Chapter 1 – The Feast of Freya
The 24th day of the fourth month marks the feast of goddess Freya. It was no ordinary affair not only for the people of Arunafeltz but also tourists and adventurers from Schwartzvald and Rune-Midgard. Airports, Kafra Corp., and Cool Event Corp. are flooded with reservations for a trip to the desert city of Rachel, the religion's seat of power. Each year this festival is flocked by multitudes of people. Many veteran adventurers were even willing to cross the desert from Lighthalzen amid the danger of encountering wolves and hyenas along the way.
Adrian and his party never miss the opportunity of going to the festivity. Although they do not worship Freya, they look forward to the presentations, food, and display of lights and spells throughout the week of the festival. We still see the familiar faces, the courageous party who defeated the Dark Lord twice. Felice is now a high priestess. Cress Aldenite improved his craft and chose to become a Mastersmith. Two new faces joined the team: Dr. Chem, a biochemist, and Ryl, also a High Priestess.
The past two decades after the last encounter with the Dark Lord has been a period of growth and massive change for Adrian. As a Sage, he continued to deepen his understanding of the elements. He retired from the party for about 10 years to return to Juno to enroll in advanced courses in spell manipulation and elemental spirits. He wrote several theses and treatises on spell history, practical magic, fire manipulation, soul control, and defensive elemental magic, making him well known across the city. He was awarded the highest degree in spell casting in Valhalla, the hall of honor.
Getting the title of Professor was not without any sacrifice for Adrian. With all the needed time to devote to his studies, he failed to balance it with his time for May-Lin, the sage who, at that time, was also training and practicing her spells. Compromise was oftentimes not reached by the two scholars. Arguments have weakened their connection. The feeling of emotional fatigue set in, and in just a snap, he gave up with the relationship. As good riddance for a foolish lover, May-Lin made a visit to the Academy—to Adrian's surprise.
"What the hell…" were the only words muttered by the shocked Professor. He only barely missed the powerful fire spell delivered by the furious (and broken) Sage. The spells were meant to dispatch the Professor, who found it hard to catch the spells. The show amused Adrian's classmates. Thanks to his new soul-manipulating spell (creatively named Soul Siphon), he was lucky enough to de-buff and strip the magic power off the sage temporarily, abruptly ending the show. The lady sage fainted and Adrian breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He was still kind enough to carry her to the airport and have one of his friends accompany her back to Midgard. And that was the last time he saw the lady sage.
Even after receiving the degree, Adrian continued training and mastering his elemental techniques. After a few more years of exposure in the field and joining different hunting groups, he gained more knowledge and became capable of taking the Sorcery course, which taught elemental "spirit" manipulation and more devastating spells almost at par with a wizard's wide-area spells.
The city gates were already teeming with people when the party arrived at Rachel. Freya devotees could easily be distinguished in their white, flowing robes laden with gold sash. Most of them walked around barefooted. The sincere devotion to the goddess that brought life to this otherwise cold tundra can be seen in each devotee.
"As you can see, the feast starts with a mass that will be lead by the Pope," Adrian explained to Dr. Chem (he is usually called Doc), the youngest member of the party. As they talked, Freya's followers started marching towards the holy temple ground of Chesrumnir. Foreigners were forbidden in this area; they can only watch and see the Pope from afar.
"The ceremony is about to start in a few moments," Felice remarked. The High Priestess, albeit practicing a different faith, has been always amazed by this fervent devotion of the citizens towards Freya. She could not understand any better. These people placed their faith and lives for Freya as they believed that she gave life to the deserted highlands of Arunafeltz, a cold, deserted tundra up located northwest of Rune-Midgard Kingdom. With Freya's blessing, the nation makes its wealth from a mining town located at the westernmost part of the States (the town is named Veins).
The hullabaloo of the crowd of adventurers was silenced as the drum sounded. Devotees raised their arms up in the sky. A high priest led the crowd in praise.
"All hail Freya! We praise thy highest name!"
"We hail thee Freya!" The devotees responded in chorus.
The loud chanting continued until the Pope came out of the temple and raised her right hand. The unwary adventurers gasped in shock to see that the Pope was only a little girl. She is surrounded by high priests as she stepped in front of the crowd to lead the ceremony.
The Pope, who wore golden ceremonial robes, a golden miter, and a cross staff that stands higher than her, chanted a Freyan praise. The worshippers knelt altogether. This marked the start of the the Holy Ceremony.
