Chapter 104 - HER POTENTIAL

Rosemary Temple

Saint Ava was praying in her usual place. She sensed someone entering the prayer room. She didn't bother to pay attention. After she was done praying, she got up from the floor and turned around. 

Seeing the Head Priest, she quietly went outside the prayer room. The Head Priest was done with his prayer and also left the room. He met her in the hallway.

"What brings you here?" Saint Ava questioned him. There was no urgency in her voice.

The Head Priest gave her a skeptical look before he started walking. She followed him. "Do you not know why I came here today without giving you prior notice?"

"I'm not a mind reader, Head Priest," Saint Ava stated.

The Head Priest commented, "You certainly are not a mind reader but you know about someone that I don't. How is Veronica doing?"

"How am I supposed to know how she is doing?" Saint Ava shrugged. "I didn't keep any tabs on her after she left."

"Are you sure?" The Head Priest mentioned, "An unnatural phenomenon had been seen in the Govin Desert. I've sent someone to check it out. They gave me some unbelievable information."

"Oh? What did they say?" Saint Ava casually asked.

"They said half of the desert turned into a forest," saying that the Head Priest observed her reaction.

However, there wasn't that much of a change in her expression. She remarked, "This is indeed unbelievable. Was that person responsible in the right mind?" 

The Head Priest let out a deep breath. Afterward, he said,  "I know you are stubborn at some point and I don't pressure you for anything. But this isn't just about healers anymore. This is political." 

He paused before continuing, "Out of all the healers, only one healer hasn't been baptized yet. When other healers were baptized, they weren't engulfed with pure light. The healers who were at Riverhill camp came back a month ago. Other healers who went to Synetia came back as well. The only person who wasn't with them was Veronica. She went missing at the Synetian victorious ball. No one ever saw her after that."

"A month ago a strange incident occurred in the Govin desert and it could only be done by a healer. An exceptionally strong healer who can revive the life of the land. The healers who went to Synetia, we have interrogated them all. They all said the same thing. Veronica didn't have enough power and she was wearing a necklace with green stone. Ava, have you given her that necklace to prevent her from showing her true power?" he questioned her.

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Flashback - 

A month ago, Saint Ava was praying as usual. There were thirteen candles around her and the candlelights were turning. 

All of a sudden, she visioned a strong light and a small green gem that shattered in the light. She felt tightness in her heart and it made her unable to breathe. After that, a gust of wind almost swept her out of her feet. At that moment, all thirteen candles were extinguished simultaneously. 

She opened her eyes. Her body was trembling due to the unexpected wave. Cold sweats formed on her forehead. She covered her face and muttered, "Oh no. What has she done?"

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From that day, she was waiting for the Head Priest to show up. And there he was.

Saint Ava was prepared. She immediately answered, "Did I? I don't remember such a thing." 

The Head Priest sighed. "You and I both know there is only one green stone that can prevent someone from using their true power. It was broken and the small part of that stone was hidden in this temple. I already know you gave it to her. You don't have to pretend. There is no logic for her to get it from someone who has the larger part of the stone."

"If you know already, then why did you ask?" Saint Ava inquired though she didn't look like she was interested. 

The Head Priest said, "I asked you to confirm. Why did you try to hide her power?"

"Is that really a problem now?" Saint Ava strolled in the garden and watered the plants. 

The Head Priest helped her water the plants and at the same time, he said, "Ava, she is important. I already heard about her successful mission. I think she is ready. Has her power awakened?"

Saint Ava bluntly shared her point of view, "She is not ready. A naïve girl like her will only cause trouble. That's why you don't need her yet. As long as I'm alive, I will take care of everything. You can rest assured."

"So, you won't go back on your word." It wasn't a question that he needed to confirm. He spoke in a firm tone only to clear her head. 

"I won't," Saint Ava responded.

The Head Priest inquired, "Is this position hard to let go of?"

"If it was all about position, it wasn't hard to let go. Leave, if you are done talking. I have a business to take care of," Saint Ava said without looking back.

The Head Priest put down the water pot and told her, "I will come back again to ask about her condition. If anything changes within her, you will be the first person to know. I hope next time you give me the correct answer." After that, he left. 

Saint Ava finished watering the plant and went to the kitchen to prepare her meal. 

While eating, she recalled giving Veronica a necklace with a green gem that looked exactly like her eyes. Saint Ava gave it to her when she (Veronica) finished her six months of training and was ready to head to the temple of the Head Priest's request. She warned Veronica not to take it off even for a second. 

She placed her chin above her hand and mumbled, "What could have happened that made her force her power out and destroy such an expensive stone?"