Lord of the Mysteries

The gray fog filled the air in its eternally unchanging manner as the illusory crimson stars hung around him at varying distances. Klein sat inside the lofty palace that looked like the home of a giant as he looked at the familiar sight before him.

After a few seconds, he looked away and made a yellowish-brown goatskin appear before him. Then, he lifted a pen to write his amended incantation for the summoning ritual.

“Light a candle to represent myself.

“Use a spiritual wall to create a holy environment.

“Drip a drop of Full Moon Essence Oil in the flame, Chamomile Pure Dew, Slumber Flower Powder, and other ingredients. (Note: There’s no need to be too particular in this step because it’s summoning oneself).

“Recite the incantation below.

“I! (In ancient Hermes, Jotun, Dragonese, or Elfish. It must be a deep shout)

“I summon in my name (Hermes),

“The Fool that doesn’t belong to this era, the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck.”

…

After scrutinizing it three times, Klein wrote a divination statement at the bottom:

“There will be danger if the ritual above is carried out outside of this world.”

Phew. He let out a breath, put down the pen, took out the silver chain in his sleeve, and held it with his left hand.

The topaz pendant hung above the goatskin steadily, only a slight distance above the divination statement. He reined in his thoughts and entered a Cogitation state.

“There will be danger if the ritual above is carried out outside of this world.

“There will be danger if the ritual above is carried out outside of this world.”

…

After reciting the statement seven times, Klein opened his eyes which were almost all black and looked at the topaz pendant which was spinning counterclockwise.

That meant a negative outcome: there would be no danger!

“I can give it a try then.” Klein made the items before him disappear. He then extended his spirituality to wrap around himself and simulated the sensation of falling.

When he returned to his bedroom, due to the fact that he had sealed the entire room with a spiritual wall, Klein immediately cleared his desk and put out a mint-scented candle right in the middle.

He pressed slightly on the candle wick, rubbing it with spirituality to cause friction and ignite the candle.

Under the flickering dim light, Klein dripped the corresponding essential oils, extracts, and herb powder onto the flame.

filled the air, and the room alternated between

back, Klein looked at the candle that represented

Hermes, “I summon

mysterious ruler above the gray fog;

the wavering candlelight suddenly dance vigorously and produce a vortex with the surrounding

flower, a herb that belongs to the red moon, please bestow your powers to my incantation…” Klein endured the discomfort brought

he saw the candlelight stop wavering. It was tainted with a gray luster, which extended to about the size

to it above the gray fog? It’s really quite troublesome to summon myself…” Klein muttered, pinching

down, then took four steps counterclockwise before arriving above the gray fog again. He saw that there was a rippling light above the seat of honor at the ancient

symbol at the back of the corresponding chair. The strange symbol that was made up of a Pupil-less

doesn’t belong to this era, the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; the King of

though it wanted to be opened. Klein immediately felt inspired and strongly willed for

and lofty palace was drawn forward. There were

towards the illusory yet shapeless

how much Klein pushed it, the door couldn’t be pushed

will and creased his eyebrows when he analyzed

casually named the door “the Door of

spirituality, so I can’t form a complete Door of Summoning. When I advance to Sequence 8 Clown and pass through the initial dangerous stage, I can give it another try. Maybe it won’t be a problem by then…” Klein nodded lightly and roughly understood what

as this was the first time that he received some sort of response from the mysterious space above the gray fog — other than the incident where he

all the secrets here! Klein excitedly declared in his heart. He then made a rapid descent into the boundless fog after he wrapped himself

…

the candle after he returned to his bedroom. He ended the

he yawned. He collapsed into the bed, covered himself

that followed, Klein woke up abruptly and realized that he was sitting in the living

here again? He was stunned at first as he looked outside the oriel window, finding humor

black windbreaker that went beyond his knees and held a

still wearing his black top hat, and underneath it were his

room and sat on the single seat sofa.

his cane, took off his hat, and leaned backwards. He

trying to

a dream, he pretended to not be affected by it and continued to

look at Dunn who sat opposite him. He found out that the Captain was still sitting there quietly

times, looking at Dunn from

it aside. He nodded and smiled at Dunn. Then, he went to the kitchen to get a piece of cloth and started

simple, so ordinary, so boring. There’s nothing worth observing. Hurry up and leave! Why don’t you pretend to be a ghost and I’ll pretend to be frightened, then you can complete your achievement as a Nightmare! He prayed in silence and lifted his head, but all he

such a quiet and constant gaze, Klein wiped all the furniture and cleaned his room. He was so exhausted in

him out the most was Dunn Smith, who was

idea how much time had passed while he made himself busy until he finally saw his Captain uncross his legs

breath and watched Dunn

his right hand to wave

everything returned to normal, Klein let