LOTM: Traveling between epoch

The internal review by the Night Church had concluded, for now.

Archbishop Elektra quietly withdrew from Eli Walker's dream.

Eli gazed contentedly at the crimson-backed, star-studded Night Church emblem above his head.

Perfect.

Early graduation, official Church credentials, public sector work, and a relaxed lifestyle—everything a slacker could dream of.

Of life's two great difficulties, employment had been solved. As for marriage? Entirely unnecessary.

The Fifth Epoch was never suited for strivers. Its historical dividends were long gone. Better to toil in the Fourth Epoch.

He clapped his hands. The dream shattered like porcelain, and he fell back into warm, blissful sleep.

---

Monday, 3:00 PM.

Eli lounged in his chair, eyes closed in feigned contemplation.

He was pondering how to convince his Fourth Epoch self that "bitterness before sweetness" was the true path of wisdom.

That morning, he'd collected his early graduation certificate from the Night Church Theological Seminary, along with a formal letter of recommendation addressed to Saint Samuel Cathedral.

Martin had been even more elated than he was and was already planning a celebratory banquet at the West Borough villa.

Eli didn't mind. Not attending school was certainly cause for joy. And since the money for the banquet came from the Maynard family's account and not his allowance, he had no objections.

---

Crimson light surged like a tide.

When Eli opened his eyes again, he stood upon the gray, mist-wreathed land.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Fool~"

A cheerful voice rang out.

He turned toward the head of the long bronze table and saw the gaze of the Fool upon him. Had Klein begun to use Spirit Vision?

"Good afternoon, Angel~"

Justice, Audrey Hall, greeted him with bright energy.

"Good afternoon, Miss Justice," Eli replied politely, withdrawing his gaze from the Fool.

Klein tapped his glabella and activated rudimentary Spirit Vision, observing the emotional auras of those present.

Audrey's aura glowed red and yellow—enthusiastic and excited.

Alger's was deep blue with hints of orange—calm with a trace of satisfaction. A seawater-like shimmer nestled deep in his etheric body, likely representing the Storm Pathway.

Eli's aura was more enigmatic: primarily purple with streaks of green.

Old Neil had once taught that purple signified spiritual focus and detachment, while green suggested peace.

A detached and calm state of mind?

When Klein tried to peer deeper, he encountered only a shadowy veil obscuring the core of Eli's spirit.

Coincidentally, Eli turned to glance at him at that moment, prompting Klein to nod and shift his attention away naturally.

---

"Mr. Hanged Man, did you receive the Ghost Shark blood?" Audrey asked.

"Its quality was excellent," Alger affirmed.

"I didn't expect you to acquire it so quickly," he added.

He had likely underestimated Miss Justice's familial resources. Ghost Shark blood wasn't common.

"As long as you're satisfied," Audrey replied, smiling lightly. She had merely taken it from the Hall family's vault.

"Miss Justice, congratulations on becoming a Spectator," Eli said, turning to face her.

"Oh, Angel, I wanted to share that myself!"

Audrey gave him a mock-glare but quickly moved on. She glanced unconsciously at the flowing symbol behind Eli's seat and suddenly blinked.

"Angel... was your chair's symbol like this last time?"

A shadow now veiled the eye symbol that had been there before.

Klein also noticed and confirmed silently—indeed, the previous symbol had been a lone eye. Now, it was obscured.

"This? Quite normal, isn't it?" Eli replied nonchalantly. "No rule says Beyonders can't master multiple powers."

"You've advanced your Sequence?" Alger asked cautiously. From his side, he couldn't see the chair.

"Something like that," Eli said. "I've studied more of the mystic arts."

In truth, he had been assimilating all of Wraith Steve's memories over the past few days.

"Studied? You mean learning how to use the potion's powers?" Audrey leaned forward, eager.

"Just rituals and sacrificial magic," Eli said vaguely. He certainly wasn't going to lecture them on praying to the Mother Tree of Desire.

"Miss Justice," Alger cut in, more forthcoming. "Once you ingest a potion, you must hone your spirit. The potion's materials retain residual spirituality. Only by enhancing your spiritual strength, mastering your own spirituality, and discerning the symbolism can you avoid danger."

Here it comes, Eli thought. The 'fellow countryman' lecture arc.

"Not mastering—but digesting. Not discerning—but acting."

The Fool finally spoke.

Audrey blinked, Alger sat stunned, and Eli nodded slightly, already guiding his Fourth Epoch self to pick up the pace.

Beneath the table, his fingers traced a ritual rune linked to his "Crimson Star."

He sacrificed the Bard's dog collar—now a Sealed Artifact—to his Fourth Epoch incarnation through the ritual connection.

---

"Digesting... acting... I understand. Thank you, Mr. Fool."

Alger bowed slightly.

Klein felt satisfied. The silent one, the confused one, and the inspired one—each reaction reinforced the Fool's mystique.

"This is your advance payment," Klein added.

"Mr. Fool, what do you need from us?" Audrey asked.

"Roselle's diary. Even one page will suffice."

Eli nearly coughed up blood.

Audrey gasped. "The Emperor's diary?"

Alger hesitated.

Eli's throat felt dry. He had just consumed another Bard characteristic.

If madness didn't require buildup, he might have kicked the long bronze table out of reflex.

Who could explain to him why—if the sacrifice failed—the Sealed Artifact had shattered outright?