" The understanding of elemental beings and spirits is on the par of human's discovery of fire in terms of importance. It proves there is another world beside the normal. It proves that we humans can be friendly toward those we only do not fully understand instinctually or logically."
Daniel Orwell, the father of modern spirit magic study.
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Clarise is finishing up the documents needed to enter the Remia Forest. From application forms and safety wavers for students to booking the class's activity beforehand in order to not hinder the research progress of her peer stationed there. And a signature here and there... done!
"Can you help me bring this to the Spirit Department? I am having a class so I won't be able to do that."
"Sure, sure. Only you can do something like that this late. Most professors and teachers submit their schedule 2 days ago. I will get going now. Have a good class!"
"Thanks."
After entrusting the paperwork to a free peer whose class is in the afternoon and night (she teaches research methodology and astrology), Clarise jogs to her classroom. She has been teaching like this for years but she never understands why her office is so faraway from her working space.
'You should do more exercising my ass.'
She has heard that explanation from the headmistress but why a jog when just usual spirit summoning is enough to train endurance? And it is not like she is a potato crouch either. She still partakes in cardio and swimming because she needs the stamina.
Having seen a crowd frolicking around her class, Clarise takes a moment to remember an important detail.
'Just to forget there is a princess, you are really getting senile, Clarise.'
Giving herself an imaginary facepalm, she disperses the people taking their chances at the princess. Using her fire spirt, Moltan, she sends out a harmless cone of flame toward them. They quickly get out of the fire and scatter around, their eyes gluing to Clarise. She sends them a chilly glare, daring them to oppose her.
The students know they are in the wrong this time around so they get away in the matter of seconds and soon leave behind a desolate corridor.
"A crowd this early in the morning is not really helping you students. So for basic introduction, my name is Clarise, your Spirit instructor this semester and possibly even your second semester. I am qualified to teach introduction to pneumatology and how to get, train and rank up your spirits. Now will be question session. Do any of you have questions for me, your future in the next few months?"
A common introduction naturally flows out of Clarise's mouth. The years worth of experience has trained her ability to rapid fire her introduction annually and to remain positive in face of stupidity, which is more common than anyone in this Academy want to admit.
Hearing their teacher hastily introducing herself, the students scramble for something to ask. They know the basics about her since it is written in the guidebook in the section about notable members of the teaching faculty. Clarise is described as a beauty with distinctive white hair and shiny lapis for eyes (courtesy to the revolving mana) and her charisma is good enough to befriend almost everyone from young to old. The section about her concludes that she is a perfect teacher and students should be thanking god for having her since compared to some of the more unique people, she is caring toward students' progress and is willing to spend her free time helping them if asked nicely.
"Hey miss Clarise, are you dating someone?"
A girl asks, her curious eyes portrays a gossiper.
"No one currently."
The eye twitch at the question screams annoyance but Clarise still calmly answers. She can not turn this class into a den of gossipers about any matter of love life or drama. Scholarly gossip is tolerable but not supported.
"Ok, anyone else?"
"Miss Clarise, can I ask you about your free time? I may need some extra time with you to get better at this subject."
'No, my free time!'
"I will talk more about the time period you can contact me for extra curriculum classes. But any more questions about me or the class?"
Hearing the chatter in front of her, Clarise is sure that the class is much livelier than the last class she has.
"If that's everything. here. Everyone, please pay attention to the front. We need to have a structure in this class. Let's vote on a class president. They will be "
Clarise quickly pull a chalk from the box on the teacher's table and begins drawing four circles of runes. Her mouth moves along with her hand.
"We, the Rhea Academy, and most of this continent's education system view the world in four basic elements: fire, water, earth, and air. Our elemental spells are derived from our understanding of these four fundamental concepts. While some of you may have heard of other elements system used in different continent, the main point here is the familiarity."
Clarise maintains a fireball, a water ball, a rock and a sphere of rotating air with additional light-bending property for demonstration.
"Sometimes there are elemental spells that can take on the appearance of another one. For example, I can use mana to move the air directly myself. That can create a breeze. But I can also use fire spells to heat up the air to let diffusion do the work. Of course that arises a question: why should we go along with a less efficient path?"
The princess raises her hands.
"Yes, miss Aresil?"
"We use them for research purposes. I have seen how the people at research centers spend their time looking through the data produced by using these spells. From that we can find out new things to be apply to our development."
"She is correct about this. The main reason why we use less efficient spells is for research. But in real life, we use the easiest ones to cast. But sometimes it is bothersome or difficult to cast spells ourself. That's why we needs an entity that can help us with that. Come out, Moltan."
A blob of fiery metal begins to seep into reality from nothingness. Simon can clearly 'see' a hole in space where droplets of lava drips through. The flow of mana connecting Clarise and the blob contains various colors mixing through space but the most prominent he can see is the red of joy. The temperature spikes up but soon drops back to normal.
"Why do you summon me? Isn't it my break time? You have just used my power at the doors!"
"You have oversleep again. This is my class, give them a smile. And class, this is my fire spirit, Moltan. Say hi to him"
The liquid metal blob turns around and greets the curious eyes with a bright smile. The class gives a nod to return the gesture.
"As you can see here, this blob of molten metal is not following any rules of normal physics. This is the main characteristic of spirits, intelligent beings from another dimension. Aside from being summoned via a summoning circle or simply through calling out names, some spirits, especially high level spirits, can actually autonomously enter our world and influence it. The most noticeable are the Spirit Kings of each element."
"Miss Clarise, is there anything dangerous from their world that can get through to here?"
"Good question. The answer is yes but it is very unlikely to occur. Sometimes, mad spirits can enter by hitchhiking along. What is considered as 'mad spirit' is very difficult for us to pin point because of the varied characteristics. The most prominent theory is that the spirits are contaminated by other elements while on their way here."
"Then how many advanced elements are there, miss Clarise?"
'This should be in advance pneumatology class but whatever, I need to convince them to learn more.'
"There are a plethora of was of using mana. An element is simply and archetype of the spells used in a particular way. But the two main element you will encounter later on is space and time. Each has their own respective Spirit King but they remain dormant of the time, contents with being the background for others.
There are also more esoteric element but they are too difficult to cultivate as a spirit. For example, madness and its Spirit King, Laughing Jester, will drive any summoner who summons him insane just by being near him. This can further lead to deformation of the body to be more fitting to host such a powerful being."
" What is the reason for thus deformation, miss Clarise?", Asks the princess.
"We have not reached a conclusion, only hypothesis and untested theories. So if you do not wish to end your life prematurely, remember not to randomly summon a spirit without adequate knowledge or supervision. Carefulness forever pays, after all.
About the summoning process, something that will mark your partnership with spirits, there are three components. The tear in space, or a gate, allowing for entrance into our world to let spirits sense who they are dealing with. The mana circuit, the path leading to the soul, that binds the consciousness of the summoner and the spirit. Last, a set amount of mana to solidify the existence of the spirt while it is still in contract with us. "
Click! The snapping of the finger removes the burning light source.
"I'm still capable of communicating with my spirit via our contract and the initial mana circuit inscribed when we first met. Asking for a spirit can be toiling on the mana core so I have just allowed him to remain motionless. The effects of a spirit are constrained by the type of spirit but the ways of using it is entirely dependent on you creativity. One example of this is our headmistress, who has used her fire spirit to stir a natural storm, avoiding any attempt of tracing back to her. This happens while she was on the battlefield so it was, at the time, acceptable.
Now all of the class will be allowed passage into the Academy's forest to summon spirits. I'm more of a researcher in the field of pneuma so another teacher will guide you through the process, which is more personal and subjective than I would like to have in academics. Only after getting your spirits will you attend a few classes with the guide and after that will you have my class. That's all. Disband."
Not letting any questions reach her ears, Clarise teleports her way out of the class and into her office, flutter of flying pages follows the momentary displacement of air. Back at the spot where she has just disappeared from, a simple map with a red line drawn from the class to the forest can be found.
"Everyone, let's make our way there."
The princess takes control of the stunned class with her leading experience and everyone snaps out of the shock. They have not expected such a sudden exit. It seems the teachers and instructors at the Academy are meters deep in paperwork, researches and experiments.
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"I truly pity Clarise. an emergency arose and she had to go deal with it."
That is the opening line of the druid teacher responsible for their spirit summoning process. His lazy Everyone is curious about what the emergency has been but not dares to ask.
"Well, I assumes she made a quick escape, only offering you a map to find the entrance. Luckily for you, the schedule is quite sparse today so extended time can be allocated for your class. So let me continue on where she left.
The usual ritual for connecting to the spirit realm will often be boosted by rich spiritual energy, much different from mana, and other spiritual-based entities such as sentient plants and animals. The definition of sentience is still on the fence but just from me: if it breaths, thinks or exhibits free will then I call it sentient. This belief of mine aligns with those from the East empire where spiritualism is deeply ingrained in the belief and culture.
You do not need to worry yourself with the philosophical debate. You just need to accept that spirits are considered alive, have feelings and the ability to decide for themselves whether or not to continue the contract. The wager, something that each side must pay if they decided to nullify the contract without the others' agreement, is first put as a set amount of mana for students. When they can pursue deeper understanding and knowledge regarding the matters of pneumatics and spiritualism should they begin to alter the wager.
Any questions?"
A hand is raised behind Simon.
"I have read tales of a spirit user feeding precious gems to their spirits. Is it a kind of gift or wager?"
"Could it be about the Spirit Master Adela? If so then it is usually a gift. The tales you are referring to can be considered as a proper way to treat your spirits, your friends, may I say. With harmonious relationships with them can you lessen the burden on yourself. A favor from spirit, in this case, is them using the natural mana in the environment to fuel their existence. This process will drain them and thus the commitment to such thing signals a good relationship."
"Teacher, are the rumors about a being loved by spirits so much that they are willing to linger around without signing a contract true?"
"It is indeed possible for such a person to exist but the chance for us to know them used to be really low.
To be realistic with all of you here, a body that is loved and adored by spirits can, and have, introduce a lot of troubles to the owner's survival. In the long past, they would often be deemed as 'possessed' or 'demonic' due to the strange occurrences around them such as floating objects, misfortune and a lot more. This has led to lynching, unfounded arrest and a lot of crimes committed against these people. So if you want to read more about the history of this, please look for the latest version of 'Spirit, Human, and Interwoven Connections Throughout History.' on floor 5 of the central library."
After answering that, the druid is faced with a storm of curiosity. Questions follow questions, from the most trivial ones to the more insightful notes, and all are answered with patience and understanding. Some time passes and students are getting exciting.
"Please take one paper each. The summoning circle has already been prepared. Do not think of overpouring your mana into the circuit as that will only burn the piece to ashes. Keep your mind sharp and careful against any strange feelings during the process. The spiritual compatibility of each person is different so don't be discourage when others get their spirit before you. Get moving, I will be waiting back at the post."
Across each student's wrist is a mana compass, their pointy head aims toward places with adequate conditions. Setting off, Simon leisurely find a secluded spot before trying out. A 10-minutes walk is all it took to reach the place the compass points to, not too desolate considering he can still see his classmates.
Injecting the amount of mana he believes to be sufficient, Simon looks at the glowing circuit. The pathway integrates symbols and structure he is not familiar with but he believe it is based on the interpretation of spirit users regarding the elements, the world, and themselves. He just sits there, waiting. The calming nature is wonderful for a picnic, he thinks as he watches the clouds above. The teacher did say that interested spirits will arrive by their own will and forcing a spirit to arrive will leave a bad impression for the first meeting.
"Look at this cutie red bean!"
A girl exclaims, holding out a small ember with its core a red substance, to her friends. Across from her, someone is already using the winds to lift skirts of the girls leading to a manhunt for the culprit. This serenity reminds him of the fishing trips he has gone through with a particular cripled druid wanderer before arriving here.
"To lose oneself to nature is the joy of fishing or anything in life, really. Let the wind brings sounds from countless corners back to the ears, let the river of life produce a symphony. The fire will warm you in winter and you will love every moment of it. The earth will push you up no matter how many times you have fallen. Maybe it is just ... a thing to make life more enjoyable..."
"Mas-Master, are you there?"
After half an hour, Simon hears it. He scrambles to complete the remaining steps and just as his chant in the old language of the druid, written as pronunciation on the instruction paper, escapes his mouth, a ball appears. Its color is pure white, no shadow, no ambience lighting, nothing. And despite the supposedly bright color, it emit no light. The extreme saturation hurts Simon's eyes but he can take it.
The dandelion ball speaks to him and the geometrical approach in appearance tells him this is most likely a low level spirit. With the developments in education and training, most people who can contract a spirit (in this case, likely noble) have enough mana reserve and a solid foundation to start with intermediate spirits out of the gate. The silent gaze seems to shook the spirit.
"Can I c-call you Master? It has been so long since I have gotten back to the human world. The last time I went with my friends, we even met a king! Do you believe that?! Oh ... Am I annoying to listen to since you have been silent for quite some time now?"
"No, no, no. It's just that aside from you, there is another spirit tagging along. I cannot sense any communication linkage. Do you often bring friends with you to my world?"
"Not really. But if you say there is another one... Oh... He is above your head."
"You do not reveal someone's trick."
Above of Simon comes a deep voice. The other spirit gets off his head and he can see a black halo.
"Ow, do not pinch me."
"Hard. Can you even feel the pinch?"
"Yes. "
The 2-dimensional spirit truly embodies the absurdity of spirits. Without the usual dimension and restraint, spirits can be in various forms outside of human's understanding. Just like how spirits can affect humans, humans can also do the same. The belief, ideas and perceptions of human's has shaped spirit's understanding and forms.
"It seems I can only choose between one of you since I am not going to strain my mana core to support two unknown loads."
"Understandable. Take the sphere. / Take me please!"
'But what about you?!' is what going on the other participants in the conversation. Simon has heard how spirits views being contracted to a human to be something worthy of bragging but maybe there are exceptions to such connotation.
"I'm ... more efficient. Let's say that. I can tag along through a verbal summoning. Hold me like holding a bag. Repeat after me very closely."
"I vow upon the name of Nature and Rhea herself to uphold a contract between I, the speaker, and he, who I touch."
Simon follows just like that. There is no burden placed upon him but he can feel strains of mana connecting between the black halo and him.
[Congratulation to your first summoning. You can upgrade yourself and your companion using skill points.]
'Such an interrupter. I will find a way to change it.'
The joy of the moment is ruined. But he still has the white sphere to take care off. Following the steps provided by the instructions, he finally binds the white sphere to his mana core. As soon as he finished chanting the final verse, he collapsed with the arrival of the sudden drain of mana. Heaving as he struggles to get back on his feet, he is greeted by an apology.
"I'm so sorry! Maybe I can take on some ..."
"Don't fret over it. But what about you, I mean the black halo? Do you suffer from anything strange by the verbal contract?"
"No, and take a breather. The road is being built."
"What road?", asked the white sphere.
"It's how we can find him among the billions. A road straight to his soul.", answer the halo.
"Do - Do you guys have suggestions for names?"
"I'm actually a wind spirit albeit a bit weak. Call me Syph. And you can call that halo-"
"Chron, C-H-R-O-N. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Okay, Chron and Syph, are there any advice to someone who is new to spirits? And you guys are much more intelligent than the usual basic spirits. Are you guys on the way to become intermediate level?"
"Yes, actually. We have been spending our time in the spirit world so we may lack experience in the human world. Otherwise, we are almost there. Happy meeting with you, Master!"
"Same to you too, Syph. And about Chron. Do you want to say anything about yourself?"
"In private. Without Syph. Summon Syph first then me tonight. I believe getting used to what we can do is on your checklist and to your advantage."
The halo leaves reality with that statement, disappearing alone. Syph follows, not forgetting to say goodbye and promised to come when she is called. Simon practices with Syph multiple times to get used to the feeling of summoning her before returning.