Chapter 29: "Jobs" and Rentals Are Serious Business

Klein tried his best to remain his usual self as he asked with genuine

interest, "What abilities do Seers have?"

"Your question is inaccurate; the question should be, 'what abilities

does consuming the Seer potion give?'" Dunn Smith shook his head and

chuckled. His gray pupils and face turned away from the moon as his

features hid in the shadows. "There are many kinds of things

involved---astromancy, cartomancy, spiritual pendulums, and scrying. Of

course, it does not mean that consuming the potion will immediately

allow you to grasp all of them. The potion only equips you with the

qualifications and ability to learn it.

"As they lack direct means of fighting enemies, heh. You can probably

imagine that setting up a magical ritual requires a lot of preparation.

It's not suitable for combat. Therefore, in terms of knowledge of

mysticism, a Seer will be more learned and professional than a Mystery

Pryer."

*It sounds like it matches my requirements as well... However, the lack

of means to directly deal with enemies is quite a dilemma...

Furthermore, the Church of Evernight likely doesn't have the subsequent

Sequences... The Holy Cathedral likely refers to the headquarters, the

Cathedral of Serenity... The means available to low-Sequence Beyonders

against their enemies might not be comparable to firearms...*

Klein fell into deep thought as he racked his brains. He kept going back

and forth between Mystery Pryers and Seers. He no longer considered

Corpse Collector.

Dunn Smith smiled when he saw this.

"You don't have to rush into a decision. Tell me your answer Monday

morning. Regardless of your choice of Sequence or giving up this

opportunity, none of us from the Nighthawks would have any other

thoughts on the matter.

"Calm down and ask your heart."

With that said, he took off his hat and bowed slightly. He slowly walked

past Klein and headed for the stairwell.

Klein did not say a word and did not immediately reply. He silently

bowed and watched as Dunn left.

Although he was constantly hoping to become a Beyonder previously, he

was thrown into a dilemma when the opportunity arose; the subsequent

missing Sequences, Beyonders having the risk of losing control, the

believability of Emperor Roselle's diaries, and the illusory murmurs

that could corrupt people into madness all mixed together and formed a

moat that obstructed his advancement.

He took a deep breath and slowly breathed out.

"No matter how bad it is, it can't be worse than making an

eighteen-year-old high-school student decide on his future career..."

Klein gave a self-deprecating chuckle. Gathering his scattered thoughts,

his opened the door softly and laid back on the bed.

He laid there with his eyes open, silently looking at the bottom of the

top bunk that was dyed with the faint crimson of the moon.

A drunkard staggered outside the window as a carriage sped down the

empty streets. These noises did not break the serenity of the night but

instead made it even darker and more distant.

Klein's emotions settled down as he recalled his past on Earth. He

recalled how he liked exercising, his father who always spoke loudly,

his mother who enjoyed busying herself despite having a chronic disease,

his friends who grew up with him, going from playing sports like soccer

and basketball to games and mahjong, as well as the person he made a

failed confession to... These were like a silent river; it did not have

many ripples or deep sentimental feelings, but it silently drowned his

heart.

Perhaps one will only learn to cherish things after they have lost them.

When the crimson receded and the sky turned golden-yellow from the

flaming ball's illumination, Klein had made his choice.

He got out of bed and headed to the public bathroom to wash his face to

wake himself up. Then, he took a one-soli note to Mrs. Wendy's to buy

eight pounds of rye bread with nine pence, replenishing the staple food

that had been consumed the previous night.

"The price of bread has begun stabilizing..." He commented after

breakfast as Benson changed.

It was Sunday, so both he and Melissa finally had the chance to rest.

Klein, who was already in proper attire, was sitting on a chair and

flipping through the outdated newspapers he brought back from yesterday.

He said in surprise, "There's a house for rent here: North Borough's 3

Wendel Street, a bungalow with two floors. There are six bedrooms, three

bathrooms, and two big balconies upstairs. Downstairs, there's a dining

hall, a living room, a kitchen, two bathrooms, and two guest rooms, as

well as an underground cellar... In front of the house are two acres of

private land and there's a small garden behind. It can be rented for

one, two, or three years, with a weekly rent of one pound six soli.

Those interested can head to Champagne Street and look for Mr. Gusev."

"That's our goal for the future." Benson wore his black halved top hat

as he smiled to say, "The rent for the places in newspapers is usually a

little too expensive. The Tingen City Housing Improvement Company has

options that do not pale in comparison to that for cheaper."

"Why are we not searching in the Tingen Housing Improvement Association

for the Working Class?" Melissa walked out from her room holding an old,

veiled hat. She had changed into a grayish-white long dress that had

been mended several times.

She was silent and introverted, but that could not mask her

youthfulness.

Benson laughed.

"Where did you hear of the Tingen Housing Improvement Association for

the Working Class? Jenny? Mrs. Rochelle? Or is it from your good friend

Selena?"

Melissa looked to the side and whispered a reply, "Mrs. Rochelle...

While washing up last night, I happened to meet her. She asked me about

Klein's interview and I told her roughly what happened. Then, she

suggested I find the Tingen Housing Improvement Association for the

Working Class."

Benson noticed Klein's puzzled expression and shook his head in

amusement.

"They are targeted at the poor. Well, a precise description is that they

are a housing association for the lower strata of society. They build

and renovate houses that basically have communal bathrooms. They only

provide three choices---a single, double or triple bedroom. Do you wish

to continue living in such an environment?

"The Tingen City Housing Improvement Company is in the same business as

them, but they also provide choices for the lower-middle class. To be

honest, we are a little better than the lower-middle class, but we are

still quite worse off than true middle-class families. It's not a matter

of salary; it's just that we did not have the time to save up."

Klein came to a realization as he put away the newspaper. Picking up his

top hat, he stood up.

"Then, let's set off."

"I remember that the Tingen City Housing Improvement Company is on

Daffodil Street," Benson said as he opened the door. "They are like the

Tingen Housing Improvement Association for the Working Class, known as

Five Percent Charities. Do you know why?"

"I don't know." Klein raised his cane and walked to Melissa's side.

The girl with black hair that reached down her back nodded.

Benson headed out and said, "These kinds of housing improvement

associations or companies were established as a result of Backlund. They

are funded in three ways: One, by requesting donations from charitable

foundations. Two, through funding proposals. They receive grants from

the government's commission at a special rate of 4%. Third, through

investments. By taking a portion of the rent received, they will give

their investors 5% returns. That's why they are called Five Percent

Charities."

The siblings went down the stairs and slowly walked toward Daffodil

Street. They decided to confirm a place before talking to their present

landlord, Mr. Franky. They did not want to be in a situation where they

were forced to move when they had no place to stay.

"I heard from Selena that there are housing improvement companies that

are purely run as charities?" Melissa asked in thought.

Benson chuckled.

"There are, such as the Deweyville Trust which Sir Deweyville donated

money to establish. He builds apartments targeted for the working class.

He also provides dedicated estate management personnel while only

charging rather low rent. However, the criteria for applying is very

strict."

"It sounds like you aren't fond of the idea?" Klein acutely sensed it as

he asked with a smile.

"No, I respect Sir Deweyville a lot, but I'm certain he does not know

what true poverty is. Staying in his apartment is like a priest giving

hope. It's not very pragmatic. For instance, tenants have to receive the

main vaccines and they have to take turns cleaning the bathroom. They

are unable to sublease their apartments or use it for commercial

activities. They aren't allowed to throw their rubbish wantonly and

children are prevented from playing in the corridors. Goddess, does he

wish to make everyone ladies and gentlemen?" Benson answered in his

usual tone.

Klein creased his brows in doubt.

"Doesn't sound problematic. Those are all very reasonable criteria."

"Yeah." Melissa nodded in agreement.

Benson cocked his head and looked at them before chuckling.

"Perhaps I have protected both of you too well that you have not seen

actual poverty. Do you think they would have the money for the main

vaccines? The line for free charitable organization sets them back three

months.

"Do you think their work is stable and not temporary? If they cannot

sublet parts of their apartment to receive some extra income, are they

to move out when they lose their jobs? Besides, many ladies mend clothes

or make match boxes at home to maintain their livelihood. Those are

included as commercial activities. Are you going to chase them all out?

"Most of the poor use all their efforts to survive. Do you think they

have the time to discipline their children and stop them from running

along the corridors? Perhaps they can only be locked at home until

they're old enough, then sending them to places that accept child labor

when they are around seven or eight years old."

Ben did not use many adjectives to describe the matter; it caused Klein

to shudder a little.

This was how people from low socioeconomic classes lived?

Beside him, Melissa fell into silence. It took a long while before she

said in an ethereal tone,

"Jenny no longer wished for me to visit her after she moved to the Lower

Street."

"Let's hope her father gets back on his feet after that injury and finds

a stable job. However, I have seen too many alcoholics use alcohol to

numb themselves..." Benson laughed with a somber tone.

Klein was at a loss for words. Melissa seemed to be the same. As such,

the siblings walked silently down Daffodil Street and found Tingen City

Housing Improvement Company.

The person who served them was a middle-aged man with an amiable smile.

He did not wear a formal attire or a hat, but instead, wore a white

shirt and black vest.

"You can call me Scarter. Might I know what kind of house you have in

mind?" When he caught a glance at Klein's silver-inlaid cane, his smile

widened.

Klein looked at Benson, who was better with words, and gestured for him

to answer.

Benson directly answered, "A terrace house."

Scarter flipped through the files and documents in his hand before

smiling.

"There are currently five that haven't been rented out. To be honest, we

are geared more to serving customers---laborers and their children who

have housing difficulties where six, eight, or even ten or twelve people

squeeze into a house. There aren't many terrace houses. There's one at 2

Daffodil Street, one in the North Borough, one in the East Borough...

The weekly rent goes from 12 to 16 soli. You can take a look at the

detailed introductions here."

He handed over a document to Benson, Klein, and Melissa.

After reading through it, the siblings exchanged looks and pointed to

the same spot on the piece of paper simultaneously.

"Let's take a look at 2 Daffodil Street first," said Benson. Klein and

Melissa nodded in response.

This place was a district they were familiar with.