A Mystes (ミステス Misutesu) is a Torch that has a Treasure Tool inside of them. They are also known as "Traveling Treasure Houses" (旅する宝の蔵 Tabisuru Takara no Kura).
Background
A Torch usually becomes a Mystes by random chance, and the process happens the instant that human becomes a Torch. Most of the time, the Torch does not become conscious of the Treasure Tool residing inside them, even when the individual dies.
At the death or destruction of a Mystes, the Treasure Tool travels to another human who has just acquired their Torch status and this process of transferring a Treasure Tool from one Mystes to another, known as "Random Transfer" (無作為転移 Musakui Ten'i), goes on until the Treasure Tool is extracted from the body of the Mystes. Theoretically, if there were no more Torches created (in other words, nowhere left to transfer), Treasure Tools supposedly would remain where their latest bearers disappeared.[1]
However, there are a few Mystes who had become so from their own free will, such as Tenmoku Ikko and Johann.
Because of the equally volatile nature of Torches and Mystes, the latter are generally discriminated against by Flame Haze and Crimson Denizens, as they are seen as mere Torches with a few extra abilities.
Noted Mystes
The Mystes that have been seen over the course of the series are:
- Yūji Sakai (current bearer of Reiji Maigo)
- Tenmoku Ikko ("Monster Torch", creator of Nietono no Shana)
- Johann (Creator and former bearer of Reiji Maigo)
- Name Unknown (Bearer of Papagena, parasitized by Mare)
- Grotesque Chakrams User (Bearer of Kirana)
Trivia
- The term is probably derived from the Greek word μύστης (mystēs), which means "a person who has been initiated", in the sense of "initiated into the world of the Crimson Denizens and Flame Haze".