After Mister Fredricson dumps me on the ground, I sit on the grass beside the path for a while, blinking rapidly. What am I supposed to do now? Claire or Reena? No no no! I shake my head. I have to talk to both of them! I pick myself up, standing up with determination. It's really important that I talk to both of them. I'll start with Claire because I don't know how long she'll be at church before she has to go somewhere else. Besides, I have no idea how I'm supposed to talk to Reena, so I'll figure out how after that.

I turn around, ready to go, but they're all right there. I jolt, retreating a step when I see Claire, Emily, and John standing just a few steps away, all looking right at me. I open my mouth, but it's taking too long to recover from the shock, so no words come out right away.

"Good morning, Aria," Claire greets me with a slight curtsy. Now that I know what I'm looking for, it's a very slight curtsy. Immediately conscious of my dirty clothes, I return the gesture, lowering my head until I can only see her feet since she's so much higher class than me.

"Good morning, Claire," I respond. Once I straighten back up, I realize that Emily is staring at me, looking amazed, while John seems amused. Claire on the other hand appears kind of... displeased? I definitely did it right, just like Irene taught me...

"Before we begin, I would like to clarify something," Claire says, and I nod nervously. "I did not expect much since I know you are a peasant, but your personal hygiene is worse than I thought," she says with a frown.

"I-it is? I washed myself this morning..." I can feel tears trying to form, but hold them back. "Is it still not enough?" I ask.

"No, you seem fine, I'm talking about your clothes." When she says that, she points at my shirt. I look down at it, eyes going wide when I see a giant smudge of dirt across the entire front of it. How? My mind instantly replays this morning, and I realize where I messed up. It was when I dove under my bed to help Emily. Sliding across our filthy floor...

"I-I-" I stammer. Then I lower my head. "I'm really sorry." It's getting really hard to hold back the tears. "Our house is so dirty, it got like this without me even realizing..."

"Then I would suggest cleaning your house," she says flatly. She sounds so cold, it makes me wince. How am I supposed to do that? It took all day, and it was just as bad again the next day after a hundred people dragged all their dirty stuff in from the forest. Keeping my house clean just isn't possible on my own!

While I'm starting to panic, she sighs softly. It brings my attention back to her as she speaks again. "That's right, you're an orphan, aren't you... I suppose that may be an unreasonable demand. In that case, I insist you at least keep your own room clean. That will go a very long way in keeping yourself clean enough to be presentable... for a peasant."

"Yes, ma'am." I respond quietly, keeping my head down. I want to curl up in a ball and hide...

"As long as you understand, make sure you are at least somewhat presentable for our lessons. I can overlook your class and clothing, but I will not teach you if you are filthy. A clean mind requires a clean body." She says the last part like it's some sort of well known phrase. A clean mind requires a clean body... I try to take those words to heart. "Now, let us talk about your education."

It takes all of my willpower to force down my awful, dark feelings of self-hate for failing yet again, so I can just focus on her words. "Ok." I respond quietly.

Claire opens her mouth, but stops and glances over at John and Emily. John steps forward, coming close enough to be considered part of the conversation. However, he doesn't say anything and just stands to the side. He isn't even going to tell her why he's here? But she doesn't question him either.

Then her gaze goes to Emily. She puts hands up as she squeaks, "I'm just waiting for Aria!" and backs away. Seemingly content with that answer, Claire focuses on me once more.

"As I said, your lessons will be five days a week, Arcaday to Firoday. After looking over the material, I've decided that I'll focus on a number of different topics each day. This coming week, we will primarily be covering reading, writing, and Ternian. You will need to learn these as soon as you can, in order to be properly prepared to cover the other topics. I'm sure you understand, I can't teach you difficult topics when you don't even understand the non-technical words I'm saying." I nod emphatically. Trying to learn something hard, I'll have my hands full learning about the topic. Stopping constantly to cover basic words I should already know would make the whole process way too long and annoying for Claire. "Alright, each day will be split into a few different lessons, which will vary by day. I will probably shift topics depending on whether I feel you are still capable of learning."

"Sorry, what do you mean? Still capable of learning?" I ask.

"I mean just that. Trying to drill the same topic into a student for long periods of time, they slow down. It's only possible to learn so much, so quickly." I... can't recall ever having an issue like that. Even when Irene was teaching me etiquette, my head would be spinning by the end, but I don't think I had any more difficulty with the topics we covered later. Well, I was using water mana at the time, so that's probably why...

"Ok," I respond simply.

"Good. As I understand, you will be working for Eryk. I will be focusing your lessons into one part of the day so you will be able to get your work done afterward. Lessons will start at the second bell and continue until the fifth. Then we will break for lunch for one bell, followed by afternoon class from the sixth to eighth bell." So that's five bells worth of lessons, with a very early lunch in the middle. "I realize these are very long study periods, especially for someone your age, but there is simply so much you need to learn, I feel that you will have trouble making much progress otherwise." She closes her eyes, almost sounding apologetic by the end.

"I'll do my best!" I assure her immediately. "I'll learn everything I can!"

"That's good to hear," she responds quietly. Then she turns to John. "Did you get all of that?"

"Yes, I'll go inform Eryk." He makes a small gesture, a farewell, I realize after watching it. Then he gives me a slight nod before he walks off. I watch him leaving at his usual fast adult pace, puzzled.

An odd giggle from Claire draws my attention back to her. "You seem confused. While I was searching for you, he explained that he would relay your class schedule to Eryk so he could set up your work schedule."

"O-oh!" They talked before I saw them, that explains why they hardly needed to say anything to each other before... "Thank you, I understand now." On reflex, I bow a little, but she doesn't seem to react to it.

"Since that is all, I suppose I'll be going now." She shows a pleasant smile and curtsies again. It's just a few centimeters, but it's definitely deeper than her last one! I guess she's less mad about my dirty clothes now, but I have to make sure to clean up when I get home or I'm sure she'll be even more upset tomorrow, because that would mean I didn't listen to her first warning...

While I'm worrying through that, I return a deep, respectful curtsy of my own. I still feel incredibly self-conscious doing it in my dirty peasant clothes though... As soon as I finish and we begin heading our separate ways, Emily comes over. I pull her with me, walking back to the church. I don't know if Reena will be mad that I didn't go to talk to her right after church, so I have to hurry up and figure out how to talk to her.

"Aria, where are you going?" I start to open my mouth having expected that question, but stop when my mind suddenly trips. That wasn't Emily's voice, was it? I turn back to see that it was actually Claire that asked the question.

"Umm, the church?" I answer stupidly. What else am I supposed to say?

"What, are you going to pray to Reena that our lessons go well?" she asks, her voice airy like it's a joke. My first instinct is to deny it like I have been with everyone else, trying my hardest to escape any connection to Reena so they don't question what's really going on. But in this case, it actually would make sense for me to be praying to Reena, no one would question it.

"A-actually, yeah." I respond lamely. Now that she mentions it, I probably should pray to Reena for help with that. Even if all of our interactions up to this point have been related to my blessings and not dying in the war, she is The Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom. Helping people learn is what she should actually be doing normally, isn't it?

My response brings a chuckling laugh from Claire. "Alright, I'll show you," she says. It still sounds like she's joking, even as she moves to lead me into the church.

"Wha- you don't have to show me, I could find it myself," I stammer, waving my hands. Whatever method there is, I should be able to find it by walking around and watching other people or just puzzling through it myself. Having Claire show me seems like a huge waste of her time!

"No, I don't believe you will." For some reason, it still sounds like she's laughing.

"Why not?" I ask, kind of nervous when she says it so certainly.

"Oh, you'll see." I glance at Emily who's still tagging along, staying silent with this extremely high class woman so close by. We walk back into the church. Most of the crowd has dispersed following the church service, but there are still lots of people scattered around. Claire leads us over toward the right side of the giant room, opposite where I normally stand during the service. I feel like there are eyes on me, but when I glance around, I don't spot anyone nearby looking my way. It's probably just nerves from walking around with Claire...

Proceeding across the shining floor, we approach the giant colored glass windows on the west side of the cathedral. I gaze up at them as we walk along the wall. It seems that the various colors all swirl together into some sort of indistinct image. If there were more, smaller pieces of glass, it would probably be easier to tell what it is trying to show.

"Here." Claire's voice drags my eyes back down from the glass overhead. She's pointing at something, right at the base of the glass window. Actually, we're most of the way to the other side of the church already. I didn't realize we went so far in. Following her pointing finger, I spot... something. Square shaped, set into the wall directly at the bottom edge of the glass window. It's hard to say whether it's stone or metal, it doesn't really seem shiny enough to be metal, but it's so incredibly smooth, it can't be stone, can it? It's about at eye height, so I look directly at it for a few moments. It seems that the pattern of the glass stretching up and away from the square plate has some sort of specific feeling to it, like it's supposed to be a single picture, but it's too vague to really make out. It has lots of white and red though.

Looking back down from the picture I can't understand, I see that the plate has something written on it. I don't know what it says, but those marks are definitely letters. At least, some of them. There are some red and white triangles, and a couple circles too. It seems kind of random, and it looks like the words on the plate were written directly on top of them for some reason.

I look back to Claire when she speaks. "The plaque says, 'Reena, Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom'." She reads off the inscription with a knowing smile. Oh, so that's why I wouldn't be able to find it, I still can't read...

Just as I'm about to thank her, the feeling of eyes on me grows way stronger, and I see her gaze shift up to something behind me. Turning around, I'm surprised by the strange sight.

Approaching, still quite a few paces away, Mister Fredricson is with one of the priests. My eyes scan him almost automatically. Bald head, tan skin, very old, long white beard. And wrinkles. Not a lot, but they're noticeable around his eyes and mouth, and on his forehead. Is he even older than Mister Fredricson? When our eyes meet, I get a... strange impression. I wouldn't say his eyes actually look particularly different. They're just plain brown like everyone else's. But something about the man is strangely unnerving, so I don't allow my gaze to lock with his, glancing away instead.

Who is this man, and why is he with Mister Fredricson? Feeling more movement around me, I see that Emily has quickly retreated some distance away, while Claire is much closer than before. Standing by my side, just a half step in front of me. Something about this situation is sending a strange chill up my spine.

Looking back to Mister Fredricson, I'm immediately aware that they're standing in almost the exact same formation, side by side with just enough space that they could probably tap elbows if they extended them toward each other, with the priest just a half step ahead.

As they walk up to us, I feel tension. Like for some reason, my battle training is kicking in. My heart rate is steadily increasing, even though we're just standing here. When the two men are right in front, like they're about to say something, Claire takes the initiative and makes the first move.

She takes a short step forward, and does a curtsy. Only, the form is completely different from how Irene taught me. She has her legs crossed, one foot back as she bends her knees, and only lifts one side of her skirt with the other hand extended out to her side. My eyes fly rapidly up and down while my mind races. Even if I don't recognize the gesture at all, it's obviously a more fancy one than what I learned. Divant class etiquette?! Mister Fredricson shouldn't be that high class, right? He's lower than Eryk. Then the priest? She does seem to be facing him rather than Mister Fredricson.

"Good day, my name is Claire and this is my pupil, Aria." As she speaks, her words flow elegantly, yet at the same time, are loud enough to hear in the noisy, echoing room. Mind still searching frantically for some understanding of the situation, I realize that Claire has her entire body bent forward, head nearly aimed to the ground. How high class could the priest be? Then her eyes glance to me.

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She introduced me like I'm with her, didn't she? It only takes an instant to make the connection. Accompanying!

That part that Irene covered on the last day of our lessons. I'm accompanying Claire right now?! That's when I fully realize the weight of the situation I'm in, despite having no idea how or why this has happened. I can feel my blood heating up, pumping harder as my heart hammers in my chest.

What am I supposed to do?! I don't know any of the manners for this situation! Irene's etiquette lesson blares through my mind like lightning. When accompanying a superior, you must show respect for anyone they show respect for. The way she is bowed down so deeply, this priest must be very high class and demand a lot of respect. I definitely can't use a lower class gesture here, can I?

While my mind feels like it's going to burn straight through the sides of my skull, I take a short step forward as well. It has only been a few instants since Claire glanced at me, but I know I can't delay too long or even that would be disrespectful. If I disrespect someone this important, wouldn't it reflect really badly on Claire?

The men's eyes move to me. I am still painfully aware of my filthy peasant clothes. Even that must make Claire look bad. Showing no sign of how I'm screaming inside, I stand before the men. Claire's gesture feels like it's burned into my overheated brain.

Just like she did, I gracefully take up my filthy skirt and dip into a deep curtsy, the other arm out in exactly the same posture as Claire, using every bit of my years of physical training and abuse to slide my body through the motion, like water flowing over stone.

"Good day, I am Claire's student. My name is Aria." I mimic her greeting, even her tone, changing it just enough that it makes sense coming from me. That, and I have no idea what pupil means. I'm praying that student is close enough? Staring at the floor, I can see Claire still maintaining the same pose out of the corner of my eye. So it's different, you hold it rather than only doing it for a moment like a normal curtsy. For now, I stay bowed toward the ground, hiding every trace of my rampaging heart and burning blood and absolute confusion about what in the world is going on right now.

I'm bent so low, I can't even clearly see the gesture the priest returns. It kind of looks like he's holding his arms out to his side? "Good day, ladies." He doesn't even offer his name. Is he that high class he doesn't even need to give his name? Like, above divant? A noble maybe?!

His non-introduction is followed shortly by Mister Fredricson. He makes some gesture, though it's really hard to tell what. "Good day, I am Fredricson." As soon as he finishes, Claire begins to straighten up, and I move to follow, forcing myself to maintain steady discipline instead of rushing to catch up and letting my movements become jerky. Once I've raised my head and I can see their faces again, what I see is... really strange.

The unnerving priest is eyeing me, one eyebrow raised, while Mister Fredricson is trying to suppress a grin, and failing completely. For the man who has always been harsh and angry, seeing his eyes lit up, sparkling with joy... It's actually really creepy. I make sure once more, to show absolutely none of these thoughts or concerns on my face, keeping a neutral expression.

"How may we be of service, sirs?" Claire asks while lowering her head into yet another new gesture. No, the way she clasps her hands looks like a gesture for showing respect, even though the rest of it is new, from the way she presses them against her chest, to how she bends down to one knee, the rest is totally unfamiliar. But I don't hesitate this time. If I'm going to do this, I'm doing it right!

I copy the gesture on sight, clasping my hands and bending myself down just like she does. If my superior shows respect, I have to do the same, I tell myself again. Only a moment behind her, I complete the gesture with every bit of grace I have, following her motions once more as she rises back from one knee. It actually seems like Claire has a bit of difficulty rising again, because she wavers just a tiny bit, as she comes up off of her knee.

I understand, moving like that puts a lot of weight on one leg, in an awkward position where you don't have much leverage. I'm lucky that I'm so light that it isn't an issue, so I'm able to rise back to my feet without issue.

Following what I can only guess was supposed to be a gesture of respect, the priest actually takes a step back, gesturing a hand toward Mister Fredricson. He makes a respectful gesture, but this one I recognize. It's the normal one Irene taught me. Then he approaches. "Hello Claire, so you agreed to be Aria's instructor?" he asks lightly, sounding almost... friendly?

"Why, I was categorically beguiled by her proclivity for erudition." I blink. I couldn't understand any of her words. What did she just say? Even Mister Fredricson's face pinches up a little, like he doesn't know what she means either.

"I see..." he responds slowly, though I really doubt that he does. "In any case, I see you have already taught her some wonderful manners. Are you sure they are not wasted on one of such low class?"

A faint frown touches her lips at his words. "I did not. Her lessons have not yet begun."

"Ah, how interesting." He's still grinning for some reason. "Aria," he suddenly addresses me, "who taught you etiquette?" Wasn't that the first time he's called me by name? The first time he's called anyone by name, actually. Normally he just yells 'you' or 'kid' or something.

As that thought rolls through the back of my mind, I glance to Claire, who still seems displeased by something, before I answer. "Eryk's servant, Irene, has been teaching me." Why does he even want to know this? He's never cared that much before...

Mister Fredricson nods a few times, too enthusiastic for some reason. "She must be a good instructor. When did she start teaching you?"

That was on Hureday, so... "Four days ago," I answer.

"Ahh, four days, impressive." He keeps nodding for some reason. I've never seen Mister Fredricson act like this before... He turns back to the priest, makes the respectful gesture again, and returns to his position standing just off to the man's side.

"Ladies," the priest says, he spreads his arms out to his sides in another move I don't know, but I can only guess it's the one he did earlier. Mister Fredricson does a similar one, but it's the farewell gesture I know. Why are some gestures the same, but some different? No idea, and no time to think about it. I follow Claire in another deep curtsy, before they walk away again.

A few long moments of silence stretch after they leave. I shove all of my screaming emotions deep down inside, then turn to Claire, still faking calm. "Umm... Miss Claire? What just happened?" I ask hesitantly.

Her faint frown deepens until it is plain to see. "I don't know. I was expecting a challenge of some sort, but..." she trails off before sighing deeply. "What on Loqa is that man thinking?" Even Claire doesn't understand?! Then how am I supposed to?! I violently shove down the emotions again. "In any case, Aria, be careful of Fredricson. He's up to something."

"S-sure..." I answer haltingly. How am I supposed to be careful of him?

I can barely make out the words she whispers under her breath. "I didn't expect him to know the priests..." After thinking for a few more moments, she seems to move on, her frown being replaced with a small smile. "In any case, you kept yourself composed wonderfully. Irene must be a wonderful etiquette instructor."

"Yeah..." I respond stiffly. She didn't teach me any of that... No, I guess that's not entirely true, her instructions about accompanying a superior were vital, as well as her lessons where she had me go through ambiguous situations and think on my feet to adapt quickly. My tone softens as I follow it up, "She is a pretty good etiquette instructor, actually."

"That's good to hear. Now, I suppose I will leave you to your prayers. I hope to see you, clean, tomorrow at the second bell for class." As she speaks, she gives another curtsy. A normal one this time.

I return the gesture, saying, "Yes, I'll see you tomorrow, Miss Claire." I think the words come out stiff, because most of my attention is already occupied. With our farewells said, she turns and heads back out of the church. Once she's gone, Emily walks up to me.

"Aria, that was... amazing..." she says. But my emotions are forcing their way back up. I don't think I can last much longer. I glance at the plate by the window, memorizing the shape of the letters and symbols on it, then take Emily's hand and quickly drag her toward the nearest door out of the church. I circle around to the side of the building, where there's no one around to see. Emily looks confused, but I just bury my head in her chest and scream as all the excitement and confusion and terror I suppressed throughout the entire conversation come pouring back out.

My muffled cries definitely worry Emily, so the first thing I do once I pull away is say, "I'm sorry, that was too much to take. That was terrifying!" I'm shaking, completely falling apart and rolling in the grass as my emotions and energy just pour out of me. I laugh and cry a little bit too, before thankfully getting it out enough to calm down again.

"Woah, that's new," Emily says while continuing to stare at me.

"Hehe," I chuckle awkwardly. "I'm good at hiding my feelings if I have to, but that was way too much for me, I couldn't hold it all back." I feel kind of tired after all of that, but I push myself back up from the ground anyway. While brushing myself off, I realize I probably just got grass stains in my clothes from rolling around like that.

Emily tilts her head, clearly confused. "That was too much? It just looked like an ordinary conversation to me, even if it was with Mister Fredricson."

"I think that priest was a noble," I point out. She immediately tenses up with a nervous gasp.

"Really?" she squeaks. I just nod, and she shudders. "Ok, I totally get it now. Good job holding on that long!" she goes right to petting my head and praising me.

"Hey," I say in a warning tone. She's doing that 'little kid praise' thing again.

"Sorry, sorry," she giggles, but keeps doing it anyway. I just sigh, it kind of feels like she's comforting herself as much as me now.

After letting her continue for a bit, I pull for her to follow again. "Come on, I still have to talk to Reena. She wanted to talk after church, and I've made her wait long enough."

"Ah, alright," Emily nods and follows along.

We quickly arrive back at the odd plate from before. There are still quite a few people around, but I don't feel anyone paying attention to me this time. Emily stands off to the side while I do what I need to do.

If this is anything like the others, then it should be simple enough. I touch the plaque, and as expected, I feel the connection through it. It's different than the divine totem, I don't feel a whole bunch of connections to all of the gods, now I only feel Reena. I close my eyes, letting the connection fill my mind.

It's more distinct now. With more time and concentration, not being watched on all sides, I can focus on it much better. I can feel the shape, the way the mana stretches as it moves away from me. The way it reaches inside of me. In fact, now that I'm really paying attention, it doesn't exactly feel like we're connected at the point where my hand touches the plate, but somewhere else...

My mind is drawn from that thought when she speaks.

"You're here." They are plain words again, filling my consciousness.

"Yes." I have no idea what to do, what to say. No, I'm supposed to apologize now, right? Working up my courage, I say, "I'm really sorry I couldn't do what you wanted. I tried, but I just wasn't strong enough. I couldn't do it. I'm really, really sorry..."

She remains quiet through my apology, but I can feel her run from surprise and shock, to confusion. Then there's... something else that I can't place, followed by a sudden, hot flare of anger.

Her next words come slowly. "I don't want apologies. I want you to stop being stupid." I shrink back a little. Somehow, I can tell. She knows that I don't know what she means.

"I never imagined it would come to this, but here we are. Let me be perfectly clear, to get this through your thick skull. When I told you that if you fight, you will die, I did not mean some drivel about defending yourself." Even as she uses words I don't understand, I can feel their meanings insert themselves into my mind so I can perfectly understand what she is saying and what she means. "You should not have gone into battle at all."

She pauses for some time after telling me that, I can feel her trying to calm herself. When she said not to fight, she meant don't go into battle? How was I supposed to know that?

Disbelief and indignation roll over me with her words. "Because that's the most obvious conclusion!" she shouts at me. "Going off to war is fighting! What kind of idiot thinks that means go to the battle and don't attack anything?! That's insane!" Her booming anger echoing through my mind forces me down.

I argue back weakly. "But... but I have to."

"No you don't!"

"I do! I'm a rail unit!"

"Who cares if you're a rail unit? You can't fight them!" Why does it sound like she's pleading?

"But I'm a rail unit," I growl at her. "It's my duty."

"Duty? But you'll die!"

"I..." I still don't want to die. But no matter what she says, I'm still a rail unit. Going into battle is the only reason I exist.

"Why are you so obsessed with meaningless duties! Just do what you want to do! Live your own life and be happy!"

"I can't do that!" I mentally shake my head back and forth, refusing her outright. I'm just a rail unit, I don't have that kind of freedom, I belong to the military! How could I just ignore their commands? I'm their property! How could Reena even think of telling me to do something like that?

"Why are you so damn stubborn!? Argh!"

"Well why are you so... so... why couldn't you make things more clear from the beginning!?" I yell back at her.

"B-because... I had to be sure..."

That slows my rising anger a little. "Sure of what?"

I can actually feel Reena's presence flinching for some reason. "Sure of you." Her mood shifts, desperation pushing in. "You showed so much promise, so much potential! I need you! But, but if you stay on your current path..." She's turning away from me. "Now I see you're just like the rest of them... It's useless..."

I already know I'm useless! "Well I'm so sorry I'm not up to the standards of The Powerless Goddess!" I snap at her.

As soon as I call her that, I can feel the shift. Her anger that had cooled to disappointment and despair, suddenly explodes again. She's growling. It comes as an animal growl that rolls through my whole body. It makes me shudder, but now I'm really mad now too. Why can't she understand? I get humans not understanding, but why can't The Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom at least understand me?!

She starts, "I just want-"

But I cut her off, shouting back, "I don't care what you want! I know you just gave me that vision because I'm some part of your weird god-games! You're just using me like everyone else!" I think some part of me just wants to make her more angry at this point, because next I sneer at her and say. "Maybe if you tell me what you're planning and beg, I might help you out?"

"My... you..." Then I feel raging fires burning at the edge of my mind. It makes me cringe back. I... definitely went too far, I realize too late. Why did I say that?

Her words crash over me in an overwhelming torrent, growing faster and faster as she goes. "If a weakling like you can get through the next battle against Rostor's children of death without any help from me, then just maybe I'll actually consider raising my opinion of you above the level of burning garbage!"

Then a smashing explosion tears through my entire being. It feels like a full-force slap across the face, before the connection closes. I sit there for a while, reeling from the blow. Even after I recover, it takes a long time for the conversation to fully sink in.

I slowly open my eyes and turn to Emily.

"Reena is the worst!"