The premiere of "Lord of Mysteries" draws us into the fifth epoch of the Iron Age, an era shrouded in chaos, in the year 1349. As church bells toll ominously, a mesmerizing Gothic ambiance unfolds, enhanced by striking color palettes. Zhou, a figure unfamiliar with such surroundings, is abruptly plunged into an alien realm. Upon awakening, he finds his study bathed in blood, a revolver clutched in his hand, and his identity shrouded in amnesia.
Zhou, now confronted with an unfamiliar visage, realizes he has transmigrated into another being – Klein Moretti, a recent history graduate and classmate to the deceased Welch and Naya. This is no mundane world; though subtly hinted at in episode 2 through visions and subtle cues, Zhou's origins lie in a realm resembling our own Earth, whereas this is a parallel dimension. Henceforth, for clarity's sake, we shall refer to Zhou as Klein.
Welcome to the realm of the Beyonders, where humanity can unlock diverse abilities by consuming potions, embarking on the ascension path. A grand tapestry of 22 Pathways exists, with lower sequence numbers conferring more potent Beyonder abilities, rivaling even the divine. This evolution is known as the Path of the Divine.
Returning to the enigma at hand, two officers arrive at Welch's abode to investigate. Welch and Naya, fellow history graduates of Khoy University, lie dead, their fates initially suggesting suicide. However, traces of dark divination or perhaps an unspeakable Beyonder sacrifice mar the scene. An malevolent force has awakened, leaving us with mere echoes of history to decipher the puzzle.
The crux of this mystery appears intertwined with Klein's fragmented memories, a chaotic blend of Zhou's and his own due to the transmigration. These memories, coupled with a mysterious notebook belonging to Klein, could hold the vital clues. The notebook contains scattered reflections on the past, including whispers of the Fourth Epoch and a chilling prophecy affirming that all will perish.
For the time being, however, Klein's musings are abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Melissa, his younger sister. The siblings share a roof and enjoy a cordial bond, yet our protagonist finds himself deeply ensconced in detective mode. He is acutely aware that the revolver used in Welch's murder is a notoriously loud instrument, yet somehow, Melissa, just next door, failed to hear a thing.
Determined to regain his original form, Klein resolves to perform a Luck Enhancement Ritual. As he ventures out, he takes in the wonders of the world around him while meticulously gathering the necessary ingredients for the ritual. The allure of a tarot card reader proves irresistible, drawing Zhou into a modest tent. Appropriately mirroring the episode's title, Klein draws the Fool card, a symbol of fresh beginnings.
Undeterred by this detour, Klein proceeds with his luck-altering ritual upon returning home, a lingering suspicion that he is being tailed gnawing at him. The scenario takes a surreal and perplexing turn as Zhou is abruptly whisked away into a realm bathed in ethereal light. Here, against their will, two individuals are summoned: Audrey Hall, codenamed Justice, and Alger Wilson, codenamed The Hanged Man. Assuming Klein's identity, Zhou interrogates them for insights into this enigmatic world.
It is within this context that we delve deeper into the enigma of the beyonders. Membership in a church is a prerequisite for becoming a Beyonder, and it transpires that Alger actually possesses two Sequence Nine potions – one known as The Sailor and the other as The Audience.
The sound of a police knock resonating through Klein's apartment door jerks our protagonist from his haunting visions, prompting him to conclude the gathering. He decides they shall reconvene weekly, every Monday at 3 PM. As Klein opens the door, he finds Leonard Mitchell of the Awwa County Police standing there, accompanied by Dunn Smith. This is the same officer who had earlier followed Zhou, whom Klein had instinctively sensed and hastily departed. Their presence signifies a routine search of the premises and inquiries about the notebook. Evidence hints at Klein's presence at the scene prior to the deaths of Welch and Naya.
Klein honestly confides in the policemen, detailing his failed suicide attempt. However, Dunn insists on a psychic verification to retrieve all his memories, a process that could potentially expose him as a transmigrator. Seizing what appears to be an opportunity to evade the authorities, Klein makes a move to flee, unaware that this entire scenario is part of the psychic evaluation.
Within this dreamscape, Dunn Smith materializes, revealing that the Beyonders, particularly the Nighthawks group, wield considerable power during the night. Dunn possesses the ability to manipulate dreams. Meanwhile, our enigmatic psychic, adorned with long, sleek hair and discolored lips, approaches Klein and begins whispering in his ear.
A gray fog obscures portions of Klein's memories, aiding Zhou (inhabiting Klein's body) in passing the psychic test. No incriminating traces are found, and Klein's suicide attempt is confirmed, yet the psychic admits to never encountering anything so perplexing. The duo then presents a solution: they offer Klein the chance to become a Beyonder.
