Chapter 34: THE OFFER
"A human in the mountain range?!" The Head Priest was puzzled. "How did you meet that human? Was that a traveler?"
The series of questions made Veronica flabbergasted. She realized that she shot a bullet on her own foot. She wished to bury herself because of her stupidity.
'Calm down, Ver! This isn't the time to worry about unnecessary things. Just starve a day for lying to the Head Priest,' Veronica told herself.
"I haven't seen the face of the person. I was resting in the mountain cave when I saw him lying in the corner. He was severely injured. I thought he was a mountain climber. He must have accidentally fallen and injured himself. That's why I saved him," she lied in a swift motion without holding back. In her mind, she was stabbing her heart. Her guilty conscience was killing her. She didn't show her inner struggle in her expression.
The Head Priest seemed to believe her. Or rather, he didn't imagine her being so brave that she would lie in front of his face. He inquired, "What was he wearing?"
Veronica answered without hesitation, "It was so dark to see properly. He was wearing a cape, warm clothes, and boots."
"I see." The Head Priest smiled at her and said, "You are really kind for saving a stranger. We need people who love people to spread the stories of Goddess Juvena and give people hope and peace."
Veronica bashfully stated, "It's because I have been taught by kind people like Sister Josephine and Sister Mary."
The Head Priest gave her a gentle look. The more he talked to her, the more he liked it. "Pack your bag. Take everything that belongs to you and leave everything that doesn't belong to you. From now on, you will stay in the Rosemary Temple."
"R-Rosemary Temple?" Veronica stuttered. Her blood began to boil.
While the Great Temple was situated right under the mountain range, the Alss, Rosemary Temple was situated inside the mountain. It was the oldest temple in history. This temple was a legend.
It was said that Saint Ava lived there. Saint Ava was the top healer in Utahill. No one had the power to surpass her. Just like the priests were under the head priest, all the healers in this is country followed Saint Ava.
Most of the healers were trained by the top healers who lived in the palace. However, Veronica was appointed under Saint Ava. It meant she was going to be trained with the Saint's guidance.
However, more than being thrilled, Veronica was confused. "Why me?" she asked. "Unlike others, why do I have to be trained by Saint Ava? Is my power dangerous? Am I in trouble?"
"No, no. Where did you get this idea?" The Head Priest denied her claim and assured her, "You are chosen to be her apprentice until you can prove your worth. We haven't seen you using power. How can we decide whether your power is dangerous or not? The reason who will be taught by the Saint because she has chosen you herself. When you used your power, she had got a signal. That's why she came to me and requested me so that I could come here for you."
"Saint Ava wanted me!" Veronica gasped. Her heart rate accelerated.
How could an insignificant person like her get the chance to be taught by Saint Ava herself? It sounded unbelievable!
She couldn't help but pinch her arm. When she felt a stinging pain, she realized that she wasn't daydreaming. The Head Priest was indeed standing in front of her and offered her to become Saint Ava's apprentice.
Veronica still had a doubt. She questioned, "Why did she find out last night? Why didn't she find out when I first used my power?" If the Saint found out when she was eight years old, she didn't have to suffer from working too much. Just thinking about cleaning the temple alone made her shiver.
The Head Priest thought for a while and answered, "It's because you used your power to heal a human. You needed to spend extra power to heal a severely injured human. I think that's why she found out about you."
Her innocent emerald eyes looked at him. She requested, "Can I stay here for the night? Since I'm not sure how long I have to stay in the Rosemary Temple, I want to spend some time with my friends before leaving."
The Head Priest easily agreed to her demand, "I don't mind. But, you have to reach the inner temple tomorrow at dawn. I will take you to the Rosemary temple."
"All right," Veronica vigorously nodded her head. She couldn't wait to be the apprentice of Saint Ava. She couldn't express how elated she was upon hearing the news.
When she went back to the disciplinary room, Catherine grabbed her arms. "Ver, did I just hear right? Are you really a healer?" Her voice was quivering in excitement. Just like her friend, Catherine was also exhilarated.
"Calm down, Catherine. Let Veronica talk." Sister Josephine was sitting on a chair and calmly stated. Her eyes landed on Veronica and asked her, "What did the head Priest tell you?"
Veronica softly smiled and narrated shortly, "The Head Priest told me to pack my bag and wait for him in the inner temple tomorrow at dawn. He wants me to be the apprentice of Saint Ava."
Catherine gasped. She covered her mouth. She couldn't believe her ears. The same thing happened to Abigail and Sister Mary. Yes, their expressions were as animated as Catherine's.
Sister Josephine blinked. Although she had prepared her heart, she didn't expect to hear that. She readjusted her glasses and said, "All right, pack your bag. Since today is your last day in the temple, you don't have to work today. I'll appoint someone else in your position. May the Goddess bless the light upon you."
"Thank you, Sister Josephine." Veronica bowed and took the blessing.
After she came out of the disciplinary room, Catherine hugged her from behind. "Oh my goodness! Ver, I can't believe you are a healer now!" She couldn't control her excitement.
"I still think I'm dreaming," Veronica spoke truthfully.
"Oh, don't worry too much. Why don't we spend some time together?" Catherine suggested. She couldn't possibly concentrate on work right now.
"Oh, about that, I have some unfinished business to take care of."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone