Marie nodded enthusiastically, her smile growing even brighter, while Joseph's expression shifted from concern to understanding.
"You're right," Joseph said, then held out his hand. A light grey lance with streaks of black spiraling along its length materialized in his grip. "My Beast Spirit is called Lancelot, and it's an A Class spirit. As for the lance, it's called Arondight. "
Marie clapped her hands together, then instantly summoned her own weapon. A long crimson-gold spear that gleamed with golden light, its surface seeming to shine with radiance.
"My spirit calls itself the Seraphim, and it's an S Class Beast Spirit!" Marie says before she continues. "The spear is called Longinus."
Reinhard tilted his head curiously. "I know there are benefits to SSS Class Beast Spirits at the beginning, but is it the same for A and S Class?"
Joseph dispersed his spiral lance and crossed his arms thoughtfully. "For me, my beast spirit gave me the ability to communicate with the elements. I can hear words from far away when the wind is blowing and see even in complete darkness."
Reinhard looked at Joseph with unmistakable envy. "That honestly sounds amazing and useful."
After experiencing Odin's trial, he could say with complete certainty that being able to hear enemies before they noticed you was invaluable. The ability to see in the darkness could easily save his life multiple times. And if Joseph could communicate with wind and darkness, what about water or earth elements?
Marie giggled. "That isn't all - Joseph can also be healed by those elemental spirits."
Joseph chuckled nervously but nodded in confirmation, while Reinhard sighed in resignation.
"I'm guessing yours is equally ridiculous?" Reinhard asked, looking at Marie.
Marie beamed before saying. "My sensing ability can connect with light, and anything the light touches, I can sense."
Reinhard stared at her blankly while Joseph sighed and leaned back in his seat.
"When everyone in the Beast Spirit Class found out, it created an uproar. Even Professor Michelle was shocked," Joseph explained.
Reinhard shook his head. "I'm not surprised. Is there a limit?"
Marie nodded. "It does put strain on my magic the longer I stay connected, but for range? Only how far the light around me spreads."
Reinhard brought his hand to his forehead while Joseph continued. "Her other benefits include a peaceful aura that makes it easier to connect with others and have them let down their guard. I'm sure you noticed how easy it became to communicate and relax around her."
Reinhard blinked in realization before nodding. "I thought that was her natural charisma, but I guess-"
Marie pouted indignantly. "It is my charisma! I refuse to believe I became friends with you because of some silly ability."
Joseph laughed warmly. "Of course, most of the work is because of who you are. Your ability just gave you an opening to connect, am I right?"
Reinhard nodded. "Your words did most of the work."
Marie beamed at this before continuing. "And my other ability is enhanced physical strength."
She curled her bicep, though it remained elegantly formed without any obvious muscle definition. The way she puffed out her chest with pride made both Reinhard and Joseph's lips twitch with suppressed amusement.
"I can see the difference," Reinhard said diplomatically. "Those are some impressive innate abilities."
Marie chuckled before turning her attention back to him. "What are yours?"
Reinhard sighed. "So far, I have an instant connection with my spirit and a Beast Sigil."
Marie perked up with renewed interest. "You already got a Beast Sigil? We haven't gotten ours yet, but it seems your spirit must really like you."
Reinhard tilted his head as he recalled his interactions with Odin, then inwardly rejected such a notion. The being had been cryptic and challenging, hardly showing obvious favoritism.
"Is it an attack or a defense skill?" Marie asked eagerly.
Reinhard shook his head. "It's this."
He summoned Mimir, who appeared on his shoulder with a satisfied ruffle of black feathers, and Mimir says. "Ah, it's good to be back."
Marie immediately dispersed her spear before reaching out. She gently lifted the crow, cradling him against her chest while stroking his feathers. "So you got a support type, that's wonderful!"
Reinhard furrowed his brows. "Support?"
Joseph nodded. "I think we should cover the basics now. Let's start with the ranking system. An Inquisitor can be classified as Third Class Beast Master, Second Class Beast Master, First Class Beast Master, and True Beast Master."
Marie continued while snuggling Mimir against her face, much to the crow's obvious delight. "Each class reflects how much of our beasts we can bring into reality from the Throne of Myth. Those who reach True Beast Master can fully manifest their beast and dominate the area around them."
Joseph nodded in agreement. "We'll focus on Third Class since we're all at that level."
Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "How do you determine an Inquisitor's class?"
"There are two ways," Joseph explained, displaying the back of his hand. "You can examine their Beast Symbol."
Reinhard leaned in to study Joseph's mark, which showed a figure looking down at a lance, with a great sword on the left and another sword on the right, plus two arms wrapping around the man from behind.
"Do you see how only the lance in my Beast Symbol is glowing and colored white?" Joseph continued.
Reinhard blinked and looked closer, noting that the lance was indeed white while the other elements remained gray. He then examined the back of his own hand, seeing that one of Odin's crossed swords was colored in the same black-blue hue as Zenuken, while the other remained gray.
"A True Beast Master has their entire symbol fully colored," Joseph explained.
"While those at Third Class only have one part colored," Reinhard muttered, understanding dawning. "And I'm guessing the higher class we achieve, the more of the Beast Symbol becomes colored?"
Marie nodded as she rubbed the crow's head. "We can tell a person's rank by seeing their mark, and the other way is by observing how many pieces of their beast they can manifest into reality."
Reinhard nodded, the system beginning to make sense.
Joseph added, "In addition, that coloring also displays how much magical energy you have available. Once it goes gray, you can't use your spirit anymore until your reserves fully refill."