The Door of the Mystic
1344 Words
Kraun retrieved a battered wooden box, roughly the size of a computer tower, and lined it with a soft cloth. He carefully placed the finished potions he had crafted over the past few days inside, interspersing them with strips of rag to protect them.
These glass vials were exceedingly delicate; without proper care, the result could be catastrophic.
Once everything was arranged, he hoisted the box onto his back, along with his revolver and a backpack filled with two hundred bullets, and strode confidently out the door.
Just as he locked the door, a voice called out from behind him, “Where are you headed?”
The tone was soft yet commanding.
Kraun turned to see the priest, a smile instantly spreading across his face. “Father, what a surprise! Please, come inside.”
Lost in his thoughts, he had been oblivious to the arrival of his creditor, yet he knew all too well the reason for the visit.
He reopened the door, inviting the priest to enter.
“I’ve heard you’ve been faring well lately,” Nick’s voice rumbled, devoid of discernible emotion.
Kraun easily grasped the underlying message: if you’re doing well, why haven’t you repaid your debts?
He replied gently, showing no signs of embarrassment at being caught. “To speak frankly, I owe you a considerable sum, Father. The more debts I accumulate, the less I feel their weight.”
The priest snorted derisively. “Should I interpret this as brazenly neglecting your debts? No one in the kingdom dares to default on payments for materials vital to the holy sacrament.”
“It’s not that I refuse to pay; I simply lack the means!”
Kraun spread his hands, forcing a faint smile. “I’ve been tirelessly practicing potion-making day and night.”
He patted the box. “These are my results! I was just about to head to Roni’s farm to sell this batch. Only by improving my potion-making skills can I hope to earn enough to repay you.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been frequenting the shooting range every afternoon, firing off two or three hundred rounds each time.”
“I seek security. I need to forage in the mountains, and without proficient shooting skills, I would struggle against not only those strange monsters but also common beasts.”
Kraun spoke with confidence, having anticipated these questions.
As he continued, he unbuttoned his coat.
Reaching into the lining, he produced all the remaining gold shields he had not yet spent and placed them on the table.
“Earlier this week, my home was unoccupied, and I believe I was robbed. This is all I can offer.”
Nick picked up the coins and lightly shook them in his hand. “Only eight gold shields? Yet you owe the church one hundred.”
Owing the church translates to owing the priest, doesn't it?
Kraun pursed his lips, swiftly changing the subject. “Have you caught the malevolent spirit responsible for the recent crimes?”
The priest discreetly pocketed the gold shields. “We are currently pinpointing its location.”
So you still don’t have a lead on the enemy!
Kraun fell silent for a moment before asking, “Father, is there any way for us ordinary people to confront such foes?”
“Pray to the Lord of Flame!”
Nick’s response carried an air of discomfort.
Kraun paused. “Father, do you have any means to deal with the malevolent spirits?”
“Of course, I am an exorcist. Every church has one on staff to deal with such entities, but first, we must locate those lurking in the shadows. I am not particularly skilled at tracking.”
An exorcist!
The notion stirred excitement within Kraun. “Father, do you think I have the potential to become an exorcist?”
“Exorcists are chosen from the pious youth and must undergo rigorous training for at least a decade to be deemed competent. You are rather old; some of the training would no longer be applicable.”
Kraun, undeterred, pressed on. “Is it true that ordinary followers of the Lord of Flame must resign themselves to mere prayer and wait for divine intervention against evil?”
His voice edged with barely concealed fervor.
Nick regarded him with a newfound intensity.
Most common folk, when faced with malevolent beings, knew only to pray passively for salvation, having lost the will to fight back.
The young man before him, having experienced a mysterious event, still possessed the courage to resist—a rare quality indeed.
Nick had emerged from humble beginnings, having undergone arduous training to become a distinguished exorcist, yet he found himself assigned to this remote church.
Was it merely due to the lack of influential support?
Each exorcist was typically accompanied by two soldiers of the Holy Order to aid in vanquishing evil beings and protecting the congregation, but he had none. The bishop, in charge of personnel distribution, claimed that in a backwater town, even if evil arose, it would be weak and easily managed by one exorcist alone.
If there were no unforeseen circumstances, he was likely to remain in this town for the foreseeable future, and without the church assigning him soldiers, why not train one himself?
Nick’s thoughts raced, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table.
Noticing the priest lost in contemplation, Kraun held his breath, sitting up straight.
The priest’s next words could open the door to a higher realm of power, causing Kraun’s heart to race.
After a long pause, Nick finally spoke, his voice low, “The church has a method for training ordinary people into guardians of the Lamb of the Lord of Flame. I possess the knowledge of this process.”
Without hesitation, Kraun proclaimed, “Father, I wish to become a sword in the Lord’s hand!”
“Ha,” Nick regarded him with keen interest. “It’s not out of the question. If you’re willing to become a guardian of the church and bear the costs of your training, I will accept you as my disciple, provided you can respond unconditionally to my summons in the face of evil threatening the congregation.”
Kraun understood; he would serve as the priest's enforcer, risking danger while the priest reaped the benefits.
He hesitated, “Is it purely a selfless endeavor?”
If the priest wouldn’t relent, he might have to concede.
As long as he could access higher powers and practice the basics, he would achieve his goal.
As for the constraints, he was confident he could find a way to mitigate the risks.
Nick assumed Kraun was concerned about finances. “Evil creatures often possess rare materials of considerable value. If you work diligently, I will give you two-tenths of the earnings. Are you willing?”
He wasn’t a miser who wanted to reap rewards without compensating his steed; if he had competent assistance, his burdens would lighten considerably.
Based on his experiences over the years in Zach Town, he had observed an increasing spiritual vibrancy in the world, which meant an escalation in malevolent beings as well.
He had long considered training a cadre of Holy Order soldiers, yet the church had consistently denied his requests due to budget constraints.
Most families in town capable of shouldering training costs had moved to Rhein City, leaving him quite alone.
“I wish to become a sword defending the church.”
Before Kraun could finish, Nick interjected, “First, you must demonstrate your ability to afford the training expenses; the church will not cover these costs. I will give you two months—no, three months. If you can repay the debt for the holy sacrament materials, I am willing to guide you in becoming a valiant soldier of the Holy Order.”
Nick rose, patting his pockets. “Consider these few gold shields as interest. Three months, one hundred gold shields. Young man, the world of mysterious power is now open to you; it remains to be seen if you can seize the opportunity.”
- Writer
