Chương 72: Further Investigation

"Your findings were interesting, but I wouldn't be quick to rule it as activities of Dissent." Avid began, adjusting the collar of his shirt.

"If I had to take a shot in the dark, I'd say the area is a place of interest to a Banner or a merchant of the area. The rumours would just be a tool to keep people away. I have a few other ideas that could explain it without involving Dissent, too. As for what item they were transferring from trailer to trailer, your information isn't quite enough to come up with a definite answer." Evel clicked his tongue. He hadn't expected a reward from his information, but he hoped Avid could give him some insight.

"You made the right call running away the moment you saw a Weaver. Keep remaining vigilant if you intend to pursue this trail further. Good luck." Avid's image flickered, then disappeared. It was the day after Evel had explored the western slums. The moment he had seen the icewood badge, he had left the area as quietly and quickly as he could. Whatever they were doing, they clearly didn't want others to know, and he was not qualified to survive a battle with someone a full stage higher than him.

It was a shame his findings didn't result in anything substantial. Between the Sunken Vials and the stempacks that he began paying for, Evel had about 900 credits remaining. If he wanted to, 900 was enough for him to get the upgraded version of his throwing cards, but then he'd be left with next to nothing. He wouldn't have any credits for emergencies nor sunken vials, and with no consistent source of income, it was far too risky. What Evel needed right now was more credits.

Unfortunately, the situation in the western slums was just too risky. It would be far too reckless to roam around in an area where a Weaver could be. There was certainly something there, he was sure of it, but credits were useless if he died. Evel paused and stared into the empty space where Avid's projection had just been. He'd just been praised for being careful, but the compliment didn't feel right. Since when have I been afraid to take risks?

He had risked joining the military, stayed for the trial despite his poor affinity, spared Diana despite the obvious risk, took on many beasts and held his ground against Lucien. Without those risks, he never would have gotten to begin his own circus again, nor would he have been in such a position to make expensive purchases right off the bat. Evel's success was a product of one risk after another. Bremin was probably risking his life every day in combat, and what was he doing?

Since he arrived at Ichoris, the biggest risk he had taken was sneaking a peek at Redigo's paper! I'll never catch up at this point. Normally, at this hour, he'd go on a run, complete any busy work from the circus, then do his second training of pushing his core to the limit. Evel pushed off the desk and grabbed the black robe from the coat stand. It was already night, but if anything, that should help him keep hidden.

He made sure he had both the packet for Dissent and his cards on him, then walked out into the well-lit streets. It was busier than usual—some sort of event perhaps? The smell of alcohol was strong in the air, and the people were rowdy. As he made the familiar turn, he saw two drunken strangers in the midst of a fight. He ignored them and continued through. Evel made his way to the bridge and crossed it without issues. He didn't acknowledge the guards, and they didn't acknowledge him.

Rather than first going to the circus, then making his way westward, the path he was familiar with, he turned west the moment a path allowed him to. At some point, his pacing slowed down to a soft walk. Despite the lack of sun, the nearby lights from Upper-Ichoris helped a small, dim light glow over the area. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Other than the occasional homeless person who remained tucked near the buildings, the streets remained mostly empty.

Across the river, the partying only intensified. Soon, even the homeless people disappeared. Then, the white ash disappeared. Tucking the packet against his cheek, Evel crept forward. He hugged a wall closely and maintained a steady but quiet pace. The sights didn't change much, no matter how far he went. Worn houses, rotting signs, cracked roads. If anything, without the smell of human activity and litter, it was actually nicer than the central slums.

He walked almost a straight line through the entire area, coming out into the forest on the other side. The whole time, there was practically nothing of note. Too soon to give up, he walked through again, taking a slightly different path. Still nothing. He arrived back near the central area. I guess I have no choice. He wanted to avoid the specific place he found the Weaver the last time around, but there just wasn't much of anything in the other locations.

He walked the path toward the circus, then followed the exact same route he'd taken the day before. As he approached the exact location, Evel stopped to take a deep breath and placed his right hand in his pocket. He peered behind the rusty column. Nothing. One of the trailers was gone, the heavy sacks were gone, and even the soldiers were gone. He cautiously approached, checking every corner in case of ambush. Now that he was far from the main city, the poor moonlight was the only source of light he had.

A cold sweat travelled down his back as he poked around the area where he'd seen the soldiers the day before. Other than a metal corkscrew that lay flat on the remaining trailer, there was nothing else of note. Evel studied it carefully, but no matter how closely he looked, it was just a normal screw. He considered taking it for a second, but he couldn't really find the upside. Evel clicked his tongue. The exploration was a bust. He returned home, only stopping at Steven's store to grab a newspaper.

The festivities turned out to be an anniversary of the Mayor's arrival in the city. Not something he really cared enough to celebrate. Releasing a deep sigh, he summoned the floating, ethereal hand which hovered just above him.

"In the end, all I found was a corkscrew." As Evel finished explaining his previous night, Albert placed down his cup of tea.

"Wasn't that far too dangerous a decision, even after seeing a Weaver there?"

"No, I had it under control." Evel simply replied. Someone like Albert, who'd given up the Path, wouldn't understand regardless.

"Hm." Albert acknowledged.

"Anything special about that corkscrew?"

"Nothing as far as I could tell." Albert rubbed his smooth chin as he fell into thought.

"You could hire me to check it out for you?" Evel raised an eyebrow. This was the first time Albert had shown any interest in helping him out outside of conversation and their training sessions.

"And how much would that cost?" Albert grinned.

"Sorry, not interested."

"You're a cruel man." Evel shook his head. He knew it was too good to be true.

"That would beat the whole purpose of you exploring anyway."

"Sometimes you've gotta spend wealth to make wealth." Albert hummed.

"How wise," He smiled, lifting his cup back up to his lips.

"But a Weaver isn't that cheap to hire."

"Did it take you long? To become Weaver, I mean."

"Four years." Evel blinked.

"Just four?" According to the book, the average time required to advance ranged from three to twenty years, depending on talent and training. That put Albert near the top of that list. That extremely vague estimation was under the guise of no consumables, so it didn't exactly mean much if Albert had access to unlimited Ichors. As if predicting his next thoughts, his beefy teacher continued.

"Spent the first year wandering around like an idiot, so I sometimes tell people it was three." He chuckled.

"If only you could have seen me back in my glory days. All that advancement was without a single consumable either. Just sheer effort, and a bundle of talent." Evel's eyes opened just a fraction wider,"Is there a way to speed up the process?"

"Oh yeah, of course. If you stuff yourself with enough ichors, you can reach the threshold to advancement in a day. Of course, you still have to learn how to weave."

"Anything training-wise? You said you didn't use any consumables, right?"

"Effort alone can take you pretty far, as long as you apply it to the right places."

"Anything more specific? To advance so quickly without consumables, you must have made some discoveries or found some shortcuts."

"Evel," Albert gazed at him calmly, placing down his cup once more.

"You're already advancing extremely quickly for someone within your circumstances." Evel took a deep breath.

"Twice a week."

"Those things tear away at your brain. It's not something to use lightly."

"The consumable introduction recommended a maximum of three Sunken Vials a week." Evel countered.

"I think I'll be able to handle two just fine." Albert softly shook his head.

"That's a restriction on losing your sanity, not on losing your self. Most people's minds aren't resilient enough for something like that."

"You've seen me train. You've heard Avid's reports about me." Albert didn't reply, his gaze lingering on Evel. Evel continued.

"My mind might just be my greatest strength; I don't see a reason not to take advantage of it. To be honest, I would probably be fine with four or even five a week. Two should be nothing." Albert continued his silence, rubbing the brim of his cup and lowering his gaze to his cup. Evel waited patiently, remaining hopeful that Albert would understand his concerns. After sharing another minute of silence, his chestnut-headed teacher sighed deeply.

"Fine, twice a week." His voice sharpened.

"Remember, I don't owe you any amount of free cleansing. Anything more than twice a week and you become a paying customer." Evel's face softened.

"Thank you!"