Arim stumbled into the study, breathless and drenched in sweat. Nathaniel, who was engrossed in a thick tome, looked up with a mixture of curiosity and irritation. The dim light made the room feel even more oppressive.

"Master! Master!" Arim's voice trembled as he struggled to catch his breath.

Nathaniel's piercing blue eyes locked onto Arim. "What is it? Speak up."

"Rubelio... the city of Rubelio... it's been turned into a hellscape!" Arim gasped, his voice cracking under the weight of the news.

Nathaniel's expression shifted from irritation to keen interest. He leaned forward, his fingers drumming on the desk. "What happened?"

"A new Paramount Alchemist has appeared!" Arim continued, his words tumbling out in a rush. "One of the few survivors said he looked like a gaunt specter from the depths of the abyss. They said he had a sadistic laughter that would chill anyone to the bone!"

Nathaniel's eyes widened slightly, and a manic gleam began to form within them.

"He unleashed such a potent miasma of toxins," Arim said, shuddering at the memory of the reports, "that out of the city's population of seventy-five thousand, less than five hundred people survived. They barely managed to outrun the miasma."

Nathaniel stood up abruptly, knocking over a stack of papers on his desk. He moved closer to Arim, his face inches away. "And what else? What did this Paramount do?"

Arim swallowed hard, feeling Nathaniel's intense gaze boring into him. "He stole decades' worth of herbs collected by their Alchemist’s Guild and scrolls filled with their accumulated knowledge."

A grin spread across Nathaniel's face—a grin that sent a chill down Arim's spine. "And he's still loose?" Nathaniel's voice was almost gleeful.

"Yes," Arim replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "The oligarchy of Rodam has set him as their topmost wanted criminal. They've mobilized their entire army to hunt him down!"

Nathaniel let out a low, maniacal chuckle that grew louder and more unhinged. He grabbed Arim by the shoulders, his fingers digging into Arim's flesh painfully.

"This could be our chance!" Nathaniel exclaimed, shaking Arim slightly. "Do you understand? This could be our opportunity to learn the secrets of the third step!"

Arim stared at Nathaniel, a mixture of fear and confusion in his eyes. "But Master... this Paramount... he's dangerous..."

"Exactly!" Nathaniel interrupted, his eyes blazing with excitement. "A true master of toxins and alchemy! If we can find him... if we can learn from him..."

Arim felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he looked into Nathaniel's crazed eyes. The scene of the dream once again changed.

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Arim's dreamscape twisted and warped, pulling him from the study to the bustling border town of Exin. He recognized it immediately—the town was perched on the very edge of The Empire, brushing shoulders with the treacherous lands of Rodam. Cobblestone streets bustled with merchants and travelers, each preoccupied with their own business.

Nathaniel stood beside him. His long, flowing white beard swayed slightly in the breeze, and his piercing blue eyes seemed more focused than ever.

"Remember, Arim," Nathaniel began, his voice calm but firm. "We must be exceedingly polite. The man we are about to meet is one of utmost esteem."

Arim nodded, though a sense of dread gnawed at his insides. "Yes, Master."

Nathaniel adjusted his tattered robes, brushing off invisible dust as he continued. "No matter what he looks like or how he acts, you must address him respectfully as Senior Ji. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master," Arim repeated, trying to swallow the lump in his throat.

The scene around them morphed once more, depositing them in a serene park nestled within Exin's borders. Children played near a fountain, their laughter echoing through the air as birds chirped from tree branches above. Yet all this tranquility did nothing to soothe Arim's nerves.

Near a bench by the fountain stood a man feeding a flock of crows. His appearance was deceptively ordinary—he looked barely into his third decade of life, his features youthful and unassuming.

Nathaniel straightened his posture and meticulously adjusted his robes until he looked immaculate—like a pilgrim approaching the grand temple of Rovinius himself. With a final glance at Arim to ensure he followed suit, Nathaniel led them forward.

As they approached the man feeding the crows, Nathaniel's voice took on an almost reverent tone. "Senior Ji," he began, bowing low and motioning for Arim to do the same. "I am Nathaniel, and this is my Apprentice Arim. We come as humble juniors seeking but a morsel of your vast knowledge."

The man—Senior Ji—looked up from feeding the crows. His eyes locked onto theirs with an intensity that made Arim's blood run cold. They were eyes devoid of any light or warmth—voids that seemed to consume all they beheld.

For the first time in his life, Arim felt what true horror was.

"Knowledge always has its price," Senior Ji said in a raspy voice that only they could hear. "What are you willing to pay?"

Nathaniel's face lit up with a manic glee that bordered on madness. "Anything and everything!" he replied without hesitation.

A slow smile spread across Senior Ji's face—a smile that seemed to stretch unnaturally wide and reveal too many teeth. The crows around Arim spearheaded by one rather plump specimen cawed in what felt like mocking unison. The dream began to haze once again.

They were now in their hidden laboratory beneath Rhysling, a sanctuary of the secrets between Master and Apprentice. Dimly lit by flickering lanterns, the room was cluttered with glass vials, bubbling beakers, and intricate alchemical circles etched into every surface. The air was thick with the acrid scent of potions in various stages of creation.

Nathaniel and Arim were a frenzied whirlwind amidst the chaos. Their eyes gleamed with a madness born from their newfound abilities. They moved with feverish energy, their hands dancing over alchemical tools, crafting elixirs that shimmered with otherworldly hues.

"Look at this, Master!" Arim's voice was filled with awe as he held up a vial containing a swirling golden liquid. "A Tonic of Enlightenment! I never thought I could create one so soon!"

Nathaniel's laughter echoed through the lab, a sound that sent shivers down Arim's spine despite his own excitement. "Senior Ji's teachings are beyond anything we've ever known!" Nathaniel exclaimed, tears streaming down his cheeks. "To think all it took was every meager accomplishment I had, but it was more than worth it!"

The circles on his skin glowed faintly, imbued with the energy they had harnessed from Senior Ji's instructions. Elixirs that once took days to perfect now materialized in hours.

Nathaniel stood before an array of completed concoctions, his eyes wild with elation. "Half-step Paramount," he muttered to himself, almost reverently. "I've nearly bridged the gap."

Arim set down his vial and turned to his Master, his own eyes reflecting the same fervor. "Master," his voice eager, "is there more we can offer Senior Ji? His knowledge is boundless—what else can we give to receive more of his insights?"

Nathaniel paused for a moment, his expression twisting into an eerie smile that spoke volumes of his descent into madness. He wiped at his tear-streaked face with a trembling hand before turning to face Arim fully.

"We have nothing more ourselves," Nathaniel said slowly, each word dripping with sinister implication. "But others do."

Arim felt goosebumps form along his back, however, he nodded in agreement. The mania that had taken hold of him dulled any moral hesitation he might have once had. The thought of furthering his power overshadowed any lingering remnants of conscience.

"Praise be to your cunning Master!" Arim said fervently, bowing low before Nathaniel. His mind raced with possibilities as he considered who might have what they needed.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Nathaniel’s smile grew wider, a grotesque parody of joy as he gazed upon his Apprentice. "Indeed," he whispered, almost to himself. "Indeed."

They were lost to their mania, two souls consumed by ambition and guided by the teachings of Senior Ji—the enigmatic figure whose mere presence had propelled them into realms they had only dreamt of before.

Their journey into darkness had only just begun. The dream leapt forward in time when they once again met with Senior Ji, now inside their own home.

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Inside Nathaniel’s house in Rhysling, the air was thick with the scent of fresh food. The room flickered with the warm glow of candles.

At the center of it all sat Senior Ji, his presence dominating the room despite his outwardly benign appearance. His dark eyes glinted with a hidden depth as he observed Nathaniel and Arim, who were seated across from him at the long dining table. His portly crow, had a seat of honor beside him, a full serving of food laid out before the bird.

Nathaniel’s eyes were red-rimmed, tears threatening to spill as he spoke in a voice choked with remorse. "Senior Ji," he began, his hands trembling as they clutched at his robe. "I... I haven’t managed to gather more offerings than last time. My efforts have fallen short."

Senior Ji leaned back in his chair, a serene smile playing on his lips. "Pay no mind," he said amiably, waving a hand dismissively. "I am quite pleased that my friends here think of me so highly."

Arim’s eyes shone with a fervor that bordered on fanaticism. He hung onto every word that fell from Senior Ji’s lips, his admiration evident in the way he leaned forward eagerly.

Senior Ji turned his gaze to Arim, his smile widening ever so slightly. "Arim," he said smoothly, "I believe you are ready to engrave the Sage’s grooves into yourself. Would you like my personal assistance?"

Arim’s heart pounded in his chest as he nodded gratefully, his voice filled with reverence. "Yes, Senior Ji! I would be beyond honored!"

Nathaniel wiped at his eyes and forced a smile through his tears. "Your generosity knows no bounds, Senior Ji," he said earnestly.

Senior Ji chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to resonate through the room. "Not everyone would be willing to slaughter their colleagues across an empire for humble me," he remarked casually.

Nathaniel's expression hardened with resolve as he met Senior Ji’s gaze. "It is the bare minimum one should do for someone of your ever growing renown!"

The crow perched beside Senior Ji let out an approving caw, its beady eyes reflecting the candlelight as it pecked at its meal.

Senior Ji’s smile remained enigmatic as he regarded Nathaniel and Arim.

The main hall of Nathaniel’s house had been transformed into a space of ritual and solemnity. Incense burned at the corners, their wispy tendrils carrying the sweet, numbing scent that would serve as an anesthetic. Arim, bare-chested, sat in a meditative position at the center of the room, his eyes closed and breath steady. The anticipation in the air was palpable.

Senior Ji moved with grace as he approached the sitting Arim. In his hand, he held an elegant silver needle, its tip gleaming ominously under light. "Brace yourself," he said, his voice calm and soothing.

Arim took a deep breath, his energy sharpened into a stable mass within him. He was ready to endure whatever pain would come; this was his moment of ascension.

Senior Ji knelt beside him, positioning the needle with great care. He began carving the intricate grooves into Arim’s flesh, each movement practiced and surgical. The needle traced paths resembling trenches across Arim's body, creating the foundational patterns every Sage must bear.

Nathaniel hovered nearby, his eyes wide with both awe and trepidation. His hands clutched vials of his finest concoctions—potions painstakingly brewed for this very purpose.

As Senior Ji worked, he nodded to Nathaniel who began to hand him the vials one by one. The first was a body-strengthening potion. Senior Ji channeled it into the grooves he had carved, merging it with Arim’s being. Arim’s muscles tensed momentarily before relaxing under the anesthetic's influence.

Next came a flight potion, its contents shimmering with a pale blue light. Senior Ji’s needle danced across Arim’s skin, integrating the potion seamlessly into his flesh. Then followed sedative potions to keep Arim calm when he needed it, combustion potions for controlled bursts of energy, and many more elixirs—each carefully balanced to avoid toxicity.

Hours passed in this manner, each minute dragging as if suspended in time. The crow perched silently on a nearby ledge, its dark eyes keenly observing every detail of the ritual.

Finally, Senior Ji finished carving the last groove and stepped back to admire his work. Arim’s body was a canvas of intricate lines and glowing symbols, each mark representing hours of painstaking effort and alchemical infusion.

Nathaniel stepped forward, eyes glistening with pride and relief. "You’ve done it," he whispered to Arim. "You’ve crossed into the same realm as me."

Arim opened his eyes slowly, feeling a surge of new energy coursing through him. He rose to his feet unsteadily but with growing confidence as he felt the power settling within him.

Nathaniel embraced him warmly before turning to Senior Ji with reverence. "Thank you," he said earnestly. "Your guidance has made this foolish Apprentices growth possible!"

Senior Ji inclined his head graciously. "Celebrate this occasion," he said smoothly. "For I have something more to share—a new technique in transmutation I have been developing."

Arim’s eyes sparkled with eagerness as he exchanged an excited glance with Nathaniel. Both turned their attention fully towards Senior Ji.

"Please," Nathaniel said earnestly. "Enlighten us."

Senior Ji's smile widened slightly as he spoke two words that caused the dreamscape to distort horribly around them: "[Soul Devouring]."

The scene twisted violently; walls warped and shadows lengthened unnaturally as if reality itself recoiled from those words.

His serene demeanor contrasted starkly against the spiraling madness enveloping them.

----------------------------------------

Arim and Nathaniel exchanged a glance that communicated volumes. The allure of Senior Ji’s new technique—Soul Devouring—was too potent to resist. Their minds churned with possibilities, both disturbed and intrigued by the possibilities. Arim’s gaze shifted from Nathaniel to Senior Ji, whose enigmatic smile never wavered.

"We must test this immediately," Nathaniel declared, his voice laced with determination.

Arim nodded, the seed of a darker idea already taking root in his mind. "Senior Ji," he said, "could you kindly wait here for us? We need to prepare the material."

Senior Ji inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Of course," he replied.

Nathaniel led Arim out of the room, their footsteps echoing ominously. The dreamscape twisted subtly around them. As they reached a house near their own, Nathaniel turned to Arim with a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Samuel" Nathaniel said with a grim smile. "He will serve perfectly as our test subject. His death will be an honor for the advancement of Alchemy!"

Arim’s eyes gleamed with a mix of madness and anticipation. "Yes Master!" he replied, already formulating the steps in his mind.

They moved quickly, their actions driven by a blend of urgency and fervor. Within moments, they completed their ghastly work and they returned to Senior Ji’s presence, carrying a sack stained with dark red. The crow perched on Senior Ji’s shoulder cawed softly as they entered.

Senior Ji raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Who have you brought me?"

Nathaniel stepped forward and prostrated at Senior Ji’s feet. "My brother," he said humbly.

A flicker of amusement danced across Senior Ji’s features as he looked at Nathaniel. "My friend, you know the incense burnt here still lingers," he remarked, almost casually. "Its anesthetic effects are quite potent—even for those at the Sage realm."

Nathaniel frowned, confusion clouding his features. "Well yes Senior…but what could you be meaning by that esteemed one?"

Senior Ji's smile widened slightly as he turned to Arim. "Be proud of your Apprentice," he said softly, his words carrying an undercurrent of menace. "For not even you have noticed that you’ve been bleeding out since you reentered this room."

Nathaniel's eyes widened in shock and horror as he looked down at himself, finally registering the crimson stains spreading across his robes from his back. He staggered back, gasping for breath that would no longer come.

With an insane gleam in his eyes, Arim stepped forward and spoke in a tone tinged with madness. "My Master was too shy to offer himself as a prime test subject," he said with a twisted grin. "So I did as any good student would do and assisted him Senior Ji." He threw the bloodied sack he was carrying aside dismissively and pushed his master back to the front.

Nathaniel collapsed to the ground in front of Senior Ji, his body convulsing as life drained away from him. Senior Ji watched impassively as the scene unfolded before him.

Arim stood over his fallen Master, feeling a surge of exhilaration mingled with a dark satisfaction. This was the culmination of everything—power gained through sacrifice and ruthless ambition.

The crow let out another caw, its black eyes reflecting the light in the room and the bloody scene below.

Senior Ji’s expression remained unreadable as he turned his gaze back to Arim. "Now," he said calmly, "come closer…"

Arim's steps faltered as he neared Senior Ji, dread curling around his insides like a vice. Senior Ji's finger extended towards him, and the moment it made contact with Arim’s forehead, an overwhelming surge of power and terror coursed through him. His stomach churned violently, and before he could comprehend what was happening, he doubled over and vomited, the bile splattering over Nathaniel’s prone form below.

A chuckle rumbled from Senior Ji. "I must apologize," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "I underestimated you upon our first meeting in the park. I did not believe you had it in you to tread the heights of alchemy."

Arim trembled uncontrollably as the weight of his actions started to settle on him. The realization of what he had just done washed over him in a nauseating wave.

Senior Ji clapped his hands together, breaking the silence that followed Arim's retching. "You no longer need my assistance in maintaining your hunger for power," he declared. "For no hypnotic could have planted the seed of tonight's idea in your mind, truly you have outdone yourself Arim."

With a swift motion, Senior Ji grasped Arim by the ear and pulled him upright. The acrid stench of vomit still clung to him, making his head spin.

"I am truly pleased by your progress," Senior Ji continued, a smile creeping across his face. "Tonight’s incident shall be my boon to you."

Arim's mind reeled as he tried to process the words being spoken to him.

"When the dust settles after tonight," Senior Ji instructed, "you will say that Nathaniel and his brother were heroes who defended the ruler of this city from an attack by..." The name distorted in Arim's ears, rendering it unhearable and warping the very fabric of his dream.

Senior Ji tightened his grip on Arim’s ear, forcing him to nod. Arim’s brain struggled to keep up with the rapid turn of events.

"But before we conclude," Senior Ji added with a sinister edge to his voice, "we must try [Soul Devouring]. Do not worry; your master Nathaniel shall now forever be a part of you."

The dream shattered into a thousand jagged fragments at the sight of Senior Ji's demonic face leering at him.

Arim awoke with a jolt, drenched in cold sweat. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath. Outside, darkness had fallen, but countless lights flickered from the direction of the Magistrate's castle, clearly some incident was occurring. He reached up with trembling hands to touch his face, feeling the wetness of his tears mixing with sweat.

His body wracked with sobs as he covered his face with his hands and began to cry uncontrollably. The weight of everything he had seen and done pressed down on him like an iron shroud, suffocating and relentless.