"Please sit."

I gesture towards the seat in front of me, and Ciel doesn't waste any time settling in.

She removes her mask, revealing the beautiful face hidden underneath. I've had her dress like this to reduce the kind of attention she attracts in her normal form, but now that it's just the two of us, it isn't necessary.

"Now that you've seen the sheer scale of the resources you will be dealing with, I'd like to provide you with the recipes. We'll go over them together, and if you have any insights or corrections, you can let me know." I bring out sheets of paper which I already prepared beforehand to serve as copies of what Regulus Heathcliff transcribed for me.

I initially thought of tweaking these recipes or fragmenting them to hide the full truth from Ciel, but that'll waste too much time and would be a detriment to me.

If I consider the fact that Ciel is already at the peak of Rank 1 and doesn't require any improvement on Interference Power, then there really is no point in keeping this a secret.

Plus, she already has her own recipe to solve Existential Deficiency—a secret formula passed down from the generations of Leviathans before her.

Although I am curious about it, it's one of the most cherished secrets of the Vey'lithars.

I can't possibly demand it without offering something of equal value in exchange. Hence, by showing Ciel this complete recipe, which is largely useless to her, I'll be able to learn of this Vey'lithar secret recipe.

We go through the whole thing together, and much to my surprise, Ciel appears impressed.

No, more than that.

She is completely blown away.

"T-this is… It's so refined and sophisticated. The recipe for Existential Deficiency is far superior to our own, and the others also have very simplified yet effective steps. Such reactions… I didn't think they were even possible, but it also makes sense…" She keeps rambling like this without an end in sight.

I can understand some of her words, since I am an Alchemist myself, but I am way out of my depth when it comes to actual experience and knowledge when compared to someone like Ciel or the one who wrote this recipe.

I'm only an Intermediate Alchemist, after all… and I barely made the cut.

"Where did you find these recipes? They're too refined to have been produced by this Kingdom, no offence…"

I scratch my head and laugh.

'I mean, our Kingdom's founding Leviathan was the one who wrote it out. I don't know where he derived it from, but it didn't seem like he had any Leviathan comrade. His closest friend, the King, was a regular human. So I can only assume he made it himself.'

I explain my thought process to Ciel, but she shakes her head in disagreement.

"Even if he was a Rank 2 Exemplar and had a long life because of Backflow, this recipe is too good to have been solely made by him. Do you have any idea how many generations passed in the Sanctuary before we were able to develop our current recipes? Right now, they have all reached perfect stages and have no room for improvement. However, these recipes have taken completely different approaches and have made many innovations that I didn't even think were possible. I refuse to believe a single man came up with this."

"Mayne Sir Arthur Snow was simply smarter than your ancestors…" The moment I utter these words, Ciel gives me a deep frown.

I am forced to apologize almost instantly.

"Creating recipes like this is too technical, Javier. Most of the time, you have to build on pre-existing knowledge. To innovate, you need a lot of trial and error… and for something this sophisticated, which leaves no room for waste and has trimmed the procedures to the most optimal level… it would take several generations."

I think I understand what Ciel is driving at.

I mean, to make my three Grade 3 Potions, Aunt Leila and I had to consult Esther's Grimoire on several occasions.

Without it, we would have been stuck from the start and at various steps.

Alchemy is a complex process, and for ordinary humans making Potions, it is extremely difficult to make a breakthrough and innovate in the industry.

The world of Leviathans is even more mysterious and frightening.

It is difficult to comprehend so many profundities, even for those who have ventured into it.

As such, I understand how difficult creating such a refined recipe would be. For a single Leviathan, it would be next to impossible.

But that's only assuming he was alone.

"Sir Arthur Snow had information about five Ranks of Leviathans and all six Pathways. He also knew the abilities of other Pathways and despised his own, preferring to be a Leaper or Seeker instead." I explain the contents of his last messages to Ciel. "He definitely had contact with other Leviathans, which broadened his horizons. That's likely how he was able to obtain these recipes."

Could it have been a Leviathan Organization?

I have no clue.

"I'd like to see your Vey'lithar recipes. Both for increasing Interference Power and for curbing Existential Deficiency."

"Sure…" Ciel sighs, reaching out within her robe to bring out two scrolls.

So she had them with her, huh?

Smart woman.

She must have known that I would want to bargain for them at some point. The fact that she didn't even resist but handed them over means she understood my intention in letting her see my own recipes.

Although she's trying her hardest to hide it, it's obvious that she now sees me in a different light now that I've shown her something so profound.

I can feel her curious gaze resting on me.

She's likely wondering what else I have hidden under my sleeves.

That's good.

It'll make her more willing to cooperate.

Unfortunately, I have already exposed most of my trump cards to her. My biggest trump card is Lady Anastasia, but I can't even contact her at the moment.

"You'll be returning to the Sanctuary with the Special Resources, and I'll give you up to a month to stay there and brew as many Potions for me as possible. I'm busy with some affairs here, so I won't be accompanying you this time."

"Really?"

Ciel shows surprise, and I can't blame her.

After all, our arrangement exists so that I can constantly keep an eye on her. However, the opposite is also true.

The Sanctuary is too far away from the Academy City, so Ciel won't be able to observe me or effectively scheme against me with such a distance.

We keep a check on each other using this method.

But it can't be helped this time.

I'm too busy with the Royal Academy, as well as the other issues I haven't yet solved.

I can't be moving around now.

Uncle Damon and Leon will come with you. They're my most trusted aides, like family to me, so treat them well.

By using those two, I have achieved two things.

I have given Ciel a weakness of mine to hold onto until we meet again. I have also put two of my trusted men to supervise her and ensure she doesn't do anything detrimental to me.

Ciel nods at this proposal.

It appears we have both reached an understanding.

What a difficult woman.

I wish I could trust her, and that our relationship could exist without these mechanics, but that isn't a luxury I can afford at the moment.

The possibility of betrayal from both sides is very low due to just how much we stand to lose, but I can never know when that changes.

I simply have to remain cautious.

"That boy… Seth Clayford… you know he suspects you of being Evernight." Ciel suddenly brings up another topic.

I sigh and nod.

"Yes, I know."

It's no surprise that Ciel knows of this, since she has been paying special attention to Seth ever since she met him.

It seems she also noticed how special his existence is.

After I explained his unique Divination and how it influenced my participation in the Excursion, she became even more curious about him.

I can only assume she has been observing him with Clairvoyance for an extended period.

'Seth will be leaving for the church soon, so Ciel will not see him again after she leaves for the Sanctuary

"That boy… I believe a Seeker is behind him."

"Hm?" I raise my brow. "What makes you say so?"

"First, let me ask this: how do you think Divination works?"

I scratch my chin for a moment, silently ruminating on the question.

I have worked closely with two Diviners: Ruthina and Freya. Both of them have explained the mechanics of their Divination to me, and while there are differences, the core concept remains the same.

"Their perception enters another plane where they see frames of the world play out in front of them. Of course, they need an anchor for their mind, else they will be shown random frames. And without the ritual controlling the experience, and the Potion strengthening their senses, they could be overwhelmed by the Divination and turn insane."

Ciel nods at me.

"So you know the basics. Now, listen closely… Diviners are actually closely tied to Leviathans in the Seeker Pathway. "

'I knew it!'

The similarity was too glaring.

I have had this sneaking suspicion for some time now, but it feels cathartic having Ciel expose this to me.

"Although they cannot see Aego or directly interact with the Layers of existence, through their elaborate ritualistic practice, they can achieve something close: sending their existence through Aego. Of course, only a few people are capable of this feat. There aren't many whose existence is sensitive to Aego and the Layers of Existence."

I nod while paying rapt attention.

"When their existence is sent through Aego, they become vulnerable to the influence of a Seeker. Seekers constantly look through the world, whether with Clairvoyance, Vision, or Prophecy. Hence, no Divination can be successful without the permission of a Seeker. Any failure that isn't a mistake of the Diviner is also likely tied to a machination of a Leviathan."

"I see." I mutter almost silently. "Seekers perceive the world and can show the Diviners what it is they wish to see if it does not interfere with their own machinations or the machinations of other Leviathans."

"Yes. That Seth fellow interfered with my scheme due to the Divination he had, which makes no sense unless a superior Seeker allowed him to witness it."

"So that's why you said that…" I murmur.

Could this be connected to the church? Is this their deeply held secret?

What if they have a Leviathan in their order?

That is a frightening possibility.

'But a Seeker higher than Ciel? Why would such a person help Seth see something like that? Why would they help me?' I ask myself.

If they were so strong, why would they be satisfied hiding in the Church's shadow?

The church isn't even well-revered in the Randalorion Kingdom, so it makes no sense that such a person would stick to them.

Besides…

'Zarius ran rampant and treated the Randalorion Kingdom like his playground. A Rank 2 or above Leviathan wouldn't have let him cause so much chaos.'

I doubt there really is a Leviathan hidden in the church.

But I can't be completely sure.

"Seth has these Divinations when he sleeps, right? And he has no control over what he sees. I believe his existence is extremely sensitive to Aego and one's existence is actually most vulnerable when they sleep. Without an anchor, his existence should basically be shown random things, unless a Seeker notices him and starts showing him specific things that they wish for him to witness."

"His existence being more defined also explains why he wouldn't go insane despite not consuming Potions to strengthen his mind or performing a ritual to limit the experience." I add to Ciel's words and she smiles.

Just what kind of person is Seth?

It's clear that he isn't even aware of the kind of existence he is.

Yet he is giving two Leviathans such difficulty when it comes to understanding his mysteries.

Fascinating…

"Be careful and take care of yourself, Javier. I will do my best to fulfill my end of the deal, so make sure you keep our best interest in mind." Ciel finally rises to her feet after several seconds of silence.

I'll assume the conversation is over.

"I will."

Ciel departs and I am left all alone to contemplate several things at once.

My world just got a lot scarier.

Seekers are constantly watching the world, which means by every action are being observed by those of higher power.

I am only Rank 1.

There surely exist Seekers in Rank 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and so on.

The moment any of my plans threaten them or are inconsistent with their machinations, I could be eliminated.

How scary.

I truly did not properly estimate the vastness of this world until this conversation with Ciel.

But now that I do, there is a great yearning within me—a deep hunger for power.

For freedom!

'I thought becoming a Leviathan meant freedom, but there are too many forces out there that still makes it an impossible dream to achieve.' A wry smile forms on my face.

To achieve freedom—true freedom—I need strength.

That means one thing.

'I need to undergo Apotheosis.'

[A/N: This marks the end of the Royal Academy Excursion Arc. We will now move to Arc 3 of Volume 2: First Apotheosis!]

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