I loaded the Mysticism panel.

He stopped there:

"However, what I want to talk to you about today has nothing to do with the gatekeeper."

"What I'm about to say is related to your illness."

Gerald held the booklet in his hand: "Do you know the words 'strange object' and 'infection'?"

Richard shook his head.

Gerald turned to a certain page in the booklet:

"Under normal circumstances, most of the ether will naturally dissipate back behind the veil as it circulates in the world, but a very small amount of ether will be trapped by objects."

Paracelsus named this process Tinctura, meaning immersion.

"After years of exposure, the ether on objects will form a stable deposit, which can assist in spiritual practice or be used as a medium for casting spells. It is also difficult to rust when storing esoteric texts on them."

In our trade, such objects are called "rare items."

Gerald's gaze fell on Richard:

"The pendant Vincent gave you is a rare item; under normal circumstances, it won't harm anyone."

"For Muggles who have absolutely no potential circuits in their bodies... no, ordinary people, even if they wear the artifact around their necks for their entire lives, nothing will happen."

The ether seeps out and dissipates through their bodies, like water poured on an iron plate—not a single drop penetrates.

His words were suggestive:

"But for those with potential pathways, the ether that seeps out from the artifact flows, washes, and expands along the potential pathway until the pathway is activated."

This process is accompanied by rejection reactions, such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches...

"So that time I got sick because of a rejection reaction." Richard understood what the other person meant.

Gerrard nodded, then shook his head.

"The rejection reaction usually lasts for one to two days and then ends. It's uncomfortable, but it's definitely not fatal."

His gaze lingered on Richard's face for a few seconds, his brow furrowing.

"I had Vincent bring you the ornament to test whether you had any potential loopholes."

If so, after the rejection process, you will be qualified to enter the mystical realm;

If not, that pendant is no different from an ordinary copper piece to you.

His voice lowered:

"But I didn't expect your physical condition to be so poor."

The embers in the fireplace gnawed quietly at themselves, their red glow flickering and deepening the wrinkles on the old man's face.

"A normal person can get through the rejection reaction after two days of fever, but your body almost couldn't withstand it."

A low-grade fever turned into a high fever, and the high fever led to a coma... This is my responsibility.

Richard looked at his grandfather's face; the guilt the grandfather exuded seemed genuine.

He also doesn't think he's qualified to make the other person act.

The silence lasted for a few seconds, then the old man's expression turned serious again:

"But you survived in the end."

"To be honest, when I received your mother's letter from Bristol, I was already prepared for the worst."

The worst-case scenario is probably that my grandson will be killed.

The death of a grandson whom I've barely seen since childhood is not worth mentioning at all.

On the contrary, the waste of the experimental artifacts and the loss of another option for the family in terms of young blood reserves is the real loss.

After figuring out the key points, he said he didn't feel particularly angry.

The other party's behavior is less a matter of cold-bloodedness and more a matter of maximizing efficiency.

Anyone who manages resources would do the math this way, regardless of whether they are kind or not.

If they pass the test, they become potential talent; if they fail, they become just an ordinary grandson. Both outcomes are within a controllable range.

The only variable that wasn't taken into account was that his health was so poor that the rejection reaction almost killed him.

This was a misjudgment caused by information asymmetry, and it cannot be considered premeditated murder.

Richard sorted out the matter in his mind and calmed down completely.

That's the best thing about dealing with smart people.

There is a clear logic of interests behind every action taken by the other party; understanding the logic is enough.

He turned his gaze back to his maternal grandfather.

Gerrard didn't seem to intend to dwell on the topic for long; he had already expressed his remorse, and now it was time to get down to business.

"Now that the loop has been activated, and you've taken the first step yourself."

His gaze fell on Richard's chest.

The existence of the ether microcirculation is probably as intuitive to him as seeing whether someone has a beard.

"So the next question is... which direction do you plan to go?"

"The court and administrative system have a number of committees that are not publicly disclosed and that deal specifically with supernatural matters. They are essentially official imperial bodies. Our Ashford family has served in this system for generations."

"The official one? Is it the strongest?"

"It has the most resources, the most rigorous organization, and the greatest ability to mobilize forces."

Gerrard used very precise language:

"But the term 'strongest' depends on how it's defined."

He didn't reveal more, instead introducing the other party:

"Besides the official ones, some departments in top universities are ostensibly classical literature, archaeology, or linguistics, but are actually academic institutions that study mystical theories."

The academic system maintains a cooperative relationship with the government, but remains highly independent academically.

The old man looked up and glanced at Richard.

"The Cicero Cup you're participating in is organized by the Classical Society, which is an external organization within the academic system."

He smiled and casually asked, "Someone over there must have reached out to you by now, right?"

Richard concealed a crucial piece of information: "There are some teachers at the school who are quite enthusiastic."

Grandfather didn't press further: "Then let's just leave it at that."

"Besides the official and academic systems, there are also people from all walks of life who are involved in the mystical side, such as mediums, diviners, alchemists, and herbalists. They loosely form folk guilds and have their own spheres of influence."

"I personally recommend you go through the official system." He leaned back in his chair.

"Follow the Ashford family's path, enter the civil service and start from the bottom. I'll take care of the resources and connections."

His gaze shifted to the window, where the curtains were drawn tightly shut, with a sliver of light leaking out from under the fabric.

"You can also pursue an academic path through the Classical Society."

"The two paths do not conflict."

"Many people operate in two systems at the same time. When you go to the competition, you will meet some people, including your aunt, who is involved in both systems."

Richard memorized the word "aunt," as his mother rarely mentioned her siblings.

Gerald looked directly into Richard's eyes:

"Even if you don't choose to join the official system, the family will provide you with the necessary support."

The study was quiet for a few seconds.

"Is this considered compensation?"

"Consider it something I owe you."

After he finished speaking, he stood up from his chair, walked to the far right of the bookshelf, and bent down to look for something.