Yo guys, it is another long chapter, I am giving it to you today so please stone hard, when the get refreshed
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Lei lay awake long after the rest of the dorm had gone quiet.
The room was still, the occasional rustle of leaves outside his window the only sign that the world hadn't stopped. But inside him, something had changed.
Curse.
The word echoed through his thoughts like a bell struck deep underwater. Not loud, but persistent. Reverberating in places he didn't know could echo.
He brought a hand to his back, where the Falna rested unseen beneath his skin. It didn't hurt. There was no burn or fever, no tangible weight. But the sense of something foreign—not new, but newly revealed—was undeniable.
A curse that ate excelia.
Not health, not mind, not magic.
Excelia—the very essence of growth in this world. Experience distilled into stat gains and progression. The key to leveling up.
And that, he realized with a tight breath, was the point.
Every time he fought, every time he defeated a monster, he earned excelia. And every ounce of excelia strengthened that strengthen him , leveed him up will develop his Skills—his Sequences. They developed in tandem, fed by his victories. But the stronger his Sequences became, the closer he would drift to the edge—the brink of losing control.
That was the rule of Lord of the Mysteries: with advancement comes corruption. Spiritual distortion. The risk of being consumed by the very path you pursue.
Here in Orario, the Falna didn't know what a Sequence was. But it recognized the danger.
So it adapted.
It did what divine systems do best—it regulated.
Lei's Falna couldn't purge the threat. It couldn't reject the foreign power with its own devine nature trying to evolve inside him. No... it contained it. Shaped it. Translated the creeping corruption into a form this world understood:
A curse that consumed the fuel for growth.
If I don't gain excelia, I won't level up, Lei thought, heart sinking. And if I don't level up, my Sequences won't advance. And if they don't advance… I won't lose control.
It was a failsafe.
A divine leash.
And in its own twisted way... it was protection.
A safety lock placed over a volatile engine. The Falna didn't just bless him—it guarded him. From his own path. From the inevitable descent into madness that came with Sequence progression.
"But it means I'm stuck," he whispered. "If I can't grow without triggering the curse... I'm trapped."
No excelia, no advancement.
No advancement, no Sequence development.
But no development... no danger.
A quiet chuckle escaped him. It wasn't amused—just tired.
"The Falna's keeping me sane by keeping me weak."
He laid back, staring at the ceiling.
Then I'll have to find a way around it, I don't know why and how I got these but now I am not going to leave everything to fate.
Lei closed his eyes, letting the silence settle back around him. But his thoughts refused to rest.
If excelia is the problem, then the curse is like a tax. A limiter. A watchdog, maybe. The more I earn, the more it feeds. The more I grow, the more I risk.
He hated the thought of being shackled, especially by something he hadn't asked for. But at the same time, he understood it.
The Falna isn't trying to destroy me. It's trying to stop me from destroying myself.
That knowledge didn't make him feel better. It just made the cage feel more... reasonable. And that was worse, somehow.
He tapped a finger on his chin, absently tracing the spiral of thought forming in his mind.
In LotM, Sequences are digested through 'acting'—mimicking the traits, behaviors, and mindset of the pathway to harmonize with the potion. It tricks the will inside the potion into thinking the host is compatible.
That process… it didn't require battles. Not always.
It required immersion. Behavior. Intent.
So what if—
His eyes snapped open.
What if I can gain excelia not just through fighting, but through acting? black smiths gain exalia by crafting right?
He sat up slowly, breath catching in his throat.
The Falna absorbed actions, experiences, impressions. It recorded growth in the form of stats—strength, endurance, dexterity, magic, even willpower. Development Abilities weren't just earned from combat—they were awarded from lifestyle, behavior, even deep mental shifts.
And the curse, though adapted to this world, was still based on the Sequence system.
Then maybe if I act like the Sequence, I can digest it like in LotM. Maybe if I embody the Seer, the Apprentice, the Marauder—without relying solely on combat—the Falna will register that as excelia gained... and the curse won't trigger.
Because he wouldn't be forcing the Sequence to evolve unnaturally. He'd be syncing with it. Digesting it properly.
Slowly. Safely. Under the Falna's radar.
It was a long shot.
But it was better than nothing.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling again—only now, there was a glint of purpose in his eyes.
The Fool observes. The Door learns. The Error adapts.
"I can do this," Lei whispered. "I just need to live the path."
And in doing so, maybe—just maybe—he could grow strong enough to defy both fate and the curse… on his own terms.
The next morning,the smell of fresh bread, fried eggs, and some kind of beast sausage filled the dining hall. The usual chaos of the Loki Familia's breakfast buzzed around the long wooden tables—laughter, clinking utensils, loud arguments over dungeon strategies, and the occasional flying toast.
Lei sat between Raul and a grumbling Bete, carefully buttering a piece of bread while dodging the stray elbow of an overeager adventurer reaching for jam.
"You look like you actually slept," Raul noted, sipping soup. "That a miracle or a fluke?"
"A miracle," Lei replied smoothly, then took a bite. "I made a deal with the bed gods."
Bete snorted. "Tch. Let's see how smug you are when Gareth throws you around again today."
"Then I'll make a deal with the floor gods."
"Cheeky bastard," Bete muttered, though Lei caught the faintest twitch of amusement on the werewolf's lips.
Across the table, Tiona and Tione were locked in a contest of who could eat faster without using hands, while Lefiya shrieked in protest.
It was almost easy to forget the creeping dread from the night before.
Almost.
Then came the voice.
"Oi, brat! Finn, Riveria, Gareth—office. Now."
Loki's voice cut across the chatter like a blade through cheese. Sharp, effortless, and commanding. The tension in Lei's gut returned instantly.
He stood quickly, exchanged a glance with Raul, and followed the three executives through the hall and into the Familia's inner offices.
Once the door shut, Loki's playfulness evaporated.
She leaned back against her desk, arms crossed, eyes unusually serious.
"I didn't tell you three last night because I wanted to confirm it wasn't a mistake," she began, tossing Lei a glance. "But I checked again this morning, and it's still there."
She looked directly at Finn, Riveria, and Gareth. "Lei under a curse."
The silence that followed was thick.
"...A curse?" Riveria repeated, frowning. "You're sure?"
"Dead sure," Loki replied. "It's not magical, not divine, not even something I can identify with my blessing. But it's embedded in his status—feeds off his excelia like a damn parasite."
Finn turned to Lei, sharp gaze narrowing slightly. "You haven't felt any changes?"
"No," Lei said honestly. "No headaches, no loss of control. But there is No stat growth from my dungeon run yesterday. It's like the excelia was just… gone."
"That's dangerous," Gareth rumbled, arms crossed. "Without excelia, you won't level. Won't grow."
Riveria nodded, expression serious. "If it continues unchecked, he could stagnate—or worse."
Loki cut in. "That's why I called you. We need to figure out how to deal with this."
Lei took a breath, then spoke calmly.
"I want to suggest something."
All eyes turned to him.
"If I can't gain excelia through fighting in the dungeon, I want to try something else. Something productive."
Loki raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"I'm a Seer. I can divine for people—predict monster waves, danger levels, maybe even opportunities. I want to use that skill to earn exalia like blacksmiths, And while I'm doing that… I'll monitor myself. See if there's any change."
Riveria looked thoughtful. "You're saying to pursue excelia through utility, not combat."
"It's rare, but not unheard of," Finn said. "There have been adventurers who've gained excelia through crafting, strategizing, or other contributions."
Lei nodded. "Exactly. If I can't fight without wasting effort, I'd rather do something useful."
He didn't mention the real reason. The idea that by embodying the Seer—not just using its powers, but living the role—he might "digest" the Sequence slowly. Safely. And maybe bypass the curse entirely.
"I'd also like to offer divinations to our Familia members," he added. "Maybe even others in the city to valis. Money is something that's always useful and it'd help me refine the skill."
Loki looked at him for a long moment, then exhaled.
"Not a bad plan, kid. Safer, smarter than I expected."
Gareth gave a slow nod. "Better than marching blindly into the Dungeon."
Riveria looked less convinced but didn't object.
Finn folded his hands. "We'll monitor your growth. If your excelia returns through this method, we'll know it's viable."
"Thanks," Lei said simply.
As they left the office, Lei felt the pressure lift slightly from his shoulders—but only slightly.
Because this was only the beginning.
If acting is the key... then from now on, I don't just have to play the part.I have to become it.
The midday sun filtered through the stained-glass windows of the Loki Familia's central hall, casting colorful patterns across the floor as members gathered at Loki's call.
It wasn't often that Loki addressed everyone outside of emergencies or major missions, so curiosity buzzed through the air.
Lei stood off to the side, arms folded behind his back, expression calm. But inside, his thoughts were a quiet storm.
This is it. The start of my 'act.'
Loki, standing on the raised platform near the head of the hall, waved her hand for silence. "Alright, listen up, you bunch of meatheads and maniacs."
The hall quieted, minus a few coughs and a stifled giggle from Tiona.
"I've got a little announcement to make about our newest member, Lei."
That earned a few glances his way—some curious, others indifferent. Bete just snorted from where he leaned against a pillar.
"Turns out, Lei's got a pretty damn rare skill," Loki continued, her usual smirk returning. "We ran some tests, and this isn't some hocus-pocus scam. He's got a divination-based skill that lets him get glimpses of future events—danger signs, monster activity, you name it."
Whispers spread quickly through the room.
"A prophet?" someone muttered.
"Is that even a real skill?"
"Sounds like a bard's tale..."
Loki raised an eyebrow, silencing the muttering with a glance. "Real enough that Finn and Riveria verified it. So here's the deal—we're opening him up for private sessions. You wanna know whether to take that route down the 18th floor? Whether you're due for a monster ambush? Go ask the boy."
She looked down at Lei with an arched brow. "That alright with you?"
Lei gave a small nod. "I'll do my best. But I can't guarantee perfect answers. Just glimpses."
"Fair enough," Loki said. "We ain't asking for a miracle worker—just something better than blind guesses."
As the crowd began to disperse—some already whispering about what they'd ask—Lei felt a strange tightness in his chest. Not dread… but anticipation.
The moment Loki and the top brass left the hall, Raul was already grinning like a man with a mission.
"Well, well, well," he drawled, slinging an arm around Lei's shoulder. "All this time we thought you were just the polite and mysterious newbie. But turns out you were holding out on us, oh mighty prophet."
Lei gave him a sideways glance. "I also predicted you'd be the first to annoy me today. Guess I'm already good at this."
"Oooh, burn," Akki muttered, walking alongside them in the common room with a smirk.
Krys said, lounging across chimed in . "Did Loki finally confirm he's not just scamming us with dramatic eyebrow lifts?"
"She did," Akki replied, slipping into a nearby chair. "He's officially the Seer of Snacks and Shadows."
Lei raised a brow. "That was terrible."
"That's what I'm here for," Akki said.
"We were taking bets," a spear-user named Selen added. "I thought you'd go with something edgy. You know, robes, crystals, creepy laughter. But no—just stoic silence. Very disappointing."
"I'm sorry to disappoint your fortune-teller fantasies," Lei deadpanned, finally settling into a chair himself .
Another member, Kale, leaned forward. "So, seriously… what can you actually do? Will you tell me if I'm about to get dumped by my girlfriend?"
"Does she exist?" Akki asked immediately.
"...That's beside the point!"
Lei chuckled, just a little. "Sorry, relationship readings require double payment. Emotional compensation included."
That got a round of laughter and groans.
"You've got to give us compensation you know," Selen said, pointing a dramatic finger at him. "You've been here a whole month, shared dinner with us, sparred with some of us, helped Raul with his laundry—and you didn't say a word about being able to read the future?"
Lei deadpanned. "You didn't ask."
"Liar!" Kale said. "We asked what your skills were like ten times!"
"I said 'weird and complicated,'" Lei replied, managing to sound both smug and completely innocent.
Krys flopped onto the chair with theatrical despair. "We let you into our hearts, and this is how you repay us? With secrets?"
"I was under divine gag order," Lei said, shrugging. "You know how Loki is—she threatened to make me wear a frilly pink dress and parade me through Orario if I said anything early."
"I'd pay to see that," Akki added casually, getting a round of agreement and laughter.
Raul nudged Lei with his elbow. "So? Is it true? Can you really see the future? You gonna tell me if I trip in the Dungeon tomorrow?"
"I already saw it," Lei said with a straight face. "You're going to fall face-first into a pile of Goblin drool."
Raul made a noise of pure horror. "You wouldn't let that happen to me, would you?"
Lei sipped his tea. "The future cannot be changed."
Selen cracked up. "He's really leaning into the role now!"
"You're enjoying this way too much," Akki muttered.
"I earned it," Lei said smoothly. "I had to listen to Raul's weird snoring every night from the next room."
Raul gasped. "Betrayal!"
The teasing and laughter continued for a while longer, when a level 2 adventurer of the familia named Milka, came to him, she fidgeted awkwardly.
"I just want to know if… if I should take that expedition request to the 15th floor," she said.
He took a deep breath, then exhaled,
Lei sitting small table with milka in front and others around, with few Familia members lingering nearby curiously closed his eyes.
Act the part, feel the rhythm… become the Seer.
He draped a cloth over the table asked Milka's full name, closed his eyes, took out a pendulum and let his thoughts drift—not to logic, but to imagery, symbols, rhythm. He whispered quietly, not for show, but to immerse himself.
"It is dangerous for Milka Forlon , to accept the expedition quest to the 15th floor" Lei repeated 7 times then opened his eyes to see the pendulum spinning clockwise, not too fast but not too slow either.
"It's dangerous," he said calmly, watching the arc of the pendulum. "But not overwhelmingly so. Routine danger, likely manageable. Still… I'd suggest going in with a group. And keep your ears open."
"Thank you" Milka said as she went outside ,half relieved,half spooked.
Raul blinked at the side "That's… actually kind of freaky"
"Me next!" Tiona waved eagerly as she barged in the common room with others of first string coming behind, bounding up like she was heading into battle. "I've got something super important to ask."
Lei gave her a flat look. "If this is about snacks again, I swear—"
"Nooo, this is serious!" Tiona grinned. "Should I go shopping today?"
"…You're seriously using divination powers on shopping?"
"Hey! A good bargain is life and death out there!"
He sighed but motioned for her to give her full name anyway. She bounced in place as Lei repeated the phrase in his mind:
" it is favorable for Tiona Hiryute to go shopping today"
The pendulum twitched. Then slowly, gradually, began rotating clockwise with moderate momentum.
Lei opened his eyes. "You'll find something good. Nothing game-changing, but it might make your day."
"Yes!" she pumped her fist, then whispered, "Maybe a new swimsuit."
"I didn't hear that," Lei muttered quickly as Tione stepped up behind her sister, trying to keep her expression composed.
Her voice dropped just above a whisper. "I have a… question too."
Lei raised an eyebrow. "Something about your weapon upgrade?"
Tione leaned closer. "What are my chances with Finn?"
Silence hit like a thunderclap. Raul coughed, Selen turned around quickly to hide her snort, and Lei just stared at her in stunned disbelief.
"…You do realize he's standing ten feet away, right?"
"Shut up and just do it!" Tione hissed, red-faced but determined.
Lei chuckled and did as asked, mentally repeating:
" Tione Hiryute have a chance with Finn Deimne"
The pendulum spun clockwise… then wobbled… then slowed down before halting completely.
Lei blinked. "…Unclear. The universe abstains."
"WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!" Tione exploded as everyone around burst into laughter.
"It means he's a hard read," Lei said diplomatically, suppressing his grin. "Or maybe he's just too rational to fall for chaos."
Tione stomped off, grumbling something about kicking his shins.
Meanwhile, Lefiya stood nearby, hands clenched nervously. She glanced at Lei, then at Ais, then quickly looked away, her face rapidly heating up.
Lei watched her fidget, barely suppressing a smile. "Want to ask something, Lefiya?"
"N-no! I mean, yes—but no! I mean—" She turned bright red and backed away. "Maybe next time!"
He shrugged and went back to focusing. He could feel Finn watching him closely—calm, reserved, thoughtful.
The Pallum didn't approach, but his gaze said it all.
He's testing the accuracy. Waiting to compare the predictions with what happens in the Dungeon.
Smart, Lei thought. Finn was like a commander with a mental notepad—meticulous, calculating, and rarely vocal with his doubts.
As the group dispersed, chattering among themselves, planning their day's adventures or teasing each other over Lei's answers, Lei continueed his deviation until he almost exhausted his mind.