"The City is just as lively as before." It was Gabriel's second time coming into the city. In fact, it wasn't wrong to say that this city was the place where he actually started his journey on the path of becoming the strongest mage.
The only difference this time was that there were less people with other Elements since there was no recruitment of the Academy of Elements. Instead, there were young light mages who came here to fulfil their dreams and become the Holy Child.
It wasn't wrong to say that other than the Head Priests of the Church of Light, only Gabriel and Avilia knew that it was nothing but a lie.
"So, are we going to the Church now?" Avilia walked next to Gabriel on his journey, wondering where they were to go next.
Gabriel didn't answer. He still hadn't decided where to go first. He wanted to go to the more dangerous place at the end so he could leave right after.
"Can you check if Izen is actually inside the Academy?" In the end, he asked Avilia's help. If Izen was there, he wanted to deal with the Academy in the end. Without Izen, the Academy was an easier target after all.
"I don't need to check. I know he's in the Academy. So far, he hasn't sensed us because I'm hiding our presence. However, if we get closer to the Academy, it won't be long before he senses us."
****
As Avilia was answering Gabriel's question, Izen was sitting inside his office, busy in a meeting with the Head Teachers. The Academy had suffered many losses last time after all. They had lost all their inventory and spirit stones which they used to train students.
Izen and the others were trying to solve the problem of the Spirit Stones first since that was the most urgent task at hand. In fact, Izen had already asked the Royal Family of Lumen for a favor, asking them to give more Spirit Stones to the Academy for the time being.
****
"That makes it more complicated." Since he had verified that Izen was still inside the city, he decided to deal with the Church of Light first. "Tell me one more thing. Can Izen sense me inside the Church of Light?"
"What do you mean?" Avilia didn't understand what Gabriel was actually trying to ask.
"When I was inside the Church of Flames, I sensed that the space inside was different. It was harder to spy inside from outside even when I stood right outside the door. I want to know if it's the same with the Church of Light? Once I'm inside the Church of Light, can Izen sense me if he's nearby?"
What Gabriel wanted to try was more complicated than a game of chess. He had to create a delicate balance between two things. He had to make sure that Izen couldn't interfere in his matters before he was done dealing with the Church of Light's matter.
Last time, Izen had managed to sense him, even though he wore the ring. This time, he didn't want Izen to sense him and enter the Church to expose his identity again.
"That? You don't have to worry about that. Once you enter the Church of Light, even if I'm not near you to shield your subtle aura, Izen can't sense you. Unless Izen or a Holy Lord is directly inside the Church of Light, they can't sense you because the space inside a Church is protected from outside prying. It's the same with every Church."
"I see." With the new information, Gabriel was slightly relieved. This meant that Izen couldn't interfere and expose his identity, no matter what he did inside the Church.
As for Izen entering that place, it was almost impossible. He was sure that even Izen wouldn't be allowed to enter the Church, especially in the absence of the Holy Lord of Light.
Even amidst the crowd, the two youngsters walked unobstructed, immersed in their discussion. While most of the Light Mages were taking the shortest route of reaching the Church of Light, Gabriel took the longer route, only to avoid the Academy for the time being.
After taking the longer route and under the protection of Avilia, Gabriel finally reached the Church of Light, only to be stunned at the size of the massive line before him!
There were already over five hundred people in the line, waiting patiently.
Fortunately, each person who was entering the Church was coming out after merely a few minutes. That meant he had to wait for around six or seven hours. The time was long, but it wasn't too long.
Gabriel stood in the line while Avilia stood in the distance, keeping a subtle eye on him. At the same time, she also observed Izen secretly to make sure that Izen didn't suddenly come out of the Academy without them realizing.
Three hours passed and Gabriel moved forward in the line to the point that there were only three hundred people before him. He didn't know what the Church was trying to do, but one thing was clear. They hadn't succeeded so far.
****
Two more hours passed. It's been over five hours since Gabriel entered the City and he was finally close to entering the Church of Light. There were only seventy people before him now. The speed of people going in and out was much faster now.
At the same time, the meeting between Izen and the Head Teachers had finished as well.
Izen has issued all of the Head Teachers some instructions. Head Teacher of House of Lightning Qin, and Leader of House of Summoning Xinxi were assigned the task of going to the Royal Palace. They were in charge of bringing back the Spirit Stones from the Royal Palace.
Head Teacher of Element of Earth Rem, and Leader of House Of Wind Lishen were tasked with overseeing all the repair work, including the repair of all the protective formations that were damaged last time.
The other Head Teachers were also issued other important tasks to improve the working of the Academy. Only the Head Teacher of Light Eliana hadn't been told to do anything.
"Eliana, come out with me." Izen told Eliana who was the only person left in the meeting with him now.
"Where are we going?" Eliana asked Izen. Izen didn't usually tell her to accompany him after all. Whenever Izen left the Academy, he left all alone.
"I'm just getting bored, sitting here all week," Izen replied as a tired sigh was heard in the room. He stretched his arms lazily, yawning. "I heard the Church of Light has been busy with selecting their Holy Child? Since it seemed interesting, I thought we should check it out as well."
With his hands in his pocket, Izen left the office. Two beautiful wings appeared behind his back as he rose in the air. Eliana also followed the man. Both of their destination... The Church of Light!
