HPxLOTM: A Wizard's Path to Divinity

Mr. Fool's reaction did not escape Audrey's notice. She instantly grew even more curious about the content of those diary pages—what could possibly be written there to cause such an emotional response in Mr. Fool?

I really want to know!

Damn you, Edward!

Klein turned his attention back to the remaining diary pages:

"Year 1343, February 23rd.

It's been more than a week since I transmigrated to this world. I have to write something—to pour it out—otherwise I feel like I'll go mad."

He quickly read through the three pages and couldn't help but feel puzzled about the century-long gap between his own transmigration and the Emperor's. Unfortunately, there was no way to investigate the truth of it now.

Klein leaned back in his chair and smiled lightly.

"You may proceed with your own trades."

Fors was the first to speak.

"Mr. Tower, I'd like to purchase the Astrologer potion formula."

"Sure. Eight hundred pounds."

She gritted her teeth.

"Alright…but I'll need a week before I can pay you."

"No problem."

She hesitated, then added, "Also, does anyone know the formula for the Arbiter pathway's Sequence 7?"

Edward spoke up again.

"I only know that the Sequence 7 potion is called Interrogator, but not its ingredients. It's said to be held by the Loen royal family and military. Maybe you can try that angle."

"The royal family and military?"

Fors pulled a face immediately. How on earth am I supposed to approach them? Xio, I'm out of ideas here...

She sighed inwardly, glanced around, and asked very sincerely, "Does anyone here have good ideas for making money?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, the room fell silent.

She quickly realised—Audrey obviously didn't worry about money, neither did Edward. Miss Death was a child and likely didn't need to earn money yet. As for Mr. World…well, she didn't know much about him, but he didn't look like someone strapped for cash.

And Mr. Fool…obviously transcended such mortal concerns entirely.

Oh Fors, that was a stupid question.

She promptly shut up and said no more.

Audrey couldn't help but chuckle softly and raised her hand.

"I'd like the same things as last time: Pair of Eyes of the Mirror Dragon, the Fruit of the Tree of Elders, and the Sequence 6 formula for the Spectator pathway."

The Hanged Man replied, "I can acquire the Eye of the Mirror Dragon and the Elder Tree's fruit."

Ever since that encounter with Admiral of Ailment, the curse on that Life School member had inexplicably vanished, and he even seemed to experience the occasional stroke of good luck.

Those two materials were what Alger had come across while stopping to resupply today.

Audrey's eyes lit up.

"Then let's trade after the Tarot Meeting ends."

"No problem."

Susie, you can finally advance to Sequence 7!

After a few seconds of silence, Klein maintained his air of profound mystery as The World rasped:

"Help me keep an eye out for the mutated pituitary gland of a Thousand-faced Hunter, Human-Skined Shadow's Characteristic, and the hair of a Deep Sea Naga."

Edward thought for a moment, then said, "I know where you can get the pituitary and blood of a Thousand-Faced Hunter."

Klein's heart stirred.

"Where?"

"You can go to the Harvest Church South of the Backlund Bridge and look for a priest named Emlyn."

Because of his earlier interception, Edward wasn't sure if Klein would still get the chance to meet Emlyn. Now was a good time to introduce them.

Klein was taken aback.

Emlyn?

What a coincidence. He'd just bought the Apothecary formula from him yesterday!

"Alright, thank you for the tip, Mr. Tower."

"You're welcome."

After a moment of quiet, The Hanged Man, Alger, said, "Mr. Tower, I believe I'll be able to find a few more clients interested in mystical storage items soon."

"Good. You can contact me anytime."

"I'll also try to help you locate more mystical items that meet your needs."

"Much appreciated."

Alger hesitated. He had considered asking for the Wind-blessed potion formula but ultimately held back—until he repaid his debt to Tower, buying a formula didn't feel quite right.

He changed the topic instead, "Also, I need you all to keep an eye out for someone involved in the recent colonial slave disappearance cases. He goes by the name Barren, has reddish-brown skin, and bears clear Southern Continent racial features—but some witnesses say they've heard him speak with a Backlund accent. If you find him, payment won't be an issue—at least 100 pounds, or an equivalent item."

At this point, Mr. Fool glanced around the group and said, "Feel free to speak freely."

Audrey once again transformed into the class 'rep' and raised her hand.

"Mr. Fool, the incident in the dock area two days ago—was that your Blessed's doing?"

Klein froze for a second, then smiled slightly.

"Yes."

"I heard many Tarot cards were left at the scene. Was that on purpose, to promote our Tarot Club? Can we also leave Tarot cards at the scene in future operations?"

As Audrey finished, both Alger and Fors were taken aback.

Alger was surprised—was Mr. Fool now reaching out beyond the Tarot Club? Did this mean his power was awakening again? Was he no longer content to remain confined within the Tarot Club and now wished to reveal his influence to the outside world?

Fors, on the other hand, was shocked that the incident publicly explained as a gas explosion had actually been orchestrated by their own group.

Klein was a little speechless.

Miss Justice, you're really overthinking this…

But if he denied it outright, wouldn't that make him look…insecure?

After thinking for a moment, he leaned back slightly and said a single word in a calm, unfathomable tone:

"Approved."

-----

[Forsaken Land of the Gods]

The bottom of the half-destroyed, fallen temple of the True Creator.

Derrick was curled up in a ruined room, feigning sleep. The moment he opened his eyes, he felt two malicious gazes peering through a hole in the wall from outside. It was that man—Dark—who had come looking for him before. He grinned widely, stuffing several human fingers into his mouth and chewing with audible crunches.

"Really not going to have a taste, Derrick?"

Dark pulled out another handful of fingers from his pocket. "These are way tastier than black-faced grass."

Derrick instinctively swallowed, his fear deepening. Even though he knew they were eating human flesh and blood, he couldn't help but feel that it was an irresistible delicacy.

A wave of intense hunger surged again. His eyes fixed on the things in Dark's hand. His vision blurred for a moment, and when it cleared, those grotesque fingers of flesh and blood had transformed into mushrooms with a tantalising sheen.

He wanted to eat!

So hungry. Far too hungry.

Maybe…just a little…eating a little might not be a problem, right?

Just then, Lovia's hand lightly landed on his shoulder. "I still have some black-faced grass. Here, take it."

Derrick snapped out of it. Without bothering to be polite, he grabbed the foul-tasting grass and shoved it into his mouth. A few forceful chews later, he swallowed it down, feeling significantly better.

Dark let out a displeased grunt but said nothing more, turning to leave.

Only then did Derrick ask, "Elder Lovia, what about you? What will you eat?"

Lovia replied calmly, "I can still endure."

She walked over to the doorway, sat down on a stone, gazed at the murals of the True Creator on the surrounding walls, and closed her eyes in silent prayer.

Derrick tightened his grip on the Hurricane Axe and looked through the pitted walls at the team members outside. They were all eating mushrooms and nuts, occasionally casting sinister glances around and whispering among themselves.

Derrick didn't know how long Elder Lovia could keep suppressing them, but right now, all he could do was wait.

Whooo~

Just then, a gust of wind that seemed to come from illusion itself blew through, and a mystical, illusory door silently appeared beside Derrick and slowly opened.

He hurriedly glanced outside. Seeing that the others hadn't noticed, he let out a breath of relief.

A few seconds later, the illusory door vanished again, but in front of him now sat a suitcase and a cloth bag. As he stepped forward to pick them up, he saw Elder Lovia glance back.

His heart began to pound. Though he and Elder Lovia had reached a kind of tacit understanding, this situation still made him uneasy.

Lovia's eyes paused briefly on the suitcase and the cloth bag, but she said nothing and turned away again.

Derrick wiped the sweat from his forehead and first opened the cloth bag. A rich, savoury aroma hit him—inside were steaks, bread, and fruit, clearly sent by Mr. World.

The hunger he had just suppressed surged up once more. This time, he didn't restrain himself. He picked up the food—things he had never seen before—and stuffed them into his mouth, devouring them eagerly.

The tenderness of the steak, the softness of the bread, the sweetness of the fruit—they awakened sensations in his taste buds he had never experienced before. After a lifetime of eating nothing but black-faced grass, this was true flavour.

If black-faced grass was for survival, then this bag of food from the outside world taught him what enjoyment meant.

Tears streamed down his face. He didn't even know why he was crying—but he couldn't stop.

As his empty stomach began to feel full, he picked up the remaining food and quietly walked to the door.

"Elder Lovia, have something to eat," he said softly.

Lovia glanced at the food radiating with fragrance and instinctively shook her head, but her stomach growled in protest.

Derrick said seriously, "We have to live…Live and take this delicious food—and hope—back home!"

She froze for a moment, then silently picked up a steak and a piece of bread, eating slowly. Her expression remained unchanged, but a ripple stirred deep in her eyes.

Derrick quickly glanced at the others in the distance and whispered, "Soon, I'll find a way to save myself."

He didn't explain in detail. Lovia finished eating and suddenly stood up. "I'm going to check on the others."

She then walked straight toward the polluted members of the team.

Derrick hurried back into the ruined house, took out a candle he carried with him, and lit it with spiritual power. Then he began to chant:

"The Fool that doesn't belong to this era;

The Mysterious Ruler above the Grey Fog;

The King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck;

Your faithful servant prays for your gaze;

Prays for your acceptance of his offering;

Prays for you to open the gate to your kingdom."

A wild wind howled through the ruined house, infusing the surroundings with shades of silver and deep black. The two colours intertwined and collided, merging into the flame that symbolised the Fool, which then swelled and tore open a normal-sized illusory door.

Derrick immediately climbed into the suitcase. The interior space wasn't large, but it was enough for him to sit in a crouch. He also noticed more food stored inside.

He knew this was sent along by Mr. Tower and couldn't help but feel grateful.

He hurriedly closed the suitcase and shut his eyes, waiting for the sacrificial ritual to proceed.

Just then, a voice with a hint of amusement suddenly rang beside his ear:

"Interesting."

———

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