Second World

Jack and Grace narrated to Schreber about the war in Dritzuut. They told him about the time Jack was battling Azzarilth, about how Jack was hit by an eye skill that caused his mind to become empty.

"Hm... I still can't believe we are now living in a world filled with magic, fairies, dragons, and monsters," Scrheber said after hearing their tale. "I guess my decision to not set foot outside this city is correct. I wouldn't know what to do if I encountered those monstrosities."

Jack believed him. Schreber was only level 11 and was still using the magician basic class. He wouldn't last outside the city wall.

"So, can you do it?" Grace asked Scrheber.

"I suppose I can. Although I can't truly tell if you will get into the state you asked for. You did say that state was caused by a magic spell, didn't you?

"It's an eye skill. It's different from a magic spell. It's... Ah, never mind," Jack said.

"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I don't know a thing about magic," Scrheber said. "I might be able to get you into the mental state similar to when you are under the spell, or skill, or whatever, but I can't guarantee if that state will be the same."

"I think it's worth a try," Jack said.

"Okay, in that case, please lie down on that lounger," Schreber pointed to a luxurious lounger next to the sofa.

"Fancy," Jack said as he lay down on the lounger. "Never saw this type of lounger since the world turned. Where did you get it?"

"I have it custom-made based on the one that I had in the past world," Schreber informed. "One needs to be in a completely relaxed state to get into hypnotherapy. Laying on a comfortable lounger does help."

He then took out something that Jack thought looked like a recording stone. Except when Schreber activated the stone, it didn't show any image. Instead, the sound of waves and birds' voices were heard.

"Is that a recording stone?" Jack asked.

"That's a sound recording stone," It was Peniel who answered. "It is cheaper than a recording stone and can record for a longer period, but it only records sounds."

"Yes, it took me some time to simulate the voice of waves and birds before I recorded them," Schreber said. "All right. Now, make sure you are comfortable. Close your eyes and let your body relax. Simply listen to my voice and the sound of the waves. Imagine you are lying on a small boat on a calm sea and under a clear sky."

"If the sea is calm, shouldn't I hear no waves?" Jack opened his eyes and asked.

"Your Majesty, you do ask a lot of questions, don't you?" Schreber said. His tone sounded peeved.

"Yeah, he did that a lot," Peniel remarked.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I will zip my mouth," Jack said.

"Close your eyes again, please," Schreber said. After Jack did so, he repeated, "Focus on my voice, imagine you are lying on a small boat..."

Schreber continued to talk to Jack with a soothing voice, urging Jack to relax. He had Jack focus on slow and steady breathing. The entire process continued for almost twenty minutes. When he thought Jack was relaxed enough, he asked Jack to imagine going down a flight of stairs.

As Jack followed Schreber's instruction, Jack felt himself deeper and deeper within his thoughts. He was in a trance. Nothing else existed except for Schreber's voice.

When Schreber noticed that Jack was already in a trance state, he began his suggestion. "Now, return to the time when you are under the effect of the mind-dooming gaze. Imagine you seeing the black mirror and your reflection in it. Remember the torment brought onto you and the emptiness that followed."

Schreber repeated the details Jack had described to him prior, allowing his voice to guide Jack through his memory. Grace and Peniel saw Jack's face twisted as if he was in agony. That must be when Jack was under the torment of the mind-dooming gaze. He was reliving the moment. Soon after, his expression relaxed. This was when he was hit by the emptiness.

Jack also described to Schreber the sensation he experienced when mana fused with him. Schreber was repeating those details, "... You don't feel afraid of the emptiness. You let go. You let mana fill you. You believe that you are safe. There is nothing to worry about."

Schreber ended his speech. He just watched Jack in silence. From what he had heard Jack described, Jack should emit a multicolor aura if the process was a success. After more than a minute, nothing happened. He turned to Grace and Peniel. He said, "Well, it seems whatever state he previously experienced cannot be repeated simply by returning him to the same mental state. I guess I will just wake him up and..."

"Wait! Something is happening!" Grace exclaimed.

"Oh?" Schreber turned back to Jack. Nothing was different. Jack remained still on the lounger.

Schreber might not see it, but Grace did. Her mana perception allowed her to see the invisible mana. The surrounding mana was interacting with Jack in a way she had never witnessed before. She watched Jack's mana as if threads that spread out. The surrounding mana appeared glued to those threads. The threads then returned to Jack's body, bringing the surrounding mana with them. As they did, more and more mana rushed in. Grace was as if seeing rivers of light filling into Jack. The mana that entered became so condensed that it was as if an explosion occurred within Jack.

When Grace saw that illusory explosion, Schreber and Peniel saw a multicolor aura blanketing Jack's body.

"Success!" Peniel exclaimed. "It's mana awakening. You did it!"

"Well, I will be damned. I admit I was skeptical," Schreber said.

Jack opened his eyes. He stood up.

"How do you feel?" Grace asked.

"I feel that I'm invincible, like the last time when I was in this state," Jack answered. "But I know I'm not."