"Excuse me, are you Mr. Jonathan?" Ciel asked as he removed his top hat. "I'm here for a job interview."
"That's right," Jonathan replied. "The requirements aren't too difficult, huh."
Jonathan lowered the newspaper covering his face, revealing the appearance of a charismatic man with a broad forehead and a slight scar around his nose. The wrinkles on his face were not very noticeable; he was probably in his forties.
Suddenly, Ciel felt a strange sense of danger. Jonathan moved quickly, pointing a wand at him while uttering a certain phrase. Although he did not hear it clearly, Ciel knew it was the Jotun language!
By reflex, Ciel stepped backward while shutting his eyes. His hands rose instinctively, trying to protect his face and other vital areas. Light spread across Jonathan's wand. The light gathered at a single point before shooting toward Ciel. It streaked through the air and slammed into him violently.
Ka-boom!!
A small explosion occurred, so small that the room itself suffered no significant damage.
Smoke and dust still lingered in the air. Jonathan's gaze remained fixed on the spot where Ciel had been standing. He narrowed his eyes to make sure.
As the smoke gradually faded, Ciel's figure came into view. He had fallen to the ground while trying to shield himself. There was only a slight impact on him. In front of him was a transparent layer that covered Ciel like rippling water. Somehow, the spell had been blocked by Ciel. Jonathan's expression stiffened before gradually returning to normal. He observed the transparent ripples that had stopped his attack.
"A Grade 2 artifact with a protection spell..."
"Cough... Is that some kind of welcome?" Ciel asked. His voice was slightly disturbed by coughing.
Jonathan glanced at Ciel. His gaze gradually deepened. Even Ciel realized that something had changed within him. His body slowly grew weak and collapsed, while he felt pain and heat around his heart.
Jonathan smiled faintly before replying, "I'm a little surprised. You got back up after taking that spell. I won't ask how you managed it, because even if you hadn't gotten up, that spell would've had about the same effect as a firework explosion."
"A spell?" Ciel stared at Jonathan suspiciously.
"That's right. This is magic."
Did I just awaken?
My heart feels like it's being bound by powerful chains. So this is what Grandfather meant by awakening?
But what caused me to awaken?
Ciel could only ponder silently.
Jonathan took out a cigar, lit it, took a drag, and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"This is... the power of a Sorcerer."
The two stared at each other for a few moments before Jonathan enthusiastically extended a hand to help Ciel up.
"This was merely an interview test, and you passed. The requirements to become my assistant aren't that difficult, you know? You only need to master magic. Magic is a hidden power, and since most of my clients deal with supernatural matters like these, it's the minimum requirement. Besides, if you refuse, I can always erase your memories with my magic," Jonathan explained.
Ciel accepted Jonathan's hand and tried to stand while straightening his clothes. He attempted to process everything that had just happened, still somewhat wary of the man before him.
Jonathan exhaled another puff of cigar smoke before smiling.
"Of course, if this is your first awakening, I'll teach you a few things that I know. How about it?"
After thinking for a moment, Ciel focused his thoughts.
I need this job.
As long as Arianna is still attending school, the household expenses will continue to increase over time.
And if learning magic can help me protect Arianna, then I'll gladly accept!
He smiled softly and extended his hand.
"I look forward to your guidance, Mr. Detective!"
In truth, although something like magic slightly opened the possibility that he might be able to return to the Earth he once knew, Ciel couldn't and didn't want to return.
Especially now that he had a family he had never possessed before.
Jonathan accepted Ciel's handshake and smiled in return.
"I look forward to working with you."
The two of them left the bar and headed toward Houndog Street.
The atmosphere was relatively lively, almost like Howcart Street. Even though this was part of the city center and leaned more toward an upper-class residential area, Ciel still noticed several homeless people sleeping at the ends of the alleys. Some were merely asleep, while others looked pale and cold, lifeless. There seemed to be slightly more of them than in Rebel Street. Although security here was stricter than in Rebel Street, making gang-related crimes and other criminal activities practically nonexistent, the police never paid much attention to the homeless and therefore never prohibited them from wandering around. There were even buildings specifically designated to house a limited number of homeless people, meaning that those visible outside were only a small portion of the total population here.
Were the homeless people in Rebel Street kidnapped by gangsters?
That would make sense. The police wouldn't care if a few homeless people disappeared.
Ciel's thoughts drifted as he looked around.
The sight made him unconsciously bite his lower lip in unease. He couldn't help but wonder why suffering seemed to exist everywhere. Although such things were considered normal, the number of homeless people increased by ten percent every year, while only decreasing by three percent annually. Whether dead or merely sleeping, the police usually patrolled only to keep them under control. Every lifeless homeless person would be taken away and burned, not even receiving a prayer from the church.
"You're thinking about things that don't matter," Jonathan said, interrupting Ciel's thoughts. "People won't change unless the fire inside them is burning. No matter how much you help them, they'll continue being pitiful pests if they have no purpose."
Without realizing it, they arrived in front of an apartment building whose entire exterior seemed to be built from red bricks. It gave off an elegant and classical impression. It was the same building Ciel had visited several hours earlier.
They entered and climbed the stairs to the third floor. Occasionally, Jonathan would stop to chat with the residents, and before long, they arrived at Room 007.
Upon entering, a simple interior came into view. It wasn't particularly large, but it was spacious enough. A work desk stood in the center of the room, covered in stacks of criminal records, or at least that was what they appeared to be. Directly behind the desk was a medium-sized window, allowing the daylight to enter in a way that looked pleasing—not too bright, yet not gloomy either. Meanwhile, in one corner stood a small table with a flower pot and a radio set. Besides that, there was a wardrobe and a sofa for guests, which could also be used for resting.
After taking a quick look around, Jonathan instructed Ciel to sit on the sofa while he himself sat neatly behind his desk.
"Anything you'd like to ask while I look for the employment contract?"
Ciel thought for a moment before speaking.
"Tell me everything about magic!"
A faint smile appeared on Jonathan's lips.
"I'll only tell you what I know. Consider me your teacher."
"Magic is a mystical power that allows you to unleash extraordinary forces through spells. When you awakened, you must have felt your heart being wrapped in chains, right?"
Ciel fell silent for a moment. He carefully observed the changes within his body. He felt stronger, and it even seemed as though his intelligence had improved. Looking back at Jonathan, he gave a slight nod.
"That's called a Circle," Jonathan continued. "The Circle wraps around your heart with magical energy. It feels like eight chains constantly binding your heart. However, the Circle can be reduced by periodically absorbing pure magical energy, a process commonly known as meditation..."
"The fewer chains surrounding a Sorcerer's heart, the stronger they become. That's because their magical energy gradually merges with the magical energy of the world itself."
After listening for a while, Ciel found himself with a question.
"But sir, what exactly are the requirements for awakening? I've awakened, but I don't know what happened beforehand."
Jonathan sorted through several sheets of paper, apparently having found the contract he was looking for.
"The reason behind each person's awakening is different. There are cases where someone awakens because they were in an area rich in mana and unconsciously absorbed it. There are rare cases where a person is born awakened. There are also those who awaken after acquiring vast amounts of knowledge and information. No one knows for certain what causes a Sorcerer to awaken, Ciel. Perhaps you awakened because of the artifact you're carrying, or perhaps because you survived my spell."
Jonathan rose from his chair and slowly walked toward the sofa. He stopped in front of Ciel.
His expression became slightly serious as he spoke.
"But one thing is certain, Ciel. Humans are greedy creatures. Because humans are always greedy, they always desire more. Humans constantly seek freedom. Yet humans are also incredibly limited. We are 'bound' by our own fate... and by death."
He looked at Ciel warmly and handed him the contract as he continued.
"You know, Sorcerers... are the people who understand the meaning of being 'bound' better than anyone else."
Ciel reflected on those words. Whether they were sincere or not, Jonathan suddenly felt like an entirely different person. He seemed deeper, as though he were drowning in something invisible. Ciel didn't truly understand what Jonathan was trying to say, but for some reason, seeing his serious expression made him feel that the advice carried meaning.
Ciel accepted the contract and smiled faintly before speaking, even though he didn't fully understand Jonathan's words.
"Well, that's certainly interesting advice."
He read through the entire contract, negotiated several clauses that seemed disadvantageous, and eventually signed it. Even if he didn't fully understand what Jonathan meant, he intended to remember that advice.
The details of the contract were fairly straightforward: a three-year employment agreement that could be terminated under the right circumstances, a weekly salary of four pirch, two days off per week, and several other benefits. The salary alone was equivalent to the average monthly income of a lower-middle-class worker, making Ciel quite pleased.
After shaking hands to finalize the agreement, Ciel returned to BlackPearl Street. He bought several cooking ingredients along the way before heading home.
Ciel changed his clothes before heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner for his younger sister. He sautéed the seasonings and vegetables, then mashed the potatoes until they became smooth. Using the meat he had bought on the way home, he made a simple steak. After preparing dinner, he noticed there were no signs of Arianna coming downstairs. Normally, she would rush down the moment she caught the smell of food.
Worried, Ciel carried Arianna's portion upstairs to her room. When he arrived in front of her door, he found it slightly open. Entering the room, he saw Arianna asleep at her study desk. As her older brother, Ciel brought over a blanket and gently draped it over her body. He placed her meal on the desk before quietly leaving the room and slowly closing the door behind him.
Back downstairs, he ate his own dinner in silence.
Yet strangely enough, his mind refused to settle.
Little by little, his subconscious seemed to be merging with the consciousness of the body's original owner, Ciel Grand.
His thoughts remained calm, but the feeling in his heart was unpleasant.
Back downstairs, he ate quietly. Yet strangely enough, his mind could not remain at peace. Little by little, his subconscious was merging with the consciousness of the body's original owner, Ciel Grand.
His thoughts remained calm, but the feeling in his heart was unpleasant. He had to hold on, to keep from losing himself, to draw a line between Joseph August and Ciel Grand.
Whether he would completely become Ciel Grand, or merely "play" the role of Ciel Grand, he did not know.