Can you solve your bills with magic?
Should they curse the creditor to death, or counterfeit money?
I can't solve your problem, but I can solve yours?
Various thoughts raced through Klein's mind, and the way he looked at Old Neil became somewhat strange.
He seriously considered the possibility of calling the police—no, informing the Nighthawks team.
Old Neil glanced at him and said irritably:
"In your eyes, I see ignorance, I see stupidity, I see a weak and shameful trust. Didn't Dunn tell you the maxim of the Mystery Pryer: Do whatever you want, but don't hurt!"
"Although this maxim originated from within a Concealment and evil organization called the ' Moss Ascetic Order,' Beyonder who have chosen the path of the ' Mystery Pryer ' have proven its validity through their own experience. As long as it is strictly adhered to and performed with reverence, the risk of losing control is minimized, and the reverse is also true."
"Your doubt is an insult to me and to those Mystery Pryer!"
"I'm sorry." Klein apologized without hesitation.
He had indeed forgotten the maxim that Dunn Smith had once quoted.
Old Neil wasn't really angry; he quickly smiled and said:
Unfortunately, there are too few Beyonder who choose the Seer, ' and no corresponding maxims to help you.
But I have Emperor Roselle's diary... Hmm, strictly adhering to maxims has a " Acting " feel to it... Klein suddenly made a connection and nodded as if deep in thought.
Old Neil said nothing more, and took the vases and other items from the heavy round table, placing them in a corner.
Then, as he took out a bright red and a deep black candle from a small silver box, he casually explained:
"If ordinary people want to try Ritualistic Magic, they must choose an auspicious date and time based on Astrology results or by consulting relevant manuals, such as Sunday, which symbolizes the goddess, or the Moon time that she rules. But for us Beyonder, especially those Beyonder are skilled in this area, these are not necessary. Our vibrant Spirituality and our powerful Astral Body are the most crucial elements."
"Of course, if you're unsure about the Ritualistic Magic you want to try, choosing the right date and time can significantly increase your success rate."
"Oh right, there's a prerequisite you must remember and strictly adhere to!"
Old Neil placed the two candles, turned to look at Klein, and said very seriously:
" Low-Sequence beings are not powerful enough. Almost all the Ritualistic Magic they can perform involves praying for power and asking for help from the outside world. Therefore, they can only consider orthodox gods such as goddesses and Lord of Storms. Absolutely, absolutely never try to communicate with unknown and unpredictable beings, even if some people believe in them, even if the written promises are tempting!"
"Believe me, don't take any chances. Once you try, you'll inevitably slide into the Abyss. All your efforts and struggles can only slow things down; they can't reverse the trend."
"I will remember that!" Klein replied in a deep voice, but a sense of unease crept into his heart.
His own " Luck Enhancement Ritual " seemed to be a plea for power from some unknown and unpredictable being...
And he truly gained power that even the " The Hanged Man," Beyonder, found unbelievable—the power to pull them into the Gray Fog. Well, he must be a seasoned Beyonder...
Thankfully, I haven't gone crazy yet, and there's no sign of me losing control...
Worried about this matter, he took the initiative to change the subject:
"So, the Nighthawks would be better off asking the goddess for help?"
"If you wish to pray to the Lord of Storms, no one will stop you, but He may not respond, or He may respond with malice, which would Distortion the outcome of our Ritualistic Magic in an unpredictable direction." Old Neil successfully dispelled Klein's hopes with a joke.
There is no such thing as "best," only "must"!
After giving his instructions, Old Neil picked up the crimson candle and said:
"Candles made with the Moon, deep red sandalwood, and other ingredients symbolize the goddess's identity Lady of Crimson in Ritualistic Magic."
He then pointed to the dark black candle and said:
Candles made from herbs such as night-blooming jasmine and deep-sleeping flower symbolize the Evernight.
As he spoke, he placed the black one on the upper left of the round table and the red one on the upper right.
"Why are there only two candles symbolizing the goddess? She is also the Mother of Concealment, the Empress of Misfortune and Horror, the Mistress of Repose and Silence."
Old Neil chuckled:
"Yes, that's exactly the question I wanted you to ask."
"Before the Depravity, the Moss Ascetic Order had a good relationship with the Church, and their ideas and achievements in Ritualistic Magic profoundly influenced us."
"They believe that everything is number, and every number has Spirituality. In Ritualistic Magic, 0 represents the unknown, represents chaos, and symbolizes the state before the world was born; 1 represents the beginning, representing the Original Creator; 2 symbolizes the world and the gods born from His body; and 3 represents the contact between the gods and matter, and the formation of all things. Here, two candles symbolize the goddess, and the third candle is reserved for ourselves."
"Which two candles and which two symbols to use depends on the desired effect of the Ritualistic Magic."
"Three begets all things? All things are three?" Klein couldn't help but think of some things he had encountered in his previous life.
Seeing that he was listening attentively, Old Neil took the third candle and said:
"This is a candle that symbolizes 'me,' a very ordinary candle, just with a touch of mint added. Remember, roses, lemons, mint, the Moon, night-blooming jasmine, and deep-sleeping flowers are all plants favored and cherished by the goddess."
"The three candles also symbolize each person's physical, Spirituality, and divine aspects."
After describing the item, Old Neil placed the third one in the center of the round table.
He then took out the " Full Moon Essential Oil" he had prepared, a large cauldron engraved with Sacred Emblem of Darkness, a silver knife with ornate patterns, a cup of water, and a dish of coarse salt.
"For Beyonder are not skilled in Ritualistic Magic, bells, crystal balls, silver cups, incense, and other items are needed at this time, but Mystery Pryer and Seer do not need them; these items are sufficient."
Old Neil placed the parchment with the bill drawn on it next to the large cauldron directly below, and pressed down one corner with a special quill pen.
He turned to Klein and said:
" Ritualistic Magic requires a clean, undisturbed Spirituality environment, which we must create ourselves. The method is to first enter into Cogitation to accumulate spiritual energy, and then use auxiliary items to guide our power and construct it around us, such as the ' Holy Night Powder ' I used at Riel Bieber's house, and the ritual silver dagger I am about to use."
"Throughout the process, we must determine the symbolic symbols and corresponding incantations based on the desired outcome. The incantations are best written in Hermes, because Ancient Hermes originates from nature and is similar to Ancient Dragonese and Ancient Elvish. Its effects are very direct, but it lacks necessary concealment and protection, making it easy for the user to fall into danger. This is why it was improved, but it is indeed more effective."
"Alright, I need to focus on the Ritualistic Magic now. I won't explain it to you anymore. Pay attention and listen carefully, and write down any questions you have. Ask me again when everything is over."
"Okay." Klein took two steps back and looked intently at Old Neil.
Old Neil's eyes suddenly darkened, and an invisible wind began to swirl around him.
He remained silent for a moment, then lit the three candles one by one, following the order from left to right and from top to bottom, using the friction between his mind and matter.
Then he picked up the silver knife, plunged it into the coarse salt, and recited the incantation written in Hermes:
"I sanctify you, pure silver blade!"
"I cleanse and Purification you, so that you may serve me in the ritual!"
"In the name of the Evernight Goddess, the Lady of Crimson,"
"You've been sanctified!"
After uttering a series of short, powerful, ancient words, Old Neil drew a silver knife, plunged it into the glass of water, and then raised it, pointing it towards the space beyond the round table.
He pointed the tip of his knife at the outer edge, then began to walk around the round table. With each step, Klein could feel an invisible force emanating from the silver knife, imbued with Spirituality, connecting with the air to form a sealed wall.
After circling around, the altar was isolated from its surroundings.
Old Neil stood in front of the round table, put down the silver knife, picked up the bottle of " Full Moon Oil," and dripped three drops onto the black, dark red, and ordinary candles respectively.
Sizzle!
A thin mist hung in the air, making everything seem mysterious.
Old Neil put down the glass bottle, looked at the parchment-like paper, remained silent for two minutes, then picked up a quill pen and drew a symbol of control on the "bill"—a square that framed all the contents, indicating that he had control over the debt.
Then he drew an "X" to indicate elimination.
Upon arriving here, he took the imitation parchment in one hand and lightly tapped his brow with the other, activating his Spirit Vision.
An invisible yet vibrant power emanated from him, and Old Neil chanted softly:
I pray for the power of the Evernight;
"I pray for the power of Crimson;"
I pray for the goddess's favor;
"Please bring me the money to pay this bill."
"Night-blooming herb, herb of the Red Moon, please transfer your power to my incantation!"
" The Moon, herb of the red moon, please transfer your power to my incantation!"
Klein listened in utter disbelief, a jumble of thoughts swirling in his mind:
Such a spell will work?
Although it was written and read in Hermes...
Isn't this a bit too direct, too plain, and too down-to-earth?
Will the goddess get angry and double the bill?
Suddenly, the candlelight brightened!
After Old Neil finished reciting, he closed his eyes for two minutes, picked up the " Full Moon Oil," and dripped a drop onto each of the three candles.
Immediately afterwards, he grabbed the parchment-like paper, brought it close to the candle that symbolized "me," and once it was lit, he threw it into the cauldron.
Old Neil closed his eyes again, seemingly feeling the bill burning.
After a while, he opened his eyes and looked at the large cauldron with the black holy symbol. He saw that the parchment had been completely burned and only ashes remained.
"Praise be to the goddess!" Old Neil tapped his chest four times, drawing Crimson Moon, and then extinguished the candles in the reverse order of the beginning.
After doing all this, he took a silver knife and pierced through the invisible walls around him.
After a sudden gust of wind, Old Neil visibly breathed a sigh of relief and said:
"Alright."
"That's it?" Klein asked in astonishment. "The bill's settled? How was it settled?"
"I don't know either, but it will be resolved in a reasonable way," Old Neil said with a shrug.
This... Klein didn't know what expression or words to use to respond.
Isn't this a bit unreliable?
Note 1: The magic in this chapter is adapted from the Wika Magic Book.