The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 24: A True "Illiterate"

Aurore glanced at the slightly stained white tablecloth, then turned to Lumière with a smile:

"If the target of the ritual magic is yourself, it doesn't matter if the altar is a bit dirty. But if you're praying to a deity or a hidden entity, I suggest using a cleaner cloth or just removing this one and wiping the table."

"Praying to yourself just emphasizes casualness, right?" Lumière couldn't help but quip.

Aurore chuckled softly:

"'Casualness' mainly applies to the environment, materials, and tools. The ritual process and corresponding incantations, however, must strictly adhere to the principles of mysticism."

She then took an orange-yellow candle from a hidden pocket:

"This is a candle infused with citrus and lavender. The focus isn't on their fields of influence, but rather that I like them."

She first positioned the candle above the "altar" in front of her:

"Remember, candles representing deities are placed in these two spots, which can be left empty for now."

Then, she placed the candle near herself:

"And this is the position representing 'me.'"

After placing the candle, Aurore went to the kitchen to fetch a cup of water, a dish of coarse salt, and a small iron bowl:

"Next is creating a clean, undisturbed ritual environment—spiritually clean, that is. This must be constructed by us."

She continued, "The specific method is to enter meditation, focus your mind, and guide your spiritual power through auxiliary items to construct a spiritual wall around the altar."

"For a 'Seer' or 'Diviner,' this is easy. However, a 'Hunter' below Sequence 7 needs the help of other items, like incense that calms and clears your mind or a crystal ball that enhances and concentrates your spirituality."

"Uh, the meditation method I taught you earlier was incomplete; it only covered the first step, which is useful for gathering thoughts and calming yourself. I'll explain the rest later."

The previous meditation method was incomplete? Then why was I able to trigger the special dream and make those two symbols appear? Lumière was a bit surprised.

Aurore then pulled a silver dagger from her clothes' hidden pocket:

"Now, watch closely how I construct a spiritual wall."

Lumière was dumbfounded and blurted out:

"How do you carry so many things on you?"

First, there were various casting materials, a retractable monocular, a miniature ink bottle storing the spirit world creature "Blank Paper," and a candle for the ritual. Now, she had pulled out a dagger.

Aurore sighed helplessly:

"Do you think I want to? This is the inconvenient part of being a 'Witch.'"

"I have to modify every set of clothes myself, and sometimes I feel like I'm Doraemon, pulling out whatever I need."

"What's 'Doraemon'?" Lumière didn't understand the word his sister used in another language at the end of her sentence.

Aurore paused, her expression slightly complex as she replied:

"You don't need to know."

For some reason, Lumière suddenly sensed a hint of sadness in his sister.

Aurore quickly composed herself, extending her right hand over the orange-yellow candle representing herself.

"In ritual magic, a candle can't simply be lit. Of course, sometimes lighting it normally works, but that usually isn't a good sign." Aurore explained while the candle burst into orange flames.