Wait… so that means if you reach Phase 0, you don't become a god but rather a wizard? Skywalker… I never knew that. That would mean the people who ranked up to phase 0, and created the Orders back in the Age of Steampunk… they aren't gods, but wizards. So wizards are those who have complete control over an Order, or even the ones who created it… Hehe, I wonder if I could become a wizard one day. But leaving that aside… if wizards aren't gods, then gods must be something even higher. But didn't the Pale Moon Goddess from Moses become a god? That means there has to be another method… something beyond Phase 0. And the author did mention that witches are not the same as succubi.
That means the Creator actually envisioned them as another type of existence… But aren't they doing the same thing through temptation? No… no, witches should be different. Witches are a higher existence than succubi. They should be the beings the Creator envisioned within the Indulgence Order—those who can influence emotions and desires at will. If they wish for someone to feel anger, that person becomes angry… so that's why they aren't the same as succubi. Succubi only deal with temptation.
But Ghost Quin used the Indulgence Order… does that mean she killed a witch? Or took the abilities from one?
And if the Apex arrives… when other beings start walking the earth… could humans even control themselves under a succubus' influence? Hehe.
And in one of the books I read… it said succubi don't even have a fixed gender… that's actually strange…
As for the other abilities of witches… I'm still not sure…
...
Lumian had many inspiration from the text as he finally closed the book, stood up, and kept it back. Returning to the table and seating back down, Lumian suddenly had a realization.
He noticed that the color in his mystic eyes was getting brighter.
Before it was a dim blue color… but now it was very bright blue.
He quickly had an epiphany—that because he was about to advance, he had leveled up in his mystic eyes.
Although he wasn't truly sure, he activated them and looked at the cupboards.
Immediately, faint white silhouettes drifted around him; however, nothing seemed much different than before.
He was just about to bring the pressure down when he remembered what Derrick had taught him when he took his first potion.
With that, he looked at the cupboards for some time, and suddenly, through his mystic eyes, he could tell that the cupboard was made out of wood and had been made roughly two years ago.
However, he couldn't see what was inside the cupboards.
Using that, he suddenly realized that the eyes could not see things that were stronger than him.
...
At that moment, Lumian felt a sudden excitement, trying his mystic eyes on other items. He felt as though he was in a video game where he could see the status and other properties of items.
Could these eyes also be used on sorcerers or other humans? Lumian inwardly thought.
He also thought about something else—the matter that if this was an ability he was supposed to have while advancing, and he hadn't advanced yet, it would probably turn him into a curse.
Now, Lumian had to perform his law as soon as possible.
He sighed and didn't think much of it as he stood up once more. Wandering to the shelf again, he noticed the St. Mary text tucked at the back.
Lumian was slightly scared to take it, but with what Derrick had said about the book, he decided to give it a try. Or rather, he decided to read it in the White Kingdom, so that if he was on the verge of going mad or being affected by knowledge like before, he could simply seal his memories.
He pulled the worn-out black book and looked around with a chuckle.
I somehow feel like a thief now… but where's Captain? Why hasn't he returned?
Not dwelling on it, he went back to his seat and envisioned himself in the White Kingdom.
...
Instantly, Lumian found himself seated on the high seat in the majestic White Kingdom, with the invisible sun overhead.
He looked around and said inwardly, Eidolon, if I'm on the verge of going mad, seal my memories.
There was no reply, but Lumian knew the Eidolon will most likely adhere—because if he died, she would die as well.
He breathed softly and finally opened the book.
At first, he couldn't understand anything that was written. It was as though it were nothing more than messy black handwriting.
But suddenly, Lumian began to understand it.
Hmmm… I can understand it now. Could it be my Eidolon helping me? He said Inwardly as he lowered his gaze and started reading.
...
"July, 1856 — Chapter 1.
After the war, I have not been feeling like myself. At times, I feel as though I could go mad and kill my own people one day.
To be honest, I do not regret taking the risk, since it was for the betterment of human lives.
But leaving aside my misery, I have received another revelation.
I have always noticed that whenever the crimson sun appears, mysticism follows. I kept wondering and wondering, until the Lord finally showed me today.
He revealed to me that, in the past—during the Age of Divine Intervention, after the Creator fused with the world—there was a cataclysm. A stone came from space.
He mentioned that there are beings in the outer space who always destroy such stones. However, this time… they failed.
He mentioned that as the stone landed on our world, it caused great destruction, and that destruction even affected the Creator. The world, which was filled with two suns at that time—the crimson sun and the yellow sun—began to react. The crimson sun, not being part of the Creator, responded… and both of them reacted in turn. I do not know too much about this matter for now."
Lumian's hands trembled as he continued reading, quickly making his way to the next chapter.
"July, 1856 — Chapter 2.
I have recently received another revelation… this time, it concerns the next future.
Oh no… oh no, this is not good.
Lord, why… Lord, please save us, please!
I'm begging you! They do not deserve this!
My people in the future—the people of the year 2026—all of them will die on March 30.
Lord, please… please save them. Please answer my plea!"
...
At that moment, Lumian finished reading. A low chuckle escaped his lips at first… then it rose, twisting into something manic as he slowly closed the book.
Haha! Haha!
Oh no, he's already going mad.
The Eidolon's voice echoed at his side as it began drifting through the White Kingdom.
At the same time, the White Kingdom itself started collapsing. It existed only within Lumian's subconscious, and now it was breaking apart.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The scene lasted for about twenty seconds, filled with Lumian's loud, manic chuckles echoing throughout the kingdom.
After a few moments, faint black particles drifted from his body and rose upward into the invisible sun. At the same time, Lumian's once trembling hands suddenly became steady as he tightened his grip on the armrest.
What the hell… what just happened to me?
Lumian spoke inwardly as he rubbed his head, surveying the collapsing kingdom.
He could only remember fragments from Chapters 1 and 2, broken and unclear. But one thing stood out more than anything else—
The statement that everyone would die in March this year.
And to his shock…
Today was the 24th.
And it said the 30th.
...
Does that mean all these things happening now are carefully orchestrated? Lumian inwardly guessed.
That would mean something truly bad was unfolding.
What made things worse was that Lumian couldn't divine the situation. And that was the core difference between a Seer and a Diviner. A Seer could ask questions and receive answers, but a Diviner could only rely on a medium and try to uncover the answer on their own.
Oh, Skywalker… I have to advance. What could possibly happen that everyone will die?
At that moment, the Eidolon spoke in his head.
You really would have died, to be frank. You're lucky you have me around.
Lumian massaged his head but didn't respond. He was still shaken by what little he could remember.
Leaning back on the high seat, he suddenly chuckled.
What should I even call you? I'm always calling you Eidolon.
The Eidolon didn't reply at first. After a few moments, it finally spoke.
Well… I don't know. I don't have a name.
Lumian smiled faintly. I think I'll give you one very soon.
There was no reply.
Lumian sat upright again and began replaying all the situations and troubles that had been happening.
He thought about the matter of the Witches' Garden purposely letting them have the text. He considered the situation, even involving politics, the travels, and other events, but he couldn't find a single clue.
He sighed and straightened up. I have to get going before the Captain returns.
Immediately, he envisioned himself leaving the White Kingdom. In the next moment, he was seated once more on the chair in the small enclosed space.
At that moment, the wall rippled, and Captain Hargreaves stepped right through.
Perfect timing… Lumian inwardly said with a smile.
"Sorry for the delay," Hargreaves said, returning the smile.
He looked at Lumian briefly before adding,
"You should head back home. You look really tired."
Lumian raised his brows, exhaustion evident, and sighed. "Yes, Captain, I will."
Hargreaves nodded, then moved to his seat, sat down, and began reading the newspaper.
"I just hope Vincent manages to calm those people down."
Lumian walked to the wall, hesitating slightly, unsure whether to pass through or call for the Captain. He didn't want to end up hitting his head on what might still be a solid wall.
Noticing his hesitation, Hargreaves smiled.
"You can pass."
Lumian nodded. "Alright, Captain. Goodnight."
With that, he stepped forward, passing through the wall and emerging on the other side.
...
He continued walking as he climbed the stairs. Letting out a quiet sigh, he felt relieved that he had managed to return the St. Mary text without his captain noticing.
He reached the top and finally arrived at the waiting area.
Breathing slightly heavily, he glanced toward Lury's table and saw a figure crouched down, searching for something.
The figure suddenly straightened and turned.
It looked directly at Lumian with its brown eyes.