In Lutetia City, constructing complex underground pipelines requires careful consideration for both the immediate and future needs. Jasper, facing a momentary hesitation, opted for a life-saving ability given his diverse skills and positions.
A faint clanking of gears emanated from beneath their feet as Jasper, following Mr. Montfort's guidance, positioned himself beside the narrow prayer room. A brick in the center slowly descended, unveiling the intricate underground mechanical mechanism.
Precision-defined brass gears interlocked, rotating slowly and seamlessly. Subsequently, a rolled parchment ascended from the ground.
Jenkins contemplated the agency's distinct style while examining the parchment. Unfolding it revealed detailed descriptions of abilities attainable through his authority—a catalog supplied by the church in the Lutetia Diocese.
Despite the recent meritorious service report A-01-2-0198, the parchment listed only two non-white abilities. One was a yellow spell, [Lullaby], inducing quick sleep, and the other a low-level golden magic from the church, [Expression Writing], allowing thoughts to materialize on paper.
Formerly a street-fighting author, Jasper now sought survival skills in this peculiar world. Recalling the evening's events, he felt a strong sense of crisis.
The parchment, providing only names and brief introductions of the abilities, left some luck in choosing. Jasper hesitated, torn between "running fast" and "resisting beatings." Realizing resistance was futile against recent formidable foes, he decided, "I choose this."
With a blood smear on [Agility (White Base)], the parchment emitted a faint light, revealing a new ability acquisition method. Following Mr. Montfort's instructions, Jasper transcribed the words, returning the paper roll to its recess. The ground leveled, and a brown paper bag, containing materials for gaining abilities, appeared.
These materials were provided by the church free of charge. Mr. Montfort, silent throughout, nodded as Jasper picked up the bag and exited the small room.
"Follow the ceremony instructions precisely. If anything goes awry, halt and report to the church," Mr. Montfort advised in a hushed tone.
With the church mission completed and darkness outside, Mr. Montfort hastened to his store, while Jasper ventured in another direction.
Today, for some reason, Jasper didn't encounter any idle carriages on the street. Walking through the quiet streets, all the shops were closed, and the Lutetia municipal government lacked the financial resources to install kerosene street lamps throughout the city. This raised Jasper's concerns about potential encounters with gang fights or similar threats.
His luck finally improved; there were no gangs, killers, or octopuses on his way home. Except for a few individuals hurrying through the streets and alleys, he didn't even come across many idlers.
Despite Jasper's late return, his family couldn't help but complain. He explained that he went to the church to express gratitude to the bishop, which accounted for his tardiness. Old Rhys felt a bit relieved.
'The bishop will forgive me,' he thought.
After dinner, Jasper returned to his room. After ensuring no one was watching, he carefully locked the door and retrieved the paper bag hidden under his coat.
"This is too inconvenient. I really need to move out."
While contemplating, he took out several small bottles from the paper bag.
Because it is just a white basic ability, the method of obtaining it is not very demanding.
Jasper followed the instructions meticulously, ensuring the curtains were tightened and confirming the room met the criteria of "no light or low light." He then took the initiative in selecting the light blue chalk.
This is no ordinary chalk. According to the instructions, a small amount of blue silver flower and animal bone powder were mixed into it when making it. After being blessed by the church, it, along with the sterling silver ceremonial dagger, are the two most basic props for making and performing rituals.
"First, draw a circle," Jasper muttered, picking up a pencil from the table, tying the chalk and pencil together with thread from the sewing box, fixing the position of the pencil with a weight, and then gently drawing a circle on the floor.
Drawing a circle with bare hands is a basic skill of the Gifer, but Jasper can't do it yet, so he can only use tools to assist.
"Then, there are prayers." According to his memory, he wrote the words densely with chalk on both sides of the circle.
The above was the preparation work. Then, Jasper took out "ten years of tumbleweed debris," "wind-eater's fingernails," "weathered granite powder," and other items. Some of them were eaten directly, and the other parts were applied to the joints of the lower limbs as required.
"God please may I never have to witness a feces-consuming ritual," he pondered while stowing the small glass bottles. Retrieving the silver dagger gifted by his father, its blade gleaming like moonlight, he delicately incised the skin on one side of his legs. Blood streamed into the nearby glass. Using his finger to collect a small amount of blood, he flicked it with five fingers, sprinkling it in a circle on the ground in a specific position.
He opened the pocket watch gifted by his brother and brought it close to his eyes to check the time.
"Very good, the ceremony can begin after 7:34 p.m."
He took off all his clothes, knelt naked in the center of the circle on the ground, closed his eyes, and faced a specific direction of west-north, standing still, slowly chanting the motto of praising the "Mastermind."
This step isn't necessary, but Mr. Montfort claims it will make the ceremony more successful.
After a while, he felt some numbness in his lower limbs, and he could feel the cold air rushing through his legs, in addition to the petals still functioning in his stomach.
"892, 891..."
He counted silently in his mind as required, and didn't open his eyes until the moment he counted to 0—a brand new light spot had appeared in front of him.
The naked young man squatted in the dim room, with a child-like happy smile on his face.
He immediately realized that if this scene was seen by his family, he might have to go to the haunted hospital.
While happily putting on his clothes, he carefully wiped away the traces on the ground and hid all the bottles and cans.
The church must have made precise calculations regarding materials, leaving nothing behind except the piece of chalk.
Jasper doesn't engage in independent ritual performance as a mere hobby; instead, it serves as a means to connect with the world, influenced by the nature of the spirit.
The positive aspect is that this is solely necessary for acquiring abilities and specific rituals. Otherwise, Jasper must seriously contemplate the future of his role as a Gifter.
Hide the ritual chalk and silver dagger, turn on the lights, and open the curtains to completely restore the bedroom to its original state. He leaned against the door and listened for a while. There were only strange sounds caused by the faint water flow in the wall and the unstable steam pressure.
"This is good."
Jasper sat back down with satisfaction. The ability of [Agility] is also triggering. During use, his legs can produce faster reactions, have stronger muscle and nerve structures, and have speed potential that exceeds human limits.
It was not suitable for experimentation in a small space, so he decided to go to Mr. Montfort's backyard to test it again tomorrow.
"Maybe it's time to move out."
He was thinking, not only because he needed to cross Lutetia City twice a day, but also because the nighttime would be limited here. If he was living alone, he could go out now and find a deserted alley to test his abilities.
Thinking of the alley, Jasper naturally remembered the "Legal gathering."
"How should I go out that day?"
He was troubled.
If he want to move out, he can directly search for a place to live in newspapers or go to a housing agent, but he still don't have enough money in your pocket.
"Mr. Ole's three weeks' salary in advance is 12 Flints, Jasper's savings are 7 Flints 13 Cog, and Mr. Montfort salary is paid once a week. Adding in the expenses of the past few days, the cash I have at my disposal now is less than 20 Flints."
Jenkins stacked the banknotes and coins on the table according to type. The former queen on the coins was smiling under the light of the gas lamp, but Jasper could not smile.
"I don't need to rent a whole house; a studio apartment like Holmes is enough. It needs to be decent and hygienic, and then a rent deposit of at least half a year..."
"Still poor, poor before transmigration, still poor after Transmigration!"
He reluctantly accepted this reality, and then prepared to find some ways to make money through legal means.
"I am a transmigrater!"
He comforted himself in his heart, and then suddenly realized that in this era where the power of steam was becoming increasingly powerful, he, a poor student who had just entered graduate school, seemed really unable to come up with any inventions.
Moreover, he had no time, no energy, no reason, and no place to explore the civilizational creations that were vague in his memory.
"I believe in [Mastermind], and the church also supports believers in publishing books that are beneficial to the public, so - Writing a book?"
He sat back at the desk again. He would definitely not be able to write serious literature, as his grammar foundation was too poor. He can write some knightly novels and legendary adventures that are less demanding. It's no secret that the original owner likes these things. Although it is strange to suddenly take out a book, it can be explained.
But after much deliberation, he gave up. The adventure novels of this era are still in a relatively primitive stage. In addition to the classic plots of adventure, princesses, treasures, and evil dragons, there are also large sections that are gorgeous but insignificant. Useless short poem.
Unable to pen down these matters, Jasper adhered to the routine ingrained from his previous life, fearing that his distinct writing style might unveil the truth about transmigration to others.
"Short story, slightly less demanding on grammar."
Jasper nodded, wrote these two requirements on the paper, and then added, "Be able to publish normally."
This sentence is necessary because unhealthy novels suitable for restless teenagers, solitary dock workers, etc. are also very popular. In order to take care of the common reality of low literacy rates, they also deliberately weakened the text and used more large pictures. Jasper also had a few of these under his bed.
"No, no, it may be very profitable, but it will be over if someone finds out."
Jasper circled the last words he wrote, and then fell into thought again.
As he recalled his experiences after transmigration, the little flower seller girl unconsciously appeared in his mind.
He still hasn't figured out why he was so unlucky, why the [Eye of Truth] suddenly activated, and why he knew it was a [Trick], but this is not important for the moment.
"The poor little girl selling flowers, The Little Match Girl, a fairy tale?"
He wrote the word, frowning and thinking for a while.
"While I may not be inclined towards childlike tales, it wouldn't be unexpected if I casually write some short stories. Practicing grammar issues is essential, and efforts should be made to maintain control. The publishing house associated with the church appears to possess knowledge in this domain of business."
The more he thought about it, the more he felt that this path was very good and suitable for him now. Although the cycle of making money by writing a book is a bit longer, the advantage is that it can be done slowly and steadily, and it can also accumulate a certain social status, which will be very helpful in the future.
"Okay, I will carefully craft a fairy tale every day, and when I have collected twenty fairy tales, I will show them to the Bishop. But I have to reveal some of them to people I know well in advance, and it can't be too abrupt."
Whatever he wanted to do, he picked up the pen, turned the knob of the gas lamp hanging on the wall, turned up the light, and then leaned in front of the table to conceive a new "The Little Match Girl" that fit the characteristics of Aurumia's kingdom.
The next day, Jasper got up very early again. He had been in good spirits since transmigration. He don't know if it was because he had mastered extraordinary powers.
The chef was preparing breakfast. After Jasper washed up a little, he chatted and laughed with his family and had breakfast together. Then he picked up a copy of Old Rhys newspaper and set off again in the carriage.
Old Ehys was very satisfied that his second son could enjoy reading newspapers, but Jasper felt sorry for the money for the carriage ride—this was his biggest expense of the day.
Newspapers of this era were still mimeographed, so they were not heavy on flavor but still had some essence.
The "Lutetia Daily" he picked up is the official newspaper of Lutetia, and middle-class gentlemen order a copy in the morning as a symbol of status.
Jasper flipped through the rental information in the carriage. It was definitely not a small cubicle in a ghetto that could be published in a newspaper with such a circulation. But even the cheapest apartment among the newspapers is definitely not something Jasper can afford now.
"I should change a newspaper. This kind of newspaper that doesn't even give space for short jokes is a newspaper with no future."
Disappointed, he temporarily gave up on the advertising area. Seeing that the distance was still long, he turned forward.