Secret World of Occultists-Chapter 12: Cynical Thoughts

"The reason why you have been feeling so weary even after sleeping all day, is that a great deal of spirit energy is leaking away from you," said Henry while pointing at the area right above Luke's head.

The pair had boarded a hackney coach—a four-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses that could seat up to six people.

Henry had offered to drop Luke home, to which the latter agreed. Although it was still afternoon, he was already feeling very sleepy. There was no way he was going to walk it home.

Luke subconsciously reached for the top of his head, trying to grasp on to this so-called spirit energy. "Why can't I see it?"

Henry chuckled lightly, "That is because you are yet to learn how to control or regulate your spirit energy."

"And how do I do that?" Luke pressed for answers. "If I'm able to control this energy, will I stop feeling so tired all the time? Will I stop... seeing things?"

Henry paused for a moment, deeply looking into Luke's blue eyes, thinking of the right words to say.

He didn't know how much he should divulge. After all, this knowledge was highly confidential.

But since the Director has instructed me to acquaint him with our world, I suppose I may, at the very least, divulge the knowledge of the Spirit Crucible, he thought.

"Henry?"

"Yes," the dark-haired youth snapped out of his thoughts. "Once you are able to control your spirit energy, all these side-affects that you are experiencing now will cease to exist."

"Okay! Okay!" Luke nodded eagerly. "Tell me, how do I control it? Is there a meditation technique? Perhaps a magical potion? Or a pill?"

Henry's brows creased together ever so slightly, finding Luke's response quite amusing. "Meditation technique? Potion? That is... not quite how it works, Mr. Bishop. You do have quite the imagination, I must admit."

Luke's lips twitched in embarrassment, and he thought to himself in ridicule, Of course, nothing is similar to how it usually goes in transmigration novels!

Those damned novelkiss authors romanticizing every single thing in their books!

Reincarnated into a rich and noble household? With a system that strengthens you infinitely? Don't kid me!

I have been struggling to cling to my sanity the moment I arrived in this foreign world! Where is the damn system? Why can't I see it?

And why does this cursed coin keep returning to me every time I throw it away!

I don't even have a fan in my bedroom! And don't even get me started on my bathroom situation!

FUCK!

I hate it!

Luke started clutching at his hair. His eyes got teary and he felt like he could break down any moment now. But when his gaze landed on his legs—his functioning legs, he found at least one thing he could be grateful for.

At least, I can walk...

Seeing Luke on the verge of a mental breakdown, Henry did not know how to react. There were hints of pity in his eyes.

He couldn't help but wonder, So these are the side effects of awakening through the old method. Hallucinations, paranoia, constant fatigue... and who knows what else he must be going through.

"Mr. Bishop," he called out in a gentle voice.

"Not all hope is lost. You have stared death in the face before and lived to tell the tale. What you have endured the past few days is but a shadow of what you suffered the night my grandfather and I found you. Please, steady yourself!"

That's right! Luke thought to himself in realization.

I have died before. And I almost died again when I arrived in this world. How can I give into such cynical thoughts?

This is... unlike me.

He wiped his tears and looked at Henry, his blue eyes blazing with fire. "Tell me. How do I control spirit energy? How do I become... an Occultist? If this is the only way for me to return to normal, I will do it!"

Henry was momentarily taken aback when he saw the fierce look in Luke's eyes. He couldn't help but think to himself in wonder, He recovered faster than I expected...

"All who awaken their spirit energy are sent to a place known as the Spirit Crucible," he began. "It is where the Trial of Ascension takes place."

"Spirit Crucible? Sounds fancy," said Luke. "What is this Trial of Ascension?"

"Think of it as a test to judge who is truly worthy of becoming an Occultist," Henry answered solemnly.

"Alright, then!" Luke clasped his hands together. "Since it's a test, what do I need to do to pass it?"

He paused for a moment before asking, "Right, when do I give this test?"

"The First Trial of Ascension shall take place on the seventh day following your awakening of spirit energy," Henry spoke in a serious tone. "The visions of fire that you have been seeing are tied to this First Trial."

"Seventh day..." Luke muttered under his breath. "That means it's three days away."

He paused for a moment, recalling the visions. He couldn't help but ask nervously, "Henry, I... I saw myself burning in the fire! What is that supposed to mean?!"

"Rest assured, Mr. Bishop, you shall not be consumed by literal flames," Henry assured him with a faint smile.

"I see..." Luke heaved a breath of relief.

"Each trial is unique to the individual, so I cannot say with certainty what yours shall entail," Henry began after a brief pause.

"The First Trial of Ascension symbolizes both purification and destruction—burning away the unnecessary to unveil the truth. That is why you see visions of fire."

"This... this is way too mystical, man!" Luke couldn't help but blurt out.

"Indeed, Mr. Bishop," Henry smiled. "The journey of an Occultist is one of transformation!"

Luke remained silent for a long time, trying to digest this newfound information. His eyelids started to feel heavy again, but he forced himself to stay awake.

"Survival!" Henry suddenly spoke up, his tone grave. "That is what you should be focusing on when you enter the First Trial. You will also be given an objective which you must complete. That is the essence of the trial."

Luke couldn't help but involuntarily gulp, "What do you mean by that? Why does this sound so ominous?"

"Once you successfully pass the First Trial, you will also awaken your Hallmark," said Henry, ignoring Luke's previous question.

"What's a Hallmark?"

"It is an innate ability that a person is born with." Henry kept the description brief, unsure whether it was right of him to divulge any further.

Luke couldn't help but frown even more deeply, gazing at the dark-haired youth with suspicion.

This is sounding more and more like shonen manga!

"Yeah? Show me yours," he said.

"With pleasure, Mr. Bishop." Henry's smile turned mysterious.

The following moment, the darkness inside the carriage seemed to have enveloped him in a gentle embrace.

This chapt𝓮r is updat𝒆d by ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom.

A chill crept up inside Luke's heart and his eyes widened in disbelief. He witnessed Henry's body radiating a black miasma!

The darkness was comforting, but at the same time filled with terror.

Soon, the darkness receded just as quickly as it had appeared. Everything returned to normal. As the light of the moon seeped into the carriage, Luke found himself sweating nervously.

"W-What the hell was that?!"

Henry smiled. "That was my Hallmark, Mr. Bishop. As you can see, it is related to darkness."

The horror in Luke's blue eyes was soon replaced by amazement and even anticipation. "Does that mean if I pass the First Trial, then even I can awaken something as cool as that?"

"Cool?" Henry asked, confused.

"Marvelous! I mean, Marvelous!"

"Who knows? You might awaken something useless, or you might awaken something even more... marvelous than mine," Henry said with a light chuckle.

All of a sudden, Luke was quite looking forward to the First Trial of Ascension.

"Alright! How do I access this... Spirit Curcible? Where do I have to go?" He asked in an eager voice.

"When the time comes—three days from now—we will come and take you there."

"We?" Luke frowned, instantly becoming vigilant once again. "What do you mean by 'we'?"

Henry deeply looked into Luke's eyes for a moment and then said, "I mean the organization that I work for."

Luke stiffened. "What organization? What is it called? What are you guys after?"

"Please forgive me, Mr. Bishop," Henry sincerely said. "I'm afraid I cannot disclose that information to you. It is highly confidential."

Luke continued to stare at Henry with suspicion, his earlier excitement now completely vanished.

The carriage finally came to a stop in front of 42 Millbrook Street, however, Luke did not plan to leave just yet. He still wanted some answers out of Henry.

Seeing this, Henry couldn't help but relent, "Mr. Bishop, all I can tell you is that I belong to a covert organization that protects the Albion Empire from the shadows."

"...A secret organization?" Luke spoke after a very long time.

"Indeed, Mr. Bishop." Henry nodded.

He then reached into his pocket and retrieved two items. One was a thin strip of gold in the shape of a circle, the other was a triangular strip of silver.

"Before you leave, I want you to have these," he said.

"What's this?" Luke grabbed the items and observed them carefully. Each had strange markings and symbols on it which he couldn't understand.

"These are called talismans," Henry explained. "Please place the gold talisman near the entrance of your house. It will ward off spirits that might mean you harm—"

"Wait, what do you mean by spirits?!" Luke blurted out in panic.

Henry sighed. "Please... just do as I say. With that inside your house, no malevolent entities will be able to enter."

Then, he pointed at the silver piece and explained, "Place that under your pillow. It shall grant you restful sleep and aid in alleviating your fatigue."

Luke gulped loudly, his gaze constantly shifting between the two talismans and Henry.

What did he mean by spirits? And harmful entities? What the fuck? He thought to himself incredulously.

He wanted to ask Henry about it but saw that the latter had already opened the carriage door for him, clearly not willing to divulge anything more.

"We shall meet again in three days, Mr. Bishop. I bid you farewell." Henry smiled like a gentleman.

"Yeah..." Luke didn't know what else to say as he got off the carriage.

When he noticed the carriage was about to leave, he couldn't help but ask nervously, "Hey, Henry? I won't be haunted by ghosts... right?"

Henry did not reply. He merely smiled.

"R-Right?" Luke felt a chill run down his spine.

"Goodbye, Mr. Bishop."

Luke stood there on the dirty cobble street, gazing at the carriage gradually disappear. Only then did it suddenly dawn on him.

I forgot to tell him about the cursed coin...