Who was it? What sort of beings lurked in the depths of the darkness and light, and what did they want?
Matt could not help wondering, but soon forced himself to stop. The darkness and light in the dream were powers far beyond ordinary imagination, each embodying a terrifying existential force.
As an Alchemist, particularly one versed in both ancient and modern alchemy, Matt knew very well that reining in his thoughts was often a way to protect himself.
To resist his own curiosity, Matt kept forcing himself to recall certain cautionary lessons:
Existential force did not always refer solely to one's own existence. When a power crossed a certain threshold, the interference exerted by its existential force could also become extremely potent or bizarre.
If Matt failed to restrain his thoughts and kept delving into that dream, especially after encountering strange phenomena during the day, the existential force of some terrifying being within the darkness or light might take root in his mind. If his own mental strength and willpower could not withstand it, the consequences would be dire.
In some magic books and the terminology of the mystical world, this was commonly called "contamination."
His thoughts kept turning, and only after quite some time did Matt finally begin to calm down.
"Phew..."
Sitting on the bed, Matt let out a long breath and traced several alchemical symbols over himself in the air. Only then did he relax a little. He touched his face; it felt as though he had washed it.
"I hope Sir Jonester is all right."
As an Alchemist, Matt believed his mental strength ought to surpass a knight's, but his willpower could never compare with a Radiant Knight's. Against many strange phenomena, willpower was sometimes more useful than relatively vast mental strength.
After taking a