Chapitre 197: Pre-planned Fate
Vittorio nods at her question and reaches for something hidden in his robes, pulling out a circular mirror with gold gilded its borders. It was around twice the size of a regular handheld mirror, and the mirror itself didn't reflect light like how you'd expect, instead, it shimmered as if it was alive, and a fog permanently blocked anything from showing on it. "This, is the Founder's Mirror. It has been passed down through the church for many, many years, and allows a Void Mage to view the past... Specifically, Brimir's past." he states, causing Louise to gape, unable to formulate a coherent thought at the implications such an artifact would imply.
Julio smirks at his master, "I think you've broken her, your Grace."
"This artifact allows me to view everything in Brimir's life. From his childhood, to his discovery of his magic, to his final moments. It has been a spectacular teacher for me, not only in magic, but for life in general. It's like having a premade plan laid out for me, to follow to be as close to the Founder as possible." he says, his words shining with a rather ominous determination that even Louise in her shocked state can't help but notice.
She shakes her head, ignoring it for now and focusing on the matter at hand, "And you would allow me to use it?" she tentatively asks, not knowing Vittorio's thoughts on sharing such a significant artifact.
He nods, "To an extent. I will allow you to only view certain scenes conducive to your education, and I will be present as you observe them. Believe it or not, there are some things about Brimir that cannot be made known. While he was a god among men, a bastion for all that humanity should aspire to, he was still human, and had faults of his own." he explains, gently tucking the mirror back into his robes. "I will teach you myself when I have time, but there are also other duties that you will be required to do. You will be made a Priestess, and your status as a Void Mage will be known. Is this acceptable to you?"
Louise slowly nods, "I don't have anywhere else to go now, so, yes..." she whispers to herself before shaking her head to knock her out of her stupor, "I mean, it would be my honour, your Grace."
The pope smiles and looks to Julio, "Escort her to her accommodations, and have the servants dress her in the Priestess Robes... We may have to have some resized." he mutters while looking Louise over, barely loud enough for the girl to hear, almost causing her to retort before she can get herself under control.
Julio nods, "As you wish, come on Miss Valliere, maybe I can show you the rest of the church while we walk."
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It's been five days since the kidnapping incident, with Michael and Tiffania escaping into the woods to provide the latter with enough time to learn from the Prayer Book.
Unfortunately, with the escalating war between Gallia and Tristain, they'd had to move camp a dozen times already. Gallian scouts were everywhere, sometimes even engaging in small bouts of guerrilla warfare between the Tristain scouts who were more familiar with these forests.
Michael didn't eliminate many of these, of course, not wishing to attract attention towards him and Tiffania. He occasionally dealt with smaller groups which were sneaking around in enemy territory, deeming them as free exp as the blame would be entirely put on the Tristain men instead.
Still, both he and Tiffania had managed to get a bit of training in while all of this was happening. He'd been trying to get a better grasp on Rhasta's teachings as he felt that his progress was far too slow, his 'earnest' attitude, or to Rhasta's mind, annoying bickering, he'd managed to get the man to teach him some actual spells, spells that weren't granted via the Spirit abilities.
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Flashback :
"Come on, Master, surely there's an easier way than this-"
"Shut up! Idiot student! Always easy this, or easy that! Why are you always so keen on taking the easier path!? Strength and knowledge is not bred through 'efficient training', 'shortcuts', or despite what you may have heard, 'instant powerups!'. It is bred through adversity, struggle, and an unwillingness to fail! Something you clearly lack, if your incessant whining is anything to say!" Rhasta exclaims, waggling his 'teaching stick' menacingly at the currently cross-legged Michael.
Michael flinches every time Rhasta jabs the stick in his direction but quickly firms his expression, "I'm not saying that, Master, I just want something to show that I'm actually progressing! A spell, maybe...? I don't know, just something to show I'm not just sitting here meditating for hours on end for no reason!" he implores.
...
Rhasta scratches his face with an expression of clear annoyance, "If I show you one move, will you be quiet and do as I say? Like a student is supposed to?" he asks with squinted eyes.
Michael smiles and nods, "You have my word."
...
"Fine!" Rhasta grouses as he stands, straightening his hunched back and displaying the stick for Michael to see. "Observe, this spell is called, Ether Strike." he states, and one of his Serpent Wards slither over to him, crawling up his body and onto his arm before leaping into the stick.
Almost immediately, the stick crackles with electricity and smoke, imbuing the properties of Lightning and Fire into it and causing it to glow a bright orange. Rhasta nods with satisfaction and walks over to a nearby rock and gives the thing a whack, causing a small flash. Lightning and Fire detonate into a small explosion, causing a few cracks to spiderweb their way onto the surface of the target.
Rhasta turns with a smug smile, tilted his head to the side as if to say, "How about that!?".
...
Michael crooks a brow, "Is that it?" he suddenly asks, looking disappointed.
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