Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 117 - 113 Awakening

"You really know Aunt Aryan," Karen’s eyes sparkled with little stars, seemingly forgetting the matter of the thief stealing her armor, "I thought you were lying to me, but it turns out you actually mentioned Aunt Aryan’s name."

"Is Aunt Aryan doing well?"

Lady Aryan pushed Karen’s rapidly approaching face away.

"She’s doing very well. Every day she recites scriptures, cleans up the messes Bishop Lord leaves behind, and rescues juniors in distress. Overall, her days aren’t too bad."

"Bishop Lord leaves messes behind?" Karen recalled the Cardinal with the shawl at the Dawnlight Cathedral, the kind old man with a comforting smile. The trouble from Bishop Lord probably comes from the flood of followers squishing through the church doors after every sermon.

"The bishop I now follow is quite special. He is a... very energetic person. He is very keen on... interacting with the people around him." Aryan imagined Mr. Raymond knocking on the doors of different societies, bursting in to spread the warmth of the Holy Light, and the complaints from the executive committee that virtually broke down the chapel doors—it was indeed very lively.

These actions were not present before Aryan joined the Andrei Academy. Anyone who dared to reason with Raymond had to accept the blessing of the Holy Light. However, after Aryan joined, the people of Andrei realized that this Light Chaser actually made sense. Complaints that were once noted in a little book snowballed towards Aryan like a harsh winter blizzard. Aryan did her best to maintain the gentleness of the Holy Light, but compared to Mr. Raymond’s efficiency in dealing with ten at a time, it seemed like a drop in the ocean. Desperately needing someone to share the burden was something Aryan longed for day and night.

Karen listened to Aryan’s revised story, holding her cheeks in her palms, smiling.

"Aunt Aryan must be doing great," she put two fingers up to her eyes like circles, imitating glasses, "after all, Aunt Aryan is someone with the ’gift’."

’Gift,’ a synonym the Light Chasers used for talent.

Aryan’s voice paused imperceptibly for a second.

"Girl, the ’Eye of Truth’—the gift of your aunt, do you, like it?"

Karen’s tone was firmer than ever.

"Of course, I like it. Aryan’s gift is absolutely the best, the best, the best. The appearance of the Eye of Truth is definitely a miracle of the Holy Light. Aunt Aryan will certainly make the world of the Holy Light better, just like the Pure One, Lord Lich."

"Karen, do you know what the Eye of Truth can do?"

"Of course, auntie told me. Just by looking, you can sense someone’s inner thoughts, their happiness, anger, sadness, and emotions—they all reflect the truth."

"Then why is that ability good?"

Karen raised her head proudly, "Silly, of course it’s good. Every time Aunt Aryan played with me, no matter what was in my heart, she always knew my likes and desires. She is the best aunt; she truly understands my heart. With such an ability, Aunt Aryan will become a bridge between souls, truly uniting everyone’s hearts."

"Unite hearts... Hehe... That’s a beautiful dream, Karen."

"One day, this dream will become reality. Aunt Aryan will definitely make it happen."

Watching Karen bounce around like a little rabbit, Ailian lost herself in thought. She reached out her arms, grabbed Karen, and held her in her embrace, playing with her upturned golden hair.

Karen looked at her knight’s visor, sitting obediently like a doll.

"Are you in a bad mood?"

Aryan pinched her cheek, "No, oh no. Aryan once told me that her little niece’s cheeks felt particularly nice, and I’ve always wanted to try for myself."

"Humph, then I shall magnanimously satisfy you," Karen said.

"Yes."

It was like returning to the past, and Ailian’s memories traveled back as well.

......

On a rainy night, by a muddy stream, the massive Iron Maiden was dragged ashore by a hunched figure.

The shadow, cloaked in a tattered robe, unfastened the chains and opened it, and a thick stench of fresh blood rushed forward.

The scent, enough to make any human vomit, induced no change in the figure—for beneath the black robe lay only a skeleton.

The skeleton peered into the interior of the Iron Maiden, its jawbone slightly agape. It reached in with its pale, bony hand, feeling around in silence—the only sound was the distant flicker of flames above the stream in the city, lighting up like fireworks momentarily.

It fiddled with a broken leg bone, and to its surprise, a voice emerged.

A feeble voice. Then, amidst the heap of shattered bones in the corner of the Iron Maiden, a faint blue light appeared.

"A... Lich?" Ailian struggled to speak.

"Indeed, madam, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," the Lich removed his mud-stained hat in a gesture of greeting, "Welcome to our ranks, newcomer."

"Me?"

"Yes, child, you have become a Lich as well."

"How can this be? How could I... I am a Nun. Don’t I have a chance to reach the Lord’s heaven?"

The flames flickered for a moment in the skull’s eye sockets. It habitually placed its finger bones over where its mouth would be, as if blocking something, even though it was futile. "What is happening these days? Are the forces of Holy Light trying to claim even the Liches? Damn Raymond, has he cursed the deceased?"

"Raymond?" Is that also a Lich of Holy Light? But that name, it sounds so familiar.

"You may call me the Awakener, child. Now that you are awake, there’s no reason for you to continue your slumber like those unfortunate souls. If you are lost, I can point you to a place," the Awakener carefully placed a small ring in front of the pile of bones, "Andrei Academy, an inclusive institution, which also harbors the only existing rascal that uses Holy Light. I believe there is no room in this world for a second such abomination. Child, perhaps you could also do me a favor and contribute to my successful night."

"...I’ll take a look."

"Oh ho!" the Awakener jumped up, "Just as I thought, the Mass Burial Mound is the perfect recruitment spot. This year’s ambassador role is mine."

Watching the undead creatures dance in the graveyard, as recorded in the scriptures, Ailian felt a sense of calm returning, and even warmth—something she hadn’t felt in ten years, despite having become a temperatureless Lich.

"How should I go to Andrei Academy, respected Awakener?"

The Awakener’s high-kick froze mid-air as he rotated his head 180 degrees, staring at Ailian in surprise.

He walked over, bent down, his finger bones presented in front of Ailian, his skull lowered, the blue flames in his eye sockets intently staring at the faint blue light.

"This is the first time I’ve met such a polite newcomer. Child, it is a sorrow that you were chosen by Holy Light. Let me teach you how to get to Andrei. See this emblem, yes, the beautiful blue emblem with the Death Nightshade Flower."

"You see, it’s blue now because it has remembered your identity. If it encounters a human, it will turn red; if a dark creature, black."

"All you need to do is press it gently, and it will take you to Andrei Academy."

"What if I press it when it’s another color?"

"If it has been marked by its owner, the ring will transport you to their side; otherwise, you’ll end up on the experiment table of those Andrei researchers."

"Usually, they are reasonable. Hmm, unless you happen to be unable to satisfy their research curiosity."