While Mr. Étienne and Mrs. Ciara were preparing to reveal what was truly happening, I was also preparing to face a personal trial: the Chamber of Memory.
Eleonor didn't give me time to even finish breakfast; she grabbed me by the arm and almost dragged me to Mr. Mikhail's quarters. I was still very confused. I asked her what the Chamber of Memory was, and without stopping her stride, she answered.
—It's where magic converges; to simplify it, it's like a natural intersection. In it, ley lines of magic cross. They are like volcanic veins, but only people who have an affinity for magic can feel them.
—Like us? —I asked.
—Not exactly. Look at Sophia; she isn't a magic user, but she can use magical weapons. That is being attuned to magic. People like that don't run the risk of an overload in their magical pulses.
—Why don't people who aren't magic users run that risk? —I asked.
Eleonor stopped.
—Magic users are like receivers. In order to use our powers, we draw in the magical flows of the environment and materialize them.
—Tell me, how have you felt since we arrived here?
—Hmm… I feel like my power is stronger.
—That's right. That's because your affinity is ice magic. In polar regions, the environmental concentration of ice magic is denser. That's why the Sevianko are so powerful in ice magic, and even more so in this environment.
—You know, it frustrates me having to explain all of this to you. Sorry… you should have learned this at the academy.
—That's not it. Your body isn't ready to receive that much power, and you run the risk of an overdose… and of dying.
—What do you mean I could die? —I said, very frightened.
At that moment, we ran into Mr. Mikhail. Eleonor, without even greeting him, said:
—Grandfather, we need Noah to enter the Chamber of Memory. According to the report we received, this is more complicated than we thought. I'll explain it to you later.
—All right —Mikhail replied—. If you say so, follow me.
We walked down a wide hallway, decorated in a very luxurious way. There were paintings and photographs of many people, and among them I saw a photo of Eleonor's father and one of my mother. She must have been around seventeen years old. She was the cousin of Eleonor's father, the eldest daughter of one of Mikhail's brothers.
Suddenly, we came upon a massive door. In the center, the figure of a tiger could be seen.
—This is it. Since you are a user of ice magic, you can enter. And I'll tell you this, boy: this is a point of no return.
—Once you enter, you'll spend two days inside. The door seals itself and only opens when the cycle is complete.
—You should have done this at the ÓBroin mansion, but you abandoned your training. Now you run the risk that your body won't be able to endure it.
—Do you remember what you felt when you put on the relic for the first time?
—Yes, I remember it very well.
—Multiply it by ten.
—You will begin by absorbing magical power. Your body will assimilate it, but it will be extremely painful physically.
—In addition, you will enter a state of trance. Your mind will travel, and you will see the memories of the other bearers, and you will learn why you were chosen to be the bearer of the Mark.
—You must know this, according to historical records.
—So if you wish to withdraw, this is the moment. It's your decision. No one will judge you anymore, because what is happening leaves no room to place more blame.
I thought about it for a moment and said:
—I'll do it. There's no turning back now. If this helps me understand why I was chosen and become stronger, I'll do it.
—Then I hope everything goes well —Eleonor said—. I'll be waiting for you here in two days.
Mr. Mikhail placed the palm of his left hand forward. The mark on his arm began to glow, and a dry sound echoed as the door started to rise.
A dark void was all that could be seen, and although I was afraid, I knew I could no longer run. I had to face my destiny, and this was the moment.