"The Mirror Realm reflects oneself?"
Miss Capet was taken aback by Jenkins's theory, but then found it made perfect sense. The feeling was abrupt, yet she was certain it was the truth.
"You're absolutely right. That's highly likely!"
Miss Capet seed completely won over by Jenkins's words, her expression one of sudden realization. Jenkins had no idea what she had just grasped, but with the Nolan entrance to the Mirror Realm set to be permanently destroyed soon, it was unlikely she could act on it anyway.
Miss Capet appeared to have a keen interest in the Mirror Realm and went on to propose several more interesting theories. Cradling his teacup, Jenkins nodded along, all the while wondering how he could politely steer the conversation in the direction he wanted.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Williams, your Soul Trait Ability seems to be of the Green Life type as well."
"It is."
As he spoke, he manifested his little green sapling, while Miss Capet's Soul Emblem took the form of sothing resembling a leek.
"Mr. Williams, I've heard you're the most outstanding healer in the Nolan region. That's quite astonishing. I'd always thought that such abilities only manifested among the followers of my Lord and the great Earth Mother Goddess."
"It's the choice of the gods and fate. We simply accept the path laid out for us."
Jenkins answered vaguely, though he too was curious about his own extraordinary healing talent. He had speculated that his physical body was sohow reflecting his soul, but he'd never found any proof.
He was tempted to probe the woman from another faith for answers, but he was unwilling to expose his own secrets or those of the Church. In that brief mont of hesitation, the opportunity passed. Jenkins resolved to ask the diviners for their insight when he visited Miss Audrey that weekend.
"Pops is an interesting one, too. I've heard of his apprentice, a Miss Stevel. It seems her abilities were also of the Life type..."
Even without any prompting from Jenkins, the conversation had shifted in his desired direction. For a few seconds, he wondered if she could read his mind, but then he suspected his own [Destiny's Stage] was subtly influencing events in his favor.
"Is that so? I've never heard anything about Pops's other apprentices."
As he spoke, he looked up at the woman seated at the counter. Jenkins did his best to project his curiosity through his gaze, and fortunately, she seed to receive the ssage:
"I'm not the type to go around revealing other people's secrets, but since you're also Pops's apprentice, I suppose I can tell you a little."
An undisguised smile spread across Jenkins's face. He was now intensely curious about everything and anything related to Pops. Best of all, he hadn't even had to ask—Miss Capet had offered the information herself.
He asked the woman to wait a mont, then hurried to another part of the second floor. He returned with a packet of more expensive tea leaves, used his [Life Source] to infuse them with a touch of vitality, and brewed a fresh pot before carrying the tray back over.
"Please, go on."
He set the teacup down in front of Miss Capet and placed a few slices of apple beside the cat. Now, even the feline was content.
"When I was very young, I ca to Nolan with the head nun. That's when I t Pops. It must have been... thirteen years ago. Miss Stevel was still working here then, and I had the good fortune of eting her. I must admit, Miss Stevel was an exceptionally beautiful woman..."
At this, the woman looked up at Jenkins's face again:
"Of course, her beauty still couldn't compare to yours. But a Green Life-type Soul Trait Ability is rare enough among believers of the Sage. For both Pops's third and fourth apprentices to have Life-type soul abilities... that's very interesting."
Jenkins didn't entertain the notion that he was rely a replacent for Miss Stevel; he wasn't that sentintal. After a mont's thought, he asked:
"Do you know where this Miss Stevel is now? Pops has never ntioned her to , and I would very much like to speak with her."
"I'm sorry, I don't know that either."
Miss Capet shook her head regretfully:
"That year, I lived in Nolan for three months. I only knew her ability was also of the Life type because I lived very close to her. In fact, the reason I beca an Enchanter was because I scraped my knee while playing once. When Miss Stevel used her ability to heal , the life spirit stimulated my own soul, causing it to resonate and awaken my abilities... But after that, I left with the head nun. We weren't residents here, after all."
"Did you stay in touch with Miss Stevel after that? I imagine you must have exchanged a few letters over the years, at least?"
Jenkins felt he was on the verge of a breakthrough. He was genuinely curious about Pops's secrets—a harmless curiosity, of course, much like the one Chocolate held for that ring.
"We wrote to each other often during the first year, but then Miss Stevel told she was leaving for a top-secret mission, and the letters stopped. After that, I wrote to Pops's Antique Shop to ask about her, but Pops always put off with one excuse or another."
She, too, cradled her cup with both hands. Jenkins's [Lie Godhood] remained silent, confirming that everything she had said was true.
"A top-secret mission?"
"Yes, it was the sumr of twelve years ago. Miss Stevel only said she was going to Dullin. We haven't been in contact since."
Miss Capet's voice was tinged with regret, her eyes filled with a sense of loss. She probably missed the "big sister" of her childhood dearly. Jenkins suspected that when they had run into each other last ti, she had co to the antique shop intending to ask Pops about Miss Stevel in person.
"However..."
Just as Jenkins was lost in thought, Miss Capet spoke again:
"However, Pops told many tis in his letters that Miss Stevel wasn't dead and that I shouldn't worry. I don't think Pops would lie to , so I believe I'll be able to see her again one day."
Jenkins hoped he, too, would get to et Miss Stevel soday and learn about Pops's past from her. In his eyes, Pops was the most mysterious person he knew—more so than the professor who received enlightennt in his dreams or the still-unidentified Mr. Hood.
Perhaps only the secrets hidden by the Corpse Gentleman could rival those of Pops, but Jenkins wasn't particularly keen on delving into that mystery.
Pops's past must be a fascinating story, but those who knew of it were always tight-lipped. The person most likely to tell Jenkins everything was Old Jack in Shire City, but every ti Jenkins brought it up in his letters, Jack would simply ignore those questions in his reply.
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