บท 19: Learning
On the next day, Kyle decided to find Denise after having his breakfast.
At this time, the workers within the factory seem to have been informed about his real identity and no one is gossipping about him anymore.
They will only take a few glances at him before continuing with what they are doing. It seems that it has something to do with the difference in their status so they don't feel comfortable around him.
"Hey, are you really ready to create your magic zone? How many strands did you make?" Denise asked as she led Kyle outside the factory.
It was quite noisy and uncomfortable, but Kyle felt that he had to get used to it.
After all, he can't just always stay inside the laboratory or his room. There are many things he wanted to learn, and being in that small space wouldn't help him.
'Hmmm… This place looks like normal land owned by a noble.' Kyle mused. He didn't immediately answer Denise's question as he looked at the surroundings.
The academy is just about 500 meters away from the factory while the small town seems to be a few hundred meters more than that.
He also observed the other places surrounding the Academy Castle, like the Tower, the Dockyard, another factory that was emitting a cloud of black smoke, a huge field that seemed to be a military ground, and other buildings outside the castle's walls.
All the other places are quite open, and the academy is the only one that is walled or heavily fortified.
'Ahhh… The history book said that this land was once a battlefield, this must be a remnant of that past.' Kyle mused as he noticed the difference between the old castle and the buildings that were later erected in the surrounding area.
Nevertheless, he can't deny that the castle looks imposing. It has an asymmetrical shape and there are complex roof lines and detailed carvings on the external walls showing how intricate it was.
"Ahem…" Denise cleared her throat as she noticed that Kyle was ignoring her.
"Ahh… You were saying something?" Kyle asked.
Denise's mouth twitched as she took a couple of breaths to calm herself before she replied.
"I was asking whether you're ready to make your magic zone. I also want to know how many strands you made. I'm sure that Mr. Heinz won't be stingy with you. You should've tested the strength of your spirit already…"
"I only made three strands. Alright, teach me how to make the magic zone." Kyle calmly replied as he observed the young girl in front of him.
She's now wearing outdoor clothes but still covering herself with a coat since the cold breeze would come from time to time. Although it's already spring, this land is in the mountain area, so the temperature is still quite low.
"You're in a hurry… Fine, let me explain." Denise's lips curled up as she moved ten steps away from Kyle.
"Since we've all consumed the Darkness Possession, we can trigger a certain state in our bodies that allow us to vaguely sense our surroundings in a completely different way from our normal five senses. This doesn't require meditation or ritual but it requires a strong spirit. It's called the Phantasm State."
"Phantasm State?" Kyle repeated as he recalled that word being mentioned in one of the books, but he couldn't really understand it since it wasn't explained completely.
"Yes… This state is only for us who have taken this Arcane Path. The other paths have different requirements to establish their magic zone. Right, I heard from Mr. Heinz that Radiant Spirit is for the Knights…"
"I see…" Kyle nodded as he allowed the young girl to continue.
"You didn't notice, but I'm already in a Phantasm State, and it covers 18 meters around me. At this state, I can use Dusk Imprisonment on you again."
As Denise said this, Kyle recalled the 0.02 points that were taken away from him because of that spell.
"Don't you ever use that again…" Kyle coldly said as he looked at Denise seriously.
"I… I know… That was just a mistake."
Kyle nodded as he observed the young lady in front of him. Just like what she said, he can't really tell that she's already in a phantasm state. It doesn't feel different at all.
"Can't you maintain your Phantasm State for a long period?" He asked.
"I can't… It has limitations, and I can't tell you how long it lasts and how fast I can use it again. It's everyone's secret." Denise replied with a smile.
"That makes sense…" Kyle agreed since this could be used as the spellcaster's weakness.
He then looked at Denise and was about to ask how she entered the Phantasm State, but he noticed that she wanted to say something more. However, she seems to be hesitating about it.
"If you have something more to say, just let me know… I don't want any accidents to occur. Do you understand?" He asked probingly.
Thankfully, Denise didn't mind his tone, and her expression softened as she nodded with a sigh.
"There is a side effect when entering the Phantasm State for an extended period… Ahem. You don't have to worry about the side effects as long as you know how to exit that state when you need…"
Kyle frowned at this but he wasn't too surprised that there was a side effect. Power comes with a price.
Just the Darkness Possession Potion has a 'death' side effect already…
"I understand. I will not exceed my limit…"
Denise finally nodded as she started teaching how to enter the Phantasm State with her personal experience.
Kyle listened intently and followed her instructions.
It requires patience, concentration, an understanding of spirituality, and most important of all, a desire to enter the Phantasm State... At the very least, once he entered this state, he would no longer forget it and it would only take him a few seconds to form it again, according to Denise.
"It's alright if you can't learn it immediately. Do you know that the ordinary first-year students of the academy normally require six months to enter this state and form their magic zone?" Denise said as she looked at the young man who had his eyes closed for over an hour now.
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