CH 2 : First Steps into Mystery

Hearing Lucien's request, Cedric sighed and turned to his wife, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, I'll take responsibility for him," he said with a hint of resignation.

Celia raised an eyebrow, giving him a knowing smile. "You'd better be, Cedric. We don't need him stumbling blindly into the unknown."

Lucien cleared his throat, cutting through their conversation with a smirk. "Hey, you two can flirt after I'm gone, alright?"

Cedric's stern facade cracked, and Celia stifled a laugh. "Cheeky as ever," she said, shaking her head.

Cedric composed himself, his gaze turning serious again as he looked at Lucien. "If you truly wish to understand the world of Beyonders, it's not something to take lightly. I'll share what I can, but this knowledge comes with great responsibility. Do you understand?"

Lucien nodded, his heart racing with excitement. Finally, a way forward.

"Very well," Cedric continued, leaning back with a thoughtful expression. "The world of Beyonders is layered with mysteries, dangers, and powerful forces. You've already caught a glimpse of what it entails. But true understanding requires… transformation."

Celia placed a hand on Cedric's shoulder, her expression softening as she looked at Lucien. "Lucien, are you certain this is what you want? There's no going back once you start down this path."

Taking a deep breath, Lucien looked at his parents with unwavering resolve. "Yes, I'm certain. I don't want to be left in the dark when it comes to protecting our family. If we're living in a world of mysteries, I need to be prepared."

Cedric and Celia exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. Celia then turned back to Lucien with a small nod. "Very well. Then I'll start by teaching you the basics. But first, you'll need to choose a path. Your father and I can guide you in the basics, but beyond that, it'll be up to you."

Lucien looked at his mother, a bit surprised. "Mother… are you a Beyonder?"

Celia raised an eyebrow, amused. "Why do you sound so shocked?"

He raised his hands, chuckling awkwardly. "It's just… you've never shown any signs of it."

She chuckled softly. "I left that world behind a long time ago. With a wonderful husband, two sons, and a daughter, what more could I want?" Hearing her words, Lucien felt a warmth in his chest. His family was perfect in so many ways, but unlike his mother, he knew very well that the world was anything but safe.

"Alright," Celia continued. "We'll start with the basics. You'll need to learn the Hermit's language first. It's essential if you want to understand the texts and rituals. I'll prepare a few materials for you to start with."

Cedric added, "Language is just the beginning, Lucien. The rest, you'll have to pick up through practice and caution."

"Yes, yes, Father," Lucien said, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "But Mother, you mentioned a path. How do I choose one?"

Celia nodded. "There are many paths, but only a few are suited to someone just starting out. Right now, we only have materials for two paths: the Hunter and the Magician."

Lucien shook his head. "Thank you, Mother, but I've already chosen my path—and I even have the formula for the potion."

Celia looked at him, surprised. "A formula? So it's not the Hunter or the Magician, then." She tilted her head, studying him. "What path did you choose?"

Lucien smirked, tucking the hint of a secret into his words. "I'll keep it a mystery for now, Mother."

Her eyebrow twitched, a hint of amusement and exasperation in her gaze. "Oh, playing the mysterious type, are we?"

"No, it's not like that," he protested, waving his hands. "It's just… I want to keep it to myself for a bit."

Cedric, who had been silent, placed a comforting hand on Celia's shoulder. "Let him be. Everyone has their secrets. Lucien's got a good head on his shoulders."

She sighed, crossing her arms but smiling despite herself. "Fine. Have it your way, but don't come crying to us when you need help."

Lucien pulled out a small slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to his mother. "I need these materials," he said, knowing it would take time to gather the ingredients. He had written the list down so he wouldn't forget; after all, he couldn't take anything out from the Echo Library directly.

Celia took the paper, scanning it carefully. "Memory Root Extract, Dust of Forgotten Script, and an Echoing Crystal?" Her brow furrowed as she read the unfamiliar ingredients. "These are… rare. Not impossible, but you may have to be patient while I gather them."

"Thank you, Mother. If you'll excuse me, I have a lot to plan," Lucien said as he left the room, a determined look in his eyes.

Once Lucien was out of earshot, Celia turned to her husband, a hint of worry on her face. "Why did you agree so easily, Cedric? You know how dangerous that world can be."

Cedric leaned back in his chair, giving her a gentle smile. "Because if I hadn't, he would have found a way himself. You know how stubborn he is. He's inherited your persistence," he said, his voice warm but steady.

Celia sighed, her expression softening. "You may be right. He does remind me of myself sometimes."

Cedric chuckled, placing a hand on hers. "And don't forget how determined you were when we first met. Your parents were against us marrying, but you wouldn't let anything stop you."

She gave a quiet laugh, memories flickering in her eyes. "And neither would you."

They shared a smile, the room quiet for a moment.

Cedric spoke, breaking the silence. "He's ready to learn, Celia. The world he's entering is treacherous, but he's not alone. as he will have our support "

"You're right, dear," Celia answered, squeezing Cedric's hand as they exchanged a knowing glance.

Back in his room, Lucien sat at his desk, tapping his pen thoughtfully against the wood as he reviewed his hastily scribbled notes. With the materials problem now solved, he marked it off as "done" on his list. However, another, more complicated issue loomed in his mind: joining the Tarot Club. In Lord of the Mysteries, the Tarot Club had been invaluable to Klein, giving him resources, guidance, and insights beyond anything a single Beyonder could normally access.

"Alright, how to get into the club…" he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Maybe I could try to connect directly with Klein? But no, that's too risky. Too many powerful entities circle him—big shots with their own agendas, each more dangerous than the last." Lucien shook his head, crossing out that idea. The shadow of the Antigonus notebook alone was enough to steer him clear of Klein, let alone the supernatural forces Klein constantly brushed up against.

He considered another option: praying to some relic or artifact from Emperor Roselle's era, something imbued with traces of power or influence that might catch Klein's attention. After all, Klein had always been cautious, often using whatever oddity he could find to his advantage. Still, even that could backfire. Roselle's artifacts weren't exactly subtle, and who knew what other entities might notice a plea channeled through one of them?

Running a hand through his hair, Lucien thought about what he knew of Klein's personality. Though cautious, Klein had always been receptive to sincerity, taking each member of the Tarot Club seriously and helping them in ways that best suited their unique paths.

"Maybe… just maybe, a straightforward approach is best," he muttered. "Something honest, where I'm not trying to manipulate things too much. The way Klein always acted—genuine, even when the stakes were high." He paused, biting his lip. "I could pray for guidance, ask for help without sounding too needy. Show him I'm serious about learning, that I'm not looking to exploit him or put him at risk."

The idea had promise, though it was a gamble. Lucien scribbled the thought onto his list, labeling it with a cautious "consider." If he could find a safe way to pray, without triggering any unwanted attention, then Klein's response—if any—would be crucial.

And now, with his next steps somewhat clearer, Lucien let out a slow breath. "Alright, Lucien, first things first: prepare the potion, solidify my Sequence 9."

Lucien put the pencil down and tucked the paper into his pocket before walking over to his bed. He lay down, feeling the weight of the day's decisions pressing down on him, and closed his eyes. "I want to enter the Echo," he thought.

In an instant, he was enveloped by the familiar ambiance of the Echo Library.

"Welcome back, newcomer. How may I assist you today?" the gentle voice echoed around him.

"I want to know… are there other paths in this library?" Lucien asked, his curiosity brimming.

"Yes, all paths are here," the Echo responded.

"Good, good! I want to see the Magician path," he said, eager to confirm it.

Moments later, a book floated down before him, the words Magician Path embossed on its cover. He opened the first page, revealing the formula for the ninth sequence of the path. However, the rest of the pages were blank. Lucien sighed in disappointment.

"Newcomer, your spiritual energy is almost depleted."

Before Lucien could respond, he was unceremoniously expelled from the library.

The next day, he stood in his mother's study room, feeling the weight of the Hermit Language book in his hands. His mother, Cecila, stood beside him, watching as he opened it to the first page. She smiled warmly, a hint of pride in her expression.

"It will take time to learn this language," she said gently, "but with enough practice, it won't be a problem."

Lucien nodded. "Alright, let's start."

For the rest of the day, they delved into the intricate script and pronunciation of the Hermit Language. Cecila patiently guided him, watching as he absorbed each lesson, faster than she'd expected. To her astonishment, by the end of the day, Lucien had nearly mastered the basics—words that had taken her weeks to comprehend, he was grasping within hours.

As he stood to leave, Cecila looked at him, stunned. She hadn't expected him to learn so quickly, and the realization only deepened her concern for her son's future in the mysterious world he was stepping into.

"Alright, Mother," Lucien said with a smile. "Thank you for today. I'll see you tomorrow."

[Continue]