Von's fifth challenger was one of the chronomancy students he has seen previously while watching classes during his discovery montage with his hand on the great hourglass. Von immediately recognized the androgenous black-haired older teenager dressed all in black as Wilmot the younger. He had been called on several times during lectures when no one raised their hands to answer a question. He seemed to be an astute student during the lectures with a fantastic memory.
Wilmot stepped forward as those before him did and Von greeted him. "Hello, Wilmot. It is good to finally meet you in person." He then held out his right hand to the suddenly bewildered teen who took it out of instinct but couldn't place how he could possibly know this boy or how the boy had heard of him.
"How do you know of me," Wilmot inquired.
Before Von had the opportunity to respond, Archmage Alden announced the start of the decision-making process. "Wilmot is your fifth challenger, Von. You have two minutes to decide your challenge."
Von sent his aura to surround Wilmost seeking every affinity he might have as he answered the young man's question. "You sit in the third row of seats in the chronomancy lectures for the journeyman class. Do you have a preferred challenge?" While he waited for his answer, Von continued to see what Wilmot's aura might show him.
Wilmot, getting past his confusion since the boy had probably seen him in the tower decided he wanted to move away from chronomancy. If he was aware of his journeyman status there, he should probably move to his other journeyman level affinity of myalomancy since he was one of the few skilled in both. "As you are aware, I am a journeyman chronomancer, but I have skill in mind magic as well. There used to be a test there for the expert level entry of being scared by the most horrible mental impression the others could force upon you. Would this be permissible?"
Von discovering the young man did have affinity with mind magics but less than his, thought for a second before answering. "I find this interesting. You said 'others,' not 'other one.' Is there normally more than one in the test?" Turning to Alden he stated, "this is the challenge I wish, but if there should be more than one, may more than one myalomancer challenge me at the same time?"
The tortoise looked to Stephan and another older woman who were whispering with each other. "Do you know of this challenge?"
The older woman stepped forward with Stephan one step behind her to his right. "Archmage, we are aware of this test. It was removed from the curriculum centuries ago because it is extremely invasive into one's mind. It also has the potential to scar the individual who is being examined. I don't believe the boy should be allowed to undertake this test as it could permanently damage his psyche. Mistress Eve underwent similar torture recently and is still recovering from her experience. Imagine if more individuals were involved. It would be much tougher as she would have needed to fend off more torturous thoughts and images."
She looked at the small boy, "Do you have any idea what could happen?"
Von quickly received the rundown of what could happen from his system which assured him he would not be at risk. He then nodded to the woman and began to provide what knowledge he learned, assuring her he understood the risks. ""The myalomancy challenge Wilmot suggested involves the intrusion of terrifying mental impressions," Von started, his words conveying a sense of seriousness. "This practice was removed with good reason from the curriculum centuries ago due to its invasive nature and the potential for causing permanent psychological harm. I understand the challenge has the potential to cause severe psychological trauma. The fact the test is completely within our minds could lead to the creation of disturbing and lasting mental images, impacting our mental well-being. This could cause lasting imprints and permanent scarring affecting our mental health long after the challenge is over. These mental impressions could lead to an unreasonable fear of something causing significant emotional stress affecting how I act and how I feel toward things. I understand this."
Stephan leaned forward to touch her on her shoulder as a glazed look overcame his eyes. She stepped back to evaluate the boy's words before nodding and looking back to Stephan.
Von watched this but continued speaking. "There also exists the possibility my magical abilities could be impaired, I may lose my ability to concentrate, focus or even use them effectively. As you mentioned, Mistress Eve recently underwent a similar experience and is still in the process of recovering from the ordeal. She still requires extensive support; several mental wizards are still required to aid her every day."
Given these potential consequences, Von's explanation served to underscore the serious nature of the myalomancy challenge proposed by Wilmot. The consideration of the long-term effects on the well-being of the individual undergoing the test weighed heavily in the decision-making process of Archmage Alden and the other experienced mages within the mythological academy.
"Wait here," she said. She then moved to Archmage Alden and motioned others to join desiring their opinion as she faced the delicate decision of allowing or disallowing Wilmot's proposed challenge, Von's insights into the potential consequences contributed to the careful consideration of the situation by Archmage Alden and the other experienced mages.
After nearly ten minutes of deliberation, they decided to break for lunch and return thereafter. Archmage Alden announced, "we are going to take a break for lunch while to allow those here to be at their best. We shall meet back here in an hour."
Von quickly teleported to the refectory to grab enhancement food which he ate swiftly before again teleporting to the front of Oren's workshop. Oren could be seen walking down the street. As he got closer, he greeted Von with a smile. "I am glad to see you in good spirits! I have been watching the events unfold at the academy and you are performing well. Good for you!"
"About that, master...."
Oren cut him off, "Just Oren. You too are a master now. We are peers. I know what you are going to ask. Yes, it's done. I took the measurements while you were recovering, and it was finished yesterday. I expected you to arrive this afternoon, so I was waiting before giving it to you. If you wear it for this challenge, it will be quite obvious. Are you certain you want it now?"
"Please, mas... Oren. I would appreciate it."
"Will you even have time to attune to something so strong?"
Von smiled as his head bobbed up and down. "I always have time to do what needs to be done."
Laughing, Oren motioned for Von to follow as he entered the door to his shop, moved to the rear of the building beyond the door to the area where most of the work was done. Here on a workbench on the side opposite the forge was a tall object with a piece of silk covering it.
Removing the fabric, Oren presented a plate helm with a visor which could be raised and lowered with narrow eye slits. Above the visor a ridge leading to a tall spike at the top which served to allow the visor to rest and stop it from going too far back were present. Various embellishments strengthened the helmet and visor. Overall, it looked fairly menacing making Von feel he wouldn't like to be up against someone wearing this.
"May I try it on? It looks too big."
"Don't worry, it's a focus. It will change its size to fit the person to whom it is attuned. It will also grow as you do. I am, after all, a professional and the best focus smith in all of Sungrove." With a mischievous grin he added, "I also got help from my peers as to how we wanted this last generation of knight-wizard armor to appear. I hope this is exactly what you wanted."
"It is even better than my memories of the tapestry. It is perfect." Von picked it up and nearly threw it across the room because it was lighter than it looked weighing in at around two and a half pounds. Looking inside Von noted the lining was finely padded leather also enchanted in some fashion. He marveled in awe at the craftsmanship Oren had put into the helm.
The smile still not leaving his face, the old elf motioned throwing the helmet over his head. "Well, boy, stop staring at it and try it on! It's meant to be used in battle, not as a decoration."
Breaking out of his trance, Von began raising the helmet and lowered it almost to his shoulders. Before it was completely covered, he sped time to allow himself enough time to attune with the helmet before having to return to the nexus.
As the Von reached out, fingertips trembling with anticipation, a subtle vibration resonated through the room, causing the very air to shimmer. The helmet, crafted from both rare ethereal metals by the hands of the greatest armorer known, seemed to pulse with a dark vitality. Intricate runes, etched within the helmet glowed softly, reacting to the proximity of a soul attuned to the arcane.
Upon full contact with his shoulders, a surge of energy surged through the boy, a tingling sensation crawling along the edges of his consciousness. Without warning, Von's mind became a battleground, a swirling tempest of conflicting energies and ancient malevolence as he grappled with what remained of the demon lord's dark will. The moment of attunement opened a door to a shadowed realm, and now Von found himself standing at the precipice of an abyssal struggle for control.
The demon's whispers slithered through the corridors of Von's consciousness, insidious tendrils of influence seeking to entangle his thoughts. Visions of the demon lord's ruthless conquests flashed before his mind, accompanied by an oppressive weight threatening to shred his very identity. Von's thoughts wavered; his resolve tested in the crucible of this mental conflict.
As the struggle intensified, the magical helmet pulsed ominously upon his brow, a conduit for the lingering will of the ancient demon. Von clenched his teeth, his eyes ablaze with a defiant determination. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he strained against the encroaching darkness, drawing upon his inner strength and the memories of his first encounter with the cerebrenth demon lord.
In the ethereal landscape of his mind, Von envisioned a fortress of light, a bastion against the encroaching shadows. With the aid of his system, he summoned mental barriers, walls of pure willpower, to fortify his psyche. Each surge of the demon's will was met with a resolute resistance, as Von fought to maintain control over his own thoughts and emotions.
The struggle manifested in the physical realm as well. Von's body trembled under the unseen weight of the supernatural clash; his muscles strained as if resisting an invisible force. Sweat-soaked and breathless, he pressed on, refusing to succumb to the insidious influence that sought to claim him.
In a moment of clarity, Von drew upon the knowledge acquired during his attunement of other foci as well as those from his earlier defeat of Veknezimal . With a profound understanding of the ancient rites and incantations from the fell realm itself, he began to weave a counterforce against the demon's lingering will. Arcane symbols glowed in the air around him as he concentrated on blending his aura with the powerful magics and drawing upon the very essence of the magical helmet itself.
A surge of energy emanated from the helmet, a brilliant burst of light repelled the encroaching darkness. Von's eyes glowed with an inner fire as he seized control, wresting dominance from the remnants of the demon's will. The oppressive weight lifted, and the fortress of light in his mind stood unyielding against the shadows.
Von, now the master of the powerful artifact, stood victorious amidst the aftermath of the mental struggle. The magical helmet, once a conduit for the demon's malevolence, now radiated with a subdued brilliance, attuned solely to its new master. With a deep breath, Von straightened, the echoes of the conflict fading into the recesses of his consciousness. He had overcome the ancient darkness, emerging from the crucible not as a victim but as a wielder of formidable power, a sorcerer whose destiny was forever entwined with the enigmatic forces he now commanded.