“There are many methods through which a person can cultivate mana.”
Joshua continued explaining.
“As a mage grows stronger, they undergo another process known as
Transformation
. Through this process, their bodies gradually change to accommodate greater amounts of mana and power.
“The stronger a mage becomes, the longer their lifespan grows. They can also retain their youth for much longer than an ordinary person.”
He paused before continuing.
“Together, mana cultivation and Transformation form a broader process known as
Inversion
.
“There are many different cultivation methods, as well as various types of magic that a person can learn. However, acquiring the knowledge required to master them was not always easy.
“Until a few years ago, most of these methods were controlled by temples, aristocrats, and wealthy merchant families. Anyone who wished to learn them had to join one of these organisations.
“But a few decades ago, thanks to the persistent efforts of our current king, academies were established throughout the kingdom.
“These academies offer a few cultivation methods to anyone willing to enrol and pay the required fees. This allows people to learn magic without having to join any of the major organisations.
“Of course, the fees are quite expensive. After all, these cultivation methods and magical teachings were originally contributed by those very organisations. The academies have to compensate them for making their knowledge available.
“Of course, their strongest and better methods are kept hidden and only passed on within.
“Another thing you should know is that ordinary people can only enrol in an academy ten years after their Awakening Ceremony.
“On the other hand, the children of nobles and those belonging to powerful organisations can begin learning magic much earlier.”
Joshua looked at the three children.
“The three of you, however, have been bestowed with artifacts by the gods themselves.
“Because of this, you have a much greater opportunity to become high-ranking mages in the future. It would be a waste to let the years before you become eligible to enter an academy pass without making use of them.
“That is why the higher ups of the temple of light have instructed me to guide you in learning magic.
“After all, whether you become adventurers, priests, or knights, your duty will ultimately be to defend this kingdom and fight against monsters.
“You can come here every day to cultivate, and I will guide you through the process.”
“Thank you, Teacher Joshua!”
Ron and Olivia stood up and bowed, expressing their gratitude.
Julian followed their example, though with a little reluctance.
Joshua waved his hand dismissively.
“There's no need for that.”
He paused for a moment before speaking again.
“Furthermore, I'd like to make a suggestion.”
The three children looked at him expectantly and nodded, inviting him to continue.
“You three should consider becoming priests.”
His unexpected suggestion left all three of them surprised.
Joshua paused, giving the children some time to think.
He smiled.
“There are many different types of magic. But one thing almost everyone agrees on is that Holy Magic is the strongest of them all.
“The people capable of wielding Holy Magic are priests and priestesses. As servants of the gods who created magic, they are also the primary fighting force against the forces of the Abyss.
“If someone wishes to fight against the abyss, becoming a priest is one of the best paths they can take.”
“Of course, an ordinary mage can sometimes become more powerful than a priest. But priests have the greatest potential to become the most powerful mages of all.”
Ron, Julian, and Olivia exchanged glances. They seemed hesitant to ask something.
After a moment, Ron finally spoke.
“But, Teacher... My father said that the temple doesn't accept commoners like us.”
Joshua looked at him in confusion.
“What do you mean? Can you explain?”
Copyright © [Nov] [2026] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
“When we were invited to the citadel, my father said the temple wanted to invite us to become its members and train us as priests.”
Ron paused, recalling the occasion.
“But when we arrived, they only explained a few things, showed us around, congratulated us, and offered us food. That was all.
“Our parents were disappointed.
“My father said that the temple probably didn't want to accept commoners like us as priests. That's why they never invited us to join.
“They invited us only to give face to Teacher Kevin’s recommendation.”
Listening to Ron's explanation, Joshua fell into thought.
‘Well, that shouldn't have been the case. It's probably not that they don't want to accept them.
‘Rather, those fellows might have thought that the temple would lose its dignity if it directly invited these children to join.
‘They probably expect the children to approach the temple and ask to become members themselves.’
Joshua sighed inwardly.
‘I suppose they've left the job of recruiting them to me. How troublesome. And I don't want to deceive the children just to get them to join.’
After considering how best to explain the situation, Joshua finally spoke.
“It's not quite like that. I think your father may have misunderstood.
“You see, anyone can become a low-ranking priest. It doesn't matter whether you're a commoner or an aristocrat. Nor does it matter whether you're a boy or a girl.
“However, becoming a high-ranking priest is an entirely different matter. It requires years of hard work and dedication.
“Even becoming eligible for the initiation into true priesthood requires at least twenty to thirty years of training, mana cultivation, and spiritual practice.”
Joshua paused to let that sink in.
“The temple didn't invite you to join because becoming a priest is a long and difficult commitment. If you're not prepared to endure those hardships, you might be better off becoming an ordinary mage or knight. Even a life as an adventurer could be a better choice.
“Becoming a priest is no simple task. And ultimately, the choice is yours.
“Moreover, if you wish to become a high ranking priest, it's better to begin your spiritual training while you're still young rather than waiting until later in life.
“That is why my suggestion is this: alongside your mana cultivation, you should also begin training for the priesthood.
“If you manage to meet the requirements for priestly initiation, you can join the temple in the future. If not, you can still pursue a different path and become a knight, a mage, or an adventurer.
“And remember, you don't necessarily have to join the Temple of Light. You can choose any other temple that suits your preferences.
“Regardless of what you eventually decide, I will continue teaching you mana cultivation.
“This way, you'll have a head start and won't have to spend those years learning everything from the beginning if you decide to become priests later.”
Joshua fell silent after explaining everything he could, leaving them to decide for themselves.
The three children exchanged glances, each seeming to want to say something. Yet none of them knew quite what to say, so they remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.
After a while, Julian stood up.
“Is a priest greater than Sera?”
Joshua was startled by the unexpected question. But what surprised him even more was the way Julian had referred to the baroness without any title or respect.
There was even a hint of resentment in the boy's voice.
‘I've heard about the punishment Lady Sera inflicted upon his family.
‘Personally, I believe she was justified in what she did. She is the baroness, after all.
‘Still, it's only natural that his parents would hold some resentment towards her.’
Joshua studied Julian's expression.
‘But... I suppose even children can hold grudges.
‘He doesn’t even seem to understand the ranks of nobility or how low a baron is in the ranks of aristocrats. To him, Sera seems to be the representation of a noble and highest authority.
‘I should correct his behaviour, but…’
After a moment's thought, Joshua decided to answer his question first.
“Not just any priest. You would have to become a high-ranking one.
“The temples play a pivotal role in defending this world against demonic forces. Their priests risk their lives confronting terrifying creatures and dangers beyond ordinary people's understanding.
“As a result, they are naturally held in high regard.
“They are the heroes who protect this world. They are the swords of heaven, fighting at the forefront against the forces of the Abyss.
“Most priests also enjoy considerable wealth, prestige, influence, and power. Many of them hold positions far greater than those of ordinary low-ranking nobles.
“As for the high-ranking priests, even the king himself would show them respect.”
Joshua paused before continuing.
“Becoming a noble is no easy matter either. The established noble families rarely allow outsiders to enter their ranks. In most cases, one has to marry into a noble family to become part of it.
“At the very least, rising through the ranks of the temple is relatively easier than ascending the ranks of nobility.”
Joshua fell silent.
After a brief pause, Julian spoke again. This time, his gaze was resolute.
“Then I will learn. Please take care of me.”
He bowed before Joshua.
‘This child…’
Joshua looked at him thoughtfully.
‘It's not good for a potential future high ranking mage to hold a grudge against someone powerless like Sera who does good for the land and its people.
‘But he's still young and doesn't understand much about the world. If this resentment can at least motivate him to become stronger, then perhaps...
‘Besides, the temples won't allow anything bad to happen to the people of Ravenscrest house. Especially now that there are only three of them left after the massacre. So I suppose it should be fine.’
Joshua nodded.
Then Ron stood up.
“Teacher, when we were kidnapped by the Dark Mages, it was Teacher Kevin and Grandpa Benedict who saved us.”
His eyes filled with admiration.
“Teacher Kevin is so cool! He is a hero. Everyone admires him.
“I want to become just like him, a hero who fights evil and saves people.”
He bowed.
“So I'll learn too. Please teach me!”
Joshua nodded with a smile.
Seeing Ron's enthusiasm, Olivia immediately stood up and bowed as well.
“Please teach me too!”
She didn't seem to have given the matter as much thought as the other two, but she had decided to follow Ron's example.
“Good.”
Joshua smiled, feeling relieved.
‘Somehow, I've managed to convince all three children to pursue the priesthood. I can report this to the higher-ups now.
‘So troublesome. Why do I have to do this sort of thing? I feel like I am degrading myself like this.’
Joshua sighed helplessly inside.
Just then, something caught the corner of his eye.
Joshua turned towards the window.
A bird was perched nearby. The moment its gaze met his, it spread its wings and flew away.
Joshua watched it leave, his expression unchanged.
He then turned back to the children.
“If you truly wish to become priests or priestesses of a temple, you will eventually have to complete your true initiation. Only then can you become an acolyte under the guidance of a high-ranking priest, provided you meet the necessary qualifications.
“However, before that, anyone who wishes to begin training for the priesthood must first undergo an initiation ceremony performed by an authorised priest.
“Generally, any priest above the lower ranks, or someone who has already completed their own initiation, is qualified to perform this ceremony.”
Joshua paused briefly.
“The fifth day from today is considered auspicious. I'll perform a preliminary initiation ceremony for the three of you on that day.
“It's nothing particularly grand. You can invite your parents and a few other people if you wish.
“After that, you can officially begin your training as a mage. I will teach you the cultivation method used by the priests of the Temples of light.”
“Yes!” all three children replied enthusiastically.
Joshua then picked up three books he had previously placed on a nearby pew and handed one to each of them.
“These books contain some basic information about mana cultivation, along with a few introductory methods.
“Don't lose them, and don't show their contents to others.”
“Thank you, Teacher!”
The three children accepted the books eagerly, their faces filled with excitement.
“Ah, I just remembered something. I need to take care of a small matter. I'll be back shortly.”
He gestured towards the books.
“Until then, go through them.”
The three children nodded enthusiastically and immediately opened their books, eager to read what was inside.
Joshua watched them for a moment before quietly leaving the Nav and making his way upstairs.
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