Rude In The Light

"This is the main statue. The goddess of light is always cloaked in a pure white while emanating light of the purest quality. While there are many angels, the angels of light are the only ones with pure white wings." Ellen appeared to be bragging as she pointed out the details of the massive central statues. 

Many of the nuns and priests prayed before the statue before they went about their duties. It appeared that the visitors here would come to pray or just to bathe in the light within the cathedral.

"The library is this way, I will show you everything." Malik felt a little warmer. He was much happier being led around focusing on artistic beauty and the positive aura that followed Ellen everywhere. 

Being pulled deeper in to the temple, many more nuns greeted Ellen. A few of the younger warriors that couldn't be more than seven or eight shouted greetings. 

"I take it you volunteer to teach here too?" It was more of a statement, but Malik could vaguely feel that a guard in his village trained a few boys to be guards as well. It made him more sentimental. 

"Exactly. When I was little, I learned from a paladin of light too. So, I wanted to follow in his footsteps. He was more of a big brother before he retired." This brightened Ellen's mood even more. 

"Now this, is the library. The history of the church of light, magical texts, and even a few skill books that can be reused are stored in here." 

The smell of books was overpowering. Many scholars of light recorded copies of books at long tables. Others organized and cleaned. The massive shelves were easily five men tall. Not to mention the second floor above was also filled with books. 

"Oh! Anna!" Ellen spotted a friend and liked back at Malik, "Browse here as much as you want. I will go greet one of my healer friends." 

With that, Malik found himself surrounded by well organized books. He couldn't say that he was interested in history, but what young man or woman is? 

Instead, he felt a child like glee when he noticed the massive section of light related magical theory, light magic spells, and light skills. He could explore that forever. 

When he was little, he saw his father use a magic skill to help plants from a disease. Many farmers could do just that, but it was still a magical spell and not a basic skill. 

Before he could focus on that thought, he felt a slight pain in his head. This pushed Malik to shake away the memories that refused to flow smoothly. His hand reached out for a book on the shelf. 

The book was glossy due to the magical nature of it. The paper was even reflecting small bits of light mana that were attracted to the book. 

"Ray of light, calls upon ambient light mana to reign upon a target. It purifies darkness related rotting effects and helps natural regeneration. Different from the ray of flame which causes damage and burning…"

Malik mumbled out loud as he read through the book. His mind feeling more and more ready to accept the knowledge within. Even if he couldn't learn this magic because of whatever affinities he might have, he wanted to learn the methods.

If anyone were to watch him, the speed that Malik read grew faster and faster. His hands reaching for new books to flip through like he had been starved for reading his entire life. 

It was easily an hour of reading while Ellen was with her friends. But in that hour, Malik had made a large dent in the shelf he started in.

'The passive skill, scholar elephant's memory has been awakened.'

'Scholar elephant memory- passive

A skill that scholar elephants are born with. It allows them to better memorize and learn knowledge of all forms. They can easily remember the first book they ever read or the first theoretical magic studies they performed. 

While passive, this skill is why the scholar elephant monster race has been able to blossom within the ancient libraries of…'

"Are you listening to me?! What are you even doing here?" The loud condescending voice that snapped Malik out of his hyper focus, came from a rude looking middle aged man.

His head was shaved bald and tattoos mimicking the scripture of light were on it. The expression showed only distaste for the fact that Malik was there reading furiously.

"Well? You can't just waltz in here to read. This is for church of light followers only. If you are here to pray you should remain In the prayer room." The man loomed over Malik with clear intent to intimidate him. 

"I was brought by-"

"Get out of here now! I will drag you out if need be. This is not a home for street rats to just walk in to." Something clicked as Malik was yelled at and the man reached to grab his arm. 

He recalled being treated as less than human by small merchant groups that came to their village. Called the people backwater and better off as slaves. 

At the time, Malik could recall the guards and a few kind merchants that were also visiting putting the smaller merchant group in its place. However, that memory surfacing sparked the anger that Malik had felt then and now. 

"I SAID!" The mana in the library seemed to shiver as Malik spoke. His voice almost echoing. 

"Leave him be! He is a guest I brought here to see the church. If you lay a single finger on him, then the joint efforts of our church of light and the adventurers' guild to rescue him will be tarnished. You will not harm this lost soul." 

Ellen's voice rang with power. She had only shown off the sweet and kind side of her. Malik had not witnessed what made her a paladin of light whom was respected by many within The entire city. 

She had stopped Malik just as he had been about to shout more.

The dense light mana gathering around her could have been intimidating enough. However, it started to form shapes that mimicked armor. A light paladin's defensive skill that also acted as evidence of their strength. 

"Lady Ellen, of course I wasn't going to kick him out. He's your guest." The priest immediately backtracked and pretended he wasn't just yelling at Malik. 

"Liar. You're a liar." The mana around Malik seemed to shiver again, yet, when Ellen stepped between him and stared down the priest, Malik lost the focus of his growing anger. 

"I am not blind to your actions. As a priest of your age, you should represent the church of light and our goddess of light with a better ability than this. I will be having a word with the high priest and the three cardinals today." 

With that, the light mana faded and Ellen dragged Malik away. His heart calming with her worried glances toward the priest who had just been ready to kick Malik out. 

"I am sorry Malik. Many of the older priests wishing for more power and choose the wrong path. So I need to be brighter light than others." Reading between the lines was easy for Malik. Even a child could have understood the meaning in her words.

"I don't want an apology from you. A goddess does not need to apologize for anything… I didn't realize You were so strong." Malik was genuinely impressed with how much mana Ellen had called on. She was roughly the same age as him!

"I was just lucky to be born with a high light affinity. But thank you." Ellen still wished that Malik would not refer to her as a goddess. But she had to admit to herself, she enjoyed it a little. 

Regardless, Ellen brought Malik to another room. This one had a round table and many places to sit. Resting Inside were a few older members of the church of light. Their uniforms were more detailed. 

"I need to speak to you cardinals. It is another incident, well, privacy is needed. For now Malik, please wait here." Ellen followed the three older men in to a side room. 

"So, you are the boy healed by little lady Ellen." The voice of an old woman echoed on the walls. Malik hadn't even noticed her at first. 

The lady was frail, but her words held some strength that only came with years of leadership. She also had the most ornate robes. Perfectly white with very few golden embellishments. The same patterns were on many statues outside the temple. 

 "Do not worry. I can tell you are still healing. Your mind is full of turmoil and fog. You can take your time understanding who you are. For now, just enjoy the peaceful life you live. Let the light shine on you even if you feel you are not destined for it. The light will live within all."

A small array of light bloomed around the room as the older woman moved her hand. Before Malik could ask her who she was, Ellen exited the room she had just gone in to. Her face becoming surprised for a split second. 

"Where to now?" Malik focused on her completely. He didn't have the chance to ask the woman her name. 

"Oh, um. Why not get food near the adventurers guild? You can eat with me?"Ellen was a little off but kept herself a bit controlled. 

"That's a good idea. I'm feeling hungry." Malik had yet to really eat since waking up. He actually didn't feel the need to eat until he was told just now about food. He had been too focused on other things.