Sequence 4 and Demigod

The drawing room was bright and softly lit. Sunlight slanted in through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, casting several neat patches of golden light across the exquisite Intis carpet.

Edwin sat in a single armchair, calm and composed.

Across from him, Horamick, a bishop of the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery, sat rigidly upright, wearing a seriousness Edwin had never seen before.

"Mr. Edwin,"

Horamick was the first to break the silence. His voice was much deeper than usual.

"I assume you have already guessed the purpose of my visit."

Edwin gave a slight nod without speaking. He merely met the other man's gaze calmly and waited for him to continue.

"Yes, the Sequence 4 potion prepared for you is ready."

As Horamick spoke those words, the air in the entire drawing room seemed to tighten.

He did not immediately take anything out. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, clasped his hands over his knees, and continued in an exceedingly solemn tone, "But before that, I must explain everything behind this to you once more.

"Sequence 4 is what we usually call a 'demigod.'

"This title is not an exaggeration, but a description of an essential leap in the level of life."

"Unlike the previous Sequences, beginning at Sequence 4, an... unusual substance will inevitably be added to the main ingredients of the potion. We call it 'divinity.'"

Divinity?

Edwin pondered this. No wonder that, according to his deductions, continuing to develop Sequence 5 would never grant the kind of ability Horamick had displayed—the ability to control the composition of matter.

So something had still been missing...

"Divinity brings unprecedented power, but it also brings unprecedented risks."

The bishop's voice grew increasingly grave.

"Demigods of every pathway must face a far greater risk of losing control than before.

"For