Persuasion

When Fran regained consciousness, she found herself back in the Spirit Realm Analysis classroom.

She looked around. Some apprentices had already woken up, while others seemed to be in a strange state.

A different light shone from their bodies, which had turned translucent. She could just make out what lay behind them.

One apprentice seemed to have just returned from the Spirit Realm. His translucent body gradually solidified, and the light around him faded.

He looked delighted and seemed eager to say something, but managed to hold back.

Ichi stood below, stroking the still-glowing orb. He paid no attention to the apprentices who had returned in a bit of a commotion.

Only after all the apprentices had regained consciousness did he speak:

"What you just experienced was a Spirit Realm voyage. One thing to keep in mind: if you try to voyage through the Spirit Realm on your own, make sure you're somewhere safe."

"Otherwise, if your body suffers fatal damage, you may have to spend the rest of your life in the Spirit Realm."

"Of course, if you're lucky, you'll receive the Spirit Realm's protection. In that case, whenever you ascend to the Spirit Realm, it will protect your body, making it difficult for others to harm you."

"That's all for this class. If you need anything, you can come find me."

Even after hearing that class was over, quite a few apprentices remained seated, reluctant to get up as they savored their recent experience.

Ichi seemed used to this. He carefully placed the gray orb in a padded box and started to leave the classroom.

"Professor Ichi, could I trouble you for a moment?"

Ichi turned around. A black-haired girl in a robe had called out to him. It was Fran.

"What is it?"

Ichi asked calmly.

"I wanted to ask: if I touched an object in the Spirit Realm that looked unusual, could it affect me?"

Ichi reacted, then asked in return:

"Did it come with you to the Material Realm?"

Fran quickly checked herself from head to toe before replying:

"No."

"Then there's no problem. It won't affect you, except that it might latch onto you the next time you go to the Spirit Realm."

"Oh!" Fran answered, then asked:

"Then, Professor Ichi, if I have a Guide of the Spirit Realm, how do I use it to enter the Spirit Realm?"

She was asking about the Guide of the Spirit Realm she had obtained from Richter. After realizing that it was a broad term for an entire category of objects, she stopped being secretive and decided to ask outright.

After all, it was a reward for the assessment, and Fran had a feeling she might find something worthwhile by using it to enter the Spirit Realm.

"...Just touch it with your hand and recite the incantation silently. My method is specifically meant to initiate apprentices, but..."

Ichi changed course and continued:

"You need to know roughly where the Guide in your possession points. You can spend Contribution Points on a copy of the Spirit Realm Atlas to identify the location. Otherwise, you might end up somewhere dangerous."

"Of course, as I said earlier, beginners like you who have only just entered the Spirit Realm won't be harmed as long as you don't form too close a connection with it."

Fran nodded to show she understood. Seeing that Ichi didn't seem to mind apprentices asking him questions, she suddenly thought to ask about something she cared deeply about.

"Then, Professor Ichi, do you know about the Spirit Realm trial?"

Fran had heard from Elan that Ichi had advanced to Formal Mage through the Spirit Realm. Based on the Promotion Method for a Spirit Realm mage that had appeared on her Panel, she thought Professor Ichi might know what the Spirit Realm trial actually was.

It was currently the only way she knew of to advance to a Formal Rank. Even if she didn't plan to use it, she wanted to learn as much as possible about the exact method.

If something urgent came up, wouldn't this path come in handy?

She also had to consider the Professions on her Panel. Judging from the two Professions she had acquired, different Professions could stack, allowing her to benefit from multiple Profession bonuses.

Now she had an idea. If I became a Formal Mage through the Spirit Realm, could I also become one through the methods of those schools?

That was why she felt it was important to ask.

Just as she expected, Ichi reacted strongly. His hand shook violently, and he slowly began to speak:

"The Spirit Realm... The Spirit Realm trial is a test given by the Spirit Realm to Spirit Realm Travelers. Once you pass it, you'll receive the Spirit Realm's blessing."

"You'll find that your mental strength has increased dramatically and your spells have become many times more powerful, far surpassing those of apprentices."

"That's because this is one path to becoming a Formal Mage. Passing the Spirit Realm trial is equivalent to becoming a Formal Mage."

"But it comes at a price. This path is much easier than the others."

"You'll find you can no longer learn the spells recorded in books, because your spells exist only in the Spirit Realm. You'll have to explore it again and again to acquire them."

"And by then, you'll be deeply bound to the Spirit Realm. Any harm you suffer there will manifest in your body to some extent."

Ichi suddenly paused and glanced at Fran, trying to dissuade her:

"I advise you not to take this path. If you're unlucky, you might never be able to advance any further."

"I urge you to join a school. The requirements are extremely difficult, but once you're in, at least you'll have predecessors to guide you even after you become a Formal Mage."

"If you become a Formal Mage through the Spirit Realm, the spells you acquire there won't correspond to any school, so naturally, they won't accept you."

After hearing him out, Fran showed no hesitation or retreat. Instead, her face lit up with excitement.

"I understand. But let me hear what comes next, too."

Fran's answer was still the same: she didn't have to use the method, but she wanted to have it available. If nothing else, she could set it aside for later.

Ichi didn't waste words. He continued:

"To pass the Spirit Realm trial, you first need to obtain the proper qualification."

"Whenever you explore the Spirit Realm, you might come across little things that glow faintly. Those are Guides of the Spirit Realm. As long as you carry one, it can accompany you to the Material Realm."

"There's one kind of Guide you're certain to encounter after exploring the Spirit Realm many times. A black void will surround it, and it will float in the air."

"That's the Trial Key. Once you return to the Material Realm, all you have to do is touch it, and it will display information about the trial, such as when it begins. If you go to the Spirit Realm at that time, you'll be participating in the trial."

Ichi gave a wry smile.

"Of course, I still advise you not to take this path. If you're unlucky, you'll end up like me, unable to find the Trial Key for the next First Order."