Quickly running to his son’s room Requille burst through the hallways. Running with such speed that all that was left was a blur as he sped past the servants. Bursting open the door and quickly scooping up El he talked into his shirt collar, “ AY, EN! Get the ritual prepared soon! I’m heading over! El’s ready!”
Almost twice as fast he ran to the study. Cutting through the still damaged garden to cut time. Not even caring anymore for damages he burst through the window and placed El in the center of the half-finished circle.
“There’s no need for such a rush! We have at least a few hours!”
Furious about the glass Master En waved his hand and the pieces of glass picked themselves up and repaired the window. Quickly continuing his work he grabbed a brush, covered in what looked like blood, and drew on the floor. Looking from above the complex pattern didn’t even seem symmetrical. Stemming off here and there with runes and crystals placed in intervals the ritual took shape.
Lifting his brush he nodded towards Requille, who in turn pulled out a peculiar device. Placing one on each corner of the room he activated the device and soon they radiated a white glow. Suddenly they appeared in a mysterious garden, the floor of the study still underneath them. Within the next few moments, the place was filled with an eerie red light as the formation glowed. Contrasting with the white pillars covered in moss and flowers; bathing the once serene garden in a sinister aura…
“You know, if one didn’t know better they’d think we were sacrificing a child.”
“Don’t remind me, no matter how many times I’ve done this it still worries my heart. Even though I know it’s not a sinister formation at all. It’s because of that damned drake’s blood. Even if you use but a drop in potions it makes the entire thing blood red.”
The trial continued for El unperturbed, even in this setting.
Time in this place was warped, to say the least. As there was no day and night cycle, keeping track of time was hard. Even if you had a watch it didn’t seem to work, speeding up at times and stopping altogether in some cases. With such an unchanging environment you wouldn’t believe how much time had passed unless someone told you.
With a troubled expression, El looked up from his book. Although, the scenery had yet to change… El at this time had completely filled at least 100 pages at this point. As if to indicate the time he had spent in this trial his hair grew to his chest and he had gained a few inches. For him, those few hours outside had been one year.
He, however, was so engrossed in his task that he had yet to notice till now. I am quite surprised that I haven’t become hungry this entire time. It’s like all my bodily functions have been paused. Though I guess I’m just a soul here…With his inquisitive brain he ended up wishing to learn how this world worked. How did the gods do what they did, was it magic or something else?
In the end, were the divine gifts truly ‘divine’? Or were they some aggregate of higher magical knowledge? What are the gods actually? They were never said to have come from some higher plane, they just came out of nowhere one day and blessed humanity.
He didn’t have the time to think such thoughts he quickly realized. The only thing that mattered at that moment was that spell. I don’t want to stay here for four years… Also, what’s up with this stupid trial anyways! This is my first trial! Why is it so hard! Fueled by his rage he started writing faster than before, flipping between old and new pages on the fly before doing a final check of everything he had written so far.
He was almost there, he could feel it in his gut. Flipping to the newest page in his notes he focused on the formation. Carefully drawing it with his mana the tower took shape. Murmuring he focussed hard in order to do it on his first try, “a circle with two runes of frost…. The line here… then here… control the mana here….” Slowly but steadily it took shape and after a few hand signs, it was finished. He opened his eyes as his hands let off an icy smoke.
In his right hand, he made a piece of ice, opening his hand slowly as the white crystal formed. After a few seconds, it started to float, the translucent crystal reflected the light of the torches as it spun slowly. Grabbing the top with his fingers he pulled and slowly it extended. Taking the form of a sword that could be better described as a pointy stick.
“Pfft… ha… ha, HAHAHAHHAHA!”
With a triumphant yell, he threw his hands into the air! He had done it! Or so he thought, as he looked at the sage-like god. He had yet to say anything, and with a deafening voice, the memory played in his mind, “Ah, you think I give things for free. Of course not, it has to be up to my standards of course.”
And so, for the first time in his five years of life(six for his soul) he swore, ” God Damn it..”
The god in the corner of the room suddenly chuckled.
“Ha~, ‘god damn it’, eh?”
