"Really resolved?" Elizabeth asked, still a bit doubtful. Crawford smiled calmly and nodded. "Yes. It wasn't difficult at all." Above all that, he silently added in his mind. Perhaps Crawford had always remained so composed, or perhaps this was the only piece of floating stability they had, Elizabeth didn't question further. She straightened up, patted her chest, and breathed out deeply. "Thank you. You're truly a dependable gentleman—I was absolutely frightened just now." "How about Serenela? Is she all right?" "She may be drowsy for a few minutes, but otherwise she's fine. A bit weak for a couple of days is quite normal." As he said this, Crawford suddenly grew serious, his expression stern. "Who is her mystic teacher? Did she never receive the basic warnings or precautions?" Elizabeth instantly straightened up, as if a student had just been reprimanded by her teacher. She mused, "Serena mentioned that her esoteric teacher is Hearn Vancent. A year ago, she visited the divination club in the Hauls district and met him there." Hearn Vancent... he's offering regular mirror divination publicly, but behind the scenes, he's actually teaching the 'Black Divination.' I should have informed Captain sooner, checked his gas bills earlier... Klein felt a bit懊恼, asked seriously, "Does Hearn also teach Serena's mirror divination?" For Klein, the most worrying aspect was that it might have affected his sister, Melissa! Elizabeth nodded carefully, "Yes, but previously Serena had several attempts at mirror divination that didn't succeed. Oh, she told me today that she secretly reviewed her teacher's hidden incantations and is certain now it will work." A true do-or-die performer... Klein groaned, pressing his temple. "Do you remember the incantation she recited?" "Well... although Hearn Vincent hasn't actively taught Selena about dangerous knowledge, it's clear he's making efforts. By encountering unknown, hidden entities, an incident is only a matter of time—something that must be addressed promptly to prevent the situation from worsening and affecting others." Elizabeth recalled. "She used Hermes-based terminology from the esoteric tradition—you know, I've only been working with it for a while, so I remember only a few terms: 'Wanderer,' 'Spirit,' 'Creator,' and 'Companion.' What about the 'True Creator'? Indeed, many underground esoteric enthusiasts hold this ancient figure in high regard—someone revered by numerous secret organizations. Yes, an ancient presence that first emerged during the Fifth Age, over a thousand years ago!" Klein nodded thoughtfully. "Once Selena awakens, remember to ask her for the full incantation, and then find an opportunity to share it with me." "Got it," Elizabeth replied promptly. But then she hesitated and asked, "Mr. Moretti, why didn't you ask her directly?" "I would rather not let Melissa know that I have a passion for the esoteric. Could you keep that confidential for me?" Cline remained silent and asked a question instead. Elizabeth bit her lip, her eyes brightening. "Of course. Melissa actually prefers mechanics over the esoteric, and reason over intuition." Cline placed the hand holding his hat against his left chest and bowed with the grace of a gentleman. "Thank you for your understanding. As for Serenella, you know, she is not one accustomed to keeping secrets." "More accurately, she enjoys sharing her secrets with others," Elizabeth agreed. Cline put on his hat and thought for a moment. "When Serenella awakens, remind her that she suddenly fainted and broke the mirror. I believe her memory will still be anchored to the early days of the mirror's divination." Seeing Elizabeth nod, he once again settled his face sternly: "Remember, whether you're performing divination or attempting any other esoteric knowledge—never seek aid from any being other than the seven deities! Should you encounter a spell of a different kind, immediately burn it and distance yourself from its source!" "Had I not spotted it in time today, another ten minutes and Serenela would have become a monster, a malevolent spirit, and not a single person here—including myself—would have survived!" Thinking of the cold, spectral figure reflected in the mirror, Elizabeth had no doubt in her mind about Caine's words, only a deep sense of relief and relief: "I know. I'll remember. I'll also keep an eye on Serenela." "Now, go in and take care of Serenela." Caine raised his silver-embossed black staff and stepped toward the staircase. As he walked, his gaze deepened and his vision narrowed. With his right hand, he drew out a one-penny copper coin and tossed it into the air with a clear 'clink.' "Serenela is now safe." "Serena has no issues." ...Klein repeated this statement quickly, reaching out to catch the copper coin that had rolled down. He saw the head of George III facing up. This wasn't a simplified version of the "Spiral Method"—it was a simplified form of "Dream Divination." In that instant, Klein had used meditation to force himself into sleep, drifting into the spirit realm, with the coin's heads and tails serving as visible symbolic representations. The head was correct—the numbers were off! Well, that's settled... Klein let the bronze coin spin joyfully between his fingers. That was the simplification typically reserved for a diviner. ...Elizabeth watched Klein's back, seeing the spinning coins and the way he caught them casually. Only when Klein disappeared around the stairwell did she turn and enter the bedroom, where she found Serena unconscious on the floor, glass fragments scattered across the side. She held her breath, lifted her toes, and glanced at the mirror shards, confirming that the cold "Serena" within was gone and now reflecting the ceiling scene. Exhaling deeply, Elizabeth finally relaxed, letting out a long, steady breath. Yet, despite several attempts, she couldn't manage to help Serena onto the bed—instead, she woke her up. "Elizabeth... what happened? Did I get drunk?" Serena asked, slightly weak, her bright eyes dimmed with confusion. After a moment's thought, Elizabeth responded seriously: "No, Serena, something has gone wrong with you—your magic mirror reading has summoned an unfavorable presence." "Really?" Serena, supported by Elizabeth, sat weakly on the edge of the bed, rubbing her temples. "I only remember beginning the mirror reading." "Elizabeth said half-truths, half-genuine: "You were completely different just now—your reflection in the mirror and your actual appearance seemed almost two different people. I was so afraid that I made up an excuse to surprise you, took you into the bedroom, snatched the mirror from your hands, and knocked it to the carpet—then, then, you fainted." "Thank the goddess, you're back to normal now!" "I... I don't remember," whispered Selena, her face pale. The more she tried to recall, the more blank her mind became, and the more afraid she felt. Subconsciously, she raised her head toward the desk and noticed that the arrangement there had changed noticeably. What had happened? Selena struggled to think, only vaguely remembering a silhouette in a black tailcoat, wearing a half-high silk hat—slender, not tall or strong, but upright and composed. "Selena." "Elizabeth said seriously, 'The last time I went to the underground market to buy a talisman, I met a scholar of esoteric studies. He told me that at no time should I ask for aid from any being other than the seven gods—otherwise, disaster would surely befall me. Promise me now that you will never attempt it again. In fact, just now I wasn't even sure if I could save you!' Serena was also terrified and quickly nodded, saying, 'I promise—I will never try again!' 'Well,' Elizabeth asked casually, 'what exactly did the incantation mean when you performed your divination with the magic mirror? If I ever get the chance to meet that esoteric scholar again, I'll certainly ask him to explain it for you.' Serena rubbed her temples and thought for a moment, then replied, 'The wandering spirits, the true creators' kin, the eyes that gaze upon destiny.' ... Tap, tap, tap. As Crane descended the stairs, he carefully smoothed out the creases in his clothes and wiped the dust from them. Then he took off his half-high silk hat, carried his silver-embossed black cane, and slowly made his way back to the long rectangular table. "Where have you been? It's been nearly ten minutes," his brother, Chris, remarked as he just finished discarding his cards and glanced over. Klein smiled. "Restroom. Then I met a few ladies on the second floor." "I appreciate your directness," Chris chuckled. He had red hair and a somewhat short, inherited frame, wearing gold-framed glasses, with a polished, efficient air—exactly the kind of accomplished transactional lawyer. If you knew I had left your sister dizzy on the second floor, you'd surely say something different... Klein added modestly. "Only discussing some academic matters." Esoteric, you know. He set down his hat, returned to his seat, and waited for the next hand, drawing two down cards. Tucking up one corner, he saw the King of Spades and the Ace of Diamonds. Good luck, then—perhaps a reward for doing good? Klein produced a copper coin, ready to place his bet. Since the incantation hadn't been actively shared with Selena by Hinas, there was no pressing need to rush and inform the captain—so he thought. Throughout the rest of the game, he maintained a tight, conservative style, only betting when he had strong hands and avoiding speculative bluffing. His overall results were modest, and by 3:30, he had won six pence. "I won two shillings and eight pence," Benson said, handling the paper money and coins in his hands. "I didn't expect you to be such a poker expert," Klein remarked with a smile. "Not at all—I don't play cards much. But I know this is much like negotiation: you must keep your own cards close, read your opponent's, and then use various tactics to intimidate or entice them." Benson hadn't finished when he spotted Melissa and her friends descending from the second floor. "It's time we headed home," Klein glanced at his sister and her friends, rubbing his temples. The headache in his head persisted. Then, Caine went to the restroom and, during his passing, learned the full incantation from Elizabeth. Upon returning to his brother and sister, he smiled and said, "By the way, I've just remembered something that requires me to head back to the office. Shall we go to Zothlan Street next?"