"Hmmm," said Finn ruminatively. "I've heard the Pirest and Aulus conversation before. As the requirements to become an Aspirant Increase, few high Sequencers exist in this era. It's already very impressive to become an Aspirant! Combining our Mythralis, Port Habor and other small islands, there are hundreds of thousands of people or maybe even more. Yet, there are only less than a Hundred aspirants. Well, it's just my guess… I'm not counting the iterant Aspirants who hide in the dark…"
Without waiting for Marcellus' reply, he seemed to regain her vibrancy as he clenched his fist and brought it to his prominent jaw.
"And among these Aspirants, most of them are at Sequence 9! Uh, it seems I have gone off topic…"
"It's okay. That was something I was curious about as well." Marcellus wished that Finn could be like his usual self, quiet or boastful was fine.
"Anyways, it's already very, very impressive to become an Aspirant!" Finn repeated himself.
"You should be able to guess from the name. A Sailor is someone good at sailing. they gain immense strength and balance, They can swim like a fish and move agilely underwater just like marine animals., I'm so envious... It is the perfect sequence for those who wish to become true pirates, It's the truest bliss!"
Without waiting for Marcellus to press on, Finn continued, "After that, it's Sequence 8's Spellblade, and one level higher is Sequence 7's Dread Pirate."
Spell blade? Marcellus instantly recalled that Aulus had divined their pathway, isn't that a spell?
He asked as a confirmation, "Aulus?"
"No, when I first met, Aulus he told me he was a Sequence 8's Forgemaster" Finn said in a quiet voice.
"Forgemaster is what pathway…" Marcellus glanced around as he lowered his voice once more.
"This is just my speculations…" Finn was elucidated as he answered with a whisper.
He dropped his plate of stew and scooped the final portion before saying wistfully, "There are only three Sequence 7 Beyonders in Mythralis. The governor likely is one of them. Even if he goes to the Belfast diocese, he is still an impressive figure. Some Prefects might not even be stronger than he is!"
So the Governor is that impressive. Marcellus echoed in his mind.
"The second I know for a fact is the priest of Storms; he is a dread pirate"
"Aulus I suspect to be a Sequence 7 because it has been years since he told me he was a Forgemaster, he must have progressed I think he is a Sequence 7's Bone Caster"
In moments, the absentminded Finn said with a vexed expression, "As for what's above Sequence 7, I have no idea. Among all the citizens, perhaps only the Governor will know."
It had to be said that Finn's forthcoming did not match Marcellus' imagination and expectations of Aspirants.
Spellbalde doesn't cast spells? That was unexpected, some descriptions of pathways are confusing without context.
However, it was not as comprehensive as Marcellus wished to know. He wished to know about aspirants and grasp secrets. By doing so, he could leverage them to figure out the bizarre dream while Ayden was doing his investigation.
"Tell me all you know about sequences?" Marcellus was abnormally curious.
In a world where Sequence formulas were scarce to the point of them being taboo, Sequence 7 was probably considered quite a potent force. How could he let such information go?
"In addition, I also know of the names of other Sequences that are incomplete!" Finn said with a flaunting tone. he had just thought of it while recollecting.
When Finn mentioned the incomplete sequences, Marcellus's curiosity was piqued. "Incomplete sequences? What do you mean by that?"
Finn leaned in closer as if sharing a secret.
"They are shrouded in mystery, there are 22 pathways, divided into low, high, and divine sequences. It is almost impossible to reach a high sequence. Low sequences consist of mundane, Sequence 9, and Sequence 8. High sequences include Sequence 7, 6, and 5. Beyond that lies the divine sequences."
"A few pathways I know of include the Unshadowed pathway, Sequence 9 Unshadowed."
"The creepy Sexton pathway, with its Sequence 9 Sexton, Sequence 8 Forgemaster, and Sequence 7 Bone caster."
"The Jinx pathway controlled by the Church of Storms bragged Sequence 9 Jinx and Sequence 8 Gambler."
"The Sailor pathway also controlled by the church of storms, coveted by those who sought to conquer the high seas, was renowned for Sequence 9 Sailor, Sequence 8 Spellblade, and Sequence 7 Dread Pirate."
"The formidable Warrior pathway, for those who craved martial prowess, anchored by Sequence 9 Warrior"
"My Pathway Sequence 9 Apprentice."
Marcellus found himself memorizing these over and over again.
After his initial surprise, he realized that it was nothing unexpected for Finn to know so much he had spent his whole life in the church and chasing such gossip while Marcellus had actively run away from the church.
Having fulfilled his goals, he chatted idly with Finn for a few minutes until he realized he was not getting any new information. He stacked his empty plate of stew before telling him to leave with the plates.
As he watched Finn leave with the dirty dishes Marcellus went to bed, He thought back to the conversation ruminating over things he missed.
He had not forgotten to ask Finn anything! thankfully, in spite his ramblings.
In the quiet moments before sleep claimed him, Marcellus resolved to seek answers from Aulus. Two burning inquiries gnawed at his thoughts.
Firstly, he needed to delve into the intricacies of the dream ritual, exploring any potential consequences that might lie in wait.
Surely I won't sacrifice myself on a random day?
Secondly, the enigmatic Fontenot Diary had piqued his curiosity. If the esteemed Governor, a Sequence 7 in his own right, was actively searching for it, and Aulus himself was rumoured to possess similar powers, there had to be valuable information that could be gleaned.
Marcellus envisioned a lucrative exchange with Edwin as he considered the possibilities.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Marcellus drifted into slumber.
...
The next day after sword practice with Finn, Marcellus found himself heading west of Mythralis for the governor's house.
A stream of water tore through the land, with cedar and maple trees lining the banks; the air was so fresh, it was intoxicating.