Lord of the Mysteries - Chapter 49

Chapter 49: Divination Art

As a Seer who had just stepped through the gates of mysticism, Klein did not dare to claim he knew much . However, he was certain he knew more than ordinary people . He was aware that the various kinds of divination arts could be split into three categories based on particular standards .

And that standard was based on the source of the revelation!

The first category of divination included tarot, poker, pendulums, dowsing canes, and dreams . By using the inquirer's own spirituality and its communication with the spirit world to gain a revelation, it could be interpreted for an answer . However, spirit pendulums and dowsing canes had very high requirements of one's spirituality, Spirit Body, and Astral Projection . Non-Beyonders were unable to obtain precise or clear revelations . Card divination provided fixed symbolism, presenting even an average person's faint revelation . Dreams were somewhere in between the other forms .

The second category included Spirit Numerology and astromancy, as well as their derived forms . The fortune-teller used either the personal details of the inquirer, or changes in nature before using calculations, inference, and interpretation to answer their questions . With this method, the initiative did not lie in the inquirer, but the fortune-teller .

The third category used an external third party, separate from the inquirer and the fortune-teller . The Ouija boards that Klein was familiar with from his previous life belonged in this category . They used rituals to ask for a direct answer from the unknown or the supernatural . Even though there was a high chance that an average person would not succeed, there were cases where they managed to communicate with malicious spirits or entities that drove them to insanity . These methods of divination usually led to tragedies .

The magic mirror divination that Hanass Vincent mentioned belonged to the third category . In mysticism, mirrors were connected to the unknown and mystery, like they were the doors of the spiritual word . Thus, Klein stopped outside the meeting room, intending to learn how the famous fortune-teller would explain the divination . Klein wanted to ascertain if he needed to inform the captain or not, raiding him at night .

Of course, there was a safe way to do the magic mirror divination; one could ask for answers from the seven orthodox divinities . Even if it was very difficult for an ordinary person to receive any real revelations, they would not be in any danger or suffer any after effects .

The magic mirror divinations that were strictly controlled by the Nighthawks and Mandated Punishers were those that asked evil gods or mysterious existences for help . Furthermore, the fortune-teller couldn't randomly fabricate things . Some phrases or qualities had the potential to invite the attention of unknown entities .

In the world where the powers of the Beyonders exist, such divinations would often lead to tragedy . Klein even suspected that the original Klein, Welch, and Naya had committed such a forbidden divination by following the instructions of the Antigonus family's diary .

At that moment, Hanass also explained the principle behind magic mirror divination and described the actual process .

"First, you choose a suitable time and date according to the divinity you believe in . You can decide this using the Astromancy Manual . For example, we all know that Sundays symbolize the Evernight Goddess, for Sunday is the embodiment of rest . 2 to 3 in the early morning, 9 to 10 in the morning, 4 to 5 in the evening, and 11 to midnight are all related to the moon; thus, they are controlled by the Evernight Goddess . Thus, fortune-tellers that pray to the Evernight Goddess can use magic mirror divination during these times on a Sunday . "

Quite a good foundation . . . Klein nodded slightly while using the half-closed door to the meeting room to conceal himself .

It had to be said that with the seven major churches keeping each other in check, some mysticism knowledge had indeed leaked . For example, many of the meanings behind the symbolism could be found in the Astromancy Manual . However, without the potions or Beyonder powers, ordinary people were unable to obtain the desired effects .

"Second, we must scrutinize the mirror carefully . It must be a mirror coated with silver . You place the mirror at the position representing the moon . . . " Hanass demonstrated with the prop in his hand .

No, what he needs now is spirit dowsing . First, choose a position and recite the phrase, 'This place is suitable for magic mirror divination' seven times in your head, then see which direction the pendulum turns . Clockwise for true, counter-clockwise for false . . . Of course, if you are asking for answers from a malicious supernatural entity, the position would not matter . Rather, it would depend on whether the entity is interested in answering your questions . . . Klein silently corrected him .

At this point, he felt like a teacher listening in on a lesson . . .

Hanass Vincent could not hear Klein's mental musings as he described the preparations in detail in a normal tone .

When the members finished taking notes, he continued explaining, "After showering, confirm that you have drawn all your curtains and locked your doors . After that, light up a candle and place it in front of the mirror before sincerely praying to the divinity you believe in . Try to keep your questions simple as there's no need for fanciful embellishment . . . After praying seven times, pick up your mirror and gently toss it on the ground . Make sure to be gentle . . . Remember the way it shatters as that is a revelation from the gods . . . I will tell you the main symbolisms in a second . "

Phew, this is orthodox magic mirror divination . Klein heaved a sigh of relief as he walked into the meeting room and sat back down in his previous seat . He finished the rest of his Southville coffee in one gulp .

So-called "orthodox" divination meant that it was possible to obtain revelations, but it was impossible to truly interpret it .

And for Beyonders who reached this step, they could look straight into the mirror to obtain clear information if they received a response!

As there were many potential symbolisms after the shattering, Hanass taught for a long while . He was not done even when Edward Steve returned to the room after finishing his fortune-telling .

Klein did not ask what Edward did for his fortune-telling or what method did he use since it was an unspoken rule among fortune-tellers . While acting as a Seer, he naturally had to abide by it strictly unless the other party mentioned it .

"I discovered that many a time, our interpretation is too vague, as though it's meeting different requests, allowing different people to find a description of themselves from the interpretation . " Edward drank a mouthful of Sibe black tea and said with a soft sigh . "For example, those that encounter adversities and calamities will eventually see the light of hope . Heh heh, but no one knows when the light of hope will come . For example, a journey might not be very smooth-sailing, but you will definitely arrive alive . Hehe, the dead will not retort me . "

As he did not listen from the beginning, he ignored Hanass's magic mirror divination class .

"Survival bias," added Klein with a smile .

Survival bias generally meant that a lot of statistics would only include those who were alive and lucky . The data would ignore the dead; therefore, the results would be clearly biased .

"Right . Emperor Roselle was really a philosopher," marveled Edward .

. . . Speechless, Klein raised his empty cup and pretended to take a sip .

The members were fully immersed in the study of horoscopes and magic mirror divination the entire afternoon . Occasionally, they would also discuss with Klein and Edward .

And when that happened, Klein would try his best to meet his duty as an informal member of the Nighthawks . He would try hard to steer the topic away from anything related to Beyonders or dangerous ideas .

However, he failed at the thing he wanted to do the most . A few inquirers came, but none of them picked him to do their fortune-telling .

Perhaps I have to be more proactive in entertaining them . Should I use a few phrases like 'you are plagued with bad luck,' 'you have been unlucky recently,' or 'nothing you do will happen smoothly?' No, that's nothing like a Seer . . . With this in mind, Klein could not help but shake his head in self-deprecation .

He picked up his cane, stood up, and left after bidding everyone farewell .

At half past five, Edward Steve put on his coat and was prepared to walk out the Divination Club when he suddenly saw a familiar figure .

"Good afternoon, Glacis . Long time no see," he greeted with a smile . He saw his friend with similar interests as him wear his usual format suit with a black bow tie . In front of his chest hung a monocle .

Immediately following that, he noticed that his friend did not look well . Even his soft blond hair looked dry .

"Good afternoon, Edward . . . Cough . " Glacis with his hat in hand suddenly used his fist to cover his mouth as he coughed a few times .

Edward asked out of concern, "You seem to be ill?"

"A very serious illness . It even turned into pneumonia . If it wasn't for my wife who met an impressive apothecary and gave me a magical medicine, you would have probably had to visit me at the cemetery . " Glacis's tone was filled with a lingering fear and joy .

"Lord, I can't believe it . You were so healthy previously . Look at you, you look so frail now! I remember when I did divination on you, there were no signs that indicated that you would get a serious illness . " Edward waved his cane and said with an astonished sigh .

"My own divination had the same result as yours . Perhaps we are not qualified fortune-tellers . Besides . . . " Glacis suddenly recalled the happenings on Monday as his expression turned abnormally serious .

At that moment, the beautiful lady, Angelica, came over and bowed with a pleasant smile .

After exchanging greetings, she first showed concern for Glacis's health and provided some suggestions . Then, she mentioned in passing, "Mr . Glacis, Mr . Moretti, who requested your divination services previously, has joined our club as well . "

"The one who got me to tell his fortune?" Glacis's eyes lit up immediately . "Lord, where is he?"

"He just left . " Angelica and Edward were unable to comprehend Glacis's abnormal reaction .

Glacis took two steps in agitation and said, "The next time he comes, please ask him when he will come if I'm not around!"

"Glacis, what happened? Did that Mr . Klein Moretti do something to you?" asked Edward in puzzlement .

Glacis raised his arm and stared straight into Edward's and Angelica's probing gazes . He said in excitement, "He's a very, very, very magical . . . "

He lowered his arm and said after using "very" thrice, "Doctor!"