," Bairon retorted, and then elaborated, "The people causing us trouble have the last name Padorn."
"Who is Padorn?" Seasoft blinked in confusion.
Locking eyes with her to ensure she wasn't feigning amnesia, Bairon turned to Evelyn, "In any case, be cautious when you're out. If you notice anyone following you, let me know."
"Or you can go find a teacher named Barbara at the Magus Academy."
Saying this, Bairon took out a golden brooch, placed it on the dining table, and slid it toward Seasoft.
Though Ajani had penned a letter accusing Bairon of being a theft suspect, the relationship between the two hadn't fractured, lending weight to the existence of this gold brooch.
"The craftsmanship isn't as good as what we have at home," Seasoft remarked, holding the brooch in her hands.
"Selling you wouldn't fetch as much as this does," Bairon said, standing up and pushing his emptied plate toward Seasoft. "Remember to wash the dishes."
"Where are you headed?" Seasoft asked, puzzled.
"66 Maple Lane," Bairon replied.
Both Seasoft and Evelyn paused their meal, casting quizzical glances at Bairon.
Taking a deep breath, Bairon left the house.
...
A carriage pulled up in front of 66 Maple Lane.
Bairon stepped down, paid the fare, and approached the front door, knocking gently.
Soon, footsteps approached. The door swung open to reveal the same middle-aged maid.
"You?" Leona's face showed surprise.
Before Bairon had the chance to explain himself, Leona pre-empted, "Sir, I apologize for the misunderstandings during your previous visits. Miss said that I misunderstood; you are not one of her suitors."
I could've told you that... Bairon thought, a smile nonetheless gracing his face.
"Miss said you were indeed here for Mrs. Howard's belongings," Leona continued, "However, I regret to inform you that they have been collected by the church."
Bairon's brow furrowed, "The church?"
"Yes, Mrs. Howard was a devout follower of the Seven Gods," Leona replied.
It was a common practice for devout followers to bequeath their belongings to the church in hopes of drawing closer to the Seven Gods after death.
But Bairon clarified, "The items I need are not of high value."
"Regardless of their value, they have all been taken by the church," Leona stressed.
A shadow crossed Bairon's face.
The Church of Light wasn't so destitute as to gather mere trinkets; something else was at play here.
After a moment of silence, Bairon asked, "May I see Miss Howard?"
Given that the matter involved a level of personal privacy, Bairon assumed that the middle-aged maid, even if she knew something, was likely unwilling to share.
It would be more direct to speak with Mrs. Howard's granddaughter.
Of course, he had to tread lightly to avoid coming off as rude.
However, Bairon had already formulated a reason for the visit, such as discussing details of the joint examination they'd be taking the day after tomorrow.
Leona's eyes bore into Bairon, piercing and unyielding.
To preempt another tongue-lashing from the woman, Bairon hastily explained, "I have other business with Miss Howard."
"Miss Howard is at the church," Leona replied coldly.
Another devout follower of the Seven Gods?
"Please inform Miss Howard that Bairon Stewart, the test partner recommended by Teacher Barbara, stopped by to pay a visit." Bairon bowed slightly, performing a magus salute, then turned to leave.
"Test partner?" Leona's expression shifted to one of puzzlement.
...
After departing Maple Lane, Bairon flagged down an empty city carriage.
"Take me to 75 Barrel Alley."
"Of course, sir!" responded the driver.
75 Barrel Alley was the new home chosen by Seasoft and Evelyn.
The lane was so named because it narrowed at both ends while widening in the middle, resembling a barrel.
The carriage returned him home around noon.
Bairon paid the fare, thinking Seasoft and Evelyn would not yet be back.
He planned to enter the realm of the Dark Tower immediately to train once more.
Due to Charlotte's frailty, the "Infinity Battlefield" illusion in the first layer of the Dark Tower was no longer accessible.
Bairon had to revert to his older training methods, accumulating skill bit by bit.
As he approached his front door, Bairon sensed something amiss and looked up.
A carriage was parked near the entrance.
A triangular flag was mounted on it, displaying a round sun radiating seven beams of white light.
It was the flag of the Church of Light.
A middle-aged man, dressed in clerical robes, stood beside the carriage, a sincere smile gracing his face.
"Are you Mr. Bairon Stewart?" the cleric inquired.
Bairon nodded, "I am."
"I am here on behalf of the Church of Light to invite you to the church," said the middle-aged priest.
"What for?" asked Bairon.
He wasn't opposed to visiting the church, especially since the maid Leona had mentioned that Elizabeth Howard was there.
However, he first wanted to know why the Church of Light had sought him out.
The cleric replied, "To inquire about certain events that transpired on White Gull. I don't know the specifics; the priest has asked for your presence. He says it may assist you in your current predicament."
"Is that the mantra of the higher-ups in San Sorus?" Bairon said, his voice tinged with mockery.
The last person who had lured Bairon with such a proposition was Barbara, a teacher from the magus academy's Botanical Department.
The cleric looked puzzled.
"I'll go," Bairon said with a smile.
"Please, ride in our church carriage," the cleric gestured, clearly relieved.
The two men boarded the carriage, which then departed from Barrel Alley.
...
An hour later, the largest Church of Light cathedral in the Provincial Alliance came into view.
It was an immense structure made of granite, marble, and stained glass, covering an area of 5,000 square meters and reaching a height of 80 meters.
Its name was... Saint Thane Cathedral.