Chapter 57: Chapter 57: This Is Just LV1
The new skill’s description seemed simple, but the knowledge that bloomed in Lloyd’s mind was far more extensive than that of his previous skills.
He also gained a new muscle memory. Just as the description stated, all he needed now was a general understanding of an Orbit’s principles, required materials, and intended effect to set it up with perfect accuracy.
This saved a massive amount of practice time and prevented a great deal of wasted materials. Otherwise, just accurately drawing the required images and Marks would have demanded long hours practicing his art or carving skills.
Furthermore, as his understanding of an Orbit deepened, he could miniaturize it and make it portable, allowing him to carry it with him for use at a moment’s notice. This would significantly enhance an Orbit’s convenience.
Additionally, if his inspiration was high enough, he could control the Orbit remotely, making it even more convenient.
In short, this skill, [Orbital Control], strengthened and compensated for the various inherent flaws of an Orbit—its high cost, cumbersome setup, immobility, and difficulty with remote control. It was an incredibly powerful and practical skill.
The crucial part was that this was only at LV1. ’I’d call it the strongest level-one skill, hands down,’ Lloyd thought. ’It was definitely worth slogging through all those thick books to get it.’
However...
Right now, there were only two Orbits he could say he had ’roughly mastered.’
One was the demonstration Orbit from his textbook—[Emergency Assistance]. It required devices like a music box, radio, or record player. Once set up, it would automatically loop a recording of someone shouting, "Help me! Help me!" at an extremely high volume.
’It seemed useful in theory, but it also felt incredibly embarrassing...’
The other was from the mole Williams’s memories: [Intense Concentration]. This one required materials with a calming effect, such as incense, potions, candles, and a bell that would ring on its own. It helped a person focus more easily, banish distracting thoughts, and maintain a clear mind.
It was originally a positive Orbit meant to improve study efficiency, but the mole had used it to conceal his own guilty conscience and avoid detection by the Veto Saint.
’You had to admit, the guy was a real piece of work...’
This was why Lloyd hadn’t rushed to enter the [Thought Realm] to study or seek an [Audience with the Saint]. He wanted to prepare a set of this Orbit first, just in case.
Judging by the extent of Williams’s fear of the Veto Saint, she was likely capable of prying into people’s minds. Although she hadn’t peered into Lloyd’s thoughts during their two previous encounters, there was no telling what she might do in the future. Lloyd didn’t dare take that risk.
However, the materials required for this Orbit were a real pain. The incense and candles were fine; you could get them if you were willing to spend enough money. But the ’bell that rings on its own’ was another story. It would probably be very difficult to acquire through legitimate channels.
In Williams’s memories, at least, he had only obtained the bell by blackmailing a Judge he’d caught frequenting a French salon.
In any case, though Lloyd had a new skill, he had no way to test it for the time being. ’I can’t just go and set up an [Emergency Assistance] Orbit, can I?’
He planned on asking Weiya later if she had any way of getting his hands on one.
"Orbits really are a complex and vast system. There’s still so much I need to learn... Suddenly, I feel like I’m running out of time again. If only you could buy more time with money."
Lloyd sighed, setting aside his thoughts about the new skill for the moment. He then pulled two Spiritual Objects from his coat.
One was the antique pocket watch issued by his superiors; the other was the congratulatory gift he received from Miss Desda last night—
An exquisitely crafted monocle with a pure Gold chain, an essential accessory for any respectable gentleman. A faint wisp of Spiritual Energy clung to it. While it had no specific function, its presence was proof of the expensive materials and masterful craftsmanship. It was certainly not cheap.
But it wasn’t very practical. It made him look older, and it gave him a headache. He could only set it aside for now and see if a need for it arose in the future.
The pocket watch was a different matter. The Spiritual Energy attached to it was stronger, making it perfectly suited for Divination. Lloyd had already tried out the [Medium Divination] he had been so eager to learn. Since then, he had been using it every day to check if Evelor was safe.
"How is my sister’s mood right now?"
Lloyd repeated the question aloud, wound the watch’s spring halfway, then opened the cover. He studied the positions of the hour, minute, and second hands and began his interpretation.
"Hmmm... the Divination points to ’bogged down by mundane tasks,’ ’frazzled,’ and ’full of anticipation.’ Looks like she got a lot of submissions again today. ’But what is she looking forward to? Did some author who’s always going on hiatus finally start updating again?’"
[Medium Divination] was, after all, a simple and basic form of Divination. It couldn’t provide clear-cut answers, only a general sense of things.
Since his sister was fine, Lloyd returned to his studies.
When he returned home that evening, he found a high-end black steam-powered car parked in front of his apartment building, drawing stares from passersby.
Floating beside it was a powerful figure of High Position: the butler, Randolph.
Lloyd hurried over, but before he could even greet him, the car door swung open. Evelor and Desda were sitting inside, waving at him.
"Yi! Over here!"
"No time to explain, just get in."
Puzzled, Lloyd got into the front passenger seat next to the butler, who was in the driver’s seat. The door shut, and the car sped off toward the eastern part of the city.
Only then did Evelor and Desda explain to Lloyd where they were going.
Apparently, last night’s disastrous ’trip to Arkham’ had made Miss Desda feel she’d lost face, since she was the one who had chosen the destination...
So, wanting to make up for it, she had asked her butler to arrange a genuinely thrilling ’trip to Arkham.’
’So that’s probably what Evelor was so full of anticipation for earlier today.’
After the explanation, Miss Desda added with a mischievous grin,
"Lloyd, try not to cry from fright later, okay...?"
Evelor, seated next to her, quickly chimed in to help.
"Don’t be scared, Yi! Your big sister is here for you!"
Lloyd didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’Why are they so fixated on this stuff? Do they really see themselves as folklorists or something?’
The butler at the wheel, however, simply wore his usual calm yet inscrutable smile, content to go along with their antics.
Watching the butler’s skillful driving, Lloyd recognized he was clearly an experienced driver. He couldn’t help but sneak a peek at the gas and brake pedals.
Good heavens. His feet weren’t on the pedals at all; the pedals were moving by themselves.
Yet Lloyd couldn’t sense any Spiritual Power, nor the Spiritual Charm or fluctuations of any other Extraordinary Power. It was as if the car were driving itself.
’Is this the driving technique of someone in a High Position?’
Lloyd couldn’t help but gasp, sensing the butler’s terrifying power from such an inconspicuous detail.
’A Tier Seven expert... was this how terrifying they were?’
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