Lord of the Mysteries: I Married the Queen Mystic

Upon hearing The Hanged Man's question, Odis smiled and said, "I know that in most people's impressions, ritualistic arrays have little effect. That's because they don't understand what Spirituality is or the meaning behind mystical symbols."

Audrey found this odd. She said, "Mr. Hermit, I've also studied some mystical symbols, and they don't seem particularly difficult to understand."

Odis explained, "That's because what you've learned are common mystical symbols... or rather, universal mystical symbols. Arrays composed of those symbols do indeed have limited effects."

Alger asked, "Are there also uncommon mystical symbols?"

"Yes."

Alger pressed further, "Symbols not even mastered by the Churches?"

"Correct," Odis replied with a faint smile, "By the time the Churches of the Seven Gods rose to prominence, many mystical symbols had already been lost."

At this, even Klein who was behind the gray fog was somewhat surprised: 'The Hermit has quite the bold claims!'

Audrey had a similar impression, but then she reconsidered: 'The Hermit isn't the type to exaggerate. His words just now were likely stating facts.'

Alger, however, didn't share this view, but he also knew that every member of the Tarot Club was extraordinary in their own right. Thus, he refrained from immediate judgment.

It was then that Derrick spoke up, "Mr. Hermit, are you researching the mystical symbols we use?"

Before the Cataclysm, the Churches of the Seven Gods hadn't yet emerged. Yet, in Derrick's experience, ritualistic arrays didn't seem particularly effective in actual combat...

Odis smiled and said, "Before discussing this further, let me ask you all a question... What is your understanding of mystical symbols?"

This stumped everyone.

In the end, it was Alger who provided a brief explanation based on the Church of Storms' teachings, "They are symbols used by humans to commune with nature and the extraordinary."

He then added his own observation, "But such communion only seems effective at certain levels. At least, I haven't felt any tangible effects so far."

Odis then asked, "You're all familiar with the Ancient Hermes language and Jotun, the language of Giants, right? Why are these languages different from the ones we use daily?"

Klein knew the answer to this. Controlling The World, he spoke in a hoarse voice, "That's because of evolution over a long period of time. In everyday life, our languages don't need to harness the forces of nature."

"Exactly. Evolution," Odis gestured slightly, "Jotun and Ancient Hermes can still channel natural forces, yet the mystical symbols meant for the same purpose have lost this capability."

Klein understood now and continued manipulating The World to ask further, "Are you saying that like Loenese and Feysac, these mystical symbols have lost their ability to commune with nature during evolution?"

Alger, however, raised another question, "Is there an intrinsic connection between mystical symbols and Jotun or Ancient Hermes?"

At this point, Audrey and the others were starting to feel a bit overwhelmed, though they could still follow the discussion.

Odis answered Alger first, "In our daily lives, we rely on both speech and writing to record and convey information. So why would Mysticism be any different? Shouldn't it also require the coordination of language and script?"

Alger was speechless, momentarily unable to refute this.

Odis then addressed The World's question, "Not only have they lost the ability to commune with nature, but my research has found that humanity's system of mystical symbols is incomplete. It's as if there are concepts we can express verbally but lack the corresponding written symbols for."

The great hall fell silent, as none of the other members' mystical studies had touched upon this aspect.

After a long pause, The World finally said, "This is an extremely profound area of research."

Alger shared this sentiment and abandoned his earlier skepticism.

Odis spread his hands and smiled, "That, more or less, is the direction of my studies. Oh, and I'd also like to initiate a transaction."

The others snapped out of their thoughts and turned to The Hermit, curious about whom he intended to trade with.

Odis stated, "I'd like to trade with all of you for Sequence 9 potion formulas."

Fors asked, "Which Pathways?"

Odis countered, "Which Pathway are you on?"

"Apprentice..."

"Then I'd like to trade for the 'Apprentice' potion formula," Odis said, "How about 260 pounds?"

The 'Mysticism Research Society' he had established consisted of two groups... half were Low-Sequence Beyonders, and the other half were Mysticism enthusiasts who aspired to become Beyonders and had their own intelligence networks.

This was because, at the time, Odis was only Sequence 9. Recruiting Mid-Sequence members would have been too difficult to manage, so all the Beyonder members were Low-Sequence.

Now that he had advanced to Sequence 8, he planned to offer potion formulas to those enthusiasts...

Previously, he had strictly prohibited the sale of formulas during gatherings, as members like 'Hound' and others who possessed formulas either rarely sold them or had to report to their superiors for approval before doing so.

Meanwhile, 'Peacock' and 'Wolverine' were willing to sell formulas... but theirs were for Pathways like 'Assassin' and 'Secrets Suppliant'.

Odis had no intention of turning his Research Society into a breeding ground for cultists, so he had outright banned formula sales.

Now that he was lifting this restriction, he aimed to collect formulas for multiple Pathways to present to the enthusiasts...

This would give them more choices. And if some still opted for 'Assassin' or 'Secrets Suppliant' formulas, Odis wouldn't interfere.

After brief consideration, Fors agreed, "Deal."

Though she had become an 'Apprentice' by absorbing Mrs. Aulisa's Beyonder characteristics, she had later found the 'Apprentice' potion formula while sorting through Mrs. Aulisa's belongings.

Since the formula was otherwise useless to her, she had no reason to turn down 260 pounds...

Fors requested pen and paper from Mr. Fool and 'expressed' the 'Apprentice' potion formula. The payment would be made after the gathering through a sacrificial offering to The Fool.

Odis then turned to Audrey, "Miss Justice, would you be willing to sell a Sequence 9 potion formula?"

Audrey also took a moment to think before replying, "Sure, but I don't want pounds. I'd like to ask you some questions about mystical symbols instead."

Odis mused internally: 'She really treats money like dirt...'

He nodded, "That's fine. As long as the information isn't confidential, I can trade with you."

"Let me think about it first," Audrey said, "I haven't decided what exactly I'd like to ask yet."

"Alright."

Audrey then also requested writing materials from The Fool and 'expressed' the 'Spectator' potion formula, which materialized before Odis.

Odis then asked The World, "Would you be willing to sell a potion formula?"

The World chuckled lowly and replied, "Of course. But I also have a formula here that might interest you even more."

Odis paused, "Which Pathway? Which Sequence?"

"The 'Mystery Pryer' Pathway," The World said in a deep voice, "Sequence 7: 'Warlock'..."