I loaded the Mysticism panel.

Chapter 132 The Edge of Inspiration

After dinner, while her father was reading the newspaper in the living room, Evelyn was ushered upstairs by her mother.

Richard helped his mother wash the last dish, returned to the bedroom, closed the door, and bolted it.

He took out the things he would need for the night from the drawer one by one.

The copper dish contained about twenty small stones engraved with symbols, a gift from Old Big.

Then, from different compartments in the drawer, he took out those strange objects one by one.

Let's put the Sphinx lamp aside for now; it's something we'll use for signing our names later, and it's not in the same category as the other things.

The gargoyle was also left aside. Although he had finished studying the spell, he didn't really want to take it back.

He arranged the remaining five items in a row on the right side of the table.

According to Isabella's theory over the phone, the bronze ornaments, silver coins, ancient Roman bronze coins, Sufi incense burners, and sun seals are all nothing more than empty shells.

Richard was already secretly inclined to take a certain stance.

The silver coin was given to him by Mr. Hutton.

The old gentleman was very generous when he gave the gift, and he probably won't ask about its whereabouts later.

But he couldn't get over the fact that the first thing the guide gave him was immediately taken back.

He wasn't particularly interested in reclaiming ancient Roman copper coins either.

Copper coins are small and can be carried around easily.

It is extremely old and has a very solid structural foundation;

Once the ether is drained, it will become even more obedient.

According to Isabella, this is exactly the raw material that hermits have been dreaming of.

It is precisely because he is a good prospect that he should keep him.

He couldn't say for sure what stage he would reach in the future, or whether he would need to create sealing artifacts and spellcasting mediums.

Keeping one item as a memento isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Both the silver and copper coins were kept.

He wasn't particularly attached to the three items: the bronze pendant, the incense burner, and the sun seal.

The bronze ornaments are a "death warrant" for this body; keeping them is rather unlucky.

Sending it out for recycling would actually put an end to this matter.

The incense burner is a modified second-hand item, messed up and not very useful to keep.

The sun seal is relatively new and crudely made, so it's not worth taking up space in a drawer.

But before that, he needs to have a divination performed.

The main thing is to confirm one thing: whether these three strange objects will arouse Isabella's suspicion.

Richard bought the copper coins and incense burner at the Donald shop on Flower Moon Street in late October, and the Sun Seal in November.

I bought all of these items with my own money.

But he wasn't sure if Isabella would inquire about the fact that the strange object was drained so quickly.

Now that my [Perception] has been activated, my divination skills have improved to a higher level, allowing me to properly predict good or bad fortune.

Richard took out the runestones that Old Big had given him and put them in a cloth bag.

He closed his eyes and began to ask, "What will my aunt's arrival bring to me overall?"

After silently reciting the mantra, he took a handful of talismans from his bag and scattered them on the copper plate.

Opening his eyes, he saw six talisman stones scattered on the bronze plate, some close to the center and some far away.

Wheat ears (harvest), double circles (relationships), a crescent moon (growth), and a hammer (action) are close to the center;

Water droplets (unfinished business) and spirals (repetition) fall on the edge.

He connected the information and deduced the following:

"My aunt's visit was a rewarding and fitting event for me, which will bring about change and growth."

Active cooperation is required; the event itself will involve a process of repeated verification, and the negative impact can be largely ignored.

A very straightforward and positive interpretation of the divination result.

Giving those three empty, strange objects to my aunt for recycling will not cause any dangerous consequences.

As for this process of repeated confirmation.

He guessed that once Isabella arrived, she would inspect each of the strange objects and ask some questions, which he would need to answer.

However, the divination results show that this repeated confirmation will not lead to negative consequences.

Li Jue realized that he could give the incense burner and the sun seal to his aunt for recycling, and then ask his maternal grandfather for his opinion on the copper ornament before making a decision.

As for the two new items we acquired from Clement, we'll keep them for now.

If there are no problems with this recycling, you can collect more next time and recycle them together.

Richard scraped the wax off the copper dish, put the talisman back into the cloth bag, and wrapped the wax stick in oiled paper.

At this moment, he could feel that several interpersonal relationships around him were beginning to generate value.

Line 1: Mr. Hutton.

The normal path to higher education is also my primary way of advancing in my career.

Line 2: Clement.

The channels for the clearance sale have been established, ensuring a long-term supply of low-priced, unique items.

Line 3: Aunt.

The channel for exchanging rare items through the academy system will soon be opened.

Line 4: Old Big and his school.

Training in psychic vision and divination offered by folk guilds, and potential future referrals.

Line 5: The Theological Salon.

The next formal gathering, held on the next level of information exchange platform in mid-December, is tomorrow night.

Richard glanced at the panel.

[Knowledge Lv.2] Progress 75%.

This number has remained at this level for several days.

Unlike other skills, the progress bar for knowledge mainly relies on two dimensions: "learning new knowledge" and "integrating existing knowledge".

Daily schoolwork, Latin practice, and mystical theories are all slowly charging up the progress bar.

However, in the last quarter between 75% and 100%, the ascent speed slowed significantly.

Based on the current pace, if the current learning intensity can be maintained during the winter break...

With the addition of new knowledge gained from the winter break internship, the progress bar should reach 100% by next spring.

You can ask Mr. Hutton and Auntie about the unlocking requirements for the double-copy text.

Once the conditions are met, as long as you have enough points, you can upgrade [Knowledge] from Lv.2 to Lv.3.

[Knowledge] Lv.3 is a prerequisite for unlocking [Critical Thinking].

[Critical Thinking] is the final piece of the puzzle of the three aspects of intelligence.

[Knowledge] governs the input and storage of knowledge: learning quickly and remembering well.

[Perception] is responsible for the collection and filtering of information: seeing clearly and hearing accurately.

Critical thinking should be the processing and application of knowledge: thinking deeply and judging accurately.

Only when all three are present can a complete thought process loop be formed.

Now that he has the first two, the lack of the third becomes particularly noticeable.

Richard's expectations for critical thinking were stronger than for any of his previous skills.

With [Deductive Reasoning], one can deduce models, improve techniques, and even create techniques at higher levels.

Leaving aside distant examples, more recent ones like "Stone Armor" and "Shadow Armor" have a lot of room for improvement and expansion.

Richard mentally calculated the timeline.

[Knowledge] Lv.2 progress bar is full: expected around February next year.

Points required: One point is needed to upgrade [Knowledge] from Lv.2 to Lv.3, and one point is needed to activate [Critical Thinking], for a total of two points.

Currently available points: 0.13.

Gap: Approximately 1.87.

This gap needs to be filled with a rare object.

Based on the current channels for acquiring rare items—Clement's antiquities shop, plus the possibility that Aunt Isabella might bring them—…

If I can acquire one or two more high-quality rare items during my winter internship, it's possible to make up for the two gaps.

He arranged the copper dish, the talisman, and the gray wax sticks one by one, and poured himself a cup of cold tea, placing it on the corner of the table.

On the table lay a notebook that had been half-written during the day, the pen tip pressed against the last line of the "Strange Items Recycling" column.

He sat at the table for a while, then pulled out the list he had prepared during the day from his notebook.

This is a "list of contributions" that he has been compiling over the past three weeks.

Each entry is marked with three dimensions: scarcity, verifiability, and the risk level of identity exposure.

All items with a risk level higher than medium were crossed out.

The remaining items on the list are sorted by importance:

The first item is a complete explanation of the technique for Stone Armor.

This is a universal surgical technique that can be used as basic protection in all three directions, leaving no directional marks on the user.

Placed on a round table, it's like a valuable commodity that's presentable and leaves no loose ends.

The second item is the reverse theoretical model of Shadow Armor.

This is a hook he deliberately designed.

The model involves some logic related to the reverse construction of techniques.

It describes the transformation path from "inward reinforcement" to "outward imposition," and includes several pages of feasibility studies on the use of shadows as a medium.

However, he removed the core formula and replaced the key ether flow parameter with a placeholder.

Those who read the model can understand the underlying logic and perceive room for improvement, but to develop a feasible technique, they have to figure it out themselves.

The third item is the operation manual for cracking the seal and transferring points.

This is practical experience he deduced from the seal of the Sphinx Lamp.

He disassembled the manual into a purely methodological version, replacing all the details pointing to specific wonders with abstract descriptions.

Fourthly, information regarding the activity of several evil entities in the northern industrial areas.

The reinforcement cycle of the Bristol underground seal, the aftermath of the Manchester textile mill nightmare, and several public events recently taken over by the Bristol branch office...

Having finished compiling the list, Richard's gaze fell upon the bronze dish in the center of the table.

He had just used the stone reading method to divine about his aunt Isabella's visit, and the result was surprisingly clear. The connection between the positions of the several rune stones was so close that even he was surprised.

[Perception] After being activated, the feedback from divination increased by one level compared to before.

Richard's fingertips lingered on the table for a moment.

If we were to use the divination method to predict the outcome of tomorrow night's gathering...

The thought had barely formed in his mind when he froze.

A chill ran down my spine, and the Sun Constellation in my chest suddenly tightened, sluggishly circulating my etheric microcirculation.

Inspiration was sending him a warning.

Richard sat motionless for almost a minute.

The sluggishness in my chest slowly dissipated, and the operation of the Sun Constellation stabilized again.

He raised his hand and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

The meticulousness with which Hecate built her temple, manipulated the spirit messengers, and arranged her sensory space suggests that she was extremely sensitive to "information leaks."

She wouldn't let a newcomer do a directional divination at a party she planned.

If you actually reach out your informational tentacles, you won't encounter quiet natural phenomena like "tomorrow's weather."

Richard carefully put the talismans back into his bag, one by one, much slower than usual.

The cloth bag was tied tightly and stuffed into the deepest part of the drawer along with the copper dish.

He closed the drawer and turned the key all the way in.

"From now on, do not consult divination regarding anything involving Hecate."

The clock downstairs struck ten.

Richard blew out the light and lay down on the bed.

Sleep skills take effect slowly in the warmth of the blanket.

………………

He was distracted during the second day's lessons.

Mr. Holland called on him in Latin class and asked him to translate a letter from Seneca.

Richard stood up, finished translating, and gave a perfectly satisfactory answer.

"You're not really in the zone today?" Mr. Holland called out to him in the hallway as class ended.

I didn't sleep well last night.

Mr. Holland didn't press further: "Get some rest early tonight."

"it is good."

After school, Richard went straight home.

Dinner was served as usual, and Evelyn, as always, made him a "Christmas wish list" using breadcrumbs.

The first item was a new scarf, the second was chocolate, and the third was wiped off by her own thumb.

"What is the third item?"

"It's nothing."

"You've written it all down."

"Writing it down doesn't mean I'm showing it to you."

My mother coughed twice in the kitchen.

Richard walked to the kitchen doorway: "Mom, are you taking your medicine tonight?"

"have eaten."

"Then you should get some rest."

At 9:30 p.m., Richard returned to his room.

The latch was inserted, and a handkerchief was tucked into the crack in the door.

He sat at the table for a while, going over the items he had checked last time during the day once more.

After confirming everything was correct, Richard lay down on the bed.

Consciousness rose from the darkness.

The main hall of the temple was already complete; the ochre-red round table, the twelve stone pillars, and the reliefs on the beams were all still in their original positions.

Richard walked to the spot where he had sat last time and sat down on the stone bench.

He glanced around the round table out of the corner of his eye.

Dionysus had arrived and was lounging in his chair.

Prometheus also arrived, wearing a red gold mask and standing very straight.

Nemesis sat diagonally opposite Richard, with the whip and scales floating quietly above her head.

Only Ares's chair was empty.

After Richard settled in, the temple was quiet for half a minute.

Hecate spoke first.

Ares is on sick leave for tonight's party.

None of the people present spoke, but they could all guess why Ares couldn't come this time.

He must have actually followed Lauren's lead and entered the Ash Belt north of Glasgow.

This ash zone is a place where a skilled hunter team can "go in and out three times out of five times".

High risk, high reward.

Logically, this gathering should have been the best opportunity for him to cash in on his spoils.

New maps, new intelligence, and all sorts of mysterious materials... these are all hard currency that Ares can openly and honestly offer.

Unfortunately, they won't see these things until the next gathering.