Chapter 6 : Child of Light

Priest Mathias motioned for the other two acolytes who remained to come forward, they did as told and came forward.

One of them held a crystal ball in hand, and the other one held a golden knife that was overly designed at the hilt with patterns of the church as well as their main sigil (the shining sun surrounded by a halo of light).

"I apologize for the rudeness and foul tongue of my brother Anias. We've been on the search for the child of light for so long, he was just tired" Said Priest Mathias

"That is no excuse for him to speak to my family like that" Elias shot back

"I agree, but was there a need to deal with his arrogance in such a humiliating manner?"

"Ye—"

"Pardon my son's impulsive behavior Priest…Mathias, he is but a boy" Godfrey interrupted

Elias simply kept quiet after being interrupted, he knew what kind of man his father was. He wasn't one who enjoyed conflict, and he did just slap the daylights out of a member of the church of Eternal Light; the largest religious gathering in the Continent of Elaris.

"Ah, it is forgiven already. Children are impulsive, you are right on that one. I have one of my own, so I understand.

As much as I would like to chat with you about children Godfrey, we have a test ritual to perform."

"I understand, carry on, Priest. But don't get your hopes up, we are just farmers after all"

Priest Mathias brought out a leather pouch from his robes and drew a magic circle on the ground with a white powder that he poured from the said pouch.

He dusted his hands and put away the remnant powder, "We would need all four of us followers of the light to perform this ritual, but since you knocked out our fourth man it's going to be quite difficult" Priest Mathias said as he collected the crystal ball from the acolyte.

"I expected Anias to be awake by now, you really did a number on him"

"It wasn't my decision, and he kind of deserved it" Elias muttered.

"What was that?" Asked Mathias

"Nothing"

One of the two acolytes turned to Priest Mathias, "Are we really going to test him? after what he just did to brother Anias? I don't support"

"I agree, there's no way the child of light would be such a rash young man. It's unthinkable" the other acolyte chipped in

Priest Mathias digested their words for a few seconds, "We will carry on with the test, I have a good feeling about this one, and besides, the divination from the High Luminary said to test all children between the ages of ten and twenty-two.

If you think I would go against the orders of the High luminary because of a flimsy reason such as the one you proposed, then you must be stupid" The aura around Priest Mathias grew intense, contrary to the calm expression he wore as he spoke.

'He's strong' Elias remarked internally, and Nina clutched her mother's hand tightly as she hid behind her figure

The two acolytes could not help but tremble under Mathias' tense gaze, "W-We dare not go against the orders of the High Luminary too, Priest Mathias"

"Good, now take your positions on the circle, don't worry about Anias, I'll make up for his absence"

By the time they had finished their preparation for the testing ritual, the day had already begun whispering its farewell. The sun hung low in the sky, slowly descending into the horizon, and the sky was painted in a pallet of fiery oranges, tender pinks, and deep purples.

Elias was instructed to stand in the center of the magic circle and hold the crystal ball in his palms, he followed their instructions and stood there, holding the crystal ball with outstretched arms.

Priest Mathias began to chant, and any time he stopped chanting, the two acolytes would chant a chorus in unison and it went on for a few minutes.

"Pour your manner into the orb, and we shall know your fate" Mathias instructed

'Wait, pour my mana? How am I supposed to do that?'

For someone who lived an entire lifetime in a world without magic, Elias was at a dead-end. He did not know how to use mana.

Everywhere fell silent as there was no reaction from the crystal ball, Godfrey and Eleanor exchanged glances. Even though they visibly did not believe that Elias would be the child of light, at the back of their mind, they hoped.

"We told you, He isn't the one. He couldn't have been" one of the acolytes sneered

"What a waste of time" the other one spat

"Hmm, maybe it's because of my old age, my intuition is seldom wrong. I was certain to some extent that this would be the end of our search"

Elias desperately tried to pour his mana into the orb but failed. In the game, all he had to do was just use the controls, but this wasn't a game anymore, it was real life and there was no control to operate in real life.

"Let's just call it a day and leave sir, it is clear that this farm boy isn't who we are looking for" an acolyte scoffed

"Hmmm, not so quick. Something is wrong here" Priest Mathias squinted his eyes, looking at the orb intently, "There's no mana flowing into the orb" he whispered

"Are you trying to deceive the church young man? You aren't feeding the orb any mana, why is that?" he asked

Beads of sweat had already begun forming on Elias' forehead, he was about to lose the plot of the game.

"I'm trying to!" He said, forcing his words between clenched teeth.

"Trying to? Just do it…Or could it be, you can't control your mana?"

Elias remained silent and focused on trying to channel his mana into the orb.

"Judging by your silence, then I am right. What a pain, I can't dismiss this ritual until I am sure I have tested you properly" Mathias said

The acolytes murmured their complaints to themselves as they heard Mathias' declaration but they had no choice but to follow the Priest's instructions.

"Listen up young man! I am going to guide you on how to feel and use your mana. I am only going to direct you once, so do well to grasp it!"

Elias felt a wave of relief wash over him as he heard Mathias' words but only for a moment, he steeled himself. Mathias was only going to guide him once so he had only one chance to succeed.

"Alright, Elias," Mathias began, his voice calm and steady. "The first step to feeling Mana is to quiet your mind, mana is something as natural as air. You need to be at peace with your surroundings. Close your eyes and take a deep breath."

Elias nodded and did as he was told. He closed his eyes, taking in a deep, slow breath. The forest sounds—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, the distant mooing of the grazing cows—seemed to grow louder as he focused.

"Good," Mathias said softly. "Now, feel the ground beneath your feet. Imagine roots growing from the soles of your feet, sinking deep into the earth. Feel the connection with the land. Mana flows through everything—through the trees, the air, and the ground. It's an energy that binds all life together, you should be able to feel it as easily as breathing"

Elias furrowed his brow in concentration, imagining the roots spreading out, intertwining with the forest floor. He could almost feel a subtle tingling in his feet.

"Can you feel it?" Mathias asked, watching Elias intently.

"I think so," Elias replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Good. Now, imagine that energy flowing up through your body. Let it fill you like water filling a vessel. Feel it in your legs, your chest, your arms, and finally in your hands."

Elias concentrated harder, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to visualize the energy moving through him. He could feel a warmth spreading from his feet, coursing up through his limbs.

"Now, open your eyes and look at the orb," Mathias instructed. "Hold it tightly and let the Mana flow from your hands into the orb. Imagine the energy moving through you, pouring out of your fingertips."

Elias opened his eyes and stared at the orb. It was clear and still, reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. He took another deep breath, focusing all his will on directing the energy he felt.

At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the orb began to glow faintly. The light was soft, like the first light of dawn, and it pulsed gently, in time with Elias's heartbeat.

"I did it!" Elias exclaimed

"Yes you did, but I'm afraid that is the normal reaction the orb should have when it is fed with mana.

I'm afraid you're not the one we seek, but you are a brilliant child and filled with tenacity. I would take you as my student If I wasn't on an assignment currently"

A knowing grin appeared on Elias' face, "Be patient, it will start soon"

Elias knew what was about to unfold would shock everyone around, in fact, it would shock the entire world.

"What do you mean?" Asked Mathias

Suddenly a loud rumble thundered and the ground trembled as if an earthquake was about to begin, and what happened next could not have been predicted by anyone, except Elias of course, he had seen it a thousand and one times.

Suddenly, as if time itself had fractured, the sun paused, hesitated, and then began to rise again, climbing back into the heavens in defiance of the natural order.

Simultaneously, the moon ascended alongside the sun, their radiant bodies casting an ethereal light over the land.

For a fleeting moment, the sky held both celestial bodies in harmony, their light mingling in an awe-inspiring display of fiery orange and serene silver.

The heavens trembled, as if unable to contain the majesty of this impossible sight, and jagged bolts of lightning split the sky.

Each strike illuminated the landscape in brilliant luminosity. The air crackled with electricity, charged with the raw energy of the moment.

Nature stood still, awestruck by this extraordinary spectacle, the world bathed in a dual twilight, where night and day converged.

Everyone except for Elias fell to their knees, the acolytes began to pray fervently and Mathias clasped his hand together as he took in the ethereal sight. In front of such a Godly display, they could only kneel.