"We're here." Kusa muttered unenthusiastically.
A ghost of a smile appeared on the heads lips, "yes, brace yourself, the bishop is dangerous." His tone was cautious, yet his scrutinizing gaze fell upon the wooden double doors, as if he was peering through.
"It isn't nice to stare, head priest." the words were said in a condescending tone, as a figure manifested behind them.
"Hello, Bishop."
The head priest's red eyes swiveled, as the form of the bishop fully manifested. His black hair cascaded over his shoulders, a white robe dons his features, as his magenta eyes peered into the head priests. His pale skin shone in the moonlight.
"We've retrieved the body."His tone was flat and showed no hint of shock nor annoyance.
'This is another reason the Bishop is dangerous, his magic is beyond my current understanding.' The head mused.
"Mm, I don't like your tone… Say it properly, Shinji Mukura." A sly smirk etched its way onto his features.
"Is this really necessary, sir bishop?" Kusa voiced his thoughts on the matter, head lowered before the bishop
"Huh? Of course it is! It amuses me, to see those with such pride, be humiliated before me." His tone was filled with glee as his smirk grew into a grin.
Kusa sweat dropped as he whispered, "whatever you say, crazy bastard…"
"I apologize for overstepping, great bishop…"Shinji's tone was soulless, masking his annoyance.
"Good, now, how strong is his Kairo?" He peered at them awaiting their next words.
"As we examined, it seems to be above the average mage, and passes the criteria we've established." Shinji explained in an even tone.
The bishop clasped his chin in contemplation, "I see… Do you believe he has potential?"
"Yes. I believe he can even surpass you one day."
The air stilled as the space they were in started to distort.
"What the!" Kusa gasped.
"You believe that boy could surpass me?" With a snap of his fingers the air returned to its original state.
'I almost died! What the hell is that bastard thinking in provoking the bishop?!'
"Of course, sir bishop." Shinji remarked in an amused tone.
"I see… We'll see if he survives training, only then will I consider your ridiculous claim; for I am a celestial wizard.
Below the church…
'My head is killing me, where am I?' I scanned my surroundings spotting various children waking up just as I did.
"Hey where are we?!" A child sported the familiar black gown along with bushy black hair, his brown eyes were filled with uncertainty, his brown skin was illuminated by the bright runes engraved on the walls.
"The floor is so cold!" A young brunette girl murmured; her green eyes stared aimlessly, searching for something in the endless void.
"How'd we get here?" A white haired boy mused, his gold eyes shone in the dimly lit cavern.
"It doesn't matter! I'll get us out of here!" The over enthusiastic girl threw her fist in the air with a content smile; her blonde hair barely reached her shoulders, her cerulean ocean blue eyes brimmed with excitement.
"You all seem lively." A voice echoed through the darkness. "Since this is the case, training will begin immediately.
Magic circles appeared on the ground revealing swords, spears, and daggers.
"Take one weapon, once you've chosen, we will begin."
'Training? What's this about? Weren't we in a church? Too many questions with no answers, I'll just take a spear.'
I reached out my hand and picked up the cold rod of iron, its weight was oddly light, along with it not being that much taller than me.
'How many of us were taken here? One, two, six, eleven. Including me, there's twelve of us in this place.'
"Now that you've all chosen your weapons, saints, enter."
Three sets of steps echoed through the darkness, only being illuminated when near. The instructors arrived, the only female wielded a basic spear, her posture was lax, and expression was riddled with boredom.
'She seems nice.' my gaze shifted to the man holding the sword, his posture was straight and upright, determination and will power oozed off his frame, and his intense stare laid upon his students.
'Glad he's not my teacher.' I glanced towards the final instructor, he wore a blank expression not giving away any boredom nor excitement, his posture was lax as he lazily gripped his daggers.
"You twelve have been chosen to undergo special training in order to exploit your talent and eliminate the cultus that litter our world! You will be a tool for the church, any rebellion will result in your death. We will sharpen you dull blades and create something magnificent! If you do not show results, death will be knocking on your door. Good luck, my dull blades!"
After the speech the space was fully illuminated, three sections are in this space, the grassland on the left side. It's spacious and filled with flowers, in the center is the cavern portion, solid rugged stone, finally on the right side was a cliff zone, and various mountains nearing the top of the cavern dwell.
'All I've known was the church, I was raised there, ate there, made friends; and now I'm being forced to hunt down cultus? This doesn't make any sense!'
I was snapped out of my musing by the loud voice of the sword instructor, "attention! As our great bishop noted, we will train you to the bone, until further notice."
The spear instructor sighed tiredly, "why was I chosen for this shit." She murmured. "Brats holding the spears, let's move over to the grassland spot."
The instructor wielding daggers yawned and lazily walked towards the cliff zone and motioned for his students to follow. They hurriedly traipsed after his retreating frame.
"We will remain here! Hahaha! Now all of you! Pick up your sword and hold it in front of you."
The children struggled to lift the blade but managed, "hm, ok… Now all of you, extend your right foot forward, and slightly shift your backfoot to the left… Excellent, you've seen to get the gist of it. Now hold that stance for six hours."
"What?! Six hours?!"
"That's too much!"
"It's unfair!"
A tick mark appeared on the instructor's forehead, "must I remind you brats on the punishment of rebellion?" His voice held an air of authority to it and the children feared for their lives."