Soul Alive : Saga of the cursed tests

My name is Magna Aelum

- Where did that come from? - Sanctus said as he looked around.

-Right here. - The strange voice answered.

- Did it come from the book? - Sanctus said in a low voice as he looked carefully in the direction of the book.

- Do you see someone else in the room? - Said the book.

- Could you speak from the beginning? Why didn't you do it before? - Asked Sanctus angrily.

- The truth is I didn’t think that you would go that far. - The book answered.

- I was about to die and you didn't help me. - Sanctus said increasingly angry as he held the book tightly with his hands

- I was not going to waste my time explaining something to a dead man.

Sanctus throws the book hard towards the ceiling making the shock of the blow sound quite loud.

- That damn hurt! - Said the book with an angry tone of voice while floating

- The truth is that you deserve it. You better start talking or I'm going to burn you. - Sanctus said with an angry expression.

- I don’t think that's possible. I’m indestructible, even though I may feel pain. - Said the book in a mocking tone.

- Really? Well, I'll make you feel a lot of pain stupid high-voiced book. - Sanctus said angrily

- Don't make fun of my voice! - Said the book in an angry tone.

- Then start talking or I'm going to throw you in boiling water. - Sanctus said with a sinister expression.

- Good, but calm down… I’m Magna Aelum. You can call me Aelum. - Said the book.

- It's true, we're just getting to know each other. My name is Sanctus. - Sanctus answered more calmly.

- When is the next test? - Asked Aelum.

"A week technically ..." Sanctus answered.

- Well, then there is no time to waste. You need to train right now. - Aelum said very motivated.

"But I need you to tell me why…" Sanctus said quietly.

- You will know everything in due time, but first ... - Aelum said interrupting Sanctus. - I want you to put them on. - Aelum said as he opened up and a pair of gloves came out from his pages.

The gloves were black with turquoise and a symbol in the middle. The style of the gloves was similar to those of a knight of the Middle Ages.

- What are these gloves for? - Sanctus asked as he grabbed them.

- These gloves will help you to induce yourself into a greater state of concentration regardless of the situation, as well as help you better focus your spiritual energy. - Aelum answered.

- I feel that my energy is concentrated in my hands. - Sanctus said with his gloves on.

- It’s not your physical energy, but spiritual. Now the following. To start your training, you must control the initial postures. Impetus is the attack position, while Obice is the defense position. - Aelum said as he showed her through the pages the positions of his hands.

In the image, the hand position known as Impetus consists of having your little, ring and middle fingers extended and glued together while the index finger had to be turned in the shape of a nut. Finally, the thumb was inserted through the space created by the index finger due to its rotation. The Obice position was very similar to the Impetus, but the little, ring and middle fingers did not remain glued, but slightly separated forward.

- You can use them at the same time, but their power and frequency depend on the user. So still not going to use them at the same time ... - Said Aelum.

- Obice! Impetus! - Sanctus said aloud as he used both hand positions at the same time.

Sanctus falls to the floor passed out as fast as he did the hand positions.

- You are i***t? Didn't you hear anything I said to you recently? - Aelum said angrily as he watched Sanctus passed out on the floor.

-Son, breakfast is ready. - Said a woman from the dining room.

- Here I go mom. You better not do anything weird where I'm not here. - Sanctus said as he got up from the floor.

Sanctus heads to the living room and notices that his breakfast was already served. That woman's voice turned out to be his mother's, who was sitting there and smiling at him.

- Good morning dear, did you sleep well? - Her mother said with a smile and a sweet look.

"I had some nightmares…" Sanctus replied as he ate his breakfast.

- It seems that you had something cold, I had not seen those gloves. They're new? - Her mother said as she looked at Sanctus's gloves.

- s**t I came so fast that I forgot to take them off. - Sanctus thought.

- I'm sure they are from a series that you like. - Said her mother.

- Y-Yeah ... - Sanctus answered somewhat nervous.

- It's almost time to go. Haven't you forgotten? - Her mother said sweetly.

- It's true, Mom usually travels for work every so often and I forgot all of a sudden with everything that has happened. - Sanctus thought. - Of course not. How long will you be leaving this time? - Sanctus asked.

- More or less a year, everything depends on the advertising project of the company. - His mother answered.

- It's the first time you've been away for so long. - Sanctus said as he finished eating his breakfast.

- Yes ... I'm going to miss you a lot. It's the first time I've been separated from you for a long time. - His mother answered.

Sanctus's mother looked at the cell phone. She had received an important notification.

- Something happens? - Sanctus asked.

- It's the taxi I ordered, it just arrived. Can you help me with my suitcases? - Her mother asked as she got up from her chair.

- Yes of course. - Sanctus answered still with food in his mouth.

The taxi had arrived on time. Sanctus and his mother were ready to say goodbye.

- Take good care of yourself, I don’t want to be separated from you for so long, but sometimes we have to do things that we don’t want and it’s our duty to fulfill them. - Sanctus's mother said looking somewhat sad.

- I know, I'm going to miss you a lot, take care of yourself. Sanctus replied with a smile.

After loading the suitcases into the taxi and saying goodbye to her mother with a big hug, he watches her as the taxi continues on its way to the airport.

- I'm very sorry San ... I've noticed that these days you've been in a bad mood, even if you try to hide it and still, I couldn't help you. Everything I have done up to today has been for your good, but maybe that will change from now on ... - Sanctus's mother thought as her tears of sadness fell.

The days went by very quickly.

The perception of time is usually very short for those who enjoy their days or keep busy when something is of vital importance.

Sanctus was training all these days while he exercised his body, trying to maintain the hand positions and guiding his spiritual energy in a better way, but at other times falling unconscious.

Aelum, who had now become his companion book, watched the entire training procedure until finally the day had arrived.

- It's almost time. Are you ready? - Said Aelum.

- So, it is and I will survive no matter what happens. It was a tough week, But… I have to face my reality. - Sanctus answered as he finished preparing his clothes.

Sanctus' clothing consisted of a set of sportswear with pants, sneakers, a light T-shirt, a jacket and a kind of belt where he could keep his book. He used to use that belt to keep his collectible cards.

Sanctus' cell phone transmits a notification that said "After reading this message, closes the eyes for five seconds."

- The time to face the next test has come - Sanctus said while keeping his eyes closed for five seconds. - Go ahead! - Sanctus said aloud while there would be the eyes.

He was no longer in his room now.

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Mini story:

Sanctus: damn it a talking book!

Aelum: I find it incredible that a talking book surprise you more, to be almost devoured by a monster.

Aelum: Hello to all readers! Omitting our stupid protagonist, I will explain the meaning of Obice and Impetus. Wait a second, I need my glasses.

Sanctus: Do you need glasses? But you don't even have eyes.

Aelum: silence! Now I can explain correctly. (He just took out some glasses between his sheets)

Aelum: Obice means barrier while Impetus means attack. These words come from the Latin language.

Sanctus falls unconscious to the ground from using both hand positions at the same time.

Aelum: Are you an i***t? How many times should I repeat to you that you can't use them at the same time yet. I’m sincerely concerned about the course that this story will take with this protagonist.