Regardless, they moved on to the introductions.
Elis turned away from the flustered priest and took command.
"After the prayer ceremony, we'll proceed to the bonding ritual at the Divine Gate—Nava," she announced bluntly.
The Divine Gates were the origin of Spirit Arts. Ancient structures that bridged the spirit realm and the human world. Through them, chosen individuals could unify their bodies with divine entities—unlocking unimaginable power.
And with that power… came the first war.
"Now, would you please show us the way, 'Father'?" Elis added, her eyes sharp with disdain.
Father Nathan, caught in her stare, stiffened.
"B-but of course," he stammered. "Right this way…"
"This church is one of the oldest structures in the kingdom,"Father Nathan said, leading them deeper into the cathedral's ancient halls. The stained glass windows along the walls displayed vivid, oddly connected portraits—moments frozen in colored light.
He noticed the students' locked gazes and continued,"Every image you see in those panes holds a different tale—a history of our kingdom. From its founder… to this current age of despair."
"Despair?" a student echoed, puzzled.
"The Viles," Father Nathan declared, his voice somber. "I dare say they're the devil's spawn. After Archon's defeat, our land was cursed to suffer a plague of these hellish beings."
The words struck like a blade.
Torma flinched.
His breath hitched, and in an instant, his gaze fell. The noise around him dulled, the images blurred—his surroundings seemed to fold into themselves. Something inside his mind clicked, but not in a pleasant way. It was a spiral. A pulse. A thought too dark to summon consciously… but one that bled through regardless.
"…Torma?" Anos called.
Torma didn't hear at first.
"Torma!"
Then—snapped back to reality, blinking as if surfacing from deep water—he turned to the group. Their eyes were on him yet the distance in between was noticeable.
"S-sorry," he stammered, forcing himself back into formation. He quickly shuffled back into the group.
"Anyway—"
"Weren't they just myths?" another student asked.
"Myths?" The priest stopped in his tracks. He turned to the students, eyes heavy with sincerity. Children of nobility... He pondered at their innocence.
"Offer hearty prayers," he said. "For you have not encountered true despair."
Meanwhile, Torma discreetly hid behind Anos, his trembling barely masked, unable to put himself together.
The procession continued without further hiccups, and by early afternoon, they were set to depart for their Ascension—at Nava.
Yes… it was exactly what it sounded like.
"Hope to see you again, young warriors," Father Nathan offered warmly as they left.
—At the foot of the mountain, they began the hike on foot.The class trudged up the steep terrain, eventually arriving at their destination: Nava.
What they saw silenced them.
A crater-like depression open wide in it, a mystical garden—an enchanting, sorrowful beauty. A shroud of silver mist floated over the land, glimmering specks drifting like stars across the air. It felt like a reflection of a quiet night sky.
"Wow… this place is—"
"Awesome," Anos finished. "You got that right."
They ventured into the crater. The air here was lighter—crisp, almost… divine.
"Yeah, but… why is it so dark?" Lee inquired.
"It's the mountain's shadow. Can't you tell?" Aiz responded.
"Right… feels like another world entirely."
CLAP!
"Stay focused," Elis snapped. "We're here."
She pointed toward the center of the sacred land. There, nestled in the garden, stood an ancient circular pergola—etched with forbidden symbols and cryptic runes, its aura palpable.
"Now kids," she said. "This is a look-but-don't-touch party."
"Touch anything, and you won't like how I'll touch you." Her grin twisted slightly—ominous.
They stiffened.
"Anyway, whoever's ready to receive Divine Judgment—step onto the platform and offer a prayer."
"Wait—Divine what now?!" Lee yelped.
"Oh, that?" Elis beamed. "It's simple, really. You offer a prayer… the spirit chooses you. But if your cup's too small…"
"…What does that even mean?"
"You die."
The words slammed into them like ice.
"Yeah. This is the part where you run," she added casually.
Courage dropped and minds went astray. Their legs hesitated. Neither ready to go forward, nor able to turn back.
"So…" Her smile widened. "Who's first?"
"I-I'll go," Aiz said, voice shaky but firm.
"Aiz?" Torma whispered, eyes locked on her.
"Points for bravery," Elis nodded. "Come on up."
Aiz took a step forward—but Anos blocked her path, hand outstretched, refusing to meet her eyes.
"Anos…"
"I'll go first," he told Elis.
"Nope," she shut him down. "She's first on the class list, so by rule… she goes first."
"I'll be fine, Anos," Aiz said softly. She gently moved his hand aside and took Elis' hand instead.
She stepped up the stairs and into the center of the platform. Runes and ancient glyphs pulsed faintly beneath her.
"That's a brave girl," Elis whispered. "Now… offer a prayer that reflects your will."
Aiz closed her eyes. Hands together, heart open, she spoke within.
Dear heavens…I'm always grateful for the friends I have. They're my only real family.As for my intentions…I want to support them. Be someone they can rely on.Sometimes, I feel like I'm holding them back...or that they'll leave me behind.I want to be strong.Strong enough to stand by my brother.As reliable as Lee.And…I just want to stay by Torma's side.Forever.Please… bless me.
The runes lit up—glowing with vibrant colors as they lifted from the platform, swirling around her like a divine aurora. A breathtaking light show unfolded, and just as quickly, the energy settled.
The platform dimmed.
Aiz was still standing.
Then—
"Well hello, Aiz," a calm voice greeted.
She opened her eyes.
Floating before her… was a glowing, purple-furred cat.
"Okay…" she blinked.
"Or would you prefer 'Miss Volest,' your surname?" the creature said, slithering through the air like smoke.
"Umm… Aiz is fine."Is this a genie… but a cat?
"And no, I am not a genie." It grinned wider. "Well… depending on the wish, perhaps."
Did it just read my mind?!
"You're rather quiet," the cat said slyly.
"…That depends who I'm talking to," she muttered with a nervous chuckle.
"Hmmm. Then consider me your aid," it offered. "A friend, you might say."
That grin is really starting to creep me out…
"Hey, Miss Volest!" Elis shouted from below. "Do you see anything?"
"Uhh…" Aiz hesitated as the creature curled onto her shoulder.
"Why so stunned?" it asked. "Surely, you know what this means."
"Success?"
"Aiz!" Elis called again. "If you're still standing, that means you succeeded. Spirits manifest as animals—do you see it?"
"Yes!" she blurted.
Cheers erupted from the group below.
But…
Can they not see it? She wondered
"And if you're wondering," Elis added, adjusting her glasses, "no—we can't see it. Only with the wielder's permission can a spirit manifest to others."
"Huh?"
"JUST SAY ITS NAME AND TELL IT TO REVEAL!" Elis barked.
"Okay, ma'am! Jeez…"
She turned to the creature. "Um… what's your name?"
"You may call me Keishire," it purred.
"Alright, Keishire—reveal."
"As you wish, Aiz."
In a soft shimmer, the cat phased into visibility.
"Hello, everyone."
"HA?!"
The entire class recoiled in awe. Mouths wide. Gasps all around. But a glowing cat?
Elis, meanwhile, narrowed her gaze, scanning the spirit with her glasses.
"…How surprising," she muttered. "It's a B-Rank."
"WHAT?!" the group shouted in unison, eyes shooting back to Aiz.
She looked just as shocked.
Just a B?! Keishire hissed to himself—but then his smirk grew even wider.
In Spirit Arts, ranks are judged from E to S. Only two spirits in history to be classified as S-Class were the Eternal Dragon and the Holy Spirit.
To get anything above C… was already a spectacle.
"Congratulations, Miss Aiz," Elis said flatly. "Now kindly… get off my stage."