Black Cat

By the time Neph was ready to leave, the matter had been fully resolved. Klein also took the opportunity to bring up something they had not discussed in a long time. "Do you still remember the bicycle shares?"

"Ah." Neph raised her voice slightly. "I do."

"Since you now have a legitimate identity, remember to collect your dividends. Pick up my share while you're at it," Klein reminded her.

And so, the next day, Neph stood outside Raypard's door and knocked.

"You are-?" Raypard, who answered the door, looked surprised and puzzled. He studied Neph for a few seconds before recognition dawned on his face. "Miss Dumbledore?"

What followed went smoothly. The only troublesome part was shaking off the Mandated Punishers-the Nighthawks and Machinery Hivemind members watching the place seemed to have already left, while the Mandated Punishers alone remained at their posts. When Neph noticed this, she even felt a little sorry for them.

When she told Klein about it, however, he asked only one question. "I don't understand. Why did you get the dividends so easily? When I went, Raypard told me that although he trusted me, I still needed to provide proof that I was acting on your behalf. I even had you supply the paperwork specifically. Remember? Besides, if Professor Montmont's lawyer hadn't known how to authenticate handwriting, they probably wouldn't have handed over the dividends even with that proof-"

"-What that gentleman's lawyer knows might not be handwriting authentication." Neph glanced at Klein. "

That gentleman's lawyer is a Beyonder."

Klein froze for a moment before asking warily, "Then the man himself-?"

"Of course he is too." Neph nodded, her tone certain.

"Luckily," Klein said, exhaling, "I didn't create an Air Straw in front of them to breathe fresh air while they were smoking. Otherwise,