'Transcendent...'

He immediately recalled his conversation with the bar woman as he thought that she had talked about it before.

That's right...

«An individual or being that had transcended the capabilities of a mortal» he remembered it now.

"Do you know what that is?"

"A being that transcended the capabilities of a mortal, right?"

"So you do know about it"

"Yes, though i do not know what those "supernatural abilities" are"

It Made sense that he didn't know. He had been nothing more than an ordinary civilian, roaming the streets to find knowledge that anyone could do, or could do better than him.

"These "supernatural abilities" come from the path we choose as our "Veil". A pathway Made for us to choose a certain path to choose our life as transcendents. By obtaining this, an individual obtained the ability to seek the "true knowledge of this world""

William was intrigued. To think he himself could choose the very ability he uses. But even then, he still had questions regarding this.

"Then... If you don't mind me asking, how do you know so much about these "supernatural abilities"? Mr. Henry"

Henry leaned back towards the chair. He then withdrew his hands, uncrossing eachother before resting them on top of the each of the chair's armrest.

"Well..."

Lifting his index finger of his right hand, he slightly patted the surface of the wooden armrest.

At that moment, strings of etereal light resonated from the patted armrest—its shining light, not bright but full of light, liminated it's curl waves to form the shape of a projected butterfly.

It flew towards William and landed on his index finger, until it finally vanishes, becoming bright dusk that flew as beautifully as the butterfly.

"...because i myself am a transcendent of course, you yourself Will eventually receive a Veil yourself"

Observing the butterfly in his left hand, William couldn't help but feel Amazed at the scene.

He had only Heard about this in fairy tale or stories he read when he was a kid, but to think he had witness it actually happen with his own eyes—he was excited, so much so that he had been completely lost in his own imagination of magical fantasies.

"Ms. Claude?"

William regained controll of his mind, stopping his fantasies to continue flooding his mind with his endless supply of imagination.

"Y-yes...?" William answered startledly.

Henry, who had realised what happenned, covered his mouth to hide with coughing manner to hide his faint laugh and smile.

"So... Is this one of the path of the "Veil"?"

"I'm surprised you deduced that so quickly—but yes, this Veil is called "Magician""

'so there's more than one Veil...'

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

His interest now spread through the possibilities. So this is what he meant by "choosing the path as a transcendent".

"What other Veils are there exactly?"

"There's twelve Routes. There's voodo, assasin, magician, traveler, seer, siphoners, pyromancer, muses, Necromancer, Dark Knight, aphrodite, and lastly, True Psychic"

To William's surprise, there were more Routes than he had expected.

With this, he Knew more about Transcendents even better than before. Ofcourse, he didn't know what some of those routes mean, nor had he Heard of them before. But atleast he had a better vision of what a transcendent was.

Then, a question crossed his mind:

"Then... How does one become a transcendent?". Although he knew more about Transcendents, he hadn't leaned how an individual could become one.

"It's quite simple—either become a member of a church and obtain the authority to choose the Veil's routes, or steal other's Veil, though you won't be able to choose your own routes and instead forced to use the Route that the person you stole it from had chose. Though the most common way is to face the "Three doors""

Considering the dangers he could be faced upon, he had already considered what method he would choose.

Momentarily, William had thought of two options: either he uses the "three doors" or "becoming a member of a church". If he decided to choose the "stealing" method, he thought that it would cause some unwanted trouble.

"I wouldn't recommend becoming a member of a church nor sealing others's Veil"

"—may i ask why you don't recommend me becoming a member of a church?" It would make sense for him to not recommend the staling method, but it didn't make sense for him to not approve of me becoming a member of a church. Unless ofcourse... The church itself had...

"Because some of them are likely to be a cult"

'i knew it'

Now, he had only one method left—the three doors method. Though William himself know much about it either.

"What exactly is the "Three Doors"?"

"I myself don't know much about it. Though i have heard many tales regarding it being in a form of "trials""

'trials?' William piqued in interest once more.

Henry caressed his chin as he tries to recall the memories of the vague confersation he had Heard unintentionally.

It wasn't long before he recalled a certain confersation he had with his own operator before:

...

«these "Three Doors" were originaly called the "Three Nightmares" because of it's unsettling trials»

Henry, whose focus was fully towards the delicious mushroom soup infront of him, his mouth curled upwards as if he was a bout to kiss, suddenly stopped with his eyes rolling upwards, looking towards his operator with an annoyed expression. He pointed.

«Mr. Operator, might i ask why you have changed your topic from today's mission to the "Three Doors"?»

The operator's firm glove-covered right palm patted the table lightly as he shows a soft smile. The smile itself had no meaning, but even then it complimented his calming demeanor.

Then, with soothing and calming voice he replied:

«no reason, just thought it would be useful for you»

Raising his right eyebrow, he pondered his mind to why he had told him this.

He himself was already a Transcendent with a fifth-tiered veil, and yet, he suddenly began talking about the "Three Doors" which someone would only be facing if they were becoming a transcendent?

'Did he think hat i would become an operator?' he guessed.

'yeah right, over my dead body'

...

And there he was on the chair his operator once was. with his soon to be student beside him.

He sighed in acceptance before pondering once more.

'how did he know know that i would need that information? Did he foresee it?' he wondered.

"It was once called the "Three Nightmares" before it was called the "Three Doors" because of it's unsettling trials"

Hearing this, William became slightly nervous.

"How unsettling?" William asked nervously.

Henry himself did not know how "unsettling" it was, Despite being a four-tier veil. Because of this, he was only able to say:

"Unfortunately, that's the only information i have"

It would be a lie to say that William wasn't dissapointed in his answer. Not knowing anything, he once again had no information regarding his situation, or rather... Something he Will eventually do.

He wasn't scared, nor was he doubtfull, he was criticising, critisising himself for not following his father's advice yet again.

—but even if he did, would he be able to be here? Ofcourse he would! Maybe even better than before! Better than he is right now!

But then... Why did he choose to go? Why did he choose to prioritise this over information?

He himself pondered in waves of thought of his own actions. To reflect? Maybe.

Does he have a choice now? Ofcourse he has, infact, there were more than one ways for him to get what he wanted.

Though ofcourse... It comes with a cost.

All of them, came with a cost. Except for one.

A way that could either weaken him, or strengthen him.

'Yes... It's the only way, isn't it?'

Acceptence crossed his mind. He had not only accepted it's purpose and hopes, but had also accepted it's risk. A risk that he doesn't know about.

"I've decided" William spoke.

"I will face the "Three Doors""