The next morning, Leo skipped his exercise again, opting to sleep in a little longer. Before heading to the association, he decided to test the Spiritbound Shield one more time. Last night, he had been too exhausted to fully sense its effects.
This time, he focused all his attention on the spell. Controlling it without the Ring of Clarity was still challenging, but not impossible. Once activated, he felt a protective layer settle over his soul, like a second skin shielding its essence.
However, the spell's activation drew the attention of creatures from the underworld. Whispers began to echo in his mind, eerie and otherworldly. Unlike before though, the whispers didn't drive him to the edge of madness. He quickly activated the Veil of Deception and the whispers faded into silence slowly.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he deactivated both spells, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He cleared his mind deliberately, ensuring his soul wouldn't shift or change under the lingering influence of the spells.
…
Oryu sat behind his desk, staring at the mountain of documents before him. The sheer volume made his head throb with a dull ache. Frustrated, he pushed back his chair and moved to stand by the window, hoping the view outside would grant his mind a moment's reprieve. Just a month or two more, he reminded himself, and all of this would finally be over.
As his gaze wandered across the cityscape, a chilling sensation crept over him, seeping into his core like a whisper from the depths of the abyss. The feeling was unmistakable. He knew it well.
Raising his hand, Oryu activated the room's defenses. Magical circles flared to life, glowing faintly as they rendered the space impenetrable. Satisfied, he returned to his desk, settled into his chair and allowed himself to respond to the call.
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his office. Instead, he found himself standing before an elaborate chair carved from ice. A woman clad in a flowing white dress sat upon it, her pointed hat casting a shadow over her ethereal features.
"My Lady," Oryu said, bowing deeply.
"Any news?" Her voice resonated, as if carried by an otherworldly wind.
He straightened, careful with his words. Even at her rank, she couldn't afford to focus too intently on the city. To do so might draw the attention of other higher beings—or worse, the Pope himself.
"Pope hasn't taken any direct action since sending Edgarth Wells. It seems he's suspicious but not convinced enough to intervene personally," Oryu reported.
"I've heard of numerous B and A rank incidents occurring in the area," she said.
"Yes, some of those are my doing," he admitted. "But not all. Unfortunately, a few of our allied nobles have been overstepping, creating unnecessary problems."
"Blaming the nobles for such chaos is a good strategy, but too much of it risks unraveling the entire plan."
"I'll do my best to keep them in line."
"I am sending additional aid to assist you. He will arrive in two weeks."
"Aid?" Oryu's voice betrayed a hint of surprise.
"You will cooperate with him to ensure the plan remains intact," she commanded, her tone brooking no argument.
Before he could respond, the scene began to blur and dissolve around him. Her parting words echoed in the void:
"Do not disappoint me."
Moments later, Oryu was back in his office. His grip tightened on the armrests of his chair, and his brow furrowed deeply.
'I hate that damn witch,' he thought bitterly.
Still, he knew he had no choice but to work with her for now. The alliance had already granted him considerable power and the real plan hadn't even begun. Yet the mention of this new "aid" gnawed at him. With Edgarth already in town, concealing an additional operative would be a delicate and risky endeavor.
His anger twisted into a wicked smile, his mind already scheming for the future.
…
By the time evening settled in, Leo had completed his patrol. The day's warrior and enchanting classes were behind him, with the latter spent honing the same binding spell using the crystal as before. It had been a routine day, yet his thoughts were restless with anticipation.
Tonight was different. Instead of heading straight home, he made his way to a coffee shop, a decision he had planned in advance. He had already contacted Ryan earlier.
When Leo arrived, Ryan was nowhere in sight. He ordered a coffee to pass the time and chose a seat near the corner, where the warm glow of the café's lamps bathed the table. He sipped his coffee slowly, his eyes scanning the doorway until, five minutes later, Ryan appeared. Ryan greeted him casually, sliding into the seat across from him.
"Well, did you succeed?" Ryan asked, cutting straight to the point.
"Yes," Leo replied, confidence tinging his voice. "I can use both spells now."
"Good," Ryan said, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Let's not waste time. Activate them, and let's continue."
Leo nodded, pulling out the black crystal and the mana crystal. He activated both in sequence, the familiar hum of energy filling the air around him. Starting with Veil of Deception, he carefully cast the spell, feeling its shroud envelop him. Next, he activated the Spiritbound Shield, a protective layer settling over his soul like a second skin. The mana around him surged, its flow twisting and twirling like an intricate dance of illusions. The energy shimmered and shifted unpredictably, refusing to stay confined in a steady stream. Even the black crystal struggled to absorb it all, its usual pull disrupted by the elusive, almost playful movements of the Veil of Deception's influence.
Ryan's smirk widened. "Not bad," he said approvingly. "Now comes the first step toward real power: learning to cast spells on yourself without needing to draw them."
Leo's eyes lit up with excitement, the idea of self-casting fueling a familiar eagerness within him. The concept of casting spells without external aids had intrigued him long before he met Ryan, but now the possibility felt tangible.
Ryan leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "The tricky part is explaining it in a way that doesn't kill you."
"Kill me?" Leo's excitement faltered, his expression shifting to a mix of fear and surprise.
"This is advanced knowledge," Ryan explained. "You can learn to self-cast spells, but mid-air casting is still beyond your reach."
Leo sipped his coffee, his gaze steady as he waited for Ryan to elaborate.
"Alright," Ryan began, as if finally deciding on the right words. "Think of it this way: each symbol and circle of magic draws power from its respective path. But that doesn't mean it's the only way. The paths are like rules you need to understand. Once your soul aligns with a path, you'll begin to grasp its workings. Your task is to feel the spell's function, figure out where it connects, and then replicate that process with your mana."
Leo stared at him, his mind struggling to process the concept. "Replicate it... in my soul?"
"Exactly," Ryan said, a sly grin forming. "Here's how you start: draw a spell on paper, activate it, and wrap it with your mana. Observe how the mana flows through the spell. Once you understand its pattern, imagine the same drawing forming inside you, with your mana shaping the same flow."
"Up until now, you've been casting your illusion spells on people and simply assuming they worked, haven't you?"
Leo nodded.
"When spells like Fear take effect on someone, there's a noticeable shift in their magical current, a subtle but distinct change that signals the spell has worked and the target is under its influence. If you master this practice , you'll be able to detect that shift instinctively."
Leo fell silent, his mind racing with possibilities.
Ryan's tone grew serious. "You'd better hurry. Someone is manipulating the nobles. Whatever they've done, our noble no longer cares about the woman. He might kill her soon."
A surge of fear crossed Leo's face.' I can't let that happen.' His expression hardened, determination shining in his eyes.
"Is there more to learn after this?" Leo asked, his voice steady.
"I had more planned, but we're out of time," Ryan replied. "Once you've mastered this, contact me. The plan has changed slightly."
Leo stood, his resolve firm. "Got it. I'll reach out when I've mastered this."
Leaving the café, Leo headed straight home, his steps quick and purposeful. The streets were quiet and when he arrived, the house was empty. A note left on the table informed him that his family was at Belgilia's. He headed straight to his room, wasting no time.
After slipping on the Ring of Clarity, he activated it and retrieved a paper with a calm spell inscribed on it. Activating the spell, he wrapped it in his mana, his focus sharpening as he observed the flow. The mana's current was subtle yet purposeful, entering the spell from an unknown source, flowing through it and then into his body.
Half an hour passed as he studied the flow. He tried to replicate the spell within himself, using his mana to mimic its structure. Again and again, he failed, frustration mounting with each attempt.
'What am I missing?' he wondered, recalling Ryan's instructions.
He activated the calm spell once more, this time paying closer attention to the mana's behavior. It danced lightly, an almost playful energy radiating from it. The flow seemed to laugh and deceive, weaving an intricate pattern that felt alive.
With newfound insight, Leo closed his eyes and focused intently. He visualized the intricate patterns of the spell, recalling its lively, deceptive flow. Slowly, he began to shape his mana, coaxing it to mimic the spell's movements. It was like trying to choreograph an ethereal dance—his mana had to twist, flicker, and laugh as though it had a mischievous life of its own.
The first few attempts were clumsy. His mana resisted, its natural flow too rigid to replicate the spell's dynamic nature. Undeterred, Leo adjusted his focus, allowing his mana to loosen, to sway and spin in unpredictable patterns. Gradually, the resistance lessened.
Then, with a subtle shift, everything fell into place. His mana came alive, moving with a rhythm that matched the spell's deceptive cadence. It swirled around him, flickering with energy that felt both familiar and foreign. The connection was unmistakable—his soul had aligned with the rule Ryan had described.
A sensation washed over him, not unlike stepping into a warm, flowing stream. The current of energy danced through him, weaving its way into the spell he had formed. His mana now felt light, playful and vibrant, yet tightly controlled. For the first time, he wasn't just shaping a spell—he was embodying it.
The spell took form within him, the current flowing naturally. A deep calm washed over him and he knew he had succeeded.
Opening his eyes, Leo glanced at his clock. His heart skipped a beat. '2 a.m.?'
'When did it get so late? Why didn't Mom call me for dinner?'
He deactivated the ring, only for a sharp, splitting pain to pierce his head. Clutching his temples, he staggered to the door, his vision blurring with each step. The house was eerily silent as he made his way to his mother's room. Pressing his ear against the door, he listened carefully. Her steady breathing reassured him she was safe.
'Why didn't she call me?' he wondered, but his mind was too clouded by exhaustion and pain to linger on the thought.
Returning to his room, he collapsed onto his bed, his body heavy with fatigue. The questions could wait until tomorrow. For now, he needed rest.
For an hour, the pounding pain in Leo's head refused to relent, making sleep impossible. Eventually, exhaustion won out and he drifted off into a restless slumber. When he awoke, the pain had dulled to a faint throb—a persistent reminder of the previous night.
Rubbing his temples, he got out of bed and shuffled into the kitchen, where the smell of breakfast greeted him. His mother stood by the stove, humming softly to herself.
"Good morning," he greeted, his voice still tinged with grogginess.
"Morning, sweetie," Lisa replied, glancing at him with a smile.
"Mom, why didn't you call me for dinner last night?" he asked, sitting down at the table and pouring himself a glass of water.
Lisa turned to him, surprise evident in her expression. "You weren't in your room."
Leo froze mid-sip, his brows furrowing. "What? But I…" He trailed off, his mind racing. A creeping unease settled over him. 'Don't tell me…'
"Mom," he pressed cautiously, "when did you check my room?"
Lisa paused, thinking for a moment. "I think it was around ten. We got back a little late from Belgilia's."
Leo's chest tightened. 'I was in my room at ten. What's going on?'
"Then it must have been my mistake," he said with a forced smile, hoping to reassure her. "I'll go get ready."
Lisa raised an eyebrow, sensing something was off, but she didn't press further. "Alright, if you say so."
Leo stepped into the bathroom, leaning heavily against the sink as he stared at his reflection.
'Is this connected to what I felt last night? And the way time slipped by so quickly…'
His thoughts churned with possibilities. 'I need to talk to Ryan. He'll know what's going on.'