“Enough nonsense,” the bishop said, raising his voice.
“Exactly!” Whitfield thundered with a force that shook me and everyone there. It wasn’t the force of magic, but of a master speaker with the strength only someone that had grown up in the Underworld could possess. It seemed the bishop wasn’t willing to challenge Whitfield to a shouting match. “We already heard the boy’s reasoning before we even arrived. Outside of forcing our will, what could we possibly offer him to change his mind? Instead of seeking to recruit him, we should be seeking to help. Is his cause not just?”
“You know that I believe it is, as does the entire council, but you know the true reason for our concern. He goes to the vampires. If they learn that a human has infiltrated their domain, they will be forced to assume that we’ve returned and grown strong enough to scout their domain. They’ll come looking for evidence and with them actively looking it will be impossible to remain concealed.”
“Then help him.”
No longer retreating, the bishop stepped forward and looked down at the shorter pastor. “Help him wipe out a million human lives?”
Whitfield softened his voice and offered the bishop a hint of a smile. “Help him remind the Dark why it should fear the Light above all else.”
Bishop Mather was suddenly quiet. I took his silence as a good thing, but I still wanted to inform them that I didn’t plan on announcing my presence to the vampires. Even if I choose to take the long path, it would be one that tied hand in hand with stealth.
“To reach Grandmaster would take him years,” he finally said. “He doesn’t have the time nor patience for that.”
“Help him,” Whitfield said simply.
“I’ll do what I can.” Turning to me, the bishop looked to my side. “Master Lich.”
Shamash straightened himself in response.
Mather continued, “I wish to test your pupil and instruct him in the ways of the Light. Do you approve?”
The lich began to make the closest thing I’d ever heard him make to a belly laugh. “The Disciples of the Light now deal with the Lich?”
“Deal? No. We know that you’re a husk of ravenous greed. And without the Lich’s help, the Illuminated Cathedral never would have fallen. But we also recognize your strict adherence to your word. We—I—know the advantage that Elorion has with you at his side. That I respect. Will you agree with me instructing your pupil?”
There was a momentary pulse of power as Shamash revealed his true form. A clamor of feet sounded as the soldiers stepped back. Bishop Mather and Pastor Whitfield both took defensive stances.
Shamash answered, “I’d have it no other way.”
Chapter 33 – Brothers
Bishop Mather requested that I follow him up the stairs to the Metal Vein’s overlook so that we wouldn’t be disturbed. I was jealous of Travis who got to speak with Leeman and Amilia as soon as the uncomfortable greeting ended. Instead of getting to do the same, I followed the robed Bishop. As if to rub it in, there was already laughter as I began the short climb.
Making it to the top, I followed Mather a bit further until the ledge of the overlook hid us from the view of those below. I focused Mana Sight to full strength just in case.
Without turning around, the Bishop addressed me. His oversized gauntlets were wrapped around his back as he stood at ease—more like a soldier than a priest. “You are of the Master Rank, correct?”
“Right,” I replied.
He turned his head to the side so that I could see him nod. “To Master Light Magic, one must fully explore what it is capable of, and push it to the very limit. This you have done. To reach the Grandmaster rank, you must fully explore how Light Magic is affected in the magical and physical realms. What level have you achieved?”
“It’s level 14.”
He slowly spun to face me as if there was no reason to rush. “The first 50 levels will come easily enough with hard work. Experimentation and common curiosity will guide you. Pushing past them and up to level 80 takes much more precision, and noticing the subtleties between elements, not just in direct relation to Light Magic. That is key.”
“You teach other schools of magic?”
“Does that surprise you? How are we to combat other alignments if we don’t study them? That is not the same as practicing other magics. To get past level 80, it is necessary to delve even deeper. Without guidance—for some—further progress is impossible. We do not have time to give you a proper education, though your lich will be sufficient for helping you with elemental nuances. What I can give you is the knowledge of where your progression is likely to slow, or completely come to a halt, and what you’ll need to do to break through. Sometimes knowing is not enough, but it’s all that time will allow.”
He watched me closely as I took in all that he said. Of course, I wanted to hear what he was offering, but my enthusiasm was tame because I wasn’t sure what he’d want in return. “Why teach me? What’s in it for you?”
“Is not receiving the information enough? If you aren’t going to return with us, then why would I be candid with my reasoning?”
“What is it going to cost me?”
His gaze pierced into me as he tilted back his head, but then all animosity faded from him with an exhaled breath. “I shouldn’t fault you for your distrust—as vexing as it is. What it will cost? It will cost me the divulgence of secrets that even our most talented pupils are not privy to until they’ve provided years of service and demonstrated their character. I’m offering you wisdom that you’ve not earned, and that your practice of tainted magic would normally disqualify you from. What will it cost you? Nothing. It will cost me my better judgment and the straining of my conscience.”
“Then why?”
“Because I listened to a Protestant fool.”
“There’s no denying that,” replied Pastor Whitfield.
I turned to see him scaling three stairs at a time to join us.
Whitfield snickered. “I’d also add that the Bishop is a more generous man than he lets on.”
“Brother,” Mather said, not hiding his venom.
“He means that legally. Theologically we both believe the other is going to hell, but, since I married his sister, the relational term slips sometimes.” He gave me a smooth wink to encourage me to play along.
“Is that why you’re here? To try to convert us?”
“Sadly, not at the moment. But it does seem that you need my help.” Whitfield placed his hand on my shoulder and gave his brother-in-law a pitiful look. “What the bishop is trying to say is that we hope that if we help you, you’ll one day return and join us. Take it as a show of good faith.”
Bishop Mather didn’t respond right away, but a few moments later, he nodded his head in agreement. “Even if a Light Mage strolling into the Vampire’s domain is suicide.”
“Oh come now. Elorion isn’t just a Light Mage, is he?”
They were both looking at me.
“I’m also a Blue Mage.”
“Show me,” Whitfield said. “Little Leeman said something about you changing into a giant cat…”
***
Even if Bishop Mather wasn’t comfortable with Whitfield being there, the arguing stopped, and we started doing something, which I was thankful for. The power surge that came from transforming into Primordial Cat was also helpful with calming my nerves. Seeing them both jump back as I more than quadrupled in mass sent a purr of delight bubbling through my chest.
Just to mess with them, I turned up the heat for less than a second before drawing it back into my body. It was my turn to be surprised when Pastor Whitfield’s skin hardened over in bright orange scales. He approached me despite the increase in heat with his easy smile plastered across his face. I still didn’t know what to make of him.
“Primordial Cat,” he praised. “There’s got to be an interesting story behind this one.”
After changing back, I told them. The Bishop still kept his distance, but he was all ears. Come to
find out, Whitfield had been raised in the Illuminated Cathedral. He’d been a promising Light Mage but converted to Protestantism in his early twenties. The nature of magic had nothing to do with his conversion and it was only years later when he learned his second school of magic. Now he had unlocked six and reached the Master Rank in four of them. He teased Mather about keeping the Illuminated Cathedral’s secrets from him but admitted a moment later that it was ultimately a lack of talent that kept him from becoming a Grandmaster Light Mage.
I listened closely as he opened up, but, despite how charismatic the man was, I was careful not to become too empathetic. I was sure that swaying me was his goal, as was just trying to sow a semblance of peace in this tricky situation. When Bishop Mather took over and began to instruct me, I began second-guessing my assessment of the pastor. Had Whitfield joined the conversation for his brother-in-law, or for me? Either way, it benefited me. The pastor had a rogue’s charm. I’d have to keep a look out for a knife at my back.
“To progress past level 50, you’ll need to understand the basics of every major element,” Bishop Mather began as he paced back and forth. “Studying sub-elements will help you see minor distinctions that may not occur to you in studying the major ones, so I’d recommend learning them as well. Your Solar and Life True Forms are a great example of what to look for. Just as Light Magic consists of Life and Light, Ice consists of frozen water and frigid temperatures. Fire burns, but also heats, and glows. Earth is hard and lifeless but contains much potential. Wind is the lightest of elements, but also capable of cutting the hardest rock.”
“And finally, Dark Magic is the most like Light, but also its opposite. The general elements possess cause and effect. Light and Darkness are the only two schools of magic in which their cause and effect can be mastered together or separately—Darkness and Corruption—Life and Light.”
I felt a nudge and Whitfield spoke close to my ear where only I could hear. “This is his favorite part.”
Coming to a halt, the bishop squared his shoulders while facing me and held me in his gaze. “Do you know why the Illuminated Cathedral only practices Light Magic?”
“It symbolizes purity?” I replied.
“That is true, but that it is only one aspect. We practice Light Magic because its foundation is life. It is the only magic that is inherently good. It cures and gives health. Those creatures that it does harm are inherently evil. The vampires, for instance, exist to leech off other living creatures. As intelligent as they are, they delight in their nature and don’t fight the evil inside themselves. It is the same for other sentient creatures of darkness.
“On the other hand, creatures of the Light aren’t inherently good either, but we are capable of fighting the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. That’s why the Illuminated Cathedral has chosen to focus solely on Light Magic. In doing so, we cut off much temptation at the root.”
There were a few possible holes in his argument, primarily concerning Light Magic being inherently good because it cures and gives health. Even if all vampires, succubi, and Dark Magic creatures were in actuality evil, Light Magic still naturally caused them suffering and pain, didn’t it? Bringing death was part of its nature. That would be like a Vampire arguing that Dark Magic was inherently good for the same reason. I could also easily use Light Magic to harm other humans… I couldn’t argue at the difference between us and Dark Magic creatures though. So far from my experience, he was right about them delighting in their nature.
The exception was Zorik. Our imp friend seemed to contradict this, but that might change once he reached level 1,000 and evolved into an Incubus. What was really going on in his heart and head was impossible to know. I wasn’t convinced all Dark Magic creatures were inherently evil though. Not that I couldn’t be wrong, but I just didn’t know. Without more experience, how could I be sure? If it were true though, the bishop’s argument was more reasonable than I’d expected.
“And this is where we will disagree, brother,” Pastor Whitfield said. He stepped forward to stand by the bishop’s side. Surprisingly, Mather didn’t object to him continuing. “I believe, with my Protestant brothers, that the artificial walls we set up for ourselves have no power over temptation. Light Magic can be used for evil just as easily as any other form of magic. I’d even argue it’s even more dangerous because it’s arguably the most powerful school of magic.” Whitfield walked past me to stand at the edge of the overlook and continued, “Life and Corruption are two opposites and are relatively even in the hands of two masters. The other aspects of Light and Dark Magic, Solar and Darkness, are not equal. Solar exposes and Darkness hides. Nothing, or the lack of light, has no defense against the light. And when focused by a true master, Elorion, you have already seen what a True Solar Mage is capable of.” He directed my attention down below.
I walked over and looked down to see the Metal Dragon and the gaping hole Laser had made in its side.
“We want you to join us because you have talent with Light Magic that we haven’t seen in almost a century. I have little doubt you’ll make it to level 80 and beyond, but I can personally attest to the difficulty in progressing beyond it. Listen to what Bishop Mather has to tell you next most of all. It could be the difference between progression and stagnation. In your situation, it could be even more essential. I may seem more hopeful than my brother, but I understand the danger you are walking into as much as he does. I just have more faith in this being a providential meeting.”
Chapter 34 – Grandmaster
“The answer to the mystery of grandmastering Light Magic is found in the distinction between Solar and Life,” the bishop said. Holding up one hand, a ball of syrupy Life Magic spun slowly. Holding up his other hand, compressed photons were held together in a single point. His ability to compress his Solar Magic was beyond my own. “Once you can summon both magics separately without using any tricks and while in your Human Form, you will have reached Grandmaster.”
I descended the steps to the overlook as I visualized what he had done—and what he had said. With the help of my True Forms, I could easily pull off summoning pure Life or pure Solar, but in my normal Ascended Human Form, at the most, I could summon Solar at 70% and 30% Life, or just the opposite. Amilia was even more proficient than me. She was able to reach a full 80% in Life or Solar. That was understandable considering she was closer to Grandmastery, but I’d thought having True Forms would give me an advantage. If they did, I was unable to see it.
Leeman and Amilia greeted me at the base of the stairs. Shaking their gauntlets wasn’t exactly practical, and that wasn’t their custom anyway. They healed me one at a time while saying, “Well met.”
I healed them in response and couldn’t help but smile with them as they enjoyed the stamina healing properties of my magic. This unique ability that accompanied my magic was something Bishop Mather had said I’d have to filter out. As beneficial as it was, I needed to learn to Heal with and without it. That alone could keep me from reaching Grandmaster.
The mood of our two friends was better than I’d expected. Leaning in close, I whispered, “Are you to be punished?”
I could hear Mather and Whitfield conversing above, so I wasn’t overly concerned with them hearing me.
Amilia replied with a sly shake of her head. “Providentially no. Lady Whitfield was the elder who took our report.”
“Wait,” I said. “The wife and sister…”
“Exactly that.”
“It couldn’t have gone any better—for us, at least,” Leeman said, sharing Amilia’s glee.
“I’m really glad to hear that,” I replied.
The bishop called from the top of the overlook, “Let us proceed.”
Travis appeared from behind the Metal Dragon wearing one of the Illuminated Cathedral’s Metal Platemail. I blinked a few times seeing him and he just snickered.
Mather and Whitfield joined us a moment later and we all gathered near the dragon’s head. Shamash was th
ere as well.
The Illuminated Cathedral’s troops had left the immediate area and were about a half-mile away near the middle of the dungeon to make sure no monsters interrupted us. My golems, Queen Degima, and Embar were near the entrance, and hogging the random mobs to themselves. That left just the seven of us.
“To defeat the Adolescent Metal Dragon is a great achievement,” Bishop Mather began. “Such a large amount of pure Metal is a great fortune for any nation. Amilia and Leeman revealed that you originally wanted to give it to us so that your intention to befriend us would be clear. It was only when you learned that they might be punished that you changed your mind…”
I looked to Leeman and then Amilia, startled that they’d revealed so much. They both kept their gaze forward and didn’t react. Did this mean that what they’d said minutes before about not being in trouble wasn’t true? Why lie? Meeting the bishop’s glare, I fell under the weight of his professor-like scrutiny.
He continued, “It is because of this—that you treated them as if they were your own people even after they attacked you—that the Illuminated Cathedral has decided to give you our full trust. I have not personally been able to witness your character, but there is no denying that you intend to save your people, and that it’s not just some excuse. Therefore, we will purchase the majority of the Metal Dragon’s corpse from you for a fair price.”
Pulling something out of his Inventory, he held it up between his thumb and index finger. It was a see-through crystal that possessed a blue glow and was about the size of an egg, a perfectly round one.
I looked to Shamash, who seemed to have frozen. If it could affect a lich in such a way…
“This is an Immaculate Light Magic Focal Crystal,” Mather said. “One of the few left in our possession. During the Illuminated Cathedral’s pinnacle, there were enough grandmasters alive who were peak craftsmen to create such wonders in mass. It is delicate and shouldn’t be used for common spells, but if your life is in danger and you find yourself facing an impossible opponent, using it with all the mana you can channel for one massive spell may very well save your life. It won’t just double the power of your spell but magnify its power numerous times, so be careful. And a warning. It will only work once.”
Underworld - Vampire Gate: A LitRPG Series Page 27