Awakening Ceremony

<Author's Thoughts: This is an extra chapter for reaching more than 10 Power Stones this week. Thanks, Jitna, hiatusy and LeonidasCSNeto!>

 

"Brother Isaac, Sister Criselle, to be honest, I have 4 Affinities -- Light, Fire, Wind and Dagger…" said Vivian.

 

Hearing that, Criselle's face held a slightly impressed expression. Isaac, on the other hand, simply nodded.

 

Did I aim too low…?

 

Dammit…!

 

Had I known that this would be their reaction, I would've added Thunder…

 

Wait…!

 

Thunder…

 

There's lights here…

 

Is it electricity…?

 

What if I electrify myself…?

 

Would I learn [Thunder Mastery]…?

 

Hold on…

 

Is electricity and thunder the sa--…

 

"Wow, that's amazing, Sister Vivian!" Criselle.

 

"As expected of a member of the Temple of Priests," said Isaac. "So the only Awakening Ceremony you need is for the [Fire Mastery], Sister Vivian?"

 

"Unfortunately, I need Fire and Wind."

 

"Okay, wait here for a moment. I'll gather up some members who could help us."

 

"I'll help too!" Criselle said excitedly.

 

"For Fire and Wind? Or Just Fire?" asked Vivian.

 

"You want to do both? Like now…?" Criselle asked with a surprised look on her face.

 

Even Isaac had the same reaction on his face.

 

Vivian paid no attention to the expressions on their face.

 

"Before joining this Temple, I was able to train with some people who had Fire and Wind magic. Unfortunately, before I could finally open them, something happened and…"

 

A melancholic expression appeared on Vivian's face as she bit her lower lip and her eyes looked away.

 

"Sister Vivian…" Criselle said and wanted to reach out to hug her but stopped herself.

 

Isaac nodded.

 

"Well, that's part of life, sister."

 

Vivian returned her gaze to them and said with a choking but passionate voice, "I-I only need a little more, probably around 20 shots left!"

 

Tap.

 

Criselle put a hand on her shoulder.

 

"Don't worry, sister! We'll definitely gather enough people tonight to help you open those Affinities tonight! You can count me in with the Fire Affinity!"

 

"Although my Magic Affinities are Light, Dark, Thunder and Earth, I'll gather enough people with Fire and Wind Affinities and won't make them stop until you open it!" said Isaac.

 

"Thank you!" Vivian said and bowed.

 

The two finally left to gather some people.

 

Did that guy say his Magic Affinities are Light, Dark, Thunder and Earth…?

 

So people with [Dark Mastery] are not persecuted…?

 

I mean, this Temple prioritizes people with Light Affinity and there was also that book I read…

 

I really didn't expect that…

 

Maybe I should also ask about [Chaos Mastery] as well…

 

It sounds cool…

 

But dammit…

 

I'm so tempted to let him hit me with Dark and Thunder magic as soon as possible…

 

Vivian didn't bother to mention the Earth Affinity because she never viewed it as a cool element.

Back in her original world, based on what she has seen in anime, cartoons, video games and other similar mediums, the Earth element magic is usually only depicted as earth spikes, earth walls, golems and earthquakes.

 

Wait…!

 

He's an instructor, right…?

 

Or something like that…

 

Maybe I can trick him into fighting a magic battle with me…?

 

What about that woman…?

 

Well, she did say that she had Fire and didn't say anything else…

 

With that, I can just assume that her Magic Affinities are only Light and Fire…

 

After all, those without Light Affinity need at least 3 Magic Affinities in order to join the Temple of Priests…

 

Useless…

 

Well, I just hope the [Fire] and [Wind Mastery], especially the latter, would be worth it…

 

I do hope [Wind Mastery] will eventually give me some flying ability…

 

Oh, I should also ask if there's some kind of teleportation and spatial storage magic…!

 

***

Sometime later…

 

Vivian, Isaac, Criselle and along with 16 other people were outside the building.

 

Although it was already nighttime, there were lights outside. However, the lights weren't bright lights that can be found in stadiums, but just enough for people to see.

 

"Brothers and sisters, this is Sister Vivian," said Isaac. "She just joined our Temple yesterday and is in need of our help to open her [Fire] and [Wind Mastery]."

 

"Welcome, Sister Vivian," a series of voices greeted her.

 

"Sister Vivian, may I introduce you to each of them."

 

Isaac then started introducing each member.

 

Vivian suppressed the urge to gouge her own eyes, claw the skin off of her face, and scream to the top of her lungs that she didn't care and just wanted to get on with the ceremony already as Isaac introduced each member to her and she greeted them with a smile.

 

A familiar face approached her.

 

"I believe Sister Vivian and I are already acquainted," the woman said and smiled.

 

Vivian was surprised to see the woman who was tutoring her here.

 

"Oh, Sister Marie, hi, I'm surprised to see you here -- I mean, I'm happy to see you again."

 

"Likewise," she said and flashed a beautiful smile.

 

"Okay, moving on," said Isaac. "This is…"

 

He continued introducing the rest of the members.

 

***

 

A couple of minutes later…

 

Vivian was sitting on a chair in the middle of a field and standing beside her was Isaac.

 

She wasn't wearing her cloak and she also had to remove her fingerless gloves.

 

"Sister Vivian."

 

Vivian turned to Isaac.

 

"Before we finally start, let's do one last check."

 

She nodded.

 

"You can cast [Heal] 2 times in a row, correct? I will only use [Greater Heal] after every 4 shots and you will only use your [Heal] in case of an emergency, okay?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Here, you will need this. Put this between your teeth."

 

He gave her a piece of cloth that was twisted into a knot.

 

After Vivian placed the cloth between her teeth, Isaac turned away and looked at the group of people on the side before activating a spell.

 

[Halo].

 

A golden ring appeared on his back.

 

"Let us begin the Awakening Ceremony for the [Fire Mastery]."

 

Vivian and everyone who laid eyes on the golden ring on Isaac’s back were caught in something like a trance. They looked at him like he was very trustworthy person and his voice sounded very soothing.

 

Criselle activated [Halo] and a golden ring appeared behind her as well.

 

She stepped forward and went over to Vivian.

 

“Raise your hand, sister.”

 

When Vivian saw the golden ring on Criselle’s back, she also found her very trustworthy and her voice very soothing.

 

She raised her left arm to the side and opened her palm.

 

Criselle stretched out her hand and cast a spell.

 

[Fire Arrow].

 

Woooh!

 

Psss…

 

An arrow made out of flames about 15 inches long came out of her hand and shot right through Vivian's palm, leaving a hole and also burning the surrounding flesh.

 

"Arrrggghhh!"

 

Vivian groaned in pain and bit down on the cloth hard. Her eyes turned bloodshot and beads of sweat appeared on her face.

 

Criselle cast another [Fire Arrow].

 

This time around, she aimed at Vivian's forearm.

 

Woooh!

 

Psss…

 

"ARRRGGGHHH!"

 

Another hole appeared on Vivian's flesh, causing her to groan louder and bit harder as more sweat appeared on her face.

 

The pain was so great that she dropped her left arm and leaned forward.

 

Chud.

 

Isaac grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.

 

"Sister Vivian, you must endure this is not only for yourself but also for your brothers, sisters and the rest of humanity against demons, demon-worshipers, the Cult of Infinity and the heretics," his soothing voice rang in her and had this strong urge to believe every word he said.

 

"Sister Vivian, raise your right arm," Criselle’s soothing voice rang in her ears.

 

And despite being in so much pain, Vivian offered her right arm.

 

“Open your right hand.”

 

She opened her right hand.

 

[Fire Arrow].

 

Psss…

 

An arrow made out of flames about 15 inches long came out of her hand and shot right through Vivian's palm, leaving a hole and also burning the surrounding flesh.

 

"Arrrggghhh!"

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Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
 
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Please note that the chapters posted there are only drafts. So when those said Chapter Drafts will be published here, there will be some edits. They also involve a few secret outline notes/details that I won't publish here because they contain spoilers or dispel some of the mysteries. And at the moment, Chapter Drafts 258-262 are posted there.
 
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Chapter end