Selina felt her mind and body relaxed.
Objects without physical bodies, fog with clusters of light, and complex colors appeared before her. They are suspended in the sky in close reach.
The scene was familiar, it made Selina recall where the vampire woman, who had Gorgia's bearings, led her using a mystical item.
Inch by inch, she felt her spirituality waned from her and float into this unknown plane regardless of her will.
Outside of her vision, Klein quickly noticed the changes in Selina's body.
The lady subconsciously extended her spirituality. It was clear that she had successfully achieved a state of cogitation.
Klein commended silently as he said, "Very good. Now..."
With his memory of Old Neil's introduction of the spirit medium. He switched all of the gas lamps off then allowed light to enter by opening the entrance, letting it framed the silhouettes of the objects.
He tried his best to mimicked what was taught to him as he began instructing, "In your current state, raise your hands and place them in front of your eyes. Your index fingers need to face each other, but they are not to touch."
"Open your eyes, then keep them open until you are accustomed to the darkness."
Selina completed each step according to Klein's description. She saw faint shadows, making up silhouettes from an area.
Klein suddenly pointed at the table, "Ms. Roy, could you please lie down here?"
"Is there any reason?" Selina blurted out of surprise.
She was doing well sitting in the chair until now, why change her placement?
"A-Alright, then let's just proceed." Klein stammered as he suddenly recalled Old Neil's carelessness when he was the one being taught.
This mentor forgot to lie him down for his first attempt at Spirit Vision!
"Focus your gaze on a spot behind your hands. It has to be behind. Then, slowly move your fingers and maintain the same pose without touching them. Also, do not pull them out of your sight."
Selina listened calmly and followed through his word. She then slowly moved her index finger to within her eye level and casted her gaze toward an empty spot between her hands.
Seeing his recently hired colleague's silence. Klein suddenly realized how dangerous for a novice to attempt a spirit vision without an experienced mysticism literate.
Then, just for safety measures, Klein secretly tapped his glabella thrice and opened his spirit vision.
One, two, three... Suddenly, Selina saw a fiery-red color in between her fingers.
At that moment, the lighting from beyond the entrance was obscured by another silhouette.
"Doing spirit vision?" Old Neil asked kindly with a smile, holding a teapot by his right hand.
Selina jolted out of her state as she quickly glanced for the sudden voice..
Old Neil quietly walked and ignited the gas lamps one after another before stopping where Selina sat.
Klein deactivated his spirit vision and replied, "The cogitation part went well so I went ahead and include the spirit vision."
"Then shall I took the sidelines and watch?" Old Neil lightly chuckled. "I can tell you're doing a fine job at teaching Ms. Roy."
Flattery is often associated with bribery, Benson always have this in his arsenal.
Klein smile awkwardly, still carrying politeness. "This still requires a professional mentor. I'll be taking notes again if I ever missed anything."
"If you insists." Old Neil proceeded to turn for Selina and offered, "Ms. Roy would you like a coffee? I've hand-grounded the beans myself, I can ensure its fragrance and taste would sooth you further."
Being reminded of her concerning intake in her past. Selina shook her head in response, "I believe it is what you've described, however, I preferred other beverages."
"Suit yourself, but Ms. Roy you're really missing out." Old Neil didn't pressed her coffee, instead he consoled Klein for a taste.
To be meant with another decline, Old Neil was forced to shrug it off by saying, "Alright... Then let's just begin with Ms. Roy's spirit vision."
Although his face was a bit gloomy, it didn't hindered anyone from focusing.
Upon being instructed once more. Selina entered cogitation, the lights were each put out by Klein one by one while Old Neil opened the door just enough to frame the room with silhouettes.
One, two, three... Suddenly, just like before, she saw the same color forming over her finger.
"If you see colors, then that means you've entered spirit vision. The records reveals that the beyonders of the Apothecary pathway utilizes this to better scope their medicines and which would become effective toward a specific patient." Old Neil explained as he pour a steaming liquid over a cup. "Of course these were the confidentials from the Church of the Earth Mother."
"Alright, however that's still the initial step. What color you see is your aura." He said with a chuckle. "Keep at your own pace Ms. Roy, there's no need to rush. After stabilizing it, try to look elsewhere. Since we're now in this topic, I'll take this opportunity to explain the meanings of the different colors you're seeing."
"Very well." Selina kept her attention locked onto her finger as she strained to listen attentively.
"To put it simply, the mainstream of mysticism is to split non-physical parts of humans into four levels. At its core is the Spirit Body, which is also one's basic spirituality. There's a belief that every biological creatures have spirituality and Spirit Bodies." Old Neil detailed.
"For the Apothecaries, as I explained, utilize this at the level of the Ether Body, the outermost layer of Spirit Vision. This is because it is a manifestation of your vital energies and physical form."
"The aura color you're seeing is an external phenomenon of your Ether Body. In other words, apart from the spiritual bodies, ghosts, and specters you can see directly with Spirit Vision, it might also include certain existences that should not be seen. You can also see the Ether Bodies of others or their auras. From their thickness, brightness, and color, you can determine their health and emotional state."
"Unfortunately, there are limitations." Old Neil lowered his voice as he took a sip of his coffee.
"What are these limitations...?" Selina blurted out of curiosity.
"Unlike a Seer or a Mystery Pryer. Apothecaries are much more well-versed in discerning the Ether Body relative to the other levels. However, this can change as you progress through your sequences." said Old Neil with a soft grin.
Seer... Mystery Pryer... Another names of potions? Selina took the terms to heart as continued gazing at her aura.
After a moment, she posed another question. "What about the other levels of Spirit Vision?"
Old Neil chuckled as he began explaining, "As you may have known, the innermost layer is the Spirit Body, extending from it is the Astral Projection. The external manifestation of the Spirit Body which allows it to communicate with the spirit world and the stellar space.
"It will be directly related to your prevailing emotions or aspirations. The Spirit world does not obey the laws of the physical, rather it involves exceeding the concept of 'I,' the limitless 'I', and the Universe's 'I.' The past, present, and future might be stacked upon one another and that is the source of divination."
"Although Apothecaries might not excel at this category." Old Neil smiled faintly.
While concentrating, Selina only nodded briefly as she quietly took note. Divinations are more of a Seer's specialty than an Apothecary...
Old Neil fixed himself as he savors the dark, hot liquid.
He continued, "Now, further out will be the Body of Heart and Mind. From this point on, it will combine with the physical body... It involves your brain and is an overall manifestation of your inferential abilities, your analytical abilities, your observational abilities, and identification abilities. Some potions will mainly raise this. Quite a number of magic spells target it as well."
Is this also the reason why I feel eased when memorizing formulas? Selina made a simple self-evaluation.
Old Neil explained in relatively great detail, "Now the outermost layer is one where the records describes Apothecaries excel at, the Ether Body.
"When your Spirit Vision improves and you grasp more mysticism knowledge, you will be able to discover even more details, even discerning someone's life expectancy!" A light chuckle escaped Old Neil's breath.
"By the way, you can also determine someone's emotional state as it also manifest itself because of your Astral Projection. When you go higher in Sequence, your Spirit Vision will reach a relatively high stage. To a point where you can even see their Astral Projection. That way, you will learn even more things. This is a level only Seers and Mystery Pryers can attain."
Discerning someone else's emotional state? Selina was slowly turning envious.
Old Neil coughed and continued, "Let's return to the Ether Body and the colors of the auras. Your limbs and parts that are required in motion will appear red. Your head and brain's surface will appear as purple. Spots that excrete waste will appear orange. The digestion system will appear as yellow. The heart and other regulatory systems will appear green. Your throat and other parts of the nervous system will appear blue. An entirely balanced body will make a body be cloaked in white... That is a symbol of health.
"Once it turns dark or the thickness thins, the color will change. That indicates that the corresponding spot has turned problematic. It means it's in a state of exhaustion or illness.
"In addition, the inner layer of the Astral Projection represents prevailing emotions. Red means passion and excitement. Orange means warmth and satisfaction. Yellow means happiness and extroversion. Green means calm and peace. Blue means coldness and stillness that one is in thought. White means brightness, an eagerness to improve. Dark colors mean worry, sorrow, and silence. Purple means that spirituality is taking control of the lead, coldness and estrangement..."
Selina diligently memorized each description as she gradually achieved a level of resonance with her spirituality.
Noticing this, Klein turned toward Selina and said, "Ms. Roy, you can go ahead and look at things."
Old Neil was a bit late in nodding, "That's right, to be honest, as a wild beyonder, I didn't expect you to be this inexperienced."
Please don't say it outright... I'm very much aware of my situation... Selina eased her suddenly creased brows as she slowly hover her gaze between the two.
The young gentleman in black waistcoat, Klein, have different colors from varied parts of his body. They're very much vibrant, even showing whiteness, indicating a healthy and balanced body.
However, in contrast with Old Neil. His overall body color had somewhat faded. The aura was both thick and thin at different spots. The purple color at his head was brightest and his limbs' redness was relatively dark.
Age was taking a toll on him... Selina silently commented.
Putting that aside. Only now did Selina finally get to experience the benefits of becoming a beyonder.
She couldn't help but let her eyes wonder from objects to another.
When finally she arrived at Old Neil's direction. Her entire body shuddered.
There was a pair of a translucent cold and ruthless eyes in the void behind him.
They had no brows nor lashes.
This nearly illusory eyes were staring at Old Neil intently, as well as her!
W-What? Selina froze at her place, stammering even her own thoughts.
Both Klein and Old Neil were taken aback by the lady's sudden change of emotions.
However, when they noticed the direction of her eyes. Klein had a facade of calm as he looked at Old Neil quietly forcing a smile.
He heard him say the same word for Selina as he did for him:
"Ignore them."