When the other members of the Burnt Lioness saw Secat leaving with Hevit and being trailed by a man wearing a blackish-purple kurta, black harem pants, and a pair of boots with long abyssal black hair tied with a simple rope with silver bells. He had a devilish smile on his lips while he had an excited look in his purple eyes.
Many tried to push and shove in order to get a better look at the person who followed after their boss.
They didn't have to wait as Secat answered their curiosity as she continued forward, without stopping.
"I'll make it short and sweet as there will be a better time later tonight for any questions, Pella will explain. This is the new recruit Polemos the Mad One and the other is his partner Rose. Treat them with care."
Many were at first dissatisfied with the answer but when they heard that they were going to have a feast they erupted into cheers as they split apart to make it easier for them to leave the encampment.
Secat smiled as she walked through the split sea of people, while she continued to answer every question Hevit asked. Polemos was lost in thought as he couldn't wait to finally learn about Mana!
"Finally, some real knowledge of Mana, and finally get some of my questions answered.' Polemos thought as he couldn't wait to see his Master.
They quickly made it through the gap as they left the encamped heading to the Grey Keepers headquarters. Secat was riding one of the savage looking horses but it seemed stronger and was more intimidating than what Hevit rode.
She was riding a badger looking beast the size of a small horse.
Polemos was sitting atop of Rose's head.
Secat led as everyone followed behind as they quickly headed to the Grey Keepers headquarters.
When they arrived at the entrance to the Grey Keepers headquarters Secat spotted someone who seemed to be waiting for them. As they got closer the individual spoke up and greeted them.
"Hello and Welcome, the Head Cryptkeeper has been awaiting your visit, please follow me." He bowed slightly as he turned around and continued. "Someone will tend to your stead's, Rose can follow along as we will be taking the same entrance the late Elder Bones showed you last time."
Secat and Hevit nodded their heads as they dismounted from their stead's while Polemos slid off of Rose's head. As they followed after the Keeper.
...
Polemos was sitting in a chair in a good sized room that was filled with shelves upon shelves of books. He was looking through one of his cryptied journals as he waited for Gelu to finish up with her meeting with Secat and Hevit, to finalize their partnership.
"How much longer are they going to take to finish? I mean it is a big thing happening but Gelu did say not to touch anything and wait. I've read through this book already." He placed it to the side and reached up to his necklace as another book popped out. It was a book that held a fist of fire on the corner.
"Might as well pick up where I left off, before meeting with Secats lovely sisters." He smiled wryly as he got comfortable and picked up where he left. He had already read through the books three times over as he found it more interesting then the other books he had in his current possession.
But before he could get truly comfortable and start, he noticed from the corner of his eye that his journal was gone! Then he heard a questioning, cold yet curious voice from behind him.
"Such unique and odd runes where did you find this, I can't recognize anything at all and yet some leak a very small amount of Mana. Quite interesting." Gelu spoke while she had an intriguing and wonderful look in her icy sapphire eyes.
"You're not gonna be satisfied with the answer though, but if you tell me which ones are leaking, Mana." Polemos sighed as he put away his book as he gestured to give his journal back. "I did."
"Really?" Gelu had a look of doubt in her eyes as she looked into Polemos eyes to see if he was lying. But handed it back after leaving a small mark near all the one she could find.
"What benefits do I get for lying about it, nothing? It's pointless to hide something that's already been seen and besides it's my own coded journal for ideas that I had." When he got the journal back he was surprised by the many markings by the words.
"True, follow me. Just write them down when you have time as those should keep me occupied for a bit. I know many dead and current runic languages but I have never seen anything like it before." Gelu spoke as she turned around and left the room.
Polemos put away his journal as he followed Gelu back to her office.
"How much do you know about Mana, Polemos?" Gelu asked as she entered her office and gestured for Polemos to sit. "Or has anyone taught you anything?"
Polemos could only smile as he shook his head. "Little to nothing actually. I know the Acolyte stage goes to nine, the next is called Magician and I know nothing about it except it's name. That and I've Mana Washed my skin, muscles, bones, and marrow. Still gotta do the thing in the skull, gotta increase the power of my two and half a brain cell." He laughed at the end to lighten the mood.
"I know, I can use the fire, earth, and strangely instead of water it's like a silent dark colored mana really well. It's quite a terrifying thing actually. That and my natural affinity for Death Mana." He finished as Gelu sat at her desk and was writing.
She continued to write for a little bit as she silently put away her writing tools. "Well that's interesting, if not ok. You have a lot to learn, Polemos. The Acolyte Stage is the foundational start to your journal to understanding Mana and everything about it. It's divine, devilish, demonic, fierce, and so much more." She leaned in her chair as she slowly removed her veil.
"But like I said, the Acolyte stage is the foundation to build your knowledge as well as your strength. Consisting of the nine stages and the best time to Mana Wash yourself as well. The Magician is where you start to build your Mana Core further increasing your strength while also showing you the door to the multitudes of branches of Mana. I would recommend we Mana Wash your brain before you do advance, it'll be extremely beneficial for when you do. There are three stages for your Mana Core in the Magician stage: gas 1-3, liquid 4-6, and solid 7-9. 1-3 gains a lifespan increase of 25, 50, and 75 years respectively, 4-6 is the same while 7-9 gains 50, 75, and 100 years." She paused when she saw the excitement in her disciples eyes as a slight grin formed on her lips.
"Make sure you upgrade your spells and techniques as well, it starts from Common, Solder, War, General, Noble, Demi, and Origin. For now here is a list of books I want you to find and start studying. Once we Mana Wash your brain and create your Mana Core I'll give you a special mission. As for the beast and monsters, ask Secat as she'll have more information on them then we would. Since she'll be teaching you combat and those techniques she'll also teach you about your proficiency levels with your spells and techniques also."
The smile on Polemos face was large as he was finally able to hear some information about his current and next stage in Mana and find out what he could. But when he saw the list he was a little shocked as it was a small book. When Gelu saw his shocked face she smiled as she explained.
"What I gave you is a small amount of information, everything in that 'list' is vital knowledge and information as it will give you an incredible foundation for your knowledge of Mana as it is needed to advance and understand it at your current and next levels. Now run along Polemos you've got a lot of catching up to do." She smiled an icy smile as she also included other professions that would suit him perfectly. Especially since she saw that journal and the incredible runes she saw in it.
Polemos quickly lost his shock as his smile returned as he saw some interesting titles on the list as he nodded his head and put it away into his ring. "Thank you Master."
"If you have any questions related to your bloodline or Death Mana don't hesitate to ask as I'll teach you anything you want to know, as well as anything you wish to know about the gods. But for anything else after today it's gonna cost you for it. So do take advantage of today while you can, my disciple." Gelu smiled at the end as she waved Polemos off. "Now go, I have already informed the keeper in charge of your visit and they'll be expecting you shortly."
Polemos nodded his head again as he quickly headed out and proceeded to the room he was in earlier as there was a note on the top that said all the books could be found in the previous room.
"Well at least this'll help me understand the world I'm in better as well as increase my strength. Guess I'll ask Secat for further in depth training since Gelu did say she would know more about beasts and monster information as well as the combat information. So much to learn and so much to still explore." Polemos's smile slowly turned devilish as a fire seemed to be lit in his purple as as he walked down the hall releasing a small yet evil laugh.
'Death shall be known in this oasis.'