"What about the other one?" the young laity member asked.
"The second sequence 9 is called Accused. After consuming the potion, unintelligent people can be brainwashed by them easily. They would gain a fundamental increase in intellect allowing them to find and take advantage of loopholes within rules and laws, as well as the weakness of enemies. That was a mischaracterisation. I meant less intelligent, as long as you are smarter than them they won't brainwash you. we currently don't have any Accused in Mythralis of course we have Sequence 8 and Sequence 7 that follow it"
Marcellus tried his best to remain his usual self as he asked with genuine interest, "Is that all the abilities that Accused has? Do people not want to be Accused?"
"Your question is inaccurate; the question should be, 'What abilities does consuming the Accused potion give?' " The priest shook his head and chuckled, his blue pupils and face turned away from Marcellus to Edwin the member of the laity, the rotund knight and back to Marcellus.
"There are many kinds of things involved—brainwashing, manipulation, persuasion, deception and torture. Of course, it does not mean that consuming the Accused potion will immediately allow you to grasp all of them. The potion only equips you with the qualifications and ability to learn it.
"Accused, with their indirect methods of confronting adversaries, rely heavily on careful planning. Orchestrating a magical ritual demands meticulous preparation, a luxury seldom afforded in the heat of battle. Hence, it's common to find that many among the Accused cultivate intricate networks with one or several nobles."
I hadn't considered such a perspective until Aulus explained the Hollowed sequence to me. My initial expectations were completely different. Finn as an apprentice possesses the magical ability to escape from certain spaces, a feat that strikes me as profoundly mystical.
In contrast, my abilities as a Hollowed are centred around my abundant spirituality. I can create barriers using this spiritual energy, a power that's more subtle and less overtly magical than Finn's. This contrast in abilities was something I hadn't anticipated when I first learned about Aspirants, The means available to low-sequence Aspirants against their enemies might not be comparable to swords and guns… If I do say so It might be more beneficial to become a sword saint. However, it is easier to become a sword saint after becoming an Aspirant. Marcellus fell into deep thought.
The priest smiled when he saw this. "Calm down and ask your heart."
Marcellus fixed his gaze on the one-eyed priest, meeting the solitary blue orb with a resolute stare. "I've made my choice; I choose neither. If you wish to compensate me for using me as bait, then arm me with knowledge. I seek to understand more about ritualistic magic and the mysteries of an Aspirant. I'm aware that such knowledge might be worth more than a mere potion, so consider this an open offer for my assistance in your investigation of otherwise. You might find it amusing, but I am good with a sword" he said, a wry smile playing on his lips.
The priest stared at Marcellus with his blue eyes for a full minute without a word.
Marcellus did not cower under the pressure of the silence and his gaze. He continued locking his eyes with the priest.
"You must understand that once you refuse this offer, there will be no room for regret. I am not authorised to offer you another potion" Finally, The priest spoke again in a deep voice.
Marcellus grinned and said, "I know, but I respect the voice in me."
First, Marcellus already drank a potion of the Hallowed, taking another from a different pathway would most likely kill him on the spot, even if there was a 1 per cent chance of succeeding he sure was going to be the one to find out.
Secondly, A slow remedy could not work for an urgent situation; therefore, there was no need for him to tie himself to the Church of Storms, by that logic this eliminated both the option of becoming an Aspirant for the Church of Storms, leaving him only his choice as a way to receive both information and protection from them.
Under the premise that potions of the same Sequence were equally dangerous and him unable to obtain more information, he could only swallow the possibility of being used as bait, it was enough to tip the balance in his heart.
Furthermore, he could tell from the way The priest had figured out the true essence of Digesting and Ascending the sequences, from what Edwin Said He was a genuine sequence 7!
Marcellus wanted to advance!
"Alright." The priest turned to Edwin, he said, "Teach him most of what you remember and let him borrow a book at a time. In return, use him as you please and get Martia to test his skill"
Edwin simply nodded and turned around to exit, Marcellus a second late quickly followed.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Both of them ventured down, their footsteps echoing through the silent and vast stairwell and passageway.
As they went further they heard the priest's voice "Come back whenever you want"
Edwin pointed at the room behind the door at the intersection where Marcellus had met Priest Corwin previously. "Later, watch Ralf concoct the potion. It's the most basic part of mysticism studies. Oh, do not randomly touch things in there. They are either very dangerous, expensive, or both."
Marcellus simply nodded.
Edwin continued "I am almost certain Livius is not fond of your presence, He has been with the church since he was a babe as an orphan being groomed to aspire to the Sailor pathway, unfortunately, he has not passed the test, However, a welp like you have been in Mythralis for merely three weeks and seen the priest twice have been offered a chance at choosing and you rejected, heh heh, there is a lack of people like you in Mythralis"
Why should he be angry with me? Is it my fault? Marcellus mused, his thoughts drifting to recent events. Ever since I left Ingrid's place, I've been itching for a fight. I had to restrain myself from striking her face. Marcellus paused, frustration was evident on his face. Even if you don't reveal who Ralf is, I can deduce that he's the old, overweight knight. And Livius must be the young boy in the blue robes who wouldn't cease his hostile glares at me.
Marcellus smiles in a self-deprecating manner "People like me ?"
Edwin replied. "Ambitious people…"
"I am just trying to get by"
Edwin half scoffed half laughed "Martia will tell me"