"What about our Holy Grimoire?"
The Holy Grimoire of Light was the most important thing for the Church of Light. Anything related to that could concern the entire Church and the entire world.
"The Holy Grimoire has finally started walking up, it seems..." The old man answered, keeping his voice low. Even though they were alone in this place, he still spoke as if the walls might have ears.
"You mean..."
One after another, all the Head Priests started standing up as their eyes lit up.
There was only one person who seemed confused after this information was made known to him. He didn't understand what this meant. He was new as a Head Priest and didn't know any secrets. Just what did they mean?
"I mean what you think I do." The old man confirmed. "I think it's soon going to be that time..."
After getting confirmation, most of the Head Priests had a smile on their lips and a shine in their eyes. They took their seats once again.
"You old man! When you called us here, you made it seem like there was some bad news. You scared me for a moment." A dark-haired Head Priest let out a hearty laughter. "So it was a good news! It's finally going to be the time!"
"The time for what?" The new man asked, still curious about what he wasn't getting. What was it time for? And why was everyone so happy? Just what was happening?
The old man noticed the confusion on the middle-aged man's face. He smiled. "You are new, so it's understandable that you don't know such things. Alright, tell me one thing. What do you know about our current Head of Church?"
"I-i haven't seen him yet, but I heard some great stories about him."
"Well, let me tell you a secret." The old man smirked. "All the stories you heard? They were a lie that we spread for other churches to keep our Church's influence alive. In reality, we have had no Holy Priest of Light ever since our last Head died..."
"You mean that conspiracy theory..."
"Yeah, that wasn't a conspiracy theory. We knew that there would be people who would be able to guess that something was wrong, but we made that appear like conspiracy theories. Not like anyone could verify it, after all. We kept this secret even from our own Priests. Only we knew this secret, and now you do."
Another Head Priest took the lead and continued from where the old man stopped. "After our Holy Priest died, the Holy Grimoire of Light went to sleep for some reason. And like that, it couldn't select the next Head Priest. It had been sleeping for a long time, but it's finally starting to wake up..."
"That means the Holy Grimoire is getting ready to select the next Holy Priest! That's why we said it's about time! Anyone from us can become the next Holy Priest if we are selected by the Holy Grimoire!"
"Don't be happy so soon. It's also possible that none of us can be selected by the Holy Grimoire. We can only hope that it's us, but don't forget what happened with the Church of Water."
"Sigh, even if it's none of us, at least we would still have a Holy Priest. If the Grimoire will be making a selection, that person will be worth it. Finally, our Church can start expanding our influence again."
" I'm sure the person will be me! I'm the most capable Mage of Light, after all!"
"Nonsense! We all know I'm better than you. It'll be me."
"In your dreams."
The Head Priests that were believed to be above all material greed, were fighting each other as if they were kids. Then again, it wasn't surprising since the allure of becoming the Holy Priest and the head of the Church of Light was something that no one could ignore.
If one of them was selected by the Holy Grimoire, they were instantly going to become one of the strongest and most influential people in the world. With their experience and the strength given by the Holy Grimoire, there was barely anything that they couldn't achieve.
****
Inside the Church, the Head Priests were arguing with each other while still being extremely optimistic about the future. Meanwhile, outside, a giant bird flew above the city, getting closer to the Church of Light. The bird started going down as it reached the entrance of the Church of Light.
A young woman jumped off the beautiful bird, landing at the entrance of the Church of Light. The majestic bird disappeared.
"What business does the Academy have with us at this hour?" The Priest at the entrance of the Church asked Xinci, recognizing the young lady.
"I need to meet with your Head Priests."
"At this hour? I don't think that would be possible. The Head Priests are going through a really crucial meeting. If it's not important, please come in the morning."
"You think I would come at this time if it weren't important? The Academy has been attacked by a Dark Mage! We need to talk to the Head Priests about it! How was a dark Mage able to enter the city amidst all the security that you all brag about?!"
Xinci was already quite angry, and seeing the man slow her down; she went off on him.
"Academy attacked by a Dark Mage? How is that possible?!"
"Let your Head Priests decide how it's possible! Take me to them. Or do you think I can't meet him, even though I've arrived as an official representative of our Dean?"
"Fine. Come inside. You can wait inside while I call out Head Priests."
The Priest opened the door and took Xinci inside the Church of Light.
****
"What?!"
Lambard was standing on the balcony, looking at the lively city that belonged to him, when he suddenly exclaimed in shock.
A woman appeared behind him. "Did something happen...?"
"That guy... It seemed I really underestimated him, even after knowing what his element was. That boy... He even managed to surprise me."
"Are you talking about Gabriel? What did he do?" The woman asked.
"I received a message from my sources at the city of Light. He succeeded..."
"He succeeded in stealing the Eye of Osiris?"
Lambard started laughing heartily in response.
"Wish I was there to see all their faces. He didn't just succeed in stealing the Eye of Osiris! That guy… He cleaned the entire treasury of the Academy, stealing every single artifact he possessed! And you know what's the most fun part?"
"What?"
"He did it when Elora was at the academy!"
It's been a long time since Lambard laughed so heartily.
