"The reason why you have been feeling so weary even after sleeping all day, is that a great deal of spirit energy is leaking away from you," said Henry while pointing at the area right above Luke's head.
The pair had boarded a hackney coach—a four-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses that could seat up to six people.
Henry had offered to drop Luke ho, to which the latter agreed. Although it was still afternoon, he was already feeling very sleepy. There was no way he was going to walk it ho.
Luke subconsciously reached for the top of his head, trying to grasp on to this so-called spirit energy. "Why can't I see it?"
Henry chuckled lightly, "That is because you are yet to learn how to control or regulate your spirit energy."
"And how do I do that?" Luke pressed for answers. "If I'm able to control this energy, will I stop feeling so tired all the ti? Will I stop... seeing things?"
Henry paused for a mont, deeply looking into Luke's blue eyes, thinking of the right words to say.
He didn't know how much he should divulge. After all, this knowledge was highly confidential.
But since the Director has instructed to acquaint him with our world, I suppose I may, at the very least, divulge the knowledge of the Spirit Crucible, he thought.
"Henry?"
"Yes," the dark-haired youth snapped out of his thoughts. "Once you are able to control your spirit energy, all these side-affects that you are experiencing now will cease to exist."
"Okay! Okay!" Luke nodded eagerly. "Tell , how do I control it? Is there a ditation technique? Perhaps a magical potion? Or a pill?"
Henry's brows creased together ever so slightly, finding Luke's response quite amusing. "ditation technique? Potion? That is... not quite how it works, Mr. Bishop. You do have quite the imagination, I must admit."
Luke's lips twitched in embarrassnt, and he thought to himself in ridicule, Of course, nothing is similar to how it usually goes in transmigration novels!
Those damned webnovel authors romanticizing every single thing in their books!
Reincarnated into a rich and noble household? With a system that strengthens you infinitely? Don't kid !
I have been struggling to cling to my sanity the mont I arrived in this foreign world! Where is the damn system? Why can't I see it?
And why does this cursed coin keep returning to every ti I throw it away!
I don't even have a fan in my bedroom! And don't even get started on my bathroom situation!
FUCK!
I hate it!
Luke started clutching at his hair. His eyes got teary and he felt like he could break down any mont now. But when his gaze landed on his legs—his functioning legs, he found at least one thing he could be grateful for.
At least, I can walk...
Seeing Luke on the verge of a ntal breakdown, Henry did not know how to react. There were hints of pity in his eyes.
He couldn't help but wonder, So these are the side effects of awakening through the old thod. Hallucinations, paranoia, constant fatigue... and who knows what else he must be going through.
"Mr. Bishop," he called out in a gentle voice.
"Not all hope is lost. You have stared death in the face before and lived to tell the tale. What you have endured the past few days is but a shadow of what you suffered the night my grandfather and I found you. Please, steady yourself!"
That's right! Luke thought to himself in realization.
I have died before. And I almost died again when I arrived in this world. How can I give into such cynical thoughts?
This is... unlike .
He wiped his tears and looked at Henry, his blue eyes blazing with fire. "Tell . How do I control spirit energy? How do I beco... an Occultist? If this is the only way for to return to normal, I will do it!"
Henry was montarily taken aback when he saw the fierce look in Luke's eyes. He couldn't help but think to himself in wonder, He recovered faster than I expected...
"All who awaken their spirit energy are sent to a place known as the Spirit Crucible," he began. "It is where the Trial of Ascension takes place."
"Spirit Crucible? Sounds fancy," said Luke. "What is this Trial of Ascension?"
"Think of it as a test to judge who is truly worthy of becoming an Occultist," Henry answered solemnly.
"Alright, then!" Luke clasped his hands together. "Since it's a test, what do I need to do to pass it?"
He paused for a mont before asking, "Right, when do I give this test?"
"The First Trial of Ascension shall take place on the seventh day following your awakening of spirit energy," Henry spoke in a serious tone. "The visions of fire that you have been seeing are tied to this First Trial."
"Seventh day..." Luke muttered under his breath. "That ans it's three days away."
He paused for a mont, recalling the visions. He couldn't help but ask nervously, "Henry, I... I saw myself burning in the fire! What is that supposed to an?!"
"Rest assured, Mr. Bishop, you shall not be consud by literal flas," Henry assured him with a faint smile.
"I see..." Luke heaved a breath of relief.
"Each trial is unique to the individual, so I cannot say with certainty what yours shall entail," Henry began after a brief pause.
"The First Trial of Ascension symbolizes both purification and destruction—burning away the unnecessary to unveil the truth. That is why you see visions of fire."
"This... this is way too mystical, man!" Luke couldn't help but blurt out.
"Indeed, Mr. Bishop," Henry smiled. "The journey of an Occultist is one of transformation!"
Luke remained silent for a long ti, trying to digest this newfound information. His eyelids started to feel heavy again, but he forced himself to stay awake.
"Survival!" Henry suddenly spoke up, his tone grave. "That is what you should be focusing on when you enter the First Trial. You will also be given an objective which you must complete. That is the essence of the trial."
Luke couldn't help but involuntarily gulp, "What do you an by that? Why does this sound so ominous?"
"Once you successfully pass the First Trial, you will also awaken your Hallmark," said Henry, ignoring Luke's previous question.
"What's a Hallmark?"
"It is an innate ability that a person is born with." Henry kept the description brief, unsure whether it was right of him to divulge any further.
Luke couldn't help but frown even more deeply, gazing at the dark-haired youth with suspicion.
This is sounding more and more like shonen manga!
"Yeah? Show yours," he said.
"With pleasure, Mr. Bishop." Henry's smile turned mysterious.
The following mont, the darkness inside the carriage seed to have enveloped him in a gentle embrace.
A chill crept up inside Luke's heart and his eyes widened in disbelief. He witnessed Henry's body radiating a black miasma!
The darkness was comforting, but at the sa ti filled with terror.
Soon, the darkness receded just as quickly as it had appeared. Everything returned to normal. As the light of the moon seeped into the carriage, Luke found himself sweating nervously.
"W-What the hell was that?!"
Henry smiled. "That was my Hallmark, Mr. Bishop. As you can see, it is related to darkness."
The horror in Luke's blue eyes was soon replaced by amazent and even anticipation. "Does that an if I pass the First Trial, then even I can awaken sothing as cool as that?"
"Cool?" Henry asked, confused.
"Marvelous! I an, Marvelous!"
"Who knows? You might awaken sothing useless, or you might awaken sothing even more... marvelous than mine," Henry said with a light chuckle.
All of a sudden, Luke was quite looking forward to the First Trial of Ascension.
"Alright! How do I access this... Spirit Curcible? Where do I have to go?" He asked in an eager voice.
"When the ti cos—three days from now—we will co and take you there."
"We?" Luke frowned, instantly becoming vigilant once again. "What do you an by 'we'?"
Henry deeply looked into Luke's eyes for a mont and then said, "I an the organization that I work for."
Luke stiffened. "What organization? What is it called? What are you guys after?"
"Please forgive , Mr. Bishop," Henry sincerely said. "I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information to you. It is highly confidential."
Luke continued to stare at Henry with suspicion, his earlier excitent now completely vanished.
The carriage finally ca to a stop in front of 42 Millbrook Street, however, Luke did not plan to leave just yet. He still wanted so answers out of Henry.
Seeing this, Henry couldn't help but relent, "Mr. Bishop, all I can tell you is that I belong to a covert organization that protects the Albion Empire from the shadows."
"...A secret organization?" Luke spoke after a very long ti.
"Indeed, Mr. Bishop." Henry nodded.
He then reached into his pocket and retrieved two items. One was a thin strip of gold in the shape of a circle, the other was a triangular strip of silver.
"Before you leave, I want you to have these," he said.
"What's this?" Luke grabbed the items and observed them carefully. Each had strange markings and symbols on it which he couldn't understand.
"These are called talismans," Henry explained. "Please place the gold talisman near the entrance of your house. It will ward off spirits that might an you harm—"
"Wait, what do you an by spirits?!" Luke blurted out in panic.
Henry sighed. "Please... just do as I say. With that inside your house, no malevolent entities will be able to enter."
Then, he pointed at the silver piece and explained, "Place that under your pillow. It shall grant you restful sleep and aid in alleviating your fatigue."
Luke gulped loudly, his gaze constantly shifting between the two talismans and Henry.
What did he an by spirits? And harmful entities? What the fuck? He thought to himself incredulously.
He wanted to ask Henry about it but saw that the latter had already opened the carriage door for him, clearly not willing to divulge anything more.
"We shall et again in three days, Mr. Bishop. I bid you farewell." Henry smiled like a gentleman.
"Yeah..." Luke didn't know what else to say as he got off the carriage.
When he noticed the carriage was about to leave, he couldn't help but ask nervously, "Hey, Henry? I won't be haunted by ghosts... right?"
Henry did not reply. He rely smiled.
"R-Right?" Luke felt a chill run down his spine.
"Goodbye, Mr. Bishop."
Luke stood there on the dirty cobble street, gazing at the carriage gradually disappear. Only then did it suddenly dawn on him.
I forgot to tell him about the cursed coin...
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