52. Expert Advice

North Las Vegas, a high-end residential area.

Dean and Alvin, carrying a red wooden box, stood before a brick-red villa and gently knocked on the door.

Creak—

A black-haired woman wearing glasses emerged from behind the door. Her appearance was ordinary, her demeanor quiet, and fine crow’s feet traced the corners of her eyes—she was no longer young. Yet the V-neck black shirt and earth-toned suit trousers made her look sharp, fresh, and imbued with a professional air.

Time had claimed her beauty, but could not take her elegant grace.

"Hello, are you Ms. Marlene Daly?"

"Yes, you… are you Dean from the Lake Mead incident? That high schooler with a strong sense of justice?"

"Well, I am Dean, and this is Alvin Garcia. We’re looking for an expert in spiritualism, and Holden Ford recommended you to us."

"Holden did call me. I do have some research in this field. Welcome to my home; please, come in."

She led the two past a delicate shoe cabinet in the entryway and settled on the central sofa in the living room. Dean set down the box and looked around.

The living room was spacious and bright, awash with light but free of ornate or luxurious decorations—simple and tasteful. The hardwood floor and table lent an atmosphere of tranquility, evoking nature’s simplicity and freshness, making them unconsciously relax.

"Coffee, cola, or orange juice?"

"Just two glasses of water, please."

The lady placed the water before them and sat on the opposite sofa, hands folded in front of her, her gaze calmly sweeping over their faces as she offered a gentle smile.

"So, tell me, what brings you here? But let me state upfront—I am merely a chronicler interested in spiritual rituals, occultism, and psychology. I am not a professional medium; I lack special abilities due to limited gifts. If you want me to host a séance, I’m sorry, I cannot help."

Dean quietly nodded as he withdrew the "Shadow" floating before her—she had not sensed it at all, proving she was an ordinary person.

"We just have some simple questions to ask," Alvin said, sitting up straight after drinking his water, his posture a bit stiff and tense. He’d spent years on the streets and hadn’t been inside such a beautiful house for a long time; he worried about dirtying it.

"Relax, Mr. Alvin. There’s no danger here. I consider myself a good listener; feel free to share your concerns. I promise to keep them confidential."

Alvin felt as if he’d heard heavenly music; in his eyes, she suddenly seemed kind and approachable. "Do you know Panon Garcia, or have you ever heard the name?"

Marlene knitted her delicate brows, then quickly relaxed them.

"Sorry, I’ve never heard of him."

A flash of disappointment crossed Alvin’s face, but he continued, "What about Alexander Raphael?"

"The medium master who passed away two years ago? We met at several conferences."

Marlene leaned back slightly, sincerely meeting Alvin’s gaze. "Though he was not young, he remained energetic—his voice full and resonant, his actions astonishingly vigorous. He was madly obsessed with all things occult and mediumship, his mind overflowing with innovative and bold ideas."

"He was a fanatic for spiritualism."

"Before we delve deeper into the topic of mediums, I have a question for you both," Marlene observed their expressions. "Do you believe ghosts exist in this world? Or do you think they’re absurd fantasies, mere nonsense?"

"Please be honest; it affects how I answer next—I want to avoid making you uncomfortable."

Alvin was silent.

Dean instantly understood—if they claimed disbelief or hedged, the expert would surely respond with a scientific explanation to brush them off.

"I am certain of it, because a friend of mine once experienced a ghost incident."

"Oh? Tell me more," Marlene’s eyes brightened. "Do you mind if I take notes?"

"Of course." Dean fabricated, "My friend witnessed a person who died from bullying, returning as an invisible ghost to take revenge."

Dean recounted his own past experience, modifying sensitive details and transforming it into a tale of ghostly vengeance.

Marlene nodded repeatedly, her face showing delight.

Alvin, surprised by Dean’s storytelling, realized that this Dean operated very differently from the scientific-minded Holden.

Five minutes later.

Marlene closed her notebook with satisfaction, her gaze at Dean now tinged with recognition.

"You and I are the same kind of person, so from now on, I won’t hold back. Where were we?"

"Alexander Raphael’s desire to reform the occult."

"Right. From what I know, he was constantly improving the soul divination board to enhance its effects."

Dean glanced at the red box—could the board inside have been strengthened? If it’s more powerful than usual, perhaps that’s why the 'Shadow' fears it.

"I also heard from other mediums that Alexander was attempting… hmm… to control a ghost."

"Don’t mediums already manipulate ghosts?" Dean was curious.

Marlene shook her head, smiling, "Most mediums can only temporarily summon ghosts through rituals, not truly control them."

Dean understood—his possession of the "Shadow of the Past" already surpassed most mediums.

"Alexander improved the spiritual rituals for this purpose."

"Do you know the specific steps of these improved rituals?"

Marlene regretfully shook her head, "Those were Alexander’s private secrets, never shared with outsiders."

Dean and Alvin were disappointed.

"What kind of person was he? Aside from his wide circle, what was his attitude toward ordinary people?"

"He was very helpful, charging much less than most colleagues to aid people in communicating with departed loved ones. Most who sought his help found comfort and satisfaction."

"He was respected and renowned in the spiritualist community."

So Alexander was an outright good person?

Dean had just formed this thought, but immediately dismissed it.

To know a person’s face is not to know their heart—he couldn’t hastily conclude based on Marlene’s surface words.

"Did Alexander have any peculiar traits?"

Marlene picked up her steaming coffee and blew on it.

"Let me think… like most mediums, he suffered from insomnia. His mind was too active, so he couldn’t sleep well."

Insomnia.

Dean recalled the photograph where the old man’s eyes were bloodshot and protruding.

"Most mediums suffer insomnia?"

"That relates to the innate talents of mediums… would you like to know more?"

Dean and Alvin showed attentive expressions.

"The medium world is rife with frauds—almost ninety-nine percent are mere performers. Many angry citizens label all spiritualists as con artists."

"Though I’ve never witnessed spiritualism firsthand, I believe mediums are a rare and special group. Based on my years of research, interviews, and collected data… they possess such powerful abilities because of two aspects of talent…"

Marlene paused, sipped her coffee, her eyes showing a hint of envy.

"First, they possess mental energy far beyond ordinary people—so vigorous it can even affect reality. They skillfully use this energy to call souls from the world of the dead, igniting it as a beacon to guide spirits."

Mental energy.

Dean’s heart stirred.

She must mean the mental attribute.

"Second… they possess special spiritual sight, able to sense the presence of ghosts, observing them with the naked eye."

Marlene paused, her face radiant as sunlight.

"This world is composed of countless energies—planets, animals, human bodies, minds, and even souls are all forms of energy, but their frequencies differ. Ordinary people only perceive energies within normal frequency ranges."

"But mediums can keenly sense the energies of ghosts and evil spirits. They see these intangible beings and communicate with them."

"I should add—not only mediums can see ghosts. Through special rituals or circumstances, those deeply connected to a ghost—such as family, lovers, or close friends—may also see them."

"Using a divination board long blessed with a medium’s blood can also reveal spirits."

Energy frequencies and sensory abilities.

Isn’t this the perception attribute?

Dean’s heart reached a clear understanding.

So, the prerequisites for becoming a medium are extraordinary mental and perception attributes.

Just learning this made the visit worthwhile.

"Mental energy and acute perception form the mysterious profession of mediumship," Marlene echoed his thoughts. "But these talents are both a blessing and a curse."

"How so?"

"Excessive mental energy means the mind is wildly active, untamed."

"Without timely professional training to control or clear the mind, mediums will constantly generate novel fantasies. Some may even mistake these fantasies for reality, experiencing hallucinations."

"They exist in a state of mental excitement, tireless, unable to rest."

"But if mental energy is too great, even training fails, and insomnia is inevitable; severe cases can develop mental disorders."

So high mental attributes can have negative effects?

Dean frowned, recalling his own bouts of unexplained insomnia after boosting his mental attribute—was his thirteen points already abnormal, causing side effects?

He wondered—if he kept increasing only his mental attribute, would he develop mental illness?

Dean exhaled; worrying about it now was pointless.

"Wait, you mentioned that high mental energy causes sleeplessness?" Dean quickly took out the divination board and pointed to the pale eye and 'Insomniac' symbol.

"This eye-like pattern is interesting, but I don’t recognize it," Marlene adjusted her glasses, gazing curiously at the teardrop-shaped board. "I’ve never heard of a 'Insomniac' brand for soul divination boards—more common are Medium, Law King, Dawn Star…"

"If it were a brand, it wouldn’t be so inconspicuous."

"To me, it looks like a mark for an organization or gathering. Insomniac—literally, its members might suffer the same mental overactivity as mediums."

"Mind if I take notes?"

"Go ahead."

An organization?

Dean etched this into memory.

...

"Back to the topic. Excessive mental energy causes mediums to suffer insomnia or hallucinations. Exceptional perception brings even more troubling issues."

"Some mediums have been able to see ghosts lingering in the world since childhood."

"Imagine—a child, ignorant and innocent, repeatedly frightened by strange spirits. If they talk about such experiences, no one understands; ordinary people isolate or shun them out of fear."

"So many mediums withdraw into themselves as children. They appear eccentric, solitary, misunderstood, tormented by nightmares."

Dean’s gaze grew subtle.

Marlene concluded,

"Their inner worlds are far richer than most, their emotions deep, but hesitant to express—melancholic and sensitive. Compared to interacting with others, they prefer immersing themselves in their own world. To outsiders, they seem afflicted with psychological disorders."

Hearing this, Dean felt a powerful sense of familiarity.

He turned to Alvin. Simultaneously, Alvin looked at him, blinking and mouthing—

Panon.

Marlene’s descriptions matched Alvin’s autistic elder brother perfectly!

...

"Excuse me, ma’am, give me a moment to organize my thoughts."

Dean sipped water and turned to Alvin.

"Did your brother ever mention it? Insomnia? Seeing strange things?"

Alvin nodded, "As a child, he often couldn’t sleep, talked to the air, called them strange things living in the air. At first I didn’t care, but as he grew older, he stopped mentioning it to me and David, just muttered to himself."

That means—

Panon very likely has the talent of a medium?

Dean’s investigative progress jumped to forty-five percent.

"Ms. Marlene, are there many people with mediumistic talent?"

"I can only offer my opinion—about one in hundreds of thousands."

"Can an experienced medium recognize others with 'talent'?"

She nodded.

"Of course. Mediums can perceive various energy frequencies. For example, ordinary people’s energy fields appear pale yellow to mediums, but those with talent are vivid crimson—impossible to miss."

Dean clenched his fist, a sudden clarity dawning.

Panon has mediumistic talent.

Master medium Alexander died in Panon’s house.

This is no coincidence.

Alexander must have encountered Panon somewhere—on the street, in a bank, or elsewhere—and noticed his uniqueness.

Then he sought out Panon to achieve some hidden purpose.

...

To guide him onto the path of mediumship, or involve him in improved spiritual rituals?

What happened between them is unknown, but it was surely significant—

Dean deduced.

The system shuddered.

Investigation progress suddenly leapt from forty-five to fifty percent!

Summoning Alexander Raphael’s spirit would surely reveal Panon’s whereabouts!

...

"So, Ms. Marlene…" Dean restrained his excitement and asked, "I have another question. Suppose I need to deal with an evil spirit—what should I do?"

"Why do you ask?" Marlene glanced at Dean unhappily. "Normally, ghosts lingering in the world or summoned by mediums to reunite with loved ones pose no harm. They’re 'simple,' driven by a few obsessions, and usually stay in the summoning site briefly before fading away."

"But there are exceptions," Alvin said.

Marlene hesitated for a long time.

"Some records note that a tiny minority—those who were mentally twisted, cruel, or suffered inhuman torment before death, filled with resentment—may become vengeful spirits or evil spirits."

"They are malevolent toward life; once summoned, they slaughter and spread terror." Marlene’s expression grew grave, her tone chilling. "They can easily kill ordinary people, and are extremely troublesome for mediums and exorcists."

"Evil spirits defy common logic; physical means rarely work."

She paused, her gaze serious.

"But according to predecessors’ summaries, they have weaknesses—there are several ways to exploit them:

Burn them with continuous flames;
Disrupt and weaken them with loud, chaotic noise;
Resolve their obsessions to soothe their resentment, sending them back to the world of the dead;
Crush them with powerful mental energy—but this is almost impossible."

Indeed, the 'Shadow' fears fire.

Dean nodded, recording these methods in his notebook.

"But if the deceased had extraordinary mental energy—like a medium—their evil spirit, once freed from the flesh, becomes even more troublesome, lingering longer and making the summoning site eerily cold."

Marlene drew a deep breath, her tone full of caution.

"Remember—the stronger the ghost, the more complex its thoughts, the closer it is to the living, sometimes able to communicate. But 'the dead are too noisy, they never lie'—in a séance, the questions posed through the divination board, if the ghost chooses to answer, must be truthful."

...

Dean nodded, his curiosity boiling.

Where did his own "Shadow of the Past" rank among ghosts—weak, ordinary, strong?

He recalled its brief presence and dull mind—likely just ordinary.

...

"Alright, Ms. Marlene, thank you for your generous answers. We have one final question."

Alvin’s face was troubled, clearly having deduced some grim points from her descriptions.

"How can we summon a ghost?"

"You? I’m afraid not." Marlene shook her head. "A séance requires at least one medium or someone with powerful mental energy to open the 'channel.' Ordinary people attempting it are just playing Halloween games."

"Do you know any mediums?" Dean asked, "I mean genuinely skilled ones."

"True mediums are rare and in demand. I could try to arrange an appointment, but I can’t guarantee effectiveness. You’d need to queue for at least half a year and prepare a hefty sum—over twenty thousand dollars as compensation."

"Too bad—I can’t wait that long, nor afford it," Alvin declined.

Dean’s gaze shifted—his thirteen mental points surely exceeded ordinary people; maybe he could try hosting the ritual himself.

He spoke up.

"In fact, we’ve already found someone to host."

"I must warn you—if a gifted amateur recklessly attempts a summoning, it’s dangerous." Marlene’s gaze was solemn, her tone stern. "If you accidentally summon an evil spirit or something worse, everyone will die."

"Could you…?" Dean asked.

"Sorry, I can’t accompany you. I’m a dedicated chronicler; my principle is not to directly participate in séances."

Alvin exchanged a glance with Dean, their mouths twisting in a bitter smile. "Alright, I understand—but could you tell us the real ritual? I only want to meet my loved one one last time. We’ll make thorough preparations."

Marlene sighed.

"I can tell you, but best not to spread it… Even if you do, ordinary people can’t use it."

"First, you need a soul divination board—ideally one that’s been used by a medium for years, soaked in mental energy, to help open the channel…" Marlene lifted the teardrop-shaped Insomniac board to her face, her eyes close to the glass.

"Through certain special boards’ lenses, even ordinary eyes can observe ghosts."

Oh?

Dean felt relieved; because the 'Shadow' feared the board, he’d already withdrawn it.

"Next, the fresh blood of a medium or someone with special mental energy should be smeared on the board and divination plate…"

Marlene continued.

"After sunset."

"The room where the ghost died must be dim, quiet, and enclosed. If the death occurred outdoors, it’s nearly impossible to summon successfully…"

"Incense… burn sage…"

"Bath… cleanse the body… focus the mind."

"Place the divination board on the knees of all participants."

"Ritual prayers…"

...

Time slipped by as she explained. After expressing their sincere gratitude, the two quickly turned and left.

By the door, Marlene Daly leaned on the frame, anxious as she watched the distant white Bronco.

"Don’t let anything happen…"

...