152 Nice Attemp (1/2)
The gray fog filled the air in its eternally unchanging manner as the illusory crimson stars hung around him at varying distances. Klein sat inside the lofty palace that looked like the home of a giant as he looked at the familiar sight before him.
After a few seconds, he looked away and made a yellowish-brown goatskin appear before him. Then, he lifted a pen to write his amended incantation for the summoning ritual.
”Light a candle to represent myself.
”Use a spiritual wall to create a holy environment.
”Drip a drop of Full Moon Essence Oil in the flame, Chamomile Pure Dew, Slumber Flower Powder, and other ingredients. (Note: There's no need to be too particular in this step because it's summoning oneself).
”Recite the incantation below.
”I! (In ancient Hermes, Jotun, Dragonese, or Elfish. It must be a deep shout)
”I summon in my name (Hermes),
”The Fool that doesn't belong to this era, the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck.”
…
After scrutinizing it three times, Klein wrote a divination statement at the bottom:
”There will be danger if the ritual above is carried out outside of this world.”
Phew. He let out a breath, put down the pen, took out the silver chain in his sleeve, and held it with his left hand.
The topaz pendant hung above the goatskin steadily, only a slight distance above the divination statement. He reined in his thoughts and entered a Cogitation state.
”There will be danger if the ritual above is carried out outside of this world.
”There will be danger if the ritual above is carried out outside of this world.”
…
After reciting the statement seven times, Klein opened his eyes which were almost all black and looked at the topaz pendant which was spinning counterclockwise.
That meant a negative outcome: there would be no danger!
”I can give it a try then.” Klein made the items before him disappear. He then extended his spirituality to wrap around himself and simulated the sensation of falling.
When he returned to his bedroom, due to the fact that he had sealed the entire room with a spiritual wall, Klein immediately cleared his desk and put out a mint-scented candle right in the middle.
He pressed slightly on the candle wick, rubbing it with spirituality to cause friction and ignite the candle.
Under the flickering dim light, Klein dripped the corresponding essential oils, extracts, and herb powder onto the flame.
A soothing fragrance suddenly filled the air, and the room alternated between brightness and darkness.
Taking two steps back, Klein looked at the candle that represented himself and shouted in Jotun, ”I!”
Then, he switched to Hermes, ”I summon in my name:
”The Fool that doesn't belong to this era, the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck.”
Just as he finished speaking, he sensed the wavering candlelight suddenly dance vigorously and produce a vortex with the surrounding fragrance. It absorbed his spirituality at an insane rate.
”Slumber flower, a herb that belongs to the red moon, please bestow your powers to my incantation…” Klein endured the discomfort brought about from having his spirituality drained as he finished reciting the incantation.
Then, he saw the candlelight stop wavering. It was tainted with a gray luster, which extended to about the size of a palm.
”I didn't summon anything… Oh right, perhaps I'll need to respond to it above the gray fog? It's really quite troublesome to summon myself…” Klein muttered, pinching his aching forehead.
He calmed himself down, then took four steps counterclockwise before arriving above the gray fog again. He saw that there was a rippling light above the seat of honor at the ancient table.
It stemmed from the strange symbol at the back of the corresponding chair. The strange symbol that was made up of a Pupil-less Eye, a symbol representing secrecy, and contorted lines that represented change.
All Klein did was extend his hand to reach for it when he immediately heard, ”I! I summon in my name, The Fool that doesn't belong to this era, the mysterious ruler above the gray fog; the King of Yellow and Black who wields good luck.” Then, he saw surging spirituality combined with a rippling light that formed into an illusory yet shapeless door.
The door shook as though it wanted to be opened. Klein immediately felt inspired and strongly willed for it to be pushed open.
Almost instantly, the boundless fog and lofty palace was drawn forward. There were a few barely noticeable ripples.
The ripples surged towards the illusory yet shapeless door.
But, no matter how much Klein pushed it, the door couldn't be pushed open. Every movement resulted in dead silence.
”The Door of Summoning has yet to take shape?” Klein reined in his will and creased his eyebrows when he analyzed the reason why he had failed.
He had casually named the door ”the Door of Summoning.”
”Hmm, I'm lacking spirituality, so I can't form a complete Door of Summoning. When I advance to Sequence 8 Clown and pass through the initial dangerous stage, I can give it another try. Maybe it won't be a problem by then…” Klein nodded lightly and roughly understood what had happened.
This experiment gave him a confidence boost, he felt heartened as this was the first time that he received some sort of response from the mysterious space above the gray fog—other than the incident where he divined about Eternal Blazing Sun!
There will come a day when I'll understand all the secrets here! Klein excitedly declared in his heart. He then made a rapid descent into the boundless fog after he wrapped himself up with spirituality.
…
Klein quickly blew out the candle after he returned to his bedroom. He ended the ritual and cleaned up his study desk before he removed the spiritual wall.