Vale hurriedly left the Professor's office. He wasn't sure where to go as he considered confronting Professor Murton and asking him whether it was all his plan.
However, Professor Murton had already warned him about Professor Evans, so he couldn't entirely blame the old Professor if something went wrong. It was also his mistake to trust a suspicious female Professor within this Academy of Dark Arts.
Nevertheless, he could also try reporting this to the Headmaster, but it feels like he would just make a big deal out of it, considering how he had also obtained the important books she prepared. Furthermore, Professor Evans may reason that she was simply trying to help him familiarize with the Soul Bonding Method.
After all, he was the one who asked her to teach him!
Vale sighed as he recalled what had happened between him and the Professor.
He could still feel her warmth and hear everything she whispered in his ears... It was a strange feeling.
"Hey… Vale, why are you smiling like that? It's creepy." Suddenly, a familiar gentle voice interrupted Vale's thoughts.
Vale jolted as he looked at Maya, who was oddly in this building.
"Creepy? What are you saying?" Vale asked as he would not accept that his smile just now was creepy. At most, it should be called a sheepish smile.
"Whatever… You're smiling alone, so of course, it's creepy. Even if you could talk to spirits or special beings that normal people couldn't see, you should still control your expressions and act like they do not exist if you're in a public space. You should know about that by now." Maya said as she looked at Vale curiously.
His clothes were messy and…
'Was that—' Maya's mind went blank as she noticed Vale's lips and neck.
"That's not important… I'm leaving now." Vale replied as he shook his head.
Realizing that Vale was about to leave, she immediately recalled why she was looking for him.
"Ahh… Master Sherah wanted to meet you. Visit her laboratory when you have time."
Vale raised his eyebrows, confused by the sudden request.
"Is it about being a Potion Tester again? Did she post a mission?" He asked.
Maya shook her head at this. "No, it seems to be about Senior Cressida. I'm not sure. Just talk to Master if you want to know more."
"Cressida?" Vale repeated as he recalled his travel experience with her. "Alright… I'll visit her in her laboratory..."
He lied. He doesn't have plans to visit that old Professor. Since Cressida was weird, her Master must also be weird, so it was better not to interact with them for now.
Luckily, Maya felt satisfied with his answer and just left after giving Vale a weird look.
***
Vale then went back to his room and locked the door.
He quickly washed himself as he felt that his body had sweated quite a lot from a while ago.
After that, he checked the Divine Sword and his Pocketwatch to confirm that the seal was still there.
Then, he opened the books he got from the Professor and started to read them.
'I should be able to finish this in a day or two.' Vale mused.
It didn't take that long before he was fascinated by the contents of the book, which explained the theory and practice of the Soul Bonding Method in detail.
The books said that the Soul Bonding Method could create a bond between one's soul and another soul or essence, usually the essence of a magic artifact. Just like what Professor Murton said, the bond was stronger and more stable than a seal, as it allowed for a mutual exchange of energy and information between the 'partners.'
The bond could protect the partners from external interference or internal conflict, as it could create harmony between their souls. It means that if he did this bond with the Divine Sword, there wouldn't be any other Arcanist that could control it aside from him.
The books also said that the Soul Bonding Method could not be learned from books alone. This was similar to what Professor Evans mentioned.
It was something that had to be experienced with a willing partner.
The partner could be another Arcanist, a spirit, or an artifact.
The books gave some examples of successful Soul Bonding cases, such as:
A Dark Spellcaster who bonded with his staff, enhancing his spellcasting abilities and modifying a bit of his spells.
A Knight who bonded with an elephant, gaining its strength or power and becoming its rider.
A Runecaster who bonded with a sword, making it his loyal and powerful weapon and companion.
The books also gave some examples of failed Soul Bonding cases, such as:
A Necromancer who bonded with a cursed ring, losing his free will and becoming its slave.
A Shaman who bonded with a demon, corrupting his soul and turning him into a monster.
An Aura Master who bonded with a mirror, trapping his soul inside it and losing his body.
The books warned that the Soul Bonding Method was not without risks and challenges.
It required a high level of compatibility between the partners, as well as a high level of concentration and control over one's Arcane Energy.
If one fails to create a bond, one might end up damaging one's soul, the partner's soul, or both.
The books also warned that the Soul Bonding Method was not without consequences and responsibilities.
It would not be easy to undo once it created a link between the partners.
There could also be other side effects that would depend on the Arcanist's partner.
The books advised that the Soul Bonding Method should not be taken lightly or casually. It should only be done by those ready and willing to commit themselves to their partners, for better or worse.
"For better or worse? Isn't this a bit too much? I just want to control the Divine Sword." Vale muttered with a helpless smile on his face.
Anyway, he read the books carefully and diligently until he fell asleep on his bed.
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