Chapter 33: 33. Chapter 33: "The Switch" (First update, requesting recommendation votes)

Chapter 33: "The Switch" (First update, requesting recommendation votes)

As soon as Old Neil finished speaking, those illusory eyes in the darkness behind him vanished rapidly. Even in a state of "Spirit Vision," Klein could no longer detect any trace of their former existence.

"This is a manifestation of ritual magic," Old Neil explained with a chuckle.

*A bit magical... Is Spirit Vision just an upgraded version of the Yin-Yang eyes?* Like a child who had received a new toy, Klein's interest was piqued. He shifted his gaze, scanning every corner of the room to see how the current alchemy lab differed from the previous one.

The darkness outlined the silhouettes of objects—the long table, test tubes, scales, cups, and cabinets—none of which looked any different from before Klein had activated "Spirit Vision," nor did they emit any glow.

*Do inanimate objects lack spirituality?* Klein muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over a small silver box on the table.

Suddenly, he saw a radiance within it—some parts as azure as the sky, some as brilliant as stars, and others as crimson as if on fire!

"Do materials derived from Beyonder species still possess some kind of life, uh, activity? Even if the original owner is already dead?" Klein weighed his words, asking Old Neil out of pure curiosity.

"The accurate description is that their spirituality lingers. This is one of the keys to a successful potion concoction, and also one of the roots of Beyonder loss of control. Dunn should have told you," Old Neil explained candidly.

He seemed to recall something and suddenly let out a laugh

"I remember the formula for the 'Corpse Collector' included dried adult black-spotted frogs. One would need immense courage to consume that potion."

Klein imagined it and felt a bit nauseated. He didn't play along with Old Neil, instead turning his gaze toward the dimness where there wasn't enough light. However, he found no invisible spirits or ghosts there as he had expected.

"Didn't you say the spirit world is everywhere?" he asked, puzzled.

Old Neil let out a "Heh" and said

"Little guy, repeat after me:"

"'This is the headquarters of the Nighthawks, the underground of the Church of the Evernight Goddess. There are many Beyonders here!'"

"'Do you think we would allow spirits and souls to wander around here? Besides, the spirit world and spirits are two different concepts.'"

Klein felt a moment of embarrassment. He turned his head away, pretending to gaze at the faint gaslight near the entrance of the secret door.

"I understand."

As he spoke, the space between his eyebrows suddenly began to twitch uncontrollably, as if in a spasm.

*What's happening?* Just as Klein was about to turn and ask, he suddenly saw a nearly transparent figure standing quietly near the edge of the bright yellow light by the inner part of the secret door. It was humanoid, and its aura color blended perfectly with the dim environment, making it difficult to distinguish.

*Hiss!*

A sharp pain shot through the space between Klein's eyebrows, and his vision blurred. When he focused his attention again, there was no "invisible" figure to be found!

*Strange...* He turned back and said

"Mr. Neil, the area between my eyebrows is twitching. It hurts a little."

"Haha, that is very normal. You are a newly promoted Beyonder. Spirit Vision places a heavy burden on your 'spiritual body' and constantly consumes it. Externally, this manifests as twitching between the eyebrows, stinging headaches, hypersensitivity, or even slight hallucinations. Furthermore, in the state of Spirit Vision, you will easily feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar environments and be easily influenced by others' emotions. These are all matters that require attention; you must adapt and eliminate these symptoms through repeated practice. Additionally, use it in moderation and end it promptly," Old Neil replied with a smile.

*Why does it feel like you're enjoying this...* Klein hurriedly asked

"Then how do I exit the Spirit Vision state?"

He had wanted to mention the "invisible" figure he just saw, but after hearing "slight hallucinations" mentioned as a symptom, he abandoned the thought.

Combining the twitching and the stinging pain, he could guess Old Neil's answer!

"Imagine objects just like you did before, focus your attention, then switch to a meditative state. Close your eyes, control your spirituality, and repeatedly tell it to stop. Then, open your eyes, and you will find that Spirit Vision has ended."

Old Neil described it leisurely, only adding at the end, "Of course, that is the most tedious and clumsy method. Through practice, we can repeatedly suggest to ourselves during meditation and influence our spirituality to leave a simple 'switch action.' For example, I can lightly tap my eyebrows twice to easily activate Spirit Vision, and tap them twice again to easily end it. As for the specific setting, it depends on your own habits and preferences."

"Understood." Klein thought for a moment and decided to imitate Old Neil, using the action of tapping his eyebrows twice as his "switch" for Spirit Vision.

"One tap" might be easily confused with an instinctive head rub, and "three taps" might waste precious time in a crisis. As for snapping fingers or other actions, they were too distinctive and would attract attention.

He focused his attention, visualizing gathered spheres of light, and re-entered a meditative state.

Under Old Neil's guidance, through repeated suggestion and practice, he finally "set" his "switch action."

Clenching his fist and using the base joint of his index finger, he tapped his eyebrows twice. Suddenly, various auras of different thicknesses and colors appeared before Klein's eyes.

He tapped twice more, and everything returned to normal, with no further peculiarities.

"I've finally mastered it..." he remarked with joy.

It was only then that he realized he was so exhausted he could fall asleep at any moment; his head felt empty and aching, as if he had pulled three consecutive all-nighters.

Old Neil smiled and said

"We are not 'Sleepless.' After every instance of excessive practice or overusing Spirit Vision, a period of sleep is required for recovery. You can go home now. Get some good rest, and in the afternoon, take a stroll on the way from Welch's residence to Iron Cross Street. Try to find clues regarding the Antigonus family notebook as soon as possible. We will continue the teaching of occult knowledge tomorrow. Of course, you must not forget to read those historical documents."

"Alright." Klein agreed wholeheartedly to Old Neil's arrangements.

Taking his cane and leaving the alchemy lab, he watched the secret door close. As Old Neil returned toward the armory, Klein rubbed his eyebrows and temples, holding onto the handrail as he climbed the stairs step by step.

At that moment, Dunn Smith approached from behind, a slight curve to his lips and a deep look in his eyes as he said

"According to Old Neil, you are adapting very well, both to meditation and to Spirit Vision."

"Perhaps it is just the specialty of the 'Divinationer,'" Klein replied modestly.

He guessed that Dunn had been guarding the armory for Old Neil just now.

Dunn slowed his pace, staying just slightly ahead of Klein. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke without turning around

"You must remember, curiosity killed the cat, and it will also kill Beyonders. Do not attempt to probe into whispers that should not be heard or existences that should not be seen."

"Understood." Klein knew this was another reminder regarding Beyonder loss of control.

Entering the Blackthorn Security Company, he greeted Roselle, who clearly did not yet know she had become a Beyonder. He walked leisurely out the main gate, arrived at the street, and took an omnibus back to Narcissus Street, nearly falling asleep along the way.

It was still morning, and the temperature was around twenty-six or twenty-seven degrees. Klein took the copper key from his belt and opened his front door.

Inside the house, many items had not yet been purchased; the living room and dining room were both empty. Benson and Melissa had long since left for work and school, respectively.

Ignoring everything else, Klein closed the door behind him, hurried upstairs, and entered his own bedroom, which contained a bookshelf.

After taking off his tailcoat and hanging it on the coat rack, he threw himself onto the bed impatiently. The moment his head touched the pillow, he fell into a deep sleep.

Klein was awakened by brilliant sunlight. He turned his head and slowly opened his eyes, finding the sun shining brightly outside.

"What time is it? I haven't missed the afternoon 'Tarot Club,' have I?" He struggled to get out of bed and walked toward the coat rack, as his pocket watch was still in the inner pocket of his tailcoat.

Not only had he forgotten this, but he had also forgotten to close the bedroom door and pull the curtains of the bay window.

*Click!*

Klein pulled out the pocket watch and pressed it open; he immediately felt relieved.

It was only just past twelve; there was still plenty of time before the scheduled three in the afternoon.

—Today was Monday, the day of his gathering with "The Hanged Man" and "Justice."

Klein struck a thinking pose and tapped his eyebrows twice. His vision changed once more, seeing his own aura return to a bright luster.

He tapped twice more to exit Spirit Vision, walked easily to the first floor, boiled a pot of water, added some low-quality tea leaves, and ate a piece of rye bread with the tea and a little cream.

Afterward, Klein pulled out his history textbooks and the original owner's notes, leisurely beginning his "review" and consolidation.

...

At 2:57 PM, Klein closed his books, put the cap on his fountain pen, and pulled the curtains shut with a *whoosh*.

Immediately after, he locked the bedroom door, making the room exceptionally dim.

He tapped his eyebrows twice again to activate Spirit Vision and looked around.

After confirming there were no invisible spirits in the room, Klein ended Spirit Vision, pulled out his pocket watch, and checked the time.

*Tick, tick.*

One minute before three, he stepped forward and, just as before, walked four steps counter-clockwise to form a square, chanting the corresponding incantations in Chinese with every step.

However, this time, he did not prepare any food.

Klein closed his eyes. He felt a slight itch on the back of his hand, as if the four black dots forming the small square were becoming prominent, emerging.

Mad screams and seductive whispers began to echo, but Klein found that the headache was not as severe as last time.

It wasn't that he was unaffected, but rather that he could exert his utmost effort to control himself from actively listening.

Having become a "Beyonder," he possessed a bit more self-control in such an environment.

Soon, his "body" felt light, floating upwards. He saw the pervasive, grayish-white, boundless, and hazy mist; he saw those deep-red "stars," two of which seemed to have a subtle connection with him, making him feel exceptionally familiar.

Klein looked at his blurred self and whispered in confusion

"The Astral Projection Old Neil mentioned?"

He remained calm for a few seconds. Once again, atop the gray fog, that magnificent divine temple manifested—the bronze long table located directly beneath the vast dome, and those twenty-two high-backed chairs bearing the symbols of different constellations.

Klein walked quietly to the head of the table and sat down, allowing his body and face to be shrouded in even denser gray mist. Then, he reached out his right hand, remotely pointing at those two familiar "deep-red" stars, constructing a wondrous connection.