Chapter 217: John''s career path

    (John POV)

    Sleep eluded me as anticipation coursed through my veins.

    Tomorrow marks the beginning of "Cuckoo''s Nest" - my first leading role, starring alongside the famous Vivienne Westwood and directed by Lord Arthur himself.

    Even now, lying in my apartment bedroom, it feels more dream than reality.

    These past week working closely with Lord Arthur have only deepened my devotion.

    His brilliance as a director shines through every decision, yet he remains remarkably attentive to both actors and crew. Such consideration from one of his stature... it still amazes me.

    My fingers traced the edges of his most recent gift - a golden scroll that even now pulses with subtle divine energy.

    Though the initial brilliant light has faded, its otherworldly aura remains unmistakable. This precious artifact has become my constant companion, revealing truths about myself I never knew existed.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    {Divine Follower Status

    Name: John Joseph Nicholson

    Level: 1

    Current Faith Points: 15

    Stats:

    Strength: 6

    Intelligence: 9

    Charisma: 11

    Willpower: 12

    Talents:

    Acting - Psychological Depth: 5

    Method Performance: 3}

    The scroll''s revelations about my talents, particularly my "Psychological Depth" in acting, helped guide my path choice.

    When presented with the three subclass of Stage Actor - Drama, Comedy, and Method - I found myself drawn to Method despite its challenges. Something about completely inhabiting a character''s psyche resonated with my natural inclinations.

    The crunch of gravel under my tires echoed across the nearly empty parking lot as I pulled in.

    Two guards stood at attention by the front gate, their tough expressions softening slightly as they nodded in greeting.

    Through the heavy iron gates and past the squeaking main doors, I made my way to the day room where we''d begin filming.

    The scent of antiseptic barely masked years of institutional staleness.

    The day room buzzed with activity - crew members making final adjustments while our actors, dressed as patients or nurses, mingled with the room''s regular occupants.

    Near the window, Vivienne sat conversing with a real patient whose restless eyes never quite focused on anything.

    She rose at my approach. "Arthur." A simple nod.

    "Holding up alright?" I couldn''t resist teasing. "If it''s too much, Selina Taylor''s just a phone call away."

    "I''m fine." Vivienne''s smile faded as she gazed around the room. "Actually, instead of fear, all I feel is sadness for these people..."

    In the corner, a middle-aged woman in a faded gown pulled repeatedly at her hair while a nurse tried gently to still her hands. Another patient traced invisible patterns on the wall, his movements growing more frantic until an orderly guided him away. Most wore that distant expression unique to long-term residents - eyes glazed, movements mechanical.

    "The more I learn about mental health these past few days, the heavier my heart gets." Vivienne''s sigh carried genuine pain. "If only I could help them somehow..."

    I understood her feelings completely. These patients'' conditions stirred something in me too. As Dionysus, I could actually heal them through John''s prayers, channeling divine power to clear their troubled minds.

    The severity of their conditions would determine the Divine Point cost, though John''s Faith Points could help offset the burden. The real question was whether he''d be willing to use those points to help these strangers.

    I could heal them myself without John''s prayers, but that would drain my divine points significantly. Mental illness wasn''t like healing a physical wound - it required delicate manipulation of the mind and spirit, consuming far more power than simple ailments.

    My Divine Healing ability was still at a low level, nowhere near potent enough to properly cure these conditions.

    Without leveling up that skill first, any attempt would just waste divine points for incomplete results.

    Pushing aside these thoughts, I turned to Vivienne. "Where''s John? He''s usually the first one here."

    She glanced around the room. "Haven''t seen him yet..."

    A few minutes later, John walked through the door, and I immediately noticed something different about his presence. Gone was his usual careful demeanor, replaced by something rawer, more defiant.

    "John seems completely different today," Vivienne murmured beside me, then added with growing understanding, "He''s fully immersed in his character already."

    "You''re right." I nodded, studying his transformation.

    Before, John had struggled to fully embody Randle, but today the change was remarkable. His posture, his walk, even the way his eyes assessed the room - everything screamed Randle McMurphy.

    The Divine Revelry System had obviously done its work. What would have taken most actors weeks of preparation, John had achieved through divine blessing and genuine dedication to his craft.