Spirit Realm Analysis

The teacher of Spirit Realm Analysis was an old man with white hair. He was extremely frail, giving the impression that he had barely any teeth left.

Fran curiously sized up the teacher. He was holding a gray ball in his hand.

He set the ball on the table, then began to speak:

"My name is Ichi. I teach Spirit Realm Analysis, and this course has an examination."

Surprisingly, Ichi's voice was full of vigor, unlike his aged appearance.

But the apprentices were probably taking this class for the Spirit Realm. Fran glanced at the apprentices beside her, who were all staring at the ball as well.

"Enough talk. Let's get started."

"After I explain the basics of the Spirit Realm, I'll take you all on a Spirit Realm cruise."

Then Ichi began his explanation.

"The place we live in is called the Material Realm. It's where all kinds of matter exist, and where we can live without needing many special conditions to survive."

"The stars we see every night, on the other hand, are in the Astral Realm, which is difficult to reach."

"The Spirit Realm lies between the Material Realm and the Astral Realm. The Astral Realm has a stronger influence there, and places in the Material Realm also have corresponding locations in the Spirit Realm."

"Although we can enter the Spirit Realm in the flesh, those places are usually quite remote, and it's difficult to get back out."

"The usual way we travel to the Spirit Realm is through Spirit Realm Cruising. It sends our consciousness into the Spirit Realm, not our soul..."

After Ichi covered some basic information, he copied a passage of instructions onto the blackboard.

"Everyone, memorize these instructions. Once you recite them, your consciousness will ascend into the Spirit Realm."

"What I'm holding is a Guide of the Spirit Realm. It can open a passage to the Spirit Realm."

"Keep in mind that every Guide of the Spirit Realm has different functions. Some point to a specific place, while others can grant you strange powers..."

"This one sends everyone who recites the instructions to a relatively safe place, then pulls you back after a set time."

"You haven't obtained anything from the Spirit Realm yet, so even if your corresponding body there dies, it won't affect you at all."

"Time in the Spirit Realm doesn't necessarily match time in the Material Realm, but I can guarantee that you'll all be back before class ends."

"Be careful not to make a contract with any Spirit Realm creature. Otherwise, you might never be able to enter the Spirit Realm again."

"Also, once you enter, you may face a trial, a monster that attacks you, or other people on a Spirit Realm cruise."

"But I expect most of you will only see the Spirit Realm's counterpart of the City of Apprentices."

"All right, I've said my piece. Everyone, begin."

The gray ball in Ichi's hand began to glow. After Fran recited the instructions once, she felt her whole body rising, but the ascent stopped partway, leaving her stuck.

"Anyone whose consciousness hasn't entered the Spirit Realm yet, recite the instructions a few more times."

Fran did as instructed, then felt herself lose consciousness.

When Fran regained consciousness, she saw a notification on the Panel. But instead of reading it, she first surveyed her surroundings.

Rather than the City of Apprentices' counterpart in the Spirit Realm, the landscape around Fran was a wasteland. She could just make out a building in the distance, with a few withered trees nearby.

After confirming that the area was safe, she looked at the notification on the Panel.

[Upon meeting the requirements for the relevant skills, a new Profession can be formed.

Profession: Spirit Realm Mage (1 star)

Description: Obtain the power to cast spells from the Spirit Realm. Different people gain unique talents upon becoming Spirit Realm Mages.

Requirements: Learn three spells (beginner)

Spirit Realm Cruising Method (beginner)

Pass a trial given by the Spirit Realm.]

Fran looked at the requirements for the new Profession that had appeared before her and scratched her head.

Based on the information she had gathered earlier, as well as the one-star rank of Spirit Realm Mage, she guessed that it was a Formal Rank.

But the requirements for this Profession seemed a little strange.

They only required beginner-level skills. That was far too easy.

Was it because the final requirement—passing a trial given by the Spirit Realm—was too difficult?

Even the requirements for the half-star Rune Warrior had demanded more of its skills. How could the Spirit Realm Mage, which ranked higher than the Rune Warrior, be easier to obtain?

She figured that the trial in the Spirit Realm must be incredibly demanding. Otherwise, the requirements were far too easy.

Still, she wasn't sure whether this was a reliable way to become a Formal Rank, so she set the matter aside for the time being and began exploring.

It seemed the only thing to do now was head toward that building.

Seeing that there was practically nothing around her, Fran began walking briskly toward the building.

After a while, a dilapidated building came into view, standing in the wasteland.

Beneath its pointed roof was a clock, but it had stopped working. Its hands were nowhere to be seen.

The whole building bore the marks of age and neglect. Greenery had crept up its walls, and the walls were riddled with cracks.

She passed through the utterly ruined entrance and went inside.

The first floor had a very high ceiling, probably six or seven meters tall. After weaving through a pile of clutter, Fran finally reached an open area.

"Hmm!"

Fran was standing in an aisle, with rows of chairs on either side, all close to falling apart.

At the end of the aisle stood a sculpture—or rather, a Divine Statue.

Only then did Fran realize that the layout resembled a church. Behind the Divine Statue was a broken window.

Unlike the walls outside, these walls bore dark red stains.

Fran searched around but found nothing, until she reached the Divine Statue.

It was an angel with its wings folded in, its face hidden behind one hand and its body half-crouched.

Fran suddenly noticed a dark red mark on the wall beside her flash. She looked over, but there was nothing there.

Just as she turned back to the Divine Statue, she noticed that a battered book had suddenly appeared on the small table in front of it.

"Was this book here just now?"

Fran was sure it hadn't been there a moment ago. It must have appeared while she had turned away.

Cautiously, Fran reached out and touched the book. Its surface was very rough, covered in many small bumps.

She opened to the first page. There was nothing on it.

But when Fran looked again, some writing she couldn't understand had appeared on the blank page.

Before Fran could take a closer look, her consciousness began to sink.