88 EQ

Ryan nodded at Lumians confirmation.

You can interpret it that way, but if there are any other abnormalities worth investigating, we cant ignore them.

Alright. Lumian actually shared the same thought.

He hadnt even planned on participating in Lent, just in case he couldnt resist attacking when he saw the performance at the celebration.

The four of them rapidly reached Lumians residence, where Aurore led them to the second floor.

Now dressed in a pure white cotton dress that accentuated her down-to-earth charm, Aurore pointed to Lumians bedroom and study, offering the three official investigators a choice.

You can choose either room.

Ryan glanced at Leah, seeking her opinion.

After pondering for a few seconds, Leah raised her right hand, pointed at the study with a smile, and said, That recliner looks pretty good; I could sleep there. Ryan, bunk in that room with Valentine.

While Aurore had the same question in mind, Lumian asked, You trust us that much?

He assumed the three foreigners would opt to sleep in the same room on the floor, fearing an attack if they were separated.

Leah grinned and answered Lumians half-mocking, half-doubtful query, My divination tells me the two of you can be trusted.

As she spoke, she walked into the study. Accompanied by tinkling sounds, she lay on the recliner with a contented expression.

Aurore found Leah intriguing and approachable. She smiled and advised, A friend once told me that you can believe in divination, but not blindly. Divination is not all-powerful.

My mentor said something similar, but were all in the same situation. If I dont trust it, what else can we do? Leah replied with a grin, snuggling into the recliner.

Aurore didnt mind relinquishing her favorite seat. She pulled over a chair and sat down.

Their study also served as a small living room. It occasionally hosted afternoon tea parties, so there was ample space and chairs.

Ryan surveyed the corridor briefly before returning to the study. He said to Aurore and Lumian, I have some suggestions.

Please, go ahead. Aurore politely assumed an attentive posture.

Ryan nodded and offered, First, when you sleep at night, dont close any doors. Let everyone be in the same space. This way, no matter where an abnormality occurs, we can react promptly.

Second, considering weve destroyed the altar, someone might attempt to deal with us before Lent. Starting tonight, everyone will take turns on night duty. Yes, from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the next morning, two hours per person...

How professional... Aurore muttered almost silently.

Lumian glanced at her, as if asking why she hadnt thought of it.

Aurore spread her hands slightly, signaling her lack of experience in team operations.

She then turned to Ryan and Valentine, stating confidently, Lumian will cover the period between 10 p.m. and midnight.

Leah and the others didnt object to this arrangement.

From their perspective, it made sense. Among the five present, Lumian had the lowest Sequence and least experience. He was most prone to mistakes on night duty, but from 10 p.m. to midnight, others would still be awake to cover for him.

Lumian knew his sisters intentions extended beyond this.

He had to explore the dream ruins undisturbed after falling asleep.

After finalizing the first schedule, Valentine volunteered, Im used to sleeping and waking early. Ill take the 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. slot.

You get up early to welcome the sunrise? Lumian teased instinctively.

Valentines gaze on him softened.

Yes, I want to greet the rising sun and praise the light.

His eyes seemed to say: As expected, only a devout believer of the Eternal Blazing Sun understands me.

Hey, Im mocking you, brother! Lumian felt slightly defeated by Valentine.

In the Eternal Blazing Sun Church, brother was a term used among believers. The two mainstream organizations within it, the Order of Preachers and the Brotherhood Minor, employed the term.

Im not used to being woken up mid-sleep, Leah chimed in. Ill take the midnight to 2 a.m. slot.

Aurore nodded.

I like to wake up late. I can take 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. And dont wake me for breakfast tomorrow. Ill get up around noon.

Leave the rest to me. Ryan claimed the worst period with satisfaction.

He also entered the study and found a chair to sit on.

A conversation flowed effortlessly. Aurore, though seldom venturing out, possessed a wealth of knowledge spanning from astronomy to geography. She had her finger on the pulse of the latest trends, scandals, and supernatural events in metropolises like Trier and Backlund. This left Leah, Ryan, and the others secretly in awe of her.

As expected of the renowned author, Aurore Lee, Leah couldnt help but exclaim. No wonder you can tackle any theme.

Aurore inquired with genuine curiosity, Have you read my novels?

Leahs eyes sparkled as she replied with a smile, Ive been reading your first novel since I was a young girl. By the way, Id love your autograph!

As she searched for papers and fountain pens, the silver bells on her veil and boots jingled.

Are those Sealed Artifacts? Having heard Lumian mention Leahs performance with the four bells, Aurore couldnt resist asking.

Leah produced a stack of post-it notes and a fountain pen, casually responding, Yes, they can proactively warn me and enhance my divination abilities. The downside is theyre rather noisy and not exactly discreet. Plus, the wearer must dress fashionably, with a dress being mandatory. It has to look good, or itll be not only useless but also potentially misleading or even dangerous.

Aurore chuckled. I cant decide if these bells were originally a man or a woman.

Lumian agreed. If they were from a woman, it was a remnant of her vanity. If a man, he was undoubtedly a pervert.

Leah offered a faint smile.

That involves some confidentiality, so I cant say any more.

She stood up, handing Aurore a post-it note and the fountain pen.

Aurore signed and asked, Which genre of my novels do you prefer?

Romance, Leah replied without hesitation. Your first novel, Eternal Love, left a deep impression on me.

I wrote that book too early, Aurore admitted with a hint of embarrassment. I was young, and my writing skills were unpolished. I lacked experience. Many scenes felt rigid, and much of the dialogue was overly emotional and unrealistic...

Lumian chimed in, But its sincere and original.

Having read his sisters novel, he knew it dealt with a couples separation through life and death, interwoven with adventure, misunderstandings, and terminal illness. It was a trailblazing piece in the Intis literary world.

Naturally, this drew criticism from conservative authors and critics. They echoed Aurores self-assessment and claimed it couldnt qualify as literature, deeming it a mere pedestrian novel.

Thats right, Leah agreed, retrieving the paper and pen. She looked at Aurore and asked with a smile, Ms. Author, would you consider becoming our informant at Bureau 8?

Seeing Aurores surprise, she continued, Our primary objective in targeting wild Beyonders is that theyre unpredictable and may lose control or cause disaster at any moment. Otherwise, they can use their Beyonder powers for all sorts of malicious purposes to satisfy their desires.

Over the past few days in the village, Ive carefully observed both of you and confirmed that youre orderly Beyonders. Prior to arriving in Cordu, the information we gathered indicated that you havent committed any wrongdoing on the surface.

This meets our recruitment standards. Moreover, once you become our informants, you wont need to worry about being targeted by official Beyonders.

Aurore found the proposition enticing. She glanced at Lumian and gave a slight nod.

Ill think about it. Ill give you my answer when the cycle is over.

Lumian immediately understood why his sister had looked his way.

I dont have a problem, but will a heavily corrupted guy like you bomb the test?

After chatting briefly, the siblings bid adieu to Leah and the others and headed back to Aurores room.

Aurore perched on the edge of the bed and glanced at the door. She hushed her voice and muttered, Leahs socially adept.

What do you mean? Lumian also sensed Leah had made the vibe harmonious in the study.

Aurore smiled and said, She took the initiative to bring up my novel and asked for my autograph to bond with me, so she could pitch recruiting me. The recruiting was to fix the distrust and barriers we have, easing teamwork the next few days.

The whole process seemed natural, not off-putting or wary. Thats a sign of high EQ. You should follow her lead!

Lumian remembered the chat and said self-deprecatingly, If it were me, I mightve been booted by now.

Amused, Aurore leaned back and said, At least you know yourself!

She ruffled her blonde hair and said, Ill nap a bit. My eyes havent fully healed so I need more rest. Rouse me at ten and Ill keep watch over you. Its your first night shift, so better safe than sorry.

Lumian didnt object and agreed instantly. He watched his sister lie on the bed unhesitatingly, pull the blanket over her and close her eyes.

The room instantly turned eerily silent.

Lumian quietly switched off the electric lamp and drew the curtains.

Then, he sat on the chair by the desk and quietly watched his sister sleeping peacefully under the crimson moonlight. His heart gradually calmed down.