"Ronald, did you also receive that invitation from the investigation bureau?"
As Ronald opened the door, Patricia walked into the room with confidence.
A young girl wore everyday clothes, holding a tray. With a brief glance, she imdiately saw the letter on Ronald’s desk.
With one hand, she pulled out the letter she had received that morning, which was identical to Ronald’s, and waved it as if jingling it.
It was then Patricia started speaking cheerfully,
"How about it?"
"How about we go together?"
"Of course, no problem."
Ronald nodded and accepted the girl’s invitation.
He paused montarily before shifting the conversation to another matter,
"However, before that, I might need to visit the church in a few days."
"According to what the investigation bureau said, they would like to undergo an inspection of mystical powers during this period."
"This..."
"That is indeed the case."
Patricia nodded calmly, explaining casually like regular small talk,
"If you haven’t been formally recorded before, it’s best to go and register at the church. That way, even if you later move to other cities within the country or even to so overseas colonies, it will serve as a convenient record."
"Our Greid-issued IDs are actually quite useful."
"And the church’s inspection usually isn’t too..."
"Hold on..."
Saying this, Patricia raised an eyebrow.
She recalled Ronald’s use of the spell before.
She slightly nodded, placing the tray she was holding on the table, picked up a cup, and sipped so hot tea. Then she seriously analyzed,
"If it were you, Ronald, you might receive quite careful treatnt from the church side, and the circumstances might be sowhat different."
"..."
Perhaps feeling that her tone was too serious.
Patricia raised her left hand to her chest and slightly adjusted her posture, leaning against the edge of the table,
"Of course, I’m not saying you should prepare for battle."
"Such caution doesn’t an the church is going to do anything outlandish."
"But compared to a typical inspection of mystical folks, their approach towards you will be much more serious. It definitely won’t be just a cursory glance from any priest."
"Patricia..."
Ronald only then began to speak after listening to her up to this point,
"Do you know the church’s inspection process?"
"For soone like ."
"I’ve had family backing since I was young, so I’ve never witnessed it personally."
The girl shook her head, denying but still tried to share as much information as she knew,
"However, according to what I’ve seen in Springs, the church’s inspection usually involves them asking you to demonstrate your school’s power traits, followed by so character-related questions."
"Right!" Patricia’s eyes suddenly brightened, and she picked up another cup of hot tea from the table and offered it to Ronald, "Otherwise...how about I accompany you when you go? With present, the church will definitely follow the standard procedure."
"..."
Watching Patricia’s expression, mories of that night when the priest looked at him flashed through Ronald’s mind.
Patricia’s invitation at this mont.
It could indeed be a great protection for him.
"That works."
Taking the tea cup from her hands, Ronald also took a sip.
This was Patricia’s privately purchased black tea, sharply different from what the landlady provided—fresh, robust, and refreshing with just one small sip invigorating the spirit.
Ronald began, expressing his gratitude:
"Thank you, Patricia."
"It’s such a bother to have you co all this way for sothing like this."
"It’s nothing, aren’t we friends?" the girl smiled lightly, changing the subject, "But Ronald, there’s sothing I need to tell you in advance."
Ronald nodded,
"Please go ahead."
Patricia then continued:
"After the completion of the upcoming Investigative Bureau’s banquet, I should be leaving Berenwich. My mother had tasked with investigating the murderer, and now that the demon nad Lama has been captured, it’s ti for to return to Springs..."
Her voice trailed off toward the end.
Ronald nodded quietly as well.
He could see that Patricia was hesitating, so he quietly waited for her to make her decision.
A few breaths passed in silence before the girl’s eyes steadied.
She then spoke earnestly:
"Ronald, have you considered moving to Springs?"
"After all, Berenwich is just a border tourist city. Springs, as our nation’s capital, is also the center of world civilization. Whether it’s the mystical side or mainstream society, it’s the most appropriate place for one’s advancent."
As Patricia spoke, she stared unblinkingly at Ronald, her fingers unconsciously tightening around her teacup.
—She didn’t hide her feelings.
After quite a thoughtful deliberation,
Ronald nodded seriously,
"In the future, I will definitely go to Springs."
"But it won’t be right now."
"In this city of Berenwich, there are still so matters I care about that aren’t settled, and so mysteries that need solving, waiting for to find the answers."
"..."
"If that’s the case, then I’ll look forward to that day."
Upon hearing Ronald’s words, Patricia smiled.
Placing her half-finished cup of tea back on the tray, she picked up the tray and walked toward the door.
"Rember to call before going to the church in two days."
"We’ll et there without fail."
"No problem."
Snap—
The door closed.
Ronald watched Patricia leave.
He waited a few seconds before sitting back down in his chair.
The weather was cold, and the imprint the girl had left on the table hadn’t yet faded.
Setting his teacup gently on the table, Ronald’s gaze lingered on the steaming tea, drifting into the distance.
The invitation from the church...
What would it be like?
He was rather curious about the church organization.
According to the information he had seen at the Investigative Bureau, back in the long-gone Dark Age, the church was the main force in persecuting and hunting those from the mystical side.
Although they both wielded the power of ancient texts, the church, an organization that spread through faith, almost entirely suppressed ordinary mystical individuals.
The difficulty of spreading mystical information was a serious issue.
However, on the church’s end, the fabricated myths woven by clerics could act as a bridge connecting the church’s Casters with the congregation.
What could be the reason that this one-sided situation would be overturned?
This was indeed sothing worth paying attention to.
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