Chapter 8: Divisions

"Hey Mayune. Now you're an acolyte, want to go some real work and level up?" Maxell suggested. Mayune thinks about it.

"Maybe next time. Father Orazal wants to see me today. He would give me a division among the acolytes' training. A division contains a dozen of acolytes. I want to be under the first priority under Priestess Myra."

"You've gained more friends as I see... Good for you." Akito commented and Eiko just smile.

"Alright, after we gained some experience and master some of our skills. We'll be back here for you." Maxell and his company leaves. Mayune is left standing near the front gate of Prontera.

"What are you still doing here, Mayune? You should be in the church by now. The sorting ceremony shall begin within twenty minutes."

Mayune curtsy to the person. "Thank you for reminding me again, Priestess Myra. I'm so lucky to have a friend like you. I wish you to be my superior."

Priestess Myra smiled at her very sweetly. "May I accompany you Mayune?"

"It's my honor, priestess..."

"And now for Acolyte Darwon Gunakan..."

This ceremony bored Mayune. Three more acolytes to go before her name is called. It would probably take an hour that makes her sleepy. After some time, at last is her turn..

"Acolyte Mayune Kisuwa... assigned under... Father Ansan Alcuenca of Second Priority!"

Her shoulder fell. She hoped to be assigned under Priestess Myra who just sadly smiled at her. How cruel life is... Mayune thought. Too bad...

On the other hand, the blonde priest watched the light-red haired acolyte and the dark blue haired priestess. He wonders why does Myra is so interested to the Acolyte. He didn't sense something interesting about the young lady. Maybe, Myra notices the difference between Ayami and Mayune. But it won't change anything. He guessed that Mayune isn't that big threat to her.

But whatever reason Myra may have didn't bother anymore. No one will have the same fate as Ayami in the hands of Myra. No more. He has to regress Mayune from Myra. But how can he do that? Can he regain that acolyte's trust? But only one direct order from him will be enough. But that's kind of suspicious. He must think a simple but effective plan.

"As the older priest, I hereby announce the incoming declaration ceremony of Priest Kydae Suzuki to be a soon-to-be high priest. But before this event happen, Priest Kydae will be assigned in one division to be tested. And the honor will goes to..."

Kydae smiles. This is what he needed. He wishes that the chosen division will be the second priority.

"The honor will go to the Second Priority!"

Another luck came to him. He might be really blessed.

"And to add more challenge to this quest, he would pick a paper in this bowl and the name inside it will be the one he will protect for a span of time. Priest Kydae, are you ready?"

Kydae wishes that it would be Mayune. Mayune please... Mayune...

Myra looks very angrily to the events that are happening. The first thing is that Mayune didn't belong to her division. Second is that the incoming declaration ceremony is coming near and still Kydae is their choice. And lastly is that Kydae might pick up Mayune's name and it will ruin her plan.

Kydae pick a piece of paper and handed it over to Father Orazal. "Let's see..." Kydae is very nervous. Just spit it out whoever may that be.

"Mayune Kisuwa!" the Gods really don't allow evil to reign over good. He thanks Odin for this blessing.

She wasn't sure what is happening now but she was awaken by the calling of her name. She sits down properly ready to apologize at her manner. The priest namely Kydae Suzuki went over her and bows her head. Stunned, she bows her head also in respect.

"It's an honor to protect you, Acolyte Mayune." Hey, what happened? How long did she sleeps? What will she answer? Wait, this thing will do...

"The honor is mine, Priest Kydae."

"WHAT! YOU WILL JOIN ME WHEREVER I GO!" Mayune was shocked to hear the priest's condition. Just a while ago, this priest explained to her what happened in the church. And now he wants to be with her what matter she had to attend.

"Of course, Mayune. It's my job. I'm here to protect you so I need to stay with you always. And besides, having me with your side will ease the priesthood training for you. Isn't that good for you?"

"Oh well, you have the point but..."

"You forgot to respect your superior..." Kydae smile inside but still serious looking outside. He found amusing quarrelling with this Acolyte. But still, he couldn't find any interesting matter that will affect Myra.

Mayune bows her head lowly. As soon as the priest couldn't see her face, she raises an eyebrow in irritation. When she faces the priest again, she looks in apologizing manner.

"Sorry, Priest Kydae for my behavior."

Kydae nodded his head and walk back and forth. "Good... From you own safety; you will always follow my instructions, clear?"

"Very well..." Mayune control her rising temper and manages to fake a smile.

"What is the schedule of your division today?" Kydae inquired. Mayune opened a small notebook and scan for details. As soon as she found the right page, she read it aloud.

"Schedule of second priority for today: this afternoon, the second priority will take a tour outside Prontera. It will take about two hours. After that, we will be heading to a public infirmary and help the priests that is assigned to heal injured patients then..."

"Stop." Mayune stopped instantly. She is like a robot which is remote control. Whatever he's master wishes to do with her, she will obey with no objection. Is this a punishment for all her deeds?

"I had enough for this morning. I want to take a rest. Show me the way to the place you're spending your night."

"You will sleep in MY room!" Mayune shouted. She only receives soft laughter.

"Of course not. I just wanted to check your place. I just remember it when I speak on resting. Why won't we go now?"

Mayune sighed and walk toward an inn.

In a dark spacious room, a lady is sitting on a high chair like a throne. She laughed on her demonic voice, sweet but deadly. The laughter echoed in the place.

"This is great! Priest Kydae was assigned to protect an acolyte for the completion of his training... Now I know... A very good plan..." And then she laughed again. A lady went in and kneeled before the lady.

"My Lady, she is now outside waiting. Shall we let her in?"

"Of course!" The other lady left. After a while, a young lady wearing a dark violet dress due to the less light of the room. Her hair is loose and show a wavy style. It was darker than it seems to be. The young lady smiled very sweetly at the woman in the throne.

"What do you need from me now, My lady?"

The one they are calling My Lady smiled back. "Your skill is invulnerable and so your cooperation is needed."

The young lady smiled in understanding. "What do you wish for me to do?"

"Eliminate the Acolyte Priest Kydae is protecting."

The young lady chuckled and looks mockingly at the older woman. "I have so many plans for that girl but I know your plan and it is really nice..."

"It is very easy for you to do since you also belong to the church, priestess..."

The priestess laughed. "Even I'm not, My Lady... I will eliminate that clumsy girl smoothly. Oh, how I wanted to see the disappointed face of Kydae and the church! At last, I could revenge to that damn priest and his dream! I can't wait!"

The other lady laughed as well. They are both celebrating for their incoming victory against Kydae.

"My back ache and everything on me! That division is surely strict!" Mayune blurted to herself as she sat down on a bench around Prontera. She touched the side of her. "I don't expect that angeling is very strong! Her appearance is a big joke! I only guessed she is as strong as poring, the only difference is that it have wings!"

Her side aches again. "It's still hurts. I don't have enough mastery in the skill so I don't heal this well. But it's good to know that I can escape that priest's presence..."

"Who told you so?"

Mayune sighed as she turn around and face the priest. The Priest sits down beside her.

"I thought to be alright to let you fight on your own so I pretended that I don't see you run away. But look at what happen to you. You're injured the whole day without the proper healing."

Mayune remove her hand in her waist and looks at the starry night. "I can handle myself in these kinds of situations. I choose to have it alone so this is what I've got..."

The priest positions his hand near the wound and heals it. The pain is nowhere to feel. "Do you feel fine now than before?"

Mayune blushes. This priest is attractive when he softens his moody face. "Y-yeah.. Thank you."

The priest rested his head to the back of the bench staring at the sky. "How does the training goes? So far so good? Does the method too harsh?"

"No... It's fine... Actually, Father Arsan is not that strict at all. The training is not that difficult and challenging since we only belong to the Second Priority. That's why I seek a more challenging opponent but I don't expect that it would be too much than I can."

Kydae stands up and laid his hand to Mayune. "To avoid this kind of accident, I'll walk you to your room at the inn. Just to be sure. Would that mind you?"

Mayune shook her head and smiles at the priest. "No... it's an honor..."