Miss Shepherd does not die in the Mysterious World

Chapter 12: Stress Phase

“Quintessence can also be used for writing?”

Mel was a little puzzled.

“Of course, you just need to guide it to the tip of the pen, and then write as you normally would.”

Oliver explained.

Mel nodded, then picked up the quill, closing her eyes to feel the warm energy within her body.

In her perception, that energy was like a flowing stream, slowly coursing through her body.

She tried to guide that energy towards her arm, then her palm, and finally to her fingertips.

When the Quintessence touched the quill, Mel could feel the tip getting slightly hot.

“That's right, just like that.”

Oliver guided from the side, “Next, just transcribe the incantation.”

“Mm.”

Mel took a deep breath and began to write on the parchment.

As she wrote, a faint light emerged on the parchment, and the words seemed to have a life of their own, flowing on the paper.

After about three minutes, Mel put down the pen and let out a long breath.

She could feel that a lot of Quintessence in her body had been consumed, and she felt a little tired.

“Well done, have a cup of calming tea to recover.”

Oliver smiled, then picked up the parchment and carefully inspected its contents.

“This is indeed a good healing Mystical Art. Although its effect is not as good as Light of Life, the consumption is much smaller.”

As he spoke, he turned to get the money for Mel, but Mel stopped Oliver.

“Please wait a moment.”

Mel said, “These ten pounds, keep them here for now.”

The young girl took a large gulp of calming tea, nourishing the somewhat depleted Quintessence in her body, before continuing: “I want to buy that Void Walk Mystical Art.... these ten pounds are a deposit.”

“Are you sure?”

Oliver said, “Although this Mystical Art is indeed very practical, for someone who has just become a Shepherd, it is still somewhat dangerous. I personally would still recommend you purchase Shadow Trick instead.”

“No, I want this one.”

Mel shook her head, “I will go to the gathering in a couple of days and try to make up the remaining ten pounds, is that alright?”

“Since that's the case, then I will accept it.”

Oliver nodded slightly, “In exchange, I will first tell you some of the theoretical basis to facilitate your understanding when you learn it later.”

“Now?”

Mel was a little surprised.

“Of course,” Oliver opened the table of contents, “you have already paid the deposit, so this Mystical Art is considered yours. Moreover, it's just some theoretical knowledge. Without the actual incantation to assist, knowing more theory is futile.”

Mel nodded, then sat up straight, earnestly focusing on Oliver's explanation.

“The Mystical Art of Void Walk is, in essence, opening a passage between reality and The Void.”

Oliver explained as he opened the book, “But unlike the method of the believers of The Void who completely enter The Void, this Mystical Art is more like.... mm, you can think of it as opening a door in reality and The Void respectively.”

“Opening a door?”

“Yes, like this.”

Oliver put down the book and walked to the doorway.

“Assume this is the door you opened in reality, and the corridor behind the door is the plane of The Void. For believers of The Void, they can stroll freely in the corridor, but for you, just standing still in the corridor carries a high probability of getting lost. Therefore, you need to walk to the opposite side of the corridor as quickly as possible, that is, to the other door. Based on this, when using this Mystical Art, you need to quickly determine in your mind where you will enter from, and where you will emerge.”

“Is that why this Mystical Art can only be used within a fifty-meter range?”

Mel asked.

“That's right, after all, this is just a low-level Mystical Art.”

Oliver nodded, “The farther the distance, the greater the risk of getting lost in The Void. Moreover, when using this Mystical Art, it's best to set an anchor point beforehand.”

“What is an anchor point?”

“To put it simply, it's the location where you want to appear.”

Oliver explained, then picked up his own teacup, dipped his finger in a little tea, and dotted the table.

For example, this is your anchor point.

You need to use Quintessence to leave a mark at the target location.

It can help you open the correct door in The Void.

Of course, you can also not set an anchor point and open another door in The Void based on feeling, but in that case, some.... not-so-good results are likely to occur.

“For example?”

Mel tilted her head.

“For example.... your other door opens inside a wall.”

Oliver said, “In that case, when you come out of The Void, half of your body will be on this side of the wall, and the other half on the other side of the wall.”

Hearing this, Mel's face instantly turned pale with fright.

Seeing her expression, Oliver smiled gently.

“Don't worry, believers of The Void usually carry a map of The Void. If you can get one, then you can avoid this situation from happening. The map will map the locations of reality onto The Void.”

“I understand....”

Mel nodded, “Then Shepherds.... are there different levels?”

“After passing through the foundational Stress Phase and Development Phase, you will step into the level known as The Baptized.”

Oliver said.

“This process won't be too long. After becoming The Baptized, you can be considered a true Shepherd, and can truly control your flock. And following that are Staff Bearer, The Anointed, and Crown Wearer. Receive baptism, cast off original sin, hold the scepter, lead the flock. Anointed with oil refined from myrrh and cinnamon, become the proxy of a deity, and finally wear the crown of righteousness, achieving great deeds. This is the growth path of a Shepherd.”

“So I am currently in the.... Stress Phase?”

Mel pondered, “How do I enter the Development Phase?”

“The soul suffers a great shock.”

Oliver replied, “Every Shepherd will have at least one opportunity to hear a divine oracle. And generally speaking, when you hear a divine oracle, it signifies that you have already entered the Development Phase. After entering the Development Phase, becoming The Baptized is just a matter of time.”

“I understand.... then I have one last question....”

“What question?”

“It's about other Shepherds.”

Mel said, “Do you know Vilnia?”

Hearing this name, Oliver was slightly taken aback, then immediately shook his head gently.

“The Church does not provide information about other Shepherds to Shepherds, I hope you can understand, Miss Mel.”

Although Oliver said this, the answer he gave had actually already told Mel the answer.

“I understand, thank you.”

Mel nodded gratefully, then stood up.

“I will make up for those ten pounds as soon as possible.”

“Just do what you can.”

Oliver smiled, “When you have collected the ten pounds, you can put it directly into the donation box. Also, next time you want to see me, just come directly, there's no need to wait in the prayer room. Of course, if you wish to pray, you are also very welcome.”

“I understand.”

Mel smiled slightly, lightly drew a moon wheel on her chest, then turned to leave.

“Then I will take my leave.”

“Be careful on your way.”

Mel walked out of the church and returned home, to find an extra pair of shoes at the door.

Veronica had already returned from work.

Thinking of this, the corners of the young girl's mouth lifted slightly, and she pushed open the door.

“I'm home, Veronica.”

“Mel, where have you been?”

At this moment, Veronica was busy in the kitchen.

Hearing her sister's voice, she glanced back.

“I went to Saint Margaret's Church.”

Mel said.

Hearing this, Veronica nodded lightly, then continued to be busy with the things at hand.

“By the way, guess who I ran into while working at the library?”

“Who?”

“Vilnia.”

Veronica said.

“She said you haven't been to school these past two days and was very worried about you, so she came to ask me about your situation.”

Hearing Vilnia's name, Mel's body stiffened slightly.

She quickly walked to the kitchen and watched her sister chopping potatoes.

The light on her body was still pure, and those wisps of filth had not increased.

Seeing this, Mel finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

“What did you say to her?”

“I just said you weren't feeling well these two days and were resting at home, what's wrong?”

Veronica put down the knife and turned to look at her sister.

“Nothing.... she came to see me at noon, and also brought me notes.”

Mel shook her head.

“I see, then did you thank her properly?”

“Mm.”

Mel nodded.

“That's good.”

Veronica smiled with satisfaction, then said: “I see your complexion seems to have mostly recovered, are you going to school tomorrow, or should I ask for another day off for you?”

Hearing this, Mel pondered for a moment.

Tomorrow is Saturday, but Mel still needs to go to school, but only for half a day.

And the gathering is tomorrow evening.

I can make it.

Thinking of this, the young girl nodded lightly, then made a sound of “mm”.

“I'll go to school tomorrow.”