38 Baptism

The first week came and went. After the first day of class, the rest of the week progressed the same as the last semester.

On the second day of the week, Will worked in the library. Copying the list of students to penalize for overdue books, albeit at a much faster rate than before.

In the middle of the week, he stayed home, practiced Tai Chi, and meditation, and received instruction from Elder Thaddeus.

The day after he would visit the Guardian Guild floor and facilitate cadets with their quest, most of which was handled by Sarah and Grace. Interestingly though, Guild Master Rolf sent letters informing guild members of the date for the annual guild meeting in two months.

On the first, third, and fifth days, Will stayed home with Edler Thaddeus working on his sword and cast skills. As Will practiced he could feel himself moving closer to breaking through.

On the fifth day of the week, Will received a letter from Bishop Lang, letting him the church was prepared for his baptism, for the seventh day of the week.

"Will it is not an easy feat to be baptized in Fermion? The church jealously guards their magic, and baptism is a grandmaster-level spell," Elder Thaddeus said, finishing his lunch.

"I had no idea; baptism required a spell?" Will said. On Earth baptism was done by Christians, and it usually involved pouring, sprinkling, or immersing someone in the water and saying a few words.

"Yes, the priest will open a channel to the heavenly realm, and the chosen god blesses that individual with some sort of mark," Elder Thaddeus remarked between sipping tea.

"Really?" Will said in disbelief. On Earth, Will had been baptized when he was young, but never attended church. Will was an agnostic. Now, he was learning not only did gods exist, but they also even marked their believers.

"Master, how do we know gods actually exist and it's the spell that marks people, not the gods?" Will asked.

"There is no proof the gods exist for the records. I know you read about the Great War. History tells us the gods used to be much more active on Terra until they were banished by the primordial beings. This is a record known in every kingdom on Terra. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide," he said.

An hour later, Will received another letter, this one from his parents. Expressed their joy at Will being baptized; however, they were heartbroken to write Will they were unable to attend, but Rebecca would represent the family.

From the letter, he could tell this was a serious honor. Religion was one of the subjects he did not pursue reading from a young age. It was not until he read about the Great War, that religion came into his existence. Furthermore, he could tell that religion and faith would play a role moving forward.

In business, religion didn't play a major role unless you dealt with theocracies. Most merchants believed in gods for insurance or warding away bad deals. Only the poor truly believed in gods, mostly they had faith their fortunes would change.

On his lunch break, Will walked to Elder Thaddeus' library, to examine books on religion, especially books pertaining to Gaia. In the cottage there was a reading nook with a rocking chair, but, books were scattered all over the house. Will found one book on the history of religion in Terra, the rest of the books explained religious spells and their history. For the next two nights, Will decided he would read these books in preparation for this baptism.

On the last day of the week, Will donned the brown suit and dress shoes his mother purchased for him. Even in Fermion going to church required one to dress up. Will combed his hair. He looked in the mirror one last time, imagining himself going to his skyrise office building, instead of the church.

Will walked out of the cottage to the Mage Academy gates, where he saw Rebecca. Rebecca was wearing all white. She looked like a Catholic nun, and Will held in his laughter when he saw Rebecca's serious face. As they walked to the mosque-looking church, Rebecca did not talk. She kept her hands folded and looked solaced.

"Will what you are doing today is a great thing. Giving your life to God Gaia is the deepest vow a person can make," Rebecca proselytized.

Deepest vow? He knew Rebecca was not the freest of thinkers, but she sounded brainwashed like she joined a cult.

"When I joined The Church of Aether after graduation, I will also be baptized. I was so worried about being baptized and making that commitment, I doubted my faith. And now you get baptized, unafraid, I feel so ashamed.

Will I have always admired your courage, even though I'm older, I look up to you. I love you. Let us hope we'll always be together. Who knows, we may even live together after this if you move to the capital," Rebecca said sadly at first, but finished with excitement.

It was obvious to Will, that he and Rebecca placed different significance in getting baptized. Secretly Will wondered if he was not taking this seriously enough.

As they approach The Church of Gaia, the towers came in sight first, followed by the massive dome. Nearing the doors, there stood two columns of apprentice, adept priests, welcoming Will and Rebecca into the church.

"Greetings, Will!" said Bishop Lang hugging Will.

"Greetings Rebecca, it is good to see a future priest as well. Aether is blessed to have you as his servant," Bishop Lang said.

Rebecca bowed deeply and said, "Reverend Excellence Lang, I greet you on behalf of my parents, James, and Helen vont Ballard. My father worships Gaia and her oldest son Gaius. He is pleased Will chose to follow in his footsteps."

Is that how you formally greet a bishop, Will had no idea.

"No need to stand off formalities or offer a donation. Will has already donated sizably to the church. I will write your father and tell him such. Please follow me to the baptismal suite," Bishop Lang said before leading them to the room.

Will remembered the winding hallways of the church, but they stopped several times waiting for Rebecca to catch up. Rebecca frequently stopped to admire the murals, colorful patterns, and plethora of trees, and shrubs around the church. Will had to remember this was Rebecca's tour, and being a devout believer in the primordial gods and their children, she did not want to miss a thing.

Finally, the group arrived at the baptismal chamber. Rebecca went with Bishop Lang, and Will followed an adept priest to the changing room. Will exchanged his brown suit for a long white gown, that reached his calves.

He stepped out of the room feeling embarrassed, he looked like a ghost. Looking at the room, Will noticed the dome had a hole in the middle. He also saw what looked like a burial plot. The adept led him to a mound of silky dirt. Will was instructed to lie inside a hole, it looked like a burial ground. When Will lay in the dirt, the baptism started.

"Great God Gaia, who rules over the land, we beseech thee to offer a blessing to William vont Ballard. Life comes as dirt." Hearing their cue, the adepts began shoveling dirt on top of Will, burying him under the smooth dirt.

"You goddess created all living things from dirt and to dirt, we will return after we die. Yet, dirt renews life and gives birth restarting the cycle again. You, Goddess, saw fit in your infinite wisdom to give humans the gift of life, and on our death, to you, we will return. We call upon you good with your immeasurable power to bless your newest follower, bestow upon your mark to let others know of his great faith."

A beam of light began shining through the hole in the ceiling. The light slowly grew from a small strand to a giant golden beam. Rebecca could feel the holy light and fell to his knees worshiping the gods. Will could not see but felt a warmth in his mana pool, which slowly spread across his entire body.

"Sow your seed of grace or mercy in his heart, rid the weeds of the doubt from the mind, harvest his soul to that he may live in everlasting peace with you! Goddess Gaia now reign down your holy power!" Elder said finishing the spell, beads of sweat ran down his forehead.

The light slowly faded, leaving the room, Will could feel the adepts removing the dirt from his face and body. They helped Will out of the mound and assisted him to the floor holding his arms the entire time. The first thing Will noticed, was Rebecca kneeling with tears running down her cheeks, her hands held tightly together as in prayer. Seeing Will out from the mound, she ran and hugged Will. Next, Will noticed Bishop Lang sweating drinking a glass of water. He walked over to Bishop Lang and bowed deeply thanking him for this honor.

When Will was changing his clothes, he noticed the flashing light in his eyes. Clicking on the light, his screen popped up and Will saw a new ability and an upgrade to his charisma.

Name: William vont Ballard

Race: Human

Rank: 0

Class: Merchant

Sub Class:

Attributes:

Constitution—42

Strength—45

Dexterity—36

Intellect—63

Charisma—12+2

Ranks Skills: Management (30), Diplomacy (35), Accounting (43)

Class Skills: Appraisal (4, 100)

Abilities: Apprentice Swordsmanship (25, 25), Apprentice Terramancer (25, 25), Gaia's Blessing (multiplies your spell strength x2).

"Follow me," said Bishop Lang escorting them to the garden where he and Will met prior. Three chairs lined a table and the trio set down to tea and biscuits.

Will was the first to speak after sitting down, "Bishop Lang as a token of my appreciation, I wish to donate 400 coins to the church. I also want to gift you a new game I plan to sell when my business opens," Will said handing the gifts over, to Bishop Lang.

Bishop Lang passed the coin off to an adept but decided to open-examine the game.

"This game is called reversi," Will said and took ten minutes teaching Bishop Lang the rules of the game.

"On so if my pieces capture you piece then I can flip the piece, how fascinating, let's play," Bishop Lang said excitedly.

Bishop Lang and Will played two games, Will won both. When Bishop Lang asked to play a third time, Will politely refused. Will was happy that Bishop Lang enjoyed the game. He also handed Bishop Lang a second game to give to the Cardinal vont Gaius.

"Okay we will not play anymore, but Will shall we check your marker," Bishop Lang asked.

Will had noticed two symbols tattooed on his body after he changed back into his suit. Will removed his shirt, exposing his chest.

"Great Gaia! Will you are blessed with ancient mark, how marvelous, I will have to report this to the cardinal right away," Bishop Lang, said, telling an adept to send a message and game immediately.

"The first symbol on your left upper arm is the divine tree, it is the mark all believers in Gaia get after their baptism. The divine tree represents life, fruitfulness, and longevity.

Trees are strong, and immovable, but also provide shelter and food for animals and humans. Gaia blesses her followers with children and long life.

Believers in Gaia are like a tree in a storm not easily moved, but hospitable and generous to those who seek shelter or hunger.

The symbol on your heart is more interesting, it is the ancient symbol of the ouroboros, which represents the cycle of rebirth, and transmigration. I...don't know the exact blessing, but in the ancient text, this is referred to as the everlasting soul. You are chosen by Gaia to both give and take life. You are her chosen warrior, her champion!"

Will heard Rebecca scream in joy, "Will you are amazing, to think Goddess Gaia chose you,"

Will sat shocked, dumbfounded, was Gaia the goddess who reincarnated Will? He knew the ouroboros, had nothing to do with being a champion but rather had to do with him being reincarnated. But he couldn't say that could he, he had to find a way to clear this mess.

"Dear Bishop, could there be another explanation?" asked Will. Again, he had no desire to champion a church, it was simply bad for business. Religion was divisive already, and Will had to focus on building his building, he had to clear this misunderstanding. He could not let his plan once again get out of his control.

"Yes, there could be. Let us wait for instruction from Cardinal Silva vont Gaius. Once I hear from here, I will reach out to you," he said.

Agreeing to meet again, Will and Rebecca walked back to the Mage Academy in silence, it was Will this time refusing to speak. Saying their goodbyes, Will thought, he had to find a way to control his life, grow his business, and minimize interferences.