The documents tells a series of methods to concoct medicines. Some have in common is the infusion of the person's spirituality to apply varied effects for the potion.
This ability have been recorded to be strongly achievable to beyonders from either Planter or Apothecary, due to their aspect in life-related fields.
While reading, Selina had thought of practicing a few, but abandoned it as her current sequence doesn't seem to have the "infusion" effect for ingredients.
Perhaps in higher sequence...? she mumbled, turning a page.
In the stillness of the room. Her mind was able to concentrate effectively under the silence.
It didn't came to her that lunchtime had already arrived. She only noticed it now after her stomach grumbles suddenly.
Putting away the documents for a quick meal outside. Selina quietly left the alchemy room.
Arriving at the intersection of the tunnel. She saw a surprisingly comical sight of her fellow members. Quickly leaving her in a daze.
On the right path leading to Chanis Gate. Their arms were arched from the side while their hands extends. Repeatedly bending and retracting them as they walk.
Seeing this, Selina stopped at her tracks and only looked.
She was unsure of what to say.
The members consists of Klein, in his waistcoat and jacket, followed by Dunn Smith wearing a dark windbreaker and the poet Leonard Mitchell.
She's not familiar with other members, so she couldn't tell their name.
While performing this action. Leonard noticed a silver haired lady at the corner of the tunnel.
He smiled and turned to her, pointed his left index finger to his right arm who is doing the bending.
What? Selina was even more confused.
Perhaps they're doing this in preparation for a show?
But what show would it be to require multiple officers, most oddly all from this department, to simultaneously bent and retract their arms?
Maybe a sealed artifact? she suddenly thought while scrambling for reasons.
Dunn was the second to notice Selina on the corner and called, "Ms. Roy, if you're staying there, please perform this action as well. This is for your own safety."
His voice was stern while saying this.
Selina didn't questioned this order of her captain as she quickly bent her arm and imitate their action.
"Alright, if you want you can come here." Dunn said casually.
"Captain", said Selina with uneased after reaching their vicinity. "Why are we doing this? Is it a sealed artifact?"
As she spoke, she noticed a chest that was carved with resplendent stars and the crimson full moon. It was as though there was a formless barrier around the chest.
"Yes", Dunn answered simply. "This impractical action we're doing allows us to notice any sudden anomalies with the members in a limited area of the Sealed Artifact 2-049."
I see... It must be in that chest... Selina felt her nerves tensed.
Amidst this comical action lies a meaningful reason that when not performed, may brought one's life in peril.
Grade 2. Dangerous. To be used with care and moderating... It is something even a formal Nighthawk have retricted knowledge to... Unknown how dangerous it can be... Selina couldn't help but overhink of the situation.
At this moment. Klein, who is behind Dunn Smith suddenly turned sluggish.
It was as though he didn't get enough sleep and was about to drop for a quick rest.
Selina watched this with increased nerve. The unknown of it only added to her tension.
Just as when Klein slumped to the ground. A hand caught his shoulder.
It came from the woman with dark-hair, with a set of ocean-deep eyes.
"Mr. Morettt, wake up" she said while nudging his arms.
After receiving this treatment, Klein snapped from his state and returned, he said with slight indifference, "Thank you."
"What happened?" Selina frowned while seeing this, trying to lean for an answer from Dunn amid her fright and confusion.
"This is the effect caused by Sealed Artifact 2-049. Within a five meter radius, it can affect humanoid creatures, subjecting to a state you observed from Klein. It requires a mandatory handling of two formal personnel to be able to safely utilize. Thankfully it only affects one person at a time", Dunn explained with limited detail.
However, it was enough to instill a blooming tension in Selina that she subconsciously refused to ever loosening her action.
"If your right arm is sore, turn for your available hand." said Dunn with a captain's concern.
Selina nodded firmly.
During the time they navigate the confined path and ascend the stairwell. Silence became a major factor that kept her tension on high alert.
Occasionally, she experienced the same predicament that her members had when affected by Sealed Artifact 2-049.
These are the sudden rigidness of both her mentality and physical abilities. Everything in her vision turned slow and as if a switch in her brain had turned off, any minor movements became difficult for her to muster.
Klein, Dunn and Leonard were mostly responsible for nudging her out of this state while the others maintained a careful look at the brown-leathered suitcase.
When they finally arrived at the surface, she found that Rozanne and the other staffs had left the area.
They must be upstairs in the second floor... she murmured in passing.
As they approach the entrance. Dunn promptly halted at the corridor and stopped Selina.
"I forgot. Ms. Roy, you don't seem to have the proper capabilities to join us in hunting Ray Bieber.
"Moretti had been attending a regime of practicing his accuracy at a street corner—the underground shooting range at No. 3 Zouteland Street. Most of it belongs to the police department, but there is one that is specially for us Nighthawks. The badge Mrs. Orianna gave you should still be with you right? Use that to enter the shooting range." Dunn held his head and face in weariness.
"You would also need to improve your combat prowess. Alright, Mr. Gawain, a former top knight of the Loen Kingdom is also Klein's combat instructor."
From his side. Klein, who was patiently waiting for the others to continue, smiled with weariness.
It was almost all-knowing considering the captain's nature.
"Every morning, besides your day off, you will have at least two hours. Try to get along with Klein and accompany him each time you attend."
As he said this, Dunn paused suddenly.
"Once you finished and grasped the documents Old Neil gave you, try to procure as many healing agents as you can. The department will supply your needs so do not worry if there are ingredients you lack of, you could even experiment for an agent of your own heh heh, just be sure that no materials are wasted", he added after what seems to be a moment of contemplation.
Dunn glanced at his members and saw that one was drooping from his posture. He quickly retracted his attention and said, "I won't prolong our time so try your best to finish the documents that the Church of the Earth Mother had given. Remember to keep reading at your own pace."
Selina was relieved after hearing this and smiled gladly, "I will."
The members who are in the operation, with Dunn Smith on the lead, slowly left the department.
Being left at an empty hallway while watching the door shuts. Selina stopped her arm from turning and decided to go with her earlier intention.
Going outside for a quick lunch.
The sun was already nearing noon and her stomach had been contracting for a summon.
Just as she could begin reaching for the door as well. She heard a series of taps behind her.
"They finally left?" Rozanne's voice suddenly spoke.
Selina turned her body to see the young receptionist, holding a steaming coffee with a plate.
"Yes, Captain, Leonard and the rest had begun their operation", she answered with honesty.
"That's a relief", Rozanne let out a relaxed sigh.
"May the Goddess blessed them and protect them."
While she spoke, she devoutly drew a crimson moon across her chest.
Selina imitated this gesture, hoping for their safety.
"Ah, right. We were just about to indulge in a little take-outs we ordered from a restaurant across the area. We thought you haven't had lunch, so we made extra", Rozanne smiled warmly.
How considerate...
"Alright, thank you for the consideration", Selina meant it heartly.
The receptionist led her to a corridor, opposite of the stairwell. Along the way, she saw occasional unpainted parts of the wall, obviously a result from the vampires who were flying around at that time.
These were only around the reception area until they reached a flight of stairs, passing the second floor and entering the next.
There was four sofas in the lounge, circling a tea table. Light glistens from the curtains. Old Neil, Seeka Tron and Madam Orianna occupies them each one when they arrived.
Old Neil puts his cup down and called for Selina, "Ms. Roy, taking a break from reading I see? That's good, just keep at your own pace."
"You can sit anywhere you prefer Lady Roy", said Rozanne as she occupies a seat for herself.
Selina calmly accepted the offer and decided for a seat next to Seeka.
The tea table had a few small boxes, stacked in a tower. Each exudes different fragrance, ranging from the sweet scent of a glazed beef to a briny and rich air of a Bouillabaisse.
The dishes was foreign for her just a moment ago, but a whiff of their fragrance quickly bring about a memory of her, or more precisely her body's mother, the variety of cuisines available in the manor.
"We didn't know your actual preference in foods so... We figured a simple Beef Stew for you. Uh, I hope you like it." Rozanne consoled as she began unpacking her own bento.
From the looks of it, she'll be having Roasted Steak Cutlet, drizzled with lemon and honey.
Quite classy, I was just about to thought of a similar dish before you invited me...
Selina wasn't picky with her foods. So with a hint of satisfaction that she won't have to trouble herself going out, she hefted the bento meant for her and opened it.
The Beef Stew was just as good as the ones from the restaurant she frequented weeks before. The potatoes were soft and the seasonings were just right that it wasn't too remarkable.
By the time they were finished, the tea table was now filled with empty bento boxes, with stains suggesting of its contents.
Out of habit, Selina took each of the bento boxes, prepared them and asked Rozanne, "Where can I return all of this?"
Old Neil answered instead, in a way where he had just taken his fill, "Haha don't worry, someone will come and return them. Just like how they were delivered, a personnel will retrieve them."
"That's right. We ordered them just around the corner", said Rozanne as she lazed over the sofa.
Selina didn't pressed. She placed the bento boxes back and tried to relax herself in the day's warmth.
"You remember that man from the Tingen Housing Company I mentioned before? He's been rather stressed lately. Said one of the tenants at Daffodil Street hasn't paid rent for a week now." said Madam Oriana casually to Old Neil.
"Another drunkard skipping out, I presume?" shrugged Old Neil jokingly.
"Well, these are fairly common. There hasn't been a day, a tenant would not want to increase their expense. The consumer products on these past months on the other hand, that had been increasing may have also contributed to this, which generally leads to an uprising number of paupers in the city.
"I wouldn't want to live in the streets either until I get a footing for myself", said Madam Orianna, half-playing, half-contemplating.
As Selina listens to their conversation, resting to properly digest her meal, she saw the quiet Seeka Tron writing a few words on a notebook.
Recalling how she should maintain a proper relationship with the members of the department. She decided to lean closer.
From this view, the texts seemed like narratives. It depicts a woman harboring a deep longing over something.
When Seeka Tron felt like someone was watching, she shot a glance at her side and saw Selina.
"Were you reading?" Seeka's voice had a hint of exasperation to them.
Selina quickly retracted her body away, her brows were arched upward from a small shock.
Instead of stammering for answers, she returned with a question calmly, "Is that a novel?"
Her voice had no judgement toward her work. Which made it seem a bit more ease.
It took Seeka Tron, a moment to reply, saying, "Mhm, yes. I actually work a side-job as an author.
"Right now I'm writing a tragic, romance genre. Currently at the proceeding stage and I couldn't quite figure out what my character will be..."
"Really?" her head tilts slightly as Selina asked with curiosity.
"Actually..." Seeka suddenly faced her, stared intently.
"Would you mind if I take you as an inspiration for a character?"
An inspiration...
The request was abrupt that the lady processed it for a whole three second.
When she realized. Selina blurted out, "...Excuse me?"