The Ancient Rite

"Very good, very good... From now on, you're my apprentice."

Lord Hypnos nodded with satisfaction. "According to the ancient rite, you must undergo a trial. Once you pass, I'll give you a new name to conceal your true one, then teach you the true power wielded by the Lord Society."

"Yes, Master." Lude readily went along with it. It was only a change in how he addressed him; it wasn't going to cost him anything.

Lord Hypnos pushed a silver-white ring in front of Lude. "Until you pass the trial, this is what you're permitted to know and use. I've included information on several other branches of the Saint Hydra Society in particular, since you seem quite adept at borrowing someone else's authority."

"Besides that, there's a list of peripheral organizations you're allowed to use."

"Thank you, Master." Lude took the ring. The instant his fingers touched it, he realized it was made of platinum. Its finely crafted surface was engraved with delicate patterns, and a large alexandrite was set into its face.

After examining it for quite some time, Lude looked up helplessly. "Master, how do I use this thing?"

"Uh..." The old gentleman paused, then sighed softly. "I forgot you're a complete novice when it comes to the occult. Just press the gemstone against glass or a reflective metal surface, then channel Psionic Energy into it. That'll let you see the information inside."

"Alexandrite is an excellent medium for storing information. You'll need to get used to using it to communicate."

"Understood, Master." Lude studied the ring as he answered.

Lord Hypnos nodded in satisfaction, then said, "Now, I'll tell you what your trial entails."

Lude immediately straightened up, ready to listen.

The old man sighed. "Before you, I once adopted a child and tried to train him as my apprentice."

"His name was Ivanov Kudryash Malinkov. The boy had a great deal of talent, but he was hot-tempered, shortsighted, and unwilling to think. He kept his eyes closed to the world, and as a result, he made no progress for years."

"I spent ten years on him, but he still failed to awaken a Secret Art. In the end, I decided he could only become an assassin, not my apprentice."

"The boy couldn't accept that, so he burned down our old home. Afterward, he set out to destroy the Lord Society completely, wantonly slaughtering every peripheral organization he knew about. Fortunately, he didn't know many of them."

"Fire shows its worth only in a steam engine or a stove. Once it becomes a wildfire, it must be put out."

"It would be easy for me to get rid of him, but I've decided to make it a trial for the one who came after Malinkov. This is your first assignment: eliminate Malinkov and make him give up his seat at the banquet."

"Understood." Lude narrowed his eyes slightly. "Then, Master, where should I look for Mr. Malinkov?"

"You don't need to look for him." The old man spoke slowly. "Just wear the ring, and Malinkov will come to you. This ring symbolizes the Lord Society's direct lineage. It's what Malinkov has coveted for ten years but never managed to obtain."

Well, well, Lude thought. Now I'm the homewrecker who stole someone else's beloved.

As Lude slipped the ring onto his finger, Lord Hypnos continued, "The Lord Society has never accepted an outsider as an apprentice. To make up for that, I'll make an exception and answer three questions related to the occult before I formally take you on."

"Think carefully before you ask. I don't think I need to remind you, but this is an extremely precious opportunity."

Lude nodded slightly, his thoughts racing. This really was an extremely precious opportunity. Both Professor Beshe and Siana had given him the same impression: knowledge was the most valuable treasure in the Hidden World.

Then he asked, "Master, my Soul Fire has already become distorted, but I haven't awakened a Secret Art. Why is that?"

"Your Soul Fire has become distorted, but your Secret Art hasn't awakened?"

The old gentleman raised an eyebrow. "That's unusual, but it isn't a bad thing. The price you've paid will bring sweet fruit."

"In fact, you've already unleashed your Secret Art once. Do you remember the golden-red flames that drove the chill from your body after it seeped out when I descended? That was your Secret Art—or at least one of its more violent manifestations."

"As for why you can't use it now, I think you already know the answer."

"People who are ambitious yet patient may awaken an extremely powerful Secret Art—one beyond what their current Psionic Energy and life level can fully control. Given the destruction repressed in your soul, I believe that's the case with you."

"Then," Lude said, looking at Lord Hypnos, "how can a spellcaster become stronger?"

"There are many ways." Lord Hypnos answered without hesitation. "You can explore different uses for your Secret Art, buy or make alchemical tools, spellcasting implements and consumables, or even replace part of your body with an alchemical prosthetic."

"But the method I recommend most is the Iron Ferrule Art."

"If Alchemy is the art of destruction and reconstruction, and the Illumination Art is the art of lighting and purification, then the Iron Ferrule Art is the art of contest and combat. In essence, it's the iron art of venting malice and fury onto the outside world as forcefully as possible."

"Unfortunately, I can't teach you this art yet. It's a closely guarded secret of the Lord Society."

Lude feigned understanding, but deep down, he knew the old man was dodging the question. What he really wanted to understand was Lord Hypnos's current state. That wasn't something one could achieve by studying an art.

He'd never heard of a mortal's arrival being described as a "descent," let alone one accompanied by such strange phenomena.

But since Lord Hypnos didn't want to talk about it, Lude didn't press him.

After thinking for a moment, he asked his third question. "Then, how strong is Mr. Malinkov?"

"Very strong." Lord Hypnos was frank. "He wasn't a good apprentice, but he was a good assassin. If you still haven't awakened your Secret Art when you meet him, you'll need to inject your first dose of Wyvern Blood Essence to stand a chance against him."

Lude frowned slightly. That didn't sound easy to deal with...

As if he'd seen Lude's concern, the old man bluntly pointed it out. "Malinkov is half-mad, while you have a whole brain. I never told you to fight him one-on-one. Did you think the Lord Society's goal of destroying the Radiant Light Society had to be achieved through personal combat?"

Lude immediately understood. The Lord Society only cared about winning. How they won had never been a consideration!

That's great, Lude thought with a smile. I like that principle!