Ch 12 - Church

Today was an important day at the church. Only going because Albion had turned 4. His family didn't usually go. None of them were religious in any way. Even if Albion met angels he wasn't much of a religious person in his past life. And even if his father ordered holy water from the church it wasn't because he believed in it but because the water was useful in helping people. The light mana imbued in the holy water was useful for purifying dark mana in wounds.

But besides the holy water, there was one more thing that his parents believed the church was useful for. And that was the expensive device given to all churches, created by the church. A crystal ball that helped see the affinities of people. All beings could naturally be more adept at using mana from certain affinities. Mana that they didn't have affinities for was much harder to use. Unless you were a mage. Sometimes if you had skills in the wrong affinity they wouldn't work.

This device made by the church helped show what elements they had strong affinities with.

Everyone: Bless it be.

Everyone said standing up as the priest walked up to the front podium with a small locked box. An event held every year. While the amount of children varied there were always at least 2 children in the village who needed their affinities checked.

Priest: As you all know, today's mass is special. Today we reveal what elements the goddess of life has blessed you with. Today we reveal the future potential you all have. The children that are here to take the test please arise and show yourselves to the goddess and your community.

All the children who needed their affinities checked stayed standing up while the adults or children who had already taken the test sat down. Albion was one of the people standing up. Much taller than any of the other children. But most likely the youngest. It wasn't four-year-olds limited to checking their affinities. Those that weren't here for the years before were allowed to take part. Adults who didn't know their affinities because they didn't have theirs checked had to pay for it.

Priest: I see we have many promising children around us. The holy spirits are telling me there will be great futures for those around…

Lily: Holy spirits my ass. There are no spirits of light around here!

Lily said floating above Albion. Lying down on her front in the air with an annoyed look. Her chest rested on Albion's head.

Albion: {What do you mean?}

Lily: This is why I don't like the religion in this world. Most of them are hacks. Those with an affinity for light magic call it "Holy magic." A SPIRIT OF LIGHT CAN'T EVEN SEE FUTURES! THEY ARE JUST REALLY POWERFUL AT LIGHT MAGIC!

Albion: {Ow.}

Albion winced as Lily was shouting very loudly. Angry at the whole religious community.

Lily: Oh sweetie I'm sorry. I-I just really hate religion. It wasn't even made for the right reason. In your original world, there was a Jesus. But he was confused. His miracles were just him using the positive magic that the goddess gave him. He didn't even know himself and so they made a religion about his teachings. In his fairness, he was a good person. But in this world… they made religion as a long-term plan for power and money. They didn't even know that the goddess they prayed to is real. All they know is that one female is blessed with abnormal power.

Albion: {So… this is all fake?}

Albion was listening to an actual angel debunk the entire history of religion. It was slightly funny to him. An angel not believing in religious beliefs and practices.

Lily: Besides the device, the saint who has the ability to use real "holy" power, and a few god-grade weapons created from the "holy" power. Yes. It's all just teachings completely made up and light magic. The real "holy" element isn't even called holy it's called positive mana or the positive element.

Albion: {So dad and mum were right. Besides the device and there's no reason to be here?}

Lily: {Yep.}

Priest: Albion, are you going to come up?

Everyone looked at Albion as if he had been staring into space. Talking to Lily with his thoughts. He quickly rushed up to the podium where a glass ball in a box was shown. The box lined with purple silk. The glass ball had crystals inside. All as clear as the glass ball.

Priest: Now precious one. Please touch the holy jewel and inject your mana into it. Reach deep inside of yourself and pull on the feeling of energy within you.

Lily: THAT'S WHAT THEIR CALLING IT NOW! IT'S A GLASS BALL WITH DRAINED ELEMENTAL JEWELS IN! WHAT BULLSHIT!!!

Albion winced again as the priest looked at him weirdly.

Albion: {Ow. Lily, please. Also as a child, I shouldn't be hearing you swear.}

Lily: Sweetie I'm so sorry! I just get worked up over things like this.

Albion: {It's ok. The more I think about it the more annoying it gets. For a religion that's supposed to help people, scamming money out of people is wrong.}

Albion placed his hand on the glass ball. Injecting his mana into it. Multiple small crystals in the glass ball lit up. A bright red crystal, a dark green crystal and light green crystal and then a blue crystal.

Priest: WOW! THE SPIRITS WERE CORRECT TO SAY THERE WERE SUCH BRIGHT FUTURES IN THIS ROOM TODAY! A STRONG AFFINITY NOT ONLY FOR THE NATURE ELEMENT BUT WIND, FIRE AND WATER! SUCH A MAGNIFICENT VARIETY! THE GODDESS HAS BLESSED YOU CHILD!

Lily: You did this more than her. You're the one that picked such a great family. Affinities are mostly genetic. The first people who had affinities were exposed to strong auras of elemental mana. You just received all your parents' affinities. Your father is Nature, Fire and Water. Your mother is Nature and Wind.

Priest: Young child. You may go back to your father. May you love a long happy life blessed with your many affinities.

Albion went back to his seat as his father smiled and hugged him. Though Albion wished his mother was here to see him take the test. Even if religion was fake his many affinities weren't.

He asked his father why she wasn't coming and he just said again that she didn't like the outside. Albion was concerned about his mother. This wasn't normal. She always looked so happy but he could tell there was some sort of sadness that stopped her from coming. Or even going outside.

Priest: ITS A MIRACLE! THE GODDESS HAS BLESSED THIS VILLAGE WITH A USER OF HOLY POWER!

Albion perked up at hearing the priest shout.

Albion: {Wait I thou…}

Lily: Nope it's just light magic. Not positive magic.

Albion: Oh.

Alekia: Something wrong Albion?

Alekia whispered to Albion. Worried as Albion had been spacing this entire time.

Albion: I… *Sigh* I just don't like this type of setting.

Alekia: Me neither. Neither were my parents. Want to go back home and tell your mum the good news?

Alekia smiled as Albion looked at him in surprise. Albion was more than happy to leave early.

Albion: Yes!

Both Albion and Alekia got up from the rows of seats and scooted past everyone. Making their way down and out the doors of the church while mass was still going on.

Walking home together. And when they both got home Albion jumped into his mother's arms. Telling her about his affinities. Of which she was more than happy to hear.