Novice cleric Verat had never experienced the will of the Divine.
The Holy Fla’s owner, the Divine, always stood by those who bore the fla.
Perhaps Verat’s own fla had yet to burn brightly enough to reflect the Divine’s presence.
He still had a long way to go.
But had joining High Priest Barodros on this sacred journey tipped the scales?
At last, Verat could feel the presence of the Divine.
The sunset that filled the world poured through the window, painting the room in its hues.
In the middle of that red-tinged room stood a man, radiating both gentle warmth and fierce brilliance.
The blending of the sunset and his radiance resembled the Holy Fla.
The man at its center stood like the fla’s unwavering wick.
It was a scene of profound sanctity and supre grace.
Overwheld by the reverence of it all, Verat fell to his knees and bowed his head.
“…”
Being the youngest among them, Verat’s actions influenced the other clerics.
Already struggling with how to react to the surreal sight before them, they followed his lead, kneeling one by one.
“We greet the Apostle of the Divine…”
The clerics echoed Verat’s words in unison.
Could the light refracted by stained glass ever surpass the brilliance of this scene?
Could the hymns of a grand choir ever rival the majesty of this silence?
The young clerics couldn’t help but recall the day they first set foot in the Great Cathedral.
As their bodies and minds filled with the warmth of the Holy Fla, a voice interrupted:
“…Please, everyone, stand up. This isn’t what you think it is.”
High Priest Barodros, feeling a mild headache, addressed the young clerics.
“…”
The clerics, still brimming with the warmth of the fla, blinked in confusion.
They turned their gazes toward Verat.
Wait, it’s not?
Verat, caught off guard, awkwardly grinned under their scrutiny.
Uh, I just thought it was overly reverent, so I figured I’d give it a shot…
And hey, the seniors joined in too, so it’s not entirely my fault, right?
The clerics closed their eyes and silently confessed the sins they intended to commit tonight.
The implication was clear: You’re dead tonight, Verat.
Barodros let out a small sigh, calming the restless atmosphere.
Even as the room settled, her gaze lingered on the man who was still glowing brightly.
“My apologies for showing such an unsightly display,” she said.
“No, I should be the one apologizing. My unnecessary shining must have caused discomfort. Are your eyes all right?” Lisir replied.
“Yes, it’s not unbearable.”
“‘Not unbearable’? That’s an odd thing to say unless your pride’s been hurt.”
“Yes, it would be strange.”
“Got it. Then let’s not worry about Sparkly Lisir and move on to the main topic.”
“…”
Excuse ?
How can anyone just brush this off? He’s literally glowing in front of us.
More importantly, Lisir’s current issue wasn’t limited to his glowing appearance.
“May I?”
The High Priest’s calloused hands gently clasped Lisir’s.
“…”
Information flowed through the contact, and Barodros’ composed expression gradually filled with confusion.
Lisir, noticing her reaction, asked, “Is this the last spark before the fla goes out? Am I in bad shape?”
“Oh, I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression. That’s not it, so don’t worry.”
“Then what is it?”
“Your body… is in an extraordinarily good condition.”
“…!”
Lisir’s face twisted with a mix of surprise and injury.
My body is so healthy it confuses people?!
“No, that’s not it either. Again, don’t worry.”
“Oh, right. I was worried I’d caused you too much trouble while I was bedridden.”
“Fufu, you certainly gave us quite a bit of work.”
“I heard from my companions that you cared for while I was injured. I am truly grateful. I will never forget this kindness.”
The young clerics, who had been bowing their heads, suddenly looked up in astonishnt.
Did I just hear that right?
A typical mage from the towers would have been mortified to admit being indebted to a cleric.
“Ugh…! Fine, say what you want!”
Even that would’ve been considered overly courteous among mages.
But look at this Lisir.
Despite the High Priest’s untouchable status, he showed sincere gratitude for a cleric’s aid.
For soone hailed as a prodigy among mages, his response was far from typical.
No wonder the High Priest takes notice of him…!
When Barodros had ntioned that this mage had maintained the purity of the “Tailfeather’s White,” they had harbored doubts.
After all, as soone in a politically significant position, the High Priest occasionally had to make calculated decisions.
But seeing Lisir’s behavior now, the clerics’ thoughts shifted.
A mage with imnse talent, yet not insufferable?
Soone whose actions could rival those of clerics raised in virtue from childhood?
In a world where even those destined for priesthood beca unbearable once they joined the Mage Tower…
Maybe he truly did preserve the purity of the Tailfeather’s White.
Previously frustrated at being forced to aid a mage, the clerics now looked at Lisir with newfound respect—perhaps even kinship.
Goodness. Such a rare gem in the Mage Tower…!
anwhile, Lisir and Barodros finished exchanging pleasantries and returned to the matter at hand.
“You ntioned hearing about your condition from your companions?” Barodros asked.
“Yes, I’ve taken their words to heart, and they’ve beco part of .”
“Is that so? Then it’s ironic to say this, but you can forget all of it. Your depleted energy has fully recovered.”
“High Priest?!”
Rotrang, the cleric who had tended to Lisir the most, exclaid in shock.
“What do you an, fully recovered?!”
“Exactly what I said.”
“My goodness… Divine One…”
Rotrang placed a hand over his heart and perford the sacred gesture once more.
Lisir watched this and thought, The Divine must really spoil their followers. They ntion the Divine all the ti.
Still, Lisir could sowhat understand their reaction.
The sensation of his once-empty body being completely restored was surreal.
It was like drinking a potion in a ga and instantly hearing the “sharalalala~” sound effect as everything returned to normal.
“Lisir, what exactly did you do?” Barodros asked, her tone more inquisitive than concerned.
Energy depletion wasn’t sothing easily redied, not even with the sacred powers of clerics.
“Your condition should have required years of rest to recover. How is this possible overnight?”
“…And you’re literally glowing,” Verat mumbled from the back.
Lisir answered nonchalantly, “A spirit I know gave sothing like a core. I ate it, and here we are.”
Though spoken casually, it took the clerics a mont to process what he had said.
“A spirit core…?”
“But I’ve never heard of a core with such properties.”
“Neither have I.”
The ability to restore vitality was unheard of, even among known spirit cores.
For Lisir’s words to be true, the core must have co from a spirit of extraordinary caliber—one beyond the mid-tier category.
“…You’re certain of this?”
Barodros asked, though her intuition already told her the answer.
She struggled to comprehend Lisir’s presence every ti they interacted, but now it was clear:
The light emanating from his body was the result of an unrefined divinity reacting to so aspect of his being.
That’s right.
This man had awakened divinity.
“Why would I lie about sothing like this?” Lisir replied.
Faced with his calm assertion, Barodros sighed internally and thought, Let it be.
She decided to teach him how to suppress his newfound divinity. While she couldn’t turn him into a fully-fledged cleric, she wouldn’t leave him as a walking glowstick either.
Thus began the High Priest’s impromptu lessons.
***
Lisir’s intense glow made it impossible to notice the passing of ti.
Barodros, glancing out the window, realized that dusk had settled. She was just about to say, "Let’s stop here for today. Also, could you clear your schedule for the next week?"
“Wait a mont—”
Lisir suddenly looked as if sothing were caught in his throat, his expression clouded with concentration.
How long did he stay like that?
“Oh, there it is.”
He looked down at his hands and mumbled.
The glowing stopped.
Lisir had learned how to suppress his divinity.
Barodros, who had been watching with a peculiar expression, and the clerics, who had been observing with the sa look, all nodded knowingly.
"Oh, 'there it is,' he says."
For a brief mont, they all questioned the existence of the Divine.
“Lisir,” Barodros said, regaining her composure and speaking as if enchanted.
“Have you ever considered devoting yourself to the Divine? Your presence would inspire countless people. You would be a bright fla, guiding the lost toward the right path.”
The clerics snapped out of their daze, horrified.
The High Priest was recruiting directly.
And not just anyone, but a mage from the Mage Tower.
If Lisir accepted, this could spark a significant political conflict between the church and the Mage Tower. Yet the clerics didn’t question Barodros’ judgnt.
Goodness. Such a rare gem in the Mage Tower...
We must bring him into the fold!
The clerics’ unwavering gazes pierced through the growing darkness and landed on Lisir.
Overwheld by the attention, Lisir began glowing again.
“Ah!”
The clerics, whose eyes had adjusted to the dim light, recoiled from the sudden brightness, averting their gaze.
“Ah, my apologies. It just felt a bit dark, and I—”
“…Illuminating the darkness can indeed be considered a form of holy magic,” Barodros remarked.
“Oh, really?”
“But using your body as a light source isn’t typical. You’re not a firefly.”
“Oh, I see… Well, in any case, to answer your question— as you can see, I’m not soone who fits in with the church.”
Barodros shook her head without hesitation.
“I swear on my na, there are few people more suited to the church than you. You can afford to have a little less doubt in yourself. You’re far more virtuous than you believe.”
“But I’m already—”
“I know. The Mage Tower plans to appoint you as an honorary mage.”
“…”
Lisir stared at Barodros in stunned silence.
Isn’t that unethical?
The Divine must be watching, right?
The questions seed to echo in the air.
Barodros cleared her throat, suddenly feeling a bit guilty, and looked away.
“The Divine would approve. You need not worry about the consequences of your choice. The church—and I, High Priest Barodros—will take full responsibility.”
“…”
Seeing the determination in her gaze, Lisir began to seriously consider her proposal.
Finally, in a solemn tone, he broke the silence.
“This may be an impolite question, but may I ask sothing?”
“…!”
His serious deanor promised a profound query, likely one tied to his philosophy or doubts about faith.
Barodros nodded without hesitation. Her years of faith and wisdom were more than sufficient to provide an answer.
“How much is an annual salary for soone at your level, High Priest?”
“…Oh.”
Divine One, Barodros silently prayed, closing her eyes.
It was a lantable realization. The church was not prepared to nurture such a unique and necessary individual.
***
It was late at night.
I rose from my bed and stepped out of the dormitory.
I couldn’t sleep, troubled by what the clerics had said about the spirit core.
"Losing a core drastically diminishes a spirit’s essence, and in so cases, it even leads to their demise?"
What I had thought was a simple hairball turned out to be sothing far more vital—their very innards.
Walking briskly, I crossed the courtyard, heading toward the Alchemy Hall where Perrin resided.
I had almost reached the hall when a shadow leapt down from the roof and dashed toward .
It was Perrin, basking in the moonlight in their wolf form.
They shifted into their human guise mid-leap and, as usual, pounced on to repeat their routine.
Step one:
“Hnnnnng…”
Recharge their energy from my aura.
Step two:
“Don’t you have anything better to do? Wandering around so late at night…”
They stepped back imdiately after, brushing off with their usual indifference.
Seeing their annoyingly healthy and bold deanor, I felt a mix of exasperation and relief as I began to speak.
“And you? What’s your excuse?”
“Idiot. I’m a wolf. Of course I’m nocturnal.”
“Most humans are nocturnal, too.”
“?”
“Anyway, Perrin. About that thing you gave the other day—”
“…Oh. You ate it?”
Hmph.
I don’t care about you.
Perrin’s body language scread indifference, but their eyes glead as they looked at .
“Uh, yeah. Thanks. It helped a lot.”
“…I see. Is that so.”
“Wait, Perrin? Hang on—”
Before I could stop them—
“Blaaaargh…”
Perrin suddenly dropped to the ground and began to retch.
In their human form, no less.
They proudly presented another freshly produced hairball-like object, holding it out for to see with an air of accomplishnt.
“What do you think? I think I made this one a little better.”
“?”
Perrin looked entirely satisfied, as if they’d emptied an overfilled container.
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