Chapter 439: Possession(3)
Chapter 439: Possession(3)
The process of Clark possessing me wasn't all that complicated. This was less due to Leona’s sorcery and more thanks to Ariel’s sprout.
Sorcery doesn't work by receiving divine power from a god and manifesting abilities based on that; rather, it manifests through literal 'belief.'
You’ve probably heard the saying that if you wish for something earnestly enough, the universe will make it happen. Sorcery works exactly like that.
Because of this, it’s highly speculative—low risk, low return.
However, if there is an offering involved—especially one close to the essence of a god—the probability of success increases drastically.
Even shamans don't know the exact principle behind it. They just say it works because they prayed.
Anyway, a special procedure was required to have Clark’s soul possess me.
First, Leona started by plucking the sprout growing on top of Ariel’s head. Just in case, she plucked several instead of just one.
Perhaps because she plucked so many, Ariel scratched the crown of her head, but there were no other issues.
Next was the most important part: pulling Clark’s soul out and then having him possess me.
I thought this would be the hardest part, but sorcery always has a way of showing unexpected processes and results.
"Now. Put this in your mouth."
[Understood. Hooo...]
As soon as Clark put the sprout Leona handed him into his mouth, he made a sound like wind—no, like a soul escaping.
Since he was lying on the bed, I couldn't see much change, but seeing the golden light that had been shining deep within his eye sockets go dark, it seemed he had lost consciousness.
While I was slightly flustered, not knowing exactly what was happening, Ariel, who was watching from the side, pointed a finger.
"Oh! Grandpa is floating!"
"Where? Where?"
"Right here!"
When I turned my head in the direction Ariel was pointing, I saw it. The sprout that had gone into Clark’s mouth earlier was now hovering in mid-air.
As I stared at it, dumbfounded, Leona looked at the sprout and spoke.
"It’s temporary, but that sprout will serve as the medium supporting Mr. Clark. Once it goes back into a body, he’ll return to normal. Oh, and for the record, even if he speaks now, we won't be able to hear him."
"Is this really okay?"
"I’m a bit nervous since I’m not a professional shaman, but the offering is so high-quality that it should be fine."
The item was certainly top-tier. I felt relieved after hearing her words.
Meanwhile, the floating sprout moved back toward Clark’s original body. I could tell as it entered his open mouth.
Flash!
As if his soul had completely returned, the eye sockets that had been dark as if the power was cut flickered with golden light once more.
It seemed the soul had entered the bones without any issues.
"Are you alright?"
[It feels a bit strange, but I am fine.]
Clark said this as he pulled the sprout from his mouth and handed it to Leona. Leona then passed the sprout to me.
I examined the sprout I’d been handed. Even if it was a medium, it looked like a perfectly ordinary sprout.
Could this really allow Clark to possess my body? Knowing nothing about sorcery, I was a bit skeptical.
"This is the medium that will allow Mr. Clark to descend at any time, even after his funeral is held. It means you can call him whenever you want, even if he’s in Valhalla. But you must never lose it. Got it?"
"Can't we make a spare just in case?"
"No. If we do that, the soul will be split in half, and Mr. Clark won't be able to maintain his sanity. That’s a method usually used to seal uncontrollable evil spirits. Conversely, if you gather those mediums, the evil spirit is released from the seal."
"Aha. I think I get it."
It was a cliché I’d often seen in novels or comics. It’s the kind of thing often described by the term 'Exodia.'
Regardless, I must never lose this sprout. I stared blankly at the sprout in my hand.
I needed to figure out how to keep from losing it. After all, I could be quite absent-minded in many ways.
"But this is a sprout. What if it withers over time?"
"Usually, an offering inhabited by a soul doesn't deteriorate over time. Unless Mr. Clark cuts the connection himself, it should stay perfectly fine. We Beastkin use this to check a target's life signs in real-time. If the target is gravely injured, the soul-linked offering will also be damaged, and if they die, it turns to dust. Of course, if they recover, it regenerates."
"Oh..."
"And it has the characteristic of slowly drifting toward where the main body is. You can use this to roughly track the target's location."
It was truly fantasy-like content, yet a setting I’d seen in various media. An object linked to a target's soul, changes based on their status, and even the part about moving toward the target.
It was a real shame; this could have played a very important role in the Xenon Biography. Specifically, it was a setting that could have been used effectively during Jin's Awakening and death.
If I had known, I would have become friends with Leona sooner. Well, at least I knew now.
"Can you do this for me later too?"
"Of course. But as I said, I can only make one."
"Can't I tear it and share it?"
"Then it would just regenerate from the damaged part. The torn-off piece would just become an ordinary sprout. It’s strictly treated as 'one'."
That was a bit disappointing. I had wanted to make many and share them with my loved ones.
I suppose I’ll have to gather everyone and discuss this soon—whether to keep it at the mansion or have a specific person be in charge of it.
Leaving the fascinating sorcery lesson behind, we returned to the main point. Now that the connection between Clark and the sprout was confirmed, all that remained was the 'possession.'
"It’s simple. Just put the sprout linked to Mr. Clark in your mouth."
"...In my mouth?"
"Yes. Of course, Mr. Clark’s soul has to leave his body first. Excuse me for a moment."
[Hooo...]
Leona put the sprout that was in my hand back into Clark’s mouth and gave his head a light tap.
At the same time, Clark made his signature soul-escaping sound, and the sprout popped out of his eye socket.
Seeing it floating in the air, it seemed the soul had successfully left the body. Ariel’s gaze following the sprout confirmed it.
Leona then pointed to the floating sprout and explained.
"Just take that sprout and put it in your mouth. Don't worry if you swallow it. It won't be digested, and it’ll come back up through your throat."
"...That doesn't sound like a pleasant experience."
"Better than it coming out as poop, right?"
Shiver.
Was the thought too horrifying? The sprout floating in the air trembled. I felt the same way.
Meanwhile, Leona, who had made the comment, was grinning, baring her fangs.
Soon, the floating sprout approached me, and I stared at it as it came right in front of my face.
When I looked at Leona with an expression asking if I really had to put this in my mouth, she nodded silently.
Even if she wasn't a professional shaman, Leona was royalty. She would be well-versed in the basic theory, so there was no need to worry.
Above all, the offering was a sprout of the World Tree, something money couldn't buy. There was no reason not to trust it.
"Nom."
I opened my mouth and let the sprout in. I felt it floating inside my mouth before it settled on my tongue.
Up to this point, I didn't feel much of a difference, but...
"Oh! I think it really worked! Huh? What?"
My mouth started opening on its own. Suddenly, my hands were moving without my permission. My head turned by itself.
"T-this, t-this worked, no, what... I'll go first..."
It was as if I was lagging; words kept repeating and cutting off. My body truly didn't feel like my own.
I was so flustered that I clamped my mouth shut, but my body continued to move on its own.
In the meantime, Leona giggled at my reaction and said to me:
"It seems to have worked perfectly without any side effects. Is it because the generational gap isn't that far? It looks so natural."
"Did-did it work? Aw, damn it."
"Wow. Daddy and Grandpa look like they're overlapping."
While I was grumbling because my words were repeating, Ariel spoke with sparkling eyes.
In her eyes, it seemed my soul and Clark’s were overlapping.
Between Leona’s words and Ariel’s reaction, it was clear that Clark had possessed my body.
"It’ll be hard to adjust at first. If you want to communicate, just speak through your thoughts."
[Like this?]
As soon as Leona finished speaking, Clark’s voice echoed in my head.
It didn't feel like I was hearing it with my ears; it was a vibrating sensation inside my brain, like telepathy. It was quite eerie yet fascinating.
After a moment of being startled by the sound, I calmed my mind and quietly thought back.
'...Can you hear me?'
[Oh! I can hear you. My, my. I’ve seen many things in my life, but there are so many wondrous things.]
As Clark said that, he scratched his temple with his index finger out of habit. This was Clark’s action, not mine.
Having my body move on its own was something I didn't think I could ever get used to.
It was just scary. Not an exaggeration—fear was slowly creeping up from within.
You know those scenes in comics where a character controls someone else's body, and the person being controlled cries and begs them to stop?
I could understand that person's feelings a hundred percent. It was only okay because it was Clark; if it had been anyone else, I would have screamed for them to stop.
'Actually, something like that almost happened last time...'
[Ah. You mean that incident?]
I had only thought it, but since we were in a state of possession, Clark answered kindly. I was momentarily dazed by that, then immediately made a vow.
At the very least, I had to be careful even with my thoughts when Clark was inside my body. It was similar to when Ariel was first born.
[If it is alright, may I check the body?]
'Yes. Do as you wish.'
With my permission, Clark stood up from the chair. Describing my own movements as if someone else were doing them felt incredibly awkward.
He then began to check every corner of my body. He even checked my lower body and added in a satisfied voice that I was indeed his bloodline.
It was a bit embarrassing, but since it was a point of pride, I let it slide.
"Hmm... The overall balance of the body is certainly good. Especially the lower body; it's very sturdy. I truly like this."
It felt so strange to hear those words coming out of my own mouth. I really wished he would just say them internally.
Regardless, Clark tapped my muscular thighs a few times with his fist. It wasn't an exaggeration; my thighs boasted a steel-like hardness.
To survive this long, I had been steadily maintaining my basic physical strength and muscle mass at a knight's level.
Only then could I endure the nights. If it weren't for my divine power, I wouldn't have been able to satisfy the ladies.
Of course, the overall slender-looking frame remained the same. You could think of it as a physique that didn't show much on the outside.
"The muscle mass is a bit lacking, but perhaps thanks to the divine power, it's very flexible."
That was what Clark said.
"Could you please just speak internally? It feels really weird to hear myself say those things."
And that was what I said. My mouth moving on its own was starting to make me feel dizzy.
[Ah. Is that so? Understood.]
Clark didn't seem to mind and smoothly transitioned. I let out a sigh at this first possession, which felt beyond awkward and into the realm of the grotesque.
Of course, as the saying goes, life is a comedy from a distance but a tragedy up close; Leona’s lips were trembling as she watched my reaction.
I suppose it would be funny to see someone talking to themselves and answering like they were possessed, with their body even twitching unnaturally.
I stared at Leona, who was holding back laughter, with a look of weary resignation before quietly speaking.
"...Do you know how to undo the possession?"
"Pfft... Y-you just have to take the sprout out of your mouth. Then Mr. Clark’s soul will come out too."
"Right. Thanks."
Following her instructions, I removed the sprout stuck to my tongue, and everything returned to normal.
As soon as the possession was undone, I clenched and unclenched my hands and moved my legs. Fortunately, they moved according to my will.
Even though it was only for a short time, the eerie sensation of being possessed didn't disappear.
The idea of Clark, who was powerful in life, possessing my body to fight in my stead was good. However, I could end up being a hindrance to him, so adaptation was essential.
"...I should speak to my father first. I think I need to get used to it through sparring."
"That’s a good idea. That’s actually how shamans fight."
"Got it."
Sparring with my father to adapt would probably help ease some of the awkwardness.
I immediately sent someone to call for my father. Normally, I should be the one to go, but then only Leona, Ariel, and Clark would be left in this bedroom.
The atmosphere might get awkward, and in the unlikely event that a stranger walked in, a disaster could occur. It was highly unlikely, but just in case.
While waiting for my father to arrive, I entered the possession state again for practice.
"No! It’s my body! You’re going to smoke with my body?! That’s insane! Leona is right here!"
Of course.
"Can't I just smoke once with a living body?! It’s this grandfather’s request! The feeling of cigar smoke filling the lungs! I want to feel it just once!"
In the process, I had the rare experience of my body fighting with itself.
My right hand reached for a cigar, while my left hand gripped the right wrist tightly, struggling.
It seemed withdrawal symptoms had kicked in in less than thirty minutes. This made me realize that it wasn't the body that craved tobacco, but the spirit.
"Pwahahaha! Hahaha! Oh! Oh, my stomach!"
"Big sister. What’s wrong with Daddy and Grandpa?"
"Uhuuuuuk. Keukeukeuk...!"
I was just glad there were only two onlookers.