Kaleem's body convulsed violently inside the glowing egg-like shell that encased him. The sounds of cracking and breaking echoed inside it and could be heard if one pays enough attention, the same could be said to be happening to everyone in there as they have all been moved to separate chambers to avoid interruptions. His flesh and bones were no longer what they once were. Unnatural cracking and tearing noises filled the space as his muscles tore and reformed again and again, his body undergoing thorough growth and evolution.
He was unconscious, thankfully, unaware of the searing pain that gripped every fiber of his being. As his skin began to peel away in large, delicate sheets, like the shedding of an ancient bark. The layers sloughed off completely, revealing underneath a figure that looked more refined, almost ethereal. His ears had become slightly pointed, and his skin was unnaturally smooth, soft as if crafted from the finest porcelain.
Inside the shell, the discarded skin melted away into a strange viscous black and brownish fluid that slowly got vaporized. This substance also flowed steadily from the pores and crevices of his body, as if purging impurities that had long clung to his mortal form.
The convulsions intensified once more. His heart, beating heavily, began to pump harder, each pulse ringing through the shell like a deep gong. Kaleem's blood darkened, taking on a richer, almost glowing red hue. Thin veins started tracing intricate patterns over his heart, forming diagrams that seemed to pulse with arcane energy. His complexion grew pale, his eyebrows contorting into a frown as the pain was unrelenting even as he was unconscious, until finally the strange veins covered the entirety of his heart tissue, as if they had always belonged there.
Then, with a sharp, violent crack, the egg shattered. The shards fell away like glass as Kaleem stepped out, transformed.
---
He looked entirely different.
Still human, but now unmistakably a mystic. His features were sharper, more defined. His hair had lengthened, flowing with a strange luster that shimmered faintly in the light. Veins glowing with an ethereal mana pulsed visibly beneath his skin, winding like living threads.
Kaleem gazed down at himself, astonished. He had been mysteriously clothed without him realizing it, he clearly remembers his clothes being melted away during the ritual, but now he was dressed in a simple white shirt and tracksuit.
He reached into his pocket, fishing out his phone that had mysteriously survived and to his surprise, only two and a half hours had passed since he started the ritual.
He stood, steadying himself, then made his way to the washroom. Staring into the mirror, he barely recognized the reflection before him.
The face looking back was a natural beauty, delicate but undeniably masculine. His eyes held a new depth, and his lips curled in a subtle smile as he noticed something else—his canine's were sharper, more pointed than before, though nowhere near the fang-like length of vampire's in movies. Just… sharper, more precise.
"Not quite vampire level," he chuckled softly to himself.
---
Stepping out of the washroom, he pulled out his phone and dialed Andrea.
"Hey, Andrea, I'm done. Where do I go now?" he asked.
Her voice crackled slightly on the other end. "Someone will come for you soon, Kaleem. Until then, listen carefully to the instructor."
"Got it," he replied, hanging up.
Within minutes, a slender figure approached, guiding him to what seems like a portal but more like a tear in space through which he can see the training grounds and this was just adjacent to the great hall. As they walked in, Kaleem's mind buzzed with anticipation.
---
At the training ground, the group gathered once more. Kaleem decided to do what every new student does in such moments—exchange numbers. His eyes locked briefly with Kimmy's as he asked, "Mind if I get your number?"
She smiled shyly. "Sure."
The instructor, a tall figure with piercing eyes and a composed air, called for attention.
"Today we begin with essentials for survival as a mystic: The Basic Mysteries and Anchors."
He began to pace, voice resonant and calm.
"Mysteries are the unknown variables, knowledge and rules that exist in the universe and beyond. Mystics are individuals that seek this knowledge pursuing the goal of truth. As for Anchors, They are not just external conduits. They are now part of you—living mysteries tied to your soul. They can manifest abilities even outside your core sequence. No one can see them unless you allow it. They are your secret weapons so use it wisely.
Kaleem nodded, intrigued.
He focused, calling out his Anchor—the Kingless Crown.
From his mindscape, the crown materialized, floating above his head like a gleaming tiara. It shimmered with a constellation of diamond-shaped fragments, each pulsing softly with cosmic energy as the instructor said no one noticed it.
Suddenly, information flooded his mind in a rush:
Name: Kingless Crown
Master: Kaleem
Magical Attunement Level: 1
Title: Unseen Origin
Mysteries: Mystery of Withering, Mystery of Decaying & Living Flesh, Mystery of Creeping Shadows, Mystery of the Stars
Anchor Stability Rating: Five star (Highly Stable)
Mystery Alignment: Celestial | Conceptual | Divine
Spiritual Resonance: Extremely high
Anchor Abilities:
1. True Concealment — Obscures the user's magical signature, presence, and spiritual scent from beings of equal or lower level. Even Seers see only a blur or "closed eye" when attempting to scry.
2. Self-Repair — The crown restores itself if damaged by drawing from ambient mysteries and symbolic materials nearby. Learns from failed attempts, improving efficiency.
3. Authority of Sequence (Limited) — For each unlocked Sequence, the user gains an Aspect and Authority related to it. These evolve or synergize with more Sequences unlocked.
4. Knowledge Authority (Limited) — Passively accelerates learning, intuition, and deduction regarding mystical and conceptual knowledge tied to active Sequences.
Sequences Unlocked:
Sequence 0: The Fool
Sequence 1: The Magician
Sequence 2: The High Priestess
Sequence 3: The Empress
---
Kaleem giggled. "This is just like an appraisal skill."
He immediately attempted to commune with one of those sequences when his body suddenly seized. He felt a very deep cold grip him as if he was being touched by something deadly.
He immediately stopped and withdrew the Kingless Crown back into his mindscape.
"I think.... I almost just killed myself," he whispered, drenched in sweat.
The instructor noticed the discomfort spreading among the initiates and nodded solemnly.
"Good. You've just experienced why we require Meditation Methods."
He raised a hand, silencing the murmurs.
"These methods are structured mental techniques that evolve your body, mind, and soul. By visualizing certain objects, beasts, or concepts aligned with your mysteries, you embed new Characteristics into your being. This is how you survive insanity from foreign knowledge or losing control of your mysteries. "
After the lecture, Kaleem was led to the library—a vast tower-like structure with floors layered in secrecy. Only the first floor was open to new initiates.
He browsed shelves packed with tomes on mysticism, conceptual thought, and meditation techniques.
One caught his eye:Astral-Map Meditation Method.
He flipped through its introduction.
He found others—Heart Fire Meditation Method, Lake Meditation Method—but in the end, Astral-Map felt right.
Before leaving, another title caught his eye: Lotus Meditation Method.
"I'll keep that in mind," he murmured.
He submitted his selection and moved on.
Later, the recruits were shown the layout of the facilities, training schedules, and essential amenities.
As dusk fell, Kaleem found a moment to breathe.
He pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Duke? Where are you? How've you been? I've been meaning to check in."