"Is it happening? Am I ranking up?" Sylvester exclaimed excitedly.
Immediately Markus and Gabriel also got up and huddled near Sylvester and stared at the rank plate in friendly envy.
For Sylvester, the feelings were full of strangeness, he felt as if his body was being inflated, but nothing appeared on the outside. Instead, he felt the blood in his veins become heavier, the strength in his body increase, and the concentration of Solarium skyrocket.
"What does ranking up do to a body?" He wondered loudly.
"Woah, look, your veins on your face are shining in white light." Gabriel pointed.
Sylvester did feel warm on his face as if someone had slapped him a thousand times, and now he was numb. But all he could do was silently wait, hoping the whole thing would stop soon. But it did not and lasted half an hour, taking away the entire time they had fixed for sparring.
Sylvester kept his eyes on his rank plate on the chest and noticed the new rank appearing. There were three long silver patches instead of two bronzes. Then he felt a ting in his head ring once, signifying his rank level was one.
But he was already elated. "I just became a… Master Wizard?"
"What was your rank when we started our school?" Felix inquired because he was just an Apprentice during the start and only got to the Adept rank in the middle of his second year.
"Well, when I started, I was on Adept level 2, then by the end of the first year's quest, I was at level four, and this whole year I was stuck at level five. So only now did I rank up. It took too long, actually." He replied and thought about his magical talent.
But this made him remember the many other clergy members he had seen in the past two years. Most were not above Adept or Master Wizard ranks, although they looked bald and old. This meant that he was powerful for his age.
Felix nodded in understanding. "Well, you have the talent to be the highest, Supreme Wizard, so it makes sense. I can be an Arch Wizard at most, so I will level up slower while my Knight rank is climbing fast."
"What's your Knight rank?" Sylvester asked as all God's Favored Candidates' rank plates were gold, and Knight's rank appeared only on the silver plate.
"I'm not telling you unless you tell yours." Of course, Felix was interested in Sylvester's rank, as both shared the same talent in this field.
"Then I guess we will never know about it." Sylvester was not going to give up his hidden advantage.
Markus interrupted them and put his hands on Sylvester's shoulder to shake him. "Can we talk about you becoming a Master Wizard? You are of the same rank as Archpriest Edmund."
"Yes, but he can most likely beat me with his vast magical experiences. Not to mention, he is an Archpriest while we're still Deacons." Sylvester retorted, knowing it was best never to let this power get to his head.
"Should we report to someone?" Gabriel inquired.
This was indeed a confusion. Sylvester didn't know how big of a deal it was to rank up and if there was any standard procedure after ranking up. "I will go and meet Archpriest Edmund and see you in the dorms later. I will stay with you guys tonight."
So Sylvester quickly gathered all his items and headed to the administrative office on the ground floor. It was nearly time for all mentors and staff to head out, so he rushed in.
"Mentor! Look!" He exclaimed as soon as he entered. However, he erased the fake smile from his face as a man he didn't wish to see was sitting opposite Archpriest Edmund.
It was an old man with a long white beard and hair. His eyes appeared to be light yellowish green and on his head was a gold crown with many large stones. He recognized him from his first day in Magna Sanctum many years ago.
'What is the King of Riveria doing here? Did Romel complain about me to his father?' He silently wondered.
"Your Highness Riveria, this is Deacon Sylvester Maximilian, your son's classmate." Archpriest was introduced quickly.
The old man got up, appearing weak as he had a hunched back. The wrinkles on the face made it clear the man had one foot in the grave, making it more beneficial to control Romel for Sylvester.
"Of course, the famous Deacon Sylvester, I know about him." The man walked to Sylvester and patted his shoulder while glaring into his golden eyes. "How can I forget the gifts the young Deacon has bestowed upon us."
Sylvester looked back with firm eyes, as he knew showing fear only strengthens the enemy. But, at the same time, contrary to the smile plastered on King Riveria's face, he was smelling the bitterness of hate—a strong one.
"Take care, Deacon Sylvester. The church has many hopes for you. Come to River City, to my palace, when you visit the Riveria Kingdom. I am not boasting when I say we have the best cuisine in Sol." King Riveria turned to Archpriest Edmund. "I shall take my leave then, Archpriest. It's time for my visit to the Holy Father. Thank you for allowing me to meet my son."
"And thank you, Deacon Sylvester, for taking care of my son."
As the man left, Sylvester felt confused for the first time, as he sensed no lies from the man's ending words. 'Did Romel not tell him about my actions? Strange… has my brainwashing been too good?'
"AH! Y-You have… Ranked up?!" Archpriest Edmund shouted in shock all of a sudden.
King Riveria paused for a mere second before continuing to leave. No one knew what went on in his mind. But Sylvester put a mental note to be more careful if he was ever in Riveria.
"Yes, Archpriest, I just ranked up and came to tell you about it. Do I need to register myself anywhere?" Sylvester inquired.
The Archpriest was too excited, however, as he rejoiced. "It took me eighty years to get to the rank of Master Wizard, Deacon Sylvester, and you are merely nine years old. I can't believe what I am seeing. And don't worry about any registration. I will take care of it.
"But I must go and tell this news to the headmaster first. You can go and stay in the dorms. If we need you, we shall call." Archpriest hurriedly left to the top floor.
'This man is more excited than me. No wonder the most powerful and talented kids turn out to be spoiled brats. These adults are enablers.' He thought and headed to the nearby sick bay to inform Xavia about his ranking. He reckoned the woman deserved to share some excitement.
So he promised her that he'd celebrate his promotion the next day. But, Xavia insisted on something else and told him to bring his friends to their home.
Eventually, Sylvester got the permission, and, for the first time, he took Felix, Markus, and Gabriel to his home and introduced his mum.
At first, the three were shy of the woman, too beautiful to be a Bright Mother. But when they looked at Sylvester, they nodded instinctively and understood where Sylvester got all his handsomeness.
But they wondered what his father looked like, yet they didn't ask, knowing it was too insensitive. So they slowly opened up and talked and laughed in Sylvester's home. Xavia just enjoyed listening to all the noise at home, something she missed from days long gone.
"Here you go, I made a baked sweet bread cake with cream and honey." Xavia presented them with her finest show of cooking yet.
Sylvester did not even know cakes could be made like this. Of course, it was not really a cake in the modern sense, as the cream was not whipped cream but rather a simple layer of milk-like thing. But, it looked tasty.
"Woah, I've never seen such a thing. May I know how to make it, Mother Xavia? I want to make it for my sister when I return home." Gabriel was quick to make a wish.
Even Felix was amazed. "This looks tasty."
However, there was no cake cutting or such a thing, and neither did Sylvester want it. He simply cut one bite and aimed it at Xavia's mouth since it would make her happy. The woman always gave him the taste and smell of unconditional motherly love ever since he was born, so he liked her as a person too. "You should be the first one to eat."
"Aaa… my Max."
As expected, her heart melted, and she hugged him without reservation, letting the boys chuckle. Sylvester knew he would get his leg pulled later, but he could do it better against them.
"Let's eat then."
So they all ate like cows, being the strong boys they were. Then they crammed into Sylvester's room to sleep. As he turned off the candles, Sylvester made a wish for all. "I hope Solis helps you all become a Master Wizard too."
Gabriel agreed. "Amen, Sylvester. I hope I can quickly get stronger and one day return home with enough power to never have to worry about food or roof—make my Raven happy."
"And money! I need money to get my family out of poverty. They are basically semi-slaves at this point, destroying their bodies in the fields of a minor lord." Added Markus.
Sylvester agreed with them. They needed money as much as he did. And, like him, they were also looking for a better, safer life.
"As long as you stick by me, I can assure you we will make money. But for now, good night." Sylvester didn't elaborate further and closed his eyes as his plans were still just plans.
However, unexpected things come in various shapes and forms as the following day, they all woke up with loud knocks on the door.
Xavia went to check, and a knight appeared, shouting immediately. "Deacon Sylvester Maximilian is required to see His Holiness!!!"
"..."
Xavia's heart nearly exploded from the abrupt shouting.
___________________
THIS MONKE WISHES FOR YOUR GRACE!
**669 Stones = Bonus Chapter!**
APE TOGETHER STRONG!
