Klein sat in the waiting area outside the office of Professor Gustav Hall, Chairman of the Divination Department. His palms were sweaty despite the cool temperature, and he kept adjusting his tie nervously.

Around him, other candidates for the position waited as well, each trying to appear calm and confident. Klein recognized a few faces from his university days—there was Edward Shaw, who had graduated with top honors, and Lisa Watson, whose thesis on dream divination had been published in several academic journals.

The competition was stiff, and Klein couldn't help but feel somewhat outmatched. His grades had been good, but not exceptional, and while he had a solid understanding of mysticism and divination, he lacked the practical experience that some of the other candidates possessed.

Still, he had prepared thoroughly for this interview. He had reviewed all the major divination theories, practiced the basic techniques, and even researched Professor Hall's own published works to better understand what the chairman might be looking for in an assistant.

"Mr. Moretti?" A secretary appeared at the door. "Professor Hall will see you now."

Klein stood, smoothing down his vest and taking a deep breath. As he followed the secretary into the office, he felt a strange sense of detachment, as if he was watching himself from a distance. It was the same feeling he had experienced that morning—a sense that he was both Klein Moretti and someone else entirely.

Professor Hall's office was exactly what one would expect from a senior academic: walls lined with bookshelves, a large desk covered in papers and curious objects, and the faint smell of pipe tobacco hanging in the air. The professor himself was a man in his sixties, with a neatly trimmed white beard and sharp eyes that seemed to look right through Klein.

"Mr. Moretti, please, take a seat," Professor Hall gestured to the chair in front of his desk. "I've been reviewing your application. Your interest in the mystical is quite evident from your coursework."

"Thank you, Professor," Klein replied, sitting down and trying to appear confident. "I've always been fascinated by the hidden truths of our world."

As the words left his mouth, Klein felt a strange disconnect. It was as if someone else had spoken through him—someone with memories and knowledge that he himself didn't possess. Yet at the same time, the sentiment felt genuine.

Professor Hall nodded thoughtfully. "Tell me, Mr. Moretti, what do you know about Tarot cards?"

Klein opened his mouth to respond, expecting to fumble through a basic explanation of the divination tool. To his surprise, detailed knowledge flowed effortlessly from his lips.

"The Tarot is a powerful tool for divination, Professor. The standard deck consists of 78 cards—22 Major Arcana representing significant archetypes and forces, and 56 Minor Arcana divided into four suits that reflect the elements and aspects of daily life. When used properly, the Tarot doesn't simply predict the future; it reveals hidden truths and potential paths, allowing the diviner to better understand the forces at work in a situation."

Klein paused, surprised at his own eloquence. Where had that come from? He had studied the Tarot, of course, but not in such detail. It was as if he had accessed knowledge that wasn't his own.

Professor Hall's eyebrows rose slightly. "Impressive, Mr. Moretti. And what would you say is the significance of The Fool card?"

Again, knowledge that Klein didn't know he possessed surfaced in his mind.

"The Fool is ordered zero in the Major Arcana, representing both the beginning and the infinite potential of the journey. It symbolizes innocence, spontaneity, and the leap of faith that starts all great adventures. The Fool stands at the edge of a cliff, unaware of the danger, yet protected by his very innocence. In many ways, The Fool represents all of us as we step into the unknown."

As he spoke, Klein felt a chill run down his spine. The words held a resonance that went beyond academic knowledge. The image of The Fool standing at the precipice seemed to reflect his own situation—poised at the edge of something vast and unknown.

Professor Hall studied him intently, his expression unreadable. "And if you were to associate yourself with a Tarot card, Mr. Moretti, which would it be?"

Without hesitation, Klein replied, "The Fool, Professor."

The answer surprised him. He had never thought of himself in those terms before, yet as soon as the words left his mouth, he knew they were true. He was standing at the threshold of something momentous, about to take a step into the unknown.

Professor Hall's serious expression gave way to a small smile. "An interesting choice. Most candidates choose The Magician or The High Priestess, trying to impress me with their supposed wisdom or power. But The Fool... The Fool acknowledges that true wisdom begins with recognizing how little we know."

He leaned forward, his eyes boring into Klein's. "Tell me, Mr. Moretti, do you believe in the supernatural? Not just academically, but truly believe?"

Klein hesitated. The rational part of him—the part that felt like it belonged to someone else, someone from a world where such things were considered superstition—wanted to give a measured, academic response. But another part of him, the part that was purely Klein Moretti, knew the truth.

"Yes, Professor, I do. I believe there are forces beyond our understanding, powers that operate according to rules we have only begun to comprehend. And I believe that through careful study and respectful practice, we can learn to interact with those forces."

Professor Hall nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "One final question, Mr. Moretti. Why do you want this position?"

This time, Klein didn't need to search for an answer. It came from both aspects of himself, unified in purpose.

"Because I want to understand, Professor. I want to uncover the hidden truths of our world, to explore the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of what we call reality. And I believe that working in the Divination Department, under your guidance, would be the best way to pursue that understanding."

For a long moment, Professor Hall said nothing, simply studying Klein with those penetrating eyes. Then he nodded once, decisively.

"Very well, Mr. Moretti. I believe we have everything we need for now. We'll be making our decision by the end of the week. The secretary will show you out."

Klein stood, thanking the professor, and followed the secretary back to the waiting area. As he left the university and stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, he couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just occurred—not just the interview, but something deeper, something connected to the strange sense of duality he had been experiencing.

Who was he, really? Klein Moretti, a young man seeking a position at a university? Or someone else, someone with knowledge and memories that didn't belong in this world?

As he walked home, lost in thought, he didn't notice the figure watching him from across the street—a tall man in a black coat, his face hidden by the shadow of his hat. The man observed Klein for a long moment, then turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving no trace of his presence except a lingering scent of something ancient and otherworldly.

The game had begun, and The Fool had taken his first step off the cliff.