Supernatural Knowledge

The stables were no longer a place he could stay.

After some thought, Ning Xiuyuan simply went to the Grand Cathedral. After checking the candles once more, he found a secluded corner among the prayer benches and sat there in a daze, deep in thought.

Ning Xiuyuan did not have much of an impression of Groom Lynn.

He vaguely remembered the man's scruffy beard, his fondness for smoking, and the pipe always clenched between his teeth. He was often seen around the stables.

Therefore, Ning Xiuyuan could not say he was saddened by Lynn's death. He merely felt a touch of sympathy for one of his own kind.

But Lynn's death still struck him hard.

He had not expected that just as he gained supernatural power and was preparing to learn more about it, reality would teach him such a brutal lesson.

What concerned him most was that when the Horse-Head Tiger attacked him, the horse lantern had not contained Lynn as it had contained the bird-beaked monster before.

Had it been damaged after containing the bird-beaked monster?

Or was it simply incapable of exerting even the slightest power in this world?

After pondering for a long time, Ning Xiuyuan vaguely arrived at an answer.

That evening, after dinner, as he returned to the cathedral to watch over the candles, Priest Orlando approached him.

"Arthur, Your Excellency the Bishop sent me to teach you about supernatural knowledge. Tell me how much you know about it first, so I'll know how to teach you."

Orlando looked like a proud peacock. With his chin slightly raised and his arms arrogantly folded across his chest, he sat opposite Ning Xiuyuan on a prayer bench.

Night had fallen by then, and the cathedral was completely empty. Not even the most devout believers would come to pray at such an hour.

"Really? I've long heard that your knowledge is the most extensive. It is my honor to receive your instruction!" Ning Xiuyuan feigned delighted surprise and gave him plenty of face before adding sheepishly, "As for supernatural knowledge, I'm basically starting from zero. I'll have to trouble you."

Sure enough, Orlando's face gained a hint of a smile.

"It seems Your Excellency the Bishop did not have time to guide you. Fine, then we'll start from the beginning."

"I'll be troubling you, Priest Orlando."

Under Ning Xiuyuan's deliberate flattery, Orlando enthusiastically began discussing the origins and history of supernatural traits.

This part left Ning Xiuyuan thoroughly confused.

It was probably all about "the gods pitying mankind" and "bestowing supernatural power."

However, when Orlando began discussing the practical applications and precautions surrounding supernatural traits, Ning Xiuyuan perked up.

"You must remember: consuming supernatural power does not mean wielding supernatural power."

"Supernatural power is a trait, one that does not belong to mortals. To possess it, one must absorb and fuse with it through special methods. Only after it has completely become one with you can you unleash its proper strength."

"We call this process a supernatural ritual."

"Today, I heard Your Excellency the Bishop and the deacon say that Mr. Lynn lost control because he did not strictly follow the supernatural ritual. Does that mean supernatural rituals are an indispensable part of a supernatural being's life?" Ning Xiuyuan asked.

"Before answering that, I must explain what losing control means."

Priest Orlando launched into an eloquent explanation.

"Losing control means losing control over oneself and mutating into a monster or some other indescribable existence."

"The reasons for losing control are complex, but the main triggers fall into two categories."

"The first is mental disturbance left behind by the previous owner."

"You must know that supernatural traits come from Supernatural Creatures. Every supernatural trait retains the spiritual imprint of its previous owner. These imprints constantly affect the host's mind, and when the host's mental state is unstable, they may seize control at any moment."

"This type is actually the easiest to resolve. Once the supernatural trait is completely fused, the spiritual imprint left by the previous owner will naturally vanish into nothingness."

"As for the second type, it comes from the supernatural trait itself. That is more complicated and difficult to explain in just a few words."

"Let me give you an example. If we are containers, then supernatural traits are water, lava, stones, or even wind stored within those containers. Either we fuse with them, or they reshape us. If we become the latter, that is losing control."

"So, returning to your earlier question, I can only say that supernatural rituals are a method for fusing supernatural traits. Therefore, it cannot be said that failing to follow a supernatural ritual will cause one to lose control. Rather, without the aid of a supernatural ritual, we are more likely to lose control. Do you understand?"

Orlando explained it concisely.

In truth, even he could not give a clear explanation for the second type, because he was only a priest himself.

Thus, he could only repeat the example his mentor had once taught him.

Ning Xiuyuan nodded thoughtfully. At last, he had gained a relatively systematic understanding of supernatural traits.

"Then are supernatural beings ranked by level?"

"Of course!" Orlando nodded.

"We divide ranks according to the number of supernatural traits one possesses. One trait makes a one-ring supernatural being; two traits make a two-ring supernatural being, and so on."

"Ranked by the number of traits? Doesn't that mean a one-ring supernatural being could defeat a two-ring one, or even a three-ring or four-ring one?"

Priest Orlando shook his head.

"In theory, yes, but reality is not as simple as you think. As you fuse with more supernatural traits, it not only means a wider variety of abilities and methods, but also superior base qualities."

"I heard that the Horse-Head Tiger Lynn became after losing control attacked you. If you had not consumed a supernatural trait, you would already be dead."

"And that is before you have even fused with it. Once you completely fuse with it, not only will your physical abilities rise to a new level, but your mind, willpower, spirituality, and soul will all undergo qualitative leaps. The supernatural power you can wield will become even stronger."

Ning Xiuyuan nodded, more or less understanding.

"By the way, when I consumed the supernatural trait, Your Excellency the Bishop said the amount was small and could be taken directly. Does that mean the initial dosage also determines the upper limit of one's ability?" Ning Xiuyuan asked again.

"Do not view supernatural traits through worldly notions! Consuming an excessive amount of a supernatural trait has no meaning beyond increasing the difficulty of fusion. This is not a pistol; carrying one more does not give you more strength," Orlando said.

"What would happen if someone consumed a second supernatural trait before fully fusing with the first?" Ning Xiuyuan asked in a deliberately casual tone.

"Human nature truly is greedy. Someone always asks this question."

Orlando shook his head, and Ning Xiuyuan inwardly relaxed. Since others had asked it before, his deeper purpose in asking would naturally be concealed.

"You had better not try it. Can't you feel the spiritual imprint within the supernatural trait screaming madly beside your ear? If you want another scream added to it, louder than before, then feel free to try. But if you lose control, do not blame me for failing to warn you."

"Of course, supernatural traits are not goods that can be bought at will. I doubt you will encounter a second one anytime soon."

As Orlando spoke, a trace of mischief flashed deep in his eyes.

His wording was not forceful. It even carried a faintly provocative implication: if you can bear it, feel free to try.

No one knew that he had not truly wanted to give this lesson.

But Your Excellency the Bishop had arranged it, so he had no choice but to come. He did not even dare deliberately teach false knowledge.

Because if Arthur lost control, he, as the instructor, would inevitably face an investigation by the church. Under those mysterious supernatural powers, no one could escape the church's retrospective tracing.

If they discovered that he had maliciously taught false knowledge, his life would be over.

However, there had been nothing wrong with his wording just now.

It was merely a matter of personal speaking style. Some people liked declarative sentences, some preferred hypothetical ones, and others enjoyed speaking in prophetic tones. The church could not possibly regulate every such trivial detail.

"I understand!"

Ning Xiuyuan nodded as though enlightened.

The lesson continued until midnight.

Ning Xiuyuan had to admit that although Orlando was as proud as a peacock, his knowledge was fairly extensive.

At the very least, he could answer nearly every question Ning Xiuyuan asked.

The knowledge in those answers was probably correct.

No, more accurately, it was knowledge Orlando himself believed to be correct.

During the lesson, Ning Xiuyuan had intentionally and unintentionally repeated questions, probing from different angles and cross-checking the answers. If Orlando had lied, he would have easily exposed himself under such repeated questioning.

In short, Ning Xiuyuan had found no sign that he was deliberately teaching false knowledge.

As for whether he had omitted or concealed anything, that was harder to say.

It was not that Ning Xiuyuan was judging a gentleman by a petty man's standards. The people of this city were simply too hostile toward him, making it impossible for him to trust anyone.

"It's already early morning. Let's stop here for today." Orlando took out his pocket watch, glanced at it, and ended the lesson.

"Thank you very much, Priest Orlando. May My Lord's favor be upon you!" Ning Xiuyuan quickly rose and made the Dawn Salute across his chest with one hand.

"May My Lord's favor be upon you!" Priest Orlando returned the salute.

He rose from the prayer bench and prepared to leave. After taking just two steps, he suddenly stopped, turned his head, and asked curiously, "By the way, which supernatural trait did you choose?"

He should actually have asked this question at the beginning of the lesson.

That way, he could have focused on explaining some relevant details while teaching.

Yet he had forgotten. No, more accurately, he simply had not cared enough to ask.

Ning Xiuyuan smiled. "Ascetic Physician."

Orlando's expression immediately stiffened. "The Ascetic Physician that consumes its own life to heal others?"

Ning Xiuyuan nodded.

A wave of regret suddenly rose in Orlando's heart. If he had known Ning Xiuyuan chose that supernatural trait, there would have been no need to play petty tricks during the lesson!

If Ning Xiuyuan noticed it, then if Orlando ever needed his help in the future...

Damn it!

Forget it. He would find an opportunity tomorrow night to emphasize things a little more. In any case, Ning Xiuyuan would not encounter a second supernatural trait anytime soon.