"I assume Mark already explained the matter of grading talents to you?"
Rather than outright replying to Fen's question, Hekarion only caressed his chin with a thoughtful look resting on his face.
"I only know that they are something about the purity of one's bloodline. As for how it's graded, how does it work or anything else…"
Shrugging his arms was enough for the answer. As his arms moved in the gesture holding an obvious meaning, Fen's lips curved upwards. After all, he was about to finally start uncovering the details of everything that was going on around him. While the time where he would consider it to be the utmost priority were now gone, knowing the background would still allow him to make rational decisions while still knowing its potential outcome!
"In short words, the purer one's bloodline is, the greater that person talent. Initially, everyone just called it bloodline purity, but you can see for yourself how bothersome it is to call it with that name every single time. Hence why it is called a talent today, as the purity of one's bloodline directly affect how rewarding his efforts would be."
Suddenly moving away from the desk he was resting his arse again, Hekarion approached a shelf by the wall. Picking up a strange, pyramid looking item, he placed it on the desk before snapping his fingers and covering it in a small ball of flames.
"You could consider the purity of the talent to work like this pyramid."
After a short moment, rather than getting completely engulfed in flames, the situation of the object stabilised. Right now, only its flat surfaces of every layer continued to burn, allowing one to peer into the details of this intricate thingy.
"Those at the very top are considered to be of the tenth talent rank. And just like the flame on this item, they can only bring so many fires."
The entire construction was created with what looked like equally sized and shaped cubes. With that, the first level only had a surface of a single cube to burn, while the second-highest one already had nine of them!
"Don't forget, that the talent is graded with how far you are from touching the very bottom of the pyramid. Someone's with the talent of value one has no limits of how much fire he can converge. On the other hand, someone with a talent valued as ten can barely classify as arcanist!"
So rather than the talent rising with one's bloodline purity, the lower the numerical value of the talent was, the greater effects one could produce with it? As initially counterintuitive it was, it took only a moment to reverse one's initial thinking to match it with the reality.
"I think I get it. But how does that apply to me being an apostle?"
So far, this protolecture was simple enough for Fen to follow it, yet he failed to notice any connection between what Hekarion was speaking and what was the initial question in the first place.
"It's pretty simple. Those with the talent of one, prime talent, are called apostles. Simply because contrary to what you can see on this item, there is no limit to how much they can grow!"
Putting the two and two together, Fen finally realised what was going on. With how he was supposed to be one of the few descendants of the Phoenix bloodline and to add how his bloodline was awoken recently, it only made sense that his future achievements would be only comparable to those of the true Phoenix himself!
"But as great as it sounds, I need you to promise me one thing. You will act like you have only third-grade talent. And that's at most! In fact, it would be for the best if you could pretend that you barely scratched this range. This will still allow you to participate in the best class that the academy has to offer, but this kind of precaution will keep you safe. After all, it's better to not attract church attention, rather than going toe to toe with it."
For a moment, Fen felt a disappointment. What was the point of being talented if one couldn't flex it? But in the very next second, he couldn't agree with Hekarion's proposition more. Living his life to the fullest didn't mean stupidly putting himself at a risk, but rather, making the most of every opportunity he was given!
"I understand. Due to the stress of my initial, failed initiation, I was unable to overcome the pain on the sacred pool, setting it alight and stalling my talent awakening just beyond the minimum required to classify me as the third grade. Is that right?"
Just to make sure, Fen combined all the information that he got so far and combined them into what appeared to be a plausible excuse of a story. Seeing Hekarion nod his head in approval, I could breathe with relief. Since he wasn't going to question this fake story of mine, the chances that anyone else would were abysmal!
"Okay then. Since those problematic matters are settled, there is no point in wasting our time here anymore."
Instantly moving out, Hekarion once again threw Fen into the parade of hastily moving around the place. Yet, rather than just using this time solely to move somewhere else, he also continued to explain some auxiliary matters to his soon-to-be disciple.
"Look, right now, you are sponsored by the Fire Serpent Archarity. That means they will shoulder all the costs of your education while taking a percentage of your future income for a set amount of time. As for your direct teacher, this burden will fall on me officially, but I bet Mark will want to monopolize teaching you. So keep in mind to consult me only about the problems that Mark will have problems explaining."
Step by step, Fen continued to get a better picture of the complicated relationship between this master and his former disciple. From how obedient Mark was in regards to Hekarion's wishes, one could tell that he had huge respect towards his former teacher, yet at the same time, there had to be some kind of discord between the two of them! But before the young man could ask around to understand the situation even better, Hekarion suddenly stopped.
Realising that he failed to observe his surroundings as he focused on the old sage's words, Fen quickly turned his head around, trying to make any sense of where he was.
Surrounded by nothing but lush greenery, the young man appeared to be in the middle of what looked like hedge labyrinth, with just a single gate, made out of iron bars, blocking his entry towards a small clearing filled with people.
"Wait here for a moment."
Without any regard for Fen's curiosity and doubts, Hekarion pressed his hand against the gate, instantly pushing it open. Despite how only a few meters separated Fen from his new master, he should be able to perfectly hear every single word he exchanged with someone inside, but to his surprise, not a single world reached his ears.
A few moments later, the old sage finally went back to the gate and nodded at the young man.
"You can go in. Mark already explained the situation here, so just wait until the end of the lessons before Jawal will explain the basics to you. Also, I need to go and prepare some papers, so I will have to leave you to your own devices for now. See you back at the archarity, if you won't know the way, you can ask anyone on the streets for the directions. Good luck!"
Not even giving the young man a shortest of moments to ask anything or clarify his doubts, this kinky old man left the place, nearly instantly disappearing in the labyrinth.
'I guess I don't really have that much choice now either, huh…'
Given the situation, there was only one path that Fen could take, and it was right in front of his eyes. No matter how much he wanted to change and make the choices of his own, the reality continued to push him in the situations where he literally could choose only between moving forward or just dropping everything and escaping from this place!
And the question what he should do now was too obvious to even mention it.
"Look who finally has shown up! Meet the Fen, boys and gals, someone who not only barely managed to qualify for this course but someone who had the galls to actually ignore the very first lesson!"
And as if slapping him right back in the face, this obvious choice of action instantly proved to not be as welcoming as Fen would like, the moment he stepped inside the garden hidden behind the gate.