"It's safer to join one of the established government agencies," Clarice began. "There are the Muggles, the Inquisition, or the Element Sect. However, you humans have a habit of killing each other, so even if you do find them, you will likely be eliminated for possessing such knowledge. In any case, you can only acquire power by completing a penance."
Keifer sank into silence. After about half a minute, he asked, "So, what exactly is this penance?"
"They are simply actions," Clarice explained. "Actions that, once completed, result in receiving a spirit creature. However, while you can perform multiple penances, at some point, similar powers will merge, and the rest will be purged. This is called a breakthrough, and the first time it happens, you advance into a corresponding race.
Upon becoming a mythical creature, you cease to be your previous race and transition to another. Although, humans are the only race that actively seeks to become other races... Such greed.
Think of the penance as actions that, when completed, even without knowledge or awareness of the supernatural, lead to acquiring powers through the possession of the corresponding spirit creature." Clarice finished, her gaze hardening with an imposing glare.
"Tell me about one," Keifer demanded, his tone sterner while he processed the newfound knowledge. He paid little heed to her glare. "I assume you've completed a few. Describe one and the powers it gives you."
Clarice leaned back slightly, wincing, and replied slowly, "One is called 'The Moon Pact.'" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "It involves making a wolf see the fierceness in you during a full moon, and afterward, the wolf must leave without harming you. This is considered gaining the wolf's recognition and forming a pact of sorts. The penitent then gains the ability to turn into a werewolf, which grants increased strength, speed, and near-immortal regeneration. However, there's a risk of succumbing to animalistic instincts."
"Penitents?" Keifer picked up on the strange but familiar term.
"Penitents are what sentient creatures who have completed a penance are called," Clarice briefly explained.
So, the process involves completing a penance, being possessed by a spirit creature corresponding to that penance, and gaining its powers. Then, after acquiring similar powers, it triggers a breakthrough, transforming you into a different race. Perhaps the race corresponds to the powers you've gathered. Keifer felt he was getting closer to understanding.
But does that mean the spirit creatures are the original bearers of these powers? Keifer pondered the information.
Considering the mystical creatures and how she described them, it seems there are numerous races beyond humans, and they might undergo similar penances. Perhaps, because they are naturally born as mythical creatures, they don't need to gather powers to become such. Or maybe they too change races.
At this point, Keifer asked an obvious question. "These penances and spirit creatures—are there specific systems by which the penance is carried out?"
"No," Clarice responded. "You can undertake any penance, but the greater the power, the harder the penance. Once you decide to undertake a penance, it seals itself into your spirit body. If you try to abandon it or take on another, your spirit will be instantly destroyed.
"I assume humans like you are bound to encounter such things. All of you reek of greed," Clarice remarked at the end.
I see. So a penance, once accomplished, results in gaining power. But the nature of these penances is somewhat peculiar. It seems they can even be completed by accident if someone simply fits the right situation. Perhaps the easier penances grant weaker powers compared to the more difficult ones. And the matter of mystical creatures—does something happen once you stop being your previous race?
"Tell me about another penance and what you meant by a sacred relic," Keifer said, deciding to postpone his original question for a later time.
Clarice hesitated. Keifer was asking too many important questions and had yet to agree to any deal with her. She needed him to make a deal, but under his intense, almost ancient gaze, she felt a primal urge to comply.
It was a fear that made animals cower before a stronger predator. Yet, she couldn't sense strong spirituality from him, so it made no sense why she felt so terrified.
Fear was an annoying emotion, one she wouldn't have had a problem with if not for the salt's suppression.
"Another penance in the same set as the Moon Pact is the 'Heart of Mind.' It involves meditating atop a frosty mountain for forty days and nights without food, pleasure, or emotional attachment. By the end of the fortieth day, the penance is considered complete."
"It gives the Penitents the power to suppress their emotions to reach a state of pure rationality. I think there's another power like it from a different 'set' although that one symbolizes the drowning of one's emotions rather than suppression."
"A 'set'?" Keifer asked after a moment of consideration.
"They are the collection of penances that lead to a known race," Clarice explained. "Knowledge of a set is typically held by the races it corresponds to or special families. However, because of the familiarity with sets, most penitents prefer to blindly acquire powers in hopes of becoming the first of a new race."
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Keifer remained silent, pondering Clarice's words.
There doesn't seem to be much correlation between the two penances, even though they belong to the same set. Keifer considered the term 'channel' and soon reached a preliminary conclusion.
He continued his internal analysis.
The only connection I can discern is that the Moon Pact penance has some mental relevance, inducing animalistic tendencies. Beyond that, there's no other link. This could indicate she's lying or deliberately withholding information. She seemed particularly agitated when I refused to accept a deal. Perhaps her power requires a bargain. Additionally, she claimed that penances have no specific system, but her current statements contradict that. It's also possible that powers from different sets can be assimilated regardless.
"Is there anything else?" Keifer asked, his gaze sharp, trying to determine if Clarice was withholding information or lying.
"Of course," she replied frankly. "You humans think a little knowledge is enough. There are many things in the world of Penitents that even I don't know... So, are you ready to make a deal?"
Keifer glanced at her and extended his hand slightly, not enough to reach her.
Clarice's eyes brightened as she stretched out her hand in response, but it fell short of his. She tried to stand, but each attempt was met with intensifying pressure, like searing heat.
Observing her struggle, Keifer quickly withdrew his hand.
As I thought. She can't move freely. I can keep her here and extract information bit by bit. Given her powers, if she tried to shout, those government agencies would likely find her and burn her for heresy. Yet, she hasn't mentioned anything about a god. Typically, a heretic would be fervently preaching their faith, but she hasn't.
Maybe she's not a heretic. But the Inquisition or the Muggles wouldn't care. She's clearly a rogue Penitent. It's curious how she keeps referring to 'humans.' This likely means she's already a mythical creature. Given her hostility toward humans, perhaps she was never human to begin with.
Keifer had many questions, but the optimal time for answers had passed. He needed to rest. Clarice, her eyes filled with expectation, froze as the young man stood up, walked to the bed on the right side of the room, and lay down.
"What?" She was dumbfounded. "How dare you, human! You said you would make a deal with me!"
Covering himself with the green blanket, Keifer clarified, "I never said I would. I said I could, which is subject to possibility. I suggest you get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll continue."
"Impossible! Do you think I will let you sleep? I will kill you in your sleep," Clarice threatened.
Sighing, Keifer replied, "If you could, you would have already done it. But you can't. So, again, get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day, and your exhaustion won't disrupt my plans."
Clarice gritted her teeth in rage, watching the human tuck himself into bed while she lay on the cold, hard floor.
This is an insult! I can't stay here. If my brother finds out, he'll blame me again. I can't have that. This human dares to hold me captive after absorbing so much Penitent knowledge. Such a shameless bastard...
She cursed for a while, but her target had already slipped into slumber. After a few minutes of silence, she found herself lying on the cold ground, trying to sleep.
…
A dream, vivid and haunting, emerged from a memory.
A vast city loomed under the light of twin golden suns. The sky was a burning red, with distant mountains shimmering like diamonds.
The scene shifted at an unnatural speed, fracturing and merging into another vision.
Once again, the vast city appeared, but now it was engulfed in flames. Towering iron structures melted in the intense heat.
The agonizing cries of countless souls pierced through the inferno, resonating like a chaotic symphony.
Moments later, the scene shattered into countless illusory shards.
Keifer opened his eyes, staring at the bedspread covering him. He groaned softly, rubbing his temples. The room, with its distinct Western architecture, came into focus, and the oriel window cast golden sunlight across the space.
Rising from the bed with a dignified air, Keifer glanced at the unwilling visitor who sat in the middle of the room.
"What was that dream?" Clarice spat, giving him a sideways glance. She sat on the ground, hugging her knees. The sweat dripping from her forehead indicated she had struggled to even assume this position. This reinforced Keifer's sense of security.
As long as the salt trap held her, she posed little threat. Although, it was uncertain if he even knew where the salt was.
Realizing he had been staring at the 'guest' for too long, Keifer walked past her and sat at the table by the oriel window. Despite his composed demeanor, he felt sore from the uncomfortable bed that felt like a slab of rock, and from having slept in his clothes.
Though odd, Keifer savored the freedom of his body. Ignoring Clarice's initial question, he deliberated for a moment and then spoke, "Before I ask you anything, remember that you are no longer in a position to negotiate. It's in your best interest to avoid stalling and answer my questions..."
He leaned forward slightly, clasping his hands. "I assume you have allies, and they might already be searching for you. In that case, how good would it be for them to find your body in the backwaters?"
Keifer had already gathered that the backwater was the city's slums—a polluted place where death was a common occurrence.
Clarice scoffed at his words. "You? Kill me? Don't overestimate yourself."
With a solemn expression, Keifer leaned back and crossed his arms. "I believe you know what a gun is. And considering how hard it is for you to move without strain, I'm confident I could put a bullet in you without much effort. You may have great powers, but what good are they when your weakness is salt? Why would you even commence your penance in a city filled with your weakness?"
Clarice's eyes blazed with an intense glare. "You think I'm stupid, human? Why would I do a penance in this place? You dragged me here!"
Perfect!
"What makes you think I didn't do it deliberately? What makes you think I'm weak? If I could drag you here, doesn't that suggest I might be a Penitent? And if so, shouldn't you be a bit more cautious with your attitude?"
Clarice furrowed her brows in confusion, her eyes darting around before locking onto Keifer. "But... But that's a lie. I can see you, and even if I'm suppressed, you don't have the spirituality of a Penitent, nor does your spirit body bear the corresponding symbol. So you're not a Penitent... Unless..." She abruptly paused.
Keifer stared at her for a moment, before then picking up the bird-shaped pendant on the table. He had left it there to investigate whether or not it may show any other signs. But it did not.
Holding the pendant in his palm, keifer with the aid of the sunlight studied the object. Noting any peculiarity he could find, or anything that would explain the usage of the object.
Amidst his research, Clarice surprisingly spoke, but this time in a milder tone, "Why are you not alive?"
The question pierced into Keifer, mentally trembling his thoughts. A sense of fear gripped his heart, which quickly was followed by a sense of nausea and lightheadedness.
However, he managed to grab hold of some normalcy.