Chapter 67: Math Exam Paper
Let's not dwell on how Klein managed to leave the house the next day with dark circles under his eyes. Instead, let's return to Alice.
After completing her daily task of scaring Klein, Alice went to bed contentedly.
To calm herself from the previous fright, Alice spent the next two days playing with Evelyn and slacking off.
Yes, she didn't even work on her manuscript.
Backlund isn't an interesting city, and the northern district, with Saint Samuel's Cathedral, is as calm as a stagnant pool.
Although it was temporary, Alice indeed enjoyed two quite peaceful days.
On Wednesday evening, Alice stepped into the alley behind the Brave Bar, the building she remembered.
Alice was still among the early arrivals. She leaned in an inconspicuous corner, watching everyone who entered, including the deliberately disguised Klein.
Alice observed Klein, who had changed his usual style and sat openly on a high stool, wondering what role Klein would play this time.
At exactly eight o'clock, the old man known as "Eye of Wisdom" glanced at the clock on the wall and said in a hoarse voice, "Time's up, let's begin. No need to wait for latecomers."
As soon as he finished speaking, Klein immediately said in a deep voice, "I want to sell potion formulas."
Alice instantly understood Klein's intention.
A guy who had just become an Extraordinary for a few days and could casually produce several potion formulas that didn't belong to him would arouse suspicion. Klein, evidently, intended to legitimize the Extraordinary identity of Detective Sherlock Moriarty.
Come to think of it, I had overlooked this issue before...
After briefly contemplating the origin of her own Extraordinary abilities, Alice decided to take things one step at a time... After all, she wasn't good at handling such matters.
Klein had already announced the names and prices of two potions: "Sequence 9 'Singer' and Sequence 8 'Prayer' of the Eternal Blazing Sun Church, the former for 220 pounds, the latter for 450 pounds."
Alice recalled Klein's heroic deeds of divining the Eternal Blazing Sun and silently lowered her head.
Selling potion formulas here didn't seem wise. The dim room fell into silence, and the surrounding air became almost stagnant.
After an unknown period of silence, the chubby pharmacist spoke up, "Actually, I can consider buying them. I can take on another apprentice, give him these two formulas, and have him pray for light for my herbs. Perfect! Luxurious!"
Alice couldn't help but remember Miss Justice mentioning a witch's cat. If she remembered correctly, Miss Justice also had a dog on the Audience pathway...
Speaking of which, what kind of animal suits the Sun pathway? Can I... Ah, what am I thinking!
Alice refocused her thoughts on the right direction, like finding the chubby pharmacist's base in this city.
Regarding the mercury snake hidden in the shadows discovering her, Alice had two guesses.
One, she had been targeted since she first swallowed the "Lucky One" Extraordinary characteristic; two, the chubby pharmacist hadn't actually run away but helped her contact the School of Life.
But Alice couldn't really go and ask the mercury snake what was going on... That would be like delivering food to the enemy! Although Alice doubted their encounter would be a one-time thing, they would surely meet again in the future.
The main subject of this matter involved only two people. She couldn't ask the mercury snake, so she could only find the poor chubby pharmacist... But asking him at this gathering was unrealistic. Alice needed to find the pharmacist's offline address.
—Alice had learned not to rely on chance encounters.
The pharmacist's words broke the brief silence in the room. A man in a low-pulled hood deliberately spoke in a sharp voice, "Maybe I can give them to my child, at least better than my current sequence."
Alice began to wonder what sequence could be worse than being a heretic hunted by everyone... Didn't he consider letting his child be an ordinary person?
"Sequence 9, 200 pounds, Sequence 8, 400 pounds, deal if you agree." The man started bargaining.
The offer was standard and within Klein's expectations. After confirming no one was inclined to raise the price, Klein pondered for a moment and said, "With one condition, you can't sell these two formulas at this gathering, but you're free to do so elsewhere."
The man sharply replied, "Alright, 'Eye of Wisdom' will be our witness."
Alice immediately straightened up, her gaze under the hood directed at the old man known as "Eye of Wisdom." This old man had previously revealed that he either had the Extraordinary ability of an "Appraiser" or possessed an "Appraiser" item. Alice had been curious for a long time.
Klein calmly pulled up his robe, took out two pre-written potion formulas, and handed them to the attendant beside him.
The attendant walked to the single sofa in the center and handed the folded papers to the "Eye of Wisdom."
Under Alice's watchful eyes, the old man unfolded the papers, glanced at them briefly, and placed them on the small round table beside him.
Then, he took out a handkerchief, wiped his right palm, and retrieved a ring encrusted with numerous tiny diamonds from his pocket.
An Extraordinary item? Alice speculated, observing the ring.
The ring was intricately and beautifully designed, with an emerald-like gemstone in the center. Just a distant glance made Alice feel knowledge entering her brain in a peculiar way, making her dizzy.
Several images flashed through her mind—memories of "Huanhuan"!
Alice focused her gaze. "Huanhuan" was sitting in a spacious and bright room, with a blackboard, a multimedia projector, and a large clock in front. This should be... a classroom!
Beside "Huanhuan" sat many people wearing the loose school uniforms Alice had seen before, but their figures were very blurry.
As "Huanhuan" lowered her head, Alice found herself holding a pen, and on the desk was... an answer sheet with multiple-choice questions filled in, the first page of the big questions sparsely written, and the second page almost untouched.
Why is there a second page... Because "Huanhuan" lifted the answer sheet, revealing the... math exam paper underneath!
Alice couldn't help but wonder what had triggered her memory this time—was it the hatred for studying?
The image dissipated, and the ring had already appeared on the right middle finger of the "Eye of Wisdom." The old man closed his eyes, seemingly brewing something.
Suddenly, the emerald gemstone on the ring radiated a brilliant golden light, like sunlight.
Why do I suddenly have a patron (climbing up)?
Thanks to Boss Yuanye Hega for the patronage!
In theory, I should update more... Anyway, help me remember, I'll write as much as I can since I'm not sure I can finish it tomorrow (sigh), I'm slow.jpg