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Yes! It’s meant to feel unsettling! Corruption doesn’t look the same for everyone in the Timestream. The way it manifests depends a lot on who it’s affecting, and in some cases its influence goes beyond the individual, which is part of what makes it so dangerous. Within the next 2-3 chapters, you’ll see what corruption does once it has truly settled in, and I think it will answer a lot of the questions you’re picking up on.

Thank you so much! Jiang Hao and Hoku do have a restrained, less overtly close dynamic, but Jiang Hao genuinely cares for him. A large part of that comes from his own nature, he’s someone who instinctively guides and looks after people (being a professor and all) and also from simply not wanting Hoku to be on his own. Even if he doesn’t always show it openly, he does make very thoughtful choices when it comes to Hoku. As for the ending of the chapter, there is a specific part in one of your guesses that is in the right direction. You’ll definitely see more about their relationship, especially toward the end of Part One. I split the story into larger “parts” mainly for pacing and readability rather than strict volume breaks, so certain relationships and themes get room to fully develop within each section. (Though maybe as recollections.) Anyways, I’m really happy you enjoyed the special edition. Thank you so much for reading! I always look forward to your comments

Lunhard is my favorite character in this arc because of his lore and the way his personality will gradually reveal itself. There’s something deeply tragic and relatable in how his traits will be told over time, which is why I’m so glad you’re excited. He wasn’t originally meant to be part of this arc, but I decided to include him because it would help the ending of the volume make much more sense.

I hope you feel better!!

I’m really happy you liked this chapter! And are you talking about Journey by ThatGameCompany? If so, I’ve played that one! That comparison actually makes me really happy because I love how that game handles atmosphere and emotion! You’re also really close about the language theory. It definitely connects way further, but what’s been shown so far is only a small piece. A lot of it ties into the sequel’s worldbuilding and the Seraphis Divinations, which, like you mentioned, aren’t really tarot, but more of a system that uses those forms to “cast” things. I can’t say too much yet, but the history behind them goes way, way back, even before what’s been covered in the story so far. The reason Volume I is split into two parts is actually to make the change into those parts of the worldbuilding process clearer. The first half is more about tone, setup, and subtle hints about how everything works, while the next will open things up into more of the lore itself. So right now, it’s still focused on the atmosphere, metaphors, and smaller emotional details (like the woman and the flowerbed), but in the following arc you’ll start seeing how all of that connects to the larger system. And I love that you picked that scene as your favorite, it's definitely important. You’re processing it in a way that’s really close to the heart of what it’s about, especially with what you said about the woman’s intent and the sense of denial in her actions. It’ll make a lot more sense soon when certain connections show up again later🙂‍↕️

You’re right! Fleur’s situation ties into that “memory” idea, though it’s a little closer to the weight of past choices, and there is something larger still that will come together during the final battle of the arc (that will connect a lot about the Nest and its mechanics.) As for the note in the “memoir,” it’s not a stretch at all,  it was written with the intention of making it seem like someone deteriorating after a huge discovery, that’s exactly what’s happening. Lunhard himself will be shown as very devoted to the Abundant Creator in the next chapter, but the one who wrote that piece had lost faith, which is an important distinction. Really appreciate your thoughts on the Heelia and the children/grades of elixirs too, it’s awesome to see you catching those details. The rest of the chapters for this arc will gradually bring of these pieces together!

Thank you for sharing your comments, and I’m so glad you’re feeling better! To clarify that moment that made you confused: when the deck appears in Hoku’s hand through the compass, it’s less like a single spell being cast and more like setting the stage for one. Think of it as opening a channel, like preparing an instrument so it can produce sound. The cards themselves aren’t the seal, however they are an outcome of it. Once he flips one from the deck, it’s the “note” played, and the effect immediately resonates. That’s why in both cases you’ve seen (the High Priestess and the Lovers), the result is instant but works through different “registers,” since each belongs to a different category of divination.  There are several ways of casting through the compass, but for now he’s only using the most direct, least controlled method. Later on, those differences will become clearer. And welcome back! I really appreciate you reading, especially after being unwell. Double chapters were waiting for you at just the right time.