Chapter 3 - Soul Hall

It took Callon around an hour to make it to the gates of the middle section of Candum. Once he had almost gotten to the gate, he looked around, curious as to how it would differ from lower Candum. The walls were high and made from white brick, it looked better taken care of than the gates of the walls of the lower section. There was grass surrounding the outer side of the gate and there were white flowers along with the grass. As he walked closer, he could smell a scent of herbs in the air and it gave him an almost calming effect. From what he remembered being told about elixirs, someone must be making or attempting to make some. Once Callon had finally reached the gate, he saw two men standing at the entrance, guarding it. Once the guards noticed him approaching, they barely gave him a glance before telling him to go away. Instead of speaking any worthless words to them about how he is a soul cultivator, he decided to let Neil and Riel come out of hiding in the hood of coat.

"Neil and Riel, please wake up for a second and show these guards that I am a soul cultivator and that I do belong here." Callon made sure to telepathically tell them this to not annoy the guards even further and cause more trouble.

Once Neil and Riel came out of his hood, Riel glanced at the guards with an attitude while settling herself onto Callon's right shoulder and said "You dare tell my big brothers that we cannot enter even though you yourselves are not soul cultivators, but my big brother is?" Neil went directly to Callon's left shoulder and nodded while letting out a snort.

Callon glanced at them both and was shocked by their complete change in character from when they were speaking to him.

"I know what you're thinking big brother, but there's no way we would talk to some strangers as kindly as we speak to you. That would just be absurd, especially since they didn't even bother to check if you're a soul cultivator with companions." Callon nodded inwardly after coming to terms with their change in attitude and relating to what they were saying. There is also no way that he would speak with such warmth as he does them to someone that he does not even know.

While Callon and Riel were having their conversation in their minds, the guards were staring with their mouths open in shock. Not only had they offended a soul cultivator, but it was also a soul cultivator with not one but two soul companions. They immediately apologized and allow Callon to enter the middle section of Candum. Before completely entering the gate, Callon asked the guards if they knew the directions to the Soul Hall.

"Once you enter through the gate, you will pass by many shop stalls and buildings. If you keep heading straight and then turn at the first corner, there will be a tall building made of white brick that has a sign saying "Soul Hall" written in dark blue," said one of the guards.

After thanking the guards, Callon followed their directions while looking around at everything. As Callon walked, he noticed all the stalls that lined the side of the road, directly next to the sidewalk. People were shouting about wanting to buy herbs for their elixirs, wanting to sell elixirs, and many other things. The main road was made of a nice light grey stone that was easy to walk on, there were also a few carriages on the other side of the walking road. Finally, having arrived at the Soul Hall building. At first glance, it could be seen that it was an important building. He had passed by no other building that were made of white brick, nor wore any as big or tall as the current building in front of him. There was a stone path leading into the building, and clear doors at the end of the path. Callon gently pushed the door open because he was scared it wad fragile and expensive. Once entering, he was even more bewildered by the extravagance of the inside. The floors and counters were made of white marble, there were many doors on the left and right sides leading to who knows where. Slowly walking in and observing the inside of the Soul Hall, Callon, with Neil and Reil on his shoulders, slowly approached a marble counter where a woman with blonde hair pulled tightly into a ponytail was sitting at the seat, lost in thought.

"Hello?" Callon called out to the woman until she was finally no longer lost in thought. Once the woman noticed not only Callon, but also Neil and Reil, she stared for a while. She had never heard of someone having more than one soul companion before reaching the second stage, heavenly spirit realm. Once she realized she was being rude, she cleared her throat and blushed a little and spoke. "I'm sorry, my name is Marj. I am one of the receptionists at Candum's Spirit Hall. How may I help you, sir?"

Callon nodded his head slightly to acknowledge her apology and briefly told her that he wants to know more information on being a spirit cultivator. After hearing Callon say that he needed information on something so simple, she looked even more shocked. Not only did this boy in front of her have two soul companions, but he seemingly must have just awakened as he does not know even the basics.

After once again coming back from her shock, she called her boss. Although it is but a simple problem, seeing as he has two soul companions, this could be a good chance to get a promotion by recommending him to her boss. After speaking with her boss, she told Callon to briefly sit down and someone will be right with him.

As Callon was sitting, he realized there were also other people in the Spirit Hall, many of which were staring at him and whispers to one another. He decided to just ignore, but it seemed as though Riel just could not take it anymore.

"IS THERE A PROBLEM?!" Riel yelled. Once everyone realized she was yelling at them, they all turned away and went back to doing what they were doing.

Only one person seemed to still show their blatant interest in them. As if deciding to no longer stare from a distance, the boy walked over.