Jane's Choice

Detective Isengard narrowed his eyes, considering Ebner's request for a moment before he replied, "I won't ask why you want to borrow '2-081,' but I'll caution you that in this world, it's essential to proceed step-by-step. You can't be impatient or reckless, or you'll only invite disaster."

Ebner was touched by his teacher's caring, non-intrusive attitude. He straightened up and nodded seriously. "I understand. Thank you for the advice, Teacher."

"My Beyonder item is stored in the supply room every night. I'll allow you access to it from ten to eleven each evening. For now, focus on today's reading and the reports that need reviewing," Detective Isengard said, retreating to his office.

Ebner clenched his fists, feeling he was one step closer to Sequence 7!

...

Near the Bravehearts Bar, in the same apartment Ebner had used to prepare his Sequence 9 Reader potion, Jane sat motionless, her face blank as she stared at her father's body. She looked like a statue, devoid of tears, but somehow even sadder than if she had been crying.

Silent grief cuts far deeper than tears.

Opposite her sat Miss Sharron, whose appearance was as delicate as a doll's, and the somber, pale-faced youth, Maric.

"We've explained everything that happened. Both Sharron and I are grateful for your father's sacrifice; it allowed us to escape. Though… he didn't mean to help us…" Maric paused, frowning as he looked at the girl, who hadn't reacted. He raised his voice slightly and continued, "As for repayment, I'll offer you two choices. The first is a considerable sum of money, along with a new identity, so you can move to another city and start fresh…"

"What's the second choice? Can I gain extraordinary powers like yours? I want revenge!" Jane's icy voice cut him off before he could finish.

"That's what I was about to explain. We'll help you become a Beyonder, and you have two options. The first is to wait a while until Sharron and I can gather materials for a 'Prisoner' potion. The second is for you to directly consume your father's Beyonder characteristic and become a 'Corpse Collector.' But I have to warn you, that could be dangerous since we don't know the potion's supplementary ingredients," Maric said evenly.

"So… my father was a 'Corpse Collector'? No wonder he kept going out at night… Even Ebner told me he was out volunteering…" Jane mumbled to herself, then came to a decision, her voice resolute. "I'll take my father's path! I want to follow in his footsteps down this extraordinary road and keep him with me, always!"

"Are you sure about this? You need to understand that directly consuming a Sequence 9 Beyonder characteristic has a higher chance of causing you to lose control than a complete potion," Maric reminded her.

Jane didn't answer, only looking back at him with a determined gaze.

"Maric, grant her wish," Sharron said in her usual cool voice. "Her resolve is unwavering."

After a moment of silence, Maric nodded. He took out a preparation flask, blended the Beyonder characteristic left by Mr. Grant with some harmless common ingredients, stirred the mixture thoroughly, and then handed it to Jane.

Without hesitation, Jane took the flask and drank it down in one gulp.

...

That evening, Ebner was reviewing one of Detective Isengard's past cases when the butler came in and handed him a telegram.

"A telegram from the Bravehearts Bar? From Kaspars, asking me to meet him there…" Ebner read the note and considered it for a moment. He then left his room and knocked on the door to his teacher's office.

"Kaspars is trustworthy; he wouldn't cause you trouble…" Detective Isengard, understanding his intentions immediately, smiled.

Ebner nodded, mulling over his teacher's response. "Honestly, I was planning to visit him anyway… I didn't expect him to contact me first. Given the situation over there, I assumed they'd be laying low."

"So, you know a little about what happened with that girl's family…" Detective Isengard's expression shifted as he pieced things together. "Don't worry about me; I have enough influence to keep them from acting out here."

Ebner breathed a sigh of relief. He had a good idea of who was looking for him. Though Maric and Sharron were not malicious characters in the original novel, it was wise to be cautious. He had to make sure he left himself a backup plan.

Detective Isengard thought for a moment and then took a hat from his desk, handing it to Ebner. "Here, take this with you. It'll give you an edge if you find yourself in danger."

"This is…" Ebner's mind immediately went to a passage in the novel describing his teacher's prized Sealed Artifacts, one of which was on par with Klein's Sun brooch.

"This is a shape-shifting hat. Wearing it will allow you to move freely underwater for up to half an hour and use some water- and wind-based spells. The downside is that you'll crave water, and you'll weaken if you stay on dry land for too long. However, a short visit to the bar won't trigger these effects to any serious degree," Detective Isengard explained with interest.

"Thank you, Teacher!" Ebner gratefully accepted the hat, whose value he estimated to be at least 2,000 pounds, and headed to the Bravehearts Bar.

...

When Ebner arrived at the bar, Kaspars was in his usual spot, leaning against a pool table. He watched Ebner enter the game room with a hint of surprise.

"You've changed a lot since I last saw you! If not for your face, I might not have recognized you," Kaspars remarked, eyeing him curiously.

Ebner sighed, feeling a bit nostalgic. "A lot's happened lately. I suppose I've grown up a bit."

"Well, let's not dwell on it. Someone's waiting to see you. I'll take you to them," Kaspars said, setting down his cue stick and hobbling toward the door.

"Who's waiting for me? Mr. Maric?" Ebner asked casually as he followed.

"Why would you think it's him? No, he wouldn't risk showing his face right now. It's a young lady who wants to see you," Kaspars replied with a chuckle.

"A young lady? Could it be Jane?" Ebner looked surprised. Since his arrival in this world, he had only met a few women—Xio and Fors among them—but neither would need Kaspars's help to arrange a meeting.

They soon arrived at a familiar building.

Kaspars opened the door and gestured for Ebner to enter.

Ebner took a deep breath and stepped into the lounge. 

...