'Bring out your Magic Spirit...'
'Bring out your Magic Spirit...'
No!
No!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
'No! Screw you, Rowena Ravenclaw!' Harry wanted to scream out loud.
He came all this way, suffered so much pain, was on the receiving end of so many accusations, made enemies out of the strongest powers of the empire, he was literally a step away from obtaining Rowena Ravenclaw's inheritance, and then... the final part of the test was a test of his Magic Spirit!
'You've got to be kidding me!'
Harry thought he was going to collapse. He thought the staircase would open up and swallow him whole. The air around him felt like stone, weighing him down and crushing him with despair. If there weren't so many people watching him, he may very well have just sat down and cried.
'The Magic Spirit... how can it be the Magic Spirit? Please, pick anything but the Magic Spirit!'
Though the Magic Spirit wasn't directly related to talent, it was a very close indicator. The rank of one's Magic Spirit was correlated how far one could cultivate – for instance, it was basically impossible for anyone with a Rank 3 Magic Spirit or less to reach the Spirit Fusion Realm. Furthermore, the higher the rank of the Magic Spirit, the faster the bearer could cultivate. Higher ranked Magic Spirits would also come with special abilities or other cultivation techniques, though those usually didn't manifest until the Spirit Fusion Realm. If one considered 'talent' as 'aptitude for cultivation', then it did make sense to use the Magic Spirit as a judge of talent.
And as for bloodline power, Harry wasn't entirely sure what that was. But he knew it was something that Magic Beasts had – the Snowy Owl Clan frequently wrote about their bloodline, for example. Centaurs didn't have Magic Spirits, so a different method needed to be used for them. In any case, it didn't apply to Harry.
But Harry didn't care about any of that, or for Rowena Ravenclaw's choice of the test of talent. Right now, he was too filled with self-despair.
'Why does it have to be the Magic Spirit?'
He truly was cursed. Even when things went well for him, they all went drastically wrong in the end.
Harry was too absorbed in his own self-pity to pay attention to the rest of the room, but everyone else felt similarly.
Everybody knew their own Magic Spirit or bloodline power very well. And everybody knew, based on their current position, none of them could reach the top.
While as for James, all he needed was one step! In other words, as long as he had a Rank 1 Magic Spirit, he would win!
The possibility of James being Spiritless didn't even cross their mind. After all, Spiritless cultivators were extremely rare, occurring every one in a million or so people. And it was basically impossible for a Spiritless cultivator to reach the Qi Absorption Realm, everyone knew that. So therefore, James couldn't possibly be a Spiritless cultivator.
Therefore, James had already won!
"No!" Draco Malfoy was the first to yell. Draco looked at Harry with utmost rage – completely missing the forlorn expression on his face – and screamed his thoughts for the room to hear.
"James – you – you – you despicable cheater! You cheated your way to the 19th step! You don't deserve Ravenclaw's inheritance!"
"Right, you don't deserve it!"
"Despicable human race, my centaur clan won't let you off!"
"If you know what's good for you, just forfeit now!" Pansy shrieked, as some sort of last-ditch attempt to prevent James from winning the competition.
Dozens of furious shouts rang towards Harry, but he didn't hear any of them.
'Damnit, why is it the Magic Spirit?'
In the whole entire world, he was probably the only person who couldn't summon his Magic Spirit. It was locked in chains, and hovered above the cosmos by itself. If anything, it was his spirit that summoned him, not the other way around.
"Once again, we will start from the right. Begin."
The staircase under Harry's feet lit up once again, indicating it was his turn. But Harry just stood there, mind blank, not paying any attention to his surroundings.
'Come out!' Harry mentally urged it.
"Bring out your Magic Spirit," Rowena Ravenclaw ordered.
'Please, please, please, come out!' Harry scrunched his eyes and begged. Tears were almost leaking out, that was how desperate he was.
But just as he expected, nothing happened. He didn't feel his Magic Spirit respond at all.
'Please, please, please, please, please!'
"Bring out your Magic Spirit!" Rowena Ravenclaw repeated, this time more forcefully.
"Get on with it, cheating human," Firenze sneered. "How long are you going to gloat?"
"I can't!" Harry snapped out of his misery.
"What do you mean you can't?"
"I – I'm actually a Spiritless cultivator," Harry lied.
Though he knew that was no longer the truth, it was a line that he had lots of practice saying. Further, Harry didn't want to admit that his Magic Spirit didn't listen to him, and there was no way he could tell anyone here the truth. Thus, he lied and said he was Spiritless.
"You – you're a Spiritless cultivator?" Firenze blurted in shock. All the rage on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by a ray of hope, then immediately followed by a demeaning sneer.
"Spiritless?" Draco echoed, then began to laugh loudly.
"You're really a Spiritless cultivator?" Felix Rosier asked with a mix of surprise and doubt. He too, looked like a bag of gold dropped out of the sky and landed at his feet.
"I am a Spiritless cultivator," Harry affirmed.
"What?" Sullivan blurted out. "But that's not – "
Thankfully, he was silenced with a glare from Daniel.
All of a sudden, the room was full of whispers and murmurs. Some people looked elated, a couple people looked skeptical, but overall, the general mood was widespread jubilation.
"You are a Spiritless cultivator?" this time, it was Rowena Ravenclaw who had spoken.
Harry looked up in surprise, not expecting the formation to have asked him a direct question. Was it... sentient?
"I am."
"Hmph. I'll be the judge of that."
Harry heard Rowena Ravenclaw's snort, and the next thing Harry knew, a strange sort of power flooded into his body. It gripped him like tendrils of energy, like invisible tentacles or hands reaching into his body to drag something out. An overwhelming amount of power was digging its claws into him, and Harry felt like he was naked and being examined by a pair of all-seeing eyes. Harry had never felt so violated, but he was powerless to resist. Finally, after a few minutes, the energy withdrew as quickly as it appeared.
"Huh, you really are a Spiritless cultivator," Ravenclaw remarked.
And once Rowena Ravenclaw confirmed that, the mood turned from jubilation to mockery.
"Haha, it's confirmed! James is actually Spiritless trash!"
"I knew he was trash from the moment I entered this room! Just look at those shitty robes of his! Trash cultivators wear trash clothing!"
"That proves you were cheating!" Firenze triumphantly exclaimed.
"Right, you were definitely cheating!" Draco joined in. "How can a piece of Spiritless trash reach the 19th step? You obviously cheated!"
"I'm surprised you cultivated to the Qi Absorption Realm, but it's clear you cheated," Felix added.
"Right, there's no doubt about it anymore, he cheated!" Zacharias Smith yelled.
"He's the shame of the Scarlet Phoenix Empire! If you ever encounter him in the future, kill him for disrespecting Rowena Ravenclaw!" Draco yelled. To Harry's horror, he saw most of the people in the room agreeing.
If he got Rowena Ravenclaw's inheritance, but offended all these Sacred Clans, then that wasn't a total loss since at least he got Rowena Ravenclaw's inheritance. But this... this turn of events was the worst possible outcome. He offended all these people, and in the end, didn't even get anything out of it.
'It's... it's so frustrating!'
Despite himself, Harry was on the verge of tears. His vision was blurring, fogging over, and he felt like the room was spinning around him. He couldn't focus on anything in front of his eyes, as if the whole world had lost its color and shape.
Besides the frustration, there was the anger, building up surely and steadily.
'I hate it!'
He hates it!
'This... this rotten luck! My cursed life! I hate it!'
He hates it!
'I hate it!'
He hates it!
He hates it!
He hates it!
Helplessly, Harry watched as the light on his lane of the staircase dimmed. Immediately after, Firenze's lane lit up.
"Wait a moment. I have a question," Firenze spoke into the room. He was addressing Rowena Ravenclaw, or at least, the formation. After it spoke to James, everyone realized the formation was far more advanced than just a recording. It could actually carry a conversation with the competitors – something no one knew was possible.
"What happens if nobody reaches the top? Who will get the inheritance then?"
This was a question on everyone's mind. Everyone knew they wouldn't be able to reach the 20th step. And since this was the last test, would the inheritance be unclaimed forever?
Sure enough, the formation responded.
"If nobody reaches the top step?" Ravenclaw sighed. Even through the formation, her voice was full of regret.
"Originally, this staircase had 24 steps. But considering that this is the last opportunity to gain my inheritance, I decided to make it easier, and removed the last four steps. Yet, even 20 steps was too difficult to pass. I didn't imagine the cultivators of the empire had declined so greatly."
Everyone, from Firenze and Draco Malfoy all the way down to Pansy Parkinson, felt their faces turn red with shame. This staircase, which already couldn't be passed, was actually just an easier version of the test? Just how was anyone supposed to pass the staircase with 24 steps?
Further, they were all the most talented members of the junior generation. For Rowena Ravenclaw to say that they had declined was obviously an enormous blow to their pride. But though they had been insulted, none of them dared to retort.
"In an ordinary competition, nobody would receive my inheritance. I would wait for the next testing platform to be found. But since this is the last competition, I will make an exception. After the test of talent, those who are tied for first place will have another chance to compete."
"Excellent," Firenze grinned at Harry. Though this wasn't a friendly grin, not by any stretch of the imagination. Rather, it was a grin of satisfaction and anticipation.
"Activate!"
"Bloodline power – equivalent to Rank 4. You may ascend four steps."
Full of confidence once more, Firenze proudly trotted up the staircase, until he was standing at the 19th step. Now he was level with Harry again, and he wasted no time in looking down on Harry.
"To think you were actually a piece of Spiritless trash! You sure have guts to try for Ravenclaw's inheritance! Let's see how you cheat in the second round!"
The light moved to the left, shining on the invisible man. In response, a dagger appeared out of thin air.
"Rank 4 Magic Spirit. You may ascend four steps."
Now, Harry, Firenze, and the invisible man were all on the 19th step!
'This should be it,' Harry thought. In the empire, the highest spirits were Rank 4. Though he knew Rank 5 spirits existed, those were extremely rare – Harry didn't know if one existed in the empire. Nobody else should be able to reach the 19th step, so whatever the second test was would only involve the three of them.
And then, the lane Draco was standing on lit up, and Draco proudly displayed his Magic Spirit.
"Behold, the one and only Rank 5 Magic Spirit. Hundred Eyed Silver Peacock – come out!"
Harry's eyes widened as he heard those words – Rank 5? Did Draco really say Rank 5?
His doubts were laid to rest as above Draco's head, a brilliant flash of silver came into existence. A bird, a magnificent bird, appeared and landed on Draco's shoulders. It was enormous, more the size of a cow than a bird, but most strikingly, the peacock was pure grey, like it was made of silver. Its tail was massive, a multitude of feathers that fanned out across the room like the petals of a beautiful pale flower. Hundreds of silver, diamond-like eyes studded the tail feathers.
Indeed, there was something different about this Magic Spirit. It felt alive, for one, a sure sign that it was at least Rank 4. But the way the bird looked, and the way it looked around, almost like it had a real personality and sentience, immediately differentiated it from the other Magic Spirits Harry had seen.
Possibly, it really was a Rank 5 spirit!
"James, do you see this? This is the difference between a talented cultivator and a piece of trash like you! How can a lowly Spiritless cultivator like you have made it so far? How can you compare with me, the greatest talent to ever emerge in the Malfoy Sacred Clan? Obviously, you cheated!" Draco proclaimed with pure arrogance in his voice.
In the entire Scarlet Phoenix Empire, he was the only one born with a Rank 5 Magic Spirit! It was the source of his pride and arrogance – though he may not have the best physical strength, or the highest determination, there was no doubt that his Magic Spirit had the highest rank! That alone gave him the qualifications to be arrogant.
His talent was second to none!
"Rank 5 Magic Spirit. You may ascend five steps."
Draco did so, now also standing on the 19th step. He looked across the room with a prideful expression.
"It will just be the four of us then," Draco arrogantly stated. His face didn't have a trace of anger anymore, rather, it was full of excitement. It was like he had found a path out of Hell and straight into Heaven.
'This guy actually has a Rank 5 Magic Spirit!' Harry thought in a mix of surprise and anger. Since Rowena Ravenclaw judged it so, it must have been true.
'Dammit, the Heavens are blind! How come an idiot like him gets a Rank 5 Spirit, and I got the Fetal Crippling Poison? This – where's the fairness in the world?
The light moved to the left, shining upon Vincent Crabbe.
"My Magic Spirit is only Rank 4," Crabbe grunted.
"Very well," Rowena Ravenclaw said, and then moved down the line. Unlike with Harry, she didn't bother to force Crabbe's Magic Spirit to appear.
Goyle was next, but he admitted the same thing. Without either of them showing their Magic Spirit, the test moved on.
Rowle, apparently, also had a Rank 4 Magic Spirit. He too skipped his turn and shot Draco a scathing look of envy.
Next was Felix, also on the 14th step.
"Blood Seeing Eyes – come out!"
"What are you summoning your eyeball for?" Draco sneered. "It's only Rank 4!"
"Who said it's only Rank 4?" Felix let out a knowing smile.
"You – you!" Draco's face changed colors, because what appeared behind Felix's back wasn't one eyeball – but two!
Two identical eyeballs floated behind Felix Rosier, as if outlining a giant face in the air!
"I have always kept my true Magic Spirit hidden, but today, I must show it. Draco, you aren't the only one with a Rank 5 Magic Spirit!"
To that, Draco couldn't respond. His mouth was hanging open, his own two eyeballs staring at the two floating eyes with disbelief and unwillingness. He just said he had the sole Rank 5 Magic Spirit – and was proven wrong not even a minute later!
Across the room, others had similar expressions of shock plastered on their faces. Even Harry was surprised – he hadn't imagined there were two people in the empire with Rank 5 Magic Spirits!
It seemed like everyone – at least, everyone of a Sacred Clan – knew that Draco Malfoy had a Rank 5 Magic Spirit. No doubt, knowing his arrogant and prideful personality, perfectly reflected in the peacock, Malfoy was one to show it off as often as he could.
But when it came to Felix Rosier, people only knew his Magic Spirit was Rank 4. He, or more likely, the Rosier Sacred Clan, had done something to his Magic Spirit to disguise it as a Rank 4 Magic Spirit. For some reason, he always kept it hidden, perhaps waiting for the right moment to bring it out. And of course, for a chance at Rowena Ravenclaw's inheritance, he could no longer stand by and keep silent.
"Rank 5 Magic Spirit. You may ascend five steps."
Felix Rosier joined Harry, Firenze, the invisible man, and Draco Malfoy on the 19th step!
There were now five of them who would compete in the second test!
The rest of the test of talent proceeded smoothly and quickly. Everyone else was on the 13th step or lower, and there was absolutely no chance that they could reach the 19th step. Nobody bothered to show their Magic Spirit, and just immediately forfeited. Though Harry was interested in seeing what the heirs of the Sacred Clans had as their Magic Spirits, he was denied the chance.
Once everyone had their turn, the surroundings began to shift again.
The staircase merged into the ground, bringing everyone onto a level surface. The room originally had seven-sides, but then it turned into a rectangular room for the test of the staircase, and now, when the room stopped moving, Harry found it had turned into a perfect circle. A very large circle.
The new layout could be described as three concentric rings, each separated by a barrier of light. In the outermost ring were the 24 people who hadn't reached the 19th step of the staircase. They were divided into their original groups by additional barriers, and were just spectators now, reduced to watching the final competition.
The middle ring was the largest, easily making up 90% of the room. It was a circular arena split into five equal slices, with Harry, Firenze, Draco Malfoy, and Felix Rosier each standing in one. There was a an empty section between Firenze and Draco Malfoy, which must have been where the invisible man was standing. The five slices were separated by yet more walls of light.
Then finally, there was the innermost ring, the smallest by far and positioned dead center in the Room of Requirement. It was only large enough to hold a small circular table, which was empty. A short dome of light covered the entire table – it seemed like this was where the final treasure would appear.
Those in the third ring looked inwards with jealous expressions. They lost their chance at Rowena Ravenclaw's inheritance – the very last chance they'd ever get. None looked angrier than Anthony Goldstein, Zacharias Smith, and Ernest Macmillan, the three Young Masters of the Sacred Clans that ruled Yellow Hero City. All the other groups had one representative that made it to the second competition – with the invisible man coming from the centaur's group – but not them. No matter what happened, Rowena Ravenclaw's treasure wouldn't end up in their hands.
"The five of you shall once again compete for my third inheritance," Rowena Ravenclaw's voice sounded.
"I will now explain the format of the second competition. As you can see, there is a pedestal placed in the center of the Room of Requirement. In a moment, my third inheritance shall appear upon the pedestal. As soon as someone touches the treasure, the competition will end, and the treasure is theirs."
"The pedestal is surrounded by a special barrier. It is special because this barrier can be penetrated – as long as you place a palm on the barrier for one full minute, your hand will be able to pass the barrier, and you can end the competition by grabbing my inheritance."
"Of course, the competition is not that simple. Once the competition begins, the five barriers separating the five of you shall disappear, and you may use whatever methods at your disposal to attack, and even eliminate, the others. You will find that your Space Rings and similar artifacts are available to you now. In this competition, anything is allowed."
Looks of glee were on Draco Malfoy, Felix Rosier, and Firenze the centaur's faces. Obviously, they must have come prepared with the best items of their clans in their Space Rings. Harry looked into his Space Ring, and his face fell. He had the Water Qi Natural Essence, a bunch of Ice Qi Natural Essences, and a Qi Crystal. Nothing that would help him here.
"When I say eliminate, I mean two options – death, or forfeit. If you are killed, then it goes without saying that you've lost. But you may forfeit at any time simply by saying 'I forfeit'. Once you do, my formations will immediately bring you into the outer ring, to safety."
'In other words, it's a fight. Free-for-all,' Harry thought grimly. Though he was confident in his defensive strength, he wasn't as confident in his offensive strength. Each of his competitors here had their means to withstand even the Core Formation Realm – while Harry didn't have that kind of offensive power.
In terms of strategy, the competition was far more difficult than it appeared. It was a mix of offense and defense. The only sure way to win was to eliminate everyone else, which would guarantee an uninterrupted minute. But doing that was easier said than done – who here had the strength to knock out all four other competitors? And if they didn't do that, and placed their hand on the barrier, they would immediately become everyone else's target. Everyone would attack whoever was foolish enough to try that. Though Harry had thoughts of rushing the treasure and activating Strengthening Flesh, he got a feeling his four competitors had special treasures and weapons at their disposal, perhaps even capable of injuring him. He'd have to play this out carefully.
Furthermore, Harry just knew the four would target him first. He was the most hated. It would definitely become a 4 vs 1 fight.
Various strategies ran through his mind, but in the end, he couldn't decide on one, or determine which was best. He'd just have to adapt as the battle progressed.
"In a moment, a 10 second countdown will begin, during which you can make whatever preparations you want. After the 10 seconds are over, the barriers between you five will disappear, and you will be able to place your hands on the center barrier. At that point, the competition will have started."
"Let us begin."
Without any further warning, the empty pedestal was no longer empty.
A small object was resting on it.
And when Harry saw the prize, Rowena Ravenclaw's third and final inheritance, he thought his eyes would drop out of their sockets.
It was a wooden box, cut into a perfect cube. The cube was just the right size to fit in Harry's palm. It lay there on the pedestal, unassuming, with only Harry knowing the true value of this seemingly ordinary item.
And in his body, the Nameless Seed began urgently vibrating, like it wanted nothing else but to leap out and contact that block of wood!