Magister Insanity

The one thing that had bothered me since entering this place was my utter lack of information.

After all, I had been dragged, against my will, into a strange realm by a mysterious phenomenon known as the Dreadspire. Without knowledge, I stood little chance of returning… or, more importantly, surviving this ordeal.

It was like entering a foreign land where you didn't know the native language. The rules weren't written anywhere, and the slightest misstep could be fatal.

What exactly is the Dreadspire? How is it connected to Soulverse Online? Where was the creator? Was it the same person that bought me here?

Common sense screamed that knowledge was survival. Without it, I was blind, and in a place like this, blindness was as good as death.

I had already died once and I had no intention of doing it again.

So I resolved, then and there, to observe and remember everything. No sooner had that decision taken hold than Awakened Sonik began to speak.

"Before you enter the Prism Pool and face the next challenge, there's something important you need to know. Some of you may already be aware, but once a Phrase goes uncleared, a Shard of Darkness will eventually appear, opening Gates across the Material Worlds and allowing Monsters to invade. However, as long as even one of you remains alive, the formation of the Shard of Darkness will be delayed, and more Blasphemers can be sent inside as reinforcements."

…Wait, what? Does that mean if I had failed, Monsters would have invaded Earth?

Someone in the crowd raised their hand.

"Sorry for the interruption, but I have a question."

"Ask away," Sonic replied.

"Why can't higher-sequence Blasphemers enter and clear the Phrases from the start? Is there a limitation on which Phrase we can enter?"

I was about to ask the same question!

Seemingly gathering his thoughts, Awakened Sonic fell silent for a moment before answering:

"Yes, you're right unfortunately. First Phrases are unique, because each of them are individualized. You can think of it as an introductory Phrase. That's why only a single Creature usually appears. Facing more than one at this stage is extremely rare... you would have to be very unlucky for it to happen."

Ouch. Why did that feel so personal?!

"Ahem. Back to what I was saying: First Phrases are mostly containable, since the threat level is low. But starting from the Second Phrase, things become far more difficult. This is when the true horrors of the Void begin to take root. You're probably wondering how this answers your previous question, right?"

Just say it already. What's the point of all this suspense?

Awakened Sonic continued:

"The reason is the Prism Pool itself. I doubt I need to explain, but for the sake of the newcomers, I'll explain everything. If Gates are portals that transport you to the Silver Void, then Prism Pools are fractures within the Silver Void that lead to different Phrases. Each Pool has a distinct color, which indicates both the difficulty of the Phrase and the rank of Blasphemers permitted to cross through."

So that was it. His explanation was straightforward and easy to understand.

Come to think of it, there had been a flash of light before we entered the Forbidden Isle. That must have been a Gate, just as the instructor described.

Sonic's expression grew serious.

"For this reason, higher-sequence Blasphemers cannot simply enter a Prism Pool. There are two exceptions: first, if they have already cleared the Phrase beforehand, and second, if the Shard of Darkness begins to emerge. But the timing has to be precise, or the Phrase will lock its spatial route, meaning you won't be able to escape."

Then he added,

"To summarize everything, the fractures began to appear because the First Blasphemers broke the laws of nature by learning forbidden powers. So it's our duty to enter and challenge the Silver Void. It's our neverending duty! Some people here have lost their homes to the Spire? How could we let that happen again?"

Some Sleepless gritted their teeth, while others clenched their fists in silence. A few even bit their lips.

A memory resurfaced:

「Try not to mention the word 'War' in public. Some of them are… rather sensitive, and might strike without warning.」

It was something Inquisitor Ivy had told me. And now, I could see that resentment with my own eyes.

"Now, for the most important point: the world inside the Phrases may differ from the normal Silver Void. Geography can shift, some lands or locations might not have formed yet. Think of them as alternate layers of an already vast plane. So don't be alarmed if you notice changes... or see people who should be dead. Speaking of which..."

There was a slight pause. Something flashed in his eyes.

"...You might come across some of the deceased you once knew inside the Phrases. Don't fall for such trickery! What you're seeing isn't them, it's undoubtedly a vile Creature wearing their faces, straining to mimic their image."

Awakened Sonic clenched his jaw. He had likely encountered something like this before in the Phrases.

Even so, it was terrifying. Monsters that mimic people? How could something like that even be fair?!

What's the possibility of encountering something like that? No. Let's not panic or I'll ruin myself by raising a flag!

Instructor Sonic straightened his back, his expression showing no hint of weakness.

"In any case, there's no shortage of Monsters you might encounter in the Phrases. If you're unlucky enough, you could run into a Cursed Nightmare and lose your life before you even realize you're dead. It's unfair, but that's the will of the Murmur. Stick close to your companions and try to find an already established fortress. If none exists, you'll have to build a society of your own."

What incredible advice. You're truly remarkable. I might even kiss your feet if only I weren't sane!

How were we supposed to build an entire fortress from scratch while fighting monsters at the same time?

More importantly, how long would that even take? Maybe it was possible, but I didn't see how.

As if reading my thoughts, Instructor Sonic added:

"Truly, hoping to find an already established fortress in the Phrases is far more practical than building your own. Constructing one from scratch would take an enormous amount of time, and surviving against demons while doing so is nearly impossible. However, the concept of time in the Soul Realm differs from that of material worlds, and within the Phrases, it's even more chaotic. You might spend hundreds of years in a Phrase while only a few months pass in the outside world. Other times, time moves at a frightening pace. If you're fortunate enough to encounter the former, then you should have enough time to build a society and gather your forces."

How does that even work? It seemed the flow of time in the Soul Realm was completely alien. I made a mental note to research it further, but for now, my focus returned to the podium.

"Any questions? If not, that will be all for today. Next, follow the instructions sent to your communicators to find your assigned dormitory. Once settled, you may proceed to the cafeteria for a late supper. Afterward, there will be a round of interviews to prepare your suggested curriculums. You're free to do whatever you like after that, but don't get too excited and exhaust yourself! Training starts tomorrow. Have a nice day my fellow sinners!"

Leaving those words behind, the instructor vanished from view like a fraudulent magician.

† †

After a rather unsatisfying meal, I left the cafeteria and made my way to the special appointment. Before long, I found myself seated across from an administrative worker. My stomach was growling but I ignored it.

She appeared young at first glance, but her eyes hinted at a depth of experience that belied her age. I had no intention of surrendering my information easily. Even if Olya hadn't warned me, I would have remained just as cautious.

After all, I wasn't a fool.

Naturally, asking someone outright about their abilities and weaknesses could have serious repercussions. Such questions had to be phrased carefully.

For example, like this:

"Would you like to tell me about your experience? How was the First Phase for you?"

Since she had not specifically asked about my abilities from the jump, I decided to answer honestly.

I explained my story:

"To be honest, I am not sure how to feel about it. I was riding a public bus to college when I was suddenly summoned to a strange island. I do not mean a normal island. This one was surrounded by a crimson sea, and the atmosphere felt dead and oppressive. The first few days were manageable, but after a while, the situation became bothersome. In the end, everyone died."

"W-What do you mean by that? How exactly did they die?"

"How else? They were killed. Some had their ears and other parts mutilated, and one was stabbed directly through the eye socket. He died quickly, at least. The remaining four, out of the forty or so, each met a different fate. One was pushed off while climbing a mountain, I watched him fall. Another did not wake up the next morning, I buried her body in the snow. One was shot between the eyes as he tried to run away and the last I killed slowly. I stabbed him repeatedly in the neck and watched as the life drained from his eyes. I didn't even enjoy it… well, not that much. He was a real piece of work, so I did it anyway. If you want to hear about my appraisal by the Murmur, it was… treacherous."

For some reason, the woman seemed pale and trembling in horror.

I tilted my head. What's wrong with her? Was it something I said?