"You're a military nun, and your main skills are mechanical repair and healing, correct?" Marvin said gravely. "I have two bloodline paths: Melodist of Dawn and Constructing Artisan."

  Marvin refused to acknowledge the second class sounded too much like it came from Minecraft.

  A stifled chuckle came from Yvonne as she snorted softly. What was the point of just knowing names?

  "Melodist of Dawn allows one to freely manipulate both the living body and the spirit, which corresponds to your healing skill," Marvin explained quickly. "The elixir sequence combination is Bloomcore I, Veilbreach I, Ironmind I, Marionette's Kiss I, Bloomcore II, Veilbreach II, Bloomcore III, Veilbreach III, Bloomcore IV, Veilbreach IV."

  Yvonne blinked in confusion.

  "Constructing Artisan is for those who naturally excel in materials, machinery, power energy, and numerical control. They are adept at creating and repairing firearms, ammunition, and other mechanical vehicles. The elixir sequence is Illusion I, Gearspike I, Titan's Draught I, Decimal Wine I, Gearspike II, Titan's Draught II, Decimal Wine II, Gearspike III, Titan's Draught III, Decimal Wine III," Marvin summarized. "If you wish to focus on healing, choose Melodist of Dawn. If you prefer machinery, choose Constructing Artisan."

  A few of these elixir sequences I already know... No, how could he possibly know? He is only Level 0! Could it be that the bloodline paths he speaks of are genuine? Yvonne's heart pounded in shock. No way! If they were real, such secret knowledge would be priceless. Even uttering a single word about it would lead to immediate arrest by the church, who would, following their principle of preferring to kill rather than let a mistake go, squeeze every last drop of knowledge until one dies in confinement! And yet he casually revealed it before all our eyes! Yvonne was shocked to the core.

  "Um, Mr. Marvin, could you please repeat that?" Nova asked hesitantly. "You spoke too quickly earlier, and I did not have time to write it down."

  "You cannot," Marvin replied with a smile. He had thrown out that knowledge merely to swiftly crush the arrogance of members and establish enough team prestige. Seeing Yvonne completely dazed, he coyly withheld further details. "Those are all precious, secret knowledge. They cannot be repeated a second time."

  Damn! Yvonne nearly overturned the table in fury but forced herself to maintain an impassive expression. How can you say they must not be repeated when you have already said them aloud? If you have spoken, why not say them again?

  "Then do you know the bloodline path of succubi?" she interjected, suppressing her discontent and asking eagerly.

  "'Succubus' is an ancient term from the Third Epoch," Marvin replied slowly. "In reality, there are two paths. One is the Abyssal Succubus path, whose main sequences are Cinderheart, Desire, and Chaos. The other is the Purgatorial Succubus path, whose main sequences are Cinderheart, Lilith's Sigh, Marionette's Kiss, and Fool."

  So, Miss Yvonne, you follow the Purgatorial Succubus path? The other three girls in attendance immediately turned their eyes to Yvonne. Yvonne, however, abandoned her previously cold and disdainful demeanor. Excitement now shone on her face.

  He really does know! Yvonne thought excitedly, almost screaming in her heart. She tried her best to keep her tone respectful yet urgent, "What is the exact order of the elixir sequences?"

  "You have already taken Cinderheart and Marionette's Kiss I," Marvin said. "Next come Lilith's Sigh I and Fool I."

  "Yes, of course. The Stable Path. First, collect all of the Level I sequences." Yvonne nodded repeatedly, her expression one of earnest deference. In a low voice, she asked, "My question is, what are the upper limits for the four sequences? I am willing to pay a price for that answer."

  "No payment is necessary. I can tell you," Marvin said as he saw that she was completely enchanted. He smiled slightly and answered, "Fool I, Marionette's Kiss II, Cinderheart III, and Lilith's Sigh IV."

  "Desire is the primary sequence?" Yvonne paused, surprised. "Isn't it Marionette's Kiss instead?"

  "Think carefully about what constitutes succubus blood," Marvin prompted. "First, succubi themselves embody desire. Next, the purgatorial trait is represented by Cinderheart. After that comes the devilish aspect. But 'devil' is a broad term that encompasses many races, including succubi. Can the sequences of Marionette's Kiss or Fool truly represent the essence of all devils?"

  "I understand," Yvonne murmured as though a puzzle that had long troubled her had finally been solved. She was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion, and the other three girls shed silent tears. From the moment Yvonne began asking questions, the conversation between her and Marvin was incomprehensible to everyone else. In unison, they all felt an unspoken shame for their own lack of knowledge.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "Then what is the specific elixir formula?" Yvonne clutched onto her last hope and asked.

  "Of course I do not remember," Marvin said. "There are ten elixirs in one complete path. How could I possibly remember every formula?"

  "Very well," Yvonne replied, which was exactly what she had expected. Even obtaining the complete Purgatorial Succubus bloodline path and elixir combination would be the greatest reward for her. After all, even more difficult than finding a specific formula is not knowing which formula one should be searching for!

  Marvin truly is a treasure trove of secret knowledge! Could it be that he really is a descendant of an ancient extraordinary family? The Fontaine family, the Fontaine family... Yvonne lost herself in daydreams of endless possibility, almost shedding a tear. If this were true, then this would be the golden ticket, and I must hold on tight and never let go.

  From today onward, I shall be a devoted member of this team! Farewell, father and mother! Farewell, Fromentia, my homeland!

  As Yvonne mentally severed ties with her work, family, and country, Nova finally reached her decision.

  "I have decided. I will choose the Melodist of dawn path."

  "Wise choice," Marvin nodded. At least this girl still remembered she had been selected as the healer for the team. "The first elixir in the Melodist of Dawn path is Bloomcore I. Be sure to note down its formula."

  "Very well," Nova agreed with a nod.

  "And what about you, Alice?" Marvin turned his gaze and asked. "What sort of bloodline do you wish to choose?"

  "Can I choose as well?" Alice said excitedly. "Is there a bloodline fit for knights?"

  "The Crusader bloodline. It belongs to the realm of righteous order, providing tremendous defensive strength and a significant boost to willpower," Marvin explained. "Another option is the Royal Guard bloodline, which offers a more balanced offense and defense."

  "I choose the Crusader bloodline," Alice replied immediately.

  "Crusader bloodline. The first elixir is Justiciar X. Be sure to study its formula carefully," Marvin said.

  "X?" Nova asked in curiosity. "Shouldn't it be a Level I sequence?"

  "Some special sequences exist only as X," Yvonne answered on Marvin's behalf. "X is also known as the Keystone Sequence, usually placed first in its bloodline path. It provides extraordinary passive bonuses."

  "I see," Nova noted feverishly as she scribbled down more notes.

  "Aurora," Marvin finally said, "regarding the two vampire bloodline paths we discussed earlier, 'Scion of vermilion Tide' and 'Scourge of the Night', which one do you intend to choose?"

  "Scourge of the Night," Aurora answered. "And the second elixir is 'Life Drain,' correct?"

  "Indeed," Marvin said, a note of surprise in his voice. The name 'Scourge of the Night' was hardly attractive, and most female players would not choose such a bloodline. He did not expect Aurora to be so fond of it.

  "Mr. Marvin..." Nova began to ask again.

  "Just call me Marvin," he said gently. "What is your question?"

  "How does one obtain the specific formula corresponding to a designated elixir?" Nova asked.

  I usually ask on the forums... Marvin swallowed the words that nearly escaped him and sighed, "It is all a matter of chance. You may participate in some unofficial secret gatherings of extraordinary ones or join certain extraordinary organizations to trade for the formulas."

  "Speaking of secret gatherings of extraordinary ones, I happen to know a few," Yvonne said proactively. "There is one scheduled for this evening."

  ...

  Zephandrel, modeled after ancient Pendragon's 'City of Seven Hills,' has designated seven peaks within the city, named from the First Hill to the Seventh Hill.

  Because transportation up the hills is inconvenient, these seven peaks have not been fully commercialized. They remain lush and green and serve as a major spot for residents to cool off in summer. Naturally, many secret gatherings favor mountain locations. If the church discovers such a gathering, everyone scatters into the woods, and most can escape. In the city, however, the streets are filled with ancient security cameras from long-lost technologies.

  The secret gathering of extraordinary ones that Yvonne mentioned was to take place on the Seventh Hill. Located next to the inner city wall of Zephandrel, the area around it was sparsely populated.

  They took the "Central Street" metro line, passing through Zenhol Square Station and Boviss Square Station, and got off at the "Golden Gate Station." Then they made their way up Seventh Hill.

  As a natural vantage point near the city wall, Seventh Hill had once been a key military restricted area in the Third Epoch. In the Fourth Epoch, after the ancient Pendragon Empire had come to dominate the continent, the area was opened. Along the way, abandoned outposts and watchtowers could still be seen.

  The secret meeting place was located in a mountain villa. After trekking on the mountain road for nearly an hour, the group finally arrived at the villa's entrance. At the reception desk, Yvonne casually knocked three times and, using a prearranged code word, said, "We need a chess room to pass the time."

  "We do not have a chess room here," the attendant said with a knowing smile. "Only a large conference room, though it is currently rented out for a masquerade ball."

  "May we join?" Yvonne asked.

  "Certainly, Master. How many people?" The attendant asked, his eyes roaming over Marvin and the others.

  "Five," Yvonne replied.

  The attendant's gaze swept over Marvin and the others, and he looked a bit puzzled. Extraordinary ones tend to be secretive and distrustful of one another, often coming alone or in pairs. A trio was already rare; five… could it be that you belong to a secret organization? Out on missions? Perhaps even church agents?

  "Three of my friends are ordinary people," Yvonne explained, using her psychic vision to notice an orange-yellow aura of suspicion on the attendant. "Bring them along so they can see if there is any chance for them to join as beginners."

  "I see," the attendant said, evidently carrying some sort of aura-identifying device. After a brief inspection, he nodded. "Yes, dancing is an activity that requires skill and knowledge. Once you change into your masks in the changing room, pass through the door next to the cabinet."

  Thus, the five of them crossed the reception desk and entered the changing room on the right. As soon as they entered, Yvonne sniffed the air and said, "This room is protected by anti-peeping and divination wards... Each of you, please find a mask and a hooded robe. We are about to disguise ourselves."