Embracing Magic - E.M Chapter 17 (Part 2)

“Oh, that’s…”

“Spirits are invisible.”

“Really? Then how do you know a spirit is there?”

“A spirit is visible to the spirit mage’s eyes. And, um… isn’t it called materialization? Number 44?”

“Yes, it’s called materialization.”

“Right. Spirits can be made visible to others through a process called materialization, but it consumes a lot of magical power. That kid doesn’t have enough magical power to do that yet.”

Spirit mages didn’t particularly like materializing spirits. It consumed a lot of magical power, and spirits didn’t like showing themselves to others.

Spirits liked sharing memories only with their spirit mages, hearing voices only they could hear, and knowing secrets only the two of them shared.

It could be seen as jealousy, and in some cases, if a spirit was raised improperly, the spirit mage could be manipulated by the spirit.

“It’s a bit embarrassing. I’ll work hard to gather magical power and show you later.”

“No, it’s okay. I was just curious.”

“Let’s proceed with the spirit contract. Number 107, Number 108. This is the Rune for spirit summoning. Memorize it.”

Instructor Serion handed two sheets of paper to Rodin and Cory. At a glance, the Rune incantation was quite long.

“What about the method we used yesterday?”

“That was for the lowest level. With such a trivial method, the best you can do is slightly open a part of the passage.”

“So this is the proper summoning method for Spirit Arts.”

Rodin and Cory sat down and began memorizing the summoning method. Rodin memorized it after reading it once but pretended to be studying it diligently.

The summoning incantation was quite long. It was easily over five times the length of the Rune incantation used for the Spirit Arts talent measurement the day before.

It would take considerable time to memorize it to the point where they could recall it even after a long time. For Cory, a few days of spare time would be needed.

However, memorizing it temporarily was not difficult. Although they would forget it after a few hours, it was enough to use it for now if they memorized it within a few tens of minutes.

Cory stood up after memorizing it for about forty minutes.

“I’ve memorized it all.”

“Then go inside.”

“Inside? There?”

“Yes. Go sit on the flat rock in the center of the blazing flames.”

Instructor Serion’s arm pointed towards the flames. His expression was resolute, showing there was no room for negotiation.

Cory alternated between looking at the flames and Instructor Serion’s face. His expression clearly showed distrust.

“Um… Instructor. Are you joking?”

“It’s no joke. Surrounded by flames, you summon the spirit while feeling the heat all over your body. That’s the most effective way to summon a fire spirit.”

Cory hesitated for a long time between the flames and Instructor Serion.

If he went in, he was afraid he would burn to death, and if he didn’t, he feared Instructor Serion’s stern gaze.

Being afraid of both, he couldn’t stay calm.

“Waaaah!”

Under the mental pressure, Cory eventually burst into tears. It was the attitude of a child who believed that crying would solve any problem.

However, Instructor Serion’s attitude didn’t change. The second-year Number 44 also watched Cory with his arms crossed.

“Cory. You won’t die. You absolutely won’t die. Trust me and go in.”

“Ro… Rodin… Waaah! I’m scared. I’m scared.”

“Trust me. Trust the instructor. Nothing will happen. You can do it. You’re destined to become the greatest spirit mage on the continent.”

Rodin comforted Cory.

Cory clung to Rodin for a long time before finally taking a step.

“Huh, huh.”

Cory cried as he walked into the flames. Covering his face with both arms, he barely managed to sit on the rock amidst the flames.

Then he quickly ran out.

“Why?”

“I forgot. Waaaah.”

“Oh!”

Rodin sighed and patted Cory’s back.

Cory had forgotten the spirit summoning incantation while crying. Next to him, Senior Number 44 chuckled but then forced a straight face.

“Number 108. Do you want to go first?”

“Yes, understood.”

Rodin entered the flames without any sign of fear.

The heat enveloped him, but it wasn’t unbearable. What was more uncomfortable was the dryness of his mouth due to the low humidity.

Rodin sat on the flat rock and muttered the Rune. He spoke as softly as possible so that no one else could hear, only the spirit.

‘Hmm.’

The passage to the spirit world opened. It was much larger and darker than yesterday.

However, the spirit didn’t appear. It wasn’t a case of almost succeeding; it felt like no one was interested at all.

‘It’s not working.’

He got up and came out. As he stepped out, the cool air rushed in, making him shiver.

“It seems I’ve failed.”

“You must have a low affinity with the fire attribute. Stand by.”

“Yes.”

Rodin failed to summon a fire spirit.

He wasn’t too disappointed. It would have been nice if it worked, but if it didn’t, there was nothing he could do.

Seeing Rodin go first, Cory gained courage.

He tightly shut his mouth and walked into the flames. Though he covered his face with both arms because of the heat, he didn’t retreat.

“Hang in there!”

“Okay.”

Cory’s determined voice came from beyond the flames.

Cory sat on the flat rock and closed his eyes. It seemed like being a spirit mage was his calling; he soon appeared to be in deep concentration.

‘Hmm.’

Rodin sharpened his senses, wanting to fully understand what was happening during the spirit summoning process.

‘It seems much bigger.’

There was a significant difference in Spirit Arts talent. The passage opening was much larger and darker than when he had tried.

‘Is it a failure? Oh! No, it’s not.’

He had been focusing only on the black dot, which was a mistake.

The actual opening to the spirit world was in Cory’s mind. The blackness visible outside was merely a projected illusion.

A faint presence emerged in Cory’s mind. It felt similar to the entity occupying Senior Number 44’s shoulder.

The spirit had been summoned. When Cory extended one finger forward, Instructor Serion’s expression brightened.

“Is it a success?”

After a while, Cory returned with a bright but worried face. His face had turned red from the heat.

“Is it a success?”

“Yes, I made the contract. But, uh… about the empty days in my schedule. Do they mean coming here?”

“Oh, you’re not entirely clueless.”

“Ah!”

In the schedule, Cory, as a spirit mage, only had one out of ten days filled. The remaining nine days were blank, which meant spending time close to the contracted spirit’s attribute.

Cory had contracted a fire spirit. Whether he liked it or not, it meant he had to come to this place and get close to the fire.

“Nice to meet you. Heh heh, it’ll be less boring now.”

“Uh, yes.”

Cory’s shoulders slumped. Even though Rodin tried to encourage him by patting his shoulder, it didn’t lift his spirits.

‘I understand.’

Rodin thought it would be terrible if he had to go into those flames every day. He felt sorry for Cory, who had to endure it.

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