Chapter 17 - The Dormant Soul

After purchasing the two gray daggers and the metallic spear, parting with a total of 7 gold coins, both Clada and the golden-eyed shopkeeper seemed pleased with the deal.

Now, with two matching daggers in addition to the one he'd taken from the rotund thug, plus his new spear, Clada felt adequately equipped—almost as if he'd finally put on some clothes.

Observing the sun at its zenith, Clada's eyes drifted towards the direction of the town's gates.

During their childhood on the island, getting lost in the dense jungle was a common occurrence. That harsh environment taught them to rely on landmarks to avoid perilous zones. If they could navigate an intricate forest, surely finding their way in a simple town would pose no challenge.

Clada turned to Thaila, saying, "Thanks for the assistance. I'm heading back now." Without waiting for a response, he sprinted away.

Reaching the town gates, this time he passed the guards without any hindrance. Once he was amidst the trees, the surroundings evoked memories of the island, despite the evident differences.

In no time, he arrived at the mansion. Without wasting time, he sought out Old Blim. As he opened the doors of the library, he paused. Old Blim, engrossed in a tattered book, sighed upon seeing Clada and gestured for him to approach, thinking, 'I'll have to include manners in the lessons as well.'

Clada placed the remaining gold coins on the table and stated, "I spent 9 golds. Here's what's left."

Blim glanced at the spear on Clada's back and inquired, "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yes," Clada affirmed without elaborating.

"Keep the remaining gold. If you need more in the future, just ask," Blim offered.

[Old fox,] Ren scoffed, shaking his ghostly head.

"Understood," Clada replied, collecting the gold. As he moved to exit, Old Blim interjected, "Before we commence the lessons, I need to confirm something." Adjusting his monocle, he asked, "Have you sensed your soul yet?"

Clada paused to consider his response, then clarified, "If by sensing, you mean seeing the soul, then no."Blim studied Clada for a few moments before clarifying, "By 'sensing', I don't just mean visual perception. Sensing encompasses a range of experiences, from feeling to seeing. Everyone's experience is unique."

"I understand, but my answer remains unchanged. I haven't sensed it," Clada replied.

Nodding, Old Blim retrieved a small glass bottle from beneath his desk, containing a singular white pill. He set it on the desk, stating, "This was difficult to acquire. Use it today so we can begin properly tomorrow."

Clada eyed the pill warily and questioned, "What is its purpose?"

"If one doesn't sense their soul by the age of 13, consuming this becomes the only recourse," Old Blim explained.

"And what does it do?" Clada pressed.

"To sense the soul before the age of 13," Blim began, "one must turn all their senses inward, to the extent that they become oblivious to external sensations. But after 13, this approach becomes ineffective. The soul enters such a dormant state that detecting it becomes nearly impossible." He paused, picking up the bottle to examine the pill within, then continued, "This pill serves to redirect your senses inward. Its true merit, however, lies in its capability to rouse your dormant soul, allowing you to perceive it."

Ren clutched his chain, remarking, [It's no wonder we never sensed our souls. Attempting such a thing would've left our life to chance.]

On the island, even a moment's lapse in alertness could lead to dire outcomes. So, even if they had been aware of this way, they likely wouldn't have risked attempting it.

Acknowledging both the explanation and Ren's insight, Clada then wondered, "So, how should I use this pill?"

"Take the pill, close your eyes, and try to feel within," Blim instructed. "The pill will assist you. As it begins to activate, it will agitate your soul, like this." He demonstrated by wiggling his fingers in the air. "If you possess any aptitude to become an animist, you'll notice this motion. Once you do, attempt to influence it in any way you can."

Blim lowered his hand, adding, "If successful, you'll be able to sense your soul unaided in the future, marking your entrance into the Soulforge stage."

[Given we can already manipulate our souls, wouldn't this have been a piece of cake for us if we knew the method?] Ren pondered.

[Maybe, but our time to naturally discover this has already passed. My concern now is whether one pill will be enough for our two souls or if we'll require another,] Clada mused, appearing deep in thought as he conversed with Ren.

[I'd usually suggest probing in a roundabout way, but this Old fox will definitely see through it,] Ren mused.

[Let's set that aside for now. We'll find out its effects once we use it,] Clada responded with a sigh.

[Wait, are we actually going to use it? Are you beginning to trust them?] Ren questioned, surprised by Clada's readiness.

Clada shook his head, [No, but we're past the point of questioning everything they hand to us. More importantly, we need to understand the extent of control someone who just sensed their soul has.]

After appearing to contemplate deeply, Clada voiced his thoughts, "Can someone control their soul immediately after sensing it?"

Old Blim gently shook his head in response. "Would you expect to fluently speak a language just by recognizing it?" Upon seeing Clada's negative nod, he elaborated, "The same principle applies to souls. Mastery requires ample practice and innate talent."

"I see," Clada said, eyeing the pill as if weighing his options. He then shifted topics, "Speaking of languages, would it be alright if we prioritize learning the Reil language?"

Hearing this, Old Blim promptly fetched paper and pencil from a drawer. As he scribbled notes, he said, "I concur. Familiarity with the Reil language is essential if you intend to live in this empire. The sooner you grasp it, the better."

"The Reil language possesses fewer descriptive words compared to Echoloch, and it also has fewer letters. Therefore, you shouldn't find it too challenging." Once Blim finished his notations, he handed the paper to Clada, who promptly inspected it.

The paper displayed rows of Reil letters unfamiliar to Clada. Beside each letter, its corresponding pronunciation in Echoloch was noted.

Old Blim settled back into his chair, picking up the worn-out book beside him. "Memorize those Reil letters. I'll arrange some books for you to read in the meantime," he directed.

Clada simply nodded in acknowledgment, folding the paper and pocketing it, along with the glass bottle, before making his exit, softly closing the doors behind him.

Old Blim just sighed, shaking his head slightly, and resumed his reading.

After a few minutes, two gentle knocks sounded on the door.

"Come in," Blim called out, setting his book aside once again. The door creaked open to reveal a petite girl stepping inside.

Thaila approached and offered a respectful bow. She then placed several books she had been carrying onto the desk.

Blim gave the books a cursory glance and nodded in approval. Lifting his gaze to Thaila, he queried, "So, what's your impression of him?"