Manus's words left Paris at a loss for what to say.
Tell Manus not to do it? That would only be worth saying if it were possible. The Third Eye was something one was born with, invisible and intangible.
Not to mention exchanging it—who could he possibly trade with?
So Paris merely closed his mouth again, his expression turning sourer as he said nothing.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Paris."
Having thought it through, Manus sincerely thanked Paris.
Paris opened his mouth, then closed it again. After several seconds of silence, he finally said:
"Have some water first."
While Manus had been deep in thought, the old woman had already brought in hot milk and hot cocoa, along with a plate of sugar cubes and a plate of cookies. The buttery aroma was enticing.
"Thank you."
Only after Manus dropped sugar cubes into the hot milk and ate a few bites of cookie did Paris continue.
"Actually, I did not come to see you this time without a purpose of my own."
"As I should."
Manus nodded, half a cookie still in his mouth.
"Each taking what they need."
They had no obligation to help him in the first place, especially when he had gained so much from this meeting.
Tracey had not pointed him down the wrong path. Of all the avenues he could currently access, Paris was probably the only one who could explain what had just happened and show him which direction to take next.
He had originally even considered reinventing a divination tool himself, one that could filter the Third Eye's information into present and past portions. Now, though, that seemed entirely pointless.
The Third Eye could only see the future. No matter what he did, he could not filter out something with zero content.
After