Wei'en gathered the materials he needed for his interview, locked the doors and windows, and prepared to leave.
"Oh, I almost forgot."
Wei'en returned to the attic, lit a gas lamp by the desk, rang a small brass bell by the head of the bed, then jogged back downstairs, stepped onto a chair, and pulled the cord connecting the chandelier to the ceiling.
After he did all this, an eerie blue light flashed through the room.
A thin film seemed to appear before his eyes, making everything look blurry.
'So this is what it's like when the Rune Magic Array is activated.'
Wei'en had gone through this same process the last few times he left the house, but he had never felt anything unusual back then.
Now, however, he could clearly perceive the abnormality. He figured it was because he had become a Wizard Apprentice.
Or rather, the enhancement of his perception, due to the increase in his Spirit level, allowed him to "see" these changes.
With this in mind, Wei'en surveyed his surroundings again.
He knew this Rune Array's function was protection, mainly to prevent "thieves" from breaking in while the Intelligence Officer was out.
According to the Intelligence Officer's regulations, all workspaces had to be rigorously protected. This was, first, to prevent internal intelligence from leaking, and second, to guard against infiltration by strange entities.
If any other entities, such as a Bone-Eating Worm parasite or an Extraordinary professional, were to enter the house, it would automatically trigger an alert to prevent the returning Intelligence Officer from being ambushed!
As for how Wei'en would be notified—that was the job of the ring-shaped "alarm" he wore on his hand.
It also had another function.
If an Intelligence Officer died or removed the ring for more than a week, the Intelligence Department in Shetland would be notified.
They would then arrange for a new Intelligence Officer to arrive and also notify the Wizards from the Combat Department to retrieve equipment like the "toolbox" pocket watch.
"Wei'en?"
Hearing the voice, Wei'en unhurriedly finished locking the door before turning with a smile. "Miss Kali."
Kali Morris, one of his predecessor's more familiar neighbors.
A nun with golden hair, fair skin, sapphire-blue eyes, full, sensual lips, and a graceful figure. She was one of the Lord of Dawn's most devout followers.
He had heard she attended the Dawn Church's school—Krimms Academy—and that her grades were outstanding.
It was worth mentioning that Wei'en had been deeply impressed the first time he met Kali.
She was an exceptionally kind girl with bright, clear eyes and a perpetually gentle smile on her face.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Anyone with a guilty conscience would probably feel ashamed just meeting her gaze.
"Wei'en, you look very handsome today."
Kali sized him up, a trace of puzzlement in her pure eyes. "But... it seems like something else has changed about you?"
Wei'en laughed it off. "Maybe it's because I was so listless before. Now that I've cleaned myself up, I just seem more energetic."
Kali thought for a moment and smiled. "You do seem very energetic today."
"Is Uncle Yuan in? I've prepared all the materials he asked for," Wei'en asked, holding up the bag in his hand.
"Yuan just left for a house call. It was for Grandma Ma Rui from the next block over. He should be back soon."
"That's good. I can thank Uncle Yuan before I leave."
"Wei'en, you really don't have to be so formal. Yuan is a warm-hearted person. I'm sure he'll be happy as long as you do well at your job."
"Don't worry, I'll work hard."
Wei'en saw she was wearing the nun's habit of the Dawn Church—a minimalist-style dress—and holding a sacred text. He asked, "Are you heading to Krimms Cathedral?"
The book Kali was holding was the Covenant of the Dawn Church, a tome that recorded legends praising the Lord of Dawn and the church's doctrines.
Hearing his question, Kali hugged the Covenant tighter and smiled. "A Lord Bishop from Klande is leading the hymns today. I wouldn't want to miss such a grand occasion."
"From Klande? That's a big shot."
Wei'en knew of Klande. It was the Imperial Capital of the Shetland Kingdom.
It was said to be four times the size of Caster City State, and many bards who had been there called it the "Miracle City."
'I wonder how much of that is an exaggeration... Could it really compare to the Zhonghua Family's Shanghai?'
"Wei'en, the Lord Bishop isn't a 'big shot.' We are all followers of the Dawn," Kali said, looking at him with a serious expression.
"But you called him 'Lord'?"
"That's because he has received the Dawn's sacred favor. Only the most devout followers can obtain such an honor." As she spoke, Kali's expression fell. "I wonder when the Dawn will ever respond to me..."
"It will," Wei'en said, earnestly dishing out some cynical advice. "You're the most devout believer in all of Caster City State. I'm sure the Lord of Dawn, that old ba—"
"Ahem, ahem, His venerableness will definitely respond to you. Who knows, He might even bestow His sacred favor and make you one of the Dawn Church's Saintesses."
Although in his heart, he found it hard to understand Kali's faith, that didn't stop him from saying things to make her happy.
And the pure-hearted Kali, not catching the blasphemous undertone of his words, said shyly, "I'm not as good as you say, but... I'll do my best!"
"Kali, I think Wei'en is right. You are the pearl of Caster, and you deserve to become a Saintess of the Dawn Church."
Just then, a handsome, middle-aged man with the same golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes, dressed in a gray suit and carrying a black briefcase, walked over.
—It was none other than Kali's father, Yuan Morris.
"Father, you're teasing me too..."
Wei'en watched the pouting Kali and thought, 'Damn.'
'Calling him 'Father' to his face, but 'Yuan' behind his back, huh?'
"It's the truth," Yuan said with a doting smile. "But Kali, you should be heading to the Cathedral."
"Okay," Kali nodded obediently, then said to Wei'en, "I'll be going then. I look forward to hearing your good news."
After she had walked some distance away, Yuan clapped a hand on Wei'en's shoulder and said unhappily, "Wei'en, don't get any ideas about my pearl of Caster. You're not good enough for her."
"..."
Wei'en retracted his gaze and said teasingly, "Uncle Yuan, does the pearl of Caster herself know you're using her title for Sister Kali?"
"That's not important... Have you prepared the materials?"
"They're all ready." Wei'en patted the small bag in his hand.
"Good. I hope you pass the interview. The Secret Investigation Department isn't easy to get into."
Wei'en said flatteringly, "But I have you, don't I? The wise and mighty, handsome and suave Lord Yuan, can your recommendation letter get me out of the probationary period?"
Yuan shook his head, shattering his fantasy. "Absolutely not! Wei'en, that's a dangerous way of thinking!"
"I was just saying."
Wei'en shrugged. Of course, he knew it was impossible.
The weekly salary for the probationary period is 3 shillings, while a full-time employee gets 5 shillings. With such a big difference, the people at the Secret Investigation Department would have to be idiots to let him skip it.
"But, Wei'en, I must warn you!"
Yuan spoke in a serious and earnest tone, "The work at the Secret Investigation Department is extremely dangerous. Whether you're a full-time employee or not, you will constantly face dangers unimaginable to ordinary people."
"Are you truly prepared?"