Lisa kept following the glowing trail of the fairy-like creature, Fernus, deep into the Spirit Realm. By now she had absorbed more than a few of the crystal-fruits and could feel her body pulsing with saturated mana.
"I don't think I can take any more crystals," she muttered, placing a hand over her stomach. "Can we just begin the trial already?"
[Perfect. Your flow of mana is in top shape. We can begin.]
Fernus twirled in the air, radiating a soft golden pulse.
[I'll guide you into the city and warp you to where your trail will begin. It is where we spirits test our own. But since you've been personally blessed by our lord... you should be fine.]
Lisa followed without further question as Fernus led her beyond the crystalline grove. The landscape around them shimred, the tree like structures parting to reveal what looked like an ordinary clearing—until the air rippled like water.
With a gentle tap from Fernus, the illusion changed. Before Lisa now stood a glowing city made entirely from radiant crystals.
[Your trial begins here.]
Fernus floated beside her solemnly.
[This is our sacred city. To grow stronger, you must prove your worth. Face our enemy. Only then will the Light Spirit grant you the strength you seek to face the demons.]
They advanced into the heart of the crystal tropolis. Despite their intricate design, the buildings barely extended the size of a closet—yet it was clear they served as hos for the small light spirits. She walked carefully, trying not to disturb anything.
Eventually, they reached an area guarded by two larger light fairies. Their forms pulsed steadily, their wings rigid as they flanked a swirling warp portal suspended in mid-air.
Lisa inhaled slowly, steadying her heart. Whatever was on the other side... this was it. The trial was about to begin.
[You will need to go inside. But first—be ready. Have weapons? We will enchant them.]
Lisa thought for a mont, then reached into her storage and pulled out the only item she truly considered a weapon: her staff with a large luminous jewel that amplified her magic.
[Feel power… but not enough to fight them. Give it to .]
Fernus floated forward, and though the staff appeared gargantuan beside him—like a skyscraper next to a child—he used so sort of magic that made the large object next to him gently lifted it into the air. Lisa released her grip and let it float.
The two guards guarding the warp portal stepped forward in unison, chanting in a strange harmonic tongue. The staff began to shift. Its wooden shaft pulsed like a living thing, narrowing on one end while the jewel reford at the other. The wood twisted, stretched, and hardened, slowly taking the form of a radiant tallic lance.
A shimring blade ford around the jewel, light radiating from it like a miniature sun. Patterns etched themselves into the new weapon's shaft, runes glowing with sacred energy.
When it floated back toward Lisa, she reached out and grasped it—only for a sudden surge of power to shoot up her arm, the weapon pulsing in recognition of its wielder.
[One more thing… your shield. Give that bangle. I feel light magic within it.]
Lisa unclasped one of her enchanted bangles—the one that created a magic shield against elental magic—and handed it to Fernus without hesitation.
[This is fine. We can work with this.]
Again, the spirits began their chant. The bangle floated upward, stretching and expanding unnaturally under their magic. The gold twisted and multiplied, forming not a bracelet—but a thick gold and radiant shield.
Within seconds, the small bangle took shape. A round buckler—slim and elegant—floated toward Lisa. As she grasped it, she felt its surprising weight.
It was lighter then what it should have been, but she felt safe behind it, she could feel the enchantnts it contained, the ability to produce mana shields had beco stronger as for the tal it felt like it could withstand even one of Scorch's stomps.
It pulsed once—synchronizing with the radiant spear in her right hand.
The two items seed to communicate wordlessly. The shield's glow mirrored the spear's, both pulsing with a light energy that seed sacred, now clearly a matching set.
Lisa looked down at them. These weren't just tools. They were her only way to survive the trail. She could feel their mana through her skin and into her core—they were filled with a different mana, it could be said to be divine power.
She nodded. Ready.
[Use these and enter the portal,] Fernus spoke gently into her thoughts. [You'll be outside the protection of the Lord of Light's domain. Fight the creatures that await. Defeat their leader. Prove that you are worthy of more power.]
Lisa's hands tightened around the spear.
[Use the weapon and learn. The shield will save you from death. Worry not—it will trigger if you're in danger. But if the damage exceeds its limit, you will be forcefully returned. You will fail. And your next class will change, it will no longer be one of our warriors.]
Lisa's eyes widened slightly, the girl didn't want to just be a support role working from the backline. She hated being the useless healer that needed protection to be useful.
She wanted to fight to stand on the front lines. To be strong enough to protect others, not rely on them.
Clenching her spear, she fastened the buckler tightly on her left arm, took three slow breaths, and stepped forward.
Without hesitation, she leapt into the glowing void ahead.
The warp portal rippled as she passed through.
In the next mont, everything changed.
The comfort of the light realm vanished. She erged into a world drowned in crimson—a barren desert, lit by what looked like a low-hanging red moon.
The mana around here was scarce.
Distant figures darted through the shadows. Long-limbed beasts. Hunched. Quick.
They looked like wolves—mutated and grotesque—already charging straight at her.
Lisa did what Chris the Paladin would always do—she slamd her shield with the flat of her spear, the tallic clang echoing through the crimson-lit wasteland like a war drum. She now understand why he did that, the sound was more than just noise; she smiled as she entered a battle state.
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