After everything was decided, we met up the next day to discuss what would be involved in the ritual we needed to perform. Yesterday, Erica mentioned that she would be conducting some tests on me to see if I was a saint. To be honest, I'm not sure. I really don't want to mess things up for us. What's going to happen if I'm not the saint? Erica had already paid 1000 gold coins beforehand. What if we don't succeed? What if we get stuck in the past? What will happen to Lily and Ed? Countless thoughts rushed through my mind, keeping me awake all night.
Erica greeted us with a determined expression. "Come in, we have a lot to discuss," she said, leading us to a room filled with ancient texts and mystical artifacts.
We gathered around a table as Erica began to explain the next steps. "Isa, the first thing we need to do is confirm if you are the saint. This is crucial for the ritual," she said, looking at me intently.
I nodded, trying to hide my apprehension. "How do we do that?" I asked.
"We will conduct a series of tests, the most important of which involves your blood. If you are the saint, your blood will react in a specific way to certain magical elements," Erica explained.
"Let's get this over with," I said, my voice steady but my heart pounding.
Erica handed me a small, ornate dagger. "Make a small cut on your palm and let a few drops of blood fall into this vial," she instructed.
I took a deep breath and did as she said, wincing slightly as the blade sliced my skin. Blood dripped into the vial, and Erica quickly added a few drops of a glowing liquid. The mixture began to shimmer and glow with a golden light.
"It's true. You are the saint," Erica said, her voice filled with awe.
Relief and fear washed over me. "So, what's next?" I asked.
"Next, we prepare the ingredients for the ritual," Erica replied. "The ritual involves black magic, which is dangerous and requires precise preparation, but we'll be fine I know what I'm doing."
We spent the next several days gathering rare gems, minerals, and other mystical components. Erica guided us through each step, her knowledge and expertise were invaluable. During this time, Lily and Ed were often out shopping for supplies. I couldn't help but worry they might waste the money on something unnecessary. Their safety was my top concern, and I didn't want them in danger when they were out unauthorized.
One evening, I just went told Erica. "I'm not sure about this, Erica. It feels too risky," I said, my doubts surfacing.
"Isa, I understand your concerns. But think about the reward. 3000 gold coins can change your life," Erica replied, her eyes earnest.
"It's not just about the money. What if we fail? What if we get stuck in the past? or..." I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
Erica paused, then nodded. "I see. How about this? I'll raise the reward to 5000 gold coins. That's more than enough to secure your future, no matter what happens," she said, her tone persuasive.
5000 gold coins. The amount was staggering. It was enough to solve all our financial problems and more. And even if I got into trouble that should be enough for Lily and Ed to live comfortably for a long time. Despite my lingering doubts, the sheer amount of money was too tempting to resist.
"Alright. I'll do it," I agreed, hesitantly.
With that settled, we continued our preparations. Once the ingredients were gathered, Erica focused on training me in basic mana and defense techniques. We spent a week mastering basic protection spells and attack spells. I messed up several times, which made me feel unconfident, but Erica's patience and guidance kept me going.
One afternoon, Erica had me practicing a basic fire spell. "Focus on channeling your mana through your hands. Visualize the flame and let it grow," she instructed.
I concentrated hard, feeling the energy build up inside me. But as I released it, the spell backfired, sending a burst of flame into the wall. The force of the blast knocked me off my feet, and a section of the wall crumbled.
"Isa, are you okay?" Erica rushed to my side, her face filled with concern.
"I'm fine," I muttered, getting to my feet. "I just can't seem to get it right."
"It's okay. These things take time," Erica reassured me. "Let's try again, but this time, take it slow."
The days passed in a blur of training and preparation. Each time I failed, doubts crept into my mind. What if I wasn't cut out for this? What if I let everyone down? The weight of our mission pressed heavily on my shoulders, but the thought of the reward kept me going. We needed the money desperately, and I couldn't afford to fail.
One evening, after a particularly grueling training session, I sat alone, staring at my hands. They were trembling slightly from the exertion.
"Isa, you're doing well," Erica said, joining me. "It's normal to struggle at first, but you're getting stronger every day."
"Thanks. I just don't want to let anyone down," I replied, trying to muster a smile.
"You won't. We're all in this together," Erica said, her voice reassuring.
As the week drew to a close, we felt more prepared but also more aware of the enormity of the task ahead. We still had a lot to do, but we were determined to succeed.
"We'll go to the past in a few days. Rest tonight, and we'll continue preparations tomorrow," Erica said, dismissing us for the night.
As I lay in bed, my mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming ritual. The weight of our mission pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I knew we had to succeed. Money was the driving force behind our efforts, and we couldn't afford to fail.
"Tomorrow, we'll continue. I have to be ready," I whispered to myself, closing my eyes and trying to find some semblance of peace.
The next day, Erica introduced a new aspect of the training: defense spells. "These are just as important as your attack spells, Isa. You need to protect yourself," she said, demonstrating a simple barrier spell.
I watched closely and then attempted to mimic her movements. A faint shimmer appeared around me, but as soon as I tried to strengthen it, the barrier collapsed.
"Focus, Isa. Concentrate on the energy forming a solid wall around you," Erica instructed.
I tried again, this time maintaining the barrier for a few moments longer before it flickered out. Frustration gnawed at me, but I couldn't afford to give up. The gold coins promised were too crucial for us.
Over the next few days, we continued practicing both attack and defense spells. Each failure chipped away at my confidence, but Erica's patience never wavered.
One day, while practicing a wind spell, I misjudged the force and ended up blowing a stack of books across the room. "Ugh, I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed, rushing to pick up the scattered books.
"It's okay, Isa. It's all part of the learning process," Erica said, helping me gather the books. "The important thing is that you're making progress."
Despite her reassurances, I couldn't shake the feeling of inadequacy. Every mistake felt like a step backward, and the pressure to succeed for the sake of the reward loomed over me.
One evening, after another failed spell attempt, I found myself sitting alone, staring at the stars. The weight of our mission pressed heavily on me. "Am I really cut out for this?" I wondered aloud.
Lily found me there, her expression soft with concern. "Isa, you're doing great. We believe in you," she said, sitting beside me.
"I'm not sure I believe in myself," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You're stronger than you think. We've seen it," Lily insisted. "And remember, we're in this together."
Her words provided a small comfort, but the doubts lingered. The promise of gold coins was the driving force behind our efforts, and I couldn't let us fail.
The next day, Erica decided it was time to test my skills in a simulated combat scenario. "This will help you get used to using your spells under pressure," she explained.
She created a magical construct for me to spar against, and I took a deep breath, readying myself. The construct lunged at me, and I hastily summoned a barrier spell. The barrier held for a moment before shattering, and I barely managed to dodge the attack.
"Focus, Isa!" Erica called out. "Remember your training!"
I tried to regain my composure, casting a fire spell that hit the construct but didn't do much damage. Frustration and fear mingled, making it hard to concentrate. The construct's next attack broke through my defenses, knocking me to the ground.
"That's enough for now," Erica said, dispelling the construct and helping me up. "You're improving, Isa. Don't be so hard on yourself."
I nodded, brushing the dust off my clothes. "Thanks, Erica. I'll keep trying."
With each passing day, I felt myself growing stronger.
The days continued to blend together with our relentless preparations. The promise of 5000 gold coins was a beacon of hope, driving us forward despite the mounting pressure.
One evening, Erica gathered us for a final briefing before the ritual. "Tomorrow is the big day. We've done all the preparation we can. Tonight, rest well. Tomorrow, we'll execute the ritual," Erica announced.
The room was filled with a tense silence. We all understood the gravity of what we were about to do. After a quick dinner, we dispersed to our rooms, each of us lost in our thoughts.
The morning of the ritual dawned bright and clear, but a heavy sense of foreboding hung in the air. Erica's normally calm demeanor was tinged with a hint of anxiety, which did nothing to calm my nerves.
In the ritual room, Erica had prepared everything meticulously. The large, intricate circle on the floor glowed faintly with magical energy. Various mystical items were arranged around the room, each placed according to Erica's instructions.
"Isa, stand in the center of the circle," Erica instructed. "Lily and Ed, you'll be at the outer points. Follow my lead, and do exactly as I say."
I had insisted that Lily and Ed stay behind due to the dangers involved. They were unhappy but understood my decision. Their safety was my top priority.
We took our positions, and Erica began to chant in a language I didn't understand. The air around us grew heavy with magic, and I could feel the energy building. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my racing heart.
As Erica's chanting intensified, the lines of the circle began to glow brighter. A strange sensation, like a tugging at the core of my being, enveloped me. The energy in the room hummed, creating a soft light that wrapped around us.
Then, without warning, a sharp pain pierced my chest. My eyes snapped open to find the room's glow blinding. Erica's face was a mask of concentration, but the pain intensified, spreading through my body. I wanted to cry out, but no sound escaped my lips.
"Hold on, Isa! We're almost there!" Erica's voice cut through the haze of pain.
The room around us began to blur and distort. It felt like being pulled through a vortex, the world spinning uncontrollably. The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of terror and exhilaration.
Just as abruptly as it began, the sensation stopped. I blinked, and the blinding light faded. The ritual room, with its glowing circle and mystical items, had transformed into a different environment.