"After explaining the Source, let's talk about the strength tiers within the Sequence pathway."
Ren pointed at Chika.
"Fujiwara is currently at Sequence 9 of the Spectator Pathway. Sequence 9 and Sequence 8 are classified as the Low Sequences. This level represents individuals who have just stepped into the world of the Beyonders. At this stage, Beyonders are only slightly stronger than normal people."
"Then there are Sequences 7 to 5, which are referred to as the Mid Sequences. Most Beyonders begin to exhibit more powerful abilities at this stage. It's also around this level that the supernatural abilities of different pathways begin to show clear distinction."
"For instance, the abilities of the Spectator Pathway gradually become more apparent. Starting from mental manipulation, a Spectator at Sequence 5 can enter another person's dreams, alter those dreams, and implant suggestions—essentially a more advanced form of hypnosis."
"You can even render your body intangible, allowing yourself to directly enter another person's dream and jump from one dream to another, achieving a form of spatial movement."
All the girls shuddered upon hearing that. That kind of ability sent chills down their spines.
To be able to enter someone's dreams, directly alter them, and manipulate them mentally—such a supernatural power was nothing short of unsettling.
Not only was the ability itself disturbing, even its means of evasion were tied to the spiritual realm.
To make oneself incorporeal and travel through dreams?
Just hearing it was enough to confirm that Fujiwara Chika would never be the type to fight on the front lines.
Yet the person being described was absolutely delighted.
"So I'll get this kind of power once I reach the High Sequences? I'm starting to really look forward to it!"
Ren smiled faintly, but then fell silent.
"Fujiwara, actually, something occurred to me because of yesterday's events. I think the corruption and loss of control you experienced when you first drank the potion might have something to do with me."
Upon hearing that, Fujiwara Chika remained silent for a long time before finally looking up with a wounded expression.
"So, it's all your fault then!"
"Hmm…"
Ren couldn't deny it.
"So, you admit you're the one who caused my psychological trauma?"
"Yes."
"Then you'll have to take responsibility."
"Okay."
"Alright then."
Chika instantly dropped her pitiful look, blinked, and returned to smiling again.
Then, noticing the strange stares from those around her, she pouted and explained.
"It already happened. Besides, no one drank the potion to become a Beyonder before me, and Ren didn't know something like that could happen either. So how could it be his fault?"
"And over the past week, Ren's been helping me stabilize my mental state. As long as he continues to take care of me whenever my mind acts up, how could I ever blame him for this?"
That much was true.
The key was that no one had prior knowledge. Otherwise, Chika wouldn't have gone through something so dangerous.
"What comes after?"
Aizawa Sakuya was still very curious about the latter stages of the Sequence pathway.
The abilities at the Mid Sequences were already impressive. It was impossible not to wonder what came next.
Ren glanced at Fujiwara Chika. Once he saw the smile on her lips and confirmed she was fine, he continued.
"From Sequence 4 onward, Beyonders start walking a different path. Sequence 4 is a branching point. At this level, Beyonders gain something that sets them apart from all others—the Mythical Creature Form."
"This is the transitional stage where a Beyonder starts to evolve into a god through the continued consumption of potions. From that point on, their life structure and lifespan become completely different from that of ordinary people."
"That's why Sequence 4 Beyonders are called Demigods."
The shocking statement left the girls stunned.
The word "God" had been brought up, and now the possibility that one of them might reach that level was beyond their imagination.
"God…"
Nagi's throat tightened. She could feel her worldview being reshaped on the spot.
She already knew that once they touched the mystical, everything they encountered would far surpass normal expectations. But before the word "Demigod" was spoken, she hadn't realized that the divine could be so close to them.
"Then, Ren… do we have a chance of reaching that level?"
"Of course you do."
Ren didn't hesitate at all when answering.
"Nagi, the true nature of the Vision is that it's a backup of divinity. As long as you're able to push your Vision to its full potential and take one more step forward, you too can reach that height."
"But there's something you need to understand first."
"Those of you who received power directly and took shortcuts still need to know this—once you take the shortcut, it becomes much harder to make progress after reaching the realm of gods."
These words didn't stir much reaction. Everyone present understood the truth behind them.
"Ordinary people acquiring power not meant for them and taking shortcuts to reach the peak—that's not something just anyone can do, and it's certainly not a gift available to everyone."
Kaguya didn't see herself as special. She simply felt that she was someone blessed by fate, and such blessings came with limitations.
"If we've been favored, and we've received power through shortcuts, then of course we'll need to work harder moving forward. That's just how it should be."
"Besides, we're still far from that level. It's a bit premature to be thinking about such a distant future."
Kaguya didn't think her current power could be easily improved.
Their shortcut had come in the form of power granted through the diary, and while it already displayed extraordinary traits from the start, they were still far from fully mastering it, let alone stepping into that next realm.
(To be continued.)
***
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