Hira began to speak with a trembling voice. There was both fear and respect in her tone.
Hira: Aun… Aunt Pe… Periana… He… he is a criminal…Periana: As far as I know, that's an unproven claim. So he's still a suspect.Hira: But Leader Volgar is sure he's guilty.Periana: That doesn't concern me... That spoiled brat's instincts mean nothing to me or to the law of the Kingdom of Vorgod.Hira: But…Periana: HIRA!
Periana's voice was amplified by the Do power she used. Not just Hira, everyone flinched at the sound. Even Erlik instinctively pulled back and assumed nearly a combat stance but barely managed to stop himself.
Although Erlik's reaction caught Periana's attention, she didn't respond to it just yet. Instead, she looked directly into Hira's eyes.
Periana: You've grown quite attached to Volgar. That's not good. Volgar isn't a child worth that attachment. I say this as someone who's known him since he was a baby.Erlik: (If you've known Volgar since childhood, then you're partly responsible for his personality. No one is born bad. It's either your fault as someone who cares for orphans, or it's someone even you can't interfere with.)
Of course, Erlik never voiced any of that. Despite her fear, Hira answered, though her voice was barely audible.
Hira: He saved my life… You all misunderstand him. He only wants what's good for the village…
Periana turned her back before Hira could finish her sentence.
Periana: I'm not going to listen to this nonsense anymore. Whoever wants to enter the church may enter. The orphans are happy when someone comes to play with them.
Without caring about anyone else, Periana walked confidently back into the church.
Erlik: (She didn't waste her breath. She knew Hira wouldn't understand words. I like this woman. If she existed in my world, I'd make her part of my team.)
As Berilla smirked arrogantly at Hira to mock her, Ella followed Periana with a slightly sad expression. Still, Ella's reaction seemed to hurt Hira more than anything.
While Hira stood frozen in place, Erlik also followed Ella and Berilla.
Just as Erlik was passing slowly by Hira's side, she spoke in a voice only Erlik could hear.
Hira: I'll definitely find out the truth. Volgar is never wrong.
Erlik chuckled and replied in the same low tone.
Erlik: If I were you, I'd start by doubting me too. But don't confuse certainty with suspicion. Love has blinded you, little lady.
Without waiting for a response, Erlik continued on his way.
Ella, who witnessed the final moments of the conversation, asked Erlik as he approached.
Ella: She didn't say anything bad to you, did she?
Erlik smiled and patted Ella's head.
Erlik: Don't worry. There's nothing she could say that would upset me.Erlik: (I'm a man with far more experience than her. It would be very hard for her to manage that.)
Erlik, Ella, and Berilla reached the church by following Periana.
A few hours had passed.
The three of them were now in the orphanage section of the church, where children under the age of seven stayed. Erlik was crouched on the ground, surrounded by all the children.
Berilla and Ella looked at Erlik with astonished expressions.
Berilla: Normally they'd never leave Ella alone. They'd always want to play with her. But in ten minutes, you had them wrapped around your finger.Ella: Hahaha, you look really sweet, but I can't say I'm not jealous that you stole the title of "children's favorite" from me.
Erlik responded with a forced smile.
Erlik: Haha, maybe I just look weird to them.Erlik: (In my old life, I opened a lot of orphanages and posed with children for the media. I guess that helped me learn how to deal with kids.)
One of the children suddenly climbed onto Erlik's back.
Child 1: Come on, big bro Erlik, fly us on your back again!Erlik: Alright now, kids, that's enough.Erlik: (Even with this young body, kids are exhausting.)
While playing with the children, Erlik suddenly felt like he was being watched. Instinctively, he glanced at the door without alerting Ella or Berilla.
Just outside the door, Periana was observing him. She was merely watching, but Erlik felt like she was calling him.
He made up an excuse and stepped outside. Periana had turned her back and was walking slowly. Erlik understood she wanted him to follow and did so.
Periana led Erlik to a narrow corridor where no one would disturb them.
Erlik: Is something wrong, Saintess Periana?
Periana still had her back turned. She didn't face him even as she spoke.
Periana: Sub-Saintess. I haven't attained full sainthood yet. Calling church officials by the wrong title is a grave offense. But from what I've heard, you've lost your memory. So I'll forgive you for now.
Erlik immediately bowed his head.
Erlik: My apologies, Sub-Saintess Periana. What do you wi—
Suddenly, Erlik was slammed hard against the wall beside him, as if someone had picked him up and thrown him. Part of the wall even cracked from the impact.
Erlik was in pain, but he tried to move regardless. He couldn't separate himself from the wall. Periana still had her back to him and hadn't moved.
Erlik: (What's going on? Is this what they call magic? I can't move.)
Eventually, Erlik gave up resisting and waited. After a brief moment, Periana finally spoke.
Periana: When I amplified my voice with Do outside, you nearly took a combat stance. But you held yourself back. Did you think I wouldn't notice, little one?Erlik: So what? Did your pride get hurt just because someone thought of attacking you?Periana: No… The reason we're in this situation is that you managed to restrain yourself. I wouldn't have been surprised if you hadn't. But being able to hold back is something entirely different.
As she spoke, Erlik felt something like an invisible vine slowly wrap around his neck and begin to squeeze.
Though it didn't choke him completely, Erlik could feel that his life was entirely in Periana's hands.
His voice came out hoarse due to the vine's grip.
Erlik: I have no idea what you're talking about.
Periana fell silent.
Periana: My feelings about you are... complicated. I'm usually very good at separating truth from lies. But with you…
Throughout the conversation, Periana had her back turned. Now, she finally turned to face Erlik, approaching him as he hung suspended against the wall.
Periana: I don't care who you are or what your lies are... Just answer me one thing.
Her eyes began to glow with a whitish-yellow light.
Periana: Are you a harm to this village? Or a benefit?
Erlik, serious and still restrained by the vine, answered with a hoarse voice.
Erlik: Whatever this village does to me… I'll respond in kind.
Periana was momentarily surprised by this answer. After a short pause and a serious look, she suddenly burst into laughter and released her Do. Erlik dropped to the ground.
Periana: HAHAHAHAHA! Harm to harm. Benefit to benefit—HA… I like it.
Erlik stood up with a slight cough.
Erlik: My personality's to thank.Periana: I'll leave you alone for now.Erlik: Thanks for that.Erlik: (So this is the power of a level 2 Do user. I can't even imagine level 3.)
Erlik: What was that invisible vine-like thing you used?Periana: A Do ability.Erlik: A Do ability?Periana: If you're calling it "invisible," that means you couldn't see it. Which means you haven't awakened your Do. I'm not wasting time on someone who doesn't know Do.
As Periana turned to leave, Erlik called out to her.
Erlik: In return, while I'm here, I'll help Ella and her father, Burla.
Periana suddenly stopped at those words. She turned and looked at Erlik.
Periana: Why should I care?
Erlik grinned slyly.
Erlik: If you don't, then walk away.
After a brief stare-down, Periana sighed and approached Erlik.
Periana: Ask.Erlik: What exactly is a Do ability?Periana: Barring exceptions, everyone is born with a Do ability. Mine is to create vine- or tentacle-like things with my Do power.Erlik: And I couldn't see them because I haven't awakened my Do.Periana: Exactly. Pure Do can't be seen by someone who hasn't awakened it.Erlik: Can Ella see them?Periana: Yes.Erlik: Can you cast fire or ice spells?Periana: Elements are also innate, like Do abilities.Erlik: So everyone can only use one element.Periana: With some exceptions, yes.Erlik: What's your element?Periana: I don't know, and I'll never know.Erlik: What do you mean?Periana: As someone tied to the Church, I sacrificed my element for holy power.Erlik: Holy Power?Periana: It's weaker than all elements in terms of offense, but very powerful in healing, support, and defense. I can't use it yet, though—only if I reach level 3.Erlik: Why not now?Periana: At level 1, you can use pure Do—strengthen and protect your body. At level 2, either your element or your Do ability awakens.Erlik: So it's random?Periana: Exactly.Erlik: And yours…Periana: My Do ability awakened first.Erlik: So since you already swapped your element for holy power, you'll never know what your element was.Periana: Correct.Erlik: Then if you say you'll be able to use holy power at level 3, that means your second trait also becomes usable at level 3.Periana: Exactly. In fact, some professors argue that what we call level 3 should actually be considered level 1.
Erlik fell into thought for a moment.
Erlik: (Then someone without Do might still be able to defeat level 1 or 2 Do users.)
Periana: Ask your last question. I've answered plenty. From now on, if you want answers, you'll need to pay in advance.
Erlik: (How is this woman a saintess? Are all saintesses in this world like her?)
After thinking for a bit, Erlik found his question.
Erlik: What's the difference between mages and other Do users?
Periana sighed at the question.
Periana: It's a long answer, so I'll skip details. There isn't really a difference. Being a mage is a choice. Anyone can be one.Erlik: What do you mean?Periana: People are born with certain traits in their Do core, Elemental core, and Do veins that make them more suited to certain fighting styles, like mage or knight. There's also stuff like positive and negative Do, but that's the basic idea.Erlik: (That wasn't a clear answer, but I got some clues.)
Erlik bowed slightly to Periana.
Erlik: Thank you for answering my questions, Sub-Saintess Periana.Periana: It was mutual. Don't forget your promise about Ella.
As Erlik nodded and started walking toward the girls, Periana called out again.
Periana: Just a piece of advice—you look young. Judging by appearance, you're about 15 or 16.Erlik: So…?Periana: The academy entry age is between 15 and 18. If you want to better understand Do, I recommend going to the academy.Erlik: An academy, huh?Periana: Yes. The Great Vorgod Academy… That's a recommendation from a Sub-Saintess.
Erlik thought for a moment, then nodded and walked back toward the girls.