Kraft

Biodata

| Name | Kraft Wood 139 |
| Alias | Professor Kraft Wood (academic title); Dean; Knight 139 347 337 |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Age | Young adult 38 18 |
| Affiliation | Rivers University Medical School; Wood Family; Knightly Order; Northern Mountains Monastery 16 139 22 330 331 380 |
| Status | Alive 426 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 2 |

Power Progression

Chapter	Advancement	Description
18	Recovered past-life knowledge	Kraft discovers that knowledge he believed forgotten from his former life can return in organized detail when he calls it to mind, substantially expanding his medical foundation 18.
50–56	Spiritual Senses awakened	After confronting a Deep Layer creature, Kraft develops the ability to perceive information beyond ordinary human senses, including internal structures and unseen presences 50 56.
73	Deep Layer immersion	Using a Dim Hexagonal Prism, Kraft learns to partially sink his spirit and body into the Deep Layer and return to the Present World 73.
118	Second Layer traversal	Kraft becomes able to navigate deeper spiritual layers through increasingly alien sensory conditions, treating changes in depth as an instinctive movement 118.
136	Prism fusion	A Prism fused with Kraft's left arm, leaving him with chronic pain and abnormal sensations while further linking him to Deep Layer phenomena 136.
182	Destructive layer traversal	Kraft attempts to control a rapid transition between layers against a Scale-Fungus, causing a dangerous overlap between the Dim Realm and the Present World 182.
324	Spirit-body fluctuation attack	Kraft discovers and weaponizes a pathogen-like fluctuation in his spirit body, injecting it into an enemy's spirit body through contact 324.
328	Trigger contact	While investigating the Sculptor's pit, Kraft connects with a “Trigger,” gains unfamiliar knowledge and abilities, and undergoes calcification that leaves his body apparently dead 328.
394	Dragon cognition synchronization	Kraft synchronizes with a dragon's cognition long enough to recognize the immense airborne creature as real despite its contradiction of ordinary reason 394.
426	Enhanced premonition and cognitive influence	Kraft's premonitions become more direct and transcend conventional sensory and spatial limits; his speech also begins to affect others' comprehension, memory, and actions more deeply 426.

Background

Kraft's existence is the result of a soul-merging event that occurred when he awakened in an unfamiliar room, unable to find his phone and confronted by a letter written in English to his grandfather and a primitive dip pen. He discovered he inhabited a different body, possessing memories of a life he did not recognize, and realized his consciousness had fused with the original inhabitant's, creating a dual identity within a single vessel 2. This half-transmigration left him with heightened sensitivity and a strange, intense mental ability that he would later struggle to understand 12 18.

The original Kraft was raised in the remote Wood Family Castle, a fortress built over three decades by his grandfather, Old Wood. Old Wood — a former soldier who rose from cracking skulls to earn the title of Baron — retired to his hometown of Wood Town, adopted its name as his family surname, and began constructing a castle on the small hill behind the town 3 21. The construction was a long, piecemeal process: for the first decade and a half, the outer perimeter remained wooden walls, and only after many years did the castle mature into a solid, defensible fortress with a tower section, gravel-paved road, and strategically placed ramps 21. The building’s prolonged timeline was due partly to economic constraints and partly to Old Wood's need to provide properties for his returning comrades, whose descendants would later serve the family 21.

Tragedy struck the Wood family repeatedly. Old Wood’s wife died of a plague, his son Little Wood fell on the battlefield, and Kraft’s mother died in childbirth, leaving only Old Wood and his grandson as the surviving family line 3. The original Kraft grew up in this diminished household, initially focused on emulating his grandfather’s martial past, with his mind filled with replicating Old Wood’s glorious military feats 3.

Recognizing that his grandson needed a more refined direction, Old Wood personally hired the scholar Anderson from Wenden Port Academy to teach Kraft how to read and write the local language, as well as calligraphy, poetry, and other subjects that the old man deemed more "refined" 3 2. The transformation was not immediate; it required "traditional and effective persuasion" — physical measures — to get Kraft to sit still in the study 3. Under Anderson’s tutelage, Kraft’s interests shifted from combat to learning. Anderson, a scholar with a poor relationship with Professor Frank of the Theology School due to Frank’s ostracism of those who researched Anomalous Phenomenon, found a kindred spirit in Old Wood, who had developed a peculiar hobby for collecting forbidden books and artifacts related to the occult 3 11. The two bonded over their shared interest in "Anomalous Phenomenon," expanding their research into forbidden and ancient texts 3.

The original Kraft’s education also made him literate in a local alphabet that resembled English, setting him apart from his family and influencing his future 2. His cousin Ryan, who was several years older and had been raised as an "insurance policy" for the sickly Kraft, studied under the same master but struggled with reading, while Kraft learned to write characters into a mess 8 16. Ryan often delivered Anderson’s letters to colleagues at the academy, gaining familiarity with Wenden Port, but Kraft’s academic progress was initially slow 8.

The merging of souls created a new Kraft who possessed both the original’s memories and the transmigrator’s knowledge and skills. He exhibited signs of obsessive-compulsive tendencies, such as a heightened attention to detail and a desire to notice everything around him, which he attempted to calm by practicing calligraphy to please his grandfather and Anderson 12. He also developed a deep distrust of certain objects, such as an axe, indicating his growing discernment 8. Over time, Kraft would go on to leverage his fused knowledge to become a lecturer at the Medical School, a role that astonished his family and marked the beginning of his rise from a country noble’s heir to a respected academic figure 16 22. The background of his upbringing — the isolated castle, the family tragedies, the strict but caring grandfather, and the scholarly mentor — shaped the foundation upon which his new life was built.

Following his later investigations into Heterodoxy, Deep Layer phenomena, and the Church, Kraft expanded his responsibilities beyond medicine. He planned the establishment of a legally recognized knightly order to operate amid the kingdom’s instability, seeking legitimacy from both secular authority and the Church 330. The Church subsequently offered a northern-mountain monastery as compensation, an opportunity Kraft regarded with caution because of the site’s unclear history and possible hidden dangers 331. By the time the monastery’s operations had grown, Kraft was known as its Dean, although he remained far more committed to clinical work and research than administration 347 380.

Physical Description

Kraft presents a youthful, slender figure with a notably handsome face and striking blonde hair that makes him highly recognizable in crowds 38 54. His build is slim and well-suited to the fitted fashions of the society he navigates, whether he is wearing the formal black robe of a lecturer or the elaborate attire required for aristocratic banquets 16 139. His overall appearance conveys a combination of academic authority and noble bearing, though his youth often prompts surprise among those who meet him for the first time 22 38.

• Hair: Blonde, highly recognizable, and often noted as handsome 7 38 54.
• Facial Features: No beard or notable facial hair is described; his face is youthful and clean-shaven 38 54.
• Build: Slim and slender, able to fit into tailored, slim-fitting garments 139.
• Typical Attire (Academic): A black Medical School uniform or robe, bearing a lecturer’s badge — an open book with a Winged Ring on the left page and a Clock Tower flanked by Spruce Branches on the right, the emblem of Wenden Port Academy 16 18.
• Typical Attire (Banquet/Social): Fashionable slim-fitting coat with puffy sleeves, padded and quilted sections stitched in symmetrical linear patterns, cinched at the waist, and long slender sleeves from the elbows with metallic-colored buttons 139.
• Typical Attire (Fieldwork): Kraft commonly carries a longsword, medical tools, and, later, a refined one-handed crossbow gifted by Martin 4 69 156.
• Distinguishing Injury: The Prism fused into Kraft’s left arm causes chronic pain and abnormal sensations 136.
• Age: Young; described as a youth compared to the older professors and nobles he interacts with 38 54.

Personality

Kraft Wood is defined by a dualistic personality that blends meticulous analytical discipline with a bold, almost reckless curiosity. On one hand, he exhibits obsessive-compulsive tendencies and a Sherlock-Holmes-like attention to detail; on the other, he possesses a quiet confidence, resilience in the face of horror, and an unshakeable dedication to the pursuit of knowledge. His character is a careful balancing act between caution and daring, self-containment and deep care for those around him.

• Keenly Observant and Analytical: Kraft’s mind operates like a detective’s, instinctively breaking down phenomena into patterns and clues. When investigating Professor Calman’s disappearance, he categorizes the professor’s handwritten notes by mental state and writing speed, and detects a disturbing symbol that does not match Calman’s usual hand — a discovery that unnerves both him and Lucius 26. In his everyday life, he cannot help but scrutinize his surroundings: noting the well-maintained cobblestones and drainage systems of Wenden Port, even when the streets are empty of stalls 12. This analytical drive carries over to his medical work; he lectures with calm confidence, using human anatomy to challenge traditional humoral theory 18, and later calmly collects samples from a horrifying fused creature 326.

• Obsessive-Compulsive and Detail-Oriented: Kraft exhibits a near-compulsive need to notice and catalog everything around him, a trait that intensifies after his half-transmigration. He finds himself “unusually interested” in his environment and deliberately practices calligraphy to clear his mind and please his grandfather — an activity that channels his need for order 12. This meticulousness also emerges in his teaching routine: he copies medical knowledge from his past life with painstaking effort, struggling with the language barrier but refusing to compromise on accuracy 30. His restlessness becomes especially apparent when an unresolved anomaly occupies his mind; he is unable to leave unanswered questions alone even when investigation disrupts his sleep and routine 72.

• Cautious Yet Courageous: Kraft consistently balances careful planning with daring action. When exploring the sealed laboratory, he insists on using a protective mask despite Lucius’s initial skepticism, his intuition warning of hidden hazards 26. Yet he volunteers to descend into a deep pit filled with a moving, oozing sculpture, showing bravery and curiosity despite the risks 328. His caution is not cowardice but informed wariness: he organizes his experiences with anomalous phenomena, notes their limitations, and deliberately keeps his distance from Professor Calman’s unstable mental state 29. Even in combat, he disarms an Inquisitor with exceptional skill while maintaining a calm demeanor and quick wit, defusing a tense confrontation without unnecessary violence 217.

• Resilient and Desensitized to Horror: Kraft’s childhood, spent listening to his grandfather Old Wood’s gruesome stories, has desensitized him to violence and grotesquery. As an adult, he wakes up surrounded by twisted, lifeless faces and simply collects samples from the monstrous fusion of bodies without panic 326. This resilience is not callousness but a controlled response; he reflects on Professor Morrison’s tragic fate with empathy, envying the ethical independence of Morrison’s disciple even as he examines the horror 326. His calm extends to encounters with bizarre creatures — he observes and analyzes a chaotic, lamprey-mouthed entity even as it overloads his consciousness 50, and carefully examines a masked man undergoing a painful spinal transformation, showing more curiosity than revulsion 125.

• Dedicated Teacher and Keeper of Knowledge: Teaching and preserving medical knowledge from his past life give Kraft a deep sense of purpose and contentment. He settles into a routine of preparing lessons, holding Q&A sessions, and copying texts — work he finds meaningful even as it isolates him from other aspects of life 30. Students bring him extra painted boards, eager to learn from his lectures, and he grows closer to them by understanding their backgrounds and dedication 30. His responsibility extends to his friends: he worries about Lucius’s safety, chooses to stay at an inn rather than potentially dangerous faculty lodging, and takes steps to secure the secret laboratory while waiting for Professor Calman’s return 29.

• Adaptable and Confident in New Roles: Kraft adapts quickly to his circumstances, whether accepting his merged soul and new body 2 or stepping into the role of lecturer at the Medical School. He demonstrates his medical knowledge to his skeptical grandfather and teacher, gaining their support, and shows quiet confidence as he prepares for his first lecture 22. Even when fainting at the academy entrance, he recovers and delivers a successful, authoritative talk that earns Professor Calman’s respect 18. This adaptability is underpinned by a pragmatic, curious nature; he becomes more enthusiastic and engaged during his journey with Ryan, despite Ryan’s attempts to steer his interests away from the dangerous Medical School 8.

• Pragmatic Leader and Delegator: Kraft is capable of creating structures and assigning responsibility when his work grows beyond what he can personally manage. He plans a knightly order’s recruitment, funding, site, and activities as a sustainable institution rather than a temporary armed group 330. At the monastery, he appoints Raymond as Superintendent and Knight Order Steward, then considers a Chief Resident on Duty system to divide the workload and cultivate new personnel 380. Nevertheless, his preference remains clinical medicine and research; he finds routine administration burdensome and is often overwhelmed by the demands placed on him as Dean 347 380.

• Rational but Increasingly Unsettled by the Impossible: Kraft habitually seeks mechanical, medical, or empirical explanations for anomalous events. His encounter with a dragon challenges this reliance on reason, forcing him to confront a reality his mind initially attempts to dismiss as illusion 394. As his consciousness changes, he becomes troubled by the growing reach of his premonitions and the possibility that his words are influencing other people more profoundly than intended 426.

Abilities

Medical Expertise

Kraft possesses an exceptional depth of medical knowledge, which he demonstrates both in formal lectures and pioneering surgical procedures. He delivers a lecture on Humoral Theory, focusing on jaundice and emaciation, and uses human anatomy to challenge traditional contradictions, earning the respect of Professor Calman 18. He performs the first successful abdominal surgery in history on a patient named Lis, utilizing a substance called Black Fluid to seal the wound and prevent infection; the surgery is hailed as a breakthrough, though Kraft remains cautious about postoperative complications 36. Kraft also shows expertise in pharmaceutical production, spending half a day setting up an ether production device in a clinic backyard and demonstrating to Green the reliable, pure output of the process 222. He is capable of analyzing complex medical cases, such as examining a dead body with a pulsating hand and stone-like fragments, collecting Black Fluid from it, and reviewing a notebook detailing surgical procedures and dissections left by a medical lecturer 278. Furthermore, Kraft is conversant with multiple branches of medicine—internal medicine, pharmacy, surgery, and anatomy—and strategically gathers elites from these fields to tackle difficult diseases 140.

• Applications:
  • Delivered lecture on Humoral Theory, successfully engaging students and faculty 18.
  • Performed first abdominal surgery using Black Fluid, saving a patient’s life 36.
  • Built and operated an ether production device, producing pure anesthetic 222.
  • Extracted and analyzed Black Fluid from a cadaver, learning from a predecessor’s notes 278.
  • Developed medical instruments and potions in collaboration with the Sigo Family and their financial officer 247.
  • Conducted emergency treatment for trauma, including wound cleaning and dressing under field conditions 124.
  • Performed cranial surgery to clear blood beneath a bone plate, earning the confidence of Inquisition monks 239.
• Limitations:
  • Expresses helplessness regarding common diseases of the era due to limited medical knowledge and resources 36.
  • Insists on a cautious approach, observing patients for at least half a month before expanding use of new treatments like Black Fluid 37.
  • Acknowledges the potential for untested substances, such as the “filling material” in the notebook, to cause hallucinations or other side effects 278.
  • Must rely on contemporary craftsmen and imperfect equipment when reproducing advanced medical instruments 130 152.

Sorcery and Deep Layer Manipulation

Kraft possesses the ability to interact with the Deep Layer, a spiritual dimension adjacent to the physical world. He can trigger a Dim Hexagonal Prism medium to “sink” his consciousness and partially his body into the spiritual world, achieving a dual change of spirit and matter that allows him to move silently and appear behind others without detection 73. He controls the depth of immersion, approaching a critical threshold without fully crossing it, and can surface back to the Present World 73. Kraft also explores the Second Layer, where the scenery becomes increasingly faded, and his alienated spirit replaces normal senses, making layer transitions as instinctive as walking 118. He demonstrates combat applications by discovering a dangerous pathogen-like fluctuation in his own spirit body that mimics the rhythm of Foxglove injections; he injects this fluctuation into an enemy’s spirit body to counterattack, using his understanding of “Spellcraft” to manipulate the oscillation and gain the upper hand in a mental duel 324. Additionally, Kraft can sense the will and spread of Deep Layer entities, such as a lake-dwelling entity that causes pain and potentially grants abilities to those it contacts 317. He has also studied Moon Remnants—fragments of a colossal entity—and their effects on the human body, believing he can control a small amount of such power 280.

Kraft’s control of layer traversal can also be applied destructively. Against a Scale-Fungus, he attempts to regulate the speed of a cross-layer transition but loses control, producing a chaotic overlap between the Dim Realm and the Present World 182. His contact with the Sculptor’s “Trigger” grants him unfamiliar knowledge and abilities, but the immediate result is a catastrophic bodily calcification that leaves him apparently dead 328.

• Applications:
  • “Sinks” partially into the spiritual world to move stealthily and appear behind targets 73.
  • Transitions between layers instinctively, using the Prism to control oscillation direction 118.
  • Creates a pathogen-like fluctuation in his spirit body and injects it into an enemy’s spirit body during combat 324.
  • Detects and analyzes the “wave” or “field” emitted by Deep Layer creatures during transformation using Spiritual Senses 296.
  • Investigates Moon Remnants and their potential for healing or destruction 280.
  • Attempts rapid layer traversal to confront Dim Realm threats, though this can distort the boundary between worlds 182.
• Limitations:
  • The process of sinking disgusts Kraft, as it resembles the Crawler’s method of dragging people into the Deep Layer 73.
  • Prolonged immersion causes physical pain and discomfort; a claustrophobic feeling and shortness of breath persist even after closing Spiritual Senses 275.
  • Overstepping the critical threshold can result in being fully dragged into the Deep Layer, which is extremely dangerous 73.
  • The Church opposes the promotion of unnatural powers, including most miracles, indicating societal and institutional restrictions 275.
  • Kraft notes that mental influences from the Deep Layer are not always permanent, but they can plant unpleasant psychological effects 275.
  • Uncontrolled traversal can cause destructive overlap between the Dim Realm and Present World 182.
  • Contact with unknown entities such as the Trigger carries potentially fatal physical consequences 328.

Spiritual Senses and Perception

Kraft has evolved a set of extra senses that allow him to perceive information from other planes of existence. After a chaotic encounter with a bizarre creature in the Deep Layer, his consciousness overloads and then evolves, granting him a new sense that lets him perceive information from another plane, shattering his previous instincts and common sense 50. He can use Spiritual Senses to detect the approach of Deep Layer inhabitants, such as a deformed tentacled creature surfacing toward the Present World 73. In experiments, Kraft observes biological changes and Spiritual Senses feedback from a Deep Layer creature sample, noting that it emits a complex “wave” or “field” during transformation—something only he can sense, not his assistant Kup 296. He also perceives the “fading” of the spiritual world in layers, with increasing depth stripping away more color and substance 118. This perception extends to detecting prying from the Present World by Native Inhabitants of the Deep Layer 73.

His perceptive abilities eventually develop beyond immediate sensory information. Kraft experiences increasingly direct premonitions that can transcend normal physical senses and spatial limitations, while his synchronization with a dragon’s cognition allows him to recognize an otherwise incomprehensible entity 394 426.

• Applications:
  • Perceives the approach of Deep Layer creatures before they physically manifest 73.
  • Senses the “wave” emitted by transforming Deep Layer samples, enabling analysis of their biology 296.
  • Experiences layer transitions as instinctive spatial and sensory changes 118.
  • Detects a pathogen-like fluctuation in his own spirit body and uses it for counterattack 324.
  • Uses nonvisual perception to judge enemy locations and movement in darkness or obstructed terrain 216 319.
  • Receives increasingly direct premonitions beyond ordinary sensory and spatial constraints 426.
• Limitations:
  • The information overload from the new sense can be disorienting and overwhelming 50.
  • Others, such as Kup, cannot perceive the same wavelengths, isolating Kraft’s understanding 296.
  • Prolonged use of Spiritual Senses causes lingering discomfort, such as a feeling of restraint and shortness of breath 275.
  • His expanded perception can undermine his confidence in his own memories and rational judgment when confronting impossible phenomena 394.

Cognitive Influence

Kraft’s changing consciousness gives his words an abnormal capacity to shape other people’s understanding. His instructions are increasingly understood, retained, and acted upon with unusual clarity, sometimes without recipients consciously recalling why they accepted them 426. Although this effect benefits his teaching, clinical communication, and leadership, Kraft does not fully understand its scope and is disturbed by its implications for others’ autonomy 426.

• Applications:
  • Communicates medical and instructional content with increasing effectiveness 426.
  • Causes others to retain and follow directions more accurately than expected 426.
  • Influences understanding and action across ordinary social interactions, teaching, and treatment 426.
• Limitations:
  • Kraft is not fully aware of the extent or mechanism of the influence 426.
  • The ability raises ethical concerns regarding manipulation and free will 426.
  • Its emergence causes Kraft significant mental and physical exhaustion 426.

Combat Ability

Despite his academic role, Kraft is a highly trained close-quarters fighter. The original Kraft’s childhood martial education centered on wielding a two-handed sword, and Old Wood’s harsh training cultivated exceptional reflexes and physical conditioning 2 45. Kraft combines this martial foundation with medical knowledge, spatial awareness, and Spiritual Senses to read posture, predict attacks, and execute precise strikes 121 238. He is also capable of mounted pursuit and can use a one-handed crossbow when necessary 156 237.

• Applications:
  • Reacted instinctively to anomalous danger and cut through a wooden wall with his sword before fully understanding the threat 45.
  • Fought Deep Layer creatures while directing William during combat 121.
  • Disarmed Father Green during their initial confrontation with the Inquisition 217.
  • Defeated a possessed cultivator using swordplay, a concealed kick, and a pommel strike without killing him 275.
  • Pursued and killed hostile assailants while riding, then fought an inhuman opponent at close range 237 238.
• Limitations:
  • Kraft’s skill cannot fully compensate for extreme disparities in an opponent’s size, strength, or anomalous nature 238.
  • Protecting less experienced allies can divide his attention and constrain his tactics 216.
  • Overreliance on Spiritual Senses risks sensory discomfort and distorted perception 275 238.

Teaching and Academic Influence

Kraft is an effective educator who can convey complex medical concepts clearly and authoritatively. His first lecture successfully explains the contradictions of Humoral Theory using human anatomy, gaining immediate recognition from Professor Calman, who hints at a future professorship 18. Kraft also shows concern for psychological well-being, administering the Raven’s Progressive Matrices intelligence test to his apprentice Yvonne to discreetly check for neuropsychological abnormalities, and noting the improved learning ability of another apprentice, Kup 136. Beyond the classroom, Kraft uses academic gatherings to build networks, attending a banquet at Rivers University where he meets professors of internal medicine, pharmacy, surgery, and anatomy, and forms a strategic plan to gather these experts to solve difficult diseases 140. He also collaborates with the Sigo Family and a financial officer to supply medical instruments, demonstrating his ability to forge institutional partnerships for educational and medical advancement 247.

• Applications:
  • Delivered a successful lecture on Humoral Theory that impressed faculty and students 18.
  • Administered intelligence tests to assess and care for apprentices’ cognitive development 136.
  • Networked with leading medical academics to pool knowledge and tackle challenging diseases 140.
  • Established a partnership with the Sigo Family to produce and distribute medical instruments and potions 247.
  • Created structured lessons for Kup and Yvonne despite their differing backgrounds and ages 136.
  • Planned training and administrative systems for the monastery and Knightly Order 330 380.
• Limitations:
  • His teaching methods are sometimes secretive; for instance, he tests Yvonne without fully explaining her own condition 136.
  • His academic influence is still growing and relies on alliances with influential figures like Martin and Professor Calman 140.
  • Administrative obligations increasingly compete with the medical and research work he values most 347 380.

Analytical and Investigative Skills

Kraft exhibits a sharp analytical mind, applying scientific and empirical methods to understand both medical and supernatural phenomena. He carefully examines a dead body with unusual properties—a withered torso but a living, pulsating hand with stone-like fragments—and methodically collects Black Fluid and studies a notebook to learn from a predecessor’s successes and failures 278. He investigates the origins of a Sword Emblem from armor, using knowledge of heraldry and Church records to identify the owner 247. Kraft also deciphers the meaning of an ancient symbol on a ring, realizing it comes from an ancient civilization that recorded contact with the Deep Layer via meteorites, and understands that the symbol has a consciousness linked to a Shattered Celestial Body 69. In a combat scenario, he deduces that the enemy’s hesitation comes from underestimating his capabilities, and exploits that opening 324. He repeats experiments on Deep Layer creatures, observing patterns and deciding to try drug stimulation to alter the wave signal 296.

• Applications:
  • Analyzed a cadaver’s condition, collected biological samples, and extracted knowledge from a predecessor’s surgical notebook 278.
  • Researched a noble family’s history through heraldry and Church records to identify an armor’s owner 247.
  • Decoded an ancient symbol’s connection to the Deep Layer and a cosmic entity 69.
  • Repeated scientific experiments on Deep Layer samples to understand transformation waves 296.
  • Identified behavioral limits in fungus-controlled husks and adapted his allies’ tactics accordingly 167.
  • Investigated the concealed history and potentially dangerous reliquary objects of the northern monastery 331 337.
• Limitations:
  • His investigations sometimes put him at odds with the Church, which views certain knowledge as heterodox 222 317.
  • Some findings, such as the “wave” signal, are only perceptible to him, limiting collaborative verification 296.
  • His curiosity can lead him to take personal risks before fully assessing the danger to himself or others 328.

Relationships

Character	Relationship	Description
Ryan	Cousin	Ryan serves as Kraft's half-parent and protector, having been raised as an "insurance policy" for the sickly Kraft. He is confused and suspicious of Kraft's sudden academic achievements but ultimately respects Kraft's secrets and supports him unconditionally 16 21 8.
Old Wood	Grandfather	The retired soldier-turned-Baron shows warm affection for both Kraft and Ryan, welcoming them home and taking pride in Kraft's achievements. He sees the potential in Kraft's lecturer role for the family's development 21 22 3.
Anderson	Teacher	Anderson, the scholar hired by Old Wood, initially taught both Kraft and Ryan. He forms a strong bond with Old Wood over their shared interest in the occult and later realizes Kraft's potential, becoming eager to help him connect with influential people 3 12 22.
Yvonne	Disciple/Student	Yvonne is one of Kraft's disciples, showing maturity beyond her years and a fierce drive to improve. She trusts Kraft implicitly, participates in intelligence tests, and ultimately kills Professor Brimmer to aid Kraft's plans, earning his concern and admiration 136 196 169.
Kup	Disciple/Student	Another disciple, Kup shows improved learning ability due to Deep Layer events and is noted for his eagerness for battle. Kraft is aware of Kup's contrasts with Yvonne's approach 136 196 231.
Professor Calman	Mentor/Colleague	The professor from Wenden Port Academy recognizes Kraft's medical expertise, invites him to serve as a lecturer, and provides him with precious manuscripts and a lecturer badge. He is enthusiastic about Kraft's potential 15 16.
Lucius	Colleague	A fellow academic who first invites Kraft to the academy, showing admiration for Kraft's skills but also a lack of noble etiquette. He later participates in searching for Kraft's lodging 15 54.
Martin	Guide	Martin acts as Kraft's guide and host during his travels to Westminster, efficiently handling practical matters and navigating local protocols. He introduces Kraft to influential figures at the banquet 139 136 140.
Professor Frank	Rival	A Theology School professor with a poor relationship with Anderson. He looks down on "country nobles" like the Wood Family, and Kraft and Ryan must avoid him when delivering letters 11.
Professor Brimmer	Colleague	A precise humoral balance treatment specialist who respects Kraft and bonds with him over shared interest in learning. He later visits Yvonne to request Kraft's manuscripts, though he may have known of Kraft's absence 140 169.
Professor Fernand	Colleague	An authority in internal medicine who is humble about his achievements and encourages learning from younger generations, including Kraft 140.
Lecturer Petrie	Colleague	A surgeon with innovative ideas on pain reduction and hemostasis, excited to connect with Kraft as a fellow countryman 140.
Professor Klinsmann	Colleague	An erudite pharmacist with strong memory, open to sharing knowledge on plant medicinal properties 140.
Professor Linden	Colleague	The human anatomy course instructor, serious and dedicated, with unproven theories he hopes to verify 140.
Maynard	Colleague	A general studies lecturer feeling overwhelmed by the rapid progress of academic branches 140.
Father Green	Ally	A commander who shows leadership and concern for Kraft's mental state after a horrifying discovery, demonstrating their mutual respect and bond 326. Green later becomes a trusted combat partner, cooperating with Kraft in both spiritual combat and the investigation of anomalous phenomena despite the Church’s concerns over Kraft’s powers 275 324 330.
Brother Raymond	Monastery Superintendent and Knight Order Steward	A monk whom Kraft recruits into the developing Knightly Order. Raymond becomes Kraft’s principal administrator at the northern monastery, handling its daily affairs and receiving appointment as both Monastery Superintendent and Knight Order Steward 330 331 380.
William	Companion	William accompanies Kraft on Deep Layer expeditions and relies on Kraft’s combat direction against anomalous creatures. Their experiences leave William with lingering psychological distress, which Kraft attempts to understand through comparison with his own reactions 121 124 128.
Father Adrian	Ally	Adrian assists Kraft with experiments and practical production, using his skill in manual temperature control to help create concentrated acid and other materials 95 130.
Doctor David	Medical Colleague	David works with Kraft at the clinic and helps connect him to the Sigo Family’s commercial partnership for medical instruments and potions 247.
Duke of Westminster	Patient and Patron	Kraft examines the Duke’s serious lung condition and later becomes involved in medical and anomalous incidents connected to the Duke’s estate 145 184.
Liston	Acquaintance	Helps Lucius search for Kraft's lodging by deducing his daily route, demonstrating familiarity with Kraft's habits 54.
Guards at Wood Castle	Staff	Kraft has a friendly rapport with the guards, indicating his approachability and their comfort around him 21.
Students at Wenden Port	Students	Kraft's students respect and admire him, eagerly learning from his lectures, bringing extra painted boards, and attending Q&A sessions. They spread stories about him, making him a legendary figure 30 38.
Young Woman from Sigo Family	Host	Greets Kraft and his students at Turquoise Manor banquet on behalf of her family, showing hospitality 231.
Sigo Family	Business Partner	The Sigo Family supplies Kraft with financial support, manufacturing connections, instruments, and later correspondence concerning the monastery estate, allowing him to expand his medical work 247 331.

Major Plot Events

• Kraft faints at the academy entrance and delivers his first lecture on Humoral Theory – While preparing for his lecture, Kraft experiences a strange, intense mental state. He faints at the entrance of the medical school and is helped up by Lucius. Despite this, he delivers a successful lecture on jaundice and emaciation, challenging traditional views with human anatomy. 18

• Kraft becomes a legendary figure among students – His blonde hair and youth make him highly recognizable. Students from other departments stare at him and ask strange questions. Within a month, Kraft hears at least seven different versions of his story in taverns, none matching reality. 38

• Kraft encounters a chaotic creature and develops a new sense – While exploring the Deep Layer, Kraft confronts a bizarre creature with human-like vocal cords and lamprey mouthparts. The creature overloads his consciousness with information. After fighting and wounding it, Kraft falls into water and enters another anteroom, where he gains the ability to perceive information from another plane. 50

• Kraft suspects Clear Clarity Potion in the well is causing harm – He deduces that the potion dumped into the Salt Tide District's well causes worsened symptoms when users gather. He decides to guard the well, prevent drinking, and pay for new wells. He also plans to spend a night on Elm Street to investigate the Deep Layer's connection. 58

• Kraft discovers an ancient symbol connected to the Deep Layer – He finds an ancient symbol on a ring that seems conscious and linked to a Shattered Celestial Body. He learns these symbols come from an ancient civilization that recorded contact with the Deep Layer on meteorites. Professor Calman’s plan to lure Crawlers is revealed, and Kraft realizes Morrison, leader of Dunling University Medical School, is involved. 69

• Kraft returns from a cave and treats wounds – After exploring a cave with William, Kraft finds the mountain path collapsed. They descend and find Kup and Yvonne with the wounded Peter. Kraft cleans and dresses their wounds using strong liquor for disinfection, showing exhaustion from using his powers but recovering quickly. 124

• Kraft is lured to an academic gathering as a cover – Knight Martin escorts him, revealing that the gathering is a facade to provide medical assistance. A heretic poisoned Kraft’s fruit bowl with poisonous berries, suggesting an assassination attempt. Kraft questions Martin about a big shot conferring a badge and the gathering’s content. 138

• Kraft attends a banquet at Rivers University and meets influential figures – Martin introduces him to several professors and lecturers, including Lecturer Petrie, a surgeon with innovative ideas on pain reduction and hemostasis. Kraft aims to gather these medical elites to solve difficult diseases. 140

• Kraft learns of the Orthodox Cult’s emergence – Kraft investigates a cult that appeared at least four months earlier. The Church handled the first case when the cult leader tried to swindle money from believers. Kraft wonders why they have become active recently. 152

• Kraft captures the fake priest Joel and learns of the Orthodox Cult’s motives – Joel reveals that the “Orthodox Cult” is responsible for disappearances, using a pendant that reacts to an “angel.” Kraft and Martin search the church but find no useful clues. Joel indicates the cult targets surgeons, particularly Professor Petrie and Kraft. 158

• Kraft examines Petrie’s papers at an academic gathering – While attending an academic gathering, Kraft discusses Petrie’s papers with Martin. He discovers that Petrie’s surgical procedures were unusually slow and meticulous, suggesting his involvement in something significant. Kraft also learns that the last words of a Heterodoxy practitioner he killed were a biblical quote, not a curse. 194

• Kraft reads the Holy Scripture and suspects Church involvement – He reads the Holy Scripture, which blends history and fiction about the First King’s rise to power with the Church’s help. He finds a gold coin with the First King’s sword crest. Kraft notes that both Petrie and Morrison disappeared without bodies, hinting at a secret related to the Deep Layer. 204

• Kraft encounters the Inquisition at a cemetery – Father Green leads the Inquisition, suspecting Kraft of heterodoxy. Kraft disarms Green with exceptional combat skills and claims he is investigating tuberculosis cases for the Society of Tuberculosis and Rare Diseases. Green hints that Kraft’s actions involve supernatural forces. 217

• Kraft forms a tentative alliance with Father Green – Father Green follows Kraft and Kup to a mass cemetery. Kraft invites Green to his clinic, explaining his academic work and the creation of Ether. He reveals knowledge of a mysterious drug that induces painless surgery, hinting at a connection to the Inquisition’s investigation. Green becomes more open to cooperation. 218

• Kraft and Green investigate the sewers – They examine a rubbing of an ancient pattern that Kraft believes is related to Heterodoxy symbols. Kraft suggests the pattern may be connected to a drug used by believers and to underground structures. He shares his suspicion that a professor at the Academy is involved. 223

• Kraft and Green discover a creature in the sewers – They find a Heterodoxy symbol on old armor and evidence of a battle with Inquisition monks. Kraft extracts a creature from the armor that uses the armor as a shell and absorbs parts from victims. Inside the creature, they find a gray-white Prism similar to one seen in a previous incident. 245

• Kraft realizes the entity in the lake is spreading its will – After his Deep Layer experience, Kraft reflects on “Spellcraft” and the mechanism of Anomalous Phenomena. He understands that the entity in the lake causes pain and grants Deep Layer abilities to those who contact it, and suspects the Church has done something similar. Tension rises among the team, who are hesitant to attack Kraft. 317

• Kraft discovers a monstrous creature containing Professor Morrison – Kraft and his companions find a fusion of human faces and bodies, including Professor Morrison. Kraft collects samples from the creature. He reflects on Morrison’s tragic fate and envies Morrison’s disciple for making independent, ethical choices. 326

• Kraft descends into the Sculptor’s pit and connects with a Trigger – Volunteering to investigate a deep pit containing a moving sculpture and black liquid, Kraft encounters a Trigger, obtains unfamiliar knowledge and abilities, and creates a sculpture. The process calcifies his body and leaves him apparently dead when his companions retrieve him. 328

• Kraft plans to establish a Knightly Order – In response to the kingdom’s instability and power vacuum, Kraft develops plans for a lawful armed organization, including its recognition, recruitment, funding, venue, and operations. He seeks Father Green’s support while recruiting Church personnel such as Raymond and Wadin into the new structure. 330

• Kraft receives a northern monastery from the Church – Frances Sigo informs Kraft that the Church has offered a monastery in the northern mountains as compensation. Kraft recognizes the estate’s potential but suspects the offer conceals unresolved problems and prepares to investigate it. 331

• Kraft investigates the monastery’s dangerous reliquary – At the abandoned monastery, Kraft and Raymond determine that certain valuable religious artifacts should be destroyed or disposed of for safety. Their decision reveals Kraft’s willingness to prioritize practical containment over tradition. 337

• Kraft becomes overwhelmed by his responsibilities as Dean – While managing the developing monastery and Knightly Order, Kraft faces a constant stream of requests and tasks. He investigates the discovery of a mysterious tower foundation on the mountaintop while relying on Kup and the craftsmen to help manage practical demands. 347

• Kraft appoints Raymond as Monastery Superintendent and Knight Order Steward – After returning from an Anomaly-related matter, Kraft delegates the monastery’s expanding administrative responsibilities to Raymond and proposes a Chief Resident on Duty position to train additional personnel and distribute the workload. 380

• Kraft witnesses and recognizes a dragon – Kraft experiences overwhelming fear upon seeing an immense creature floating in the sky. Through a synchronization of cognition, he confirms that the impossible entity is a dragon, though its disappearance leaves him questioning his memory and reason. 394

• Kraft’s premonitions and influence over others intensify – On approaching Wenden Port, Kraft realizes that his premonitions have become more direct and that his words increasingly shape others’ understanding, memory, and behavior. The change leaves him exhausted and uncertain of its full implications. 426

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