LOM: Lord of Mysticism

Not only did they speak the same Loen language, they also shared the same grim and tense vibes.

Where am I? What'm I supposed to do here?

For some reason, two people had been mysteriously dragged into this world surrounded by gray fog. As the perpetrator, Klein was equally feeling abnormally dumbfounded and startled.

Momentarily, Klein thought of two options: the first option was feigning victimhood to hide his true identity and, in turn, gain a considerable amount of trust. He could then take a wait-and-see approach and take advantage of his circumstances where necessary. The other option was to maintain his mysterious identity in the eyes of others, and he could then affect the subsequent development while gleaning valuable information from them.

Without the luxury of time to deliberate over the situation, he grasped hold of the thought that flashed across his mind and made an immediate decision to go with the second idea.

Exploit the psychological state of the others to gain the greatest advantage for myself!

Audrey Hall looked at the mysterious guy veiled in the grayish-white fog, and the only thought was that whatever was happening was absurd, horrifying, and weird.

She was at the dressing table inside her bedroom only moments ago and then had "come" to this place that was filled with gray fog!

How inconceivable! Audrey took a breath, revealing an impeccable, courteous smile, and asked in a somewhat perturbed way, "Sir, are you the one who has dragged us here? Might you permit our return?"

Alger Wilson also had the intentions to probe Klein in a similar fashion, but his rich experience made him statelier, and he held back his impulse, taking on the role of a silent onlooker.

Klein looked at the questioner. Through the hazy mist, he could roughly see the silhouette of the person in question. It was a girl with smooth blond hair, but her exact countenance could not be seen clearly.

He did not rush to reply to the girl's question but turned around to look at the man. He had messy hair as well as a medium stature that was not considered stout.

Klein thought that once he became stronger or had a deeper understanding of the foggy world, perhaps it was possible for him to see through it and discern the girl and the man.

In this situation, they are the visitors, and I'm the master!

After adjusting his mind, Klein noticed details that he had neglected earlier on. The girl with the melodious voice and the mature, withdrawn man both looked considerably incorporeal. Tainted by a faint crimson red, they resembled a projected image of the two crimson red "stars" beyond the gray fog.

This projection was based on the connection between the crimson red and himself, an intangible connection that only he himself could realistically grasp hold of.

The projection would disappear once the connection was cut, and the couple would then return, Klein guessed.

After a few seconds of silence in the fog, Klein Moretti looked at her, chuckling. "Of course, if you make a formal request, you can return this very moment."

Upon not identifying any ill intention from his tone, Audrey heaved a sigh of relief, believing that since the gentleman who was capable of such miraculous things had given his word, he would definitely abide by it stringently.

With her mind somewhat mollified, she was surprisingly in no hurry to request her leave. "This is such a wonderful experience... Yes, I have always been hoping that something like this would happen. I mean—I like mysteries and supernatural miracles. No, my point is—what I mean is that, sir, what can I do to become a Beyonder?" She said to Klein in a somewhat desperate tone.

The dream that sprouted in her as a result of listening to thrilling fantasies told by her elders finally saw the possibility of being materialized.

Good question! I would also like to know how... Klein thought inwardly and started to ponder an answer to her question to maintain his unfathomable image.

At the same time, he felt that it was quite unbecoming of him to talk while standing. Shouldn't I be in a palace, sitting at the head of a long table and on a mysterious high-back chair engraved with ancient patterns, while silently observing my visitors?

As soon as this thought surfaced, the gray fog started to churn, giving both Audrey and Alger a shock. A number of towering stone pillars materialized around them and above a vast dome that encapsulated them.

This entire edifice looked magnificent, grand, and lofty, just like a legendary palace for giants.

Directly under the dome where the gray fog gathered, a long, bronze table appeared with ten high-back chairs on either side in a symmetrical arrangement, along with a chair on each of the two ends of the long table, and the back of each chair dazzled and shone faintly with crimson red, drawing the outlines of weird constellations that differed from reality.

Klein extended his right hand and caressed the edge of the bronze table a little while maintaining an unperturbed expression.

Audrey and Alger sat face-to-face. The girl looked to her sides and could not help but mumble, "How fascinating."

Alger inspected the surroundings, and after a few seconds of silence, he suddenly opened his mouth and answered Audrey's question in place of Klein.

"Are you from Loen?"

"If you want to become a Beyonder, join the Churches of either the Evernight Goddess, the Lord of Storms, or the God of Steam and Machinery.

Most people will never meet a Beyonder in their entire lives. It's to the point that even the Churches aren't an exception—many clergymen within any of the major Churches suspect the same.

But I'm certain to tell you that Beyonders still exist in courts, tribunals, and execution agencies, and they're still fighting against the dangers that grow in the dark. It's only that their numbers are much fewer in comparison to before and during the early years of the Iron Age."

Klein listened attentively, and he tried his best to present himself as paying little attention to Alger's words, much like how one would listen to kids telling stories.

Relying on his fragmented general knowledge of history, he knew clearly that the "Iron Age" referred to the current epoch, which was the Fifth Epoch that began 1349 years ago.

Audrey silently listened to Alger finish his sentence before sighing. "Mister, I know all about what you just said; I even know more than that, including about the existence of the Nighthawks, the Mandated Punishers, and the Machinery Hivemind, but I don't want to lose my freedom by joining an organization."

Alger gave a low-sounding laugh and said vaguely, "You can't become a Beyonder without sacrifices. If you don't consider joining Churches and accepting their given challenges, you can only seek the royal families and the few nobles with family histories of more than a thousand years. If not, you can rely on your luck to search for clandestine evil organizations."

Audrey puffed her cheeks and looked around in a fluster. After confirming that both the "mysterious man" and Alger did not notice her tic, she pressed, "Are there no other solutions?"

Alger sank into silence. After a moment, he turned around to look at the "mysterious man" who was watching the two of them in silence.

Realizing that Klein had no plans to make any comment, he looked back at Audrey and said with deliberation, "I have two sets of Sequence 9 potion formulas."

"Really? Which two sets?" Audrey clearly knew what the Sequence 9 potion formulas meant.

Alger leaned back slightly and replied in an unhurried tone. "'Here's the thing. If a human wishes to become a true Beyonder, they can only rely on potions. The names of the potions come from the Blasphemy Slate,' and after translating them into Jotun', Elvish, ancient and modern Hermes, and ancient Feysac, their names have constantly changed to match the customs of each era—but the names are beside the point. What matters is whether they portray the core characteristics of each potion.

I have a Sequence 9 Potion named 'Sailor.' It enables you to have excellent balancing capabilities. Even if you were on a boat in a rainstorm, you will be able to walk about freely as though you were on land. You will also gain immense strength and illusory scales under your skin. They will enable you to swim swiftly like a fish and be difficult to catch. You will move agilely underwater, just like marine animals. Even without any equipment, you will be able to easily submerge underwater for at least ten minutes."

"Sounds wonderful... This is the 'Keepers of the Seas' of the Lord of Storms, is that correct?" Audrey asked in a tone that was partially expectant and partially seeking confirmation.

"It was indeed called by that name in the past." Alger continued without pause. "The second Sequence 9 potion is called 'Spectator.' Although I am not sure what it was called in the past, this set of potions enables you to have an exceptionally sharp mind with acute observational abilities.

I believe you can understand what 'spectator' means from watching operas and plays. Just like an audience, spectators judge the 'actors' in the secular world, catching a glimpse of the real thoughts of them through their emotions, conduct, and mantras."

At this point, Alger emphasized, "You must remember, regardless of whether you are at an extravagant banquet or a crowded street, spectators can only be spectators forever."

Audrey's eyes shone as she listened and spoke after a long while, "Why? Alright, this is a follow-up question. I-I think I have fallen in love with this idea of being a 'Spectator.' How can I get this potion's formula? What can I use to trade with you for it?"

Alger looked like he was prepared beforehand as he said in a deep voice, "The blood of Ghost Sharks, at least 100 milliliters of it."

Audrey nodded her head excitedly but subsequently asked worriedly, "If I can obtain it—and I'm saying if—how do I hand it to you? How can you promise I will receive the potion's formula in return for the Ghost Shark's blood, as well as guarantee the authenticity of the formula?"

Alger responded calmly, "Once I receive the blood of the Ghost Shark, I'll give you an address, and I'll mail the formula to you or tell you directly here.

As for promises, I think that both you and I can feel assured under the witness of the mysterious sir." As he said this, he swept his eyes towards Klein, who was sitting upright at the Seat of Honor.

Alger continued. "Sir, the fact that you brought us here shows that you have tremendous strength that is unimaginable to us. Neither one of us would dare violate a promise with you as a witness."

"That's right!" Audrey's eyes sparkled in agreement. From her perspective, the mysterious gentleman who had unimaginable abilities was definitely an "authoritative" witness.

How could I or the guy opposite me dare trick him!

Audrey half-turned her body and looked at Klein earnestly.

"Sir, please be the witness of our trade." After speaking, she realized that she was all too impolite, having forgotten all along to ask a particular question. "Sir, how should we address you?"

Alger nodded slightly and echoed the same question in a serious manner: "Sir, how should we address you?"

Klein was taken aback. He gently rapped his fingers on the bronze table, and the contents of the earlier divination flashed across his mind.

Leaning back, he withdrew his right hand and said amiably, "You can address me as The Fool."