Klein's reply made Daly chuckle. The translucent face with only a mouth said, "Even though you found inspiration through the maxim of the Mystery Pryers and confirmed your theories through my experience and performance, it only took you a month to understand the 'acting method' and come up with your own Seer principle. That shows that you possess outstanding wisdom and an open mind."
Klein didn't engage in the topic which made him guilty, but instead asked in response, "Madam, do the higher-ups in the church know about this so-called 'acting method?'"
Selina averted her gaze from Klein and onto the translucent face.
"No doubt, they understand it very clearly. I once read through the historical information in the church and searched through stories of people ignoring the norms and advancing quickly. I realized that there were more than a few Nighthawks and bishops who have done so, I'm not the most unique one either. But their ending..." Daly intentionally paused, and she suddenly sounded heavy-hearted.
Ending... what? Selina felt a tug in her chest.
"What kind of ending did they have?" Klein asked casutiously.
The translucent face suddenly laughed. "Their endings were rather great. Besides the few who lost control or were sacrificed in Beyonder incidents, the rest of them have at least become archbishops or high-ranking deacons. Among them, there are also experts that have successfully become High-Sequence Beyonders. In the Church of the Goddess, Sequence 4's and Sequence 3's are called Saints, while Sequence 2's and Sequence 1's are called Grounded Angels. Of course, every angel was once a Saint."
"..." Selina was loss for words. Then in her heart, she mused, What an eccentric lady you are Madam Daly...
The corner of Klein's lips twitched before he asked, without hiding his suspicions, "Since the Church has mastered the 'acting method,' why didn't they just tell every Nighthawk? Although it wouldn't prevent every Nighthawk from losing control, it would definitely lower the probability and reduce unnecessary losses."
A sense of loss appeared on the translucent face. 'I have no idea why either. They told me that when I become an archbishop or high-ranking deacon, I'll be able to know the secret. I came here today because I hope that you can tell Dunn about the 'acting method' more clearly before you hand in your special request."
"So once noticed by the Church, one has to swear not to tell anyone about the 'acting method?'" clarified Selina wistfully.
"Yes, you must do it before the Goddess's holy items and swear upon Her name. That holds enough binding force. Trust me, you definitely don't want to know the outcome of a violation. I can only talk about it with people who have mastered the 'acting method,' like you and Klein. Mr. Moretti's body language already gave me the answer before he replied; that's why I dared to say the term." Daly made the creepy face sigh.
She paused for a moment before saying, "I only faintly grasped the essence of 'acting' back then and digested the potion very quickly. Yes, among the higher-ups in the Church, using the term 'digesting' to describe the control of the potion is very aptly worded. Anyway, before I made the pledge and found out about the 'acting method,' I had no clear understanding of it, so I couldn't accurately explain it to Dunn and the others.
"I gave up at first. I never thought that I would meet you." The head turned to Klein. "An eccentric wonder that could clearly understand the 'acting method' before handing in a special application—no, a genius."
Klein was torn, he felt guilty that he glanced at Selina, flashing a knowing smile softly while crossing her arms. I'm back-riding our Emperor...
Klein's face casted down before he solemnly promised, "I originally intended to remind Captain about the existence of the 'acting method' through my special application. With your explanation, I don't have to worry further."
"Very well, you're such a kind lad." Daly sounded relaxed.
Madam, you're only about two to three years older than me... Klein inwardly pointed out the error in her words.
Without him speaking any further, the translucent creepy face continued, darting between him and Selina, "If both of you had any problems or anything that you require assistance with, you can write a letter to me. Wait for me, heh heh. When I become an Archbishop or a high-ranking deacon which allows me to understand why the Church hides the 'acting method,' I'll give both of you a hint whether if it's a good or bad thing.
"Hmm... actually with not only Klein learning the 'acting method'. Perhaps there'll be a chance to help Dunn and others fully grasp it, but I guess it's better not to press." Daly said through the spirit thoughtfully.
Better not to press? Selina perked up.
Klein was suddenly energized, and he asked without hesitation, "Madam, what's your address?"
As Selina had said, the more aid they got, the merrier. Plus, she was a pretty strong Spirit Medium!
Seeing that neither oppose the idea at all and Selina merely watching, Daly remained silent for a while before she laughed.
"Our communication shouldn't go through the post office, as we would be using normal letters. That's very dangerous.
"I'll teach you relatively easy ritualistic magic. You can use it to summon a special spirit, one that belongs to me. Pass the letter to it, and it'll send it precisely to me. It wouldn't be faster than a telegram, but it's faster than a steam locomotive. If either of you were to send a message at noon, I would receive the message in Backlund that same night."
Klein listened to her with his full attention. He nodded faintly. "A very pragmatic ritualistic magic."
Right as Daly explained, she made the face glance at Selina, retracting away from seeing Klein's expression before saying, "That will be very helpful Mrs. Simone."
Daly chuckled.
"The uniqueness of the ritualistic magic is to pray to yourself. Obtaining power from your own spirituality, without going through a god. Hence, it's quite secretive, but it isn't very powerful.
"... First, you select a herb and essential oil in the corresponding domain. This is no different than normal ritualistic magic. However, you only need the candle that represents yourself. Then, regarding the spell, there are three parts. The first part is 'I.' Shout 'I' in either ancient Hermes, Jotun, Dragonish, or Elvish. The second part is 'I summon in my name.' That part can be said in Hermes. The third part is the exact description of the summoning object. For instance, you would use this in the future: 'the spirit that wanders about the unfounded, the higher-dimensional creature that a human orders, the messenger that belongs to Daly Simone."
Higher-dimensional? In mysticism, this is normally referred to as the spirit world... not the one hinting the Single Eye... Klein memorized as he analyzed the ritual procedure.
In that aspect, he could barely be considered an expert.
Oh, I see, this ritual is exactly from Yesir's sacrificed documents... Once Selina recognized the ritual, her mind simply started to cross-reference.
The benefit of this kind of ritualistic magic is that it avoids calling upon a god but relies purely on a person's power. It achieves various magical effects without the constraints imposed by a god's specialized domain. The problem lies in the strength of a person. A weak result for the weak, and a strong result for the strong..
Daly repeated the description a few times and emphasized solemnly, "Remember, don't change the actual description of the summoning object, or the ritual could easily attract a terrifying monster."
"Alright." Klein nodded honestly, which was naturally followed by Selina.
At the same time, his thoughts wondered off.
Amidst this silence, Selina contemplated before posing a thoughtful question, "Madam, if one were to strictly practice the 'acting method,' how long does it take to ascend the sequences?"
"According to the information that I've read, it varies from three months to two years for Sequence 8 to Sequence 7. It depends on whether you can grasp the core spirit and corresponding principle during the 'acting' process. From Sequence 7 to Sequence 6, it varies from half a year to three years; likewise for Sequence 6 to Sequence 5. As for Sequence 5 to Sequence 4, three to twenty years..." Daly described roughly.
Selina softly smiled.
"So Madam is already at Sequence 6?"
She heard from Dunn that Daly used a year's time from Sequence 9 Corpse Collector to Sequence 8 Gravedigger. Then, from Gravedigger to Sequence 7 Spirit Medium, she used another year. She had been a Beyonder for five years. In other words, Daly was at the Spirit Medium stage for about three years.
"Mhm yes, that's the reason why I was transferred to Backlund diocese," the creepy translucent face answered frankly. "My current occupation is a Spirit Guide. However, I prefer the name Spirit Medium. Alright, this little guy is getting tired. I have to go. Under such circumstances, I won't be saying 'may the Goddess bless you.'"
"Alright, have a good night." Selina waved slowly.
Until it stopped when Daly wearily said, "Sigh no good in this night, I have to rush back to Backlund. This isn't a happy experience, it's like having a relationship with someone you don't like..."
Daly's voice grew softer, and the translucent face with no eyes or nose slowly shrank back into the wall without leaving behind any traces.
The gas lamp light suddenly became bright and the gloominess vanished into thin air.
Selina watched the changes until everything returned to normal. It took her a short while to snap, after which she saw Klein doing the same.
"Spirit Guide is very impressive." Klein remarked. "It can actually conjure a 'messenger.' I wonder what's the specialty of our Sequence 7 and Sequence 6?"
As he went and dispel the spiritual wall, he heard Selina in a melancholic tone.
"Right... oh I almost forgot!"
She quickly turned and sought the dresser again, rummaging it until her hand fished out a letter.
Klein saw this and snapped out of his own realization: he had something to ask of Selina!
Thus, he stopped midway from finalizing the wall and once Selina made her way back, giving him the envelope. Klein lowered it and told her, "Selina, I presumed you already know of Ms. Lover's past situation right? One that involved the Rose School of Thought."
Selina paled a little and she asked, "Why so sudden?"
"You see, she placed the operation as a commission. Adhering to the equivalent exchange, she rewarded everyone, as long as it's within her abilities." explained Klein unhurriedly.
Selina nodded.
"As I can't bring myself to join the gatherings yet. 'He' informed me and thus giving me a chance to claim the reward, in the form of 300 pounds." Klein paused momentarily to glance at Selina, who is calmly listening.
"I had forgotten about it, which probably why 'He' does not mention it. However I don't want to disturbed the future gatherings, so Selina, can I ask if you could reach out to Ms. Lovers and tell her about this?"
Selina's eyes inadvertently drooped. You're refusing my help and asking for my help at the same time? How ironic...
While she mused in her heart, she sighed, "I will. So how will Lady Lovers send this to you?"
She had the urge to tell that it will be covered by her, but that would place constraints to Klein. Idea that she's not so fondly of.
"Tell her to settle an account within Backlund, then hand me the receipt for transferring." Klein said thoughtfully.
Backlund Bank was one of the seven major banks in the Loen Kingdom, and as such, it possessed the right to clear transactions.
Alongside it was the Northbank. However, unlike receipts, they handle cards that are fabled by the dioceses of the Church of Storms. Thus, transferring can be done between cities as long as there's a Cathedral of Storms within it.
Connecting to what Selina had done to allow Yesir and others to access her wealth. She had made a separate account, and gave them its total information; dates, origin, balance, and contractor: her under the guise of Lenore Holmes.
As their contractor, she gave the account multiple beneficiaries, all having her believer's names. It only needed now was their stamps, to which happened during each of their own visits to the local Northbank for withdrawals.
Needing a receipt? I never knew how convenient being a believer of the Lord of Storms was until now... Still, they could be using the bank as a unified storage for their plundered wealth, perhaps laundering as well... Selina acutely made a judgement before answering Klein.
"Very well, I'll have Lady Lovers sort it out as soon as possible. Clearly, we need the savings." she was pointing out Klein's reluctancy to her support.
Klein, noticing this, wearily smiled and quickly allayed the spiritual wall before bidding goodnight.