Adrian knocks on the door to his house.

Jack opens the door. "You’re back... and sober." Jack seems surprised.

Adrian walks into the house and places the two books in his room.

"Liz and I are going to church. Are you coming for once?"

"Sure."

Adrian looks at the two.

Jack is wearing a tailored black suit, a scarlet red tie, and a top hat that's gleaming under the morning sun, adding an air of elegance. The little girl is wearing a pinkish-white dress with her black hair tied back in a bow.

This era is way too formal for my taste. Why do we have to dress for church like it's a wedding?

Adrian follows the two out.

Jack leads the way. The church is apparently close enough that they can walk to it.

As they walk, the silence is cut through by the sound of a church bell ringing, calling citizens to prayer. The sound grows louder with each step.

The towering spires of a sacred cathedral come into view. Before them looms a large cathedral made of bricks with needle-like spires trying to pierce the heavens. A large chiming bell can be seen at the top.

The three enter the cathedral.

Adrian hears the faint sound of a sermon in the distance. Wooden pews stand firm on the cold stone floor. Many people from the lower to middle class can be seen praying. At the front of the pews, a noble family is sitting—a small girl with her parents.

At the altar, an old priest wearing white garb with a tree symbol hanging from his neck is preaching. A stained glass window depicting a large tree can be seen behind him.

The three sit on a pew.

Adrian looks at Jack and Liz; they put their hands together and close their eyes in prayer. Adrian hesitates for a moment, then proceeds to mimic what the others are doing.

"Brothers and sisters, we gather here today under the watchful eyes of the Lord. Take a moment to open your hearts and minds to the voice of Nature—the trees, the birds, and the plants—they are His blessings. The beauty of Nature is not random; it is the sacred art of the divine. From the smallest blade of grass to the highest peak, the hand of the Lord shapes them all."

Adrian tunes out the rest.

Do they only worship Nature? What about everything else? Or maybe there are multiple gods? Maybe the chanting I heard was someone praying to a god, and that god brought me here. It's definitely not this god of Nature; they wouldn't have power over dimensions. Maybe a god of space or dimensions, but why would a god bring me here? Did I do something to offend them? Maybe I should go beg on my knees for them to bring me back.

The sermon ends. The priest chats with the noble family in front, then the family starts to make their exit.

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"Look, it's Viscount Claire," Jack says.

Adrian observes an extremely dignified middle-aged man who looks filthy rich walking down the aisle, followed by his wife, who looks less like a human and more like a bedazzled jewel. Then comes a teenage girl who looks as bright as the sun itself.

So this place has a monarchy.

Once the Claires leave, everybody else slowly exits.

Adrian and the other two get up and leave.

The three start walking back to their home.

"It's weird that the Viscount attended. From what I know, his faith is with the god of fortune," Jack says.

"Maybe he had a change of faith," Adrian replies.

They arrive at the house. Jack opens the door, and the three walk in.

Out of the corner of his eye, Adrian spots a newspaper on the living room table with the headline "Reaper Killings Continue." Adrian starts reading the newspaper.

"Harriett Miller, a man suspected of murder, found not guilty in a trial, found dead a day later. Another victim in the long line of the Reaper killings."

The Reaper, huh? That's the next case I'm assigned to. Some vigilante killer that nobody's been able to catch, and I have to catch him or I'm fired. What kind of bullshit is that? But whatever, I'll deal with it when the time comes. I should probably go read those two books to get a layout of this world.

Adrian walks to his room and picks up the two books: History of the World and Languages of the World.

Adrian first reads the language book and makes some notes:

* "Sidam is spoken in Poralue, the Eastern Isles, and Eastern Mephis."

* "Velaran is spoken in Mephis."

* "Ketharen is spoken in Rafasi and the Eastern Isles."

Then he reads a bit of the history book and makes some notes:

* "Poralue is ruled by King Frederick the Third. Mephis's capital is called Orthaven and has huge walls around it. Rafasi's capital is called Solstice, and Rafasi has a very cold climate. Poralue has tried to invade Mephis two times, both ending in failure. Poralue and Rafasi have been in a constant battle for control of the Eastern Isles."

Adrian's reading is interrupted by Jack saying, "It's lunchtime."

Adrian enters the kitchen.

The lunch on the table is roast beef with pickles. There is also a water pitcher on the table.

The three sit down and start eating.

This beef actually tastes half-decent. Seems like not everything in this world tastes like shit.

"In case you forgot, my entrance exam is tomorrow," Jack says.

"Are you ready for it?" Adrian asks.

"I've studied for a long time, but I can't say I'm not nervous."

"Being nervous is normal, but trust in your efforts. You'll succeed."

"Weird to see you speaking this nicely. Normally you would be a lot more cynical."

"Call it a change of heart."

Adrian pours himself a cup of water and starts drinking it.

"When are you going to get a wife?" Liz asks.

Adrian spits out his drink. What? Why is the child asking about marriage? I guess it would be normal for someone at John's age to be married.

Before Adrian can say anything, Jack says, "When he stops being a drunken mess, maybe women wouldn't run away from him."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Liz replies.

"Very funny. You know what? As a motivator, if you pass your exam, I won't touch a drop of alcohol for two months."

"Bets on. But if you do drink in those two months, you have to give me ten pounds."

"Okay, bets on."

Adrian goes back to his room and continues reading, although he can't glean much history of use.

After having the same roast beef for dinner, Adrian goes to sleep.

...

Adrian wakes up, puts on his police uniform, and walks into the kitchen. On the table, there is a plate full of porridge ready just for him.

Not this bland-ass porridge again.

Adrian does his best to eat the porridge but gives up after eating half of it.

Adrian leaves the house. He stands on the sidewalk and sees a carriage. He puts his hand out and gestures toward it.

The carriage stops in front of him. The carriage driver asks, "Destination, sir?"

"Wesker Street Police Station."

Adrian sees the morning sun casting rays of golden light upon the gloomy streets of Perof, giving some happiness to the working-class men commuting to work.

The carriage reaches its destination.

Adrian walks into the police station and goes into the office area. Those same eyes of hatred he saw before still remain, gazing into his soul.

Adrian walks into the superintendent's office.