Lord of Mysteries: Goddess of Origin

After descending a flight of stairs from the second floor.

Arriving at the bar, Selina quickly noticed the increased rate of customers drinking and mingling with each other in an impaired movements.

It has been four hours after she slept. The bar would naturally attract exhausted workers. Their target audience.

As she made her way towards the counter, several gazes from drunk men lingered Selina. This made her stomach contract, briskly walking towards the available wooden stool.

Before she left her room. She had made a crude, handcrafted gun holster made of teared garments she brought, the fabric is loosely held together around her revolver, tied to her right thigh for easy and quick draw.

This is for self-protection and in case of sudden danger, she would be able to counter the incoming threat, especially now that she's wanted by a cult.

But in a situation that she's being taken advantage, she wouldn't hesitate to draw the revolver.

Selina have already loaded its cylinder with five silver bullets before and she have already considered the possibility of accidental trigger which made her twist the cylinder slightly to an empty cartridges.

After ensuring that the holster remained on her thigh, relief etched on her face before turning her attention towards the bartender.

With an amiable tone she asked, "Mr. Edward... Mind if I inquire any of your connections?"

She paused momentarily, before adding, "To be more precise, a whereabouts of a reliable dealer should suffice."

At that moment, the nearby drunk men distanced themselves slightly from Selina.

What she disclosed to the bartender signifies an insidious information, it could lead to consequences if ever they found near their conversation.

Melvin turned to face the silver-haired lady at the counter. After a second, he scoffed, arranging the glass beverages as he replied "What makes a lady of stature like you know about dealers?"

A lady of stature? Is it because of my mannerism? Selina recalled how Mr. Hanged Man referred to Ms. Justice during his persuasion. This made her relate to Ms. Justice's seconds of silent.

With a genial smile, she shrugged, "I've had my ways."

Melvin's eyes narrowed at Selina's response before relaxing. "I have connections. What dealer are you specifically looking for?"

"A document dealer." Selina replied in a mellow voice.

"Hmm... Forgers are pretty well-known in the underground. You must've came across words from the streets," Melvin scorned at Selina's feeble facade.

Collecting his thoughts, he added, "Those guys usually litters around Evil Dragon's Bar by the coast of South District. To be more precise, the underground market."

Evil Dragon's Bar... Underground Market, Selina noted the keywords mentally, paying close attention to Melvin.

"There's a man they call, The Captain, Mr. Swain. He manages the establishment and maintains status quo. By identifying him, and inquiring permission, you'll access the underground market."

Wait... Only identifying him? Shouldn't there be a member's only access-code? Selina pondered over the strange unguarded passage entry.

Reading Selina's expression like a book. Melvin let out an alveolar click before adding, "Captain Swain earned a reputation for his managing. This formed connections that would defend the underground market."

I see... Selina nodded in satisfaction.

Handing out a one pound note to the counter in compensation for his information.

"Thank you" she said, thanking the bartender with modest.

The man grinned slightly as he replied, "Melting Breeze costs three pounds..."

Selina paused before she could leave the stool. Meeting the gaze of the man, Selina could only bide to his demand.

Taking another two pound notes and placing them by the counter. She quietly left the counter.

Melvin didn't respond, upon taking the three notes, he briskly shifted his action to cleaning a glass cup afterwards.

...

Selina didn't lingered too long. Exiting the bar, she strode off into the mildly populated streets. She haven't had breakfast and lunch, so she intends to wonder until she come across a restaurant.

Passing the Iron Cross Street, shifting right from the square, she saw a prominent restaurant between two balconied buildings. Selina approached its sign, etched on its surface are words written in Loenese; Macadamian East-Well.

Upon entering, gazes lingered at her in an instant, from the guests dining in the establishment. Selina tried to kept a measured stance amidst the gazes of people, seeing that each clothed tables except the center, she heaved a sigh of resignation.

It was bad enough for her to gain so much attention, but occupying the center would make her the candy of attraction. Choosing to remain by the reception area. She intends to wait for anyone to finish their meal and replace their spot.

After awhile. A couple left an empty seat over a corner, leftovers littered on the table.

Selina, starting to lose patience, felt her stomach screamed in joy.

Without a thought, she quickly made her way from the dining area to the empty table. Occupying a seat, and waiting patiently for a waiter.

What seems like instantaneous, a male waiter immediately approached her table with confidence.

Arching his back, the waiter leaned onto Selina. This made her slightly withdraw her body from him.

Expressing his demeanor with a bright smile, he said "Beautiful miss, here's our menu."

Selina's eyes narrowed at the waiter, briskly taking the folder from his hands.

So no matter which world I go, being attractive would always gain privileges... She mused silently before browsing the menu of its cuisines.

The menu consists of Seared Scallops, Honey-Glazed Beef, and Roasted Butter Mutton of Loen. Whil the Marmalade, and Grilled Seasons are cuisines adapted from the locals of Intis and Faynapotter.

The dishes were all sounds tempting. But one cuisine caught her attention.

"One Desi Pie. Accompanied by Seared Scallops, and Deep-fried Sailfish please." 

After ordering and handing the menu over. The waiter quickly retrieve the folder, arching his back towards Selina before briskly leaving.

Fifteen minutes later, the waiter returned with a batch of servings on a titanium plate.

"Enjoy your meal. If you have anything else, don't hesitate to call." The man revealed an amiable smile, with a somewhat flirtatiousness evident by his accent towards her.

"Thank you." she replied in the same manner, with difference in tone.

With a slight hesitance, the waiter left her from the table, tending the other guests afterwards.

Taking a whiff of flavorful fragrance and aromatic sweetness, Selina's stomach contracted. 

Let's taste the pie first! 

Unable to resist any longer, she picked up the silver fork and took a small bite of the Desi Pie—the dish she'd been eyeing since she sat down.

The short crust was rich with meaty juice, softening its dryness while also redeeming itself for its shortcomings. The sourness was overtaken by the sweet taste brought by the small pieces of apples neutralizes its oily nature with clear of wheat fragrance.

Unconsciously, her hand reached her cheek, palm pressing her face. With satisfied delight she mumbled, "Mmmm!"

As the portion slid down her throat, Selina opened her eyes slowly.

A handful of eyes now lingered to her direction.

Her ears grew a beet red. Face showing signs of fluster, she quickly covered her face with her sun hat in an attempt to dismiss the lingering gazes.

With a muffled but audible voice, she said "F-Forgive me..."

The male guests and waiters fell into a daze, while the ladies pinched their company's ears from their reverie.

The attention she garnered gradually receded. While Selina condemned herself internally, Don't do again, okay? 

Putting everything aside, she resumed her dining session. Finishing the Desi pie and the rest with content.

After that, she gestured for a waiter to tend her table. Ordering another meal for takeout before briskly exiting the establishment.

...

Returning back to her room and placing the takeouts on the table, Selina produced a velvet black clock from her suitcase, which was prepared before her departure.

It was to conceal herself and her image upon entering a few insidious activities such as underground trades.

But after a moment of contemplation, she tidied the cloak back into her suitcase. Taking her sun hat nestled at the bed before making her way from the second floor, down to the bar's lobby.

Dismissing the gazes from the drinking customers and exiting the door, she arrived back into the road East of Iron Cross Street.

Proceeding through the congestion of pedestrians. She recalled the thoughts that have resurfaced in her mind back in her room, inspecting her cloak.

She made a promised to herself to visit the Teine University once she secured a momentary stay at an inn or an apartment.

With this in mind, she boarded a track carriage, heading towards East of Tingen.

Relying on her image of the City's map which is still recent in her mind. Teine University is situated across a wide distributary of Tussock River coming from the northern York mountains passing through its district. In order to reach it, they would have to cross Khoy University, which is in the side of the city.

The carriage took various turns as it occasionally stops at checkpoints for passengers.

As the transport moves in a relative pace. Selina noticed a sign by the large glass window of a low rise building.

Through the carriage, Selina scrutinized its etched words. 

"Lawson's Folk Herb Shop."

A herbal shop? Selina thought of the potion's name, the previous Selina have consumed. It was named: Sequence 9, Apothecary. The corresponding abilities she gained after the completion of her memories could be compared to a professional and talented doctor, only difference is that talents can now be inherited through a liquid in a glass vials.

The carriage soon drove past the humble shop, and clusters of buildings. Not long did it come across an open space consisting of a greenery park. Following the paved path from the road leads to a italic styled building, with pointed arched windows, plated roofs and red bricked walls.

It stands proud near the riverbed of Tussock river. 

Finally arriving at a carriage stop across the Khoy University. Selina alighted from the horse-drawn transport. 

After handing one copper penny to the coachman. The carriage galloped forward, carrying a handful of passengers as it gradually vanish from her sight.

Ensuring that the holster is still attached. Selina proceeded towards the mildly populated side of the road. Reaching a three way, she turned left. 

Seeing the broad bridge ahead, Selina retracted her gaze from the road and onto the prominent building of Khoy University.

Gazing its sight, she noticed a man, presumably in his thirties, blankly staring at the drifting waters of the river. He wore a two piece attire with a necktie over his long sleeved shirt covered by a long black tailcoat, and a top hat over his head.

His tanned skin made Selina recalled the description of the natives of Southern Continent, described by her mother.

Could he be a professor from Balam? Selina pondered over the professor's origin before deciding dismiss it. 

Soon she crossed the wooden bridge, arriving at the court yard of Teine University.

With trimmed hedges, it framed a path that leads to a fountain at the centre with slim trees that are scattered at the school grounds. 

Ahead of the fountain was a gothic styled grandeur incomparable to the building of Khoy University.

It features a steeply pitched roofs with terracotta exterior adorned with lancet glass-stained window and elaborate stonework. 

The grand double door are also carved with intricate patterns ranging from vines with leaves and roses with thorns. It exudes class atmosphere towards the onlookers.

Now I understand why Selina wished to attend such a prestigious university, Selina mused at the grandeur of the building. Not only is it remarkable but its campus are also well kept.

With leisure pace, she sauntered the school grounds of Teine University, appreciating its architectural structure for a full hour.

...

After awhile of sightseeing. Settling her contempt, Selina boarded a public carriage once again from the last stop she took.

Heading back to the Polar Oysten Bar, intending to wear her earlier cloak before she proceeds to search for an identity forger at Evil Dragon's Bar.

But unlike the previous route, the carriage shifted its course multiple times, before reaching Iron Cross Street.

Selina felt a bit disappointed in not seeing the herb shop once more. Nevertheless, she managed to get a vivid road direction of the shop in her mind.

Putting away those thoughts aside, she quickly took off from the public transport and briskly walked back to Polar Oysten Bar, five blocks south of municipal square.

Customers flooded the bar from when she left. Eyes fixated over her as she ascends a flight of stairs. In the second floor, she saw that the door next to the room before hers slowly swinged open.

An elder woman walked out of the room followed by an elder man.

The lady wore a casual clothing consisting of a knitted coat and a bonnet over her head. While the gentleman who is holding the lady's palm have a loose trench coat and a half top-hat.

Selina curtsied the passing couple before briskly entering her room. 

Once inside, she took her suitcase from below the bed frame. Opening its latches, she produced a leather-made wallet and a velvet cloak from the suitcase, the garment she failed to make use before.

Although its already past afternoon. Bars are usually at their peak hour at such time of the day, resulting its unlikeliness to close early unless urgent or on occasion.

Draping herself with black clock. She made her way down to the lobby of bar. Several eyes lingered momentarily before quickly retracting their attention onto their company.

Laughs and high voices pestered the streets littered with rows of now lighted pole lamps.

Selina, concealed in a black cloak navigated the venue with deliberate caution. 

Usually, she would take a public carriage which will eventually reach the South District. But since it's almost evening, the available public carriages have drastically reduced, prompting her to rent one along with a coachman. 

Selina is not fully aware of the rental fees, so to prevent being taken advantaged, she devised a plan. Offering the coachman with an amount lower than what she deems. If the coachman demanded more, it would be the original fee, if he tries to increase the cost, she won't hesitate to draw the revolver.

With this in mind, she gestured for a passing carriage to halt for her. It didn't take long before a coachman operating a horse-drawn transport to notice her.

Before boarding, Selina made her way to the front of the carriage and said to the coachman, "Near the coast of South District.'

The coachman nodded, redirecting his attention forward.

Once she entered the carriage and occupied a seat. The horses began to gallop, gradually regaining their momentum as the wooden transport begins to move forward.