Determination

"Those incomplete majors are Conjuration, Illusion, Alteration, and lastly, Enchantment."

As soon as Exia caught Bernard mentioned the word of Enchantment, his ears perked up in astonish.

'Isn't this the same information I kept getting over every time I touched the scarlet-orb?' Exia's eyes subconsciously fell at the scarlet-ball which currently revolves at the left-side of his body.

'What are you?' This was the only question he could utter at the moment inside his head. However, Exia didn't linger on his thought for long because he was afraid to offend Bernard for not paying attention to his explanation. Thus, he quickly throws all the previous outbursts' emotions away temporarily.

Clearing his throat, Bernard continued, "Let's back to the main points. To utilize those spells, we, sorcerers were required to have a mana core. Mana core itself could be formed through various methods. Normally, most sorcerers had to consume potion to let their skin pores allow mana to flow into their bodies. Afterward, with the mana slowly supplying our body, Mana Core could be created through meditation. However, with the advancement of the era, many other methods introduced as years passed. One of them is what I'm gonna do to you now. It's quite a painful method, but if you managed to bear with the pain, you'd become an incomplete half-sorcerer."

"Half-sorcerer?" Exia asked in puzzlement.

"The sorcerer that hasn't learned any spell is considered as half-sorcerer. Meanwhile, if you succeed in learning one basic spell among the five majors, you'll be acknowledged as a Novice Sorcerer." Bernard explained and adding, "Let's begin the process. Please try not to lose consciousness, or else, I don't know what would happen to you."

Nodding his head as the confirmation, Exia then saw Bernard stood up from his sitting position and walked toward his backside. With his back facing Bernard, he didn't know what Bernard up to and could only pray to God, hoping the pain wouldn't be severe as Bernard told.

Suddenly he feels the tip of Bernard's finger is brushing his back lightly. Even with the clothes on, Exia could still sense how sharp Bernard's finger is. He didn't know whether the current Bernard's finger is amplified by a spell or not, but he got a bad omen about this.

With a smirk on his face, Bernard throws a sly glance at Ardelt, "This is my payback."

Instantly, Exia sense Bernard's finger piercing his skin, making him had to let out a painful shriek, "Aaah!!"

The pain was outrageous. Now Exia was sure, Bernard must be reinforcing his finger at this point. A mere finger is impossible to produce such pain. But as Bernard ordered, he didn't dare to faint, knowing something bad would occur to his body if he stops to remain awake during the process.

Creasing his forehead, Ardelt whispered to Bernard while pointing his sword at Bernard's neck, "What are you doing?"

"Don't threaten me, Ardelt. If you interrupt me slightest, this boy could go to hell!" Bernard replied with a voice audible enough only for Ardelt.

Seeing Bernard's gazes were serious, Ardelt slowly retracts his sword, "If something bad happens to him, I will make sure your stay at Lite City wouldn't be much peaceful anymore."

"Likewise," Bernard smirked.

...

Exia didn't catch up with their conversation since all of his attention was solely focused on enduring the unbearable pain he currently felt. Truthfully, Exia sure he should be gone fainted a long time ago. But, something was preventing his consciousness from slipping away. With his skin being pierced at many points, Exia could even feel the wind is stroking his hollow skin vividly. It makes his back really itchy, and he impulsively wanted to scratch it.

Seeing Exia's back were loaded up with many holes, Ardelt found it intriguing how sorcerers having a cruel method like this. Weirdly, no blood oozed out from Exia's wounds, making the holes looks fake despite being the real one.

Admiring his work for a while, Bernard then proceeds to chant, "Cancel!"

Instantly, blood start seeped out from each hole he made. Before Ardelt starts to nag at him, Bernard quickly cast another spell while directing his palm over Exia, "Heal."

When Bernard's voice resonated within the room, a yellow light began to shine on Exia, coating his body with it. Exia's back, which was previously dyed in red-blood colour, gradually regained its original color because the blood seemed to evaporate under the yellow light's influence.

Meanwhile, Exia, who tried to endure his suffering, keep emitting a painful cry. Fortunately, following the pain, come forth the feeling of relief. It feels like his wounds are slowly cured by inexplicable gentle power.

"His body now begins to absorb the surrounding mana," Bernard muttered in satisfaction. Although he was quite upset earlier due to Ardelt's compulsion, he becomes proud of himself after seeing his performance was running well.

"You owe me a favor," Bernard taps his knuckle against Ardelt's collar.

"Thanks," Ardelt replied shortly and immediately approach Exia, who look in bewilderment state, "How's your feeling?"

"Great?" Exia replied blankly. Previously, when he opened his eyes, he was welcomed by the sight of scarlet-orb floating ahead of him. Since he's been accustomed to this, Exia didn't get shocked and assumed the orb was only revolving around his body, following its orbit as usual. However, at that moment, he sees the orb develop an unusual pattern. It stopped precisely in front of him, and without any warning, the orb proceeds to move in brisk toward his heart.

Exia was caught off guard and couldn't manage to react in time. In the end, he could only stare blankly at his heart in which he could feel something is constructing.

Hearing Exia's uncertain response, Ardelt asked in concern, "Are you really okay?"

Being asked twice, Exia quickly regained his senses and replied with an assured smile, "Yeah, I just dazed a little before."

Turning to Bernard, Exia asked, "So, what should I do now, Sir Bernard?"

"The next process is constructing your mana core through meditation. However, this process would take a really long time. For me, it takes a year. Some people even waste years to construct their mana cores. And that huge amount of time was used to build only mana core. Afterward, you were needed to learn about magic spells. And that required much more times than creating mana core. So, imagine being in the age of me but could only unleash one or two spells. It wasn't worth it. I don't want to discourage you, but this is the truth. Talent is an essential thing in sorcery. I hope you understand this, Exia." Bernard speaks with a solemn voice.

Normal people would definitely be dispirit hearing Bernard's reminder. But not for Exia. His existence in this world was even abnormal in this world. From it alone, Exia deduced his path ought to be different from a normal human. Hence, he couldn't stand being a normal person in this world. Regardless of any obstacles he'd faced on his journey, he's confident that he'll survive.

With that thought, Exia replied resolutely, "I know, yet, I still wanna do it."