Acting Method

*“There are some things that make it easier to be ‘infected’ the more you know.”*This article contains **MAJOR SPOILERS** relating to some of the most pivotal parts of the "*Lord of Mysteries*".

Remember that you’re only acting.

 — City of Silver textbook
on *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 157

The **Acting Method** is the process of acting according to the potion's name in order to fully digest the Beyonder potion. With the acting method, Beyonders learn some facts about their potion. For example, when digesting the seer potion Klein learned that "divination isn't all-powerful."

The Church of the Evernight Goddess has the Holy Cathedral’s rules about the acting method, they have to swear to the Evernight Goddess that they never reveal the details of the acting method to those who do not know of it. They will only be permitted to know after they become a core member of the Church, such as an archbishop or a high-ranking deacon. This is similar to other Orthodox Churches.

Though the **acting method** is not known by most Beyonders, it is taught in general education classes in the City of Silver. The one and only key point for the acting method is to *‘Remember that you’re only acting.’* If one is too immersed in acting, the chances of losing control increase drastically.

According to the Church of the Evernight Goddess, it varies from three months to two years to fully digest a Sequence 8 potion with the acting method to advance to Sequence 7 . It depends on whether you can grasp the core spirit and corresponding principle during the ‘acting’ process. From Sequence 7 to Sequence 6, it varies from half a year to three years; likewise for Sequence 6 to Sequence 5. As for Sequence 5 to Sequence 4, three to twenty years.

At some sequences, it is possible to act ahead of time in order to immediately digest a portion of the corresponding potion upon consumption, such as the Fool Pathway's Sequence 3 , which can be partially digested related to the amount of historical knowledge the Beyonder had accrued. Upon consuming this potion, due to the depth of his knowledge, Klein Moretti had immediately digested 80% of his own Scholar of Yore potion after it's consumption.

If a lower sequence can "act" while using their abilities on higher sequence, the feedback greatly aids digestion.

The aim of **Acting Method** is to deceive the mental imprint left behind by The Original Creator and digest the potion bit by bit. According to Madame Magician, the acting principles summarized by different people will vary according to their unique minds and experiences. The acting based on the potion’s name is like tarot cards. There’s a difference between the upright and reversed position.

## Roselle's Statement

Based on his diary, Roselle Gustav has learned about the **acting method** from Zaratul.

The key thing about potions is not about grasping them, but digesting them! It’s nothing about tapping powers, but acting! And the name of a potion is not solely symbolic at its core, but a concrete imagery, and the ‘key’ to digestion!

 — Roselle's Diary
on *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 21

## Klein's Analogy

Imagine the core powers of your potion as a tightly guarded castle. The remnants of the psyche that can cause a backlash to reside within that castle. Our goal is to get rid of it and become the true master of the castle.

There are two ways we can do that. The first is to forcefully invade the castle. There is no guarantee that this will work, and you will most definitely injure yourself unless you can suppress it with absolute power. But of course, we are not equipped to do that.

The second way is to get the owner of the castle to extend an invitation. This invitation can allow us to slide through the scrutiny of the guards and infiltrate the castle. We can then easily finish off the enemies. But the problem lies in the fact that this invitation specifies the facial features and characteristics of the guest. Thus, we have to disguise ourselves and act as a guest.

And all acting has one premise, which is that one possesses all the powers needed...

— Klein's analysis, *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 541

## Records

Klein Moretti is one of the fastest to digest his potions and become a Sequence 3 within 3 years of becoming a Beyonder. Succeeding him are several members of the Tarot Club.

(\*) Beyonder characteristic incorporated potion consumed.

## Specific Acting Rules

### Fool Pathway

Main article: Fool Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* A Seer possesses reverence toward fate.
* To help others interpret revelations and guide them in a better direction; yet constantly maintain one’s fear and respect towards fate. One cannot be too egoistical, too proud, or blindly believe one’s interpretations.
* Divination isn't all-powerful.

Sequence 8 -
* Although being capable of knowing a little about fate, one remains helpless towards fate; therefore, one might as well use a smiling face to hide all the pain, sorrow, confusion, and depression.

Sequence 7 -
* Never perform unprepared.
* Take the initiative to perform.
* Try to get applause from the audience.
* Wield control of the target's attention.
* Challenge the impossible, even if the final outcome is nothing but an illusion.

Sequence 6 -
* You can pretend to be anyone, but you're always yourself.
* Truly disguise yourself as another person and receive feedback from the audience.

Sequence 5 -
* Hide behind the scenes and control the marionette to do all the work.
* Remember that every marionette has its own setting.
* Direct "plays" like a director and receive feedback from the audience.
* Use the marionette as a guide to control the enemy to play the role of a puppet.

Sequence 4 -
* Create creepy and scary scenes like in a horror film and receive feedback from the audience.
* Be a mysterious and "bizarro" person.
* The term “Sorcerer” wasn’t key. What was key was to use the methods of a sorcerer to appear bizarre

Sequence 3 -
* Be a scholar from antiquity.
* Search for real ancient history, study it, and make new conclusions out of it.
* Witnessing fate, affecting the present, and the inability to reverse the past.

Sequence 2 -
* Fulfill the wishes of others.
* Perform Miracles (Core)
* Act not as a God fulfilling the wishes of others, but as a person performing miracles for himself and others.
* Miracles are only for a moment, but fate is often a long-lasting event.

Sequence 1 -
* Serves the profound mysteries.

### Door Pathway

Main article: Door Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 8 -
* The key is in performing, fooling others, and deception.

Sequence 7 -
* Astrology is not all-powerful.

Sequence 6 -
* Record various of Beyonder abilities.
* Record local customs and folklore in different places.

### Tyrant Pathway

Main article: Tyrant Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 7 -
* Wander the sea.
* Seek out new sea routes.
* Seek out undiscovered islands.
* The core principle involved being intimate with the sea, to masterfully grasp information regarding sea routes and the weather, as well as exploration and discovery.

Sequence 6 -
* Make yourself like the wind, including being irritable from time to time.

### Visionary Pathway

Main article: Visionary Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* Whether it is at an extravagant banquet or in a lively street, a Spectator is always just a spectator - they can never take the stage themselves.

Sequence 8 -
* Do not abrupt or act against logic and reason.

Sequence 7 -
* Help others solve their mental problems.
* People wear different personality masks when facing different situations and problems.

Sequence 5 -
* Come, see, record, but do not interfere, be a Spectator.
* Proactively walk among the dreams.
* If you really want to interfere, then be the mastermind and conductor behind the scenes; even if your goal is achieved, no one should notice.

### Sun Pathway

Main article: Sun Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 5 -
* Dispel the darkness and Praise the sun.

### Twilight Giant Pathway

Main article: Twilight Giant Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* Your physical abilities are above the common creature.
* A warrior is proficient with many weapons and armors.
* Yourself is a natural combatant in various situations.

Sequence 8 -
* Enter people's sights and fight with the extraordinary.
* The will and body can endure and resist the supernatural.
* Become an expert in combat, mainly through the physique.

Sequence 7 -
* Master weapons with your superhuman physical attributes.
* The external, internal and self can be a weapon to master.
* Anything can become a weapon, and your will determines if you can master it.
* Use, control and master dangerous weapons to exhibit one's specialty, the riskier, the higher the mastery, notably the Sealed Artifact.
* During the process of mastery, survive the risks related to the weapon with lesser dangerous results.

### Darkness Pathway

Main article: Darkness Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* There are way too many things worth staying up through the night for.

Sequence 7 -
* Enter people's dreams and be a nightmare to them.

Sequence 5 -
* House spirits in their body the stronger the faster it is to digest the potion.

### Red Priest Pathway

Main article: Red Priest Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* Observe the environment, be familiar with the environment, and use the environment.
* Distinguish what can be eaten in the wild and what can’t.
* The city is also a jungle.
* Everyone is both prey and hunter.
* Staying calm is crucial. When faced with unexpected prey and no time to prepare, calmness is even more vital.

Sequence 8 -
* Grasp a lot of information and rumors, and also understand the provocation target. Only by doing this will you be able to make him lose his mind and cause his brain to be burnt out with a single sentence.
* Simple provocation isn’t doing much for the potion’s digestion. Remember that Provocation is only a tool. A means to an end, and not the end itself.
* Provoke someone stronger, a higher being, or even fate itself.

Sequence 7 -
* Pyromaniacs not only ignite matter but also the mind and society.

### Demoness Pathway

Main article: Demoness Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* Assassination is a matter of risking one's life. It is the ultimate form of punishment, a calamity for those criminals.

Sequence 8 -
* Instigate people to commit crimes and spread dissension.

Sequence 7 -
* Become a true woman, a natural disruptor, as you become closer the Primordial 'Her'.

Sequence 6 -
* When pleasure is irresistible and impossible to break away from, it's a form of agony.

Sequence 5 -
* The more painful the pain, the more you can feel your own weakness. Pain is at its best when you desire to change yourself to become stronger.

### Hermit Pathway

Main article: Hermit Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 4 -
* Search for mysticism knowledge, the closer to the truth the more beneficial.

### Moon Pathway

Main article: Moon Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 8 -
* Tame the beast, the higher the lifeform, the greater the challenge.

Sequence 5 -
* Sincerity to the moon, worship the moon, and study the moon.

### Chained Pathway

Main article: Chained Pathway/Advancement
Sequence 9 -
* Repress desires and show temperance.

## References

1. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 167
2. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 158
3. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 148
4. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1138
5. ↑ *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 301
6. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 59
7. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 93
8. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 59
9. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 101
10. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 126
11. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 251
12. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 214
13. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 381
14. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 370
15. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 251
16. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 776
17. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 775
18. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 849
19. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 971
20. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1138
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1269
22. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1299
23. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1314
24. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1291
25. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 565
26. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 786
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 366
28. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 35
29. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 359
30. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 714
31. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1180
32. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1187
33. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 686
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Mystery Setting Collection (3) by Cuttlefish
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 Tarot Card Correspondence by Cuttlefish
36. ↑ 22 Days Trivia, Day 6 Darkness
37. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 234
38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 695
39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 54
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 29
41. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 552
42. ↑ *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 113
43. ↑ *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 148
44. ↑ *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 151
45. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 304
46. ↑ *Circle of Inevitability*, Chapter 269
47. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 589
48. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1130
49. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1193
50. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 326
51. ↑ *Lord of Mysteries*, Chapter 1009