The high-ranking members of the Goddess Church included thirteen Archbishops and nine High-Ranking Clerics, and Creste Cesima was one of them. The fact that such an important figure from the Church would specifically come to see him didn't fill Lu Ze with honor, but rather with lingering fear.
"Your Excellency Cecima didn't come because of Old Neil, did she?"
"No, Your Excellency Cecima came specifically to see you, to assess whether you, a Nighthawk of the Secret Supplicant Pathway, were qualified. It just so happened that she received my report and decided to handle the matter at the same time—so, in every sense, Old Neil should thank you."
Dunn said.
"Then why did he leave?"
Lu Ze couldn't help but feel a little confused.
"He said that after seeing your actions in saving Old Neil, and with the Goddess's holy artifact also acknowledging you, there was no longer any need for further assessment." Dunn said this, a smile appearing on his face, "This is good news, Lu Ze. It means you have been acknowledged by the Holy Cathedral. Now, you truly have official protection, and you should be happy about that."
Hearing him say that, Lu Ze did feel a wave of relief. But soon, he remembered the scene of Creste grinning, his teeth covered in vengeful spirits, and a sense of unease returned.
The joy of acquiring property, the peace of mind from being recognized by the Holy Cathedral, and the apprehension towards Creste. Various emotions swirled in his heart as he sat there in a daze, unsure what to say.
"Also, since Old Neil is gone, and both you and Klein are new recruits, I plan to apply to the Holy Cathedral to have them transfer an auxiliary member from another region to strengthen our team. Until then, your mysticism classes will have to be self-taught. Old Neil said he left all the documents in the data room downstairs; you can read and study them on your own, but be cautious. Don't easily try anything you're unsure about."
Dunn spoke of the arrangements that would follow.
As soon as he heard that the mysticism classes that had once tormented him were gone, Lu Ze felt a mix of happiness and regret. After all, Old Neil had taught him genuine things. With him gone, he would only be able to self-study from now on.
I hope Klein has a good grasp of it and can teach me more.
He prayed silently.
"That's all for now, Lu Ze. You can leave, and remember to tell Klein about this as well."
"Alright, Captain."
Lu Ze stood up, slowly moved his feet, and secretly counted in his mind.
One, two, three...
"Wait."
It came, as expected.
Lu Ze turned back, smiling as he asked, "Is there anything else, Captain?"
"Your newcomer welcome dinner has been arranged for this Friday evening at Old Weil Restaurant. Heh, Old Neil didn't get to enjoy this big meal; he told me he was really looking forward to it."
"I've noted it, Captain."
Lu Ze didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.
He prepared to leave again.
"Wait just a moment more."
Dunn spoke up again.
Lu Ze was forced to stop, "Captain?"
"Remember to submit your proof of sanity. It's best to get the paperwork done and give it to me by next week."
"No problem."
He turned and left again. This time, Dunn didn't call out to him, and he successfully walked out of the office.
---
Nothing happened all afternoon.
Lu Ze spent the afternoon at Blackthorn Security Company savoring the thought, and also took half an hour to practice shooting. He finally gradually accepted the fact—now, a house worth 900 pounds in the northern suburbs of the city was to be his. His heart finally began to slowly cheer up. After work, he took a tram to the street.
When Cecilia returned home from school and pushed open the door, she saw a large table laden with delicious food: pan-fried foie gras, roasted steak, vegetable salad, stewed lamb, cream cake, and a bottle of champagne and a bottle of wine, already uncorked, sparkling invitingly under the gas lamp.
"You're back?"
Lu Ze was pouring champagne into a tall glass. Seeing her enter, he couldn't help but say with a smile.
Cecilia looked at the feast, her expression a little bewildered. She put down her schoolbag, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Lu Ze. What is all this?"
"Celebrating good things happening."
Lu Ze smiled.
He had thought about it all afternoon and had come to terms with it. He truly deserved this reward, so he should accept it frankly and use it to live a better life; only then would he not let down Old Neil's kind intentions.
"Good things happen every day, but if we spend money so carelessly, we won't have anything to eat tomorrow."
Cecilia earnestly advised.
"Don't worry, little sister."
Lu Ze couldn't help but laugh, "Actually, what I'm celebrating is this: your brother, because he's so capable, earned you a detached house in one night!"
After he finished speaking, Cecilia didn't show happiness; instead, her face was filled with worry.
"Lu Ze. Are you having hallucinations again?"
Lu Ze didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He had no choice but to explain in detail, but he couldn't tell his sister the whole truth. He could only pick and choose what he could say, and it took a great deal of effort before Cecilia believed Lu Ze's words.
"Brother. So everything you said is true?"
She widened her adorable eyes, looking at Lu Ze in surprise, "You're amazing."
"Right?"
Lu Ze couldn't help but smile. Being genuinely praised by his sister was far more gratifying than being praised by a High-Ranking Cleric of the Evernight Church. "I think so too."
Then he clapped his hands, "Alright, what are we waiting for? Go wash your hands and eat quickly, the food won't taste as good if it gets cold."
So the two washed their hands and took their seats, clinked glasses in celebration, and then began to feast.
Seeing his sister happily eating, Lu Ze felt joy from the bottom of his heart. Then he, too, picked up his knife and fork and joined in the meal.
After enjoying the meal, the two lingered in the aftertaste of the delicious food, chatting casually and resting for quite a while before getting up to clear the table and wash the dishes.
"How's school going? Has anyone bullied you? Have any clueless rascals tried to take advantage of you?"
Lu Ze asked, washing the plates while looking at his sister's profile.
"Don't worry, brother. The day Mr. Dunn took me to school, several police officers followed him. Now they're all spreading rumors that I'm the illegitimate daughter of a high-ranking police official, so no one dares to bully me."
Cecilia rinsed the foam off the plates as she replied.
"That's good too."
Lu Ze chuckled, "What about your studies then? Is there anything you can't keep up with?"
"It's fine, the teachers' lessons are all quite simple, and I review diligently after class. Last time we had a class-wide test, I ranked among the top of the class."
His sister's answer was incredibly reassuring.
"That's good, that's really good."
Lu Ze felt much relieved. He chatted with Cecilia for a while longer, made plans to go to the theater to see a show on the weekend, and then they tidied up and each returned to their bedrooms to rest.
Back in his bedroom, he didn't lie down immediately. Instead, he turned on the gas lamp and pulled out a piece of paper from his desk.
Old Neil's situation had given him a sense of crisis. He wanted to take advantage of his free time tonight to carefully sort out all the abilities he currently possessed.
I will definitely update early tomorrow.
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