"You can address me as The Fool." The simple words echo through the grand hall, settling in Audrey's and Alger's hearts, evoking awe and a sense of fitting mystery. They agree it perfectly suits his powerful and bizarre presence.
Audrey curtsies respectfully, requesting him to witness their trade. "It's nothing," Zhou Mingrui replies, maintaining his enigmatic air. Alger bows as well, calling it "our honor." Zhou Mingrui gestures for them to continue.
Alger instructs Audrey to send the Ghost Shark blood to the Warrior & Sea Bar in Pritz Harbor, addressed to "the Captain" via the boss, Williams. Audrey chooses to have the potion formula relayed directly in their next meeting, trusting her memory.
Audrey, intrigued, suggests making these "attempts" regular. Alger eagerly seconds this, proposing they could offer their unique experiences and resources to assist Mr. Fool in areas outside his expertise. He sees their forced participation as an opportunity for mutual benefit.
Zhou Mingrui weighs the pros and cons. Regular gatherings offer knowledge of Beyonders and mysteries, aiding his return. However, they also increase the risk of exposure. Ultimately, the benefits outweigh the risks, especially since he controls the summoning. He agrees to weekly Monday afternoon gatherings, promising they'll eventually be able to plan for them.
Audrey, seventeen and sheltered, is thrilled. She suggests they adopt call signs instead of real names. "Good idea," Zhou Mingrui agrees. Audrey chooses "Justice" from the Major Arcana. Alger selects "The Hanged Man," also a Major Arcana card. "Alright, then we can be considered as the founding members of the Tarot Club!" Audrey exclaims, then nervously asks Zhou Mingrui's approval. He amusedly tells them it's their decision.
Audrey asks Alger to repeat the address. He does so, and she memorizes it. She then wonders if tarot cards, invented by Emperor Roselle, truly have the power to divine the future. Alger refutes this, explaining that divination comes from within, using tools like tarot for interpretation of spiritual signs. He notes their symbolic and logical elements aid in accurate understanding.
Zhou Mingrui listens intently, a throbbing headache beginning. Audrey mentions Roselle's rumored secret set of twenty-two cards symbolizing unknown power, which he later referenced for the Major Arcana. She looks to Zhou Mingrui for confirmation. He smiles silently, gesturing towards Alger.
Alger confirms the rumor, stating Roselle supposedly saw the Blasphemy Slate, and those cards held the profound mysteries of the twenty-two paths of the divine. "Twenty-two paths of the divine..." Audrey repeats longingly.
Zhou Mingrui's headache intensifies, his connection to the fog weakening. "Alright, that will be all for today's gathering," he announces. Alger and Audrey respectfully agree. Despite wanting more time, they accept his decision.
As Zhou Mingrui severs the connection, he smiles, "Let us look forward to the next gathering." The 'stars' brighten, the crimson light fades, and Audrey and Alger blur and vanish. The 'projection' shatters, and the gray fog returns to silence.
Zhou Mingrui feels himself becoming heavy, his surroundings fleeting before he's back in his apartment, bathed in sunlight. "It was like a dream..." he murmurs, utterly puzzled by the foggy world and the power behind it. Time seems to have passed normally. His splitting headache is unbearable. He massages his temples, finally sighing in Mandarin, "From the looks of it, I won't be able to return any time soon..."
The fascinating yet mysterious event and the knowledge of Beyonders deter him from rashly trying the luck enhancement ritual again. He decides to wait until he has a deeper understanding of mysticism, hoping the 'Gathering' can provide help. After a moment, he mutters with resignation, "From this moment forth, I'm Klein."
Klein tries to refocus, pushing aside his negative emotions. He considers learning the 'Spectator' potion formula. He marvels at the 'Gathering,' where distance is meaningless and people can share needs face-to-face. A thought strikes him, and he bursts out laughing, jesting, "Wasn't that a social networking platform?"