How the Hit Anime's Power System Actually Works, Explained

China’s latest donghua, Lord of Mysteries, has unveiled itself to be quite the intriguing watch for the summer, introducing all kinds of arcane magic in an otherwise modern steampunk world set in a Victorian era. With its gorgeous animation and a fascinating string of mysterious circumstances kickstarting with Klein’s arrival, there’s so much to uncover in this new series.

Based on the webnovel by Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, Lord of Mysteries follows Klein Moretti as he awakens one day in a different body and era. Originally a young man from modern-day China, he tries to find a way back, only to entangle himself deeper in this world’s mysteries.

Between plots of the church and the secret order to encounters with the gods themselves, Lord of Mysteries has countless details and elements that don’t just stop at the story’s narrative. With Beyonders, Pathways, and Sequences, the donghua sets out a pretty complicated power system that we aim to dissect.

What is a Beyonder in Lord of Mysteries?

A Mystery Klein Will Continue to Unravel Throughout the Series

As part of a historical fantasy, Lord of Mysteries introduces a plethora of unique gods, abilities, and personal evolutions. When simplified for the story’s sake, Beyonders are extraordinary beings that have the potential to reach godhood by undergoing a series of rituals. Although anyone can become a Beyonder, it’s an incredibly taxing process that could detrimentally affect the individual.

Beyonders are similar to sorcerers in that they use magic and spells that vary depending on the Pathway they have chosen. These Pathways can best be described as the different branches of sorcery that naturally have unique characteristics independent of one another.

What Are the Different Pathways in Lord of Mysteries?

And How Do The Sequences Come Into Play

Image by Crunchyroll

Grouped by dieties, there are a total of twenty-two Pathways for Beyonders to choose from. Each one has remarkable powers and abilities that only grow with practice and by leveling up through unlocking the next sequence. Sequences determine a Beyonders’ power level, but it’s not as simple as drinking a potion.

In order to become a Beyonder, a person must drink a potion corresponding to that branching Pathway. In episode #2, we see Klein make the selection of the Seer Pathway and is presented with that potion by Old Neil.

Unlike the standard leveling up system, Beyonders don’t start out as Level 1. Sequences are handled in reverse, beginning at 9 and counting down with each rising level. Klein begins at Sequence 9 as a Seer, but the first Beyonder he meets is Dunn Smith, who is stronger at Sequence 7 under the pathway of Darkness and labeled as Nightmare.

Lower-ranked Beyonders fall in the levels of 9-5, and once they achieve Sequence 4, they are then considered to be demigods. The goal of each Beyonder is to ascend in their branch and grow stronger with each Sequence to eventually achieve godhood within their respective Pathways.

Group	Pathways
Lord of Mysteries	Fool	Error	Door
God Almighty	Visionary	Hanged Man	Sun	Tyrant	White Tower
Eternal Darkness	Darkness	Death	Twilight Giant
Calamity of Destruction	Red Priest	Demoness
Demon of Knowledge	Hermit	Paragon
Key of Light	Wheel of Fortune
Father of Devils	Chained	Abyss
Goddess of Origin	Mother	Moon
The Anarchy	Black Emperor	Justiciar

The above Pathways are classified as the Standard Pathways for Beyonders, though there are also Non-Standard Pathways that can introduce Boons for individuals to temporarily adopt Beyonder characteristics. However, they cannot make advancements through the Sequences like typical Beyonders.

How Do Beyonders Level Up In Sequence in Lord of Mysteries?

A Long, Arduous, and Often Futile Process

As viewers will see through Klein, the process behind leveling up as a Beyonder is uncompromisingly difficult. By just drinking the potion, there is no guarantee that one can acquiesce to the demands of their respective Pathway. Any deviations or setbacks can land the individual in a maddened state.

For Beyonders, ascension is a tricky path where one toe out of line or sentence uttered incorrectly can result in corruption.

However, the process doesn’t simply end there. Klein is considered to still be in the digestion state for the Seer Pathway as of episode #3. As he gets used to his abilities and continues to utilize and understand them, he will digest the potion slowly in order to allow for his next advancement.

Lord of the Mysteries Potion Preparation

This method is only one of the digestion processes called The Acting Method, where one follows the characteristics of their chosen path. Beyonders can also utilize Boons from other deities to aid in their advancement, a process that forgoes needing a potion or collection of materials to level up a Sequence.

While Beyonders can pray to other gods for Boons to advance, the process is not so simple when it comes to switching Pathways. For lower-tiered Sequences, drinking a potion of a different Pathway would result in them succumbing to madness, but those who have achieved more advanced Sequences may be able to switch as long as it’s adjacent/neighboring.

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Switching can come at a cost as the risks are higher than the rewards. Simply using the Acting Method may not always result in success, as it is far easier to stay on one’s true path rather than deviate and weigh the potential of losing one’s mind to corruption.

Lord of Mysteries Corrupted-1 — Image by Crunchyroll

The earliest example viewers get of a corrupted Beyonder is in episode #3 as Klein and the Nighthawks seek to find the journal. For Beyonders, ascension is a tricky path where one toe out of line or sentence uttered incorrectly can result in corruption. Lord of Mysteries’ power system remains complex, unforgiving, and yet wholly fascinating in its originality.