The Shepherds Are Dense-Chapter 23: Holy Sword Warden Samuel

Each time a transcendent class progressed, it would get three random traits.
These traits blended together to create a distinct version of each transcendent class, with minor variations between individuals.
In the game, these traits were re-rerollable time and time again by going back into the progression dungeon. Otherwise, players might not have been able to try out other builds.
But Aiwass obviously didn't have any access to any shop items.
He could only select his advancement characteristics once.
But he had come to map out his career long ago—
In order to upgrade into "Master of Beasts," he would have to seal six element great beasts that belonged to him.
And each empty elemental card took fifty points of clean mana in that element to make.
As his priest level went up, his light and fire mana pools would increase—the proportion was approximately three to one light to fire.
Demon scholars, however, only received dark mana with level-ups. If they were contracted with an upper-level demon such as the Shadow Fiend, they might also increase their mana pool in that demon's respective element. While Aiwass's initial contracted demon, the Shadow Fiend, was dark element, it was still possible for characteristics expanding wind, earth, water, or fire to manifest during progression.
If Aiwass were leveling normally, then only his light and dark properties would hit fifty points.
Therefore for the remaining four—wind, earth, water, fire—he had to take the expansion trait whenever it appeared, regardless of what.
Even with that, he could still fall short of being able to get all six properties to fifty.
That would be left with two choices: either accept the experience penalty in order to unlock a third channel and take a class that increased the corresponding type of mana, or incrementally increase his mana ceiling with different potions—or depend on transcendent equipment to push his limits temporarily.
The general rule: if a trait manifested that increased wind, earth, water, or fire, he needed to pick it.
Only in a case of an unusual golden trait would Aiwass pause and weigh whether or not to skip the expansion this time.
But in a first advancement, only blue traits were allowed. And in caster classes, two of the three traits were virtually assured to be affinity and expansion.
So he had no decision to make—he just had to take it.
However, Aiwass had fairly good luck.
The Blood of the Candlebearer wasn't so much to give fire aspects; it might as well give light aspects. If his expansion roll was light, he would've had to take affinity, because his pool of light mana was already pretty rich—he wasn't a strictly Devotion-path caster, after all. No need to overkill his mana bar.
And the ghostly demon on Yulia was fire-elemental.
That meant Aiwass would need to create a fire-element blank card
prior
to that event starting if he was going to have any hope of sealing it.
He'd calculated the numbers: a level 10 priest would normally be able to produce 8 light and 2 fire mana. At level 20, that would be 23 light and 7 fire.
By the time Aiwass is at level 20, he would have progressed three times: automatically at level 2, and then twice ritual trials at levels 9 and 19.
If he were able to roll another fire expansion during those trials, he could acquire an extra 28 fire mana. With no transcendent equipment, that along with his existing 7 and this ability's 14 would give him a total of 49 points of fire mana.
With 49 maximum mana, if he had reserved 4 points the day before, he could then make a 50-capacity fire-element blank card!
And once he had "Phantom Demon: Flame of Contradiction, the Butterfly," Aiwass would have battle power beyond that of a simple fire affinity talent!
He'd be powerful enough to glide all the way through the conclusion of version 1.0 without a problem!
So Aiwass didn't hesitate.
As soon as the characteristics manifested, he stepped with purpose. That teardrop-like flame floated up on its own and dropped into his mouth.
The next thing he knew, the deception in front of his eyes collapsed in an instant.
His fingertips experienced a subtle burning ache. It grew rapidly, such as touching candlelight with wet hands.
He woke up instantly.
As Aiwass's attribute sheet refreshed, the freshly changed sections appeared before him:
Priest LV2:
[Basic Prayer – Lv1 (99%)]
[Fire Sacrifice – Lv1 (5%)]
Paths Unlocked:
Devotion – Layer One; Transcendence – Layer One
Mana Pools:
2/2 (Light), 4/4 (Dark), 14/14 (Fire)
Free Experience:
53
Path Trait —
Devotion – Flame Vessel Lv1:
You drank the Blood of the Candlebearer. Your soul grew. Your max (Fire) mana rose by 14.
Aiwass gazed dazedly at the bewildered Bishop Mathers, his face vacant and innocent as though he had just emerged from a dream.
He mumbled reflexively:
"I believe I just beheld… a red deer.
"It was shrouded in black thorns, bleeding… and its antlers blazed with white fire."
"—That was the Candlebearer!"
Bishop Mathers cut in instantly.
He touched the middle of his forehead, as though feeling phantom antlers there.
"The Candlebearer above.
His Grace has exhibited you such mercy?
You achieved the method of Fire Sacrifice on your
first try
…
He grumbled in wonder, obviously having trouble believing.
However, the increase in Aiwass's level was unmistakable.
As a more senior Devotion-path adept, Mathers could evidently feel that Aiwass had already tapped into the first level of the Devotion Path.
".What virtue did you select?"
Bishop Mathers did not even go on with his instruction. He leaned forward with urgency.
"I didn't figure you'd learn it right off, so I hadn't cautioned you yet…
You
must
select 'Fire Affinity' or 'Light Affinity' if you need an immediate defense.
So, which did you select?"
"'Flame Vessel,'"
answered Aiwass at once.
He displayed a faint look of nervousness.
"Did I… make a mistake?"
Aiwass exhaled an inward sigh of relief.
He thought,
Good that I progressed
ahead
of Bishop Mathers could act.
Otherwise, if he heard that warning and
still
chose Flame Vessel, it would've certainly annoyed him. But Aiwass needed to increase his fire mana pool ASAP, and no one could guarantee this trait would surface again.
So when it did appear, he
had
to choose it right away.
".No, no, it's not a big issue."
Observing Aiwass's worried face, Bishop Mathers quickly tried to reassure him.
"'Flame Vessel' is a great ability too—it lets you cast supremely mighty fire magic.
It's just. a bit awkward to wield.
Spellcasting will be stiff without an affinity ability.
But I'm not telling you it's bad!
It's just. not so flexible—
But in the long term, it's an excellent choice!"
Apparently, this result had not been in Bishop Mathers' master plan.
But looking at Aiwass still frowning, he clenched his teeth and declared:
"Okay, Aiwass! Pay attention—
You now possess mana on par with that of a second-rate spellcaster.
You simply don't know how to wield it yet.
You can begin by mastering fire spells or divine arts.
But first—"
While speaking, Bishop Mathers removed the gigantic key from around his waist—the one he had used to unlock the cathedral door—and presented it to Aiwass.
It was reddish deep.
So heavy, it felt less like a key and more like a broken sword.
"For the time being, the Saint Genevieve Chapel will be shut down.
I'm giving you the key. Use it to defend yourself during the next two months—
Don't underestimate it.
With a little fire mana, it'll emit a burning phantom blade.
Even if you can't move, alone it will fend off most enemies.
Just give it back to me on or before the Candlebearer Festival on January 1st."
The second Aiwass picked up the heavy key in confusion, he almost exclaimed "What the f*ck."
Because even though its name sounds boring, this key had an ridiculously overpowered effect.
It didn't just indicate how much Bishop Mathers held him in store—it also showed how grimly he perceived the current state of affairs.
And the moment he beheld the effect, Aiwass finally understood Bishop Mathers' true form—
[Key to Saint Genevieve Chapel]
[Transcendent Weapon (Deep Purple)]
[Dagger, Heavy, Blunt, Durable]
[Effect: Unlocks Saint Genevieve Chapel seal (Devotion Path only)]
Objective:
[Transcendent Module – Flame Infusion: Use 1–10 fire mana to enter Holy Blade (1–10 minutes)]
[Transcendent Module – Light Infusion: Use 1–10 light mana to enter Holy Blade (1–10 minutes)]
[Transcendent Module – Wind Infusion: Use 1–10 wind mana to enter Invisible Blade (1–10 minutes)]
[Spell: Holy Sword Technique (once monthly)]
[Requirement: Light 11 + Fire 11 + Wind 11, or Light 33, or Fire 33, or Wind 33]
[Instant, Contact, Immediate Activation]
[Effect: Sanctifies this weapon. Until the next sunset, it becomes the Holy Sword – Red-Hilted Blade (Sacred Weapon – Two-Handed Sword, Heavy, Anti-Evil, Sharp, Durable, Light). The bearer temporarily acquires Curse Vulnerability Lv4. Maintains active infusion effects.]
**"—A dagger crafted from the broken blade of Galahad. Its strength is hidden along with its curse."
No surprise that Aiwass had no memory of "Bishop Mathers."
For he was not totally from the Eternal Church…
He was from Avalon.
His real persona—
was the last boss of a mainline quest in version 3.2: "Shadow of Avalon"!
A paladin who has been placed under a curse by the fallen Kingdom of Avalon, bonded under the curse to the reforged Holy Sword – Red-Hilted Blade—
—The Holy Sword Warden: Samuel!
*
(Chapter End)