As the final bell chimed before nightfall, lights flickered on all across Golden Street.

The Lantern Bearers, clad in black, continued their devout chant: "Praise the Dawn."

Unlike before, Golden Street was now brightly lit, and Guardians from Krimms Cathedral had cordoned off both sides of the road.

No one was allowed to watch, not even the faithful of the Dawn.

At number 45, midway down Golden Street, a squad of Holy Professionals in silver-white armor trimmed with gold knelt on one knee, facing Morris Clinic.

Melbel stood at the head of the squad and said respectfully, "Your Eminence, please come with me to the Cathedral."

Opposite them was a helpless-looking Kali. "Melbel, I’ll go to the celebration, but please let me stay here."

"You represent the majesty of the Dawn. I must ask that you take this seriously."

"I..." Kali glanced at Yuan beside her and said hesitantly, "Wait. I need to say a few words to my father."

"As you command."

Melbel rose, her eyes under the mask sweeping dispassionately over the surroundings before she calmly waved for her squad to fall back.

[You are in a place illuminated by the Dawn Radiance. As your Spirit Level exceeds 80, you have successfully resisted the corrosion of the Power of Dawn Faith. Evaluation: The Dawn is everywhere, isn’t it?~ Special Reward: Survival Points +3, Spirit Level +1.]

’When did the panel’s sarcastic evaluations start sounding like Clelia?’

Wei’en, hiding behind the attic window, stared glumly at the message on his panel.

Damn it.

He just wanted to be a quiet kid who assigned his attribute points in peace. Why did so many people have to come and bother him?

He knew why this scene was unfolding outside. Melbel and her people likely wanted Kali to prepare for tomorrow’s welcome ceremony in advance.

But was it necessary to make such a big scene?

For instance, the welcome ceremony and evening gala tomorrow... was it really necessary to publicize it with such fanfare for a mere Saintess Candidate, who wasn’t even a true Saintess yet? 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

What Wei’en was grateful for, however, was that Clelia had left before these Dawn Saints sealed off Golden Street.

Otherwise, given Melbel’s domineering and aggressive style, if she had detected Clelia’s presence—he didn’t know what would happen to Clelia, but he’d be a dead man for sure.

Before long, Kali’s gentle voice came from outside the window: "Let’s go."

"We welcome Your Eminence."

The voices of the Dawn Church’s Holy Professionals were in unison, but they were not loud. Instead, they carried a solemn, heavy quality, like a chanted hymn—as if in celebration, yet also in praise...

Wei’en peeked out quietly and saw Kali already walking away, surrounded by Melbel and her entourage.

Only Yuan remained, standing there and watching their departing backs. The expression on his face was unreadable—a mix of bitterness, confusion, bewilderment, and anger...

In that moment, he noticed that Yuan’s face seemed to have aged a great deal. Only his golden hair, the same color as Kali’s, fluttered defiantly under the rising red moon.

The Dawn...

’Truly a troublesome and tyrannical existence.’

With this in mind, Wei’en opened his panel to check his current stats and plan his next upgrades.

Name: Wei’en Loft

Bloodline: Salute Lineage

Class: Wizard Apprentice (Intermediate)

Toughness Level: 53

Spirit Level: 97.5

Origin: 19 (20) (1 point of Origin sealed)

Talent: None

Feat: Ballistic Control — The ability to modify or control the ballistic path of a firearm.

Partner Contract: Increased wound healing speed, increased body recovery speed. Intense feelings of longing for your partner can allow you to instantly appear by their side. (Calamity Species)

Skills: Ghost Meditation Technique Lvl 2 (0/100), Gonzalez Language Proficiency (0/100), Expert Gunslinging (72/1000), Soul-Devouring Magic Lvl 2 (0/50), Undead Summoning Spell Lvl 2 (0/50), Mechanical Box Rune (Death God) Lvl 2 (0/500)

Rune Tree of Knowledge: Introduction to Runes (5/10 Runes), Soul-Devouring Rune (Max Level), Undead Summoning Rune (Max Level), Death God Olanir Rune (Max Level), Mechanical Rune (Death God) (Max Level).

Magic Potion Knowledge Tree: Introduction to Potions (3/10), Enlightenment Potion (Max Level), Healing Potion (Max Level), Spirit Defense Potion (Max Level)

Survival Points: 485

’My Spirit Level is 97.5?’

That was the first thing Wei’en noticed.

If he remembered correctly, one of the requirements for advancing to Advanced Wizard Apprentice was a Spirit Level of 100.

The other requirement was to construct the prototype of a magic system, which meant imprinting runes onto his Origin Sub-body.

’Just 2.5 more points of Spirit Level...’

Wei’en thought for a moment, then took out a quill and wrote the first item on a piece of parchment: Advance to Advanced Wizard Apprentice.

Second, upgrade the Ghost Meditation Technique and Soul-Devouring Magic to Level 3.

Third, raise Runology and Potioncraft from Introductory to the Proficient level...

All of that would cost a total of 270 points.

’That leaves 215 Survival Points...’

’Plus, with the rewards from subsequent ability upgrades, I should have around 250 Survival Points available to raise my magic levels.’

After making these calculations, Wei’en opened his panel and tapped on the Ghost Meditation Technique.

Ghost Meditation Technique 1/100, 2/100...

[Ghost Meditation Technique Lvl 2 (100/100). Upgrade?]

[Yes.]

[Congratulations, your skill: Ghost Meditation Technique has been upgraded to Lvl 3. Effect: +0.04 Spirit Level/1 hour.]

0.04?

’It doubled??’

’Doesn’t that mean...’

Before Wei’en could process it, the familiar, soft whispers started in his ear again, "Apu, Luno, Rexi, Aus, Sijunen, Tecsi..."

Chaos, despair, death, darkness, destruction, abyss...

Immediately after, his eyes glazed over. His head slowly drooped, and a strange smile spread across his face. "One head, two heads, three heads, four heads..."

...

...