Chapter 4: Using Heavenly Secrets

Reaching Rank-1 had strengthened Ain’s physique and augmented his aether, but this hardly translated to combat ability with his lack of spells. Contracting a spirit pet was essential to resolve this dilemma.

Although risky, Ain had already formulated a plan.

[Name: Prismatic Void Stone]

[Aspect: Void]

[Rank: Rank-1]

[Description: A stone originating from the Ink Domain. A Rank-0 Ink Revenant is sealed within. Injecting aether into the Prismatic Void Stone will release the Ink Revenant while transmitting an unknown signal.]

He recalled the Prismatic Void Stone’s information, specifically the Rank-0 Ink Revenant sealed within. He didn’t know what kind of creature an Ink Revenant was, but it was only at Rank-0, well within his ability to contract. Moreover, upon advancing to Rank-1, he had already recognized the disparity between the two ranks. Even without spells, his augmented physique could defeat his past self effortlessly. He was somewhat confident in his survival against a Rank-0 creature. The only concerning matter was the unknown signal.

Nevertheless, Ain’s hesitation was only momentary. It was useless to worry about the future if he couldn’t even survive his present predicament. And besides, he hadn’t forgotten about the quest.

Having deliberated his options, Ain peeked out from behind the pillar. Without any anomalies in sight, he raised the Prismatic Void Stone above his head before injecting it with some aether. Without waiting for the results, he forcefully threw the black stone across the hall and immediately concealed himself.

Soon after, a clattering sound echoed in the azure hall as the Prismatic Void Stone landed in the distance before an eerie silence took over. Ain hid with bated breaths, tempted to peek out. However, just as he craned his neck, a haunting sound suddenly resounded in the hall, ghastly like a midnight specter.

“Wooo…”

Ain’s actions paused as uneasiness settled in his heart. The confidence that had swelled due to his advancement had already withered away. Despite becoming a Rank-1 Spirit Master, he could only come to terms with his lack of knowledge and experience.

In the hall, nothing seemed to have changed, but Ain felt increasingly frosty while hiding. Seconds continued to trickle by as he attempted to assure his choice. It’s only Rank-0, I have nothing to fear. But Ink Revenant sounds like a ghost, can I still hit it? Can I use ae- “Wooo…”

A sudden chill crept up his spine, interrupting his thoughts. The sound just now… was right behind him!

Without hesitation, Ain instantly bolted out from behind the pillar, his heart racing violently. It also stimulated him to glance over his shoulder. The name Ink Revenant seemed ominous and spooky, crafting a frightening image within his mind. However, when he focused his eyes, what appeared was unexpected.

For a moment, Ain even felt a hint of disdain towards himself.

What entered his vision was a white cloud-like creature with two swirling black eyes. Its form was emitting ghostly vapors that dissipated into thin air a couple of centimeters away. There were no razor-sharp teeth, gnarly tongue, or creepy eyes as he’d expected. It was just a small cloud with black eyes. It seemed… rather cute.

“Wooo…” The Ink Revenant called out while steadily approaching Ain.

The unknown always held endless possibilities, serving as a great tonic for fear. Its harmless appearance greatly empowered him, lowering his vigilance while boosting his confidence.

“Forming a contract isn’t difficult, but I need to subdue it first.”

Ain halted in his tracks before turning around. The aether within his body churned in preparation for his upcoming attack. Fighting was commonplace in the slums. It was inevitable to get embroiled in conflicts, despite minding one’s own business. He’d obviously picked up a few moves as well.

“Wooo…” The Ink Revenant floated over swiftly.

Ain stretched his shoulder and prepared his fist, waiting for the white cloud to approach. Once it was within range, his tense muscles exploded out with power, delivering a powerful attack. The air was pushed aside by the punch’s momentum, bolstering his confidence.

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However, right before the impact, the Ink Revenant suddenly split its gaseous body and bypassed his arm entirely, diving right into his body!

Oh no!

Ain tried to dodge in panic at the last second, but it was too late. A cold and ghastly sensation shrouded his chest before he could react.

“Wooo…!”

Just as he expected the worst, the Ink Revenant appeared behind him before diving right back, appearing from his chest again. Ain’s fear gradually morphed into incredulousness as he watched it repeat this action with manic energy.

“It doesn’t hurt…” Ain mumbled unsurely. The complexity in his heart dissipated like a breeze. A thought occurred to him, and he reached out swiftly, grabbing the Ink Revenant just as it appeared at his chest.

“Wooo…” The creature unexpectedly didn’t struggle, allowing him to hold its cloudy form with his aether-infused hand. He activated Scan with a thought.

[Species: Ink Revenant]

[Aspect: Ghost]

[Quality: Noble | Max Quality: ???]

[Rank: Rank-0]

[Innate Skill: Possession]

[Skill: Phantom Claws]

[Aspect Traces: Ghost 97.5 %, Fire 0.9 %, Wind 0.5 %, ...]

Ain stared at the creature in his hand as information appeared within his mind. Some of it was readily understood while the rest posed a challenge. Its species and rank had already been revealed by the Prismatic Void Stone, and they weren’t foreign concepts to him anymore. The same applied to aspect, innate skills, and skills. He wasn’t aware of the difference between innate skills and skills, but he knew they were abilities, and that was enough for now.

What perplexed him were the quality and aspect traces. He could form some inferences about aspect traces as the ‘Ghost 97.5 %’ seemed to correspond to its ghost aspect, but he was completely clueless about qualities. This wasn’t a matter of intellect but the lack of foundational knowledge.

Ain only pondered briefly before moving on.

“It’s being obedient for now so let’s try forming a contract first.”

The Chronarch Precept actually required a time-aspect spirit pet, but Ain didn’t possess this luxury. It’d also mentioned that without contracting a time-aspect spirit pet, time-aspect techniques and spells would be almost useless. Ain wasn’t completely sure of the implications, as he’d reached Rank-1 just fine.

Setting this thought aside for now, he recalled the procedure described in the Chronarch Precept to form the contract. Holding the Ink Revenant within his hand, he transferred his aether with the intention to form a contract.

“Wooo…?” Seemingly receiving something, the Ink Revenant glanced at him puzzledly.

Ain started back.

Will it accept it? Or do I have to beat it up? As he wondered internally, a slight tug on the recently condensed aether ring suddenly drew his attention. Following that, a mystical link formed between him and the Ink Revenant, transmitting the weight of another life. An unfounded feeling of kinship and warmth suddenly surged within his heart, startling Ain.

He stared into the Ink Revenant’s bottomless eyes, seemingly understanding something.

“We’ve formed a contract.”

“Wooo…!”

The eerie howl seemed no different from before, but he seemed to comprehend the intentions hidden within it. The Ink Revenant was beside itself with joy!

Ain’s eyes widened at the phenomenon as he asked, “Do you understand me?”

“Wooo…” The Ink Revenant’s black swirling eyes shook up and down while its body remained still. It was expressing its affirmation.

A smile crept up to Ain’s face as he felt a rush of happiness. “I’ve become a proper spirit master.”

“Wooo…!” The Ink Revenant sensed his joy and hopped up and down on his hand.

As the two reveled in joy, Wisdom Root suddenly transmitted a message.

[Quest: First Step (Completed)]

[Description: Reach Rank-1 and form a spirit pet contract.]

[Reward: Heavenly Whispers x1]

Ain’s smile widened even further. Aside from ensuring his own survival, the quest played a vital role in his decision to disregard the potential dangers and form a contract with the Ink Revenant.

Just as he’d done once before, Ain used Scan upon himself.

[Name: Ain Weisman]

[Species: Human]

[Rank: Rank-1]

[Innate Talent: Wisdom Root]

[Heavenly Whispers: 1]

[Description: You’ve reached Rank-1 and contracted an Ink Revenant. Anticipation of rediscovering your forgotten past excites you.]

“I have one Heavenly Whispers. I should be able to use Heavenly Secrets now.”

Hesitation had laced his recent decisions, but Ain didn’t spare another thought before activating Heavenly Secrets.

Heavenly Secrets can seek knowledge from the Heavens. I want to learn about my forgotten past!

The moment Heavenly Secrets was activated, a muffled shockwave swept through the fabric of space. Thunderous roars, juxtaposed with enigmatic whispering, bore into his head as all the aether within his body was instantly drained.

A contrasting sensation of chaos and tranquility encompassed Ain’s body, mind, and soul. However, before the phenomenon could proceed further, it came to an abrupt halt. The mystical sounds retreated as the trembling space soothed. A new prompt from Wisdom Root appeared within his mind.

[Insufficient Heavenly Whispers. Insufficient rank. Heavenly Secrets has failed to activate.]

Ain’s senses recovered, but he still stared off into space blankly.

“Failed?”

The large rock that’d crushed his heart for years couldn’t be heavier. The emerging hope within his heart was trimmed down, disheartening him further. However, his recovery was also unexpectedly prompt. His thoughts churned speedily due to Wisdom Root.

“Insufficient Heavenly Whispers and rank…”

Unlike before, there was still hope for the future.

“If I gather more Heavenly Whispers and become stronger, it’ll definitely succeed one day...”

“Wooo…?”

While Ain fueled his determination, the Ink Revenant suddenly voiced out. There was curiosity within its intent.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry,” he answered. As he glanced at it, another thought occurred to him, and he asked with expectation, “By the way, how did you end up sealed in the Prismatic Void Stone? Do you remember anything about me?”

The Prismatic Void Stone was his only link to the past. The Ink Revenant was naturally inclusive.