35 – Nocturne
They say if coincidences persist, they become inevitable.
No line seemed more appropriate to describe the situation I found myself in.
The night was flickering with candlelight.
I unfolded the spellbook after a long while, reaching for a palm-sized piece of paper snugly tucked within.
[ To Bernhard, Werner ]
It was a letter from Mrs. Diemann, received during the journey.
I examined it under the candlelight for a while, observed it from different angles. After placing it momentarily on the desk, I picked up another piece of paper.
[ Invitation to Nocturne Club ]
[ Werner R. Diemann ]
In contrast to the letter received almost ten months ago, this paper was a relatively recent acquisition.
“….”
Coincidences piled up threefold.
While dismissing things like sharing the same name as mere chance, I raised an eyebrow at the fact that he was my contemporary, eventually confirming that we shared the same surname.
“Mrs. Diemann. It seems the Federation is smaller than one might think.”
It was winter. On a night when snowflakes began to fall one by one from the sky.
#January 22nd. Snow.
The encyclopedia that was the source of my knowledge during my time in the Empire didn’t solely contain academic or technical information. Instead, it predominantly covered arts like painting and music, as well as philosophical subjects, taking up about half of the encyclopedia.
However, at that time, I had little interest in such things.
It was only natural.
There was no room for distractions like art or unheard-of musical histories, unrelated to surviving in a fallen empire.
Even for someone like me, who was relatively better off, having had no interest in art pieces never seen or the history of unheard music was inconceivable.
Philosophy, which was entirely filled with metaphysical language, goes without saying.
The only thing that sparked my interest was literature, but even that was for the purpose of learning Pravobian.
In my life, culture had been non-existent for a long time.
However, the Federation was different.
Street performers were abundant everywhere, and pictures hung on the walls of almost every store.
There was a place called the library where many citizens enjoyed expensive books, and during meal times, they sometimes indulged in discussions.
Such scenes provided me with enjoyment comparable to a battleship or a train.
On the other hand, the reason I suddenly bring up this story is no other than:
[Invitation to Nocturne Club]
[Werner R. Diemann]
It was because I received such an invitation from Werner.
December. It was right after confirming the results of the entrance exams.
“Yujin. Are you going to be busy until the start of the summer semester?”
“I guess I’ll be busy. I’m working for the Federal Bureau.”
“Then you should be free in the evenings.”
“Huh?”
“Wait a moment.”
Suddenly pulling out a notebook and a pencil from his bag, Werner scribbled something and tore off a sheet of paper, handing it to me.
“Come visit sometime in January. As a top entrance exam candidate of the Federal Magic University, you’ll be welcomed with open arms. I’ll be there most of the time, so let’s have a magic discussion when you have some free time.”
With these words, he laughed heartily and left the courtyard of the magic university.
It had been a month and a half since that day.
At first, I had no intention of finding out what kind of invitation it was. But through the information I had gathered, I had a rough idea of its significance.
Nocturne Club.
A social gathering shrouded in mystery. The location undisclosed, the organizer unknown. Entry allowed only with a recommendation from a club member.
Given its secretive nature, it was a meeting where renowned artists and scholars from all over the federation gathered, fitting the mysterious ambiance.
Judging by the circumstances, it was reasonable to assume that Werner was also a member of the Nocturne Club. It seemed he had given me a recommendation to attend.
I saw it as a good opportunity.
Regardless, I needed to meet Werner personally, even if it was just to deliver Mrs. Dieman’s letter.
While it was necessary to find a way not to reveal my identity as an imperial fugitive, today, January 22nd, was the chosen day.
However.
“It looks suspicious, no matter how you see it.”
As the day approached, a sigh escaped my lips.
There was a woman observing me with a curious expression as I awkwardly wrapped my head. Lily Lovebrace, the Director of the Eastern Federation.
“Assistant Director Lovebrace. Seems like you’ve gotten involved in something interesting during your break.”
“Does it look that way?”
“Yeah. Your face is amusing.”
Currently, it was the break time for the Eastern Federation.
As soon as the paper signaling the break fell, it was the routine for employees to gather around the table and engage in small talk. However, because of the director who would often puff on a harsh pipe, leaning his chin on my table whenever he was bored, no one dared to approach the small table where I usually sat.
Therefore, today as well, I found myself facing the director.
“Director, your face looks amusing.”
“Really? Because it is genuinely amusing.”
The situation at the Eastern General Bureau had stabilized significantly. Director Lovebrace’s complexion, which had been weary, had improved a lot. However, the mischievous smile ingrained in that decadent face showed no signs of disappearing.
With legs crossed, the director lit a new fire on his pipe and asked, “So, what brings you here?”
Should I say it or not? After contemplating for a moment, I decided to be honest.
“Director, have you ever heard of the Norton Club?”
“The Norton Club.”
Swish, the fire ignited on the tobacco, and smoke wafted into the air.
“Those of us in the upper class must remain oblivious to certain things.”
“Do upper-class people usually refer to themselves as such?”
“It’s a gathering of symbols attracted to sponsoring knowledge elites, promising students, or just those who are drawn to supporting such individuals. In reality, the Norton Club members who claim to be such are only heard of through rumors.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
“Surely, Eugene.”
Suddenly, Director Lovebrace, enveloped in smoke, widened his eyes and leaned forward, getting so close that our noses almost touched.
Amidst the tickling of my face by his tousled blond hair, she whispered, “
Every time I opened my mouth, the scent of dried grass tickled my nose.
“Did you happen to receive an invitation?”
“…It’s kind of scary when you put it that way. If I mention this, will I get caught?”
“hehehe. That won’t happen. So, you really did get an invitation. Goodness.”
A mischievous glint flickered across Director Kukjang’s face.
There was a hint of genuine surprise, albeit slight.
“A Nighton Club invitation. Yujin, what’s your identity?”
“Pardon?”
Identity, he said.
As I tried to swallow my breath, Director Kukjang spoke with a serious expression.
“Are you already rumored to be a prodigy in magic? You just said you did well on the entrance exam. No, who gave you the invitation?”
Ah. So that’s what he means by identity.
I closed my mouth with a sense of inner relief. It felt like I shouldn’t answer that question for some reason.
Instantly, disappointment filled Director Loveless’s expression.
“Not telling me about this… You’re confident you could milk a whole lot of investment once you become a member.”
Was that his impure intention?
“Yujin, if you become a member later, invite me, will you? I’ll take care of you. Deal?”
Ignoring Director Loveless’s words as if avoiding cigarette smoke, I got lost in thought.
I may not know much, but judging by Director Loveless’s reaction, the fame of the Nighton Club seemed to transcend imagination.
Coming from the mouth of Director Loveless, an undeniable scion of the upper class, who never made mistakes with his words, it carried more credibility than the rumors circulating everywhere.
However.
“……”
As expected, it’s a suspicious statement.
It’s not that I don’t trust Director Lovebrace or Werner.
What I find problematic is nothing other than the content of the invitation.
In the invitation written by Werner, there was one more thing written besides the gathering place of the Norton Club, and the content was absurd.
[ Dress Code ]
[Hats recommended]
[Ties prohibited. Especially, permanent entry ban when wearing a bowtie]
[Unbutton the third button of the shirt]
[Shoes must be worn in pairs]
[Violation of the above will not permit entry]
“……”
What on earth does this mean?
Even though my decision was made a while ago, this peculiar dress code clause was still clinging to my ankles.
What’s with the intellectual group? Isn’t this just a group of clowns?
It was a time when I was contemplating, now familiar with the scent of pipe tobacco.
I felt a presence right behind me.
“……Lena?”
“The Norton Club. Interesting story material. Don’t you think so, Director, with tasks piling up like a mountain?”
It was Lena.
From Noble mtl dot com
Lena, as always, stood with a handful of documents pressed against her chest, shooting a sharp gaze at Director Love Lace.
I wonder when she started listening to our conversation.
Director Lace, who was smoking a cigarette with a satisfying taste, froze as he felt Lena’s icy gaze.
There must be something bothering her. Maybe she left her work behind and came out for a break.
It wasn’t worth scolding her, as it happened more than once.
Lena let out a deep sigh and then spoke.
“Never mind. Besides that, it’s not like there’s no one known as a member of the Nocturne Club.”
It was a difficult story to catch.
When asked who that person was, Lena answered with an expression so noticeable that it made me curious.
“The troublemaker from Fourth School, Werner Los Dieman.”
“……”
“He’s quite famous in many ways. You could say he has a personality that wouldn’t even match death itself.”
I agreed.
Although I hadn’t had a deep conversation with Werner yet, the compatibility between people was something that could be roughly seen.
I laughed lightly.
Seeing Lena’s wrinkled expression, I felt an inexplicable urge to laugh, as if all the worries I had until now were pointless.
“Eugene, why are you laughing?”
“hahahahaha. No, it’s nothing. Let’s focus on these documents instead.”
“Uh, are you sure? It’s, it’s alright.”
Whether willingly or unwillingly, after forcibly taking the brush to document from Lena’s arms, I moved to the director’s office with Lena.
Director Lovebrace was dragged reluctantly by one of Lena’s hands into the director’s office.
“Well then.”
“Eugene, wait a moment.”
As I, who had just placed the documents on the director’s office desk to return to work, was about to leave, the director took something out of a drawer and handed it to me.
A luxuriously crafted wooden box, the contents of which were unclear.
Even at a glance, it looked expensive.
“What’s this?”
“A pipe.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Now that you’re an adult, consider it a bonus and accept it.”
Director Lovebrace grinned.
“I recommend bringing it when you go to the Nocturne Club.”
*
That night. After informing Susan and Lena of my outing, I stepped outside.
…Wearing a hat, with the third button unfastened without a tie, wearing two-tone shoes, and holding a pipe in one hand.
