Magic spells and talismans were generally matters dealt with by the “Sa” factions rather than the “Jeong” factions. However, because Hwasan was a Taoist sect, it received requests from the Taoist emperor, and even commoners requested exorcisms.

Most issues for which the commoners requested exorcism, attributing them to ghosts, actually stemmed from curses commonly referred to as black magic.

Therefore, there were those in Hwasan who specialized in researching talismans and magic spells to break such curses and took charge when a real Taoist ceremony was necessary.

Just as there was a separate medical department for treating injuries and making medicines.

‘My master never dealt with such things, so I didn’t learn them either…’

But could there be something if I look into the magic spell side of things?

I was about to ponder this glimmer of hope when a sinister possibility suddenly struck my mind.

‘What if it gets discovered that I am not the real owner of this body, but a soul that has possessed it and is looking into such things…’

I felt a sudden chill.

Probably everyone in the Sa family would think, ‘He’s gone crazy again.’ I even have a track record of asking ‘Who are you?’ to the person who was to become my master as soon as I woke up.

‘Come to think of it, it’s been exactly one year since then.’

I can’t be treated like a disciple who’s lost it again after just a year.

And if it’s not enough to get caught and it gets revealed that ‘I am not the owner of this body, but have actually possessed it,’…

‘I would be branded a vile person who stole someone else’s body and be locked away.’

When I think about it, the spell that allows a soul to enter another body, when summarized in four characters, is Yi Hun Da Fa. Even among the Sa factions, it’s considered one of the really bad spells…

No, but it’s unfair. I didn’t willingly end up like this.

My mind became endlessly complicated. I lay back down as if collapsing and buried my face in the pillow. Then I forced myself to think of something else.

There’s training again tomorrow; I can’t afford not to sleep because of this.

…Even though I shouldn’t, my mind just couldn’t calm down, and I only managed to fall asleep when the moon was well on its decline.

Despite falling asleep late, the time I woke up was the same as usual. It seems this is why they say habits or customs are scary.

I felt a bit tired, but surprisingly, my mood wasn’t all that bad.
“Anyway, the feelings from yesterday usually subside after a good sleep.”

Lost in thought about the chaos I alone had created last night, I eventually shook my head.

“I’ll think about this part later.”

My intention to dabble in sorcery remains unchanged.

But charging up to my master without any preparation and saying, ‘I want to learn sorcery!’ would surely surprise him.

“First, I’ll head quietly to the library this evening.”

Though the library is a bit far from the disciple’s quarters, if I want something, I should put in the effort. I’ll do some light research first and, if that doesn’t work out, then I’ll discuss wanting to learn sorcery.

Organizing my thoughts, I headed toward the practice room as always.

Upon opening the door to my room and taking a seat in the center, I closed my eyes and began to submerge into the depths of my inner self when…

“Huh?”

Suddenly, something felt off.

Was it because of the various thoughts I had yesterday? Or was it something else?

Suddenly, without any warning, I simply… realized.

As if discovering something that had been in that place all along, I sensed a thick veil covering the space I could define as my inner self.

Yes, a veil.

As if obstructing or concealing, a tightly spread veil.

Yet it wasn’t there to protect me. Rather, it seemed poised to reach its roots into me and swallow me whole at any moment, giving me an ominous feeling.

“…How random?”

Yes, it was random. There was no other way to describe it.

I had never been aware of its existence, yet this unidentified something occupied its space as if it had always been there.

But then again…

“I did consider the possibility that the soul of this body’s original owner might remain somewhere in my inner self.”

It’s far-fetched, but given the already unbelievable events, why not hope for more? After all, inhabiting someone else’s body is strange enough.

Thoughts from yesterday sporadically resurfaced.

I had already been restless, unable to sleep and absorbed in those thoughts, and now this morning, I discover this mysterious barrier?

“Anyone would think there’s something here.”

So what if I break through this?

Could it possibly offer a solution to the concerns I’ve been grappling with?
The moment I thought about breaking through, I felt another strange sensation. It was the same inexplicable discomfort I’d often felt since shortly after learning the mystical arts, long before now.

A sensation that seemed to placate my mood.

This feeling now crept up on me more intensely than ever, sending chills down the back of my neck.