Magister Insanity

My attention was immediately drawn to the massive structure ahead, a colossal castle-like edifice. Its gate, equally grand, bore a sign:

[Imperium Academy]

From what I had gathered, this place had once served as the main base of operations during the Old Great War. Just by sweeping my gaze across the surrounding buildings, the weight of its historical significance was unmistakable. Countless legendary stories and historical tales had unfolded behind those walls.

A legendary presence, perhaps.

No abomination could breach the walls, which were even more fortified and improved than the city's defenses. Perhaps this was the city's final line of defense against any invading force.

But none of that mattered right now.

Today, I was going to attend this academy.

Actually… truthfully, the decision had been made yesterday, the moment Inquisitor Ivy mentioned it.

Regardless, entry was necessary.

Everything about Blasphemers and their ilk was stored within this academy. That knowledge was vital if I wanted to survive the trials of the Dreadspire — or, as the locals called it, the Murmur.

For now, my rank was Sleepless, but my arsenal remained unrefined. Like an unsharpened blade, it needed honing before I could wield it effectively in battle.

The goal was clear: return home, preferably with all my limbs intact.

And for that, the path forward was unavoidable.

"I don't know why… I'm standing in front of such a massive structure, yet I don't feel anything. Maybe it's these clothes."

My gaze dropped.

Yesterday, Ivy had arranged a special package for me. I was currently wearing a black tailored jacket over a simple white shirt. A tie could be seen, loosely fastened around my neck, and my pants were made of matching material, completing the ensemble.

On top of that, a pair of rimmed glasses rested on my nose. Wearing them was questionable considering my eyesight was perfect, but the outfit as a whole felt like overkill.

First of all, why would someone like Inquisitor Ivy even bother with someone like me?

I pondered it over and over until finally, the answer, or at least a fragment of it, struck me:

Someone who fell from the sky instead of stepping out of the summoning circle was bound to be unnatural and attract a lot of attention later on.

Was Ivy taking this as a golden opportunity to invest in me? Most likely.

No one was kind without reason. Those who were fell into two categories: fools or psychopaths. Ivy was neither. Well, she didn't have to do much, and there wasn't even a registration fee.

All I had to do was enter inside and everything would sort themselves from there.

... Guess what she said? Exactly this.

Speaking of which, my mind wandered back to our previous conservation:

† †

It happened right after I finished changing into the new clothes. Ivy looked me over, and suddenly spoke with a stern voice:

"Since you're still new, I'll offer some friendly advice. Whether you take it is up to you."

I turned my head, curious.

"Once your registration is complete, they'll likely offer psychological counseling. You might also receive a valuable reward for sharing your experiences in the Phrase, including details of your appraisal by the Murmur. Possibly even a shard, or more than one."

"All that… just for sharing information?" I questioned, skeptical.

"You're still green. You wouldn't understand." Her eyes hardened. "How do we hope to combat the Spire if we know nothing about it? This is purely for research purposes. But that's not why I'm telling you this. If something like that comes up… don't tell them anything."

"Why?"

"Didn't I tell you before that secrecy is encouraged among Blasphemers? Eventually, other people will be far more dangerous than monsters. It's better if fewer people know about you, especially your curses."

So that's how it was. But…

"What exactly are curses? I've been curious about that for a while now."

For a moment, Ivy didn't respond, as if gathering her thoughts. Then she began to explain:

"Curses are burdens you receive as you progress through the Sequence. With every ability you unlock, a corresponding curse comes with it. Haven't you heard the saying, there's no such thing as a free lunch? It's the same for every Blasphemer you'll encounter."

"And it's a very serious matter. The more curses you carry, the more vulnerable and wretched you become, each one potentially driving you closer to your ruin. This is the price for defying the laws of nature."

So… basically, it's like a permanent debuff in a video game?

Am I understanding that correctly?

"The easiest way to defeat a Blasphemer is to exploit those weaknesses. That's why young fools in the Academy are encouraged — subtly, in various ways — to share the details of their Legacies. I'm not saying they'll deliberately leak your information, but once two people know a secret, it's no longer truly a secret. So never reveal your secrets! I can't stress on this!"

That much made sense. After all, I had seen my fair share of mortal cruelty firsthand.

"Secondly, make sure to prioritize the Survival courses. While you're free to study whatever courses you like and at your own pace, Wilderness Survival and terrain study are the most important, especially for latecomers like you."

Another valid point.

During the First Phrase, our biggest problems were threefold: food, water, and shelter.

How do you make a fire? How do you procure food? How do you find drinking water? How do you secure safe shelter?

None of us truly knew how to handle these basic survival tasks, except perhaps for one person, so we suffered unnecessarily. One problem led to another, our sanity fraying with each passing day, until the final confrontation finally occurred.

Could things have gone differently if I had known how to manage myself in a foreign land, unfamiliar with its terrain?

Perhaps.

However, that forbidden isle was nothing short of atrocious. A crimson sea encircled the land, making even the simplest task: fetching water, nearly impossible on all ends. The trees stood lifeless, bearing only poisonous plants and fruits. The cold of the black mountains was equally merciless, biting and cruel.

Truly, it was a no-man's zone, unfit for the living.

'I will learn from my mistakes!'

Recalling that dreadful memory, I gritted my teeth.

The past was the past and could not be changed. The only path forward was to keep moving.

"Thank you for the advice. And for everything else as well."

"Don't worry about it."

"Once again, thank you. I'll be on my way now."

I bowed respectfully and stepped toward the door to leave, but a voice called out from behind.

"Oh, wait. I forgot to tell you something."

'There's more?'

When I turned back, Ivy added:

"Listen carefully, this is the most important point of all: make sure to get along well with your peers."

I blinked.

"Huh? Is that it? Why do I need to do that?"

Ivy's gaze sharpened as if she were reading my thoughts.

"Because, whether you like it or not, your peers will shape your survival just as much as any skill you acquire. An omnipotent power might be ideal, but such a thing no longer exist. Some challenges simply can't be faced alone. So, try to get along with others. It could pay off one day."

I reflected silently on her words, recognizing their logic.

"I see. I'll keep that in mind."

I turned to reach for the door handle but then paused, remembering something.

Ah, right. I always forget… this would be the perfect time to ask her about that.

I faced the Inquisitor again.

"Say… have you ever heard of a game called Soulverse?"

"Huh?" She tilted her head in confusion. "What's that?"

Wait... she didn't know?

"Where did you hear such a weird thing from?"

I replied quickly,

"Well… I overheard two Beast Forks talking about it, so I got curious. But if you don't know, it can't be helped."

Before she could ask anything further, I opened the door and stepped out.

† †

"Get along with others, huh?"

Recalling those words, I could only smile bitterly.

For a normal person, this probably sounded like the best advice they could ever receive. It was completely reasonable and logical. Some people were weak alone, but together, they could become an unbreakable force.

However, I was different.

What was the point of getting along with others if all I would do was bring suffering and sorrow?

The path I am about to walk had already been set from the beginning.

It was lonely and... utterly vile.

The surroundings was cold and lonesome, with the grey sky illuminating the world from above.

Soon, my brows furrowed.

Captain Ivy doesn't know about Soulverse? I had expected someone of her considerable status to at least have some answers, yet her confusion was genuine, as if she were hearing about it for the first time. Could it be that the creator of Soulverse isn't even in the Soul Realm?

The more I pondered, the more questions multiplied, leaving me with fewer answers than I hoped for. Where was I supposed to find the information I sought?

'Huh? Who's that?'

My vision caught the sight of someone approaching.

He was a tall, wiry young man, around my age, wearing an expressionless face. His long golden hair, reaching just past his neck and tied up at the back, shone brilliantly like a star in the night. Coincidentally, we happened to be dressed similarly. Mine was plain and dark; his was accented with intricate golden patterns. He approached with remarkable grace.

As I studied him, our gazes met.

His eyes immediately drew me in. Golden and luminous, his eyes shone with a brilliance that seemed to capture the very light of the sun.

"..."

We simply stared, neither willing to look away.

He blinked.

Then I blinked.

After a moment of awkward silence, he nodded slightly, a silent greeting, before turning to face the gate.

'What a strange fellow.'

Even my shadow seemed to agree. But strangely, for some reason, it felt as if it were glaring at him.

Was I imagining it?

Seconds later, a series of loud cracks echoed as the massive gate began to lift. The Gate of Mysteries was opening.

Without hesitation, we stepped through at the same time.