It happened during daybreak, at the start of autumn--

I heard a gust of wind.

That shouldn’t have happened in a dream… because……

I have not dreamed for a long time,

Ever since I knew that I should become independent...


It was the break of dawn. Light scattered like gold, and the birds chirped melodiously on the trees. This also means that I have awakened, and it was yet another morning.

How long has it been since I have left home?

My initial motive was only to look at the outside world……

The young man has a head of refreshingly short black hair. As he jumped down from the tree, he patted the dust off his body and raised his head.

He has a very handsome face.

The first impression he gives, is that he’s beautiful, and calm. His garments are simple, and reserved if you peer at them closely. His appearance and disposition deserves high marks, and he’s the type to attract a lot of attention. He seems to like quiet surroundings, and that is why he rested at this place.

Where should I go next?

It’s really frustrating to have nowhere to go.

“Water spirit……”

As he called out, drops of water appeared in the lake behind him. A few drops shined under the sunlight, floating in mid-air. These droplets reflected tiny spots of light that emanated the clear radiance of a gem.

“Where can I go? Is there any… place that will interest me more?”

The light twinkled, and answered through mental waves.

“Thanks. You’re still hoping that I’ll go back? They are looking for me? But, I still want to play for a little while more… It’s been tough on you.”

The water droplets fell back to the lake, flashing streams of light. The black-haired boy bowed towards the lake, and headed west.

As the successor of the Cidelis Family, he has the ability to summon half of all the spirits of nature. Having shouldered this status, running away in secret is indeed irresponsible. However, I just wanted to be rebellious once before I become of age to succeed my position. I just wanted to explore the world outside!

The Priests of God have served the deities right from the 1st generation. Marriage is forbidden, thus they can only rely on abnormal methods to pass on the family line. The priests we speak of have to sit demurely in their shrines, praying and worshipping from day till night!

In short, I am the kind of person who has his life planned out from birth.

Somewhere in this country, there will be at least seven people just like me. People carrying the blood of the Priests of God – Secaaj, Nomunde…… – there are a total of eight Priests of God, who can choose to form covenants with one another.

As long as one party disagrees, the covenant cannot be established. The two Priests of God can choose to simply protect their own shrines, and collaboration was thus unnecessary. In contrast, once a covenant is set up, both parties have to shoulder the burden no matter what happens. It’s good to have someone to share your troubles, but in practice, it just equates to having another chain that pulls you down.

As for me, I have never met any comrades, who are all of the same age and birth. I don’t even know their genders, even though that’s something for the future.

Will I agree to a covenant?

…… Like I said, that’s something for the future. I’ll worry about it when it comes.

The water spirit told me it’s here… I wasn’t wrong, was I? This place has something of interest to me?

It doesn’t look like anything special.

The young man walks in absent-mindedly. The water spirit must have its reasons for suggesting this place, so I shall just believe in it for the time being.

“Please stop. Would you like to come in, young man?”

“Yes.”

“To enter our city, please pay a fee of 300 thetas.”

“…… I have to pay fees to sight-see? It’s not as if this place is a renowned tourism spot.”

“You’re wrong about that, think about the merits of Thains– our age-old history……”

The old man got very hyped-up upon talking about his city’s history, rattling on non-stop, as if intent on forcing people to know this place. The young man got bored, uninterested in listening to things that were of no use to him.

“Okay, 300 thetas. Let me in, will you? I understand how great this place is.”

“Wait, there’s also a fee for listening to my story. 50 thetas, thank you.

An old man like me can’t earn much of a living. So other than being a guard, I rely on story-telling for profit.”

“……”

With the feeling that he was being extorted, he forked out another 50 thetas unwillingly, while muttering “I never asked you to say anything” in his heart. It’s better not to use violence in situations whereby small matters can be resolved peacefully.

The internal workings of Thains had been planned very meticulously. As he looked across the distance, the houses were all neatly built. However, this place stresses on freedom, thus there aren’t many police officers, resulting in little order in this city.

This place…

Will it… have what I want?

Give me a little anticipation… Let my search, have some results……

After finding a place to stay in, he decided to first stroll around in this city.

This place…… its only unique point I can think of is greed for money!

He has been in a foul mood from the start…… The water spirit wasn’t wrong about it, was it? Is it really here?

“Go, my master.”

“Wherever you go, you can find what you’ve always been searching for……”

…… Whatever, at least, this is still a place with nice scenery.

This city is surrounded by forests on three sides, with an abundance of lush greens upon closer inspection. The state seems to follow a circular design, and there are even traces of an old magic spell.

If I had known about this, I would have listened to that man rant about this city’s history. I may even find something meaningful, and since I’ve already paid money for it… What a waste. If I were to go back to him now, I’ll probably have to pay again… There’s no way I’d do that.

The remnants of the magic spell on the floor have mostly faded away, probably because it hasn’t been used for a long time and because it wasn’t properly maintained. With most of the words gone and intelligible content missing, I can’t tell what the spell was used for. For war, or for worship…?

If I ask the passersby here, will I get the answer?

…… Forget it. I’ll use my own methods.

“Earth spirit.”

At his summoning, a little patch of earth on the ground started to glow. He seemed unafraid of the attention, summoning spirits without qualms.

“Do you know what spell this is?”

The earth spirit sent mental waves to him, but, the answer left him momentarily shocked.

Spiritual alluring spell……?

It’s a spell that attracts people with high spiritual energy?

The earth spirit added an explanation, and then requested to return to the earth. However, he halted this spirit.

“Come back, earth spirit. Don’t think of slacking off, I haven’t finished asking. What? The spell is still working? Explain yourself clearly. How can the spell work when half of its diagram has been faded away?” After listening to the earth spirit’s explanations, the young man nodded, and it was only then that he released the spirit.

“This is really peculiar……”

He looked at the spell diagram, and was about to continue research on it, when he realized that a man was walking towards him.

“Excuse me…... may I ask if you are a Priest of God?”

He turned around cautiously. Even though he’s still a Priest-to-be, and not yet a Priest of God, for someone to be able to tell……

What he saw was a young man with a broad grin. Basically, he holds a dislike for this type of people. Someone who smiles often may not always have good intentions.

This guy is very handsome, and has a polite demeanor. As for the red hair, that……

“How did you know?”

“Ah, you really are one? That’s great. I managed to meet a ‘comrade’ so quickly. Hi, I’m from the Nomunde family, name’s Lloyd Nomunde. And you are…?”

Comrade? He is indeed a Priest-to-be.

“Mm, I’m from the Cidelis family, Aidric Cidelis. How were you able to tell that I’m a Priest of God?”

Even though he froze for a moment due to shock, he still managed to answer pretty quickly.

“Aidric Cidelis? So it’s you?

The other party seemed shocked, and his stare gave me the impression that he was assessing me. Aidric wanted to ask him what the problem was, but he continued talking, answering the question Aidric just asked.

“I saw that you were able to summon spirits, and you’re young, so I presumed you were the same as me.”

Lloyd carried a natural smile, but his intense gaze seemed… dark.

“You look like a person with pretty strong abilities. Do you want to consider forming a covenant with me?”

He never expected this; that a comrade would bring the topic of covenant up on their first encounter. It really is surprising.

“You want to form a covenant that much? It’s fine to not sign one, isn’t it?”

“…… Don’t you know that the rules have changed?”

The other party blinked at him, astounded, as he informed him of the matter.

“The main shrine has received orders five days ago. From this generation onwards, all Priests of God have to form covenants. That’s why I’m here, trying to find an ideal companion.”

…… Five days ago? I have left the house for almost a month, of course I won’t know anything about this.

“But, haven’t you met any others? You may regret picking me as your partner after meeting them?”

“I doubt so. Just consider it. I came here upon being drawn in by the magical spell, and you?

“…… Mm.”

Actually, I sneaked out on my own, and came here only after consulting the water spirit… But I didn’t…

“Stay here for a bit longer! Other Priests-to-be may show up!”

“That’s what I planned.”

He's not the one I'm looking for.

I didn’t hear it… the voice of the wind that made me pursue it till now.

“Then, have you met other comrades?”

“Yeah, even though he doesn’t look like it.”

“Doesn’t look like it?”

“Mm, he said something about finding a place to stay after we just parted. Do you want to go to the inn to take a look? There’s only one in town.”

“……You sure know a lot, it’s like you’ve looked into it.”

Aidric walked alongside him, and it didn’t take very long before they reached the inn.

While walking, they chatted, and it was then that he realized that the other party is pretty knowledgeable. He speaks with reason, and has his own opinions. He is meticulous and thorough, when contemplating and administering matters. Maybe it’ll be a good thing to choose him as the
person to form a covenant with.

But, I’ll decide only after meeting everyone… and besides, he is the type of person who is truly scary.

If I have to choose, I’ll pick one that I like and not someone powerful. I can already cope given my own abilities; I don’t necessarily have to find a partner to help me.

Wouldn’t he want to decide after meeting everyone? Also, judging from his reaction earlier on, it’s like he has already heard of me.

Well, it’s already an honor to have someone pick myself to form a covenant with……

“We’re here… Mm, it’s that kid… in front of that counter.”

As Lloyd spoke, Ivan looked over in the direction he pointed to, and spotted the person.

“Him?”

He turned around, staring at Lloyd.

“That can’t be……!”

“Don’t judge a book by its cover. You never know, he may be really powerful!”

Lloyd shrugged his shoulders. But the words he just said didn’t seem that convincing, even to himself.

The young man who was standing in front of the counter seemed younger than them. You can’t even tell his gender at first glance. The immediate reaction upon looking at the side of his face was that he is beautiful, and slender. That kind of appearance made him look weak, as if he could not withstand the winds. It’s hard to believe that this is a person with the same age and status as them.

“But…… He looks really weak…”

“That’s what I thought of as well, but then he really is from the Secaaj family. Indy Secaaj?”

“……Indy? What a weird name.”

“Aye, my brother, don’t be like this. Even if it is indeed weird, you don’t have to say it out loud…”

After a while, that young man stopped talking to the innkeeper, looking disappointed. It was when he was turning around that he noticed their presence.

“Ah… Mr Nomunde!”

His voice is pleasing to the ears, crisp and melodious. This only made it harder for the two guys to accept that he was 15 years old.

“Mm, Secaaj, we meet again.”

“Yeah… this is?”

“Aidric Cidelis.”

Aidric offered his own name.

“Cidelis ……? You’re also a Priest of God?? Please give me your guidance.”

Indy smiled, and it was then Aidric realized that he is actually really cute.

“Secaaj, you seem like… is it that you have met with some trouble?”

“You’re right…… The inn’s full, and I don’t have a room.”

He hung his head dejectedly, seemingly troubled.

“Ah, a room……” Aidric pondered for a moment. “If you don’t mind, you can stay with me. I booked a twin room for a bigger space, but since you have nowhere to stay……”

“Can I? Thank you! Thank you!”

Indy was over the moon. The worried look he had earlier was gone, and the smile he gave was really heart-warming.

Light brown hair…… it looked really soft.

Coupled with those crystal blue eyes, and that spiritual energy, Aidric realized that beautiful isn’t enough to describe this young man. He is like an intricate masterpiece carved by God.

“Then, have you guys seen any other comrades?”

After the problem of lodging has been settled, he started to get curious.

“Nope.”

Aidric looked at the backpack Indy was carrying.

“I’ll bring you up first to put down your luggage—Nomunde, wait for us, will you?”

“Mm, okay.”

With that, he brought Indy upstairs, while Lloyd waited downstairs alone.

The other priests…… I think, will all come! The spiritual alluring spell wasn’t just an accidental occurrence, and besides, I keep getting the feeling that I’m being watched.

I should remind them to be careful later on. I wonder if they have realized it themselves…

But…… Aidric Cidelis, is it? The man that was talked about, I didn’t expect to meet so soon……

I have found an interesting comrade……

“Eh…… why are your footsteps so weak?”

Aidric asked him while they were walking up the stairs.

“I walk just like any normal person!”

“Normal? How can a successor to a Priest of God be like a normal person?”

“Then……. Then what should I be like?”

The other party seemed at a loss. He is indeed rather special. If Nomunde hasn’t mentioned that he is a Priest of God, there’s no way he can tell. Even if the other party reveals his identity, he would still be suspicious of it.

“Didn’t you practice martial arts?”

“Martial arts? Ah…… martial arts, so you were talking about this. I didn’t.”

“You didn’t practice? Are you serious?! That’s just the basics!”

“Huh? But I……”

Before Indy could finish his sentence, Aidric suddenly threw out his arm towards him without warning. He was taken aback, and before the fist hit him, it stopped. He backed away subconsciously. If he had not been held on to at the last minute, he would have fallen down the stairs.

“You’ve really never practiced martial arts, have you Indy?”

“I was telling the truth. Because of my weak constitution, Mother never let me practice martial arts. I only have spiritual senses and magic abilities……”

“How can a Priest of God just have these!”

As they continued walking, he still found it ludicrous. Isn’t the education everyone received almost the same?”

They entered the room, dumped the luggage, and went down to look for Lloyd.

“Ah, are you guys finished?”

“Mm, so what plans do we have next?”

Staying here is fine with me, but there must be something to do at least.
However, there really isn’t anything they could do now.

“I guess, we could walk around, and see if other comrades have appeared.”

“…… Are you really certain the others will come? How will you be able to tell whether it’s them?”

“I am sure. As for the second question…… we will have to reveal our identities first, and let them realize it by themselves.”

“Reveal our identities? Is that okay?”

“I don’t mean that you guys should openly announce ‘I am a Priest of God’. As long as you flaunt some of your special powers slightly, insiders will be able to discern your identities.”

“What if there are some who are complete blockheads……?”

As he said this, Indy shrunk in embarrassment.

“Then there’s nothing we can do. Actually, having our identities blown doesn’t matter. This status is meant to be used, and it is really useful.”

“In what way?”

Ivan asked out of curiosity, and the other party smiled.

“In the morning, when I was entering the city, there was a guard asking for entrance fees. I just had to tell him I am a Priest of God, and the guard let me in.”

“……”

What?! I actually paid 350 thetas for nothing!

“Judging from your expression, Cidelis, have you honestly paid the money?”

“…… That’s right.”

“Eh? There’s such a thing like entrance fees?”

Indy abruptly spouted these words, and the other two guys looked at him, confused.

“Don’t tell me, you walked in through a special route?”

“No I didn’t! I walked in through the main road. There is indeed a man who called me, an old man dressed like a guard……”

“Then?”

He hesitated, and his face turned into a ghastly shade of color.

“He glanced at me, then said: My lovely lady, welcome to our beautiful city…… But I reckon, even if he wanted money, he wouldn’t believe me if I told him I am a Priest of God……”

After hearing what he said, Ivan and Lloyd both had different reactions. The former frowned, while the latter roared with laughter uncontrollably.

“Didn’t you beat him up with your fists?”

“Uh, Mr Cidelis, I can’t hit people……”

“Secaaj, you really have slender looks, but to have been mistaken for a girl, it’s like he’s making fun of you on purpose… Hehe……”

Ah—Mr Nomunde, don’t say any more……”

After exchanging a few lines, they noticed that there were a number of people walking in the same direction. And the crowd of people gathering there, seemed to be watching something.

“Hey, what is going on there?”

Lloyd grabbed a passer-by and asked him casually. The other party then answered that there was a brawl, and he wanted to go over and take a look.

“A brawl…”

The three guys looked at one another, and went over to join in the commotion.

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