Ch 52 – The Duhurl Alcazarl (Part 2)

Sigurd stood under the floating miniature fortress and stared at the fortress. I also noticed that the glowing light aura around Sigurd's body was actually coming from the floating miniature fortress.

As I tried to recollect the current events suddenly it struck me. That floating miniature fortress is actually the Manifestation of Sigurd's divine spirit! That explains most of the strangeness.

Alright, this is quite shocking. I never knew buildings could also be divine spirits. I read a lot of books and the famous mages had a different divine spirit helping them, but this is the first time I am knowing that there are human structures that can also be a spirit.

I guess that's the extent of what I could learn about this world by merely reading books.

Seems like I have learned something new.

I observed the floating fortress, and to my surprise, the building was in ruins as if it were incomplete. I am saying this because there were parts of the fortress that were missing. It was similar to the way jigsaw puzzles are missing some parts.

As I was observing the fortress I also saw tiny little miniature cannons kept on the top of the walls. The cannons were arranged in a rather orderly manner but it felt like it was missing a few of their cannons. Not only that, the fortress windows had missing window glasses.

Also, some chunks of the fortress walls were missing giving us a tiny peek into the interior. Fencing around the walls was also missing some of the railings. Meanwhile, at the entrance, there was a big rusted iron gate that seemed to be the only entryway within the castle.

This fortress looked like it was just 60% complete.

This is understandable because the divine spirits are said to be just mere fragments when they form contracts with their mages. They slowly start to grow and form a full spiritual body as the fellow host mages and their mana heart grow simultaneously.

Sigurd's divine spirit, the fortress seemed to be about 60% complete which just shows that he was already at least higher than the rest of the True mages. This just shows how experienced a mage he was. It's not really easy to collect the fragments of your divine spirit, it's quite an arduous task. But the growth of the fragment certainly does make mages stronger and gain more skills.

Divine spirits also known as the celestial spirits are the ultimate spirits that help the mages to reach new heights. They are also powerful beings that instill fear among the beings of this mortal realm.

But to be honest, Sigurd's miniature floating fortress didn't give rise to fear. The miniature fortress was as big as the size of a big wagon and not the actual size of a real-life castle. Those little cannons, small windows, and even mini stairs leading up to the watchtowers; all looked quite adorable.

This fortress evoked cuteness.

It didn't look much different from the dollhouse that my childhood friend, Heather plays with. The only difference between that doll house and this fortress looked detailed and looked like a real thing. Also, it had mini cannons that made it look cool. I certainly wouldn't mind playing with a doll house if there were such versions in the market.

I was not the only one who was struck by the fortress's beauty.

"That fortress looks so cool!"

"Wow! Head mage's divine spirit is already more than half complete."

"I wish I could form a contract with a floating castle as well!"

"Guys there are cannons! Do you think it can fire like the real thing?"

"Of course, it can! It might be powerful enough to blow away this amphitheater."

"This isn't how I imagined divine spirits to be like."

Even the 2nd tier candidates who acted headstrong and acted like arrogant brats of nobles changed their tone. Right now they were really talkative like some crazy fanboys. Even the uptight Trisha stared at the castle with wide eyes. Meanwhile, boys with monster arms were also the same.

Meanwhile, Jason was really ogling at the floating fortress as if trying to memorize its appearance. He was really studying the castle in detail like if he bats an eye he might miss something.

Whereas, Marcia had latched on Jason's back like a baby monkey wrapping its arms around their mother. She had finally stopped sobbing but looked quite terrified.

Sigurd finally started walking toward the center of the stage as he stretched his arms,

"Alright chosen candidates, let's head down to the divine hall where your ascension ceremony trial will be held. The moderators as well as the grandmasters of the royal academies have all gathered in the divine hall and are eagerly waiting."

The floating mini fortress followed Sigurd overhead like a loyal pet as he walked to the center of the stage. There was a constant stream of glowing light coming from the fortress and wrapping it around Sigurd. This must be the source of Sigurd's crazy power, it also must be why he looks so different now.

Spirit possession happens when the spirit possesses the mage's body increasing all attributes from mana power, skills, and reserves to a whole new level. Sometimes the mages also become invincible but sometimes they lose their rational ability to think. Also, there's the drawback of using such power depending on the mage.

"Step away from the edge of the stage. Gather around me or you might get hurt."

We candidates quickly gathered around Sigurd keeping a few meters distance, of course.

Seeing that we had gathered around him, he then stretched his muscular arms forward. He then squatted down and spread his legs like a sumo wrestling posture. With one hand he made a fist and with another, he stretched his palm.

Sigurd had a serious stern expression,

"Estate Hijack"

*Rumble*

We were then hit by a fierce rumbling as our stage shook fiercely.

Although it didn't last long and quickly stopped.

Marcia started sobbing once again,

"I really wanna go home! Mommy!" hugging Jason from behind.

She didn't even care that Sigurd was just standing next to us.

The 2nd tier candidates around us were clearly glaring at the two of us like we must do something about Marcia's sobbing. I in response stared at Jason. Jason had already befriended Marcia, might as well just do his part of what a good friend should do.

Jason noticed the glaring he quickly covered Marcia's mouth with his hand,

"Ssh! The ascension ceremony is really going to start soon. Your crying might anger the head mage." muttered Jason in a low tone.

"~I~I bawhaa Goo Haam~" mumbled Marcia in a muffled voice but we could clearly make out what she meant.

Thankfully Sigurd wasn't bothered by this little commotion here.

The floating fortress seemed to be channeling more and more power to Sigurd as he stood in the squatting posture. The next instant he joined his palm with his fist, "Descend"

All of a sudden, the stage we were standing on started to sink into the ground.

The stand seats where the 1st tier candidates stood, and the amphitheater's big pillars all were rising steadily as our platform went downwards.

It was as if the entire big stage was turned into an operating lift that was taking us, candidates, down into the basement of the amphitheater. The 2nd tier candidates were all awestruck and had turned into a bunch of curious kids during their first field trip. They all looked at this skill marvelously.

The platform descended deeper and deeper and there were only rocky walls surrounding us.

The only thing we could see was the light coming from above which was shrinking as we went deeper and deeper.

I was really excited that finally I can participate in the ascension ceremony.

The ascension ceremony is basically a ceremony to determine the affinity and potential of the young mages.

This means that I can finally discover my affinity and know what type of mage I will be.