"I want to go to the Spirit World," Noah said, looking earnestly at Leila.
Leila's expression shifted instantly. "Absolutely not. You can't go to the Spirit World." But the moment the words left her mouth, she paused, her brows furrowing in seriousness. "Wait why do you want to go to the Celestial Spirit Realm?"
Noah smiled slightly, as if expecting her reaction. "So Sister Leila really does know a lot about the Celestial Realm."
Leila nodded. "Of course. It's the home of the Celestial Spirits, after all. I've spent a lot of time studying it."
She looked at him more closely, her tone growing a bit more cautious. "I don't know if I've ever explained it to you, but the Celestial Realm is quite unique. The flow of time there is different from our world. It moves slowly. One day in the Spirit World equals three whole months here."
"And because of that, humans can't survive there easily. So tell me what exactly are you trying to do?"
"That's not what Grandpa Crux said," Noah replied with a tilt of his head. "He told me that if I wore clothing made in the Spirit World, I'd be able to move around freely inside it."
"Clothes or not, the time difference has unpredictable effects on human bodies," Leila said with a sigh. "So again why do you want to go there?"
"I think you might have misunderstood, Sister Leila," Noah said, raising a hand gently. "I don't plan to enter the Celestial Spirit Realm myself. I'm still in the middle of growing stronger if I go, that progress will slow down drastically because of the time lag."
His eyes grew more focused as he explained, "I want to send a thought body instead. If the Spirit World is okay with that, it'll work. But I can't just barge in. That's why I came to you. Grandpa Crux said that you might have a way to help."
Leila tapped her finger on her chin in thought, then looked at Noah again. "I might be able to help, but I still don't know your real reason for wanting to go there."
Noah's eyes lit up as he spoke. "I want to study. I've been learning about the Celestial Spirit Realm from Grandpa Crux, but it's too slow. I want to see things firsthand how the Spirits harness the power of the stars, how the time flow works, everything. There are so many things I want to understand. I need to be there to figure them out."
Jude and Lucy, sitting nearby, both smiled quietly as they watched Noah. The passion in his voice was unmistakable.
Leila watched him, warmth in her gaze. This was just like Noah. Whenever he stayed at their home, if he wasn't eating, training, or helping them heal, he was buried in books both from their shelves and ones he brought himself.
He often disappeared to the mountain behind their estate to try out new magic he'd read about, which sometimes resulted in unexpected explosions. Thankfully, he always reinforced the area with protective enchantments in advance, so there was never much actual damage.
Leila let out a soft sigh, a smile forming on her lips. "You really do mean it. I can tell."
Then her tone shifted slightly. "Alright, I'll try. But I can't guarantee it'll work, so be prepared for that."
Noah nodded without hesitation. "I've already thought about that. If it fails, I'll just keep learning from Grandpa Crux, or ask him to help move more books into this world."
Leila chuckled. "You've already got a backup plan? That's so like you."
She stood and gave a small wave to a nearby servant. "Have someone find Aunt Speight. We'll need her help with this."
When Aunt Speight arrived, Leila greeted her calmly.
"Aunt Speight, I'd like to ask you to temporarily return the key to Cancer."
"Of course, Madam! You can take Cancer's key back anytime!" Speight's eyes lit up with excitement. "Are you planning to become a Celestial Spirit Mage again?"
She looked genuinely thrilled. Back when Leila had been an active mage, she was filled with energy and drive. Although she had since retired due to her health, Aunt Speight clearly missed seeing that spirited version of her.
But Leila shook her head gently. "No… I don't plan to resume being a Celestial Mage. I only want to borrow the power of the Zodiac Spirits to ask a question."
Speight looked a little disappointed, but she didn't hesitate. She left briefly, then returned and placed Cancer's golden key into Leila's hand.
Leila took the key, poured her magic into it, and lifted it into the air.
"Open Gate of Cancer: Kesha!"
A glowing golden magic circle unfolded in front of her, and a figure emerged with a flourish.
He had sleek black hair wrapped in a red headdress that resembled rows of corn kernels, the ends shaped like crab claws. His outfit consisted of a blue pinstriped shirt, dark pants, and sturdy boots. A ring chain dangled from one pocket, while a hairdresser's tool pouch was strapped to the side of his belt. Around his neck was a chunky gold necklace, and green-lensed sunglasses covered his eyes. Six red crab legs sprouted from his back, and a pair of scissors twirled expertly in his hands.
Snipping the scissors twice in the air, he turned to Leila and grinned.
"What kind of haircut are we doing today, shrimp?"
Leila smiled warmly. "Kesha, long time no see."
"It's been a while, Shrimp. Ready for a new style?"
"Not today. I need your help with something else."
"Oh? What is it, Shrimp?"
"I want you to ask the Celestial Spirit King if he would allow my brother to visit the Celestial Spirit Realm."
The cheerful air around Kesha froze. His scissors paused mid-snip, and his voice trembled a little.
"Y-You want me to talk to the Spirit King, Prawn?"
Leila nodded. "You don't have to meet him face-to-face. Just pass along the message. I'm sure he already knows what this is about."
"You're not messing with me, right?"
"Of course not. Just go and deliver the message."
"...Alright. Then I'll head back."
With that, Cancer Kesha turned into golden light and vanished into the air.
As he disappeared, Noah stepped forward. "Is that enough, Sister Leila?"
Leila lowered the key and nodded. "Yes. I believe the Celestial Spirit King already heard everything. Now we wait and see how he responds."
Noah tilted his head, intrigued. "The Celestial Spirit King? He rules the Celestial Realm, right? So you've met him?"
Leila nodded again, her tone softer this time. "Yes. I met him once by chance. If you want to enter the Spirit Realm even just in thought his permission is absolutely necessary."
...
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