Night Hawk Omen

Dr. Morgan may have just been joking.

But Hope soon received what appeared to be a very formal invitation.

From Professor Armitage.

After Dr. Morgan finished speaking, the librarian of the Phillips Library looked intently at Hope.

He said, "I haven't had a chance to tell you that yet. We have so much to say, right? Actually, because of your special status, you have to choose at least one between Miskatonic University and the Night Hawk Union."

"Simply as an elder, I recommend Miskatonic University. For someone as young as you, going to university is always one of the best choices."

"Uh—but I didn't even go to high school," Hope said.

"That is indeed a problem, meaning you don't meet the general admission requirements," Professor Armitage said. "But I can write you a special letter of recommendation, to be submitted directly to the principal, explaining your situation. Given my position as librarian and former First-Level Investigator of the Federation, the principal will take it seriously."

"Will he admit me without any prior admission requirements? Even though I haven't taken any exams?"

"Hmm—" Professor Armitage thought for a moment, "There will probably still be an exam, but it won't be too difficult."

"It won't be difficult at all," Dr. Morgan said. "If all else fails, you can simply choose pharmacy as your major; with your level, passing it will be a piece of cake."

"I—" Hope smiled, "I seem to have no reason to refuse."

Professor Armitage nodded, seemingly genuinely considering Hope's future. "So, you'll enroll at the end of August this year—you'll have many options, literature, pharmacy, ancient languages—"

Or perhaps it's mysticism—"

Looking at Professor Armitage, Hope realized that Jack hadn't told anyone since he told Jack he didn't have much time left.

Hope only told Jack about it—when he first found out, Elizabeth was standing next to him, and his decision not to tell Elizabeth was merely an instinctive act; as for what happened later—

He himself couldn't explain it; perhaps he had forgotten, or perhaps—letting everyone around him know the date of his death didn't seem to bring him any joy.

I need help—let's wait until things are over here.

The car didn't actually drive into Old Williams ' Rose Garden; instead, it stopped in a real wasteland.

Hope got out of the car and looked around but couldn't find Old Williams ' house, only then realizing just how large Old Williams ' estate was.

Morning glories and wild roses were blooming all around, and for some reason, there was a section of broken wall about half a person's height next to the car.

After searching the area, Dr. Morgan returned and said, "There should have been a brick building here before."

He kicked the section of broken wall. "Now this is all that's left, but the leveled foundation is in pretty good condition; it's a good place to hold a ceremony."

Jack continued to ride his horse at a distance, not approaching them.

But then a pair of Night Hawk flew in from afar, calling out "Tata."

Night Hawk — Hope frowned as he recalled the Night Hawk ' arrival and their vulture-like gazes.

He turned to look around and found that, apart from the bewildered Paul, everyone else was frowning just like him.

But the Night Hawk seemed to have simply passed by, as if they had never existed, flying away overhead.

Once the Night Hawk had flown far away, Hope raised his hand and found that the mental slowing effect caused by the Night Hawk ' noise was no longer noticeable.

Actually, it was already like this when facing Night Hawk during the duel with Wilbur, but the situation was too urgent then to feel it.

Besides, the shadowy figures in his field of vision seemed to become more controllable, and he felt a sense of familiarity with Hope.

This is likely also due to the improvement in "Source-ification" ----

Watching the Night Hawk fly away, Professor Rice said, "This is not a good omen."

"Why isn't this a good omen?" Dr. Morgan asked. "They didn't even look at us, which means we're all still alive and well."

The doctor approached Hope: "Could I borrow the Spirit-Infused Water?"

Spirit-Infused Water ----

"Of course," Hope said, handing the bottle with the nozzle to Dr. Morgan.

"It was all in a rush, and we didn't have time to prepare many things," Dr. Morgan explained. "After deducting your bottle, Jack's bottle, and the materials needed for the two rituals, we didn't have enough to make another bottle of Spirit-Infused Water. In the end, we had to borrow from you again."

"Please use as you please," Hope said. "But—I've used Jack's bitter tree root, is there enough material left?"

"No major problem," Dr. Morgan replied. "It's simply a matter of finding some alternative materials—well, since the Ascension Ritual is for private purposes, Jack will need to pay a considerable amount for those alternative materials—of course, there will still be some risks, but since Jack is determined to do this, he should have considered all the risks."

"Risk?"

"It's just out of control," Dr. Morgan said. "After all, it's contaminated. Ideal, perfect situations are always rare; there will always be some problems. Sometimes, it's not just attributes that are contaminated, but other things as well."

As Dr. Morgan spoke, he suddenly rolled up his sleeve and showed Hope his forearm.

There was a patch of skin that was too pale.

Hope looked closer and realized that it wasn't skin at all, but a small piece of bone covering the skin.

"It doesn't hurt or itch, and it doesn't hinder my activities," Dr. Morgan said. "At first, it was a little uncomfortable, but after getting used to it, it didn't bother me at all."

Well----

Hope imagined Jack becoming transparent, or turning into liquid, or emitting a foul stench.

Professor Armitage then added, "Even so, it would be best if there were no anomalies at all."

Dr. Morgan nodded in agreement. He stopped chatting, found a flat open space, and sprayed Spirit-Infused Water into the air.

Professor Rice came to his side and began preparing for their ceremony.

It was completely different from what Hope had imagined. Or rather, he couldn't understand it at all.

The two men simply placed some things on the ground, and then Dr. Morgan began reciting a strange text.

It wasn't as strange as a spell, nor was it completely incomprehensible.

Professor Rice reached out and suddenly placed something on Dr. Morgan's head; the thing appeared to be a green sphere.

Although it was unclear what it was, Professor Rice's movements, resembling those of a juggler, already amused Hope.

He couldn't help but laugh.

These two—if they were to work as fortune tellers, sorcerers, or mediums—would probably have very little business.

The sound of hooves rang out, Hope looked up to see Jack finally approaching. Jenny II stopped beside Hope.

Hope waited quietly for Jack to speak.

Only after Dr. Morgan finished reciting that strange language did Jack finally look at Hope: "Are you ready?"

"I'll ask one last time," Hope said. "All I need to do is get on the horse, and you can handle the rest, right?"

Jack nodded.

Hope nodded. "Well then, I don't need to prepare anything. Take me to meet my other brother."