Spirits part 2

Tom then instructed Mark to enter the magic circle. Mark nodded and sat inside the designated space. The air in the room seemed to shift as Tom channeled mana into the circle, preparing for Mark's connection with the spirits. The magic circle glowed, casting an ethereal light on Mark as he awaited the mystical encounter.

As the magic circle illuminated with energy, Mark's surroundings seemed to blur, and a myriad of whispers enveloped the space. Amidst the whispers, a cool and enchanting voice resonated near Mark.

"Greetings, Child. I am Frostbite, the Frost Flame Spirit," the voice announced, blending the crispness of frost with the warmth of flames.

Mark couldn't help but be intrigued by the unique introduction. "Frostbite, huh? That sounds interesting! What can you do?"

The Frost Flame Spirit, resembling a delicate dance of icy flames, twirled within the magic circle. Frosty sparks and icy trails followed its movements, creating an ethereal atmosphere that combined the chill of winter with the flicker of flames.

"I embody the harmony between frost and flame, the closeness of cold and warmth. Ready to navigate the realms of balance and dualities?" Frostbite asked, its essence resonating with a mesmerizing blend of frosty coolness and fiery warmth.

Mark grinned, appreciating the intriguing combination; he had hoped for flame but got ice too. "Absolutely! Let's explore the delicate dance of frost and flame together!"

As Mark and Frostbite bonded within the magic circle, the runes beneath them shimmered with a captivating blend of icy blue and fiery red. Tom watched the connection unfold, pleased to witness a harmonious pairing between a unique Frost Flame Spirit and the easy-going teenager.

"You've gained a companion of dual elements, Mark. Frostbite will be your guide through the intricacies of balance and the dance between frost and flame," Tom declared with a serene smile.

Mark, still grinning, extended his hand, and Frostbite elegantly intertwined with his fingers. The Frost Flame Spirit emitted a harmonious aura, signifying the beginning of a unique partnership.

"Thanks, Frostbite! Let's navigate the world of Celestria together," Mark exclaimed, feeling the newfound connection resonating with the delicate harmony of frost and flame.

As Mark stood up from the magic circle, the room retained a subtle glow, echoing the captivating energy shared between the kid and his unique Frost Flame companion. The magic of spirits had woven another distinctive bond within Tom's basement.

"Now, Jake, it's your turn," Tom said, gesturing for Jake to sit inside the magic circle. As Jake took his place, a sense of anticipation filled the room. Tom raised his staff, and the magic circle began to fill with Mana energy.

Unknown to Jake, his connection to the void and cosmic forces—that formed after Cube dragged his soul across the cosmos—had not gone unnoticed by the spirits. The ambient light within the room shifted subtly, and a presence from the cosmic realms started to manifest within the magic circle.

A soft hum echoed as cosmic energies intertwined with void energies. The room seemed to expand into the infinite depths of the cosmos. The runes on the floor rearranged themselves, forming patterns that mirrored the constellations.

Tom swiftly took everyone out of the cosmos range as he warily looked at Jake.

"I am Astralium, the Cosmic Guide," a voice resonated within Jake's consciousness, carrying the weight of distant stars. "In the cosmic tapestry, your threads intertwine with void and cosmic forces. Do you seek the guidance of the Cosmic realms, mortal?"

Jake, feeling the cosmic energy surrounding him, was taken aback. "Who... or what are you?" he asked, his voice echoing in the astral space within the magic circle.

"I am one of the many manifestations of the cosmic forces that govern Reality and the stars," Astralium replied. "Your essence is touched by the cosmic forces, and now, you stand at the threshold of forming a bond with me."

"I didn't know... about this cosmic stuff," Jake admitted, still trying to comprehend the magnitude of the encounter, while thinking it's another cube thingy.

"The cosmos often weaves its threads unseen, yet its influence shapes destinies," Astralium explained. "Will you embrace the cosmic incarnation, Jake, and let me guide you on your journey?"

Intrigued and somewhat overwhelmed, Jake hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, I'll embrace it. Guide me, Astralium."

As Jake embraced the cosmic energies, the magic circle pulsed with celestial light. The astral patterns enveloped him, intertwining with the void energies already present within his being. Jake felt a profound connection to the stars, as if the entire cosmos acknowledged his presence.

Tom watched with relief as the bond between Jake and Astralium formed without any danger.

"What was that, Uncle Tom?" Jimmy and others asked after the room returned to normal.

Tom himself not knowing what happened replied, "It might be one of the unusual spirits, like in Jimmy's case."

Jimmy and others nodded while Tom kept looking at Jake, 'Leah, what was that?' He mentally asked his connection.

'I don't know, but it was more powerful than any elemental spirits I have seen so far,' Leah replied.

'I can see that, it even changed the Magic circle configuration,' Tom said.

'Keep it as it is; it's a very powerful magic circle that can help one form a bond with Spirits beyond Celestaria,' Leah remarked.

'Outside Celestaria! Isn't this then a Transcendence rank Magic circle now?' Tom gulped and exclaimed.

The transcendence rank treasures are those that are beyond the world limit.

And now, out of nowhere, he got one.

"Okay, kids, let's go back to the park and continue your exercise," Tom quickly took them out of the room, fearing they might accidentally destroy it.

"Uncle Tom, can you tell us what our spirits can do? And if others also have spirits?" Emily asked as they started leaving the room.

"Of course, my dear Emily," Tom responded with a gentle smile as they left the room, the enchanting glow of the magic circle fading behind them. The group gathered in the cozy ambiance of Tom's home, and he began to explain the nature of their newfound spirit bonds.

"Each spirit possesses unique abilities and attributes that align with their elemental or celestial nature. Let me share some insights about your spirits and what they can bring to your journey."

He turned to Emily first, who is sitting calmly

"Emily, Aeliana child, the Spirit of the Zephyr, embodies the essence of the wind. As her companion, you'll gain heightened agility, a connection to the air around you, and the ability to sense changes in the atmosphere. Aeliana will be your guide through the currents of the unseen, providing wisdom and swiftness in your endeavors."

Next, he addressed Jimmy, who was itching with curiosity.

"Jimmy, you've bonded with Harmonia, the Melody Sprite. Harmonia brings the gift of musical enchantment. She can manipulate sound waves, creating melodies that can uplift spirits or even influence the emotions of those around you. Your journey will be accompanied by the harmonious tunes of the Melody Sprite."

Turning to Mark, who had a laid-back demeanor, Tom continued.

"Mark, you've chosen a unique spirit. The Frost Flame Spirit, a fusion of opposing elements, grants you control over both ice and fire. This duality will offer you versatility in various situations, allowing you to adapt to the challenges that come your way."

Finally, he addressed Jake, who carried the cosmic resonance of Astralium.

"Jake, I can't tell you about your spirit as even I don't know about it; you have to find out about it yourself," Tom said shaking his head.

"Uncle Tom, you don't know about Jake's spirit?" Jimmy asked.

"Hahaha, Jimmy, Celestaria is big; of course, there are many things I don't know about," Tom laughed and replied.

"But I can tell it's a spirit of stars or an element similar to Space or stars," Tom said.

"Wow, you got a powerful elemental spirit, Jake!" Jimmy exclaimed, and Mark nodded too while Emily also congratulated Jake.

"Uncle Tom, what can spirits do?" Emily said, reminding Tom once again.

"Ahh, forgive me, little one; my old age is affecting my memory," Tom laughed and remarked.

"But you are now middle-aged, Uncle," Emily said.

Tom: "...."

Jake, Jimmy, and Mark: "Hehe hehe."

"Kids nowadays no longer respect elderly people," Tom shook his head and said.

"You are now middle-aged, don't act like an old man," Emily yelled, but her small chubby face made it cute instead of scary.

"Okay, okay, now as I was saying, Spirits have various capabilities; one of them is granting an elemental affinity to its partner, like Emily, a wind spirit will now allow her to learn wind spells and arts even if she doesn't have any affinity for it," Tom said.

"Yesss, we still have to access our core, but we already got such powerful partners; we are gonna rule the world!" Jimmy shouted and punched his fist in the air.

"Hahaha," Tom laughed seeing Jimmy like this.

"Why are you laughing?" Jimmy pouted and said, thinking Tom is making fun of him.

"Spirits are powerful indeed, but they are not that rare, especially if you attend famous academies where they assist students in forming bonds during the first year," Tom explained.

"But Uncle Tom, I learned from the books that spirits are rare," Mark remarked.

"They are rare because they don't easily form bonds with others. If someone has committed a bad thing, no matter how small, spirits will not form a bond with them," Tom nodded and clarified.

"So not anyone can form a bond with a spirit, that's why they are rare but not as much," Emily added, nodding in understanding.

"Does this also mean spirit contracts are a sign that one is good or bad?" Jake inquired.

"No, that's not a sign, as there are many loopholes. Some people make spirits form bonds with their children when they are only 3 or 4, and kids are innocents, right? So, spirits form bonds with them. That's why you can't use it as an indicator of goodness and badness," Tom shook his head and explained further.