Chapter 12: Investigate
After rigorously testing Enber's grasp of the material, the Eye of Wisdom nodded in approval. "You've exceeded my expectations. I imagine the Reader potion sharpened your memory, but to achieve this fluency shows a real gift for languages."
"That's also thanks to the straightforwardness of the texts you gave me," Enber replied modestly.
"Roselle once told me excessive modesty borders on hypocrisy," the Eye of Wisdom chuckled. "When I learned Feysac, it took me a full month—without any potion."
'A whole month to learn a language with no supernatural aid? Who's the real monster here?' Enber thought, but he kept a respectful smile.
Suddenly the old man asked, "What is your faith?"
'What if I said I worship the Fool? Would you pull out your Sun Brooch and purify me on the spot?' Enber mused nearly laughing, then remembered the original Enber's family were devotees of the Night Goddess. He said, "Um... the Goddess of the Night."
The Eye of Wisdom chuckled at Enber's hesitation. "You don't strike me as a devout follower of the Night Goddess. Your attitude and outlook suit the Church of Knowledge better. What are your thoughts?"
'Are you saying I'd make a good fit for the Turncoat Dragon?' Enber considered with mild amusement. After a pause he asked the practical question: "What exactly is in it for me?"
For a moment the old man seemed uncertain. Could he really propose such a pragmatic youth to his faith? He sighed. "Perhaps Kaspars mentioned it, but I've long thought of taking you as a student. Seeing your talent and diligence now makes me even more inclined. You clearly lack some essential occult foundation."
This was true. Although Enber had read Lord of Mysteries and carried high-level knowledge, the novel had glossed over many basic occult mechanics—things a living Beyonder needed to know.
Still, the offer hung in the air. Enber didn't answer immediately; he asked, plainly, "Why me?"
The Eye of Wisdom smiled as if Enber's caution pleased him. "If I told you I felt a connection—an instinct to help you from the bottom of my heart—you'd probably call it superstition, right?" He paused, then continued, "Yet that is the truth. From the moment I saw you, something urged me to aid you. In the past, following that instinct spared me from disaster. Now it's stronger than ever."
'Wait. A prophetic instinct like that is a Reader-Prophet trait—Sequence 4. Can a Sequence 7 Knowledge Keeper truly sense such things? Unless… someone above him is lending him sight.' The thought chilled Enber. As a transmigrated soul fused with the Reader pathway, he'd assumed his otherworldly presence was hidden. Yet Isengard's certainty felt like evidence to the contrary. Perhaps the Knowledge God's reach was broader than Enber had believed.
If the god noticed him and chose not to act directly—only to nudge a human instead—would that mean Enber's presence served the god's ends? Enber's stomach twisted at the implication. Sometimes knowing too much meant being boxed in by obligation. He smiled bitterly to himself.
When he looked up at the Eye of Wisdom—patient, expectant—Enber breathed and answered, "I would be honored to be your student, Teacher. My name is Enber Bryan."
Enber removed his mask as a sign of respect. The old man returned the gesture, revealing a narrow face, blue eyes, and graying hair—an air of refined dignity.
"My name is Isengard Stanton, Sequence 7 Knowledge Keeper, follower of the God of Knowledge and wisdom. From today you are my student. I will later recommend you to headquarters in Luen." Isengard's tone was both formal and warm.
'That's it? No ceremony?' Enber wondered, surprised by the simplicity. Isengard, sensing his emotions smiled. "The Church of the God of Knowledge and Wisdom has few rituals unless a formal induction is needed. We teach those with a love of learning. And we keep things simple here—this is Tyrant territory; subtlety is safer."
Enber nodded upon the explanation. Isengard continued, "Starting tomorrow, you will move into my home in Hillsdon—16 Granal Street. I will teach you when I can. When I'm busy, you may study my collection; in return, you will help organize and analyze texts for your board and lodging."
'No pay, then,' Enber thought, but kept his voice steady as he mentioned morning practice for firearms and combat. Isengard, always the pragmatic detective, agreed at once.
"All right. Bring the young lady in. We'll find and eliminate the Beyonder who cursed her. As your teacher, I'll make sure my student has no unresolved dangers looming." Isengard rapped his cane on the floor—decisive, final.
Enber felt an unexpected wash of reassurance at the pledge.
Xio returned, guided by the assistant. She blinked at the unmasked pair—then at Enber. "I am now Mr. Stanton's student," Enber explained briefly. "Teacher has agreed to help us find whoever cursed you."
Xio pressed her lips together, overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. Knowing the culprit must be caught to shield Fors and others, she accepted the risk. She removed her mask and bowed. "Thank you, Enber. Thank you, Mr. Stanton."
"No need," Isengard said. "Time is short—tell me the details on the way." He gestured them forward with a detective's quick decisiveness. Enber and Xio fell into step beside him and recounted events as they made for the nearest subway.
At the station near the Church of the Fist of the Storm, Isengard stopped and stared at a corner near the platform's waiting room. From the curse's traces on Xio and the cracked badge, he reconstructed the scene in his mind—Scene Recall, a Knowledge Keeper's skill.
"So it was here he suffered the backlash," Isengard murmured. "He used a Grade-3 Sealed Artifact—quite potent." He shot a knowing look at Enber, aware that Enber was evasive about his own source of power.
Enber forced an awkward chuckle and kept silent, guarding the secret of the Pure White Eye.
"This person isn't a professional criminal," Isengard added. "He didn't clean his tracks. Stay close—I have a pretty good idea where he's hiding."
(End of Chapter)