The Hereditary Method was the first to be ruled out, simply because Lyle did not know how to obtain his own Bone Powder. As for the self-harm, sorry, not even a finger would he relinquish.
"Mr. Scholar, what if I use someone else's Bone Powder for the Hereditary Method, say, a dragon's?"
"So, would you be willing to let your own Talent strangle you to death for stepping on an ant? It's just a hyperbole."
"No need to consider the Hereditary Method anymore, I refuse." Images flooded his mind.
"What is a Spiritual Token?"
"An object imbued with a deity's essence, their shed exuviae, or remains. Living deities guard all their belongings carefully; the dead ones, perhaps their remnants are a chance for rebirth. If you are powerful enough, of course, seizing their authority is also a possibility, perfectly suited for adventurers from Andrei."
"I refuse. I don't want to be a god's backup."
"Then, the Sword Dance Mandala, what strange thing is that?"