Can magic settle the bills? Should I curse the creditors to death or forge currency? I can't solve the problem myself—but can I solve *you*? … Various thoughts leapt through Caine's mind, and the way he looked at old Neil grew increasingly off-kilter. He seriously considered calling the police, no—perhaps alerting the night watch team. Old Neil glanced at him with an impatient tone: "In your eyes, I see ignorance, I see foolishness, I see fragile and shameful trust. Didn't Dunn tell you the secret keepers' motto? 'Do as you please, but do not harm!' "Your doubt is an insult to me, an insult to the one who observes!" "I'm sorry," said Caine without hesitation. [At this point, I hope the reader takes note of our domain name ??????????.??????] He had indeed forgotten the maxim once mentioned by Dunn-Smith. Old Neil didn't truly grow angry; he smiled warmly and said, "Unfortunately, there aren't many exceptional ones chosen as Seers, so there's no corresponding maxim to guide you." "But I have the journal of Emperor Roxel. Hmm, strictly adhering to a maxim itself carries a strong sense of performance..." Caine suddenly had a thought, nodding thoughtfully. Old Neil said no more, and took the vases and other items from the heavy round table, placing them in the corner. Next, he drew out a crimson and a deep black candle from a silver box, while casually explaining: "Should ordinary people wish to attempt ritual magic, they must select suitable dates and times—based on astrological readings or by consulting relevant manuals—such as Sunday, symbolizing the goddess, or the lunar hours under His dominion. But for us extraordinary ones, especially those particularly adept at such practices, these considerations are unnecessary. Our vibrant spirituality and our powerful stellar bodies are the key factors." "Of course, if you're uncertain about the ritual magic you'd like to try, choosing a favorable date and time can effectively enhance your chances of success." "Ah, yes—there's one condition you must remember and strictly adhere to!" Neil placed the two candles neatly, then leaned slightly to one side, looking seriously at Caine and said: "Low-sequence beings themselves aren't strong enough to perform most ritual magic—they must constantly seek external power and assistance. Therefore, we can only turn to established deities such as the Goddess or the Storm Sovereign. Absolutely, absolutely do not attempt to communicate with unknown, unpredictable entities, even if people believe in them, even if their promises are deeply alluring!" "Believe me—don't harbor any侥幸 hopes. As soon as you make an attempt, you will inevitably slide into the abyss. All your efforts, all your resistance, can only slow the descent, not reverse the trend." "I'll remember that!" Caine replied in a steady voice, though his heart felt suddenly light and uncertain. His own "transformation rite" seemed to be beseeching an unknown, unpredictable entity for strength—indeed, he had secured a power so potent that even the seasoned extraordinary, the "Hanged Man," found it astonishing, a force that drew them upward into the gray mist. He himself must be a seasoned extraordinary. Fortunately, I haven't gone mad yet, nor shown any signs of losing control. Concerned about this, he deliberately shifted the topic: "Thus, the watchkeepers should best seek assistance from the goddess?" "If you wish to invoke the Storm Sovereign, no one will stand in your way—though He may not respond at all, or may respond with malice, thereby distorting the outcome of your ritual magic in unpredictable ways." Old Neil successfully dispelled Caine's lingering optimism with a touch of humor. There is no such thing as "best"—only "necessary." After finishing his instructions, Old Neil picked up the crimson candle and said: "The candles made from moonflower and deep-red sandalwood symbolize the goddess's status as the sovereign of red in ritual magic." He then pointed to the deep black candle and added: "The candles crafted from night sage and deep-sleep flower symbolize the night." As he spoke, he placed the black candle in the upper left of the round table and the red one in the upper right. "Why are there only two candles symbolizing the goddess—She, the hidden mother, queen of trials and fears, ruler of sleep and stillness?" Old Neil smiled: "Indeed, that is precisely the question I hoped you would ask." "Before her fall, the Monastery of Moss maintained a close relationship with the Church. Some of their concepts and achievements in ritual magic deeply influenced us." "They believe that everything is made of numbers, and each number possesses a spirit. In ritual magic, zero represents the unknown, the state of chaos—symbolizing the condition of the world before its birth. One signifies the beginning, representing the primordial creator. Two embodies the world and the deities emerging from the creator's body. Three signifies the moment when the deities interact with matter, when all things take form—here, two candles represent the goddess, and the third candle remains for us, the practitioners. The specific candles and symbols to use—specifically, which two—depend on the intended effect of the ritual itself." "Three gives rise to all things? Or is everything fundamentally three? Klein found himself thinking of certain things he had encountered in his previous life." Noticing his attentive listening, the elder Neil took hold of the third candle and said: "This candle symbolizes 'I'—a simple candle, merely infused with a hint of mint. Remember: the goddess holds a special affection for plants such as roses, lemon, mint, moonflowers, night-scented stock, and deep-sleep flowers." "Three candles also symbolize the physical, spiritual, and divine aspects of each individual." Having finished the description, Elder Neil placed the third candle precisely at the center of the round table. He then successively brought out the "Full Moon essential oil" prepared in advance, a large cauldron engraved with the Emblem of Darkness, a silver spoon adorned with elaborate patterns, a cup of clear water, and a dish of coarse salt. "For extraordinary beings less adept at ritual magic, additional items such as bells, crystal spheres, silver cups, and incense are typically needed; however, seers and diviners find these items sufficient." Elder Neil placed the parchment, resembling genuine sheepskin and bearing a bill, beside the large cauldron at the base, and secured one corner with a specially crafted quill. He leaned slightly toward Caine and said, "Ceremonial magic requires a clean, undisturbed spiritual environment—one that we must create ourselves. The method is to first enter meditation, gather our spirit, then use auxiliary objects to channel our power outward, building it around us. For instance, the 'Saint's Night Powder' I used at Riel Biber, or the ceremonial silver dagger I will now employ." "Throughout the process, we must determine symbolic signs and corresponding incantations based on the desired outcome. The incantations should ideally be in Hermesian—since ancient Hermesian derives from nature, much like ancient dragon or elven tongues—and acts with direct, immediate effect. However, it lacks the necessary subtlety and protection, making the practitioner vulnerable to danger, which is precisely why it has been refined. Nevertheless, it is indeed more effective." "Alright, I will now focus entirely on the ceremonial magic. I will no longer explain further. Pay close attention and listen, and take notes on any questions that arise. After everything concludes, you may ask me then." "Understood." Klein stepped back two paces, focusing intently on Old Neil. Old Neil's eyes quickly deepened, and an invisible wind began to swirl around him. After a moment of silence, he mentally rubbed spirit against matter, lighting three candles in sequence—first from left to right, then from top to bottom. Then, he took the small silver knife, plunged it into the coarse salt, and recited the incantation written in Hermes' language: "I sanctify you, pure silver blade!" "I cleanse and purify you, so that you may serve me in this rite!" "...In the name of the Goddess of Night, Mistress of Crimson," "You are now sanctified!" After uttering a series of brief, resonant ancient words, Old Neil withdrew the silver knife and inserted it into the cup of clear water, then lifted it, pointing it toward the space beyond the round table. He directed the tip of the knife at the outer rim, then began walking around the table. With each step, Caine felt an invisible force surge from the silver knife, vibrant and alive, weaving with the air to form a sealed wall. After one full circuit, the altar was separated from the surrounding space. Old Neil stepped to the front of the table, set down the silver knife, and took up the bottle of "Full Moon Essential Oil," dripping three drops onto each of the black, deep red, and ordinary candles. A delicate mist spread out, and everything seemed to grow more mysterious. He placed the glass bottle down, gazed at the vellum-like sheet, and remained silent for two minutes. Then, he picked up the quill and sketched a symbol on the "bill"—a square enclosing all the content, signifying his control over the debt. Next, he drew a "cross," indicating elimination. Finally, he held the vellum sheet in one hand and gently tapped his brow, opening his spiritual vision. A subtle yet vibrant force surged forth, and the old man whispered: "I invoke the power of night;" "I invoke the power of crimson;" "I invoke the grace of the goddess;" "I pray that she will provide the funds to settle this bill." "Night sage, herb of the red moon, channel your strength into my incantation!" "Moonflower, herb of the red moon, channel your strength into my incantation!" ... Klein listened beside him, utterly stunned, his thoughts swirling with a thousand questions: Could such a spell work? Though it was recited and written in Hermes tongue... Wasn't it rather straightforward, plain, and down-to-earth? Might the goddess grow displeased and double the bill? Suddenly, the candlelight brightened dramatically! After finishing his recitation, the old man closed his eyes for two minutes, then took the "Full Moon Essential Oil" and dripped a drop onto each of the three candles. Next, he grasped the vellum-like paper and brought it close to the candle symbolizing "I." Once lit, he immediately dropped it into the large cauldron. Old Neil closed his eyes once more, as though sensing the paper burning. After a while, he opened his eyes and looked toward the large cauldron marked with a black saint's emblem—there, the vellum paper had burned completely, leaving only ash. "May the goddess be praised!" Old Neil tapped his chest four times, forming a crimson moon, then extinguished the candle in the reverse order of how it had been lit at the beginning. Having completed this, he took up the silver knife and pierced through the invisible walls surrounding him. A sudden gust of wind followed, and Old Neil visibly exhaled in relief, saying, "Done." "Done?" Caine asked in astonishment, "The bill is settled? How?" "I don't know either. But it will be settled, in a reasonable way." Old Neil smiled and spread his hands. What could Caine possibly say or do now? Won't this be a bit unreliable?