The Researcher's Spirit

The old mage was still bent over brewing potions. Hearing Benjamin's words, he could not even be bothered to look up. "A story meant to fool children. Don't bring it to me."

"..."

Benjamin was momentarily at a loss for words. He retorted, "What do you mean, a story meant to fool children? Do you know what the Abyss Trial is?"

"Of course I do." The old mage answered impatiently, "The legendary elemental curse, souls cast aside by this world... You heard that it can make people immune to magic and divine arts, so you're planning to use it to train a group of people? Give it up. It's impossible."

"Why?"

At that, the old mage put down the test tube in his hand and stared at him with an utterly speechless expression. "Because no one can survive that so-called trial. Think about it: first, your heart gets pierced through by a Magic Beast's fangs, then you drink lethal poison. That's like cutting off your own head and then being told you've gained superpowers. Is that possible?"

"...It is."

By then, the old mage's expression could only be called furious. He probably thought Benjamin was toying with him. Slamming a hand onto the table in rage, he startled the students passing by.

"I've spent my entire life researching this, so of course I know it's nothing but a rumor!" He glared at Benjamin and snapped viciously, "What about you? What makes you say it's possible?"

Benjamin looked at the old mage in some surprise, scratched his head, and said, "Because... I've seen a successful case?"

"..."

The old mage was rendered speechless, frozen there like a statue. Perhaps the words had shocked him, or perhaps he thought Benjamin was still lying to him and had been angered senseless.

The atmosphere