"My ancestor?" Simon was puzzled. "Whose ancestor? What does my ancestor have to do with the helmet?"
"Wait, are you saying the helmet's creator is Simon's ancestor?" Edgin came running over when he heard Aoko.
"Yes," Aoko nodded. "There's a fragment of Elminster Aumar's consciousness in the helmet. He wants to test his descendants, so for now only Simon can use the spell bound to the helmet."
"Amazing, Simon!" Edgin happily put his hands on Simon's shoulders. "I always said you could do it. You're a great sorcerer!"
"It's not that simple…" Simon protested. "Elminster's test must be tough—he's the Chosen of Mystra! I…"
"Elminster the archmage?" Xenk and Doric came over. Xenk sat next to Simon and patted his shoulder. "When I got the helmet, I tried it, but didn't see anyone, much less Elminster."
"Go on, Simon," Edgin said. "No matter what, your ancestor wouldn't harm you, right?"
"…Sigh, okay," Simon said helplessly. "But don't get your hopes up too much…"
No one said anything more. But their expectant looks put a lot of pressure on Simon—at least, he seemed less confident now that he knew his ancestor was in the helmet.
Simon took the helmet, took a deep breath, and slowly put it on…
The next moment, Simon flew backward without warning, almost crashing into a stalagmite before Aoko caught him with Bigby's Hand and pulled him back. The helmet fell to the side.
"Cough, cough!" Simon rubbed his neck. "Thanks, that was close…"
"How was it?" Edgin asked. "Did you succeed? Did you meet Elminster?"
"No, it failed," Simon shook his head, discouraged. "But I did see someone—he also said his name was Aumar, but I'm not sure if he was Elminster."
"What did he look like?" Doric asked.
"Hmm… brown robes, turban, brown skin, a beard… and a staff," Simon recalled. "That's about it."
"The Elminster I met looked like this," Aoko said and used Silent Image to create the white-bearded old man she had seen.
"Does the helmet show different people to different people?" Edgin wondered.
"Maybe Simon saw another Aumar ancestor," Xenk mused. "Elminster is very old, and the helmet is ancient—maybe another Aumar wizard or sorcerer added enchantments."
"Whoever it was, he clearly wasn't happy with me," Simon said, frustrated. "He asked if I was a successful sorcerer, then said 'Magic will not tolerate fools!'"
"And then you got flung?" Edgin asked.
"Yeah," Simon said glumly. "As you saw, I flew pretty far…"
"I don't think it's about being stupid," Aoko said. "Elminster said his descendants lack confidence, so the trial is about that."
"But I didn't see Elminster!" Simon protested. "He just said, 'I'm also an Aumar,' and tossed me out!"
"Try again," Edgin said firmly. "If Aoko's right and this is Elminster's trial for you, you're the only one who can do it, Simon. Believe in yourself!"
"Don't worry," Aoko said reassuringly. "I'll catch you. This spell lasts a while."
She had Bigby's Hand gesture a thumbs-up to Simon.
Under everyone's encouragement, Simon sighed and tried again.
He carefully put on the helmet, but the same thing happened—he was flung out, but this time Aoko's Bigby's Hand caught him before he went far.
"Don't get discouraged," Aoko patted Simon's back. "It's a mental thing, not about your ability. We've got time before we have to infiltrate Forge's vault, so you can keep trying."
"Aoko's right, Simon!" Edgin smiled. "Only you can do this. Believe in yourself—be more confident!"
Simon nodded silently, set the helmet aside, and sat on a rock, lost in thought.
"Alright, to celebrate our victory over Themberchaud, I've decided we should relax," Aoko clapped her hands. "I've made some progress in my magical research…"
When everyone's attention was on her, she nodded in satisfaction and took out some spellcasting materials from her imaginary space.
There was an ivory-carved archway model, a polished marble base, and a small silver spoon.
After arranging them in precise positions, Aoko began chanting. After a minute, a softly glowing archway, ten feet high and five feet wide, appeared.
"Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion!" Simon recognized the spell at once.
"That's right," Aoko nodded, opening the door. Inside was a replica of the Kuonji mansion, created by the mansion spell. "I've actually known this spell for a while, but I misunderstood something before, so it always took too many materials to cast."
"But not anymore," Aoko smiled. "With some reference from materials I bought in Neverwinter, I've tweaked my spell. Now, I can cast Magnificent Mansion anytime with just the right components and spell slots."
"Could anything be better?" Edgin said happily, stepping inside and admiring the luxury. "After defeating a terrible foe, to rest in the finest mansion—just like the songs!"