Chapter 6

If I were to liken it to a material that I could closely compare it to based solely on its looks, I would say it is something like obsidian. 

Upon further observation, I noticed its flat surface was marked with etchings that were strewn all over it. I could not quite tell what image it formed or if anything was meant to be conveyed at all due to its nature. The deep, dark color of the stone practically devoured the light of the overhead fixture situated above it, making investigation from a distance a challenge. 

What was apparent, however, were the protruding spikes coming out from the underside of the rock, like stalactites. These contrasted with the almost smooth and flat surface on top. 

Art has always been an elusive concept for me to grasp, and I am not starting now. For whatever purpose this relic served, perhaps I will never know—neither will I need to anyway. 

Observing the room further, I found another set of doors. With my eyes set upon them, I composed myself, preparing to meet the soul expert at last—this moment had been long overdue. 

As the nurse continued to push me forward, I found myself being led towards the center of the room. The wheelchair I was in promptly parked next to the bouldering décor. Thinking that the nurse had gone astray, I looked up, only to see the man walk toward the slab. He placed his hand on its surface and closed his eyes. 

Must be a religious thing, I thought to myself. 

I could not have been more wrong. 

After a second of waiting, a small flickering beam of green light appeared in the middle of the rock's surface. It was weak and faint at first, then suddenly turned completely solid and opaque. The light traveled through the etchings on the rock, tracing a clear formation, appearing more liquid than, well, light. 

Once the luminescence reached the edge of the platform, it started traveling down the spiked ends of the protrusions before completely flowing off of them, dribbling into a stream down to the floor. But instead of making a mess, as liquids would do, it flowed into a complete and perfect circle around the rock before completely stopping. 

Breaking out of my daze, I looked towards the person who started all of this. Beads of sweat formed all over his forehead, some running down his cheeks. Although he appeared stoic, his overall look betrayed him. 

Finally, he turned toward me. 

After getting in front of me, he extended a hand, gesturing for me to stand up with his help. I accepted and tried to do so after what seemed like forever. Although my movements were strained, with the help of the nurse, I was able to balance myself properly. 

We then faced the now glowing rock before I carefully climbed atop it, cautious of the spikes that adorned it. With the nurse giving strength to my weakened limbs, I was able to get atop safely. 

"Lay down," the nurse stated. 

"Is this, uhh, safe?" 

A probing question, but an understandable one. 

"I wouldn't worry if I were you. You are in very capable hands. You won't even feel a thing." 

As soon as he said those words, I knew I was in for a ride. It instantly reminded me of the doctors who would beguile me before inserting a needle into my arm as a child. 

"Cool." 

That was all I could reply. Whatever magic it was that had been keeping me calm all this while—it needed to go into overdrive right about now. 

After giving me a smile, which now looked overly ominous to me, the man ordered me to spread my arms and legs a little. After doing as asked, with a swift wave of his hand, the rock I was lying upon suddenly wrapped and constricted around all my limbs. The shackles themselves felt smooth, cold, and immovable. 

It is just magic shit; calm down, man. 

"Relax." 

Those were the words I was parted with before he walked out of the room. A gesture I did not appreciate. It is always the kind-looking ones that are the most messed up. 

As soon as the doors clicked shut, the whole room turned dark. The ceiling lights turned off, leaving only the table's glow providing a little bit of light— 

"BEGINNING ALIGNMENT." 

A sound reverberated across the room. 

"PLEASE REMAIN CALM." 

It sounded neither masculine nor feminine. 

"BEGINNING ALIGNMENT." 

Neither was it mechanical. 

"PLEASE REMAIN CALM." 

Whatever it was, it did not really matter. 

"BEGINNING ALIGNMENT." 

What was important, however, was that… 

"PLEASE REMAIN CALM." 

It was not designed by anyone human. 

"BEGINNING ALIGNMENT." 

Because if it was… 

"PLEASE REMAIN CALM." 

They would fucking know that this would not help anyone! 

-0-

"Rell Zorias, you may enter now." 

Standing up from my seat, I walked toward the lady who called my name and was seated behind a desk—straightening any creases in the suit I was wearing on the way. The chic-looking woman glanced at me before giving me a quick smile and politely gesturing for me to go ahead. 

It took a lot of effort to get here. Let us not mess this up. 

I thought to myself as I opened the door and walked in. 

Inside sat a much larger desk than the one outside. If I were to define it, it would be something like: sleek and expensive, expensive and very expensive. Important things need to be said multiple times. And important people, well, feel the need to be described as such—expensive. 

The man commanding the expensive desk was looking at me. He was bulked, enough so that the desk's size justified being used by him. If his suit could speak, it would no doubt be begging for release, his muscular frame almost ripping through the fabric. His gray hairs and wrinkled skin betrayed the robustness of his physique. 

It was ridiculous, as most things are in this world—a concept I have come to terms with relative ease. 

"You must be Rell Zorias." 

A voice kinder-sounding than what I expected, carrying a hint of warmth despite its much sterner undertone. 

"Yes, sir, that would be me." 

"Alright, come. Be seated." 

The dean of **Phalanx Academia**, the premier, the apex, the study of anything about humanity, its magics, and her efforts to stem and fight back the current and future threats looming upon her—that is what this place is all about. 

And the man in front of me was one of the ones with considerable weight in this place. 

"I have read your file. It is inspiring, to say the least." 

My last hurdle to getting started. 

"But why should I make an exception for you?"