"As expected, Leonard's instincts about people aren't always reliable, but his eyes are sharp. Klein really is different from the other Nighthawks."
After locking her door and changing out of the dress she'd bought specially for the dinner, Angel returned to the living room in comfortable indoor clothes. She settled onto her favorite sofa by the window, thinking under the dim yellow lamplight.
Klein's parting words kept echoing in her mind—his acceptance of the gift, his preparation to leave, those final sentences.
After all, they'd sounded almost like a threat and provocation...
However, several points could be confirmed. First, Klein had definitely mastered the "Acting Method." He'd said he'd "digested" the potion, rather than "mastered" it, as ordinary Extraordinaries would say. Moreover, he claimed to have completely digested the Sequence 9 "Seer" potion—and this was less than a month since he'd taken the potion to become an Extraordinary!
Second... thinking of his words about "catching up as quickly as possible," Angel broke out in a cold sweat.
He definitely knows I've advanced from Assassin to Instigator!
Combined with Klein's changed attitude toward her after returning from Enmat Port, and the occasional glances he'd cast her way when discussing "Instigators" during their investigation of the cursing altar, Angel felt even more certain of this.
Could he, like the amnesiac high-sequence Extraordinary Mr. Azik, possess the ability to see at a glance whether others were Extraordinaries—even determine their sequence level?
But considering how recently he'd become an Extraordinary, this possibility seemed extremely unlikely.
"Or perhaps he confirmed my situation through divination?"
Angel leaned back on the sofa, gazing at the gas lamp on the wall as she murmured to herself.
But she possessed the "Magic Pocket Watch" that could resist divination abilities. Tomasz's multiple escapes from the "Mechanical Heart's" tracking proved this magical item's effectiveness.
Stroking the pocket watch tied to her left wrist—which she wore constantly except when bathing or sleeping—Angel felt a headache coming on.
Fortunately, Klein seemed to harbor no particular hostility toward her—currently the best news she had.
After all, she'd already saved him twice. At today's dinner, Klein's attitude had been quite pleasant, and he'd even accepted her gift...
Tilting her head toward No. 2 Narcissus Street, Angel sighed.
Want to catch up to me? Want to advance to Sequence 8?
Then I'll advance to Sequence 7 first.
A smile played at the corners of her mouth at this thought.
After summarizing her "Assassin" acting experience and completing her digestion through "counter-assassination" acting—advancing to Instigator much faster than expected—Angel had confirmed one crucial fact:
This body retained considerable "acting experience."
Cole Granger had taken a full year from becoming an Extraordinary with the Assassin potion to complete digestion, even after learning the "Acting Method" from Mrs. Sharon. He'd had to plan and execute over ten assassinations.
"Angel Granger" had needed only half a month.
She believed that advancing from Instigator to Sequence 7 "Witch" would take less than a month, provided she found suitable acting rules.
Let's see whether you're faster, or I am...
Thinking of Klein confidently straightening his formal wear in front of her house, Angel's smile widened.
North District, Champagne Street, Jules Detective Agency
Cloaked and hooded, Angel was guided by the receptionist to a comfortable sitting room, where she sipped coffee that had been kept warm nearby. Soon, a man around thirty entered through the opposite door.
"Hello, you must be Miss Angel Granger. I'm Buzz Jules."
The man wore round glasses and a thin windbreaker appropriate for the weather. The open coat revealed a light-colored shirt underneath. Hatless, his black hair was meticulously arranged.
He extended his right hand. Angel rose and shook it. When he saw her face, the detective's gaze behind his glasses briefly paused before he settled stiffly onto the sofa across from her.
Should have known not to remove the hood, shouldn't have touched that coffee...
Angel felt somewhat regretful.
"I understand you want to search for all houses in Tingen City with certain characteristics and mark them on a map?"
Crossing his legs, Detective Jules asked softly, his composure restored.
Angel placed the sketch she'd obtained from Klein on the coffee table and nodded.
"Yes, it has a dark red chimney and is surrounded by lawns and gardens. It might be within Tingen city limits or in the nearby suburbs, but not too distant."
"I need more than just locations on a map—I also need information about recent activity. Whether anyone has moved in or out recently, who the landlord is, preferably with contact information."
Detective Jules took the sketch, adjusted his glasses, and studied it carefully.
"Well-drawn, but lacking in identifying details. Only the chimney color is clear, while the roof is quite vague. If we knew the roof or wall colors, it would be much easier to locate..."
Murmuring to himself, the detective seemed to forget his client entirely. He closed his eyes, his brow alternately furrowing and relaxing as if calculating some complex problem.
Angel sipped her coffee patiently, waiting.
"No problem—we'll take this commission."
After a long moment, the detective opened his eyes, set down the sketch, and smiled.
"The commission isn't particularly complex, just time-consuming and labor-intensive. We'll need to canvas every street in the city, including the broader suburbs."
"I have two approaches. One takes longer but costs less overall. The other is the opposite—we'll use all available resources to locate these houses quickly, but the expense..."
"I need it done quickly."
Angel interrupted Jules's explanation without hesitation.
"Understood. I estimate we can complete this commission in 3 to 5 days. The total fee is 30 pounds. Due to the manpower required, I'll need half as an advance payment."
Thirty pounds... This is much more expensive than the detective agency Klein found... Even half as an advance would nearly exhaust my cash... I hope it's worth the money. After all, Mrs. Green spoke highly of them.
Angel felt the pain of the expense, but this matter concerned both her and Klein's so-called "disharmonious fate." She decided to pay the sum.
After fumbling beneath her cloak, she produced three 5-pound notes and handed them to Detective Jules. Parting with these 15 pounds nearly made her penniless—she'd have to wait for next week's salary.
Jules received the money, carefully verified its authenticity, then tucked it into his breast pocket.
"Excellent. I've received the advance. Please fill out this form. We'll begin our investigation this evening. If you're anxious, you can check our progress in three days. Even if we haven't completed the commission by then, we'll compile and provide you with the preliminary materials we've gathered."
Jules summoned the nearby receptionist, a young woman in her early twenties, who quickly brought a detailed, clearly defined commission contract.
This is far more professional than our Nighthawks' surface-level operation... Really speaks to Mrs. Green's patience that she's still willing to commission the Blackthorn Security Company after seeing this detective agency...
Angel filled out the form while complaining internally.
Right, since they're so professional here...
Angel suddenly set down her pen and looked up at Detective Jules. He was startled by her gaze and instinctively straightened.
"Is there something else?"
"Do you have intelligence on the gangs or illegal organizations in Tingen City?"