Magical Girl

Chapter 12

Felido, holding the small pouch, quietly crossed the courtyard, avoiding people, and gently opened the side door. On the steps outside, a small figure sat curled up, hugging her knees and nodding off.

“Hey, country girl!” Felido called out.

Marlene woke with a start and looked up to see the red-haired boy who had returned, holding a familiar, shabby pouch—the very one she owned.

“You found it!” Marlene exclaimed, jumping to her feet.

But Felido didn’t hand it over right away. He kept it in his grasp and asked, “How did you come by this?”

“I already told you, it’s my mother’s keepsake. She left it for me.”

“That’s odd. You don’t look like someone who’d have a gemstone like this. Swear to the goddess that you didn’t steal it.”

Marlene, once again suspected of being a thief, sighed. “By the goddess, this ring truly was left to me by my mother.”

Felido seemed satisfied. “Good. Do you even know what this gemstone is?”

Marlene frowned slightly. Isn’t this just an ordinary ruby? It was under a carat, visibly flawed, and, in Marlene’s previous understanding, practically worthless. But this was the second time someone had implied it might be valuable. Could it be that due to limited gem mining and polishing techniques, even low-quality stones like this could fetch a good price?

She replied coolly, “What does that matter to you? This is my property. You wouldn’t dare steal from someone right in front of the goddess’s temple, would you?”

Felido sneered, “Of course not. I have more gemstones than I can count, all bigger and better than this one.”

As he spoke, Marlene suddenly reached out, trying to grab the pouch from him. But Felido had anticipated her move and raised his hand, leaving the shorter Marlene unable to reach.

Felido accused, “How underhanded!”

“You’re the one who’s underhanded! Why are you holding onto my belongings?”

Felido replied, “Are you an owl? Do you think I’d stoop to stealing your filthy little mouse?” This was from a fable, meaning something like a noble phoenix flying overhead, and the owl on the ground mistakenly thinking the phoenix would snatch its dead mouse, only to screech in protest.

Marlene grew impatient. She wasn’t good at dealing with teenagers, whether boys or girls. Young people sometimes did things for no apparent reason, making them hard to figure out.

“What do you want, then? I really am from the countryside, penniless. If you don’t care about my ring but still won’t give it back, what are you trying to accomplish?”

Felido looked thoughtful, sensing he had the upper hand, and said slowly, “In the goddess’s name, I can tell you, this is a low-grade garnet stone.”

“And?”

“Oh heavens, don’t tell me you don’t even know what a garnet stone is!”

“Of course not. I am from the countryside, after all.”

Felido sighed at her ignorance. “Garnet is a commonly used magic stone.”

Marlene perked up—so it really wasn’t an ordinary gemstone. No wonder Mirian had hidden it; she must have known the ring’s value. In a world with monsters, temples, and now something called a magic stone, it didn’t surprise her much. But from what Felido said, it seemed like this type of magic stone was valuable, though not exceptionally rare; otherwise, he wouldn’t have claimed to have so many.

“If it was your mother’s keepsake, was she a mage? A temple lady who served the goddess? Or maybe she used to be an apprentice here?”

If only Mirian had been any of those things, Marlene thought with a bitter smile, then her life wouldn’t have been so lowly and miserable. “None of those. My mother… she came across it by chance.” In truth, the ring was a payment from a client, but Marlene couldn’t bring herself to say that out loud.

Felido looked her over and said, “Yes, I believe that. The daughter of a noble temple lady or mage wouldn’t look like you.”

He didn’t seem to realize that his words were blatantly discriminatory. To him, he was simply stating an obvious fact. Marlene had heard similar remarks for years. She used to feel angry and indignant, but eventually, she grew accustomed to it.

“Do you think I chose to end up like this?” Marlene murmured. “I used to dress neatly and worry about boredom.”

“Here’s your ring,” Felido said, handing it over. “But it won’t do you much good. Without magic, holding a magic stone is no different than holding a regular one. You might as well sell it and get yourself some decent clothes.”

Well, that was her own business. “Anyway, thank you. If you ever need my help, and if it’s something I can manage, I won’t hesitate to return the favor.” Marlene thanked him sincerely. Despite his mockery, he had helped her, and she would remember that.

Felido sneered, “As if that day would ever come.”

Having retrieved the ring, Marlene had no reason to linger any longer. Watching her run off, Felido found himself inexplicably relieved. He stepped back inside and was about to close the door when he sensed someone’s presence behind him.

Felido straightened instinctively—was it Yanas? Had he come up with another prank?

But then a voice spoke from behind him, “Felido, it’s dinnertime. You’d better have a good reason for still being here.”

Recognizing the voice, Felido relaxed a little.

He turned, respectfully removing his hood, and bowed his head. “Father Vinsen, I’m very sorry. I’ll head to the dining hall right away.”

Father Vinsen was the youngest and most amiable of the temple priests. If it had been another priest, Felido would likely be facing a reprimand or even a lashing. But with Father Vinsen, as long as he could explain himself, there was usually understanding.

Father Vinsen nodded. “You should go soon, but first, I need to talk to you about that girl outside.”

Felido froze.

Father Vinsen spoke gently, “Don’t be tense. I’m not here to reprimand you. The kindness and compassion you’ve shown to a girl of lowly birth is a virtue, and you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Felido replied, “Yes, I only pitied her. The Holy Scriptures say: ‘A servant of the goddess must serve with a heart full of faith and compassion, for selfishness and arrogance are sins.’”

Father Vinsen nodded. “I imagine you’ve heard about the incident in the waiting room this evening.”

“Yes, I’ve heard some things.” The story had already spread throughout the temple, with even the guards whispering about it during their shifts.

Father Vinsen’s face grew troubled. “I actually saw the burn marks on Yanas’s hand caused by holy magic. It was clear he had attempted to unseal a letter protected by a sacred seal. I believe High Priest Leo saw it too, yet he chose to expel the girl. That decision puzzles me.”

Felido couldn’t hide his surprise.

“Of course, I’m not doubting High Priest Leo,” Father Vinsen clarified quickly. “As his subordinate, I trust and respect him unconditionally. Out of that trust, I didn’t voice any objections at the time.”

Felido asked, “But… why are you telling me all this?”

Father Vinsen smiled. “I’ve decided to send a letter to Auderin to verify the situation, but Auderin is rather remote, so a reply might take two to three months. In the meantime, I’d like you to reassure this girl on my behalf, so she can settle in and wait in Jetugara for a while.”

“Why me?”

“Aren’t you already friends?”

“Who would be friends with someone from Auderin…” Felido started to protest, almost jumping up in indignation, but he held back, given he was in front of a priest.

“According to her, this letter was a recommendation from Ash Priest for her to become a temple apprentice,” Father Vinsen added. “Of course, neither Yanas nor High Priest Leo knew about that. Now, it wouldn’t help to tell them—they’ve already lost faith in the girl.

Felido was so shocked he nearly couldn’t close his mouth. “That country girl?”

“Yes, if she’s telling the truth, you may very well end up being classmates,” Father Vinsen replied.

Felido pressed his lips tightly together, but inside, he was screaming in disbelief. This is ridiculous! He’d never seen a temple apprentice so shabby. This little beggar girl—if she could become an apprentice, then he might as well become a head temple knight someday!

He resolved to question her thoroughly the next time they met, to get to the bottom of this.

Father Vinsen continued, “You know that as a priest, it’s difficult for me to go unnoticed when I leave the temple. So tomorrow, I’m giving you the afternoon off. I have a reliable landlord in mind whom I can introduce her to. She’s new here and probably struggling to find a decent place to stay. Be sure to convey my goodwill to her so she doesn’t worry too much.”

After Felido left, Sister Cabena approached from behind and said, “And what if that Auderin girl is lying? Your efforts would all be in vain.”

Father Vinsen shook his head slightly. “Even if that’s the case, it’s worth the risk. For three hundred years, the number of clergy in the Holy Empire has steadily decreased, not only due to the elimination process of apprentices but also because fewer children with magical potential are being born. A girl like this, with no magical lineage but still possessing magic, is a rarity. She’s the first I’ve encountered since joining the temple.”

Sister Cabena replied, “Without the heritage of a magical family, her innate talent might be limited.”

Father Vinsen smiled. “It’s much harder for a female temple apprentice to pursue the path of clergy than it is for a male. Few female apprentices ever become temple officials, isn’t that right? Her purpose isn’t necessarily here.”

Sister Cabena added, “Are you sure she’ll stay loyal to you? Even if she lacks a magical family background and needs to depend on some priest, you’re not the only one in Jetugara. Haidesa flatters the High Priest far better than you. What if she thinks Haidesa is more favored?”

“But I’m the only one from the Ammanren region,” Father Vinsen replied. “Just like you and me—we naturally belong to the same camp. The largest temple in Ammanren ought to be led by an Ammanren native, shouldn’t it? This girl, so poor and alone in Jetugara, will find me there when she needs help most. She’ll trust and depend on me like a fledgling bird.”

“A girl like her has likely never received a kind smile before. Now, with the favor of a priest, I can imagine how overwhelmed she’ll be.”

Father Vinsen spoke with purpose, “I’m different from Haidesa. I’m still young and have plenty of time to cultivate my supporters. As they grow, spreading throughout Ammanren, what’s meant to come to me will naturally fall into my hands—step by step, without needing to bow shamelessly to corrupt politicians like some of these fallen priests.”