As his assistant "Vivian" turned into a mirror substitution and her real body slipped into the Mirror World, Merlin Hermes's expression underwent an instantaneous, imperceptible change.
He became another marionette, while Klein's mind and will returned to the underground chamber beneath the Fool's church, back into his true body.
Of course, at his level, the distinction between a marionette and his true body was no longer so clear. As long as a body contained a Worm of Spirit and lay within swapping range, any of his marionettes could become his true body at any time.
But this was a critical moment. He could not confuse that hierarchy. His true body had to be his true body—Klein Moretti, not some false identity whose life he had scripted.
If he confused this crucial distinction, the imprints within the Beyonder characteristics and the lingering psyche of their previous owner could corrupt him during his advancement.
Indeed, all that stood between Klein and advancement to the Sequence 1 Mystic Seer was drinking the potion.
A corresponding region for his Yarnam City had already formed in the Spirit World. During the wedding, it had been anchored by his own presence, Angel's, and those of the angels attending the ceremony. Like cities that had existed in the world for a century, it was entirely real and credible.
"I've finally made it this far..."
Rising from the bunk bed where he had lain for almost half a year, Klein recalled the ritual requirements for Mystic Seer while directing the avatar stationed above the gray fog to "bestow" upon him the nine Spirit World specialties he had long prepared, along with the Sequence 1 characteristic from Antigonus.
Klein was already thoroughly practiced at "bestowing things upon himself." But with another advancement and a further deepening of his control