A Letter That Couldn't Be Sent

The Eskaper Continent.

One of the Star Gate Council's affiliated outposts.

Keri finished organizing the documents in her hands and leaned back in her high-backed chair.

She had finished her work for the day, but she feared she could only spend the remaining time meditating. There wasn't enough time for any other, even slightly complicated, experimental research.

Keri remained expressionless, but inwardly she felt rather frustrated.

Ever since she had failed to compete with Thor for the chance to advance to Third Rank, she had been forced to gather resources and contributions on her own. As a result, she now had more tasks than she could finish each day, leaving her too little time to improve herself.

If she ever managed to gather all the resources she needed, would she still be able to advance?

Keri shook her head. She didn't have the energy to think about that right now.

A lot had happened recently at the port where she was stationed. Some of the wizards had even begun acting strangely.

Ole was the strangest of all. His recent behavior was so bizarre that... Keri wondered if he had undergone Corruption and Alienation!

Ever since his last confrontation with Thor, Ole's temper had grown increasingly odd. Before, he had focused most of his attention on cultivating Demonic Creatures and had been unusually passionate about all kinds of plants. As a result, most of his everyday meals consisted of meat, which he had little interest in.

But lately, he had started eating grass.

Keri found that hard to understand.

If that were all, she would only have found it strange. She wouldn't have suspected Alienation.

What unsettled her was something else.

Keri had noticed that Ole sometimes seemed to hallucinate.

Once, while Keri was reporting her recent work to Ole, he