Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

Rate and Review. ;)

I'd like to make it clear that I currently have no plans to go on a hiatus. My comment from last chapter was just to warn everyone that my rate of releasing chapters may not be very fast, but I'll still try to get at least one chapter a week out. My mothers going in for surgery today so they can try to remove the cancer before it spreads further. I'm letting you know since in a week or so it might become harder for me to write and post a chapter. If I disappear for a short time know that this story definitely will not be abandoned. It's unlikely that I'll disappear, but I'm warning everyone just in case.

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Chapter 50

***************Hains Mansion***************

After refilling everyones cup the maid placed the teapot back on the cart and pushed it off to the side. Gathered around the table were eight men who all wore high quality clothes. Three had newly polished armor on, two wore robes, and the last three were dressed in a more business like fashion.

Edward:"Leave us."

Maid:"Yes sir."

The maid left immediately after receiving an order from her master. The man who issued the order sat at the head of the table and was one of the two men that wore a robe. His name was Edward Hains. The robe he wore was green which told everyone in the room that he was a Grandmaster Magus. He was in his early forties and his brown hair already showed many streaks of gray.

Edward:"I think you all know why I've called you here."

Dayton:"Yeah, cause you're scared of that elf."

A tall man with a bald head but full beard answered Edward. His name was Dayton Tanner and he wore green armor that was mostly covered by his black cloak. He received a glare from Edward, but didn't even flinch.

Edward:"I'm not afraid of that elf. It would be best if you paid attention to what you say in another persons residence."

Dayton:"You think I'm frightened just because I'm in your territory? Even if all of your knights assisted you that wouldn't be enough to restrain me when I'm serious."  

Dayton was obviously a few years older than Edward and only practiced aura magic, but he didn't fear this Grandmaster Magus sitting in front of him at all.

Ernest:"We shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves right now."

The other green robed man tried to prevent a fight from breaking out. His hair was black and he appeared to be about ten years younger than Edward. His name was Ernest Wells. Even though both Ernest and Edward were the same rank, Grandmaster Magus, it was fact that Edward would win if they were to ever fight.

Edward:"Ernest is right. Lets move on to the matter at hand."

Edward tried to ignore the annoying glare he was getting from Dayton while he spoke.

Edward:"The royal family has decided to put an elf on the throne. I'm sure you've all heard already."

Dayton:"Of course we've heard! Stop beating around the bush and get to the point already!"

Edward wanted to tell back at Dayton, but he was able to control himself.

Edward:"I believe it's time for a change. We've lived under royal rule for long enough."

This time Ernest spoke up.

Ernest:"So who's rule do you wish to be under?"

Edward smiled and looked at Ernest showing he was happy to answer the question.

Edward:"Obviously the churches. I've been in contact with their main branch on Maleos Island and they too wish for a change."

Bartem:"So the church wants to get their own continent."

One of the men wearing neither armor nor robe chimed in. Bartem Grant was his name. His dark blue shirt seemed to be made of a silk-like material while his pants appeared to be leather. The soft looking blue hair matched his shirt and a smile formed on his young handsome face.

Bartem:"Their power already rivals the major races, and it'll only increase if they get their hands on one of the kingdoms."

Edward:"Their goal isn't power."

Edward looked at the young noble who dared to speak ill of the church.

Edward:"They wish to cleanse this land. The royal family has corrupted the people and even dared to wage war against one of their branches."

Bartem:"I heard it was the churches branch that aligned themselves with a corrupt noble and decided to start a war first without the approval of their main branch."

Bartem quickly brought his hand up to cover his mouth while displaying an obviously exaggerated expression of surprise.

Bartem:"Could it be! The church fears the royal families retaliation and decided to assist you in a rebellion!"

Edward slammed his fists down on the table.

Edward:"This is not a rebellion!"

He had clearly shown his anger, but quickly calmed himself down.

Edward:"You should know the church doesn't fear anyone. The gods are on their side. Besides the royal family can't afford to retaliate after the number of casualties among the knights."

Ernest:"How do we know the church isn't just using us to further weaken our own kingdom? How do we know they really won't abandon us and leave our country to fall to ruin?"

Edward:"Because they've already sent a representative from the church. Bishop Luke will lead us in removing the royal family and he will help guide our country into a new era."

Everyone went quiet. A bishop was the second highest rank among members of the church. If they were really sending someone like that then it obviously meant they were being serious.

The church possessed an artifact known as the world codex which was written in a strange language but contained a treasure trove of magical spells. Of course only high ranking members were allowed access to it and even then not all would be able to learn even a single spell. This codex was also where the four basic element spells came from along with the four Sage ranked spells. Those few spells were released as a sign of good faith to the other countries many many years ago.

Anyone who joins the church starts at the position known as Laity then if they are dutiful servants of the church they can become Deacons. After that they can move up the ladder and take on the position of a Priest. Above Priests are Monsignors. The top three rankings in the church are special.

A member of the church can not not rank up from Monsignor unless they are already a Sage rank mage. If a man reaches Sage rank and is given the honor to move up in the church they immediately become Bishops. Women have a choice to either become a Bishop or a Holy Priestess. Technically a Holy Priestess is just below a Bishop in positions, but they are given more freedom than a Bishop. They are also the ones who perform the baptisms necessary for a human to obtain another races racial magic.

The final and top position in the church is Cardinal. They are unmatched in terms of skill as a mage and must have mastered a few of the spells in the codex that weren't made public. The top three positions in the church are existences that no one wants to anger. Not only are they Sage rank but also have the full support of the church behind them. To distinguish themselves from other mages of the Sage rank they all wear pure white robes.

Dayton:"You're forgetting someone."

Edward:"Oh? Who am I forgetting?"

Dayton:"Aelisia is still in the capitol. One Bishop against a Warlord won't be an easy battle. I doubt Bishop Luke can beat her."

Edward:"He doesn't need to beat her. I've already prepared her opponent."

Dayton:"Not many can stand up to Aelisia. Who did you get?"

Edward:"Alezar."

The room was filled with silence again.

Dayton:"H-How did you get him to help?"

Edward:"All I did was send him a message requesting his assistance. His response was that it sounded 'interesting' and immediately accepted."

Dayton's face paled. If Edward has the backing of both a Bishop from the church and Alezar then the royal family's as good as dead. He was now regretting all the arguing he's been doing with Edward since this meeting started. Either one of those people could easily crush him if they wanted to. He wasn't the only pale one in the room.

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Bartem:"W-With Warlord Alezar's help is there anything left to discuss? Victory is assured."

Even Bartem's usually smug expression was no where to be seen. The others remained quiet.

Ernest:"You're right Bartem. Not even Aelisia can stand up to Alezar."

Ernest was barely able to control his shaky voice.  

*****************Becket POV****************

We were currently stopped in a small village about two days away from the port city Balsotte. There was already a ship prepared for us at Balsotte to take us to Aldley(Vampire/Werewolf Continent). Carmilla and Bram had gone to get a room at the inn while I walked around the village. I only ran into a few of the residents and none of them seemed to mind my presence so I continued my walk.

My walk took me to the small fields around the village with what I assume to be wheat growing in them. It looked like wheat, but you never know in a fantasy world. A small boy around 10 or 11 was walking along the edge of a barren field. His hands were both pointed out with his palms facing the ground. There were patches on his clothes at both knees and one near his belly button; however, they appeared well maintained and he looked healthy. His brown hair grew just enough to cover his eyes.

Becket:"Hm?"

One of my eyebrows went up as I watched him. I could feel the earth pulse moving around him. That's when the barren field began to fill with life. Beautiful green grass covered it and I could tell the soil had been completely enriched. The boy was covered in sweat and fell back onto his butt breathing heavily.

Becket:"I'm such an idiot."

I shook my head at my own ignorance. It was only just now that I realized what the high elf pill actually did to me. I had already been using the earth pulse whenever I used nature magic. The only difference between now and then was that I couldn't sense the pulse before. That pill changed my body so that I could feel the pulse. Instead of thinking of this as a new magic I should approach it as if it's an extension of my nature magic.

Becket:"It was so simple, but I just had to over think things."

I've been told that I sometimes over analyze a situation and make things more complicated. I could only shake my head at myself.

Becket:"Lets try this again."

I concentrated on using my nature magic just like when I grew those plants in the inn shortly after coming to this world. This time I paid attention to the earth pulse. It began to spiral around me although I'm the only one that can feel it. The energy was many times more powerful than the kids. I focused it toward the earth below me and I felt the dirt shift.

Becket:"Uh oh."

I accidentally created a quagmire and sunk into it.

Becket:"Great now my clothes are covered in mud."

I pulled myself out of the sludge pit I inadvertently made and stomped my boots against the ground trying to shake off as much mud as I could. When I looked up, the kid was staring at me. I gave him a wave then left after returning the ground to its previous state. I didn't even notice that my residual energy had affected the crops growing around me.

Bram:"What happened to your clothes?"

When I reached the inn where I left them, Bram and Carmilla had just walked out together.

Becket:"I fell in some mud."

Since the mud had finally dried, I used my newly upgraded nature magic to separate all the dirt from my clothes. It came off in a puff of dust. The reason I waited for the mud to dry was because removing still wet mud would leave the water on my clothes. I can only control the earth part of mud while the water mixed into it would remain on me.

I had made the previous quagmire by accidentally redirecting underground water making temporary pipes that transported the water to just below my feet. I was quite surprised at the outcome since I only had a fleeting thought that I could use this magic to create many convenient things. The first thing I consider was improving daily life and an image of pipes and proper plumbing crossed my mind. My thoughts only lasted a second, but they were instantly materialized in the real world before I even realized it.

Carmilla:"What was that?"

Both Carmilla and Bram seemed a little surprised at the cloud of dust that suddenly jumped off my body. Carmilla was the first to speak though.

Becket:"I was just cleaning off my clothes. Worked surprisingly well."

As I inspected my clothes, I noticed they appeared cleaner than when I fell in the mud pit.  

*I wonder if I could do the same thing when sweat and dirt builds up on my body?*

I was a little hesitant to test it on myself. What if I accidentally removed something I shouldn't? Possibly a layer of skin. I still wasn't sure what all in this world I could manipulate with my magic.

Bram:"You can use earth magic? I didn't hear a spell though? Could you possible be a Sage ranked mage?"

*Oh yeah. The only people who can use the four basic elements are mages or monsters, but why does he think I'm a Sage?*

Using my magic without care of who's watching became a habit since everyone in the palace was so tight lipped about information regarding me. I already knew normal mages used chants to summon fire or control the earth which were both things I could do with only a thought. Of course the earth part was still under development. They had a chance to see me using fire and ice during the goblin subjugation, but we were fighting on opposite ends of the army so I'm pretty confident they didn't notice.

Becket:"What brought you to the conclusion that I'm a Sage?"

Bram:"Obviously because you didn't chant a spell. Only a Sage can us chantless magic."

Becket:"Oh?"

*Need to remember that.*

Becket:"Yes, I am a Sage."

The two of them were obviously a little impressed and Bram's eyes even showed a hint of admiration. From what I know mages seem to be specialized so if anyone asks I'll say I'm a Sage that uses fire and earth magic.

*I'll need to be careful about using ice in the future since it's not one of the four basic elements.*

Story Information

StatusNameBecket EdwinRaceHigh ElfGenderMaleAge102ClassMana AdeptTitleHeroLife Force3102Mana1249Level37Strength823Endurance879Agility635Stat Points: 0Magics:

[Nature]

[Language Comprehension]

[Fairy Blessing]

[Wing Manifestation]

[Healing Saliva]

[Thermal Insulation]

[Primal Sensing]

[Vitality Manipulation]- 13 years

[Vampire Eyes]

[Pyrokinesis]

[Limb Assimilation]

[Scale Skin]

[Cyrokinesis]

[Womanly Aura]

[Misdirection]

[Geokinesis]

Incase anyone cares to know his current stats. Everything except agility has jumped slightly after the high elf pill.