"Are you planning something?"
Merim, briefly knowing how Elihim thinks, asked.
"Yes, and I need you two for it."
The two that Elihim was talking to looked at each other.
Did you tell him that we've already talked? Both their eyes said so. A few days before this, Hresha called out Merim to talk to him about Elihim.
As a reaction, Merim probed her and began to mention what he knows about Elihim without revealing too much.
After learning that Merim was safe to talk to about Elihim, Hresha talked about her recent experience, making Merim realize a lot of things while clearing up a certain misunderstanding. Of course, just like Merim, Hresha omitted a lot of things.
However, that was the only time they talked about Elihim. They were certain that Elihim wasn't there so why does he know? They could only suspect one another that one of them have told this to Elihim.
It may seem that it shouldn't be a problem, however, it's more complicated than that. That one who 'told' Elihim about it is considered a 'spy' who is much closer to Elihim. In other words, one is an insider and one an outsider. Or more accurately, one is trusted by Elihim and one is not.
This is a big deal and the two of them know that it was not them who told Elihim. This made them worried.
Merim: 'I met Elihim for a long time now. Talked to him almost every week if not every other day. How can he not trust me?'
Hresha: 'Elihim already knows my past and he should be aware that I'm obedient to his words. Is that not enough for him not to trust me?'
Unfortunately for them, Elihim didn't say that he just predicted this outcome and that none of them told him. He continued without dealing with their worries.
"After this, Hresha, I will send you some instructions via my birds, be ready for that. In reply, you will give me every information that you have."
Elihim and Hresha have already entered a relationship where they would help one another. Elihim will help Hresha achieve her revenge while she does whatever she can for him. This makes Hresha more valuable to him as he had already got a hold of her 'loyalty' through admiration and dependability.
"Okay"
Therefore, Hresha didn't hesitate to agree even though there's a chance that she may be betraying the academy with this.
"Meanwhile, you, Merim, will drill the students with the lessons that Hresha will give you sometime after the flood."
"I will give him?" Hresha raised an eyebrow.
"It will come from me, don't worry."
"Oh..."
Elihim then looked at Merim and as he expect, Merim asked.
"What's in it for me?"
Unlike Hresha, Elihim only has a 'business-like' relationship with Merim. Neither of them thinks of one another as a friend.
"Of course, I will answer some of your questions depending on your results."
Elihim replied which Merim smiled in satisfaction as if he already expected this.
"Okay, I will do my best to get the best answers from you as well."
"Wait, what are you talking about?"
Hresha asked, feeling left behind. Merim has not told her about him learning otherworldly things from Elihim.
"Simply put, Merim buys information out of me or, in this case, complete a task for me in exchange."
"Hm? What kind of information is he demanding from you?" Hresha became interested.
Merim lightly laughed at this, feeling above Hresha in this field.
"Anything he asks."
Elihim frankly replied but Hresha was not satisfied.
"Like what, for example?"
"Like asking me how to become a stronger Imagi."
Elihim answered, however, not even once did Merim asked such a question. He did ask some questions with that intention but he always asked specific ones. Becuase if he did ask some general questions, Elihim will answer with general answers that everyone can think of.
This could also be seen as Elihim keeping Merim's queries confidential which Merim is grateful.
"Seriously?" Hresha suddenly envied Merim and asked, "Can I know that too?"
"Madam Hresha, I paid a great price to get answers from Sir Elihim. I don't think you can just 'know that too'." Merim scoffed.
"Hrn..." Hresha lightly groaned from this.
"I will tell you how once you returned. Expect some inquiries from my letters. I should know what level you are first before guiding your progress thereon."
Elihim unexpectedly said inciting two opposite reactions.
"What!?" Merim shouted in both surprise and frustration.
"Seriously!? Then I will expect it, later!"
On the other hand, Hresha's grin was ear to ear, excited for the letters to come. Who doesn't want to become stronger?
"Wait, Sir Elihim, isn't this a little unfair? I paid golds and have provided you some assistance but why is she the one having such privilege?"
Towards Merim's complaints, Elihim just answered.
"Don't misunderstand anything. I'm treating you too fairly. As for Hresha, there are just no formalities between us, thus, the moment she fails to do what I asked her, I will no longer provide her the 'privilege' you're saying."
Merim calmed down after hearing Elihim. However, this still means that Hresha is above him on this one. He decided that he should start becoming open-minded and befriend Elihim from now on.
Meanwhile, Hresha became stiff realizing what Elihim said. Although Elihim's words seemed light, in her ears, it was heavy and her life may even depend on it.
From what she heard, she interpreted it as such - once she loses value, Elihim will abandon her.
That thought was terrifying for her.
'I have to do my best!'
She was filled with resolution and also, fear of failure.
But they turn around to go back, Merim asked-
"Can I know what is your plan as a whole? If I know, I will become more flexible in the tasks that you will give me. After all, I'm aware I'm not perfect and will be able to do everything without mistakes. Once I make a mistake, I will not know what to do unless I know the general goal you're trying to reach."
What Merim said was sensible. Elihim chose to tell them. Although he already planned to tell them later, since Merim asked, it means it's fine for them to lag behind the returning academy. He had that kind of trust in Merim's intelligence and cautiousness.
"General plan... let's see... how can I summarize this?... Ah, in short, there's a dearth of war here and that's why the people are weak and stupid. Therefore, to improve the academy's progress, it will be the central figure for the wars that will happen in the near future."
Elihim said something great as if it was nothing.