Chapter Seventy: [Archpriestess]

The carriage stops and Jessica watches as Nafissa opens the door. Nafissa exits with a small hop, turns around, and extends her hand towards Jessica invitingly.

“We are here at Darren, Jessica,” she says.

Jessica nods, gets off her seat, and then takes Nafissa’s hand who helps her off the carriage.

Jessica looks around and immediately notices the other [Priestesses] exiting from the line of carriages.

She then gazes around at the dreary looking buildings of Darren. Many of them have been damaged from the fighting and unrest due to the long plague. Farther down, she can see a sizable crowd of people, many of which are injured. It is clear that they want to come forward, to beg for help, but can't do so yet due to the large number of armed city [Guards] keeping them from approaching.

“Jessica, come. We must unpack.”

Turning towards the sound, Jessica finds a large bag of supplies being pushed into her arms by Nafissa.

“We are only here for a few days. Let us not waste light.”

Nafissa turns and begins walking.

Jessica, having not noticed it before because the carriage had been blocking her view, looks up towards the fifty foot high marble church. She then looks back down and notices the head [Priest] who is conversing with a very well dressed man.

“Jessica, come.”

She blinks before following Nafissa, but her gaze stays on the golden robed man with the velvet cape.

“Who is that?” Jessica asks Nafissa while moving towards a back entrance to the church.

“That is [Lord] Demetrus, one of the more powerful and dangerous [Lords] of this city. If you meet him, show him utter respect. Do not offend him or any of the [Nobles] while we are here.”

Jessica nods, though she dislikes the man but does not understand why.

To Jessica, the interior of the church is massive with many rooms, most containing fully furnished furniture such as beds, tables, chairs, and even a dresser.

Regardless, Jessica find it annoying that instead of having the [Priestesses] each get their own room, they have to share their chambers, two to a room, and are only allowed to occupy the left wing.

After finishing preparations, Jessica and all of the [Priestesses] are taken to the audience room; a large room taking up most of the internal space of the church. Within the room are many chairs for people to sit and listen to sermons.

In one corner is food, water, medicine, and bandages. It is the station where Jessica is designated to stay at. Her job is to retrieve anything that the [Priestesses] request or need once they begin their work on healing people.

Once everyone is positioned, the doors open, two [Guards] entering, followed by a large crowd of injured and sick. They move slowly in droves with expressions of hope and expectation.

“Welcome to the great church of Eir, please take a seat before we administer healing to those that need it,” says the [Priest].

Some limp to seats, others run, but most walk. The seats become quickly filled, forcing many to find places on the floor.

Finally, as the last of those injured enter, several well dressed young men arrive. They do not sit, instead they lean on the door near the entrance.

It doesn't take long before the [Priest] begins speaking, talking about the greatness of Eir, mentioning the gracious and compassionate [Lord] Demetrus, who is spending a great deal of money so as to heal those in the city. Words about compassion, about loyalty, about helping people.

__

Jessica frowns at those words. She understands that money is needed for the [Priestesses] to survive. “But should it not come from voluntary donations?” she thinks to herself. “Shouldn't they help without asking anything in return? Is that not what Eir teaches?”

Questions upon questions form in Jessica's mind, but they do not last as the [Priestesses] begin their work. Injured are brought to the [Priestesses] and the [Spells] are cast. It doesn't take long before Jessica has to run frantically to deliver supplies.

_____________________________________

“I’m so tired!” Jessica yells while falling face first onto the bed.

Nafissa chuckles as she sits next to her, her own complexion showing exhaustion as well.

“It was a busy first day, but you did very well Jessica.”

Jessica groans.

“Don't worry, the next few days will be much easier. The first day was only for the most gravely injured.”

Jessica turns her head, her gaze landing on Nafissa’s smiling face.

Jessica wiggles to the side of the bed and taps the now open side.

Nafissa frowns and shakes her head, “I have some… other duties to perform. So, I will be coming to bed late.”

“What duties?” Jessica asks sleepily.

“Nothing of importance. I will be back in a couple of hours. You just go sleep in the meantime, alright?”

Jessica nods sleepily. Her legs are sore from all the running and the bed feels so very soft…

________________________

Waking up, Jessica licks her dry lips and gets out of bed. She looks around, allowing her eyes to get used to the darkness before leaning and grabbing a cup from the table near her bed. She frowns upon noticing it is empty.

“Water,” she says softly and looks around. She blinks and realises where she is and that Nafissa had not returned. Of course, she doesn't know how much time had passed.

Thirsty, she carries the empty glass outside of her room while her gaze lingers at an empty dark hallway.

She wants water, but it’s downstairs. She doesn't remember where the stairs are!

So Jessica picks a direction and begins walking, only stopping once she sees several rooms with light coming from underneath.

With her hands holding the empty cup, she walks towards the rooms, curious on why the [Priestesses] aren't sleeping.

As she gets near, she begins to hear grunting from the rooms.

Curious, she walks towards one of the rooms, this one with two voices.

She takes the handle and slowly turns. Opening just enough to peak.

Two men and Nafissa on the bed. All are naked. One man pulls her hair and forces her head towards his crotch, the other is on the other end, this one holding her hips to his own. They are moving quickly, smiles on their faces...

She remembers the men, both are [Nobles]...

Her gaze focuses on Nafissa. Her body has cuts while her face is ragged, red, and tears are flowing out of her eyes. One eye looks damaged and bloody, but the other eye is gazing directly towards Jessica…

*********************************************************

“NOOOOOOOOOOO!” Jessica yells, waking up from her dream. Her tears pour from her eyes while something seems to be holding her down.

“Shhhh, you are safe. Shhhh... breath... breath.”

The voice speaks to her softly for awhile.

“Naffisa, Naffisa, Naffisa,” Jessica repeats.

Time passes and as her panic slowly subsides, so do her tears. She finally notices that someone is next to her.

One of the kitsune is holding her tight, her tails laid on top of Jessica’s body like an impromptu fluffy blanket.

“What… what…”

“Shhhhh, it was only a dream. Just a dream. You are safe.”

A hand rubs down her head, straightening out her hair. The movement causes Jessica to relax.

Minutes pass silently as the tears keep coming and the hand continues stroking her hair.

“I’m sorry,” she finally says.

The Kitsune nods. “You dream of a harsh memory young one. A harsh one indeed, but one which makes you who you are.”

Jessica wipes her eyes and gazes at the kitsune confused.

“We beings of thought are less so dictated by our nature, but more so by our experiences. We learn and adapt. We succeed and fail. We live and we die. Knowledge transforms us to what we are. Do not shy from your experience, embrace it and evolve, for change cannot be stopped, only directed.”

Jessica opens her mouth to say something, but frowns. “You sound like Quasi when he is giving lectures.”

The kitsune’s tails flick in delight, “You are strong-willed, a very rare trait considering your age. Now, come, you have slept enough.”

The kitsune moves and assists Jessica to her feet.

“You used [Infiltrate Dream] on me.” Jessica states.

The Kitsune brushes down her grass dress, “I did. You were struggling in your sleep and I was curious about your reasoning. I apologize if I have erred.”

Jessica frowns, but finally sighs after a second. She never told anyone about what happened that day. She promised Nafissa that she would stay silent.

“I am curious.” The Kitsune speaks up, “If it does not bother you too much, can you explain to me what was happening?”

Jessica bites her lip. She is unsure if she should speak, but then realizes that it is too late…

“The church was selling the bodies of the [Priestesses] for coin.”

The kitsune nods slowly. “I see. I still do not understand fully and I will need to ask the Elder regarding it, but that can come after your training.”

Jessica peaks up. ”Training?”

“Ahh, I forget to introduce myself.”

Her four tails shift around her. “I am known as Yeosa, the [Chancellor] to the goddess Himiko.”

Jessica is astonished. A [Chancellor] is one of the most revered classes in any religion. They are those who have leveled the class of [Archpriest] or [Archpriestess] beyond two hundred. Rumors circulate about the class regarding the miracles and capabilities these individuals possess.

“You… train me?”

Yeosa nods. “Yes. That is why I am here. The Patriarch had requested me to have you obtain your new class and to begin your training immediately.”

“Class? I’m over level one hundred?” she asks in surprise.

“One hundred and two actually.”

She smiles delightedly, and then quickly frowns as she realises that Quasi had kept her level hidden.

“That jerk!”

He kept her class hidden.

“Where is Quasi?”

“He is currently working alongside Fuyeko regarding something about his greatest weakness.”

Weakness? What weakness? How is this Fuyeko supposed to make him less cocky and self centered?

“Take me to him.” she says with a cold angry voice that is dense with Aura.

“Hmmm, interesting. It seems training will be easier. Very well, let us go visit the Patriarch then.”

Yeosa turns and exits the room while Jessica follows behind. Two hallways, three floors, and they finally reach a door.

She can hear a conversation coming from the other side.

“Alright, the enchantments looks good so far. Removing the passive mana absorption and changing it to taking my own mana should allow better and more focused suppression.”

Quasi’s voice is coming from inside the room.

“Alright, let us do the test again. This should work better.”

Jessica opens the door and is treated with a sight. Quasi is sitting on a chair with what seems to be a bone gauntlet on his right arm. In front of him is a Kitsune who is breathing hard from exhaustion.

She then moves her hand to the back of her neck which then causes the dress to fall on the floor.

The kitsune now stands completely naked.

Then the bone gauntlet begins to glow a noticeable purple light.

“Well, it’s working. My testosterone levels seem to be suppressed. Still, not completely perfect, considering I still want to slam you into a wall and bang you from behind. Nevertheless, this is good progress. We just need to up the power and have the enchant react to any unnatural changes to testosterone. But that can be done later. Let us first focus on increasing the amount of suppression.”

Quasi stands up.

“Please, Patriarch, I cannot [Enchant] anymore.”

Fuyeko fall on her knees while breathing hard.

“I have stressed out my mana far too much already with these large enchants. I require time to recover.”

Quasi raises an eyebrow, “What do you mean recover? Your mana should be full already.”

Fuyeko shakes her head, “I have accumulated too much Mana Stress. My body and control have drastically decreased in functionality.”

“Huh?” Quasi says while rubbing the side of his head. “What the hell is Mana Stress?”

Jessica steps into the room, her hands folded across her chest.

“Mana Stress is what normal people get when they use too much mana too quickly. It damages the body's ability to use mana, sometimes even causing death or a permanent reduced ability to utilize mana.”

Quasi turns and looks towards Jessica and immediately notices the hostile look he is getting.

“Oooooohhhhh, I didn't even know that was a thing,” he says while avoiding her eyes.

She gazes at him for a good while before sighing. Her anger can only hold for so long after all.

“I think you are immune to Mana Stress. I’ve seen you use all of your mana several dozen times in a single day without being any worse for wear.”

Quasi scratches his hairy chin. “Really now. Do you know if it is body, class, or skill related?”

She shakes her head.

“Damn, that's another question I’m going to have to ask the elder. Hopefully she doesn't go to sleep again,” Quasi says.

Jessica raises an eyebrow and points towards Fuyeko.

Quasi follows her finger.

“Goddammit.”

Naked on the floor, Fuyeko breathes peacefully and soundlessly while her tails wrap comfortably around her body, serving almost like a blanket.

“Ughhhh, whatever.”

Quasi stands up.

“I guess I should sleep too. I’ve been up for over a day and I probably need a shower.”

Hearing his words, Jessica takes a moment to finally notice the bags under Quasi’s eyes. He looks exhausted even though his posture says otherwise. To her, his posture looks like someone who is annoyed that they need to sleep.

“I’ll shower when I wake up.”

He moves towards the sleeping Fuyeko, grabs her and puts her over his shoulder. He then turns to Jessica and gives her a smile. “I’m going to take her to a nice bed and then probably pass out with her. When I eventually wake up, I’m expecting to see you with a new class.”

Yeosa places a hand on Jessica’s arm.

“Do not worry Patriarch. I will train her well.”

“I wa-”

The hand on her arm tightens and pulls Jessica out of the room.

“You will have more time to talk with him when he awakens. Let us first go down and have you obtain a class.”

“I- Fine. Let’s go.”

Yeosa lets go of Jessica’s arm and begins to head toward the exit. Jessica follows behind.

_______________________

They quickly reach the entrance, and to her surprise, it is currently night outside. She exits the home and is immediately bombarded with sights and sounds of light and laughter that had been completely absent literal seconds ago. The majority of the sounds are coming from the Gejan, which are sitting and talking with the Kitsune. They all are gathered around several fires that have roasting meat on them.

Her gaze moves away from the Gejan and stops on a literal mound of dead monster bodies. At least a thousand if her guess is to be believed.

“Jessica. You can stare later. Let us get your class.”

Turning her head, a squeal of surprise escaped her lips upon the sight of a massive eyeball monster strapped on top of a boulder.

“What is that?” she asks while taking a step away.

Yeosa sighs before explaining for the seventeenth time who Animo is and why he is attached to the dungeon stone.

__________________________

Congratulations!

[Priestess] class has increased to level 102.

Level requirements met for class evolution.

Three classes available: [Archpriestess], [Archhealer], [Tyrant Doctor],

Class restrictions are in effect due to Entity Eir. Two choices have been removed.

Class Upgrade commencing.

Class Upgrade completed.

You are now a level 102 [Archpriestess]

+80 Vitality

+200 Mana

+2 Mana Regen

+20 Intelligence

+50 Willpower

Second Tier Angels Unlocked for Summoning.

Third Tier Angels Unlocked for Summoning.

Jessica does not feel any different from the class change. It feels more like it is the same than anything else. Though she is surprised she was offered three classes. Such a choice is extremely rare.

Regardless, [Archpriestess] is the class that she wanted anyways.

“I have obtained the class [Archpriestess],” Jessica says aloud to Yeosa.

“Good. You should have unlocked Second Tier Angels and gained a couple powerful skills.”

Jessica removes her hand from the stone, turns around, and then frowns towards Yeosa.

“I did not get any skills,” she says.

“What?” Yeosa says in astonishment.

“That is not possible. Class evolutions will always award something powerful. Usually a skill, but it could also be a skill upgrade. There must have been something else,” the kitsune says quickly while her tail flickers erratically.

Jessica frowns, “Well. It says that I have unlocked Third Tier Angels also. I’m not sure what that means exactly.”

Yeosa’s tail quickly relaxes.

“That is good. Very good actually. Unlocking the Third Tier Angels will greatly assist you in combat. A very useful unlock indeed.”

Jessica’s eyebrows twitch in annoyance. She doesn’t want skills for combat. She wants skills to help people!

“Is something wrong?” Yeosa asks at noticing Jessica’s expression.

Jessica sighs. “I was hoping for a skill to help me heal people. Not a skill for combat.”

Yeosa smiles. “It seems you do not understand how amazing Angels truly are.”

Yeosa turns and waves her hand.

“Follow me. Your training begins immediately.”

Jessica, annoyed, can only nod towards the older women who quickly leads her to an open area near the home tree.

Yeosa stops leading once she is at the edge. Then she turns to Jessica. Her gaze becomes steady and calming. Her posture is more confident and imposing.

“Pure worshipper type classes are actually very weak. The combat abilities of such classes are lacking tremendously. Our mana growth is subpar and our physical growth is nonexistent. A weak class normally except for two very important factors. The first factor is the presence of at least one healing skill. Not nearly as good as a [Healer] class, but is adequate for saving lives.”

Yeosa’s tails begin to glow as she extends her hand.

“The second factor is the unique ability [Summon Angel].”

Mana condenses from Yeosa’s hand and spreads into the air above her. Light and Air shimmer for but a quarter second. And then, a [Minor Angel] comes into existence. A complete replica of the angel that Jessica summons.

“Only our classes can obtain this skill and only at levels nearing one hundred.”

Yeosa points at the angel, “This is a Tier One Angel. Dumb and weak. Good only as a distraction.”

She raises her hand again.

“[Summon Angel].”

This time a different angel comes into existence. An angel with four wings and a body that looks to be wearing armor. The spear in its hand is even longer than what a [Minor Angel] carries.

The angel looks around with deep intelligence. The angel constantly keeps watch for threats while flapping its wings in a steady rhythm next to the [Minor Angel].

“This is a Tier Two Angel and is several times stronger than a Tier One. They are harder to kill and are efficient at killing. They are far smarter and can be directed to obey complicated directions. Their capability in combat surpasses most low level tier two classes.”

Jessica can’t help but look impressed and a little frightened. The thought of summoning a being that could fight something like an [Archknight] is a bit disconcerting considering she has no combat prowess herself.

“As for the Third Tier, things get slightly more complicated.”

Yeosa raises her hand and spreads her tails apart. They both begin to glow.

“[Summon Angel][Archer archetype].”

Another angel comes into existence next to the two other angels hovering in the air. This one has four wings but looks more sleek with more discernible features like muscles and facial expressions. In its hand is a massive bow instead of the usual spear.

“Third Tier Angels are regular angels with a specific kit of abilities. These angels are not stronger than a Tier Two, but are merely far more diverse. They excel in being summoned to deal with specific situations and enemies.

Jessica shakes her head. Though [Summon Angel] is a great ability, it is unfortunately not what she wants.

“I don't want to kill anybody. I want to help and heal people. Better angels are not going to help me with that.”

Yeosa smiles and raises her hand once more. Her tails begin to glow while mana converges to her hand in a torrent.

“[Summon Angel][Healer Archetype].”