"In fact, this world doesn't just have the Extraordinary Group led by the Devil, but also the Condensers led by humans."
At the dining table, Geoffrey explained to Bologue.
Bologue nodded, picked up some bread and dipped it in gravy, eating while listening to Geoffrey's words.
The surrounding chatter filled the air, lunch-goers were seated everywhere, devoid of the mystery one might expect from an Extraordinary Mechanism; everyone chatted casually, and occasional arguments broke out from one side.
"Why are these same dishes again? Does the cook still want to work or not!"
"Auntie! Keep your hand steady!"
"Don't shake! Don't shake! If you can't do it, let me do it!"
Such phrases were heard continuously.
Bologue's expression was stiff, unsure whether to laugh or to marvel at the everyday life here, especially considering the conversation with Geoffrey. They were discussing mysterious Extraordinary intelligence, yet there was no hint of mystery at all, more akin to discussing what to eat after work.
Thinking about it, being a clueless newcomer, the issues that puzzled him probably seemed like basic common knowledge to these employees.
Geoffrey glanced around at the people, swallowed the food in his mouth, and said, "Don't mind it. To maintain such a large organization, the people in the Logistics Department are far more numerous than those in the Field Operations Department."
Based on the known information, the main structure of the Order Bureau is led by the Director of the Order Bureau in the "Decision Room," which is the command core of the Order Bureau, under which several departments are subdivided, delegated by the Decision Room.
Geoffrey is in the "Human Resources Department," which sounds rather ordinary, but to sift through countless candidates and select those who can join the Extraordinary World, the composition of this department is quite complex.
The "Field Operations Department" is an extremely unique department, as it is responsible for external missions. It's fair to say that aside from the Field Operations Department, all other departments are considered "logistics." According to regulations, all departments must prioritize cooperating with the Field Operations Department due to its special nature, and its head is directly appointed by the Deputy Director of the Order Bureau.
The "Logistics Department" lives up to its name, genuine logistics, closely linked with various departments, handling all troublesome matters like material transfers, personnel movements, fund allocations, and maintaining the Order Bureau. Even post-battle cleanups are part of their responsibilities. The "Ferryman" Bologue saw at the end of the assessment is specifically set up by the Logistics Department for battlefield management.
With Geoffrey's guidance, Bologue left the Field Operations Department and arrived at the Logistics Department, the initial position they arrived at when reaching the Order Bureau, where the employee cafeteria is located.
"Back to the Condensers, not only Debtors and Demons possess those peculiar Extraordinary Powers, humans possess them too."
Geoffrey explained.
"In eras not yet recorded by history, Scholars discovered a mysterious source of power, which we call the 'Secret Source.'
In the years that followed, Scholars began to understand, experiment, and gradually grasp the 'Secret Source,' or rather, utilize the 'Secret Source,' just like how we nowadays use electricity to illuminate darkness, or diesel to drive heavy machinery."
They systematized this knowledge and named it Alchemy, and these Scholars became known as Alchemists.
Ultimately, Alchemists thoroughly comprehended this Extraordinary Power and developed 'tools' to harness it, thereby taming it."
"Alchemy Matrix."
Bologue uttered that mysterious phrase, as the hazy and dark world gradually became clear.
Geoffrey nodded in affirmation, continuing.
"Alchemy Matrix, a complex and intricate matrix, like reins for taming Extraordinary Power, akin to precise circuitry or complex machinery. Different matrix compositions lead to varied effects. We call the abilities it possesses 'Secret Energy.'
He took out the 'Key of the Crooked Path' and placed it on the dining table.
"Like this 'Key of the Crooked Path,' essentially it's just an ordinary key, but it's embedded with an 'Alchemy Matrix,' and the 'Secret Energy' effect of this 'Alchemy Matrix' is to open 'doors' to different regions."
"When an 'Alchemy Matrix' is embedded in a weapon..."
Bologue recalled, remembering during the assessment, the Blade-Biting Wolf clad in sharp blades, exuding a suppressive and menacing aura.
"These carriers, embedded with an 'Alchemy Matrix' and harnessed with Extraordinary Power, we uniformly refer to as Alchemy Armament. The Blade-Biting Wolf you encountered can be understood as a piece of Alchemy Armament."
Geoffrey explained.
"So, Condenser... the human body embedded with an 'Alchemy Matrix,' granting the ability to command Extraordinary Power, right?"
Bologue inferred, his breathing becoming slightly rapid.
If it's possible to embed the Alchemy Matrix of the 'Key of the Crooked Path' into a human body, could Bologue then possess the 'Secret Energy' to open any door, crossing vast distances effortlessly?
"Yes, but not exactly."
Geoffrey corrected.
"The 'Alchemy Matrix' isn't embedded in 'objects'; its carrier is the soul."
Picking up the 'Key of the Crooked Path,' Geoffrey's voice became heavy and solemn.
"Remember what I told you before? Everything has a soul, even iron, stone, and flesh."
Bologue listened attentively to Geoffrey's words,
"As for Condensers, they are humans whose souls are embedded with an 'Alchemy Matrix,' and thereby gain the ability to command Extraordinary Powers."