Marcellus and Finn made their way to the room where a servant had brought their meals.
Under normal circumstances, such a luxury was not common for regular retainers, but Marcellus was different before accepting Edwin's proposal had fought three knights and killed two there was bad blood.
To prevent a fight Edwin instructed the servant to bring his meals to him.
Marcellus favoured such a situation he did not want to have to meet new people.
He and Finn sat down at a small table in Marcellus's room, where a servant had just delivered their meals. The room was bathed in the soft glow of a few lit candles, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere.
The meal before them was a rare luxury testament to Marcellus's unique circumstances and the recent events involving him and Edwin. The dishes were carefully prepared, with a variety of flavours and textures.
Marcellus took a moment to appreciate the fine food before him, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for his hometown of Wisbech. The thought of sharing meals with his mother and cousins, Kenric and Agnes, brought a warm smirk to his face.
Finn, sitting across from Marcellus, noticed his smile and couldn't help but ask, "What's making you smile like that?"
you look menacing
Marcellus looked at Finn and chuckled. "I have not eaten all day, bloody Edwin"
Finn nodded, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What did even he make you do?"
Marcellus was just about to answer when he suddenly thought of something. He looked around and suppressed his voice. "Do you know what the starting point of any of the Church's complete Sequence is?"
He had forgotten to ask Old Aulus or Edwin.
Finn's eyes widened as he looked at Marcellus in astonishment. "You wish to become an Aspirant?"
Was I that obvious? Marcellus' body language betrayed him as he answered in embarrassment, "Having learned that extraordinary and mysterious powers exist in the world, it's inevitable that I have some yearnings for it."
Finn swallowing something grumbled. "you're already a knight it is unfair"
Marcellus ignored him "What did else Aulus tell you?"
Finn looked thoughtful before saying "he did not say much, he tricked me, he said the apprentice would be able to teleport and live freely and learn from the world but now I am here..."
Halfway through his rant, Finn realised he was about to complain about Marcellus to Marcellus.
Marcellus did not mind, he would not sour his mood while eating. "Speaking about the apprentice, what are your abilities?"
Marcellus had not asked him before because he did think Finn answered truthfully, but now he was certain he would.
"I possess a set of rather unique abilities as an apprentice," Finn began.
"The first is called 'Door Opening.' With this power, I can pass through obstacles and other solid objects as if they weren't there. It's quite handy for sneaking into places or escaping from tight spots. There are some limitations."
"I am also now good at picking locks".
Marcellus noticed Finn did not reveal what the limitations of his abilities were. Everyone has their secrets.
Finn continued. "My second ability, Spirit Vision?"
Finn closed his eyes briefly and then opened them again, his gaze seemingly focused on something beyond the physical world. "With Spirit Vision," he continued,
"I can see spiritual entities and auras that are normally invisible to the naked eye. It helps me detect hidden dangers and perceive entities that exist in the spiritual form."
Marcellus listened intently as Finn revealed his abilities as an apprentice. The description of his powers intrigued Marcellus, especially the ability to pass through obstacles and solid objects, as well as the use of Spirit Vision.
"That's quite a unique set of abilities," Marcellus commented, his curiosity piqued.
"Wow, that's impressive, very magical" Marcellus muttered.
Marcellus was genuinely fascinated by Finn's abilities. It was clear that the world of Aspirants held many mysteries and powers waiting to be explored. He couldn't help but wonder how his abilities would develop as he delved deeper into this new path.
Marcellus was becoming increasingly frustrated as Finn continued to share his life story rather than giving simple answers to his questions. He leaned in, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
"Alright, Finn," Marcellus interjected, "you didn't answer my first question. What did Aulus tell you about the starting point of the Church's complete Sequence?"
Finn paused, seemingly oblivious to Marcellus's irritation, and then he launched into another detailed explanation.
"Of course, I do know," he began. "For the Church of Combat, it's Warrior, and for the Church of Storms, it's Sailor. Both are fitting, as they are powerful sequences. You see, I was once an orphan, and the Church of Storm took me in when I was young."
Marcellus sighed inwardly, wondering why Finn felt the need to provide so much background information. He tried to cut to the chase.
"I was nurtured by the priest to become an Aspirant for the Church," Finn began, his voice tinged with a hint of bitterness. "But after years of training, I couldn't pass their test. When I got older, they kicked me out. Unfortunately, the Church of Combat isn't very prominent in this part of the kingdom or the Empire for that matter. So, I ended up taking a different path and became a pickpocket."
Marcellus nodded in agreement, his impatience still lingering.
He yearned for straightforward answers, not a detailed life story. "I appreciate the insight," he said, "but what about Aulus? Can you condense what he told you?"
Finn blinked, realizing he might have been rambling. "My apologies. Aulus first mentioned Aspirants, when I attempted to steal something from him, and he revealed that he, too, was once like me—an orphan of the church. Despite years of training, he couldn't pass their test, and they cast him aside. He warned me about the challenges I'd face, starting with the church."
Marcellus considered Finn's words but chose to reveal What Edwin and conferred because he needed to confirm the plausibility.
"Do you know how perilous it is? Didn't Aulus tell you? The enemies of Aspirants are not just cultists, dark warlocks and the churches, but themselves! People lose control nearly every year. Some even end up sacrificing themselves! Aren't you going to consider how your family will feel?"
Finn fell into a contemplative silence before speaking softly, his voice filled with a sense of solitude.
"I have no family, Marcellus, none. I am all alone in this world. If I were to perish tomorrow, no one would care, no one would bat an eye. People die in Mythralis every day; we all meet our end eventually."
Marcellus couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for Finn as he listened to those words. He realized that their paths were not so dissimilar in some ways to Kenric and Agnes—both orphans, Although Marcellus' mother took in Kenric and Agnes.
"Life can be unforgiving," Marcellus said softly, his tone sympathetic.