Chapter 130: Parting and Beginnings

Mulan had been sitting on the coffin lid, but to his surprise, the struggling within ceased after only a moment.

"Giving in so soon?"

Mulan curled his lip, climbing down from the coffin with a sense of anticlimax. Honestly, this fellow Farolinch was just too uninteresting.

"Very well, stay in the coffin to recuperate. Starting tomorrow, I’ll come here directly to cram knowledge into you. You should be recovered in a few days."

Mulan patted the coffin and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Perhaps feeling embarrassed that he had resisted so fiercely only to find the coffin quite comfortable, Farolinch remained silent.

True to his word, Mulan appeared by the coffin in Farolinch's room at dawn the next day, bringing breakfast and a thick book. After a brief greeting, he began the lesson.

This book had not existed before; the ink on the pages was fresh, clearly indicating that Mulan had barely slept the previous night, spending his time recording information.

The path of the Reawakened was indeed a rocky one. Not everyone who returned from the dead could be called a Reawakened; only those who yearned for the light truly earned the title. Others were known by various names—zombies, ghouls, and a host of other labels. It had taken Mulan some time in contact with Farolinch to confirm his status as a true Reawakened.

The Reawakened needed to meet many conditions, the first of which was quite demanding. However, as Farolinch had been revived after death and had remained in that state for a long time, he fulfilled the requirements perfectly.

The first day was dedicated to basics—not just about the Reawakened, but other general knowledge as well. Whether Farolinch grasped it or not, Mulan highlighted the key points and noted them down in the book.

By the second day, they began the actual study of the Reawakened path, and Farolinch was now able to sit up in his coffin and listen attentively.

"For a naturally occurring Reawakened like yourself, the hardest part is recovering your sense of self while defining your goals. If you are lured into depravity before this, you will degenerate into some other evil entity. That vampire from the other day had exactly that intention."

As Mulan spoke, he turned the page of his notebook, his pen scratching across the blank space in the middle as he continued.

"According to mainstream magical texts, just like the Radiant Knights, one begins to fully transform one's sense of self after the Third Tier. If you succeed, you become an Undead."

"Uh, sorry to interrupt."

"What is the question?"

"Didn't you say the Third Tier was the 'Reawakened'? How does one become an 'Undead' only after the Third Tier?"

Mulan tapped Farolinch on the head with the thick notebook, producing a dull thud.

"You aren't listening carefully. Let me emphasize this: you must distinguish between 'Tiers' and 'Stages.' It’s easier to tell them apart by the words themselves, even if they sound similar. A 'Tier' has a clear directional significance, usually referring to the strength of one's mana and existential power, while the way these powers manifest is a general term..."

"A 'Stage,' however, refers to the progress along a path. It is a naming convention, not a fixed term; you could even name it yourself, provided others accept it. But note: unlike Tiers, the job titles at each Stage have a clear, specific meaning, often representing one or several distinct characteristics. For example, my 'Radiant Knight,' or the 'Undead' you mentioned."

"Does that mean I won't die?"

Mulan pondered for a moment before replying.

"At the same Tier, essentially, yes. But these characteristics are usually reflected more in totems and the formation of one's world. I don't have further data to share on that; you will have to experience it for yourself."

Mulan scribbled away, then continued.

"As one of the dimmer-witted Reawakened, I suspect you might fail your advancement. Fortunately, there is the Sunstone..."

"What do you mean by 'dimmer-witted'?"

Farolinch's brow twitched, his tone sharp. "Tell me, Lord Mulan Jonst, how many Reawakened have you actually met?"

"Just you. So, you are the dimmest Reawakened I have ever met."

Farolinch grinned. He had lost all desire to argue with Mulan, yet he felt strangely at ease.

Mulan was smiling, but suddenly, his expression stiffened.

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing. Let us continue."

The experience of bantering with someone like this stirred in Mulan a fleeting memory of playing with Alvin. At the thought of Alvin, Mulan was reminded of their farewell at the station and that painful reunion, and his mood inevitably sank.

Farolinch clearly sensed the shift in Mulan’s emotions, but he was not good at expressing himself. He simply listened in silence, wanting to say something several times but not knowing how to begin.

Six days passed quickly. Farolinch no longer needed to listen from inside the coffin; he could sit at the table and discuss things with Mulan. Neither of them rested that day, talking until the dawn of the seventh day.

A sliver of sunlight began to filter through the gap in the curtains.

Mulan stretched and stood up.

"I must leave shortly. The Queen wrote to me personally yesterday, so I cannot delay any longer. I must return to Digao immediately."

Farolinch stood up as well. He glanced at the sliver of sunlight by the bed, his deathly face wearing a grim expression.

"I cannot see you off."

Mulan patted Farolinch on the shoulder.

"No need. I don't like parting with true friends. Let us separate here. This notebook is full; as far as I know, there is nothing missing. Read it often when you have time."

Mulan’s words touched Farolinch deeply. His eyes flickered, and he clenched his fists.

"Mulan! If there is anything I can do for you, I am willing to give my all!"

Mulan looked at Farolinch earnestly. After a long moment, he pulled a book from his coat and handed it to him.

"After I leave, find a time to depart as well. This will help you shake off the Watchers. Then, find a quiet place and open it."

Farolinch’s eyes widened slightly; the book in Mulan’s hand was the Tome of Dawn.

"I feel I can trust you, and I should trust you. This book is very important to me, so keep it safe. Of course, it will hide itself."

"Then what about you? You told me you needed to keep recording in it and using it."

"Haha, don't worry. When the time is right, it will find its way back to me."

With that, Mulan walked toward the door. He took his coat from the rack, draped it over his shoulders, and wrapped his scarf around his neck before donning his hat. In this season, Solence had already begun to see snow.

Once dressed, Mulan walked out of the room. Farolinch said nothing, standing at the doorway to watch him go.

In front of the mansion, the Avenger was already waiting with the luggage. The Matt siblings had left for Digao half a month ago.

Mulan stepped out of the mansion, where a carriage prepared by Intelligence agents was waiting.

Snowflakes drifted from the sky, landing on Mulan’s hat and coat. He glanced back at the house one last time, then climbed into the carriage. Seconds later, it pulled away toward the train station.

'Farewell, my friend!'

...

The train doors opened. After the crowd had cleared, two men stepped off one after the other. The one in front carried two cases, and the one behind carried one.

It was snowing, and the train station was bustling with noise.

"Mr. Moore, let's find somewhere to get a bite to eat."

"Very well. Though the train was crowded, it is truly freezing out here. We should find some hot soup."

They moved forward, the sounds of the station clattering around them.

A freight wagon sat in the depot. Someone banged on a sheet of metal, and instantly, a dark mass of porters rushed over, desperate to secure a spot for manual labor.

Moore clutched his collar, watching the mostly thin, dark-skinned workers nearby. Many were in rags; some were even barefoot. For the sake of a single job, some were already coming to blows.

"Mr. Moore, although we are no longer in Dilga, we should not linger."

"Understood."

Handel felt the same, but he led Moore away quickly. The task Mulan had entrusted to him was to ensure Moore was settled; Handel would not allow himself any mistakes.