The review

A few hours earlier.

At the Blackthorn Security Company, in a place that no divination could reach.

Klein sat nervously on a stool, watching his colleagues set up tight defensive measures around him. Before him sat the "Goddess's Sword," dressed in a pitch-black trench coat, its high collar concealing the lower half of his face and leaving only his eyes exposed as he scrutinized Klein. Klein's body grew even tenser.

Behind Crestet, the "Spirit Medium" Daly Simone, who had just arrived in Tingen City, stood not far from Dunn, watching him and Klein, who was undergoing the review, from a distance.

"You don't need to be so nervous."

Seeing Klein like this, Crestet Cesimir spoke in a tone that was not particularly stern:

"I heard your name from the Archbishop at the Cathedral. Although you're only a Beyonder who recently joined the Church, you've already caught the attention of the Archbishop and the Senior Deacons."

Huh? Klein froze, clearly not expecting such high praise from His Excellency the "Goddess's Sword."

Hearing Crestet say this, Dunn let out a soft breath, his expression relaxing a little.

"What you've experienced certainly warrants the Cathedral's attention." Crestet spoke to Klein as though they were simply chatting:

"You need to understand that most of the Aurora Order's strength is hidden on the dark side of this world. In terms of Beyonder strength alone, the Aurora Order has several demigods and worships the evil god, the True Creator. Its overall strength even approaches that of a Church."

"Otherwise, why would the Church of Storms always rank the Aurora Order alongside the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun and the Church of Knowledge as its foremost enemies?"

"Every Oracle in the Aurora Order with a letter as their codename, especially those near the beginning of the alphabet, possesses terrifying abilities at Sequence 5 or its equivalent. Furthermore, these Oracles are appointed directly by the True Creator, rather than promoted internally."

"So, among the members of our Church who have had contact with the Aurora Order, you've now made contact with the person of the highest standing and status."

So the Aurora Order actually has such terrifying strength... When Nimrod had previously told Klein about the Aurora Order, it had felt somewhat unreal. But now, after hearing Crestet, a Sequence 5 Senior Deacon, personally explain the Order's strength, he immediately understood just how high Nimrod's position within it was:

He was not merely the equivalent of a team captain like Dunn. To a certain extent, he was essentially the same as the twenty-two gentlemen within the Church of Evernight, made up of Archbishops and deacons-an envoy who answered only to a god!

Thank goodness Nimrod has the gray fog concealing him, just like I do. Otherwise, he really might have dropped dead the moment he arrived... He took over the body of an Oracle of the True Creator!

Klein suddenly broke into a cold sweat on his fellow countryman's behalf.

But the next moment, Crestet changed the subject. "Next, I'll use some Beyonder methods to question and assess you."

This time, he gave Klein no chance to prepare and began humming a gentle melody.

Klein suddenly felt as though everything around him had sunk into darkness. All light was swallowed, and boundless darkness surged toward him, leaving him utterly exhausted yet unable to fall asleep.

The next moment, a series of piercing, irritating sounds rang in Klein's ears. They sounded like sharp claws or fingernails scraping a blackboard, or the shrill screech of metal grinding against metal, instantly making him feel so uncomfortable that he nearly went mad.

I honestly want to slap him right now... Klein muttered inwardly. Still, worried that actually doing so would land him straight in the Nighthawks' prison, he could only endure the discomfort in silence and steady his emotions.

However, after only a few dozen seconds, the piercing noises gradually subsided. Klein, who had been unable to stop himself from closing his eyes, instinctively exhaled and looked at Crestet, whose face was half concealed.

"You did very well."

Crestet said in a deep voice:

"There are no signs of corruption by an evil god on you, and your control over your potion has already surpassed that of an ordinary Beyonder. It even exceeds that of many experienced Beyonders. Can you tell me how you achieved this?"

"Or did that 'Mr. L' tell you some methods for 'quickly mastering a potion'?"

Here it comes... A flicker of nervousness arose in Klein's heart, but this was a question he had already anticipated:

He was digesting his potion very quickly. If he wanted to apply for a potion ahead of schedule and advance like Miss Daly, he would inevitably face this question.

I can't exactly say I deciphered Roselle's diary and learned the Acting Method from it, can I?

Klein considered his wording:

"I found inspiration in Miss Daly's experiences and... a maxim Mr. Neil taught me."

Using these two things as his starting point, he vaguely described the Acting Method he had grasped. Crestet nodded and gave Dunn and Daly, who were standing a short distance away, a look, signaling for them to leave the room and close the door.

Now, only Klein and Crestet remained in the room.

"Good. Very good."

Crestet broke the silence:

"Your thinking is correct, though it still needs refinement. I'll record your performance today and pass it on to the Cathedral."

"You may make some unusual discoveries in the future, or experience certain unusual feelings. When those feelings arise, you can try submitting an application to the Cathedral for the potion of the next Sequence."

Crestet paused, his tone growing gentler:

"You played an important role in the Antigonus Family Notebook incident. The contributions you've accumulated are enough for you to apply for the potion of the next Sequence."

"After discussion at the Cathedral, we've decided to make an exception and appoint you a Full Member of the Nighthawks. Congratulations, Nighthawk Klein Moretti."

Is it really that simple...? The thought had barely arisen in Klein's mind when he heard Crestet's next words:

"In addition, the Cathedral has assigned you a mission: from now on, you must continue communicating with the Aurora Order's 'Mr. L,' and even establish deeper contact with the Aurora Order. Find out what exactly has happened within the Order, and determine what 'Mr. L' is planning."

As he spoke, Crestet solemnly drew the Goddess's Sword he carried with him:

"Now, swear an oath before the Goddess's holy relic. You will receive the Goddess's blessing and..."

"Her gaze."