Kendell made his way back to the Ritual Research Club booth, his heart was set on joining, and eager to expand his arsenal of ritual tattoos.
The club, nestled in a quieter corner of the hall, buzzed with a scholarly energy. Kendell approached confidently, ready to sign up, but was stopped by a senior student with an enigmatic air.
"Back for more, Kendell?" the senior member asked with a sly grin.
Kendell nodded, "I've made my decision. I want to join the Ritual Research Club."
The senior member's grin widened. "We thought you might. But joining our club isn't as simple as signing up. We have a little... ritual, for prospective members. Are you up for it?"
Kendell's interest was piqued. "A ritual? Sure, I'm up for it."
The club member presented Kendell with an ancient-looking box, its surface adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. "Inside this box is a puzzle. It's not just any puzzle, though. It's a ritual puzzle, one that requires both intellectual prowess and an understanding of arcane symbols."
Kendell accepted the box, his curiosity piqued by the challenge.
Opening it, he discovered a three-dimensional puzzle, not merely a sequence of rings but a lattice of interconnected gears and symbols, each part movable and intricately linked to the others. The symbols etched on the gears were arcane, each representing different elements of ritual magic.
His analytical mind, sharpened by his background in programming and problem-solving, immediately began dissecting the puzzle's complexities. The gears were arranged in layers, and each turn affected multiple elements. Kendell realized the solution wasn't just about aligning symbols; it was about understanding the interplay of the magical elements they represented.
The symbols seemed to narrate the history of ritual magic, detailing the evolution of spells from ancient times. Kendell's approach was methodical, turning one gear and observing the cascading effects on others. He started to perceive patterns – certain symbols needed to align to depict a coherent historical progression.
The club members, initially just casually observing, began to take a keener interest as Kendell made progress. Whispers of anticipation filled the air; it was clear that solving this puzzle was no small feat.
With each correct alignment, the gears moved more smoothly, as if the puzzle was responding to Kendell's understanding. He felt a connection with the puzzle, almost as if it were guiding him. The final piece clicked into place with a satisfying resonance, completing a narrative that traced the lineage of magical rituals through the ages.
The puzzle's completion revealed a secret compartment containing a scroll with the club's emblem – a symbol of his successful initiation. Kendell had not only solved a complex puzzle but had also demonstrated a deep comprehension of the interconnectedness of ritual magic.
The senior clapped her hands, a broad smile on her face. "Impressive, Kendell! You've just solved one of our hardest puzzles and passed our test. Welcome to the Ritual Research Club!"
Kendell, flushed with success, couldn't hide his excitement. "Thanks! I didn't realize this was a test to join."
"It's more than a test," the senior explained. "It's a way to see how our potential members approach the unknown and the mysterious. You did exceptionally well."
As he signed his name on the club's roster, Kendell felt a surge of pride. He was now officially a member of the Ritual Research Club, 'Finally, it's time to get access to these ancient rituals! I can't wait to see what they have to offer.'
His thoughts were suddenly cut off as the senior stretched out her hand, "Crista by the way, I'm actually president of the club. Why don't you come by the club room after classes this week and I'll introduce you to all the members!"
Kendell's eyes went wide, 'President of the club! Why didn't she tell me, she must be a sixth of seventh year here.' He looked at her and grinned, "I can't wait to meet them, do you guys meet at after classes let out or only at the end of each week?"
Crista smiled, "We meet every day, but if you want to meet everyone come once the week is over. That is when club attendance is mandatory."
He nodded and headed towards the cafeteria to join up with his friends. Kendell's eyes shone with a mix of relief and pride. He had passed the test, earning his place in the club that felt like it was made for him.
Kendell rejoined Celia and Coli in the cafeteria, his excitement about joining the Ritual Research Club evident. As they gathered around their lunch, the conversation naturally gravitated towards their chosen clubs.
"Ritual Research Club, huh? Sounds intense but I know you love ancient rituals," Coli commented between bites. "What about you, Celia? Why did you pick yours?"
Celia smiled, her eyes twinkling with a secret. "I'll keep why I picked the Duelist Club as a surprise. Let's just say I can't wait to be beating people up."
They laughed, and Kendell shared his experience with the puzzle challenge, his eyes alight with enthusiasm. After lunch, the trio made their way to the library, immersing themselves in the peaceful quietude, perfect for study.
In the library, they delved into their tasks. Kendell and Coli focused on their presentations for the ancient rituals class. Kendell chose to talk about a ritual he had read about, which involved the celestial alignment and its impact on ritual power, while Coli decided to discuss the historical evolution of curse rituals. Celia, however, kept her subject a mystery, sparking curiosity in her friends. "Just trust me," she whispered, "I want to surprise you guys with it when I present." They nodded begrudgingly and went back to perfecting their presentations.
As the day wound down the group moved to the study hall so they could practice the seal ritual, each determined to perfect their technique before the big showcase next class. Their focus was unwavering, and the large amount of energy ever swirling around the study hall kept their reserves full for hours- letting the group work well into the night.
Back in his dorm room, Kendell reflected on the day's achievements and the growth he had gotten out of the day. He felt a burning desire to push his boundaries further, he wasn't done yet and Coli was still in the study hall trying to perfect his sealing ritual. He mentally pulled on the ritual for the Devil Contracts - Binding Summon, the one that connected him to Azmoth. He decided to try increasing its mastery level, just as he had done before with the Form Demon 1 ritual.
Kendell closed his eyes, focusing on the tattoo, feeling its energy coursing through him. He reached out to the surrounding energies, drawing them into the intricate design on his skin. The familiar notification appeared:
[-----------------------------------]
[ Devil Contracts - Binding Summon, Azmoth: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Would you like to absorb the surrounding energy to increase mastery? ]
[-----------------------------------]
Without hesitation, Kendell mentally confirmed, bracing for the surge of energy. The rush was intense, almost overwhelming, but he held on, determined to succeed. As the energy subsided, another notification confirmed his success:
[-----------------------------------]
[ Mastery enhancement success! ]
[ Devil Contracts - Binding Summon, Azmoth: Current Mastery | 2 ]
[-----------------------------------]
As the waves of pain washed over him, he couldn't help but grin through it, 'That didn't feel as bad as last time- I was even able to stop myself from screaming out... I might have almost passed out but maybe I'm getting used to this?'. He had successfully increased the mastery of a powerful ritual, but maybe he could push his luck a bit more. He closed his eyes and yet again pulled the scraps of surrounding energy towards his tattoo till the notification appeared:
[-----------------------------------]
[ Devil Contracts - Binding Summon, Azmoth: Current Mastery | 2 ]
[ Would you like to absorb the surrounding energy to increase mastery? ]
[-----------------------------------]
Kendell paused, then bent down to pick up his towel from the floor and wadded it up before putting it in his mouth. He then lay down on the bed and braced for the impact. As Kendell mentally confirmed, the surge of energy forced its way into his body like a tidal wave colliding with a fishing boat.
At first, the rush felt like pure ecstasy as energy filled his body to its limit, and he could physically feel the magic power radiating off of him. Then almost as soon as it began, the rush turned to pure pain as he took in more energy than his body was capable of holding. Every fiber of his body felt as if it was on fire, screaming out for him to stop whatever the hell he was doing and choose life instead. It was incredibly overwhelming, and he tried to hold on as long as he could but, his mind was slipping further and further into unconsciousness...