Despite what he thought, Zane couldn't help wanting to verify the information. So, before today's Elite Class, he went to the library. His theory was correct. According to the writings he found, his approach was the most standardized method for using Aura Skills, but others existed. Unfortunately, while the books explained the subject, none showed how to learn it. Regardless, the content was informative.
The day passed by swiftly without Zane even noticing. And despite his circumstances, he still attended the Elite Class; the instructor let him sit in the corner and read. However, before he could even open the journal, Keesha and Evelyn—who arrived late today—came to check on him, and Keesha went to tell the instructor she had mastered the basics of [Projecting Casting]. Then, Keesha was promoted to the Stage 3 Orc.
Zane watched her battle and smiled: finally, he wasn't the only one suffering. And so, with a joyous mood, he buried himself in his reading. Professor Burbank wasn't completely right: the Necromancer had succeeded. By using Lightning Magic to conduct electrical pulses in the brain and the body, the necromancer successfully animated countless bodies. However, these undead were stiff, fell apart easily because they were not reinforced by negative energy, and, more importantly, they couldn't follow orders.
While their brains were technically operational, they couldn't act like normal individuals. They couldn't process complex thoughts or commands, retain memories, or, more importantly, be loyal. Without a soul to command and ensure obedience, these animated undead became a liability. So, more than halfway through the experiment, the necromancer began focusing on solving these issues. And the answer he came up with was mental energy. Every living being with a soul has mental energy. However, without awakening the soul, that mental energy is either pitifully small or not manifested. After death, both the mental energy and the soul dissipate. Death Mages (Necromancers) used the remnants or traces of the soul left in a body to animate them. Meanwhile, the journal necromancer wanted to use the less potent version: mental energy.
Unfortunately, mental energy dissipated faster than a soul. Moreover, mental energy is a lesser version of soul energy, which slowly evolves as a mage's meditation state increases. With these facts in mind, Zane began to wonder what the point was. At first, he thought the Necromancer wanted to use a spell that could animate old and ancient remains whose soul energy had dissipated. However, that didn't make sense. The brain of such remains would have long been dried up. Moreover, there were other and better ways to animate old corpses, so this theory was a dead end. The second theory he came up with was that the necromancer wanted to create a way to save mana. He knew a method to transform negative energy into soul energy to animate corpses. The number of undead a necromancer can control is based on their own meditation stage, soul, talent, and skills, meaning that if there were a method to animate undead with the lesser version of the soul (mental energy), then the field of Death Magic would be revolutionized. Well, not quite; there would still need to be a method to convert negative energy into mental energy, but since it's possible to do so with soul energy, it's theoretically possible to do the same for mental energy.
"Now I'm sad that he failed," Zane thought. Progress is often a good thing, no matter whether it's in magic or science.
Class soon ended, and the group gathered to congratulate Keesha as they walked back to the dorms.
"How about we go celebrate?" Evelyn said. "Before you reject me, no money is involved. There is a karaoke place that just opened, and they are free."
"I can't use magic for a few days, so I'm free. When is it?"
"Sunday."
"Oooh, I have to meet my cousin on Sunday. Plus, there is a free lecture in the Arcane Guild. So, I can only do the afternoon."
"I'm out," Tom Nguyen said. "I also have a free lecture on Sunday. And I will be doing missions."
"I also have training for the Warding Architect Institute."
Evelyn sighed. "Guys, I keep inviting you, but you keep turning me down. Can't you think about my feelings?"
"Honestly, Eve, the first three months are crucial to everybody, so there is no time to relax. More importantly, most of us will not be financially stable until hunting season starts," Zane said.
"Fine, I'll wait until then. But you better not blow me off."
"Wait, Zane, you have a cousin in the program?" Keesha asked.
"Yeah. He's a shaman, so I only see him on Sundays."
"Is he hot?"
"What a strange thing to ask."
"No, it's a fair question," Evelyn added.
"Yes, he's handsome."
"Is he tall?" Keesha continued.
"Really?"
"Still a fair question."
"Yes, he's tall: about 6'1 or 6'2."
Keesha's eyes lit up. "Can you introduce me?"
"He's married."
"Happily?"
"That's not funny," Zane said, his voice slightly cold.
"Whoo, such an intense reaction. Don't tell —"
"For the love of Onyame, you better not be able to psychoanalyze me," Zane snapped. "That's getting annoying pretty quickly, and I'm pretty sure it's highly unethical. Doesn't the Mind Healer Association have regulations against such behavior?"
"Alright, alright, I'll back down," Keesha replied while muttering "so sensitive," under her breath.
Zane stared at her.
"I promise."
Zane exhaled before moving his eyes away. The walk was awkward for a while, but Evelyn and Evans took charge, kept the conversation going, and eased the tension. After dropping the girls at their dorms, the men continued their trek.
"You've gone too far," Evelyn said as they entered the elevator.
"I can't help it. I'm just so curious"
"So, you like him?"
"Girl, not in that sense," Keesha said, rolling her eyes. "Think about it: why does a genius who graduated from an Ivy League have stabbing scars and also spend five years in prison? And there is the whole working in China — some things are not adding up, and I want to have a clear picture."
"MIT is not an Ivy League."
"Is that the point?" Keesha said.
"What is the point?"
"Aren't you the slightest curious?"
"Of course I am, but since he's not willing to talk about it, I know not to pry," Evelyn said. "How would you feel if someone was constantly digging through probably the lowest point in life? Trying to find your secret?"
"…Well, when you put it like that."
"There is no other way to put it." — Evelyn sighed — "Zane seems like the kind of reliable person anyone might need in this ever-changing world. I don't want to lose this friendship, so I think you should apologize."
"I was afraid you would say that."
"You know I'm right, so do the right thing."
Keesha was quiet for a few seconds. "You really think he's reliable?"
"You don't?"
Keesha did not answer. As an ally? Yes, he was reliable. But as a friend? That was questionable.
After returning to the dorm, Zane showered, put on a sleeping cap, and lay on his bed to keep reading. Now that he didn't have to train, he decided to use his free time to read more. A few minutes into it, he received an email from Keesha, apologizing for her behavior. Zane replied that he didn't mind as long as she stopped and he could continue his day.
Following Ms. Luna's advice, he slept early to ensure he at least had 8 hours of rest so that his spirit could recover faster. That night, Zane dreamt of Anansi, and they spoke again; the latter apologized for what happened and promised to communicate with him only through dreams.
Sunday, Day 51:
Zane visited Ziyad's room, and as usual, the latter went to fetch breakfast.
"Commander, did you hear about the ceremony's advancement?"
"I have. Lord Tano told me," Ziyad said, nodding.
"Do you know why it was moved up?"
"I don't, but it must be serious. Lord Tano said everybody must attend — no exception."
"When you say everybody, you mean?"
"Not just our family, but other clans with close connections to us," Ziyad explained. "And he also revealed that other practicing clans will also conduct their own ceremony. In fact, he even hinted that this was a big deal for the entire spiritual community worldwide."
"It's that serious?" Zane commented. "The appearance of the tower seems to have a greater influence in the spiritual world than I thought."
"Agreed, and something tells me this is just the beginning."
Those words resonated with Zane. The tower's arrival will change every aspect of this dimension, and the early signs of that change have already manifested.
After their meal and chat, the two separated. And before leaving, Ziyad gave Zane a list of things he could help buy for the ceremony. The list was extensive. Everything had to be made from scratch: from the food to the hundreds of candles, the clothes people wore, and even the incense used. Even the wood used for the bonfire was specially processed. The good news is the plaza actually had most of the ingredients; they were just expensive.