Lord of the Mysteries: Abyssal Scholar

After dying in his old world, a Lord of the Mysteries fanatic awakens in Pritz Harbor 2 years before Klein Moretti opens his eyes in Tingen. He is now Lucian Vale, sole heir to a wealthy, powerful, and corrupt coastal family. Branded as a Blessed by the High-Dimensional Overseer, granted a dangerous boon, and hunted by the vultures circling his estate, Lucian realizes that wealth and caution alone will not keep him alive. To survive, he chooses the Abyss pathway and becomes a beyonder. In the years before the gray fog rises, Lucian forges House Vale into a dominant beyonder faction, his name spreading beyond the harbor as a rising terror in the beyonder world. Yet, long before the final apocalypse can unravel the world, a crimson light ripples above the gray fog, and a remarkably rational Devil takes his seat at an ancient bronze table. ‎ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ‎ Alger: 'A Devil... personally accepted by Mr. Fool. I dare not question "His" arrangements, but my survival instincts are screaming. What terrifying plan is “He” preparing? Could "He" be planning to use him against the Seven Churches? No... thou shalt not test God. I must observe carefully.' Audrey: 'His emotional colors are perfectly controlled, like any proper Loen gentleman. Yet my Spectator vision catches the suffocating pressure beneath his gentlemanly calm. It feels so dangerous! To walk such a dark path while keeping his manners... Mr. Devil must carry a very complicated burden. No, no, you must not pry too deeply, Audrey!' Klein: ‘A wealthy member with stable Beyonder channels should have been good news... No, that sounds too shallow. This is clearly to strengthen the Tarot Club’s foundation and improve its long-term development. But why did my new “reliable channel” have to be a literal Devil? Why couldn't he have Miss Justice's bright, pleasant personality? ‘...Wait, no. A cheerful, innocent-acting person happily performing bloody, sacrificial Devil rituals is actually infinitely more terrifying. I take it back! I’m still just a broke Nighthawk trying to afford decent meals. Why does every step toward making The Fool look more impressive also make me feel closer to dying young?' ‎ ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── ‎ https://abyssalscholar.com/ 2 chapters/week ~3000 words/chapter