1:29 p.m.
Temple of Priests Office Building, Temple of Priests Private Compound, Luxen City.
Thud, thud, thud…
Vivian stepped inside the Mission Room while using her poleaxe like a walking stick and made her way to Ezekiel who was sitting behind a counter and happily chatting with a dark-skinned White Priest in his late 30s who was also sitting behind another counter.
"Excuse me, Brother Ezekiel."
Ezekiel turned to her.
"Oh, Sister Vivian. How are you today and how may I help you?"
"I'm good. Sorry for the interruption, but I have some news and I'm not sure where to report this."
Ezekiel raised an eyebrow.
"What is it, sister?"
"I learned a Class Magic spell."
Ezekiel's eyes widened.
"Oh… Congratulations, sister!"
"Congratulations, sister!" the other Priest congratulated her as well.
"Thank you, brothers," Vivian said and smiled.
"What Class Magic spell did you learn?" Ezekiel asked.
"[Halo]."
"Can you show it to me?" Ezekiel said and then noticed the confusion and hesitation on Vivian's face. "Actually, you came to the right place. Whenever a Brother or Sister learns a Class Magic, they have to come here to report it and the staff here has to confirm it."
Vivian nodded.
"I see. But brother, correct me if I'm wrong, as far as I know, using [Halo] without any legal reason is prohibited."
Ezekiel nodded.
"That's very good that you're aware of that, sister. I can't tell you how many of our younger Brothers and Sisters have problems following that rule. However, as I said earlier, whenever a Brother or Sister learns a Class Magic, they have to come here, report it, and one of the staff here has to confirm and record it."
"Okay," Vivian said.
[Halo].
A golden ring appeared on her back.
Ezekiel didn't get up on his seat and went over to Vivian. Instead, he remained seated as he examined the ring on her back.
As expected…
He's not affected…
She glanced at the other Priest inside the room.
He's not as well…
As far as Vivian knows, the charm-like effect of [Halo] only works if the caster's Magic Force was higher compared to the target or targets.
An image of Mrs. Belfair and her sons flashed inside her head.
Those Gold Rank Adventurers I fought…
One looked like he was in his early 40s or something and the other was in his early 30s…
Yet they were as strong or a little bit stronger than me…
However…
That brother named Gerald...
He seemed to be in his early 30s…
Yet he easily defeated that Gold I Rank Adventurer in his early 30s…
And as for these guys…
Ezekiel seemed to be in his early 30s…
And the other guy seemed to be in his late 30s…
Yet they're not affected…
So the average Physical and Magic Force of a person in their 30s is at least Mithril…?
And Priests tend to be stronger than Adventurers…?
Grace from the Blacksmith Shop flashed inside her head.
That woman said that the average age for a Brother or Sister to reach Spirit Steel is around 40 years old…
Iron, Silver, Mithril, Orichalcum, Adamantite, Rainbow Steel and Spirit Steel…
She also mentioned that they must also have at least 2 Magic Art Affinities…
Her brows knitted together.
I'm confused…
Why does it require 1-30 years old to reach from Iron to Mithril…?
Yet from Mithril to Spirit Steel, it's 30-40 years old or around 40 years old…?
Something isn't adding up…
I mean…
Even if she meant 45 years old by "around 40 years old"…
That's still a difference of 15 years between 30-45 years old…
Or perhaps Mithril, Orichalcum, Adamantite, Rainbow Steel and Spirit Steel have a different classification…?
Or maybe that woman was an idiot…?
That would be extremely terrifying if she is…
Because she's working at a shop that sells weapons and armor…
And this is a world of magic…
An idea flashed inside her head.
Wait…!
Maybe some people don't train their Physical and Magic Force evenly…?
Like maybe their Physical Force could be 300 points while their Magic Force is only 100 points…?
But why…?
Why would anyone want to do that…?
Skills and spells can give you an advantage if you know how and when to use them…
But skills and spells need mana…
And mana can only be increased by training your Magic Art Masteries which increases your Magic Force…
I mean, sure, Physical Art Masteries also gives INT but it's so little compared to what Magic Art Masteries give…
Meanwhile, Magic Art Masteries also gives STR, VIT and AGI but it's also so little compared to what Physical Art Masteries give…
At least that's what I understood from all the experiments and battles I've done...
"There's no doubt that it's [Halo]. You can turn it off now, sister," Ezekiel said.
Vivian deactivated her spell.
"Once again, let me congratulate you, sister. You've truly received the blessing of the God of Light. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it hasn't even been a month since you joined our Temple, right?" Ezekiel said.
Huh...?
Seriously…?
It hasn't even been a month…?
I didn't realize that…
"Ah, yes."
The other Priest's eyes turned wide and he nearly jumped out of his seat.
"God of Light, is that true…?!"
Ezekiel nodded.
"It's true, brother."
Eh…?
What's going on…?
Did I do something I shouldn't have done…?
Vivian let out an awkward smile. She already scratched the side of her face a little bit before stopping after remembering that she was wearing powder and lipstick.
Fuck…!
I forgot…!
"Brothers, sorry if this question sounds stupid and I'm truly being genuine about this. But what is the average age that a person reaches White Cloak?"
Ezekiel thought about it for a moment.
"Assuming that the person joined the Temple of Priests by the age of 15, then it's around 16-18 years old."
"So I learned my first Class Magic spell too fast?"
"It's more than too fast, sister," the other Priest said.
"What about the ones who didn't join the Temple of Priests at the age of 15?"
"Anywhere between 4-12 months, depending on how dedicated they are," Ezekiel said.
Oh…
So I overdid it…?
"Brothers, if you don't mind me asking a favor, I mean, I know that this news of me learning a Class Magic in less than a month will spread eventually, but if you don't mind, I would like to ask you to keep this information for now. I'm a very shy and private person, you see. I'm not comfortable being the star of attention."
Ezekiel shook his head.
"I'm sorry, sister, but even if you don't want this information to spread, once you get promoted as a White Cloak, you're no longer allowed to wear a Brown Cloak. And those who know you and see you will know right away. Also, if you're going to ask to have your promotion to White Cloak postponed, let me tell you that that's prohibited and you will face punishment."
Vivian swallowed.
"I see… I understand…"
Ezekiel nodded and gave an understanding smile.
"Thank you for understanding, sister. And I swear to the God of Light that Brother Rhys and I understand your concerns and situation. However, there is a reason why the said rules have been placed."
Rhys nodded.
"Just as Brother Ezekiel said, sister."
Ezekiel began writing something on a piece of paper and then handed it over to Vivian.
"Since this is your first Class Magic, please go to High Brother Lucius' office and give this to Sister Jillian."
Sister Jillian…?
Or Sister Gillian…?
An image of a 24-year-old bespectacled pink-haired Priestess in her mid-20s flashed inside Vivian's head.
She's the second person I met here at the private compound when Joshua brought me here…
"Yes, brother, and thank you."
"Once again, congratulations and may the God of Light watch over you, sister."
"Thank you and may the God of Light watch over you as well, brother."
"Sister Vivian, correct?" Rhys said.
"Yes, brother."
"Congratulations on becoming a White Cloak and may the God of Light watch over you, Sister Vivian."
"Thank you and may the God of Light watch over you as well, Brother Rhys."
Vivian turned away and left.
***
Vivian stopped in front of a door.
Knock, knock.
Ka-cha!
She knocked twice before putting her hand on the doorknob and opening the door.
Ku-chud.
And as she entered and closed the door behind her, she found herself inside a large and spacious office.
There was a lounging or waiting area on the left corner, there were four desks in the middle arranged in a horizontal line with two chairs in front of them -- each with two chairs in front of them -- and there were two rooms room at the right corner -- one looked like a private office while the other looked like a storage room.
All four desks had a Priest or Priestess sitting behind it busy reviewing and signing documents and Vivian made her way to the first desk on the right that had a bespectacled pink-haired woman in her mid-20s.
"Excuse me, Sister Gillian."
Jillian stopped what she was doing and raised her head. She was caught off-guard for a moment when she saw Vivian with a poleaxe.
"Hello sister, how can I help you?" she said with a smile.
Vivian took out the note that was given to her by Ezekiel. The note was folded but not sealed. But despite that, she still didn't bother to open and read it.
Based on her experience as a working adult back in her original world, most of the time it's better to not know the private businesses of the higher-ups because that will only put a target on your back.
And although she had no doubt that the note was about her, she was also at the camp of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
Like they say…
Ignorance is bliss…
"I just learned the Class Magic spell [Halo] and I was told by Brother Ezekiel to give this to you."
Gillian received the note and then opened it. As she read the note, her eyes widened for a moment and she returned her gaze to Vivian with a warm smile.
"Congratulations, Sister Vivian. I'm so happy for you. However, this note is for Sister Jillian, my elder sister. I'm Sister Gillian."
A surprised and apologetic expression flashed across Vivian's face.
"Oh… I'm very sorry, I didn't know…"
Gillian shook her head with an understanding smile and she got up from her seat.
"It's fine. You're not the first one to make this mistake," she said and then went over to the first desk on the left that had a slightly overweight bespectacled short pink-haired woman in her early 30s sitting behind it. "My dearest sister, this is for you," she said and presented the note.
Jillian stopped what she was doing, turned to her, and saw the note waving in front of her face.
She received the note and read it.
As for Vivian, she was already standing in front of Jillian's desk. And although there were two chairs in front of the desk, she didn't bother to sit down.
Jillian finally finished reading the note and turned to Vivian. She got up from her seat and flashed a bright smile.
"Sister Vivian, on behalf of all of our brothers and sisters, congratulations on learning your first Class Magic spell! Not to mention you also did it in less than a moment!"
Everyone inside the room heard her and they all turned to Vivian with a surprised look.
"Congratulations, sister! That's so amazing!" the Priests sitting on the second and third table said with a smile.
"It truly is!" Gillian said.
Jillian nodded.
"This is no doubt a sign that you're born to be a Sister."
"Thank you, brothers and sisters," Vivian said and smiled.
An apologetic expression flashed across Jillian's face.
"My apologies, Sister Vivian. Normally, you would be granted to have a short meeting with High Brother Lucius so that he can personally congratulate and reward you for your extraordinary achievement. However, he's out dealing with the matters involving the betrayal of the former Supreme Captain, Ronaldo, and other things."
Vivian held out her left hand and waved it.
"There's nothing to apologize, sister. I really don't mind. In fact, I'm glad that High Brother Lucius is dealing with the matters involving the former Supreme Captain. After all, it's our solemn duty to save this world from the hands of demons, demon-kins, the Cult of Infinity and heretics."
Everyone looked at her with a surprised expression.
Eh…?
Did I say something wrong…?
Wasn't that Ronaldo accused of being in league with demon-worshippers…?
Jillian pushed her glasses and then nodded.
"That's such a mature way of thinking, sister. No wonder you achieved what you achieved."
Vivian let out an uncomfortable chuckle. She was about to scratch the side of her face but stopped a few inches away after remembering she was wearing powder and lipstick.
Damn…
I almost forgot again…
"I see…"
"By the way, sister, your cloak size, that's M, right?"
Vivian nodded.
"Yes."
Jillian turned to the Priest beside her.
It was a brown-skinned man with black hair in his mid-30s.
"Brother Brian, if you don't mind, can you fetch Sister Vivian a size M White Cloak?"
"Of course!" Brian said and got up before heading and entering the room located at the right corner.
Jillian returned her gaze to Vivian.
"Sister, please take a seat," she said and sat down.
As Vivian sat down at one of the chairs in front of Jillian's desk, Jillian began writing something on a piece of paper and then gave it to Vivian.
"Please give this to Brother Ezekiel. You will receive a reward of 100 gold coins and 1 free Mithril-Grade Magic Item."
Only 100 gold coins and 1 free Mithril-Grade Magic Item...?
That's it...?
The fuck...
"Thank you, sister," she said with a smile.
Brian returned with a White Cloak folded and wrapped with brown paper.
"Thank you, brother," Vivian said with a smile as she received it.
"Don't mention it, sister," he said with a smile and then returned to his desk.
"Sister," Jillian said.
Vivian turned to her.
"Once again, I would like to congratulate you for learning your first Class Magic in less than a month. It's truly impressive. With that being said, you're no longer allowed to wear a Brown Cloak."
Vivian nodded.
"Thank you and yes, sister."