Bad woman, am I pretending to be bad?

“No need to apologize, Melvis, you’re right. Last night, while cutting potatoes, I did get distracted for a moment and cut my finger.”

"Charlotte, you're so careless! Did you bandage it? Did you wash it with water?"

Upon hearing about the injury, Pedeline quickly stepped forward, cupped her fingertips in her hands, and asked with genuine concern.

"It's just a minor injury, it's nothing serious."

Charlotte paid no heed to the words, not caring about the so-called offense or loss of composure; she was more concerned with the former’s eerie, blood-red eyes.

Similarly, Melvis's expression darkened slightly upon sensing this gaze.

She glanced away, seemingly unwilling to discuss the past in detail, yet she still offered Charlotte a thorough explanation.

"...It is a remnant of a special property from a certain process. Whether it is drinking a magic potion or accidentally touching it, it will accumulate subtle traces. Even now, after undergoing purification treatment, I am still deeply affected by it, to the point that I cannot sleep at night and am slightly afraid of light."

"Being able to capture this special quality shows that you are quite perceptive. This ability to observe will be very important in your future work, whether it is your own safety or the condition of others."

As his fingertips traced the closed window, Melvis lowered his gaze, his sigh tinged with even more sorrow.

“Prolonged or indirect contact will inevitably have a negative influence on the inherent negative aspects of this group’s extraordinary characteristics. Habits will be unconsciously shaped, leading them to gravitate towards the unknown, and their temperament will be gradually changed, pushing them toward the edge of irritability, indifference, and mania.”

"Some lucky ones, or rather unlucky ones, are born with a higher level of inspiration, that is, the ability to sense the spirit. They can hear sounds that others cannot hear and see things that others cannot see, and they possess some innate extraordinary characteristics. They were discriminated against in their childhood because of their unusual appearance, which made them hate people and spontaneously sink into the abyss of desire. Some of the out-of-control cases received by the arbitration tribunal are due to this."

"Therefore... one should not be too aggressive in approaching extraordinary matters. Too much looking and listening, and overly meticulous observation, will only bring misfortune."

Removing his velvet hat, Melvis paused before the floor-length glass mirror, as if recounting his past or offering advice to others.

“Pedeline, what Ms. Z instructed you to do was to teach this young lady the most basic clairvoyance and meditation, right?”

"I must say, as expected of Melvis. Even if I didn't say it, you would know so clearly."

Nodding like a little hamster, Pedeline neither denied nor refrained from verbal praise.

“A few words of praise can certainly please the heart. Fortunately, there’s not much to do today, Charlotte. Would you be willing for me to use Pederina’s words to tell you the essentials?”

"nature."

Although Charlotte had already learned most of what visions and meditation from Ms. Mossant, she never minded listening to another explanation.

"The extraordinary, having consumed the magic potion, possess hidden qualities and are thus able to actively draw upon spirituality, gaining insight into the world from a different perspective. Ordinary people, on the other hand, are born with too little spirituality and are unlikely to have the consciousness to influence or entice it. Therefore, they must use special objects to broaden their horizons."

"Ms. Z instructed you yesterday to take care of your own trivial matters first, not only out of her kindness, but also so that you could make the corresponding items during this period based on your unique medium."

He took a slender staff from the iron cabinet behind him and, as he spoke, gently placed it into Charlotte's palm.

"A magic staff, constructed entirely of oak and adorned with white mistletoe buds, infused with the fragrance of cedar and tuberose. As an ornament, it not only suits one's temperament and status but is also not easily noticed by ordinary people."

"You can name it yourself."

Gazing at the exquisitely crafted staff before her, it was clear that it perfectly complemented her figure, demonstrating Zelena's meticulous care.

Even Charlotte found it aesthetically pleasing and fitting to that melancholic and natural temperament, so she suggested calling it—

Another world.

Without hesitation, she decided on the name in the blink of an eye. To her, this world was like something in the palm of her hand—tangible yet difficult to approach, something to be encountered yet almost like a beautiful dream.

"It seems you already have the answer. Next, empty your mind, touch it, and imagine the thing in your mind as an object, something common and simple."

With her senses at rest, Charlotte willingly becomes a butterfly fluttering in her thoughts, stirring up a gentle breeze and scattering pollen, playful and unrestrained.

"Replace this object, gradually fill the space of your mind with the environment you are in, do not open your eyes, maintain a relative state, take steps, walk, extend your senses with the light sound of the tip of the cane touching the ground, step by step, in a cycle."

Da da.

Like ripples falling on the heart of a lake, with each touch of the cane and each gentle tap of the heel, Charlotte's world gained a new hue, until finally, when she looked around, it was a vibrant and colorful painting.

"Initially, we can only see the color of our own aura. Generally speaking, the mainstream field of mysticism divides the non-physical part of each person into three layers, the core of which is called the 'spiritual body,' which is the fundamental spirituality."

"What you and I can currently glimpse is the outward symbolism of the 'etheric body,' an image, a symbol. It must be interpreted to understand its specific meaning. Through it, we can directly see some spirits, ghosts, and vengeful spirits, and we can also see other people's 'etheric body,' or aura, and thus judge their health and emotional state by its different thickness, brightness, and color."

"Those extraordinary individuals in special sequences can go a step further, viewing the world with the vision of a 'celestial being,' gaining insight into the past, present, and even the future, such as the 'serpent' on the path of destiny."

snake?

I couldn't help but think of Melissant, who on that day confessed that she was a lurking snake.

Having finished speaking, Melvis took a step forward, and the ripples on the water from the tip of his cane returned as they touched the person.

"Meditation is the starting point for clairvoyance. The colors of the etheric body have different meanings. Overall whiteness indicates balance in the body. If it becomes dull, thinner, or paler, it means there's a problem in the corresponding area, indicating fatigue or illness. Of course, most people today find it difficult to maintain good physical health; perhaps 'sub-health' is a more appropriate term, and naturally, there's no such thing as an average..."

Listening to the former's description, Charlotte noticed that his perspective was no different from before, only the descriptions were different. So, Charlotte used this opportunity to observe Pedeline and Melvis.

As expected, the red-haired girl's complexion was bright and warm, as lively and cheerful as the early April sun. However, the latter was a blood-red swamp, mixed and thick, as if on the verge of getting out of control.

"That's enough. Focus your attention and gradually withdraw from that state. Ordinary people's spirituality is already thin and cannot withstand excessive depletion. This is only a last resort. Therefore, remember to use it sparingly."

Seemingly unaware of his own situation, Melvis remained calm, only expressing concern when necessary.

"Ordinary people feel tired and sore after using psychic vision and need plenty of sleep to make up for it. So, today's occult course ends here. You can go back and get a good night's sleep."

She did not feel tired or exhausted, and was no different from usual; the spiritual drain was negligible for Charlotte.

"Melvis's explanation was indeed very detailed, but I only agree with the last sentence; I almost fell asleep just listening to it."

Pedeline rubbed her eyes and gave a light yawn.

"Let's go, Charlotte. Ms. Z said she would take us to see the psychiatrist after today's business is over. Although the public's opinion of this profession isn't very good, once you see that beautiful woman, you won't think of any description more suitable for her than 'doctor'."

"Gentle, considerate, and most importantly, she and Zelena have a very good relationship, so good that even I'm a little jealous."

"No, Pedeline, you can't be so petty!"

With a soft hum, the red-haired girl was clearly not as magnanimous as she claimed.

These repeated praises, coupled with the fact that he was just an ordinary person, and the numerous words that fueled her curiosity, made it hard for Charlotte not to look forward to their first meeting.

Indeed, she met the beauty not long after.

However, it happened unexpectedly, through the death of a person.

Chapter 107 Confirmation and Puppet Making

Rewind to the present, when the day's lessons have come to an end, and the golden sunset shines through the round opening of the altar, casting its condensed brilliance, Zelena arrives on time.

Da da.

A light tap on the door with your knuckles is a polite reminder.

"Ms. Z!"

It was a gentle call that was full of surprises.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Pederina immediately put down her piccolo and rushed to his side.

"Hush, as always, do not disturb the sleeping spirits here."

With a slight smile, Zelena reached out and took the arm of the unsteady girl, offering a gentle reminder before turning to look at Melvis, who was tidying up his tools.

How have you been lately? Are those faint hallucinations still affecting you?

He frowned, his voice filled with obvious concern, but also concealing a hint of worry and apology.

"will not."

Turning her pretty face away, Melvis muttered a denial, feigning indifference.

"Oh, that was my oversight. We shouldn't have taken that risk during the Black Forest incident. If the sealed artifact hadn't gone out of control, you wouldn't have been infected, leading to..."

"That's enough, Ms. Z. I've never blamed you."

Before the former could finish speaking, the brown-haired man's tone grew increasingly cold, and even his title of address lost its friendly, collaborating feel.

Clearly, she did not mean she was completely unblameful, as she claimed.

“Since you are asking, I should be honest with you. They have indeed changed me. My body has become unfamiliar, and my mind is filled with wills that are not mine.”

She extended her slender fingers, veiled in black gauze, but instead of shaking hands with Zelena, she looked at Charlotte, a stranger she was just meeting, standing to her side.

"It's troublesome."

It was a request that showed no sign of weakness.

After a brief, fleeting encounter, Melvis lowered his eyelashes and merely inquired indifferently.

"Charlotte, what can you feel?"

"The body temperature was very low, and the touch was stiff, unlike that of a human."

Without hiding it, the mottled bloodstains in those spiritual visions all seemed to tell that the other party was on the verge of losing control. However, Charlotte was more concerned about the Black Forest incident that Zelena mentioned. She still remembered that Ms. Amani, who led Watson to the Extraordinary Gathering for the first time, died in this incident.

Of course, observing the contradictions and their healing is also one of my pleasures. Cracks in emotions always give others an opportunity to exploit them, just like Charlotte herself.

She was quite satisfied with the people and things she encountered after joining the arbitration tribunal, whether it was the gentle and considerate Zelena, the lively and cheerful Conch Girl, or the blood-eyed beauty beside her.

As for those mediocre and taciturn men, she never paid them any attention, let alone focused her energy on them.

What the main body lacks now is so-called merit, the opportunity to become an extraordinary person. This is not difficult. Charlotte is confident in her good fortune. As long as she is determined, she can succeed. Besides, if necessary, it is no problem to betray that Ms. Melissand a little. Since she is so lenient with herself, she probably won't care too much.

Anyway, Charlotte felt no guilt. If interpersonal relationships weren't used, they would lose their value, and she wasn't going to act as a so-called righteous person.

"Just as you worried, Ms. Z, I gradually became photophobic, could not taste the flavor of ordinary food, and symptoms such as limb pain and swollen gums kept appearing on my body. The voice in my head was also constantly tempting me to succumb to desire."

Crimson pupils held an eerie light. Melvis followed Charlotte's words, seemingly stating a fact, yet also subtly questioning Zelena, and himself.

“I’m having trouble distinguishing whether I am the same person now as I was before, or even earlier. Sometimes I wonder, Zelena, is keeping me in the arbitration tribunal a deliberate act of surveillance, like you’re dealing with criminals?”

Muttering and questioning, the brown-haired man's voice trembled, even revealing a barely perceptible hint of inferiority. Fortunately, Zelena quickly stepped forward, embraced him, and gently patted his shoulders and back.

"It's okay, it's only natural. Just like some people enjoy taking walks in the dark and admiring the moon. Like the vampires, ghosts, and forest goddesses in fairy tales. This period will be tough, but habits change everything. At least, I believe in you, just like before."

"Um......"

It was a soft promise, and also a tender murmur of affection.

"Would you like to come with me to see Bella? Even though it's just words, it might help you relax."

"No need. I have no complaints about the work of psychologists, but if they don't always try to pry into patients' privacy, or if they think they have stability and can help others but don't know how to control their distance, recklessly exposing what others don't want to face..."

“Bella is not that kind of psychologist.”

With a sigh, Zelena didn't insist any further; stubborn prejudices needed time to wear them down.

Having said all she could, she led Charlotte and Pederina away from the confessional, her words revealing helplessness and bitterness along the way.

she says:

"Charlotte, I hope you won't blame Melvis for her temperament. She used to be a regular member who frequently went out on missions, but due to an accident, her spirituality was corrupted by another path, and she is often caught in a struggle between two consciousnesses."

"Just as she said, even if I don't want to admit it, and don't want to look at my former comrades who shared life and death with me in that way, keeping her in an administrative position was indeed for the purpose of surveillance. That day, I told you that nearly half of the extraordinary individuals went out of control, and the root cause was our former teammates."

"Being in a church, the goddess's protection can dispel most of the delusions of evil spirits, and Pederina's string music also has a calming effect. That's why I asked this girl to go see Melvis regularly, at least to spend more time with her, communicate with her, and offer some guidance."

Lacking her usual cheerfulness, Pedeline also lowered her voice, her eyes downcast, and a rare hint of sadness crept into her tone.

“Melvis is a good girl, just like me. If it weren’t to calm her down, I wouldn’t want to have any ulterior motives when I’m with her.”

Emotional instability is a sign of impending loss of control, but so far, although he has been somewhat affected, Melvis is still able to respond rationally and not succumb to his desires.

"Tolerance is a virtue that everyone should have. I won't blame her. Besides, Ms. Melvis not only didn't make things difficult for me, but also explained to me in detail how to meditate and how to see clearly. I don't even have time to express my gratitude."

The slight nod was a reserved yet sincere echo.

Strong people always deserve forgiveness, not to mention that the brown-haired girl was a beautiful woman, and the gentle and kind Charlotte would always open a small window in her heart for them to admire.

"That's good. Let's go. As promised, I'll take you to meet Ms. Bella."

Along the wall, the faint echoes of their footsteps reverberate through the desolate underground, leading to the spiraling staircase and passing through the boundary between the hidden and the universal.

In fact, after two days of familiarizing herself with the place, Charlotte had a general idea of ​​the layout of the church's underground area. Upon entering, there was a neat reception hall with a set of sofas and chairs. Further in through the partition, on the left side of the corridor were Zelena's private room for handling official business, a small room for staff to rest, and a library for storing books. On the right side, from far to near, were various work areas with different functions, including a recreation room equipped with different facilities, and the staircase leading to the underground.

In terms of facilities and job responsibilities, it is quite cutting-edge and has everything you need.

“Ms. Z, may I ask which pathway of the Extraordinary is Melvis? This is just a bit of curiosity for a colleague.”

Not out of curiosity or worry, Charlotte simply wanted to confirm whether her guess was correct.

The tightly locked windows, the sensitivity to blood, the clothes covering her body—if I'm not mistaken, could Miss Melvis be a vampire from a fantasy story?

"Of course, after all, you'll need to pay close attention to her when working together in the future. I imagine you've already guessed from her description that Melvis is being parasitized by a 'vampire,' and her habits are passively becoming more like those described in those ghost stories in picture books—she's afraid of light, thirsts for blood..."

With a soft sigh, Zelena didn't hide anything, nor did she want to confide her negative emotions to the girl in front of her. She simply used the topic to offer a reminder and express her concern.

The tragedies she experienced in the past are the reason she is so meticulous now.

"Now that we've joined the arbitration tribunal, we can't treat the strange tales we've only heard in the past as insignificant. The topics of conversation among the public are very likely to be the source of our future busyness."