At half-past seven in the evening, at the Moretti family's dining table.
"Klein, why do you need to arrive early as a consultant? Isn't the emergency of the security company more dangerous? "Baansen forked a piece of potato from the stewed beef with potatoes and mentioned the morning's matter with hidden concern.
Klein carefully spat out the bones of the pan-fried fish and replied in a prepared manner, "There's a batch of historical documents that need to be transported to Baekeland immediately.
"A batch of historical documents that need to be transported to Backlund immediately. I need to be there to count them and ensure that I didn't miss anything. As you know, those fellows who only know how to wave their fists don't even know ancient Feysac."
Upon hearing his answer, Baansen, who had finished chewing the food in his mouth, couldn't help but sigh.
"Knowledge is really important."
Taking this opportunity, Klein took out the remaining five-pound note and handed it to Baansen.
"This is the additional payment I received today. You also need a set of decent clothes."
"Five pounds?" Baansen and Melissa spoke at the same time.
He picked up the banknote and looked at it over and over again. Half surprised and half puzzled, he said:
Half surprised and half puzzled, he said, "This security company sure is generous …"
His weekly salary was one pound and ten soli, which was exactly six pounds for four weeks. It was just one pound more than the additional payment!
And with that salary, he was able to support his younger siblings, give them a decent place to live, and allow them to eat meat two or three times a week. They also received a few new clothes every year!
"You don't doubt what I said?" Klein deliberately asked in return.
Baansen chuckled and said, "I don't think you have the ability or the guts to rob a bank."
"You're not a liar," Melissa put down her knife and fork and answered seriously.
I-I'm now a liar … Klein immediately felt a little ashamed.
Although he was forced by reality, his sister's trust still made him feel melancholy.
"Today's matter was more urgent and important. I played a key role in it … That's why it's worth five pounds," Klein explained briefly.
In a sense, what he said was the truth.
As for the five pounds he was about to receive — the sum he had planned on using to join the Divination Club — he planned on keeping it a secret. Firstly, bringing home another five pounds would really scare his siblings, making them suspect that he was doing something illegal. Secondly, he had to save up money to purchase additional ingredients for his studies as a Seer and his grasp of mysticism knowledge.
Benson took a bite of the oatmeal bread in satisfaction and thought for more than ten seconds.
"My current job doesn't require clothes that are too presentable. Well, to be precise, clothes that are too good. These at home are enough."
Without waiting for Klein to persuade him, he took the initiative to say,
"With this additional income, we'll really have savings. I plan on buying a few accounting books to further my studies. Klein, Melissa, I don't wish for my weekly salary to be below two pounds in another five years. Heh, as you know, my boss and my manager have their brains filled with sh * t. Every time they open their mouths, there's a stench."
"That's a great idea." Klein agreed and took the opportunity to lead. "Why don't you take a look at the grammar books in my room? To become a truly respectable person, it's a crucial factor to obtain a sufficiently generous reward. "
Perhaps, it wouldn't be long before the civil service exam would be held in Rouen. Making preparations in advance would give you an advantage …
Baansen's eyes lit up when he heard that.
"I've indeed forgotten about that. Come, let's toast to a beautiful future."
He didn't drink the rye beer. Instead, he poured the oyster soup into three cups and clinked it with his siblings.
After drinking the soup, Klein looked at his sister, who was battling the pan-fried fish.
He chuckled and said, "Apart from Baansen's books, I think Melissa needs a new dress."
Melissa looked up and shook her head.
"No, I think it's best …"
"Save it," Klein finished for her.
"Okay." Melissa nodded heavily.
"Actually, if we don't pursue the latest designs and fabrics, it won't be too expensive. We can save the rest of the money," Klein said in a manner that left no room for refusal.
Benson echoed, "That's right.
"Melissa, do you want to wear an old dress to Selena's sixteenth birthday banquet?"
Selena Wood was Melissa's classmate and good friend. She came from a rather good family. Her brother was a solicitor, and her father was a senior employee at the Tingen branch of Baekeland Bank.
However, their so-called banquet was just a dinner party with friends, a chat, and a game of cards.
"Alright," Melissa lowered her head and mumbled. Then, she picked up a piece of stewed beef.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly remembered something and hurriedly raised her head.
She looked up and said, "Mrs. Shaud from next door got a maid to send a name card over. She wishes to pay us a semi-formal visit on Sunday afternoon, which is four in the afternoon tomorrow, to get to know our new neighbors."
"Mrs. Shaud?" Klein stared blankly at his brother and sister.
Baansen tapped the edge of the dining table with his finger and said, as though he was thinking,
"Mrs. Shaud of 4 Daffodil Street? I've met her husband. He's a senior solicitor. "
"A senior solicitor … Maybe he knows Selina's brother," Melissa said with a hint of joy.
We are 2 Daffodil Street … Klein nodded slightly.
"It's necessary to get to know the neighbors, but as you know, I still have to go to the security company on Sunday, and I can only rest on Monday. Please apologize to Mrs. Shaud for me."
Speaking of this, he thought of his neighbors from his previous life when he was young. He thought of the neighbors who lived in the apartment on Iron Cross Street.
He sighed in amusement and said, "A semi-formal visit … Shouldn't neighbors naturally get to know each other and interact naturally?"
"Haha, Klein, you don't understand. You've been reading quite a lot of newspapers recently, but you haven't come into contact with the magazines that are provided to families and women. They call families with an annual income of 100 to 1,000 pounds middle-class. They promote this as the backbone of the entire kingdom, and they praise the middle-class for not having the arrogance of the nobles and tycoons, nor are they as crude as the lower-income classes."
Baansen explained in a relaxed and cheerful manner. "These magazines simplify many of the rituals between the nobles, using it as a symbol of the middle-class. This is where the difference between intimate visits, semi-formal visits, and formal visits originates from."
As he spoke, he shook his head and laughed.
"Typically, the gentlemen, madams, and ladies who view themselves as this class will pay special attention to such details. Their visits to their neighbors and friends are from two to six in the afternoon. It's called a morning visit."
"Morning visit?" Klein and Melissa asked in surprise.
How can a visit from two to six in the afternoon be considered a morning visit?
Baansen put down his cutlery and shrugged with a smile.
"I don't know why either. I only read a few magazines brought by my female colleagues. Hmm, perhaps it's because I have to wear a morning gown to visit …"
Originally, morning gowns were worn during Mass and gatherings. Later, it was referred to formal wear during the day, which was different from evening gowns.
"Alright, remember to buy some good coffee and tea tomorrow morning. Also, buy some muffins and lemon cake from Mrs. Smyrin. Don't be rude in front of your neighbors." Klein laughed as he dipped the remaining bread into the gravy, picked up the potatoes, and put them in his mouth.
…
The next day, which was Sunday morning.
Klein finished the last mouthful of inferior tea, put down the newspapers, put on his half top hat, picked up his silver-inlaid black cane, and slowly walked out of the door. He took a public carriage to Zouteland Street.
He greeted Roshan, who had just ended her night shift and was planning to sleep in the break room. He then went all the way down to the basement.
Around the corner, he met a Nighthawk team member, Sleepless Royale Reideen.
She was a cold-looking lady with slender eyebrows and large eyes. Her hair was black and smooth like silk.
"Good morning, Ma 'am Reideen," Klein said with a smile as he bowed.
Royale glanced at him with her dark blue eyes and nodded indiscernibly.
Just as the two of them were about to brush past each other, Royale suddenly stopped and looked ahead.
"Ritualistic magic is a very dangerous thing."
Ah … Klein was taken aback. When he turned around again, all he saw was her departing back.
"Thank you." He frowned and called out softly to Royale Reiden's back.
Turning left, he quickly saw Old Neil in the armory's duty room, as well as Bright, who wasn't supposed to be there.
"Let's go to my place. I've already received the corresponding materials. Bright has also agreed to help me watch the place," Old Neil said with a chuckle.
Klein was immediately surprised.
"Not here?"
Old Neil clicked his tongue as he carried the silver suitcase.
"There's no space to practice ritualistic magic here."
Klein didn't ask further and followed Old Neil back to the surface. Following that, the two of them took a public carriage and went all the way to the outskirts of North Borough.
Old Neil's house was a single-family house. The garden in front of it was planted with roses, gold mint, and other "materials."
The moment they entered, there was a carpeted porch. There were two high-back chairs and an umbrella stand.
Through the porch was a spacious living room. The walls were covered with light-colored wallpaper, and the floor was painted dark brown. In the middle was a small carpet with a floral design, and there was a heavy round table.
The round table was surrounded by comfortable benches, chairs, and a piano.
"My deceased wife was very fond of music." Old Neil pointed at the piano and casually said, "The sofa and coffee table are in the activity room … Let's do our ritualistic magic in the living room."
"Alright," Klein replied cautiously.
Old Neil put down the silver chest and smiled.
"I'll demonstrate a ritualistic magic to you first. Observe and memorize it."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of fake goatskin from the silver chest. He used black ink that was specially concocted and had a tranquil fragrance to draw a strange pattern on it.
Klein looked again and realized that Old Neil seemed to be drawing a bill!
After Old Neil filled in the number 30 and the corresponding pound symbol, Klein couldn't control himself any longer. He asked in puzzlement and confusion, "What's wrong with Old Neil?
He asked in confusion and confusion, "Mr. Neil, what ritualistic magic are you going to perform?"
Old Neil coughed twice and answered very seriously.
"I'm going to use magic to settle the debt of 30 pounds today."
That works? Klein's eyes widened as his mouth gaped.
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