After scamming — no, securing the Apothecary formula from Bishop Utravsky. Casper made his way back into the common room.
On the way, he met both Fors and Xio returning from the latter's exorcism.
"So? How was it?" He asked imperatively.
Xio sighed in relief. "The exorcism went well. He also gave us some Holy Water to ward against the remnant aura."
Fors on the other hand seemed disinterested in the conversation.
At that moment, Casper had an urge to stir things up…. for fun of course. "Do you really think the corruption of a God could be removed by what? A mere Sequence 7? I would think you'd need an Angel at the very least."
Xio suddenly stopped, her face turned pale as she trembled slightly.
Fors on the other hand seemed annoyed. "Stop scaring her, Casper!" She chided him but even she too trembled.
Casper shrugged. "I might be wrong though but you never know," he said with a mischievous grin before taking his leave.
…
As he got back to his seat, Casper spotted an attendant coming towards him.
"Mr. A wants to see you." He said briefly, his voice emotionless.
Casper's brows furrowed as a feeling of dread overtook his body. What does he want? I haven't done anything wrong.
But externally, he showed no emotion and nodded indifferently.
"Well what are you waiting for?" He stood up energetically, masking his horror.
Soon, the attendant led him to the upper floor. As Casper walked up to Mr. A who sat comfortably next to the railing, overseeing the entire gathering he couldn't help but shiver.
"May I ask why you called me, Mr. A?" He humbly asked, addressing him with pleasantries. After all, he did not want to get Grazed!
"I saw your request for the Barbarian formula, I wish to provide it to you." He said slowly in a repressed manner.
Casper's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Mr. A. I'm currently a bit short on funds right now, so could you hold it for me until the next gathering."
Inwardly, he was ecstatic. 250 pounds what? I'm selling that formula for at least 400!
But his happiness was soon destroyed by what came next.
"I don't want payment," Mr. A added, raising his hand.
"Um — excuse me for asking. But what exactly do you want then, Mr. A?" Casper inquired in a soft tone.
"I want you to do a certain task for me… it's a simple task. I'm sure a Sequence 9 Beyonder like you can accomplish it."
Upon hearing that, Casper's lips arched upwards as he closed his eyes, resisting the urge to laugh.
Is this guy serious? he thought with forced indifference, Does he really think I'm going to do a task he off all people wants me to do?
The absurdity of it!
A lunatic who'd kill for absolutely no reason and he expects me to joyfully take a task he wants me too?! Does he think I'm dumb?! I ain't those horror movies characters bro. Casper thought in his mind.
He forced out a chuckle and waved his hands. "I'm sorry, Mr. A. It's just that I'm currently too busy to undertake a task."
Mr. A turned towards him, Casper couldn't really make out his expression but he for sure knew he was pissed.
"It's alright. There's no time restraints." He uttered steadily.
Casper rubbed his neck. "I'm a bit swamped right now, Mr. A. I don't think I'll be able to do any tasks for at least six months."
I'm pretty sure I'll be able to finish everything I have in Backlund in the next six months. After that…. good luck finding me fuckah! He thought gleefully.
"Is that so…." Mr. A muttered with a long pause, his voice falling below that of a whisper.
After a while he waved his hands and let him go.
The moment Mr. A said that Casper took his leave, not bothering to stay a second longer.
Goodness gracious. Lady Luck really favours me. He thought grimly.
Mr. A glared at Casper's departing figure and sat there, pondering for a long while. Soon after, he knelt to the ground and cusped his hands and prayed devoutly.
"The Lord that Created Everything,
"The Lord who Reigns Behind the Curtain of Shadows,
"The Degenerate Nature of all Living Things.
"I pray for your attention.
"I pray for you to listen.
"My Lord," Mr. A humbly began, "I didn't detect anything out of place from him. He had no "ancient aura" as you speak. I will observe him further to truly see whether he is ordinary."
With that said Mr. A unclasped his hands.
At the corner of his eyes, two streaks of blood emerged though Mr. A didn't show much reaction to it, treating it as if it was a run of a million thing.