The diary was written in Ruinish. So, this Horvath Guy was most likely an exchange student from the Kingdom of Ruins.

  The Kingdom of Ruins was the birthplace of alchemy. Over half of all ancient alchemical texts were written in Ruinish, making it a mandatory subject for alchemy majors. Julian had no trouble reading it.

  Horvath clearly had a habit of keeping a diary. Today was September 2nd. This entry was from six months ago, starting on March 2nd. The first few entries were filled with mundane details about his studies and alchemy. It was obvious he had a passion for the craft.

  "March 2nd. Finally got my hands on some real alchemy today. It's the most fascinating thing in the world! You wouldn't believe the crazy reactions you can get from just a beaker and a crucible. The best part is, even though the substances change, the total mass stays the same. After all, only through the destruction of one thing can another be born. Professor Bislok seems to really like me. Well, duh. I'm going to be a master alchemist someday."

  ...

  "March 19th. After half a month in the alchemy department, everything's going smoothly. Professor Bislok has taken me under his wing, even made me class president. But the other day, I overheard Professor Bislok arguing with Professor Walter. Bislok was saying that human souls have weight. And if something has weight, it falls within the scope of alchemy. So, using alchemy to refine souls, even create life, is totally doable. But Walter argued that creating life is God's domain. According to the principle of equivalent exchange, the creation of one life necessitates the death of another. I didn't fully get it, but it blew my mind. The next day, I asked Bislok if souls really have weight. He gave me this knowing look. He told me: Yes."

  ...

  "March 21st. Professor Bislok took me to a private clinic. An old woman lay on a bed, on the verge of death. The bed was equipped with an incredibly precise weight measuring device. Her current weight was 90 pounds. Over the next six hours, her weight steadily decreased. Probably just the body's water slowly evaporating. But the moment she died, her weight dropped by exactly three-quarters of an ounce. Bislok told me that those three-quarters of an ounce were her soul. It's insane! I want to know where the soul goes after death, and if there's any way to bring it back. Goddess above, this stuff isn't in Goethe's Alchemy Manual. I feel like I just stumbled upon a hidden door in the darkness."

  ...

  "March 29th. I knew I was destined for greatness! Today, Professor Bislok asked me to help him organize some ancient texts from the Era of the Four Heroes at his place. And guess what? I found a mysterious alchemical booklet hidden in the pages of one of the books! It was written by some ancient alchemist named Goodwin! What a #￥%@ (some Ruinish slang I don't get). I swiped the booklet. I have a feeling this thing is going to change my life."

  Julian's expression turned serious. This Horvath kid was too naive. It was obvious that Professor Bislok was a member of the Curse Cult, slowly luring Horvath in.

  In the future, players could only learn about the Era of the Four Heroes through promotional videos. It was said to be a time when the gods still existed, and the Four Heroes were their representatives on earth. In the game, statues of the Four Heroes stood by the Seton River in the capital city of Dakland. Even in the game, the history of the Four Heroes was shrouded in mystery. It was difficult to find any records in the libraries.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  An ordinary university professor just happened to have a collection of ancient texts from the Era of the Four Heroes? And he trusted a student to organize them alone? Yeah, right.

  Julian shook his head and continued reading:

  "March 30th. I read the entire notebook. Turns out, it's only half of the original. The other half is hidden in the library of Vickers University. But even this half blew my mind. It's filled with some seriously messed up alchemy, written in ancient Frick. Like, mixing sheep organs and human semen with leech powder and snake venom flower to create a substance that can modify a person's bloodline, giving them special abilities. Or using horny goat weed and some animal organs to brew a potion that can make a woman fall in love with you. As wicked and complicated as it is, I couldn't put it down."

  "April 5th. I've been selected as an exchange student to Vickers University. I hate Daguerre's weather!"

  "April 11th. Farewell, Ruins. Farewell, Inek University!"

  "April 21st. The people of Blaiston are really annoying. Arrogant and full of themselves. Not a single person said hi to me all day."

  "April 23rd. I think I'm in love. Oh, Maggie, you beautiful woman, I want to (followed by a bunch of lewd fantasies)."

  "April 24th. Today was a depressing day. Maggie has a boyfriend, and he's a total meathead."

  "May 12th. I can't stand this one-sided love anymore. I wonder if that stuff in the booklet is real? I gathered all the ingredients according to the recipe and started brewing. Hope it actually works!"

  "May 17th. After taking it for five days straight, Maggie confessed her love to me today! Holy crap, the recipe actually works!"

  "June 17th. This past month has been both sweet and frustrating. Maggie and I moved in together and did everything lovers do. But that meathead ex-boyfriend of hers keeps causing me trouble. I've been beaten up seven times in the past two weeks. No, I can't let this go on. I remembered another alchemical process recorded in that booklet."

  "July 5th. Finally managed to gather all the ingredients. Sheep organs, snake venom flower, leech powder, and as for the semen, well, I took care of that myself. After five days of mixing and brewing, the finished product looks like a giant condom. Do I really have to transplant this thing into my body?"

  "July 11th. I finally did it. And the recipe actually works. I've gained the superpower everyone dreams of: invisibility! I beat the crap out of Maggie's ex and his goons. Then, I snuck around the women's bathroom and public carriages. I'm living every man's dream!"

  "August 24th. Life's been good, but I've been feeling off lately. My memory's getting worse. I put something down in the morning and forget about it by noon. I'm starting to grow scales on my face. What the hell is going on?"

  "August 25th. My symptoms are getting worse. I have to write things down more clearly in case I forget. Today, I received an anonymous letter, telling me to go to 5 Graham Street. It said they could fix my symptoms. Turns out, it's a bunch of lunatics calling themselves the Curse Cult. They're planning to plant five alchemical bombs during Vickers University's orientation, and I'm supposed to plant one of them. These bombs are powerful, but what do I care? I agreed. They gave me the recipe. Only then did I realize that the first transplant is called 'Aberration.' Now, I have to refine healthy human organs one by one and transplant them back into my body..."

  "August 26th. Maggie, you'll forgive me, right?"

  "August 28th. The experiment worked. After transplanting Maggie's stomach, I can turn back into a normal human. But my memory hasn't improved, and my temper's gotten worse. At the same time, I've set my sights on Sharon. She's cute, just my type. After taking the potion, I've never been so into someone..."

  Julian already knew what happened next. Horvath brutally murdered Sharon. He skipped the rest of the diary. It was filled with insane ramblings that made him extremely uncomfortable.

  This Horvath guy started off okay, but he turned into a complete scumbag. Horny, selfish, and self-serving. It was clear that Julian didn't kill the wrong person.

  Julian and Sherlock exchanged a horrified look.

  These Curse Cult lunatics were planning to target Vickers University's orientation. This was insane.