[What…? It shattered!?]
The sparrow deity's shocked voice resounded loudly.
However, Lucas didn't pay any heed to its comments as he wore a frowning expression.
'What was that?'
Before the Mirror Orb completely shattered, a faint shadow appeared on top of the unfinished world and grasped the entire world, as though arrogantly proclaiming everything as its property in its mere presence.
When he looked at the shadow, the shadow returned the gaze and in his words, seemingly smiled at him before the orb broke.
Although the sparrow deity wasn't able to see it, he was able to see it very clearly, albeit only for a slight moment.
'Regardless…'
Lucas shook it off from his mind for the time being. He looked at the shattered orb before directing his gaze to the sparrow deity statue.
"What was that about? I mean, the image?"
Recovering from its shock, the sparrow deity answered:
[The Mirror Orb is a tool that reflect the soul at its truest and most barest form. Depending on each individual, the Mirror Orb shows different visions. As for your case, it showed a remarkable recreation of the world.]
The sparrow deity continued with a hint of admiration:
[It meant that not only did you comprehend atleast 20% of the major aspects of the world, but your affinity towards them is among the best to ever exist.]
"Is it that unusual?"
Lucas asked, raising his brows in intrigue.
[Definitely. The average Spirit Master only study and have affinity to one or two aspects of the world, extraordinary ones study and have affinity to three to five aspects. However, in your case you're close to all major affinity. The only thing I know with similar talent is our Master.]
"Wait… what's a Spirit Master?"
Lucas caught on to the unfamiliar term quickly.
[That's strange. Aren't you one yourself? Spirit Masters are those who study and use soulcraft through soulforce.]
'So that was the case…'
Lucas nodded before shaking his head.
"Nothing. Moving on. Is there anything you still wish to say?"
[... Unfortunately, as much I want to continue our conversation, you must prepare yourself for another hour. The last test barring yourself from the Book of Souls remain.]
The sparrow deity paused.
[...The Test of the Mind.]
Lucas narrowed his eyes before softly smiling. A test of mind… now he was curious what test it is about.
"If that's the case, don't mind me if I continue to read the stones."
Lucas chuckled before looking at the statue. At this point, he was already finished and could not really make significant progress in the stones.
His only goal from reading it was to memorize the runic language and the written contents so he can study it back when his soul is considerably stronger.
Without waiting for the sparrow deity's response, Lucas sat on the ground in a meditative position and stared at the stones—immediately being absorbed by their contents.
***
After an hour of so being completely absorbed, Lucas snapped out of his daze as he heard a lourd rumbling occur.
He raised his head and looked at the end of the room.
At the very end, the sparrow deity statue moved, unveiling a new dark entrance with a long stairway to the top.
"I take it the time for preparation is done?"
Lucas commented before standing up. He patted the dust on his clothes and cracked his finger.
Before he moved on to the next room, he gave one last look at the monumental stones—whoever who created them was someone in another dimension entirely.
To whoever they are, Lucas had their favoir and gratitude.
The benefits the stones gave him were tremendous. He had managed to create seven different soul arts based on them which meant a significant increase in survival.
In truth, he still didn't want to part ways. Every fabric of his being made him want to directly rob the stones and keep it to his own.
But he was sure the guardians of this place wouldn't take kindly to that.
Afterwards, Lucas deeply breathed and prepared himself.
Without wasting anymore time, he entered the dark entrance and climbed the abyssal stairs.
After he entered the entrance, the sparrow deity statue moved to cover the dark pathway again.
Amidst the silence in the room, the sparrow deity's voice resounded in the stage in a low, whispering tone:
[The Test of the Mind is the most dangerous and hardest amongst the other challenges. I bid him goodluck. Often, the most talented people have the greatest demon hearts.]
[It would be a pity for a worthy successor of the Master to fall like that.]
***
Soon enough, Lucas found his way to the final stage.
However, just as he was about to open the door to the entrance—a voice echoed on his mind.
The voice was different from the other voices he had heard. This one had no tone of respect and formality.
[Don't open it. Not yet.]
"...Where?"
Lucas whispered as he stopped his hand from pushing the door.
[I am the guardian for The Test of the Mind. You wont be able to see me until you manage to get past this challenge.]
[I won't beat around the bush anymore, the Test of the Mind is the most dangerous out of the other two challenges, are you prepared?]
"I did climb through the stairs, didn't I?"
[Quite a snarky one you are.]
Lucas sighed and shook his head.
[The Test of Mind is simple. The only requirement to pass it is for you to reach the very end of the room. That's it.]
"Then… how is it dangerous?"
Lucas asked casually. It was ironic for the voice to say it wasn't going to beat around the bush when it was being cryptic.
[Once you open that door, a new and different world will show up. A world familiar to you… your past itself.]
Lucas lost the casual look he had on his face.
[The Test of the Mind is the challenge of the heart. Through the events of your past, it will try to convince you to give up and lose yourself. It will have a total of three illusions. But no matter what…]
Not waiting for the voice to finish, Lucas abruptly opened the door and entered for himself.
[...don't ever let yourself falter from what you see.]
Bam—!
A loud bam echoed as the door shut down.
The voice that was talking earlier suddenly fell silent while staring at the door at a lost. Once more, silence reigned the place.