Every human had a Mind’s World.
It was the dwelling place of their consciousness, where all knowledge resided—whether in the form of memories or other kinds of information.
The most recent memories floated to the top while older ones sank to the bottom. As for all the forgotten memories, they became shrouded with the Fog of Forgetfulness.
Unlike normal humans who couldn’t directly access their Mind’s World, Historians had primary ownership and control over it. They could also venture into the Mind’s World of others—usually with permission or invitation.
Of course, if a one truly desired it, they could forcefully gain access to the Mind’s World of a weaker Historian or a normal human.
However, since this could damage the psyche, it was better to gain permission first.
"Y-you want me to open up my Mind’s World to you...?" Lazarus asked, his expression dazed as he stared at the female investigator in front of him.
A hint of hesitance could be seen in his gaze, but this was the normal reaction.
After all, a person’s Mind’s World was their most sacred place.
It contained their very essence.
Since it contained all kinds of information, it was a Historian’s most treasured domain, but it was also their most vulnerable place.
How did Nameless infect a person and take over their bodies?
It was through the Mind’s World.
A foreign entity gaining access to it meant they could freely witness and even manipulate the owner’s corresponding memories. This was a severe breach of privacy, one that could only be waived during special circumstances.
For example, during the Aspirant Integration Ceremony.
Even then, the presiding Historian only stayed in the fringe of the Mind’s World and didn’t enter.
’But this person wants to explore my Mind’s World for investigative purposes...’ Even in his befuddled state, Lazarus couldn’t help but feel wary.
"Sorry, but you have no choice in the matter," Mercy sighed while showing a bitter smile. "I was going to explore your Mind’s World with or without your consent. After all, the scan showed that you were already impaired. Now that you’re awake, I only asked for an invitation out of courtesy, do you understand?"
"How can I be certain that you’re really an Investigator from the Historian Association?" Lazarus quickly responded with a deep frown.
"Smart and cautious," Mercy nodded solemnly. "I can appreciate that."
She brought out a badge from the pocket of her trench-coat and showed him. It was legitimate, but even if it wasn’t, an inexperienced newbie like Lazarus wouldn’t be able to tell.
"I can’t find any problems with it," After staring at it for some time, he sighed and shook his head. "B-but that doesn’t mean—"
"Kid, I understand your skepticism, but there’s no way to fully confirm my identity that would satisfy you anytime soon. The clock is ticking, and I need to crack this case before the Academy Orientation. You also need to be free of all charges before that happened, else you won’t be deemed a Squire and granted access to the Historian Academy."
"That’s true..."
"If I wasn’t an Investigator, I wouldn’t have gained access to this facility. The security measure is quite tight in the Historian Academy... far more than you realize. Only incredibly powerful forces would be able to bypass the security in the sickroom, and even if they do... why would they be interested in you? Unless..." Mercy raised her brow as her eyes flashed with suspicious light. "... Do you have a secret you’re trying to protect?"
"What? No... I don’t know..."
"Then, there’s only one way to find out. I would recommend that you cooperate," Mercy gave a warm smile, but her tone was firm.
It became clear that she was truly going to proceed with or without his cooperation.
’I have already expressed reasonable doubt in this matter. Any further resistance will be viewed as suspicious. I can’t afford that, especially not now that I’m trying to enter the Academy to become a fully-fledged Historian.’
"Alright," Lazarus slowly nodded and hung his head.
Then, he closed his eyes and eased the defenses that surrounded his delicate mind.
At that moment, the walls slowly collapsed and a semi-transparent figure quickly entered the realm of his consciousness.
It was none other than Investigator Mercy.
She was naked in her semi-transparent state, filled with brilliant light.
Surrounding her were innumerable balls of sizzling light, all of them floating in the endless sea of illuminated darkness.
This was Lazarus’ Mind’s World!
’It shouldn’t take too long to go through all these memories...’ Mercy sighed as she looked at the most recent memories that floated closest to the surface.
Actually, time passed very slowly in the Mind’s World.
Thus, even if Mercy spent several days in the Mind’s World, only a few moments would have passed in real-time. This was because one’s mental processed were often faster than the world itself, with neurons constantly firing and new thoughts being generated at a rapid pace.
Still... It didn’t mean this investigator had all the time in the world to investigate.
If she were to scan through all of Lazarus’ memories in this infinite space, she wouldn’t be through with everything even if several weeks were to pass in the outside world.
In the Mind’s World, it would take dozens of years to complete.
’Focus,’ Mercy shrugged those thoughts aside and began looking through all of Lazarus’ recent memories, but found nothing.
His mind was, as one would expect, filled with the ordinary events of the ceremony.
There was nothing strange at all about it.
’I also can’t detect any infection. Is this kid really not involved...?’
Mercy was not convinced.
This was her only clue. If she couldn’t find any abnormalities in his Mind’s World, then perhaps the answer was never above the surface.
’I should check out what exists beneath the Fog of Forgetfulness!’
Determination shone on her semi-transparent face as she sank deeper into the seemingly endless world. She continued diving until she came across a vast misty wall. The wall seemed to be made of grayish white clouds, and it covered the lower layers, as though it were the ground itself.
However, Mercy knew what this misty floor was.
It was the Fog of Forgetfulness!
Within the fog were all the memories that the person had forgotten.
Beneath it was another world entirely.
It was known as the subconscious—a place that was never forgotten because it never had the chance to surface, to begin with.
The subconscious contained the most twisted and hidden aspects of the mind, and it could not be faked no matter what. It was the ’true self’ of everyone, and so Mind’s World kept it hidden beneath the forgotten memories as a way to repress it.
However, Mercy was an experienced Historian. She was also well seasoned in exploring the Mind’s World due to the nature of her job.
In no time, she sank into the Fog of Forgetfulness and quickly cleared the mist in order to observed the most recently forgotten memories. When she found no clues, she rapidly descended until she reached the subconscious.
Unlike the Mind’s World above the surface, this place was darker—colder too.
All of its lights were dim and filled with a sinister feeling.
This was how the subconscious of everyone was like; twisted and terrifying.
Mercy remained calm as she began observing the dimly lit orbs within subconscious. She did this while giving special attention to the changes in her astral body.
After entering the Fog of Forgetfulness, some of the mist had clung to her body.
It was slowly eroding her body.
This was the negative aspect of interacting with the Fog of Forgetfulness.
’I can’t last very long in the subconscious. I have to be more mindful of the time so I can leave before I dissipate in this world.’ Mercy quietly nodded and investigated with as much efficiency as she could.
The most relevant thing she could find were Lazarus’ repressed guilt and shame regarding the death of his parents as well as his embarrassing crush.
There were dark thoughts of revenge coupled with other sinister feelings also buried inside.
But this was normal.
Who didn’t have intrusive thoughts from time to time?
The Fog of Forgetfulness shielded the main sea of consciousness from the subconscious for this very reason.
’Looks like there really is nothing for me here...’
Mercy sighed in defeat.
She could stubbornly remain in the subconscious in an attempt to unearth something valuable, but once the fog completely ate through her astral body, she would forget everything she witnessed within this Mind’s World. After all, the ’Mercy’ in this Mind’s World was only a cluster of information and not her real body. Losing herself to the fog only meant she would have to restart the investigation with no prior knowledge.
Of course, she would never be this careless.
Without wasting any more time, Mercy ascended from the depths of Lazarus’ mind and eventually made it out of his Mind’s World. Although she had spent what amounted to a few days thoroughly checking through his mind, only about a minute had passed in reality.
"Whew..." Sighing in mild disappointment but also relief, Mercy stared at the oblivious face of the boy in front of her.
He was clearly anxious about the results.
"Looks like there’s nothing problematic about your mind," Before he could say anything, she gave a reassuring smile. "From this moment on, you’re cleared of all suspicions."
Lazarus heard this and heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thank you."