Training Grounds (2)

At the Training Grounds.

 

Vivian swept her gaze around the area.

 

Based on her estimate, it was at the very least as large as 1 and a half football courts.

 

There was an outdoor training area that wasn't currently being used. There were also buildings and some of them looked like were being used as indoor training areas.

 

Criselle was leading her to one of the buildings used as an indoor training area.

 

When they entered the building, Vivian was surprised.

 

It was as big as 2 and a half basketball courts and there were several people, both men and women, inside training. Some were training hand-to-hand combats, while others were using weapons. And as for their attire, all genders were wearing shirts and pants, but there were a few men who wore a sleeveless shirt or went topless.

 

Vivian knitted her brows.

 

"Using real weapons is allowed here? Well, I guess it makes sense given that Priests have [Heal]."

 

Although there were some using wooden weapons, others were using actual weapons.

 

"Real weapons aren't allowed here. Those have been dulled. After all, a stick can only be so heavy and durable, especially as you grow stronger," Criselle said and then pointed. "Look over there."

 

Vivian turned to where she was pointing and saw a row of weapons -- swords, daggers, axes, spears, maces and etc. Some were made of wood, while others were made of steel.

 

Seeing the steel weapons, she gulped.

 

"Are we allowed to use them outside of the compound…?"

 

"No, it's prohibited. Those are used for training only."

 

Despite that, Vivian's eyes still burned as she stared at the weapons, especially the ones whose Physical Art she hadn't unlocked yet.

 

Can I unlock their Level 1 if I just swing or hit people without killing them…?

 

She glanced at Criselle.

 

I've never hit a woman before…

 

But given that she has volunteered to be my sparring partner, I guess it's fine that I'll use her as my guinea pig, right…?

 

She's also been part of this Temple for years and is also White Cloak… 

 

So she's strong and definitely has [Heal] or [Greater Heal]…

 

So it's DEFINITELY fine to use her as a guinea pig, RIGHT…?

 

Vivian's lips slowly curled up into a smile.

 

Criselle stopped and turned to Vivian.

 

"Sister Vivian?"

 

Vivian immediately wiped off the smile on her face and put on an innocent expression.

 

"Yes, Sister Criselle?"

 

"You're here to open your [Fire Mastery], right?"

 

"Yes."

 

"It seems like the person in charge of checking the Affinities isn't here yet. I'm going to ask the others. Please wait here."

 

"Okay."

 

Criselle jogged over to one of the people standing at the side observing people training.

 

A moment later, Criselle was heading back to Vivian and she was accompanied by a dark-skinned man in his mid-30s wearing a sleeveless white shirt and brown pants. When the two reached Vivian, it was the man who spoke first.

 

"You're Sister Vivian?"

 

"Yes."

 

"You can call me Brother Isaac and I'm one of the people in charge of facilitating the Training Grounds at night with Sister Criselle."

 

"I see. Nice to meet you, Brother Isaac."

 

"Likewise. So Sister Criselle has informed me that you want to open your [Fire Mastery]. Normally, we would have Brother John to check you first before we conduct the Awakening Ceremony. Unfortunately, he went out yesterday with the Headmaster and brought the Affinity Crystals with him and they have yet to return."

 

"I see. So I have no choice but to wait until they come back."

 

"Yes. But are you sure you have the [Fire Affinity]?"

 

"I'm 100% sure."

 

"Because I was also informed that you were even willing to burn yourself in the kitchen in order to unlock it. And to be honest, although many would think it's crazy, in my experience, you can't stop people like that. And I personally like people who have that kind of drive and guts."

 

"I-I see. So… you'll conduct the ceremony for me?"

 

"Yes, if you want. Do you have other Affinities?"

 

Vivian suppressed the urge to narrow her eyes.

 

I still have no idea what the average number of Affinities that people in this world have…

 

Is it 1, 2, 3 or more…?

 

But I'm definitely sure it isn't all…

 

There's no way…

 

However, I do want to open more Magic Arts so that I can gather more INT points to increase my total mana points and cast magic like crazy…

 

"But Brother Isaac…" Vivian said in a slightly fearful tone and tried her best to look like a damsel in distress. "I'm just a new member here and I'm afraid I might get you and Sister Criselle into trouble if you guys conduct the ceremony for me without going through the proper procedure. But can I ask what's the average number of Affinities that a person usually has and how many Affinities are there?"

 

Hearing Vivian, both Criselle and Isaac were left dumbfounded.

 

They understood the part where she was concerned about them getting into trouble for not following proper procedures. However, they couldn't understand what was the connection between her asking them what the average number of Affinities that a person usually has and how many Affinities are there.

 

Both Criselle and Isaac looked at each other before returning their gaze to Vivian.

 

"It's fine. Guts and quick thinking are needed in battles after all. And as for your questions, well…" said Isaac.

 

"Brother Isaac," said Criselle. "I think what Sister Vivian was trying to say is that she's worried about us giving special treatment to her. And although she has more than 1 Affinity, she doesn't know if that's special here in the Temple of Priests. After all, compared to the other Temples, we're the best and attract the most talented individuals."

 

"I see, I see. Please forgive me, Sister Vivian," Isaac said and gave her a deep bow before raising his head and staring into her eyes. "I've been part of this Temple for so long that I tend to always forget about that aspect."

 

"Yes, we definitely can't base our standards on the other Temples," Criselle said and nodded. “Not to mention you have 4 Magic Art Affinities.”

 

"We've received too many blessings from the God of Light…"

 

"Indeed, brother. May the God of Light continue to watch over us…"

 

"I must be more diligent with my training to be more worthy of these blessings!"

 

Vivian tried so hard to keep her jaw from falling.

 

I... 

 

I can't believe that actually worked…

 

"About your questions, Sister Vivian, here in our Temple, for the members without the Light Affinity, they are required to have at least 3 Magic Art Affinities. Meanwhile, for the ones with Light Affinity, as long as they have that, we welcome them right away. And as for how many Affinities are out there, no one knows for sure. But for the Magic Art Affinities that I know of, there's Light, Fire, Ice, Wind, Thunder, Earth, Poison, Dark, Soul and Chaos."

 

"That's all I know as well," said Criselle.

 

Hearing the elements that were mentioned, Vivian wanted to ask about Chaos. But after remembering the book she read regarding the history of the world from the viewpoint of the Temple of Priests, she didn't dare to.

 

So the ones without Light Affinity must have at least 3 Magic Art Affinities…?

 

What if one or two of them happened to be Dark and Chaos…?

 

Considering that they require 3 Magic Art Affinities, and also assuming that the Temple of Priests is really the best Temple out of all of the Temples, AND ALSO based on this original body's Affinities, does that mean the members without the Light Affinity have at least 4-5 Affinities…?

 

But what about the ones with Light Affinity…?

 

After all, that's the story I've given to this organization…

 

I really want to unlock as many Magic Arts as soon as possible…

 

But I also can't risk it…

 

I mean, I'm not from this world after all…

 

Hell, I don't even know if I can actually be called human…

 

Am I just a spirit that can be ejected at any moment…?

 

She thought about it for a moment before finally answering.

 

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

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Chapter end