Now that's why the name is so familiar—it was named by Roselle!
She had no idea that one of his creations would actually reach her hand. One might call this fate.
Fellow transmigrator, I shall make good use of this.
The 15 minute usage time wasn't that much of a problem. She believed that if a fight lasted more than that—it was already lost.
With a happy expression on her face, she took the files and the axe back towards the Serenity Branch, alongside the captain.
Walking ahead, Cesimir tried his best to hide the strange expression, but it was still noticed by Amanises.
Along the way, her poem actually started losing its effect, but Amanises quickly casted another one silently—prolonging its life.
...
Back in Backlund, or the part of the Spirit World belonging to it, Amanises leaned the huge weapon on a nearby wall, almost causing it to shatter and scatter some debris.
With a sigh, she once again addressed the tired captain.
"I need a way to carry it around without being too conspicuous."
She suddenly remembered something.
"Daly gave me the description of her Storage Spirit when we were in Tingen. I will go back home and try the contract ritual."
Without waiting for him to respond, she dashed out of his office, nearly slamming the door behind her, only stopping just before the impact could be made.
"See you tomorrow, captain."
Cesimir fell back down on his seat at the desk with a heavy sigh, too tired for any more nonsense.
***
Along the way, Amanises stopped by a bakery to grab rye bread with a few pastries before reaching the door of her own apartment.
Upon opening it however, her vision blurred, colors becoming more vibrant, and more distinct.
This hasn't happened in a while.
From behind her door, a huge skeleton manifested completely, towering over the already tall woman.
She glanced up at it, noting how the skeleton nearly trembled.
Why is it so scared of me? I hadn't done anything yet...
She took the letter from its bony fingers and opened it right away.
"Dear lady Evelyn,
"I heard you're back in Backlund from Tingen, so I was wondering if you would want to drop by, having a small tea time chat with me."
Huh? How did he hear that I'm back?
She glanced upwards at the huge skeleton, who lowered its head mirroring either embarrassment or submission, she couldn't really tell the difference.
Amanises quickly ran to her study desk, took out her stationary, and wrote a reply.
"Dear Mr Azik,
"I would be delighted to enjoy a small tea evening. Write me the address and I'll be there in time."
She handed the reply back to the skeleton, who obediently waited for her.
"Here, send me the reply back as fast as possible!"
She silently watched as the skeleton slowly retreated back into the Spirit World, swearing she could see relief in the black flames that served as eyes.
...
Not even five minutes later, a folded piece of paper ended up in her arms. This time, the skeleton didn't even bother fully materializing, letting the small letter make its way over by itself.
Why are you so afraid??
Amidst puzzlement, she unfolded the letter, reading the address out loud, "Apartment 4 on 21 Crane Street in West Borough."
It's not that far away, since it borders Cheerwood and I'm rather close to the river bank.
She rapidly analyzed how long it would take to get there.
If I go with the public carriage it will take me 45 minutes after switching from one to another, but if I take a trackless carriage then the time will only be 30 minutes.
It may have seemed much, but one has to consider the current era.
Ugh, had it been by car this could've only been 20 minutes!
She couldn't help but compare the modern world next to this one. Even if Roselle offered great contribution in making this place livable, there's still so much more to improve!
I have been spoiled by the Modern Earth or rather, the Contemporary Earth?
Well, it didn't matter.
She was wasting precious time!
Amanises quickly put on a casual dark blue dinner dress with a tight-fitted bodice without a petticoat and adorned silver embroidery.
It had elbow length sleeves with a lace layer for an ethereal effect.
She added a white bertha—a wide collar out of lace that softened her v-shaped neckline and put on a pair of matching gloves.
She checked her home to see if nothing was out of place or on the risk of exploding—she still had the habit of checking her inexistent electric heat iron.
After making sure that everything was set, she grabbed her small leather handbag that blended in with her dark colored dress and left her apartment.
The building was rather quiet these days, no children running around, no shouting parents and, most importantly, no angered landlord.
She breathed in the clear air that still had the smell of an old, aged building.
Sigh. How nice.
Amanises hired a trackless carriage that had been parked nearby.
"Towards Crane Street on West Borough."
The driver threw a look at the woman, his face sitting in place after seeing her unnaturally pale complexion.
But quickly, he cleared his throat and responded back.
"It's quite far. Three soli, my lady."
She took out three one soli notes from her purse and handed it to the driver.
"Here."
The driver pocketed the note and waited for the woman to embark. Once he was sure she was in, he slapped the reins for the horse to start running.
Inside the carriage, Amanises leaned back in her seat, gazing at the running visage with a lost look on her face.
***
Thirty minutes later, she reached Crane Street and left the carriage, walking towards unit 21 on her own two feet.
She passed by a number of singular houses that soon turned into small apartment lodgings.
One by one, she checked the number plate until 21 was in sight.
Just as she was about to put her hand on the handle, the door suddenly opened from the other side.
Standing before her eyes was none other than Mr Azik, dressed in a regular cream colored shirt with a pair of black trousers and matching vest.
He didn't wear his usual silk top hat, letting his hair feel the wind as his lips curled into a small, pleasing smile.
"Good evening, my lady. Come, make your way inside."
She stood frozen for no more of a second, before forcing a small smile, "How did you know I was by the door."
Azik chuckled a little. "Spirits talk, my lady."
Amanises was a little confused before remembering his high affinity to Spirits, she then shook her head and followed the man inside.
His apartment was much more different than her own. Featuring ivory wallpapers with beige stripes, giving it a warm undertone.
His furniture mirrored her own style, with polished brown wood and intricate carvings.
It opened into a small corridor that followed directly into the large living room, one that had a big window covered with two sets of curtains—one almost white that coated the entire double window and the other dark brown that mostly served as decoration.
She took note of the numerous burnt candles and opened books that littered the main table.
"Lately I have been trying to revise more of Loen's history." Azik commented once he noticed where her gaze was fixed.
Amanises took the cue and walked forward, reaching the table.
The history of Loen's aristocracy and the important families over the years.
It was clear that Azik tried his best to find out more about his own past through this, but hit a roadblock.
"Perhaps you've taken the wrong approach?"
"Hm?" Mr Azik, who was in the kitchen to bring the already made tea, frowned.
"What do you mean by that statement?"
She sat on the silk brown couch and leaned over the backrest.
"Not all of your lifetimes were nobles were they? You mentioned a daughter on a swing or other lovers. I don't think that many would be important regarding status."
He placed the two cups on the table, carefully moving one before her. "You mean I should look into less important families?"
Amanises shook her head.
"Nope. That's like searching for a needle in a haystack.
"You have lived countless lifetimes over the years, one dating as far back as over a thousand years ago while being the most known.
"I suggest simply walking in places, notable ones, to jog your memory a little and discover more about yourself."
She took the cup of tea and sipped a little, still hot. "You may not find out everything from the start but it would offer great help."
Azik looked down on the historical documents on the table, then moved to sit on the opposite side.
"Who knows how far my lifetimes stretch. Loen has undergone numerous changes, especially after Roselle's era. But it's still worth it to search."
Amanises looked at the poor history teacher, who looked quite down.
"Let's not dwell on that matter. It's much better to take things slow, otherwise with many memories your brain will overclock and explode like a malfunctioning steam train."
She made a reference to one of the first ever hazards ever since steam technology has been introduced.
The events caused a huge riot, almost stopping the steam powered trains entirely!
Luckily, people didn't wish to stop industrialization, and continued on with safer approaches.
The world needs innovation as much as safety.
"I'll try my best. Thank you, lady Evelyn."
Azik brought her out of her stupor, as he too took a sip from his tea cup.
"Regarding the pirate you had me take out. Rear Admiral Qilangos, right?"
Oh yeah! I was so curious about it, but I forgot to ask the Tarot Club about what happened after...
She felt that bringing up the matter during the next gathering would not be appropriate.
"I got notified that he was present at Duke Negan's party, and was planning on conducting an assassination.
"One of my close associates was also present there. She sent me a message asking for help.
"I was unable to quickly ask anyone else, so I asked for your aid. Thank you, Mr Azik."
She felt incredibly grateful for the man's help, as she wasn't sure just how long his powers stretched and wasn't that trusting of someone she had just met for a mission.
After it was done, they had grown a small bond together, be it for the nightmares and his scattered memories, with her endless river.
"It's not a problem. I'm happy to offer any help."
As if remembering something, Azik suddenly reached in the air, and took out a strange glove.
Amanises observed the thin human-skinned glove and then her mind clicked, associating it with a description she heard not long ago.
Creeping Hunger!
With awe and a little bit of fear, she observed the powerful Mystical Item.
"This is what was on him when he died. I took it with me since it seemed dangerous but I have no use for something like this."
Amanises continued to look at the glove with slight anticipation.
"It's pretty needy, asking for a human sacrifice everyday and infecting the nearby spirits with bloodthirst."
She swallowed her words back, and then looked at the tiny glove with fear.
"Won't you get affected too?"
"I can suppress it, but others like you cannot, I'm afraid."
She bit back her excitement which had turned into disappointment. "So even if I get it, I can't make use of it without becoming mad."
He nodded. "That's right. But don't worry, I can seal it to some degree if I figure out how, and then give it to you."
So I can still get it!
She smiled inwardly.
"You better gather strength for a while, advance in Sequence a few times and then you will be able to make good use of it."
As he said that, Azik shoved the glove back somewhere in the Spirit World. "I won't lose it, so just focus on getting stronger."
She nodded with half a mind then mumbled, "I'm jealous at how you're able to take out things from nowhere..."
"Hm?"
"!" As if struck by lightning, Amanises nearly jumped like a scared cat.
Did I mix up my thoughts again? That hasn't happened in a while...
"Uhh, forget I said anything."
Azik only chuckled a little. His seemingly happy tone brightened up the place by a little.
"This is truly something to envy, I understand. But it's not something you aren't capable of."
Amanises tilted her head in a questioning manner, then spoke, "I know I can get a contract with a Spatial Storage Spirit Creature. My friend gave me its name and way to contact, however—"
"Was she of the Death pathway?"
"Death pathway?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. This is a name I'm most familiar with. The starting Sequence is Corpse Collector." Many used different names when regarding a pathway. Most of the time it was just the starting Sequence, but others it was the concept the pathway focuses on most.
"Oh! Yes, she was part of that pathway, yes." Amanises nodded, being reminded of the Spirit Medium who was about to advance.
"Then it's natural she was able to make a contract. The Sequence 7 of this pathway allows one to get closer to Spirits, but for you it might take a few more Sequences."
It seemed as if Azik had already guessed her pathway.
It didn't matter, since he wasn't an enemy she wasn't bothered by the fact that he knew her abilities.
In fact, she might've even been happy, since he appeared to have rich knowledge in mysticism.
"Then how would I be able to make a contract with it?"
Azik stroked his chin with a finger, leaning back in his seat. "Hmmm. There's two solutions: One—you ask a higher being, a true deity, to oversee the contract to ensure that you won't suffer backlash or get killed in the summoning process. Or two, you make the contract in the name of the Underworld."
"Underworld?" She was taken aback.
That place exists?
Azik nodded. "That's right. I can get you a contract to make, but I can't ensure that the summoning process would go smoothly as I'm not that intimidating to most Spirit World creatures that aren't part of the undead."
I see. For the deity part, I can ask Mr Fool to oversee the ritual, and then I can use the contract given by Azik to ensure it!
"I have a way of making the summoning safe."
"Really?" He raised an eyebrow. "Well, alright then. I shall prepare the Underworld Contract for you and then you can prepare for the ritual and conduct it yourself. But I must warn you to not use any sort of unknown existence, or something that you can't fully guarantee your safety."
Amanises appreciated the concern displayed by the history teacher, but she brushed it off. Mr Fool may not seem reliable to other, maybe not even to her to some degree, but since He was connected to her homeworld she was going to place her trust and hope for the best.
"I'm absolutely sure. I've already told you that I'm part of a hidden organization, didn't I?
"I can always ask my supervisor to oversee the ritual."
Arcanists Leader, Mr Fool—bah! Same thing!
Surely one wouldn't mind letting the other do His job, right?
I need that Storage System fast!
Assured and disposed of worries, Azik got up from his armchair and went to his bedroom, telling Amanises to wait.
A few minutes later, he emerged from the room, holding a paper in hand.
"It will lose its effect in a few hours, so you better conduct it as soon as you get home. Do you have the necessary materials?"
Amanises took the contract and noted the potent spirituality. "I always have them. It's a basic requirement for a Beyonder."
Azik sat back in his seat and picked up the cup again, noticing that it had gone cold.
"I've kept you for a while. You can go home now and conduct the ritual. Don't forget to write to me how it went."
He gulped the rest of the tea down and sat back up, guiding the woman back to the entrance door.
Amanises took her purse and shoved the folded contract in, then walked with Azik down the stairs.
Once outside, they bid each other farewell.
"You are free to visit me here anytime."
"Thank you for your time, Mr Azik. Goodbye and have a nice rest of your evening."
"Likewise, my lady." With a short bow of his neck, he closed the door behind her, only after making sure she reached a nearby carriage and got inside safely.