Mystery: I can change things in books

Chapter 34 The New Believer
The teaching building of Hoy University is brightly lit. The central porch divides the building into two parts. The left and right sides are extremely symmetrical. The warm yellow light in the upper and lower pairs of sliding windows gives people a harmonious and warm feeling.

The students walked through the halls holding books, with longing for their future life in their eyes.

Chris touched his pocket and found more than 300 pounds of banknotes still lying inside.

He sighed softly and walked towards the restaurant following the memory in his mind.

After dinner, Chris went directly back to the dormitory. His roommate had found a job and no longer lived here.

Chris sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the various grammar books on the bookshelf, but he really had no desire to open them.

He looked out the window at the night and thought about the Tequila Cantina.

I don’t know what Baggio and Jason are thinking...

Chris closed the window, lay back on the bed, and cleared his mind.

He now recalled all the things that happened when Chris joined the Nighthawks.

Klein Moretti's original owner committed suicide because he was influenced by the "Antigonus Notebook". Dunn Smith invited him to join the Nighthawks in order to track down clues. Klein also became a Extraordinary after joining...

Thinking of this, Chris couldn't help but compare Klein's experience of becoming a Nighthawk with his.

And although I know that I am not a member of the secret organization, I am still a wild Beyonder after all, and Albert Gore should be very hostile to me.

But after Dunn Smith fell in love with me, he directly invited me to join the Heart of Machinery. Is it that simple?
Even if Albert Gore has great trust in Dunn Smith, isn't he afraid that I am a high-sequence extraordinary person who hides my strength and can stay awake in my dreams?
What's more, I'm not even a believer in the god of steam and machinery yet!
The more Chris thought about it, the weirder it became. He thought of a possibility, and his hair stood on end.

Is it...

"0-08"?
No, no, no, Ince Zangwill probably doesn’t even know who I am. Even if he knew, there was no need for him to be transparent about me.

Chris closed his eyes and thought, feeling that the possibility of being arranged by "0-08" was close to zero.

A night without dreams.

Wednesday, Hoy University Dining Hall

The school’s Fenebaud noodles are still so delicious…

The familiar spicy aroma stimulated the taste buds. With a knife and fork in hand, Chris inhaled the noodles on the plate like a whirlwind, attracting the attention of others.

After breakfast, he planned to walk to the Holy Numbers Church in the suburbs, just in time to exercise.

Chris wears an off-white vest, a slim brown shirt, black breeches, and a pair of black loafers - this outfit was left in the dormitory by the original owner.

Hey, I feel a little sorry for him, no, I am him...

Chris thought as he walked, putting his hands in his pockets and stroking the white crystal silver chain in his pockets.

I hope the church won’t charge admission…

He smiled inwardly and walked towards the church. What made him feel a little strange was that he met many police officers along the way.

After walking along the road for more than ten minutes, Chris arrived at the Church of the Holy Numbers in the suburbs.

There was a long queue at the door of the church. Dozens of hungry and thin people were leaning against the wall with bowls in their hands. The long queue stretched as far as the eye could see: these were poor people who came to receive free relief food.

There is a saying in Loen that goes like this: The sign of the beginning of a better life is that there will no longer be long lines at the church door.

Chris walked past the queue and into the church.

At the door, a monk in brown uniform was standing next to a large bucket with a spoon, scooping out porridge for the poor people queuing up.

Every time he scooped a bowl, he used his fingers to draw an equilateral triangle on his chest, and then tapped the corners three times.

"May the gods of steam and machinery bless you."

The poor man serving the porridge did the same thing and replied: "The steam is on top."

Is this the prayer gesture of believers in the God of Steam and Machinery...

Chris saw it in his eyes and learned it in his heart. He also made such a gesture to the monk. The monk was serving porridge and couldn't move, so he just smiled at him.

Chris took off his hat, held it in his hand, and found a seat in the back.

The service was about to begin. There were many people sitting in the seats in front of the church. Among them was a bishop wearing an orange-brown robe. He was reading a book at the podium. He had silver hair and a slightly stooped figure. , but in good spirits and with a ruddy complexion.He was Tolby Wilbur, Bishop of Holy Numbers Church.

Above the podium is a huge mechanical triangle that shines with golden light, as if it is adsorbed on the wall. Inside it is surrounded by precision gears, levers and steam symbols, and it seems to be made of bronze.

Higher up are stained glass windows, mainly bronze, which change colors in the sunlight, adding a strong mysterious atmosphere to the church.

Chris looked up and saw a triangular glass on the roof of the church. There were three precision gears of different sizes in the triangle, and murals were painted elsewhere.

The surroundings suddenly became quiet, and Chris involuntarily withdrew his gaze and looked forward.

Bishop Tolby stood behind the podium and said in a deep voice: "The God of steam and machinery calls you to come here, pray to Him, praise Him... What you feel is the love of God..."

Chris dozed off in the back seat, much like his middle school math class.

When he woke up again, the service had come to an end. Everyone stood up and followed Bishop Tolby and said:

"The embodiment of essence, the protector of craftsmen, the brilliance of technology,

Please hear my prayer,

Please send me your blessing,

Lead me into the kingdom of sin;

The embodiment of essence, the protector of craftsmen, the brilliance of technology,

Please answer my call to you,
Please forgive my sins,

Please guide me into the kingdom of glory;

In the name of my lord, the god of steam and machinery. "

After saying this, the service ended. Someone bowed to Bishop Tolby and left the church.

Seeing that the believers in front were leaving one after another, Chris was about to leave as well, but when he got up, he was stopped by a voice.

Chris followed the sound and saw that it was Bishop Tolby.

Tolby looked at him and smiled and said, "I haven't seen you before."

Chris showed a calm look on his face and replied: "Bishop, I want to believe in the God of Steam and Machinery and become His believer."

The wrinkles on Tolby's face relaxed and he smiled: "Our Lord will not treat His believers differently based on the length of their faith. He is also happy to see new people become His believers."

"Yes," Chris replied, learning and practicing, "That's why I want to become a believer in the God of Steam and Machinery."

"Yes." Bishop Tolby nodded, seemingly satisfied with Chris's answer.

"We can begin the christening ceremony now."

Chris stood behind Bishop Tolby, followed his movements, and looked up at the gear triangle directly above the church.

At this time, the golden sunlight penetrated through the glass behind it, passed right through the center of the triangle, and shone on the two people.

“…the body will eventually decay, the machinery will bear the burden, and the steam will rise here,
My Lord, God of Steam and Machinery—

You are the embodiment of essence, the protector of craftsmen, the radiance of technology,

Your devout followers fall at your feet,

See your radiant outline gradually appear,
See your hard triangle ignite with golden light;
Your new follower, Chris Doty,
He is willing to follow your changes and feel your eternity,
He wants to listen to your teachings and pray for your protection;
Please allow him to become your believer..." (Note: 1)

Bishop Tolby picked up a precision bronze kettle, dipped his hand in water, and touched it on Chris' head.

He closed his eyes and stood still, feeling the spirituality rising from his body. The golden gear triangle naturally appeared in his mind.

Chris opened his eyes, and Bishop Tolby showed a warm smile in front of him: "Congratulations on becoming a believer in the God of Steam and Machinery, Chris Doty."

Chris made a standard prayer gesture and replied piously: "Steam up."

(Note 1: Adapted from Tennyson's "Tithonus", translated by Mr. Fei Bai)
(End of this chapter)