He took the script of an exorcism legend, but became the number one anti-fraud expert.

"August 3, 1777, sunny. Last night I dreamt I was an exorcist, wielding a greatsword, looking incredibly cool... I've remembered this moment; this is also the first day I vowed to become an exorcist."

August 4th, sunny. As expected, my decision wasn't approved by my parents. In their eyes, even working odd jobs for my uncle who owns a restaurant would be more realistic than daydreaming. But I won't give up. I'm eighteen now, and I believe that dreams can be pursued at any time...

August 5th, sunny. Lilith, the bookstore clerk, saw I bought "The Exorcist's Handbook" and struck up a conversation with me. She told me that the path of an exorcist is very difficult and encouraged me not to give up easily. I'm so glad to have met someone who supports me; it's true that when you're working hard, everyone around you is a good person.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"August 22nd, cloudy. I'm in a bad mood, a really bad mood. I've finished studying all the theories in the books and practiced diligently, but I haven't felt even the slightest trace of awakening [virtue]. Fortunately, though, my consistent training has made me stronger; if I encountered any thugs at the crossroads, I could take on three of them!"

"August 25th, cloudy. I got beaten up and hospitalized. Those guys at the crossroads ganged up on me! Lilith came to visit me and thanked me for protecting her. She even said that my fearless attitude towards thugs was exactly like an exorcist's. I guess that counts as a 'virtue'..."

August 29th, cloudy. My parents refused to pay my exorcism school tuition. Oh well, with such mediocre parents, I don't expect them to understand me. It's better to rely on myself than others. I believe in my talent, and I can succeed as long as I work hard!

September 4th, a clear and sunny day! Guess what happened today?! I'm so lucky! The renowned Professor Locke admires my perseverance and is willing to take me on as his last disciple, and for free! I told my parents about it, and although they didn't encourage me, it was the first time they didn't criticize me!

September 5th, sunny. As expected of a professor, he pointed out my problems and acknowledged my talent. It's true what they say, what you learn from books is only superficial; for professional matters, you really need to consult professionals!

"September 9th, cloudy. Professor Locke went on an exorcism, but I couldn't observe because I couldn't pass the 'Grit' check. This is a necessary condition for becoming an exorcist; when the 'stress' is too great, you either have to pass the 'Torture' check or the 'Virtue' check."

"September 12th, a clear blue sky, I succeeded! Although the test showed 'torture'... it proves I have the potential to become an exorcist, even though Professor Locke cursed at me for an hour to break me down..."

"September 13th, a clear and sunny day. Professor Locke said I was qualified to take the exorcist exam, but unfortunately I missed the registration deadline. Luckily, he's one of the top professors at the Exorcism Academy and has the authority to let me join the class."

September 14th, a clear blue sky, everything was going well. My parents agreed to pay my tuition for the exorcism academy; this was the first time they had supported my decision.

September 17th, cloudy. Professor Locke went on an exorcism.

September 18th, cloudy. Professor Locke still hasn't come. Could something have happened to him?

September 19th, thunderstorm. How could I be so stupid? If I had just been more careful and gone to the academy, I could have found out what Professor Locke looks like... That liar disappeared, and with him, my parents' life savings vanished...

September 22nd, cloudy. I've thought a lot these past two days in the hospital, and finally decided to leave it at that… This will be the last time I write anything. My mother told me not to do anything foolish again, my father also said a lot, and my uncle arranged a job for me. I'm grateful for my family's understanding and love. Sometimes giving up is just a choice in life.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"On October 15th... We don't have many friends, so only my uncle and Lilith came to my parents' funeral. The salvage costs for the fishing boat were high, and my uncle left me £10.18, saying he was leaving. I understand; he didn't want anything to do with me anymore."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

January 9th, sunny. Evil spirits are becoming increasingly active on the ground. I flipped through the "Exorcism Handbook" I bought last year, and a strange feeling welled up inside me.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

March 20th, cloudy. Lilith said the monastery was offering a free exorcism course to find potential exorcists who lacked the necessary qualifications, and she suggested I give it a try. Having learned my lesson the hard way, I know that free things are often the most expensive. I understand the monastery is doing this because the number of evil spirits is increasing daily, and they want ordinary people to be used as cannon fodder!

March 22nd, cloudy. Nuns from the convent, dressed like sluts, were handing out recruitment flyers on the roadside. Their proud black robes and white-stockinged legs... those young men, blinded by their beauty, were like fools. They didn't understand exorcism, nor did they really want it! They were going to their deaths!

"March 24th, cloudy. I went to the convent. I admit, I previously had a prejudice against nuns... The convent has proper early childhood education, and... I met the real Professor Locke, and the long-extinguished flame in my heart began to burn brightly again."

March 25th, sunny. Sister Nia is a patient person; we talked for a long time. I told her about my past, and she said I was the most promising exorcist she had ever met. This is the first time, besides that conman, that someone has said I resemble an exorcist.

"March 28th, a clear blue sky—it's unbelievable! My name is on Professor Locke's list! Maybe that conman from back then, by sheer chance, actually taught me something! It's all thanks to Sister Nia; she's the one who introduced me!"

On April 3rd, under a clear blue sky, I thought, I'm in love.

April 6th, sunny. Sister Nia said that out of a thousand people, only one person has a chance to awaken the "Perseverance Test," and that person only has a 25% chance of being tested as having "Virtue." However, "Virtue" is not a necessary condition for exorcists, because "torture" can also overcome evil spirits, such as selfishness and disloyalty.

So, in order to become exorcists, Sister Niya and I tasted the forbidden fruit. I promise this kiss was only for exorcism. P.S.: Sister Niya's lips taste like cherry.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

April 29th, overcast. It all happened so fast that I only realized she was just a contract worker dressed as a nun after Nia disappeared with my savings.

I tried everything, including suing the monastery and the exorcism school, but all to no avail.

This diary will be the only proof that I ever existed in this world. I am dead now; my body has probably flowed into the sea.

I will reunite with my parents there.

—Benjamin Hodgson.

After flipping through a few more pages to make sure there was no more content,

Benjamin sighed.

There are still too many questions in my mind, without answers.

The only thing known is that Benjamin never reunited with his parents, and his body was never washed ashore.

Instead, it was flushed down the sewer.

Benjamin, who had traveled through time, was smelly and wet; this time-traveling location was truly indescribable.

Benjamin threw "The Exorcism Deception" (original title: "My Exorcism Diary" has been crossed out) into the fireplace.

Benjamin chuckled as he watched the journal being engulfed by flames.

Compared to my previous life, where I was five million in debt, delivered takeout all day, had a child who wasn't my biological child and the dowry wouldn't be returned, became a perpetrator for doing a good deed, and crossed the Myanmar jungle border, what does this amount to?

If he hadn't been falsely accused of taking photos in the subway, he would have had a chance to turn things around someday.

At this moment, no matter how great the predicament he faced, it all seemed like a fairyland was about to begin.

After learning about his predecessor's story, he made up his mind.

Exorcists, even dogs don't...

suddenly,

The once charred and curled pages of the journal in the fireplace, frozen in time, reopened, turning as if time had reversed...

Golden light emanated from the fireplace, and Benjamin instantly sensed something was wrong. He reached out to pick up the journal.

boom!

The book closed with a dull thud, raising a cloud of flames and dust, and a brand-new journal floated above the palm of the hand....

On the cover, the original title disappeared, and golden, engraved lettering slowly emerged:

"The Self-Cultivation of a Legendary Exorcist" — Benjamin Hodg

Benjamin Hodd's life took an unexpected turn at eighteen with a dream. His overconfident life plans and arrogance led to repeated setbacks. A failed exorcism training became his main theme... Fortunately, on his deathbed, he realized that "choice is far more important than effort," and reborn, he plans to fulfill his exorcism dream once more...