Chapter 127 - 127 Caf

Chapter 127 Caf

Lumian couldnt help but smile when he saw the slogan on the wall.

It reminded him of something Aurore had once said: In Trier, the caf holds a unique status. Its the birthplace of riots, the sanctuary of conspiracies, and the wellspring of scandals. Throughout Intisian history, innumerable riots had been sparked in cafs, and countless literary works and political struggles had brewed within them.

Unlike the neighboring Loen Kingdom, Intis had its own private clubs, but they were fairly exclusive or high-end, with limited access. Be they former n.o.bles, current members of parliament, high-ranking government officials, financiers, bankers, industrialists, renowned authors, newspaper editors, military generals, or university professors, everyone enjoyed frequenting different cafs to engage in spirited conversations, presenting a more approachable side to the public. After all, the Republics political slogan and image were built upon freedom, equality, and fraternity.

Naturally, the cafs frequented by various social strata were vastly different, often distinguished by location, price, and style. So, when Lumian heard from Charlie that Laurent had used his mother, Mrs. Lakazan, to seek opportunities in upscale cafs, he wasnt surprised or puzzled. Many people did this, often becoming archetypes for novelists, but only a few succeeded.

At the same time, banquets and salons were all the rage in Trier. If any high society member didnt host a salon once a month, others would a.s.sume something had befallen their family or that a financial crisis had jeopardized their political future.

Aurore, who clearly adored this metropolis, stayed away partly because artists like authors, poets, painters, and sculptors seemed like tamed b.u.t.terflies, fluttering about the salons of various politicians, financiers, and officials. It appeared that only by gaining their approval could the value of their work be realized.

The amalgamation of salons and cafs supplanted most club functions.

In this system, taverns, beer houses, dance halls, and cafs shared similarities, but the latter held far greater significance, leaning more towards the upper cla.s.ses.

Upon seeing a customer enter, a female attendant in a grayish-white dress greeted him with a smile.

Do you have a favorite seat, or are you meeting a friend?

Lumian nodded.

Cabin D.

The female attendant led him to a secluded corner.

Beside a window, he could see a lush, tree-filled botanical garden.

What can I get you to drink? The female attendant presented a brown-covered wine list.

Lumian opened it, momentarily taken aback by the dazzling array of choices.

Fermo Coffee, Highlander Coffee, Reem Espresso

Sibe Black Tea, Marquis Black Tea, West Balam Black Tea

Fruit Slushy, Frangipani c.o.c.ktail, Ambergris Lemonade, Venus Sacred Oil

Summer Wine, Kirsch, Rose Dew, Walnut Spirit, Orange & Lemon Wine, Cherry Spirit

Absinthe, Fennel Absinthe, Gin, Bitter Cura?ao, Apple Brandy, Grape Dregs Brandy

Sweetwine: Perfect Love, Barbarian Cream, Little Rose, West Pyro

Considering he had a psychologists appointment later, neither alcohol nor coffee seemed fitting. Lumian thought for a moment and said, Ambergris lemonade.

Four licks, the female attendant inquired.

Do you need cake, bread, or other food?

Not for now. Ill decide when my friend arrives. Lumian surveyed the surroundings of Masons Caf and noted the absence of customers at this time.

The lunch crowd had cleared out by 2:30 p.m., leaving more than an hour before teatime.

Soon, the female attendant returned with a tray, placing a gla.s.s filled with a colorless liquid and a few lemons on the table. Lumian eyed the empty seat across from him, picked up his cup, and took a sip.

A sweet, elegant fragrance filled his nostrils, and the refres.h.i.+ng sour taste invigorated him.

As the minutes pa.s.sed, Lumian noticed the wall clock nearing 3:30 p.m. He couldnt help but glance at the caf entrance.

Green plants adorned the area, but no customers entered.

Just as Lumian looked away in disappointment, a soft female voice sounded from the booth behind him.

Im already here. Good afternoon, Mr. Lumian Lee.

Lumian a.s.sumed the woman didnt want a face-to-face conversation, so he didnt turn around. He lowered his voice and asked politely, Good afternoon. How should I address you? Can you hear my soft voice?

No problem, the gentle female voice replied. You can call me Susie.

h.e.l.lo, Madame Susie. For some reason, Lumian felt relatively calm facing this psychologist. His usual habit of inward commentary dissipated.

A familiar uneasiness washed over him a second later.

Whats wrong? Susie, seated behind him, inquired gently.

Lumian pondered for two seconds and didnt conceal his feelings.

Im a little uneasy. Its an odd yet familiar sensation.

Yes, I must have experienced something similar when I met an information broker yesterday.

Susie spoke rapidly, apologetically, Sorry, Im used to reading your thoughts. That might be causing your discomfort.

Your body is infused with intense corruption and is in a delicate balance. The slightest disturbance triggers a reaction. In other words, youre highly sensitive to hidden and invisible influences, surpa.s.sing Beyonders of the same Sequence or higher.

Is that so Lumian wasnt angry. In his view, a psychologist needed to read thoughts for effective treatment. Rely on words alone?

He then furrowed his brow. Was Anthony Reid also reading my thoughts back then? Im referring to the information broker.

I know. Susie understood. Where did Anthony Reid come from? What did he do before becoming an information broker?

He had a West Midseas.h.i.+re Coast accent, a retired soldier, Lumian recounted. After a brief silence, Susie said, If hes truly from West Midseas.h.i.+re Coast, its indeed possible hes a Beyonder of the Spectator pathway.

The Spectator pathway Lumian had read about it in Aurores Warlock notebook, but she only knew that its corresponding Sequence 9 was called the Spectator. They possessed remarkable observational abilities, deciphering true thoughts from subtle expressions and body language.

So a Sequence above the Spectator pathway is a Psychologist As this thought crossed Lumians mind, he heard Susie correct him.

Its Psychiatrist.

That sounds more rea.s.suring. Lumian smiled. What Sequence is Anthony Reid? After learning the others pathway, he felt Anthony Reid should have recognized him and sensed his anxiety, concern, and attempts at intimidation.

According to your description, hes at least a Sequence 8, Susie concluded.

Lumian smirked. If hes really a Psychiatrist, thats interesting. He didnt even treat the aftereffects of his battlefield trauma.

Its not unusual. When a Psychiatrist suffers severe psychological trauma, its incredibly difficult for them to recover alone. They often need the help of another Psychiatrist, and treating a Psychiatrist is far riskier than usual.

...

One misstep can result in the infection of the patients mental illness, Susie explained succinctly.

As the conversation s.h.i.+fted and the atmosphere lightened, Lumian gradually relaxed, no longer feeling uneasy or anxious.

He took the initiative to say, Shall we begin the treatment?

Talking is part of the treatment. Susies gentle voice hinted at a smile.

Realizing that the first stage of the treatment was simply conversation, Lumian eased further. He leaned back against the booth part.i.tion and asked, puzzled, I know it was a dream, but there are many details I cant comprehend.

Since its my dream, how can I know the various abilities of the three official investigators? Why am I so familiar with the unique abilities of the padre, the shepherd, and company?

Susies tone was warm as she replied, The three official investigators were forcibly drawn into your dream. Its as if their subconscious came close to yours, in a semi-open state.

They would actively partic.i.p.ate in the dream, revealing all sorts of information they know. Even if they only think about it, your subconscious can sense it. In other words, with Ryan, Leah, and Valentines involvement, certain parts of the dream are created through interaction? Their responses are a collective creation of my subconscious and theirs, adhering to unspoken rules? Lumian considered this as he pondered previously unresolved questions.

Susies voice remained steady as she continued, You must have some suspicions about why you know the abilities of the evil G.o.ds followers, right? But youre just unwilling to confront them?

At this, Lumians eyelids twitched involuntarily.

Based on the information Madam Magician provided, most of Guillaume Bnet and Pierre Berrys abilities stem from the evil G.o.ds Sequence, Contractee. So, its impossible to predict their abilities beforehand. It depends on which creature theyve signed a contract with,

...

Susie gently a.n.a.lyzed. In other words, we can rule out the possibility that your subconscious obtained corresponding knowledge from the seals corruption. Without a knowledge base, you couldnt imagine those abilities nothing. Theyre not imaginary. The womans tone suddenly turned grave.

from Clearly, at some point before Cordu was destroyed, you saw Guillaume Bnet, Pierre the others use their abilities. Moreover, you were neither harmed nor Berry, and traumatized. Otherwise, it would have manifested in the dream.

From the dreams a.n.a.lysis, what truly left a scar on you was Pualis and companys actions. How do you think you witnessed those evil G.o.d followers using their powers? Susies words were like sharp arrows piercing Lumians memories, making the st.u.r.dy barrier waver.

Lumians face twisted slightly. Amidst excruciating pain, he saw images surface from the depths of his memories.

It was the third floor of the administrators castle.

The walls were adorned with pale, translucent faces, but the fighters were no longer Ryan, Leah, and Valentine. Instead, it was Guillaume Bnet, Pierre Berry, and Sybil Berry!