Humm!
A sudden gust of chilly wind swept through the room, its mournful tremble making the swaying, dim candlelight take on a ghostly blue hue.
Then the flame of the third candle abruptly swelled. Rings of light rippled outward, quickly forming an illusory door beyond the bounds of ordinary perception.
Cyril curiously peered beyond the "door." His powerful spiritual intuition and True Vision, which allowed him to see through dimensions to a certain degree, revealed a few glimpses of what lay beyond.
There were strange shadows descending from above; a group of peculiar Spirit World Creatures, thin as paper and painted in garish colors; and transparent tentacles reduced to mere outlines...
Then they all stopped when they neared the Gate of Summoning formed by the ritual's power. They lingered nearby, seemingly unable to find the "door" that would let them answer the call.
"Spirit World Creatures, creatures from the Astral World, even strange species from other dimensions... You really are popular."
Cyril nodded ruefully. "I am popular, sure, but now it seems they've all gotten lost?"
"Don't applicants have to queue up when they're applying for a job? Maybe that's what they're doing."
"Uh... Maybe." Cyril nodded uncertainly.
Then he frowned and glanced around the empty room. He had the nagging feeling he'd forgotten something, but for the moment, he couldn't remember what.
...Never mind. If he couldn't remember, it probably wasn't important. He should focus on finding a messenger.
"What do you plan to recruit a messenger for?"
Cyril replied, "To deliver letters, of course. Well, if they're strong enough, they can help me fight, too."
"And what are your requirements for a messenger?"
Cyril thought for a moment before answering:
"They need to be able to communicate normally, be friendly, and be fast. It'd be even better if