Chapter 800: Incarnation Spellcraft (2)
Lennok immediately followed Kraya’s guidance and headed towards the fortress gate where the Spirit Transformation Ritual was said to be held.
He systematically paid for all the necessary documents, customary fees, and ritual offerings, then passed through the gate.
A vast training ground located on the outskirts of the fortress. It must normally be used for training the garrison troops.
Clatter!
At the end of the rough, sand-swept field, a high platform had been erected, overlooking the training ground.
Many participants who had arrived early were visible from all directions, waiting for the ritual to begin.
About a dozen individuals were eyeing each other, intently assessing their rivals’ skills.
Everyone gathered here must have keen ears for internal Yorta information to participate in the Spirit Transformation Ritual.
Clank!
The moment he passed through the gate and entered the wide training ground, he felt overt gazes from all around.
Since Lennok hadn’t concealed his appearance after entering Yorta, it wasn’t surprising that some recognized him.
Ignoring their stares, Lennok looked around, then silently leaned against a box near the training ground wall.
The monk who had been walking ahead belatedly spotted Lennok and turned back in surprise.
“What are you doing there?”
“Waiting.”
“You haven’t even heard what the Spirit Transformation Ritual requires. You should stand in front of the platform first, or…”
“No, from the way things are going, I think I have a rough idea.”
“…Already?”
Instead of answering, Lennok lightly brushed the dirt ground he was standing on with his foot.
Gazing at the dust-stirred earth of the training ground, Lennok spoke.
“The ground of the training ground is uneven and excessively irregular. What do you think that means?”
Seeing the monk remain silent, Lennok answered his own question as if he hadn’t expected a reply.
“It means many people have been coming and going here for days, so much so that there hasn’t been time for proper maintenance.”
“Wait, are you saying…?”
“The ritual started a few days ago, and we’re latecomers to the schedule.”
“…”
As the monk looked around with a blank expression, Lennok smirked, surveying the training ground.
“I suspect they’ve categorized participants and pre-recruited them. It wouldn’t be strange if locals were prioritized for the ritual.”
The reason Kraya had mistaken the schedule for the Spirit Transformation Ritual.
Wasn’t it because information publicly available to outsiders was completely controlled within the Ghost Dragon’s Fortress?
This was proof that this seemingly free-spirited fortress was operating under extremely strict and systematic rules.
It perfectly matched the rumor that Ghost Dragon Yao Xun placed great importance on procedures and conventions.
“That is…”
As the monk stammered, realizing the meaning of Lennok’s words, the surrounding sounds faded, and all eyes turned towards the platform.
Someone had walked out from inside the fortress and was now standing on the platform, holding several sheets of paper.
An old man with a frail appearance stood on the platform, looking out at those gathered in the training ground.
[Everyone is here. You are indeed the applicants who have come for this ritual, correct?]
“…”
No one answered him, but the old man didn’t seem particularly interested either.
Placing the microphone down and flipping through a few papers he held, the old man muttered.
[Very well, then the test shall now begin. If you simply meet the criteria, you will receive at least the minimum qualification…]
“What are those criteria?”
A man with a fierce expression, standing at the very front of the training ground, asked.
“If you haven’t revealed the test content yet, shouldn’t you at least explain it quickly?”
[Hmm…]
The man exhaled roughly and smirked, looking at the other participants standing behind him.
“Stop dragging it out and start. I’m ready even now.”
“…”
From those unhappily fiddling with their equipment to participants spitting at the man.
The man, however, seemed to relish the atmosphere, slowly shaking his head and enjoying the jeers.
[The Ghost Dragon has set a few criteria for mortals.]
The old man, watching from the platform, adjusted his glasses and spoke.
[Fortunately, for outsiders like yourselves, it’s not a difficult test at all, so everyone should be able to pass easily…]
Click!
At his words, a large cart was pulled out from beside the old man.
Dozens of small glass bottles were haphazardly stacked inside the old cart.
[Take one of these, and walk into the fortress. That will be the first test.]
The old man picked up a glass bottle, pointed to a small pill inside, and spoke.
[This will satisfy the minimum qualification to participate in the ritual… After entering the fortress, you are to follow the knights waiting there, in order—oops.]
Before the old man could say anything else, the man standing at the front snatched a glass bottle from the cart.
Without waiting for a proper explanation, the man took out a pill, tossed it into his mouth, and smirked as he turned his back.
“I said, let’s hurry? Why are you dragging out something so simple, th… th…”
Thud!
The man’s body collapsed as if crumbling on the spot, then his head weakly struck the ground.
“Gag… g-guh…”
He writhed, drooling, unable to speak properly.
Yet, his consciousness seemed intact, as his eyes darted around, urgently looking at the old man.
“…”
The other participants, observing the man’s undignified display from behind, gasped in surprise.
Despite his arrogant words, had such a confident man been reduced to this state by a single pill?
Only then did the old man sigh and begin his explanation.
[What’s inside this is a very potent paralyzing agent called Hedora’s Stone Medicine… A normal human would experience immediate cardiac and pulmonary arrest upon ingestion, and even a superhuman would be rendered unable to move. It’s a powerful poison.]
“…Paralyzing agent? You want us to take a paralyzing agent?”
[As I’ve repeatedly stated, the condition for passing the test is simple.]
The old man said, his gaze cold as he surveyed the participants.
His formerly weak voice had transformed into a surprisingly clear tone.
[Ingest the paralyzing agent, and walk into the fortress. That will be the first test.]
With the first man who took the paralyzing agent and collapsed proudly displayed beside the cart, the old man distributed the paralyzing agent contained in the cart to the other participants.
[This man ingested the medicine without listening to the full explanation, so he will have to challenge it again after the effects wear off.]
“…”
The participants eyed the man, who was still drooling and rolling his eyes, as they took the paralyzing agent and turned away.
The guards at the gate leading to the main fortress watched the participants with sharp gazes.
They would likely retaliate immediately if anyone tried to pass through the gate without taking the paralyzing agent.
“Ingest the paralyzing agent and walk into the fortress yourself…”
Kraya, holding the paralyzing agent with a troubled expression, mumbled.
“It seems they’re looking for someone who can still move even under the full effect of the medicine.”
“…”
Lennok remained silent but agreed with the monk’s assessment.
Ingesting such a potent drug without any preparation was, in itself, taking a risk and surrendering one’s body to its effects.
Were they really expected to somehow walk through the gate with a body so stiff that even their salivary glands couldn’t be controlled?
Lennok, who was rolling the paralyzing agent in his hand, asked.
“Do you know anything about Hedora’s Stone Medicine?”
“Hmm. Hedora is a very famous surgeon on this continent, and this is a potent drug she devised for superhuman surgery.”
Kraya replied.
“When operating on a magic user, there are times you shouldn’t anesthetize their senses. But without anesthesia, surgery wouldn’t be possible due to the pain, would it?”
“…So it’s a medicine designed to make the patient unable to move, even while feeling pain.”
Only then did Lennok understand how potent this paralyzing agent must be.
A surgeon. If it’s strong enough to keep senses awake while paralyzing during an operation that cuts flesh and bone, even a slight misdose could lead to death.
Since it was originally created for superhuman procedures, most magic users wouldn’t be able to escape its influence.
“At least the good thing is that there’s no restriction on using mana or spiritual power.”
Kraya said, carefully tipping the paralyzing agent into his mouth.
Rolling the stone-hard, bitter pill under his tongue, the monk spoke.
“Take the paralyzing agent, and then use whatever abilities you have to somehow move your body and pass the test… That seems to be the only way. And it looks like that’s what they want.”
“…”
Mana, by its nature, circulates within the body, a power manifested through innate sensation and intuition.
It would be impossible to properly manipulate internal mana while most bodily functions were paralyzed.
Yet, Lennok surmised that this very ability was what the test sought to evaluate.
‘It means they want to see one’s skill in manipulating it, regardless of the body’s state. This is clearly…’
Duality of body and mind.
A test to confirm whether one can objectively manipulate one’s essence even after stepping away from it.
Indeed, this wasn’t a simple test, but part of the fundamental process for transmitting Incarnation Spellcraft.
Thinking this, Lennok concentrated his mind and drew forth mana, caressing the paralyzing agent in his hand.
Kiiiiing…!!
‘As expected, it’s no ordinary pill.’
Though it takes the form of a pill, a very dense will-thought is deeply infused within it.
Traces of a forceful, designated command, almost like the materialization of will-thought. The paralysis of the body itself must also be due to the will-thought mixed with the drug’s efficacy, amplifying its power to the extreme.
In that case, he could certainly avoid the risk through Targeted Resistance.
Convinced of this, Lennok unhesitatingly poured the paralyzing agent into his mouth, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the box he was sitting on.
“…Hmph, seriously.”
Seeing Lennok’s limp form, Kraya too gritted his teeth and swallowed the paralyzing agent.
Crunch!
In the moment his mind reeled from the intense bitterness, Kraya realized his face was buried in the dirt.
Jiiing—!!
A sharp ringing echoed in his ears, and his whole body convulsed and trembled, devoid of strength.
As he thrashed to try and move, the dirt beneath him scraped away.
Through his skewed vision, he saw other participants writhing on the ground after taking the paralyzing agent.
Only then did Kraya realize why the training ground’s dirt was so unevenly dug up.
Just as Lennok had said, the participants who arrived before them had ingested the paralyzing agent and spent days rolling around the training ground.
Realizing this, Kraya gritted his teeth and tried to draw on his spiritual power, but his face turned pale from profound exhaustion.
‘No, this is wrong…’
Regardless of his spiritual power responding to Kraya’s will, his body remained unresponsive—an alien sensation.
This returned as a tangible backlash, raging through Kraya’s body as if to tear his blood vessels apart.
If he forced his spiritual power any further, his internal blood vessels would suffer severe damage.
Other participants, too, seemed to feel this, as they writhed then stopped moving, their faces pale.
While participants who had taken the drug, and those who hadn’t and were observing the situation, hesitated, unable to find a solution.
Someone among the fallen suddenly stood up.
“…!!”
The wizard, cloaked in shadow robes, slowly regained his balance, staggering.
He swayed as if relearning how to walk, yet quickly found his center and equilibrium.
The other participants, sprawled everywhere, forgot their own plight and stared at Lennok.
“…”
“…Cough!”
They let out frustrated groans and trembled, but they could barely manage their own bodies, let alone manipulate mana.
It was almost impossible to even meet the gaze of the staggering masked wizard.
While the other participants pushed themselves, Lennok had already found his balance and began to take steps.
Thud!
The monk’s eyes widened as he saw the hem of the robe sweep across the ground with each step.
Lennok slowly traversed the fallen training ground, then instantly stood before the old man.
[….]
The old man looked up at the obsidian mask, seemingly surprised.
Lennok tilted his head, saying nothing, as he looked at the old man.
[…I believe I already told you.]
The old man smiled and gestured.
[There’s no need for you to come back to me… The fortress soldiers will gladly open the gate for you.]
If one could move their body and walk even after taking the paralyzing agent, there was no reason to walk back to the old man.
One could simply walk through the fortress gate and complete all the remaining tests. Walking up to the old man for confirmation would be a waste of time.
But Lennok, knowing this, simply gazed at the old man in silence.
He raised his stiff hand and slowly adjusted his rigid jaw.
“…Ah, ah.”
Massaging his throat and jaw, confirming the position of his tongue, and then, the moment he connected his vocal cords and tongue with mana threads.
Lennok vibrated his own vocal cords, letting out a faint whisper.
“In the Court of Soul Pacification… of the Memorial Tower… I’ve seen it…”
A faint voice, probably audible to no one but the old man standing on the platform.
But it didn’t take long for the old man’s expression to stiffen at those words.
“Incarnation Spellcraft… constructed… an incarnation.”
[….]
“…Ghost Dragon Yao Xun. I have come to meet you.”
Lennok, who had instantly adjusted his voice by artificially controlling the vibrations of his vocal cords, spoke.
“I have a request. Would you set aside the test for a moment and converse?”
[…Hmm.]
At that moment, the old man’s flustered face instantly turned cold.
His eyes, emanating an inorganic glare, exuded an unnatural aura, transcending humanity.
At the same time, a hazy wall of fog instantly surrounded Lennok and the old man, cutting off the view of those around them.
Roooar!!!
Beyond the swirling misty wind, the piercing gaze of a dragon, whose size was impossible to estimate, flashed.
[I was watching you with my own eyes, thinking you had exceptional talent, but I never expected to hear such a response.]
The old man, silently looking at Lennok, let out an infinitely chilling telepathic message.
[You are more perceptive than I thought. Did you already see through my true essence beyond this crude spirit body?]
“…”
When fighting the Myriad Ghost in the Memorial Tower, Lennok had experienced what an ultimate incarnation felt like.
Through that experience, Lennok could discern that the old man was a similar existence.
In this Ghost Dragon’s Fortress, there could only be one being who had mastered Incarnation Spellcraft to its extreme.
The owner of the fortress and the Observer of the Court of Soul Pacification.
Ghost Dragon Yao Xun had sent his incarnation to directly confront the participants.
[If you know about me, you must also know how highly I value order.]
The old man, staring intently at Lennok, his eyes gleaming with a terrifying light, spoke.
[Do you believe that a request that goes against my wishes has enough value?]
Ghost Dragon Yao Xun’s disposition was such that he emphasized procedures and conventions to a widely rumored extent.
Therefore, for Lennok to disregard the set test and call him out was an act against the natural flow.
For Lennok, who needed to find the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void, this kind of approach might seem rash.
Yet, at this point, Lennok was confident he could convince the Ghost Dragon.
“I know why you devised this test in this manner. It’s to ascertain one’s aptitude for incarnation manipulation, isn’t it?”
[….]
“That is, in my system, a talent presupposed as naturally as breathing.”
Lennok said, releasing the mana threads he had attached to his body to demonstrate.
Shimmer!
Countless silver threads flowed down from beneath his shadow robe. The old man’s eyes sparkled with a unique light upon seeing them.
[Ohh…]
The reason Lennok was the first to rise and walk after taking the paralyzing agent.
It wasn’t just because Lennok had resisted the paralyzing agent through Targeted Resistance or had developed a tolerance to the drug.
After flooding his body with the paralyzing agent’s effects, Lennok had drawn out mana threads and was manipulating his own body like a puppet.
This was a secret technique Lennok often used when close combat with powerful superhumans was unavoidable, and an art that had reached the pinnacle of manipulation spellcraft.
Though it was his first time paralyzing his body so completely, it was not at all difficult to grasp the knack and move.
And the Ghost Dragon’s incarnation standing before him must have noticed Lennok’s maneuver.
At the same time, he would also know that the tests prepared earlier were meaningless for Lennok.
‘While the transmission of Incarnation Spellcraft is one thing, verifying the existence of the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void is paramount now that I’ve met the Ghost Dragon.’
As Lennok quickly organized what he needed to say, thinking this,
[So… you’re already qualified, and you want a quick confirmation of the results?]
The old man muttered, arms crossed, looking at the fallen participants.
[That’s not wrong. It would also be against proper conduct to treat you the same as these others lying here.]
“…”
Was it because his conversation with Lennok had already satisfied its purpose?
From his gaze, he seemed to have lost all interest in the other participants.
[Very well. If you possess eyes that can pierce the essence, then to be bound by process would, in fact, go against the natural order.]
“I appreciate the swift understanding.”
Given the relatively free atmosphere outside the fortress, Lennok had assumed Yao Xun wouldn’t be an overly rigid individual.
Despite prioritizing rules and conventions, his approach to governing his domain suggested he held certain convictions.
Coming from Kundara’s ancient lineage, there was a high possibility he possessed immense self-esteem regarding his birth and existence.
Lennok had thus surmised that if he could just convince him of his criteria, he might achieve better results than expected.
If he had to enter the fortress, take each test, and learn all the conventions to meet the Ghost Dragon, it would take a considerable amount of time.
However, the next words from Yao Xun’s incarnation far exceeded Lennok’s expectations.
[Then, we shall commence the process of summoning your incarnation right here and now.]
“…What?”
Ignoring Lennok’s somewhat belated retort, Yao Xun began to draw upon his spiritual power on the spot.
The fortress sky grew hazy, enveloped in a blurred fog, and a monstrous roar, like that of a dragon, echoed.
Grrrroooooan!!!
The paralyzed participants, oblivious to the unfolding situation, could only tremble, feeling the threat of death.
Lennok, too, was manipulating his paralyzed body with mana threads, trying to create distance, when suddenly.
Yao Xun’s incarnation appeared instantly before him, reaching out a hand towards Lennok’s chest.
Thump!
[An incarnation is the manifestation of another self.]
The old man’s eyes, swirling in a powerful storm of spiritual energy, gleamed, shaking the training ground violently.
[This is a great feat that forges a new self through the body and mind’s repulsion, and a delicate, complex task of observing the unconscious’s emergence.]
“Wait, the request to bypass procedures was meant to be for—”
He had intended to ask about the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void, but had Yao Xun understood it as a request for the transmission of Incarnation Spellcraft?
Just as Lennok was reflecting on where the gap in their conversation had originated.
[I shall now summon an unbidden creation, an unwanted birth, into this place.]
The Ghost Dragon’s breath violently struck Lennok’s solar plexus.
Fwaaaang!!!
The resonant call of a self, forcibly constructing and summoning an incarnation.
A series of processes to forcibly repel body and mind, constructing a new incarnation that originally did not exist within Lennok.
Normally, he wouldn’t accept such a will-thought from another, but he hesitated due to the unexpected offer of spellcraft transmission.
Should he refuse the offer now and bring up the Reverse Gate of the Infinite Void first?
Or would it be better to resolve all the uncertainties about Incarnation Spellcraft and proceed?
Lennok, after pondering, finally retrieved even the Priestess’s spirit body, elevated his mind, and began to construct an incarnation himself.
Following the flow of the Ghost Dragon’s will-thought, the body-spirit repulsion that defied natural order.
He began to understand why Yao Xun was so obsessed with procedures and order.
To wield Incarnation Spellcraft, which defied natural order, one would, on the contrary, need to understand order better than anyone else.
As Lennok thought this, he fearlessly drew forth his will-thought and brought it to the surface of his Mind Imprint.
“…!!”
Crrrckle!!!
A pure white halo soared above Lennok’s head, brilliantly illuminating the inside of the misty curtain.
A pale white light, entirely different from the golden radiance of Ouroboros or Kaleidoscope.
The moment Yao Xun and Lennok felt its ominous presence and simultaneously looked up.
Kwoooom!!!
A pure white gauntlet burst forth from within the halo, directly crushing Yao Xun’s incarnation.