Chapter 2199: Chapter 2199

A grander dream had forced Miss Evelyn to put her teaching aspirations on hold, but that didn't mean she had abandoned her principles entirely.

The salary of a private tutor paled in comparison to serializing her adventure novels or transcribing documents twice a week for the wealthy Inherited Sage Church. Yet, she held fast to the position, and it certainly wasn't for some fleeting sense of self-satisfaction.

And so, the former country girl, once a student at Nolan's premier teaching college and now a tutor struggling to make ends meet, decided to step beyond the usual bounds of her position. For a moment, she would be more than just a poetry teacher; she would offer her student a lesson in life.

She had no intention of changing Nancy Franklin. She only hoped the naive young woman would learn to see the world a little more clearly, at least before she married.

Jenkins tuned out the rest of the conversation. His attention was captivated by a heart-shaped diamond, as large as his fist, that was now drifting out from Miss Evelyn's chest.

It was flawless and crystal clear, a jewel no one could possibly refuse. But beyond its breathtaking beauty, its true value lay in the powerful white aura of spirit clinging to it.

In other words, it was a Bestowal.

"Yes, that is the Heart of Selfless Dedication."

the Gear Man confirmed, watching Jenkins cradle the diamond in both hands. Even the cat on his shoulder couldn't resist stretching its neck for a better look at the treasure.

He carefully cradled the diamond, which radiated a gentle warmth. From it, he could feel the purest form of spirit and a power that resonated with the very soul. If he had to describe it, he would say it was the soul made manifest. It was a priceless treasure. An Enchanter who wore it as an accessory would find their spirit slowly growing over time. More importantly, it would bolster their resistance against the mental chaos and corruption found in Mysterious Realms or in the presence of Cursed Items.

Of course, this was an objective within the Mysterious Realm, not a personal prize. After admiring it for another moment, Jenkins handed it over to the Gear Man.

"Truly beautiful," he couldn't help but praise. "Only the purest of intentions could crystallize into something . You were right. Humans are complicated creatures."

Jenkins offered the praise readily; he'd contributed very little to the diamond's creation. The Gear Man had been right—the first objective was remarkably simple. The tutor already possessed the necessary conviction; she just needed a slight push to act on it.

In an age of such turmoil, to find a treasure in someone so unassuming... Jenkins found himself genuinely excited to see what other stories this world had yet to tell.

"Alright, let's head back."

The Gear Man led the way, pushing open the study door and stepping into the corridor. Cradling his cat, Jenkins followed close behind, whispering a quiet goodbye as he passed the two women and their lesson.

Stepping over the threshold, he found himself back in Pops Antique Shop.

The antique shop, and the street beyond, remained frozen in time. The Gear Man was already behind the counter, a step ahead of Jenkins as always. He turned the largest cog on his chest twice, opening a small valve, and deposited the heart-shaped diamond into a compartment within.

"You know," Jenkins began, "is the Difference Engine planning to have me collect the pure spiritual energy of humanity just so it can build itself a soul?"

Jenkins commented offhandedly as he reached the counter and set his cat down. Chocolate took two tentative steps toward its little cushion before freezing and whipping its head back toward Jenkins. Apparently suspecting it was about to be abandoned for another adventure, the cat spun around and leaped back onto his shoulder. Pleased with itself for foiling Jenkins's "scheme," it began to happily swat the back of his head with its tail.

Chocolate was, in fact, thrilled. Jenkins had little power left to call upon, and the Difference Engine was formidable. It wouldn't be long now before it was the cat's turn to shine.

"I am not at liberty to comment on your speculation," the Gear Man stated. "I am unfamiliar with any 'Difference Engine'."

It was a clear hint: the entity's name was "Great Wisdom," and Jenkins was expected to use it.

"Getting so hung up on a name seems a bit... irrational, for a supposedly logical machine like you," Jenkins jabbed.

"As you humans often say, neither absolute logic nor absolute emotion is the correct path. I am merely learning from your way of thinking."

"Just try not to learn humanity's worst habits," Jenkins muttered. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novel⦿fire.net

He said, turning his attention back to the map. Six locations remained.

"That last objective was surprisingly easy," he remarked. "They're not all going to be like that, are they?"

"Of course not. You were merely lucky. You happened to choose the simplest one first. The tutor had never truly abandoned her sense of duty as a teacher; she only required a little guidance to realize it." The Gear Man paused. "Was the diamond not beautiful? It is the finest treasure the soul can forge. Even in this age, humans are capable of such purity. Your species is a marvel. To guide you all onto the path I have designed..." It cut itself off. "But you dislike hearing of this. So, what is your next choice?"

The Gear Man pointed to the map.

Jenkins considered for a moment, then pointed to a location in the city center:

"We were just in the outskirts. Let's try the heart of the city this time," he said. "Right here."

His finger landed on the grand avenue where City Hall stood, the very center of Nolan. Next to the red marker on the map sat a small brass statue of a young boy in overalls. The trousers were clearly too large for him, pooling in folds around his ankles.

His clothes were dotted with square patches, and his toes poked through the ends of his worn-out shoes. On his head sat a dark blue flat cap. A large satchel, its strap looped around his neck, hung so low it nearly scraped the ground. The bag gaped open, stuffed with stacks of newspapers.

The figure was gripping the satchel strap with its left hand, while its right held a newspaper aloft, as if hawking the day's headlines.

It was the classic image of a newsboy.

"Are you certain?" the Gear Man asked, just as he had before.

"Positive. That one."

And so, the two of them, and the cat, leaped toward the map. They vanished as if the paper itself had swallowed them whole.

The antique shop fell silent once more. Everything was still, the only sound the steady drumming of rain against the windowpane. But in that profound stillness, one of Papa Oliver's fingers, resting on his newspaper, suddenly twitched.

Jenkins sometimes forgot the power of the Church. But the truth was, the Orthodox Churches were anything but weak. It wasn't only his friends who were fighting to help him, nor was it just Magic Miss with her clever schemes. The Church, of course, would never abandon its savior.

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