Lord of Mysteries: Starting As A Reader

In the ancient palace above the gray fog, Klein sat at the head of the bronze table, awakening from a dream before enthusiastically playing with that transparent dagger strung together by a dozen or so bright star-like points.

"I didn't expect this to be not only a high-sequence item but also forged using the characteristics of two different pathways." Klein sighed as he placed the dagger on the table.

Other than the sealed artifact 0-08 he had used in the Dream Labyrinth and Azik's copper whistle, which only served to summon a messenger while having the side effect of "attracting" undead, this was his first time seeing another high-sequence item, naturally sparking his curiosity.

Through a recent "dream divination," Klein had roughly understood the dagger's functions.

It possessed five primary abilities:

First, it could "record" "Laws" in the dozen or so bright stars on it.

By channeling spirituality into the stars, the user could unleash the recorded Laws, which were comparable in power to Ninth Law charms.

After releasing a Law, the star would re-record a new one within a day. The effect could be specified by the user or would otherwise randomly record a previously released Law.

Second, anyone who violated the released Laws would be "banished" to coordinates associated with the star that recorded them.

The coordinates could be pre-set by the user but could not exceed a thousand kilometers from the dagger's current location.

Third, carving a "door" anywhere with the dagger would allow the user to step through for a random teleportation.

The destination was uncontrollable, with a maximum range of a thousand kilometers—though with bad luck, it could be high in the sky or deep underground.

Fourth, any stab to a target with the dagger would cause severe damage far beyond a typical piercing strike.

Fifth, the dagger could be used as an "astrology" tool to guide the user toward their sought objective.

"What a powerful weapon... Even ignoring the rest, just the self-replenishing Laws hold immense strategic value.

"By comparison, its negative effects are troublesome but still within an acceptable range."

As Klein pondered, two vivid scenes from his divination surfaced in his mind:

In the first, an indistinct woman activated a Law with the dagger, successfully banishing a formidable foe to an unknown location. However, shortly after, she attempted suicide multiple times but was forcibly stopped by her strong willpower. She finally regained her composure after an hour.

In the second, the same woman became disoriented two hours after using the dagger's astrology function. Even slightly complex terrains caused her to lose her way for the next twelve hours. Fortunately, her divination skills prevented significant delays.

Klein concluded that the dagger likely induced a suicidal impulse after using a Law, lasting about an hour. The intensity was unknown, as he couldn't gauge the woman's mental resilience.

However, as long as Miss Judgment promptly came above the gray fog, it wouldn't be a significant problem.

Additionally, prolonged use of the astrology function led to disorientation lasting half a day, reminiscent of his "Master Key." Was this "getting lost" trait common among Apprentice pathway Beyonders?

If I recall correctly, Sequence 5 of that pathway is called "Traveler"… How do you travel if you're always getting lost? Or is it that once you start a journey, you'll never find your way back home?

Klein muttered a sarcastic comment before preparing to share the divined scenes and the dagger with Miss Judgment.

However, just then, the crimson star representing Miss Temperance began expanding and contracting.

"Has she already sorted the information Mr. Tower requested?"

After listening to Miss Sharron's prayer through his extended spirituality, Klein tapped his fingers on the table and activated Mr. Tower's crimson star, signaling him to prepare for the ritual to receive the information.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Tower responded that he was currently unable to hold the ritual and requested permission to ascend directly to view the documents, hoping the Fool would consent.

Klein tapped his finger on the long bronze table, an idea forming in his mind:

"Mr. Tower wants to read the materials. Miss Judgment seeks assistance related to the Mirror World. And Miss Temperance, being a Wraith, is particularly familiar with the Mirror World...

"In that case, why not bring Tower, Judgment, and Temperance up here for a 'small meeting'?"

Once he made up his mind, Klein extended his spirituality to the corresponding crimson stars and sent out invitations.

After receiving confirmations from the three Tarot Club members, three figures appeared on either side of the ancient bronze table as crimson light blossomed.

...

Ebner had just finished setting up the ritual extended from the "seal" with the help of Edwina and Lion Leon when he received the Fool's proposal.

After pondering for a moment and consulting the lion, who informed him that the military and the Demoness Sect wouldn't reach the hall for a while, he hid within the ritual setup along with the two ladies and the lion, using "resting" as an excuse to be pulled into the mysterious space above the gray fog by Klein.

The Fool first introduced Miss Temperance to Miss Judgment, mentioning her specialties. He then placed the manifested "Daniel" materials before Ebner and displayed the divination results to Xio before letting them discuss freely.

The three first watched the divination projection together. As they moved on, Ebner flipped through the materials while listening to Xio explain her situation to Sharron.

Yes, since Xio hadn't disguised herself for this ascent to the gray fog, Miss Sharron was dressed in her signature intricate black Gothic court dress, with soft blonde hair peeking out from under her small hat.

They recognized each other immediately, having formed lasting impressions during the Conva Baron incident.

However, since Sharron was naturally reticent and Xio was known for keeping her friends' secrets, they tacitly chose not to expose each other's identities. Xio had even kept Mr. Tower's identity from Fors—though her "joyful" deception had somewhat deviated from its original intent.

Their relationship instantly became closer, and they quickly engaged in a meaningful discussion about the Mirror World.

Ebner, meanwhile, devoted most of his attention to the materials on "Daniel," or rather, "Dannet Tinekerr."

Most of the contents aligned with what he'd learned from Edwina and Lion Leon, but the initial section piqued his interest:

"Dannet Tinekerr was referred to as the 'Left Hand of God' by the Rose School of Thought from birth, ranking even above his sister Reinette, a favored one.

"From birth, he was emotionally detached, nearly devoid of humanity. His relationship with his parents and sister wasn't bad but was very ordinary.

"However, this condition changed abruptly before the Chained God issued the decree of 'Indulgence.'

"Dannet suddenly seemed to awaken, gradually developing emotions. After the decree was issued, he completely abandoned his responsibilities and positions, leaving the Southern Continent.

"Regarding him, Reinette once said:

"'My brother was never truly alive, but one day he came to life.

"'I thought it was God... but I was wrong.

"'The godly part of him had died. He had become someone else.'"