Jeros looked at the contemplative Silas and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
Silas blinked, then answered truthfully, "I don't have many plans at the moment. I just want to find a way to earn a living and support my household."
The compensation money from his parents' deaths had run out six months ago. If not for Ada's help during these past six months, he would have starved to death.
The 'Silas Sotos' before him had been a good-for-nothing with no income.
Jeros asked calmly, "Have you considered any… less conventional lines of work?"
Silas's heart gave a jolt at this. He asked tentatively, "Are you referring to…"
"According to your file, you've been quite engrossed in mysticism recently, correct?"
Silas nodded. Drawing from Silas Sotos's memories, he stated plainly, "Yes. I find mysticism incredibly cool. It allows one to gain knowledge beyond the ordinary, and power far exceeding that of common people. That way, others would look up to me, they wouldn't ignore me, or reject me."
Silas Sotos's obsession with mysticism stemmed from a rather cliché reason. As he was about to graduate from university, he had confessed his feelings to a girl he liked. Naturally, he was rejected because his family's financial situation was dire.
However, it wasn't just the rejection. He had the misfortune of running into another suitor for the same girl, a wealthy young master.
This fellow, eager to highlight his own superiority and noble standing, had heaped scorn upon Sotos. Enraged and humiliated, Sotos had tried to fight him, only to be soundly beaten.
That incident had utterly crushed Sotos's self-esteem and dignity. He then craved a swift path to money and power, to trample underfoot all those who had humiliated him.
Yet, as a commoner, he stood no chance against a noble family. Driven to a near-frenzied state, he chose to seek power and wealth through the mystical arts. That was when he joined the Death Cult, seeking formidable strength.
Jeros said impassively, "Generally, those who enter the mystical world with such a mindset die very miserably, and very young."
Silas, of course, knew this mentality was typical of a villain destined for a tragic end. He nodded in profound agreement. "Yes, but that was the me from six months ago. After half a year of calm reflection and thought, I have completely settled down and adjusted my mindset and life goals."
Jeros raised an eyebrow. "Do tell."
Drawing upon the combined fifty-two years of experience from his two lifetimes, Silas spoke calmly, "Life is but a few short decades. I don't want to spend my entire existence like those ordinary office workers, commuting day in and day out, marrying, having children, and living a life of mediocrity. I love the mysterious; I crave mystical knowledge and a wider sky. I want my life to be vibrant and magnificent. I don't want life's pressures to force me to abandon my interests and dreams."
As he spoke, Silas's eyes grew increasingly resolute. "Therefore, I hope for an opportunity to formally step into the world of mysticism. Even if this path is fraught with danger, I am fearless. Because at this very moment, I am prepared."
These words weren't fabricated by Silas merely for show; they were his heartfelt sentiments, the unspoken desires from his previous life.
Silas, who had yearned for magic and cultivation on a magic-less Earth, had sought to fulfill these desires through games and anime. He had wanted to become a game developer, to travel, to see the world, but the pressures of life had forced him into a nine-to-five routine, gradually smoothing away his aspirations.
Now that he had transmigrated, now that he had the chance, Silas naturally couldn't let it slip away.
"It's not every day you get to transmigrate. To encounter these things and miss the opportunity… I would regret it for the rest of my life."
After listening, Jeros remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "I didn't expect there to still be young people who crave the mysterious so fervently. Indeed, times are changing."
Warren, standing beside him, looked somewhat gratified. The Master was finally noticing this. Warren himself had long sensed the rapid changes of the current era.
Looking at the silent Jeros, a thought suddenly struck Silas: "Could it be… he wants to recruit me into the Church as a Demon Hunter?!"
At this prospect, a thrill went through Silas. Demon Hunter – what a cool title!
Jeros's perception was remarkably keen. Noticing the fervor in Silas's eyes, he said calmly, "Becoming a Demon Hunter is impossible. Demon Hunters require training from childhood. They must also consume large quantities of toxic potions to enhance their physique, and finally, they must eradicate all emotions. It's far too late for you now."
His thoughts laid bare, Silas's face flushed red with embarrassment.
"However, the abilities you've demonstrated make you very suitable to become a Spirit Medium," Jeros continued.
"A Spirit Medium? You mean like a psychic who communicates with souls?" Silas asked.
Jeros nodded. "Something like that."
Silas paused for a moment, then asked, "And after becoming a Spirit Medium? Are there other avenues for development?"
Silas wasn't one to settle for immediate gains; he hoped for long-term prospects.
Warren explained, "Spirit Medium detectives are generally considered reservists for the clergy. Once you demonstrate sufficient stability and integrity in this position, you may have the opportunity to enter the Holy See and become a member of the clergy. At that point, you would be integrated into the Church of Holy Blood, where you would not only receive systematic training but also gain access to the mystical archives in the Holy Blood Cathedral."
Silas's heart burned with anticipation, but he maintained a calm exterior as he asked, "Is there anything else?"
Jeros continued, "There is another aspect. If you agree, I can allow you to choose your own Profession."
"Profession? What does that have to do with mysticism?" Silas blinked.
In Silas Sotos's memories, there was no connection between the two.
Warren explained in his master's stead, "The ocean of knowledge is infinite. To blindly pursue it without direction will yield no significant achievements in any field, and this is especially true for mysticism. Therefore, to help us focus more effectively and to clarify our paths, the Tri-Moon Goddesses divided knowledge into countless threads, each thread corresponding to a Profession."
"In truth, the real purpose of a Profession is to constrain one's own spirit, allowing you to study and perceive mystical knowledge in a specific area with greater concentration. This greatly reduces the probability of going mad from encountering completely unknown knowledge and significantly enhances safety."
"Oh! So it's like choosing a major in university. Once you choose one, you develop along that path," Silas said with understanding.
Jeros nodded slightly. "A Profession is your guiding direction. It will constantly tell you which way to develop, preventing you from becoming lost. At the same time, a Profession is the embodiment and manifestation of everything you have learned, making you stronger and more focused, just like us now."
Hearing this, Silas smiled. "With such benefits, it seems to be all advantages and no disadvantages for me. Of course, I agree."
Jeros crossed his legs and said calmly, "Don't be hasty. Let me finish."
Silas immediately wiped the smile from his face, his expression turning serious.
"The benefits have been stated. Now, it's time to discuss the risks."
"First point: do you know why I am so eager to bring you in?" Jeros asked, looking at Silas.
Silas blinked. "Is it because you pity me?"
Jeros remained expressionless. "Pity? How could that be? We Demon Hunters have no emotions. In our worldview, there exist only missions, orders, and interests."