The Divine Summoner: Godson of Altima

by Antony W. F. Chow

  Pope Demetrius chuckled. "Isn't it obvious?" he teased and pointed at her son. "I received word of Luka's return from his magical apprenticeship and his sudden appearance at Erz City yesterday. I knew he would come home shortly. So I came calling today. I hope you won't be offended by my sudden visit without a prior appointment," he said apologetically.

  Juliette shook her head in denial. "It's no trouble at all. I cleared up my schedule for today to spend more time with my son," she admitted. "Due to your past relationship with my late husband, I appreciate your desire to see our son," she noted with a polite smile.

  "Exactly," the pope nodded his agreement. "Aside from being Luka's godfather, I have other agendas for this visit. Due to the unfortunate incident which forced Luka to use his Divine Summoning power prematurely, he fell into a coma. I was concerned with Luka's physical well-being and wished to see his condition with my two eyes," Demetrius explained. "From his appearance, your son looks healthy and strong," he praised.

  "Thank you, Your Holiness," the duchess nodded in appreciation.

  "Second, I wish to use Appraisal on Luka with your permission," the pope continued.

  "Please," Juliette nodded again.

  The high priest turned his attention toward Luka. "Please don't resist," he said in a gentle voice and activated the Appraisal skill. To his surprise, Luka's status card was hazy, and Demetrius couldn't read it! The caster frowned and activated his power twice more but received the same result each time. "For some reason, I cannot read your status report," the pope announced. "You're not resisting me, right?" he asked for confirmation.

  "No, Your Holiness," Luka denied immediately and shook his head.

  Demetrius rubbed his chin. "Perhaps our goddess doesn't want you to reveal your personal information," he speculated. "That said, please permit me to ask two important questions. First, how much mana do you possess?" he inquired.

  "I have 12,000 points," Luka revealed.

  The pope's jaw dropped at the surprising answer. He started to doubt the boy but realized Luka had no reason to lie. Thus, Demetrius reluctantly accepted it at face value. "You are probably the most powerful mage in recorded history," he declared solemnly.

  "For practitioners, their mana pool is a representation of power; the higher your score, the more magical power you possess. Your father had 9,999 points; he was the previous record-holder. The scary part is that Tsunka reached his limit when he turned thirty. You, on the other hand, are still in your growth period. So by the time you reach your ceiling, that number could become 99,999 points."

  "That's amazing!" Matty said. "I only have 300 points," he revealed.

  "For most priests and mages, the ceiling is 999 points," Demetrius noted. He also reached this limit but couldn't reveal it openly because the information was a church secret.

  [Altima probably realized your potential and brought you here for this reason.] Bel speculated.

  "Your maximum amount of mana represents your war potential, and every country tries to gather mages with superior magical might. I fear that enemies of the kingdom or church would try even harder to assassinate Luka because they fear your power."

  The pope turned toward the hostess. "Duchess Silverblade, I strongly urge you to increase the escorts following your son. His safety and well-being are paramount to our world," Demetrius said and bowed his head to her.

  "With all due respect, Your Holiness, I always strive to make the best decisions for my child," Juliette bristled coolly at his insinuation that she didn't take Luka's personal security seriously.

  "Bianna, please get some snacks for our guests," the butler interrupted his employer before she could hurl regrettable remarks at the pope.

  Demetrius smiled politely. "Let's move on to my second question for Luka, shall we?" He turned his attention to the boy. "Since you apprenticed with the God of Magic, I assume that Alectos trained you in light magic. What is your proficiency? Can you demonstrate the highest tier spell you have reached?" he asked.

  "Certainly, Your Holiness. I reached the eighth-tier. And I could use Advance Light Barrier," Luka answered.

  "In that case, let's have Mattrim test your magic."

  Luka rose from his seat and walked to an open space in the room. He gathered light essence and cast his spell. A golden globe surrounded the mage.

  Matty approached and rolled up his sleeves. He took a deep breath and launched a barrage of punches and kicks! Pa-pa-pa-thum-thum-pa-thum!

  The observers felt wind movement from the intensity of the priest's attacks! They saw a magical aura surrounding his body and realized that Matty's class was 'Monk,' a brawler who specialized in barehanded fighting and utilized magic for body enhancement.

  But no matter how hard Matty punched or kicked, his attacks bounced off the magical barrier. The monk frowned as he targeted the same spot in hopes of breaking through the obstacle.

  However, Luka continuously fed his mana to the shield and reinforced it. His spell lasted ten minutes before the monk lost his stamina and gave up.

  Clap-clap! "Thank you for your demonstration," Pope Demetrius said in a kind tone of voice.

  Matty took a deep breath and regained his calm; the monk returned to his place behind his employer.

  Luka waved his hand to dismiss his magic.

  "If I may ask, Luka, how big a shield can you generate with that spell? And for how long?" the pope inquired once the heir sat down.

  "For now, I could create a globe ten feet in diameter. As for the duration, I suppose I could maintain it forever," the mage answered.

  "Impossible!" Matty snorted. He was upset at losing face before the pope and couldn't help reject his opponent's claim as an exaggeration.

  "My magic regenerates fast enough to keep up with the drain from the shield," Luka explained. He didn't care about Matty's doubt because Luka agreed this was a reasonable reaction.

  Pope Demetrius felt a cold shiver up his spine at this explanation. Most casters received one magic-related talent: a large mana pool, speedy recovery, or high magic proficiency. Unexpectedly, Luka gained all three gifts, and he could use them to either save the world or destroy it. Thus, the church leader felt an urgency to develop a closer relationship with the boy and keep Luka on the side of righteousness.

  "Duchess, will you send Luka to attend school at your alma mater?" he inquired.

  Juliette nodded. "My son will become Duke of the Heavensfell Duchy someday. He needs an appropriate education for the upper-class aristocracy, and the Royal Academy will give it to him," she answered.

  "In that case, Mattrim will enroll as well and serve as your son's escort inside the school."

  The mother considered for a moment and nodded her acquiescence to the pope's arrangement. She worried that students from rival aristocratic families might bully Luka because Juliette refused their suitors for marriage.

  Since Matty was part of the church, he wouldn't allow them to harass him; if the bullies go overboard, the organization will intervene to protect Matty. Moreover, the boy demonstrated his suitability as a bodyguard. Lastly, the mother hoped that the two boys would become friends because Luka lacked them due to his lengthy magical apprenticeship.

  Pope Demetrius felt pleased because he expected to push hard to convince the stubborn woman. But instead, she gave in relatively quickly. "I wish to discuss with the duchess in private," he said pointedly and looked at the hostess.

  Juliette nodded because she, too, needed to consult the high priest alone.

  "Mattrim, please perform a physical on my godson," the pope requested.

  "Luka, take your friend to your room," the duchess ordered.

  "Yes, mother," the son nodded obediently. "It was nice meeting you, godfather," Luka said and bowed to the pope.

  "I will talk to you again soon," Demetris replied. He motioned for Mattrim to follow the young lord.

  "Please follow me," Luka told Matty and then walked out of the parlor room. Hanna, Bel, and Gripper followed him up the stairs
and into Luka's bedroom. The heir sat on his bed.

  "I will take your pulse," Matty said and pressed his finger against the nobleman's wrist. Then he pressed his palms under the patient's jaw, made Luka follow his finger with his eyes, and tapped the knees to check the teenager's reflexes. "You seem perfectly healthy," the healer offered his assessment after the physical check-up.

  "Thank you, Matty," Luka replied with a friendly smile.

  The young monk tried to strike up a casual conversation and waste time because he realized that his employer had many things to discuss with the duchess. "Are they your pets?" Matty asked.

  "Bel is my familiar while Gripper is my contract beast," Luka clarified while pointing at each animal in turn.

  "You're a tamer?" Matty asked with surprise.

  "Not exactly. My subclass is Sage," Luka clarified.

  Matty whistled because this class was legendary! Moreover, sage was the heir's subclass because Luka's primary class was a Divine Summoner. "Gripper seems well behaved," the monk remarked.

  "Not exactly," Luka retorted. "Unfortunately, Bel is a bad influence on him."

  The rabbit hopped over and smacked his leg. [Since you live a boring life, someone has to liven it up.] Bel huffed.

  Matty laughed.

  Meanwhile, Juliette and Demetrius eyed one another for a few seconds before the pope spoke first. "Duchess, why did you block my Appraisal of Luka?" he asked with a stern expression.

  "I did nothing of the sort!" the woman denied and took a sip of tea.

  "I noticed my godson wore a Ring of Concealment on his pinky. I can't imagine Alectos giving it to his pupil. Therefore, Luka must have received it from you," the priest reasoned.

  "Luka's status card is private, and the fewer people hold his information, the better," Juliette responded.

  The pope smiled faintly. He didn't wish to jeopardize his fragile relationship with this volatile woman. Besides, Luka gave out essential information that Demetrius needed to know. Thus, the pope's lack of access to Luka's status report wasn't too harmful. "What do you wish to discuss?" he asked politely.

  In response, Juliette pointed her finger at his teacup on the table. The lukewarm liquid inside the small container slowly froze over.

  "Your seal is coming loose," Demetrius observed and frowned.

  The duchess turned around and began to unbutton her blouse. Once she finished, the woman showed her bare back to the guest.

  The pope activated his magical sight and examined the three magic seals along her spine. He saw that some of the lines wholly dissipated! "How is this possible? The seals should last at least a decade!" he muttered in a low voice.

  He walked around the coffee table and approached her. Demetrius took out his special pen and began to write on her skin and reinforce the broken seals. Suddenly, the pope thought of something, but he felt uncomfortable bringing it up with her.

  "What is it?" she asked.

  "I think I know why your seal is breaking down," he said.

  "It's because of my son's return. Luka became much more powerful after his apprenticeship with Alectos," Juliette stated calmly. "And his magic power is erasing my seals."

  "Yes," Demetrius admitted with a deep sigh. "The timing fits. If I may suggest, you might need to minimize your contact with him."

  "Luka will be attending the Royal Academy soon," she reminded him. "I won't see him as much regardless."

  "Speaking of the academy, many noble families send their children there in hopes of finding marriage partners. Since my godson is handsome and comes from a duke's house, I'm sure the girls will flock to him like pigeons," he chuckled at the thought.

  "My son isn't a playboy. While my late husband WAS friendly to the female students, he kept his hands off them, unlike the king," she grumbled. "If Tsunka were a philanderer, I wouldn't have married him!"

  "Your Excellency misunderstood my point. I'm hoping that you would allow your son to seek his marriage partners at the school. By that, I mean more than just one wife," the pope emphasized. When she remained silent, the priest pressed on. "Tsunka took only one wife even though he was a duke and the sole inheritor of the Divine Summoner bloodline. If you turned out to be barren, then our world would be in danger when the Netherese strikes again." Demetrius backed away and took his seat.

  Juliette put on her blouse and turned around. "You think that I'm a selfish and foolish woman for insisting on monogamy with Tsunka," she stated in an accusatory tone of voice.

  The older adult raised his hands to appease her. "I'm only asking you to allow your son to have multiple partners. It could be one legal wife and several concubines or several wives. But for the sake of the entire world, Luka needs more than one marriage partner," Demetrius repeated his demand.

  The duchess bit her lower lip. Although she was old-fashioned when it came to relationships, Juliette was currently the head of an upper-class noble family. Thus, she fully appreciated her position's responsibilities -- including the need to ensure the Heavensfell bloodline's continuance. Therefore, Juliette finally relented. "Fine, I will allow him to have multiple partners. But as his mother and the family head, I will have the final say."

  "Thank you," the pope replied with an inward sigh of relief.

  Chapter 41

  Lunch with another Guest

  The entire Heavensfell household assembled outside the mansion again. Pope Demetrius slowly walked down the steps while holding Luka's arm. Matty stood nearby to catch the VIP in case he slipped.

  When the high priest reached the luxurious carriage, he turned around and gave Luka a tight hug. "Study hard in school. I will invite you to visit Lumina city during the semester break," Demetrius said with a warm smile.

  Luka nodded and returned a friendly smile. While he convalesced inside the bell tower a decade ago, Luka lamented his inability to explore the flying city. Thus, the teenager was glad to hear of his godfather's plan to invite him there. Luka watched as Matty helped the elderly climb into the carriage and joined the pope inside the cabin.

  The coachman closed the door, and Luka backed away as the templars assembled in a diamond formation surrounding the vehicle.

  The pope waved goodbye as his carriage began to move away from the mansion.

  Once the guests were gone from the estate, the teenager suddenly felt exhausted and hungry. His stomach rumbled in protest.

  "Lunch is ready," the butler announced in a low voice as Luka walked past the servant with a reddened face.

  "Thank you," the heir nodded and strolled to the dining hall with a straight back.

  The servants bowed and curtsied as Luka walked by, and he nodded slightly to acknowledge them.

  When Luka entered the dining hall, he saw Juliette already seated at the table with a surprise guest to her left -- Cloten Evans! "I'm delighted to see you again, Lord Cloten!" the young master greeted with an aristocratic bow before Luka took his chair to his mother's right.

  Cloten stood up and reciprocated the bow. "Duchess Silverblade invited me here for lunch," he explained while politely making no mention of the pope. However, the nobleman was shocked that Pope Demetrius would come to the estate personally -- with just a dozen templars and a young priest accompanying him.

  A regular contingent of fifty guards and two high priests usually followed the church leader on a state visit to another territory. Cloten realized that the pope was signaling his visit as informal and private from this lack of companions. Therefore, the nobleman declined to greet Demetrius and pretended not to see him.

  Nonetheless, Cloten saw how warmly the pope treated Luka, and this close relationship meant that the boy had the church's strong backing. Therefore, the nobleman regarded the heir as a peer and offered Luka the proper greeting.

  "There's no need to be polite, Lord Cloten. We are all friends here," Juliette chided slightly. The noble was Tsunka's teacher, mentor, and adviser. Thus, she felt uncomfortable seeing Cloten treat Luka as equal.

  "My mother is right. You w
ill be my teacher. There's no need for you to bow to me," Luka agreed.

  "Okay, if you insist, then I'll just nod slightly the next time we meet," Cloten replied.

  Bianna, Hanna, and another maid rolled carts into the dining hall. The head maid served food and drink to the duchess, Luka's attendant served him, while the third maid assisted the guest. Today's lunch was roasted deer with garden salad and cornbread. As for drinks, Juliette and Cloten each received a glass of red wine made from the estate's winery, while Luka drank fruit juice. The nobles quickly finished the food and began to engage in earnest and frank conversation.

  "Lord Cloten, when can you start tutoring my son? I'm afraid he needs help on many subjects. I'm worried that Luka will flunk the entrance examination and sully our family name," the duchess shared her concern honestly.

  "There are only five weeks before the testing date; this isn't a lot of time. I will begin his lessons tomorrow. If possible, I would like to become a live-in tutor and save time on the daily commutes to Erz City," the nobleman proposed.

  "I'm fine with this arrangement. But are you certain you could leave your house for that long?" Juliette asked cautiously.

  Cloten laughed. "I'm retired from my family affairs. I keep my residence in Erz City to entertain guests. I will have my butler inform my friends of my new work assignment. If anything, they will be jealous of me," he teased.

  "Why?" Luka couldn't help but ask.

  The old nobleman looked at him and replied, "You are a celebrity and a great source of gossip within the kingdom."

  "No way," the child shook his head in disbelief.

  "Oh, you're not convinced? Then let me list the reasons why people are fascinated. First, you are the sole holder of the Divine Summoner bloodline. The last time people saw its power in use was when your father participated in the Nethererse War. The witnesses back then saw Altima herself appear and use her divine power to end the conflict. They viewed Tsunka Heavensfell as a living demigod; subsequently, their sense of worship passed onto you," Cloten explained.

  "Second, the entire kingdom learned about your assassination attempt, and they were shocked again when you departed for a ten-year apprenticeship under Alectos, the God of Magic. Some naysayers accused the Divine Church of Light and the king of neglect in your protection. They assumed that the duchess allowed Alectos to take you away for this reason."