Chapter 23: Sage’s Spell Demonstration

Ain traveled towards Everlite City with Sage and Livia as a gentle breeze rustled the forest canopies.

“Ain, do you prefer keeping your spirit pet outside?” Livia inquired curiously.

“Wooo…?” Nox looked at her with puzzlement. Where else would it be?

“Hmm? Well, I didn’t need to put it away so far,” Ain replied with uncertainty. In fact, he knew spirit pets could be unsummoned. That’s how Carl’s gray ferret had vanished during their battle. However, he hadn’t considered sending Nox away, especially after losing Temporal Blitz.

Sage deciphered Ain’s hidden message and replied, “Focus on your aether ring with the intent to unsummon your spirit pet.”

Ain promptly followed the instructions. He first perceived his aether ring before thinking of unsummoning Nox. Just as he did so, Nox suddenly vanished with a flash of light. He could sense it within the aether ring now.

“It’s kept within the aether ring?” Ain asked.

“Yes. The aether ring is not only the medium for the contract but also the spirit pet’s residence. In the absence of relevant elixirs or resources, their recovery rate in this state is much faster,” Sage explained patiently.

“I see.” Ain finally understood. He realized he could still communicate with Nox. He hadn’t given much attention to mental communication, opting to voice his commands. He noted this down for later practice.

“Ain, what spells have you learned so far?” Livia asked while clearing away some of the obstructing undergrowth. With a hand gesture, the shrubbery shifted to the sides, allowing clear passage.

“I haven’t learned any spells yet.” Ain answered. He’d lost the ability to use Temporal Blitz, so it wasn’t far from the truth.

“Hmm? You’ve been relying on your spirit pet so far?” Livia exclaimed lightly, surprised at the revelation.

A spirit master’s journey initiated upon awakening an innate talent. The next step was to obtain a meditation technique. And no matter the source, one or two spells usually accompanied the meditation technique.

Not to assume all meditation techniques included spells. New spirit masters obtained their first meditation technique through their families, masters, or organizations. In essence, it was passed down to them, an inheritance. Commonly, some beginner spells would be provided alongside the meditation technique.

“Mm-Mhm.” Ain nodded. He’d received his meditation technique, the Chronarch Precept, through a trial inheritance. He’d also received spells. But the problem lay in their aspect… they didn’t match his spirit pet.

At this point, Sage resolutely interjected, “Ain’s ghost pet seemed to know Possession, granting him access to its skills. Even without spells, it is possible to defeat opponents with a similar rank.”

“That’s right.” Ain nodded firmly. He was proud of Nox. Despite being at Rank-0 itself, it allowed him to face multiple Rank-1 opponents.

Livia glanced at Sage and Ain, noting their similarly resolute expressions. She laughed to herself elegantly before joking, “Director, is that bias I hear? After all, you have also contracted ghost pets with Possession.”

Ain turned to Sage with surprise. He also had ghost pets that knew Possession?

Sage didn’t mind Livia’s remark, smiling at Ain instead, “She is correct. I have contracted ghost pets with Possession; hence I am well aware of the great power the skill possesses.”

“Great power?” Ain asked expectantly, completely focused. His cautiousness against the two had diminished even further.

Faced with Ain’s shining eyes, Sage continued gently, “Ain, what are the effects of Possession?”

Ain organized his words instantly, “A comprehensive boost. It strengthens my physique, increases my perception, and augments my aether. It also allows me to use my spirit pet’s skills.”

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“Correct. These are indeed the general effects. Now, which of these effects have you not explored yet?” Sage asked further.

Ain had mostly fought in close-combat using Phantom Claws. Hence, he’d relied on the strengthened physique and Nox’s skills. Perception also played a small role, boosting his reaction during combat.

“Aether?” Ain asked tentatively.

“Correct again. How can you use aether?” Sage guided, pleased with Ain’s quick comprehension.

“Spells.” Ain replied, having discovered the answer by now.

“Indeed. During Possession, ghost spells are greatly boosted, allowing you to challenge stronger opponents. Using a dynamic combination of spells, martial arts, and skills during combat is the correct way to maximize the effects of Possession.”

Sage then pointed at a tree in the distance. “Take a look. This is Spectral Blast, a basic ghost spell.”

Alongside his voice, the forest breeze seemed to pause as cold and haunting aether fluctuations manifested. At his fingertip, a purple ball of ghastly energy condensed with a vortex, emitting terrible wails only audible upon careful scrutiny.

After the purple ball formed, it zoomed away at great speeds, colliding with the targeted tree.

Boom!

An explosive sound swept the region, carrying with it a faint shockwave. The targeted tree’s bark was partly shredded as wooden splinters were blasted away. Regions of its trunk suffered great damage, resulting in a large, mangled dent. With a pitiful creak, like an unreconciled shriek, the tree slowly toppled onto the forest floor, raising a cloud of dust and leaves.

Ain stared at this scene attentively. The aether fluctuations weren’t unimaginable. The spell’s power was only at Rank-1. He’d witnessed a similar magnitude of destruction against Carl and Mason. The latter’s spell had blown away countless Rank-0 puppets while leaving behind a cloud of poison.

“This is an example of Spectral Blast used by a new Rank-1 Spirit Master,” Sage explained as the dust settled. The spell inflicted great damage to the tree’s trunk, causing it to fold over, unable to support its own weight.

“Now, this is Spectral Blast cast by a new Rank-1 Spirit Master using Possession.”

Similar to before, a ball of purple ghostly energy condensed at his fingertip, exuding a haunting and chilly aura. Powerful aether fluctuations swept over like a raging tide, fiercer than before. Once the spell formed, it raced towards another distant tree before crashing into its trunk like a purple meteorite.

Boom!

An explosive shockwave reverberated once more, slapping away the surrounding air.

This time, no delay was observed as the tree was instantly felled. Instead of just damaging it, the spell completely obliterated the middle part of the trunk, turning it into tiny fragments still raining onto the forest floor. Nothing remained to connect the uneven stump to the rest of the tree above.

Another cloud of dust and leaves arose, mixed in with broken branches.

Ain stared at the settling cloud of debris, completely stunned. Was this even the same spell?

Sage glanced at his shocked expression, “Surprised? This is the difference between a spell used with and without Possession. Moreover, the aether consumption does not change. Of course, I used more aether to supplement the spell as I am merely demonstrating without using Possession myself.”

Ain digested the information swiftly before asking, “What if you hadn’t contracted a ghost pet? How effective is the spell?”

“Take a look,” Sage replied, pointing at another tree. Within seconds, a flickering ball of ghastly energy, like a purple marble, condensed at his fingertip. Upon release, it traversed only a couple meters before dissipating listlessly. It failed to even reach the target.

“Without contracting a ghost pet, a new Rank-1 Spirit Master’s Spectral Ball would be worthless, failing to harm even a Rank-0 Spirit Beast.”

“Theoretically, spells and martial arts can be cast even without relevant spirit pets. However, as you have just seen, their power is significantly weakened or may even be completely ineffective. The latter is more likely for complex spells and martial arts and for rare aspects.”

Ain gratefully nodded at the demonstration, better comprehending Temporal Blitz’s failure. Time aspect was undoubtedly a rare aspect, but he was uncertain about Temporal Blitz’s complexity. He lacked a defined reference for comparison.

As he pondered, Sage’s voice sounded, “Ain, since you have not learned any ghost spells, how about I teach you Spectral Blast?”

Ain’s thoughts immediately halted as he blinked in surprise.

Teach him a spell? Just like that?

He was stunned, and even a little worried.

His vigilance against the duo had greatly lowered from their previous interactions, primarily due to the vast disparity in power. He couldn’t resist even if he desired to. Furthermore, their speech, demeanor, and actions so far were non-threatening, casting a gentle and amicable impression.

However, Sage’s offer immediately alarmed Ain. Even if their genial behavior was attributed to their natural disposition, who offered to teach spells to someone they’d just met? Unless they wanted some sort of reciprocation.

Perhaps understanding Ain’s thoughts, Sage continued, “Consider it my gratitude for the meal. After all, we were the ones who joined uninvited.”

“Let me impart a spell as well. It will be my appreciation for the meal.” Livia also proposed, smiling at him lightly.

Ain was troubled.

It was difficult to resist the prospect of gaining two new spells this effortlessly. Moreover, he sorely lacked spells now. Their gifts were akin to delivering hot charcoal amidst a frigid winter. It was very timely.

After some hesitation, he ultimately decided to accept the gift. Their argument seemed reasonable, right?