If nothing else, I am really curious why she is pretending to be mute and why she is still continuing. While I haven't known Roddick and Belliza long, I have a good impression of them. I highly doubt they are abusive or anything, but you never know.

When I resume the procedures after lunch I also resume the discussion about magic. Belliza has had a limited time in the tower so her preconceptions about magic have changed a lot. Our conversation just helps her expand on what she learned in the tower.

A lot of what she knows about magic is incorrect and she first needs to unlearn it. While it will work, the magic she learned limits everything and cripples the imagination. What I am slowly teaching her is closer to the basic truth of magic and will broaden her mind.

"Oh, by the way, Belliza, what is the guild planning to do with the demon bodies?"

Belliza says "We will study them."

"Do you mind a suggestion?"

Belliza says "Not at all!"

"Since the cathedral can't do it, can you work on a way to detect demons?"

Belliza says "That will be hard, but I think Roddick would allow us to try."

"Or, if that is too hard, you could try to work on a way to defeat illusions."

Belliza says "There are already spells to counter illusions so that should be possible."

"It would be best as some kind of item, something that could be placed at the city gates. That way the demons can't enter the city."

Belliza says "That's a good idea! I will discuss it with Roddick later."

"You could go talk to him about it now, I can watch Rat. I only really need you if I need to restart the ritual."

Belliza says "Alright, I will go talk to him now. The sooner we get people working on it the better. I will be back shortly."

As she gets ready to leave I focus on the procedure on the beastman in front of me. When she leaves I wait a few minutes before I turn to smile at Rat. Before I say anything to her I get the beastman to promise to keep anything he hears a secret.

"Rat, how have you been doing? Do you like living with Roddick and Belliza?"

Rat says "I'm great! I love my new life! Thank you!"

"You're welcome, but why are you pretending to be mute?"

Rat says "Because, it makes it easier for them to forget I'm around. That's when they speak their minds and I can learn the truth."

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"What truth did you learn?"

Rat says "That they truly care about each other and me."

"No bad news?"

Rat says "Nope! They aren't hiding anything."

"That's great! So then why are you still playing mute?"

Rat says "Because it's fun!"

"You know, it would mean a lot to them for you to speak to them."

Rat says "I know. I will stop playing soon!"

"So, do you have any questions about the magic discussion earlier?"

Rat says "Yes!"

With the procedure complete I send the beastman out and have the next one come in. As I start the procedure again I also start answering all of Rat's questions and she has a lot. At her request I even teach her a few basic exercises to help her develop her mana pool and control.

Even at her young age she is a quick study, by the time Belliza returns she has learned the exercises. From her excitement I am willing to bet that magic is going to be her chosen path. While that could change with age, it isn't too likely, especially if she has fun with it.

Rat says "Hi!"

Belliza freezes and her eyes fill with tears as she stares at Rat in shock. Seeing her reaction Rat laughs and runs over to hug Belliza, it is a touching moment. To give them the illusion of privacy I turn and focus on the procedure.

After a few minutes, Rat returns to playing with her toys and Belliza sits down with a huge smile. It is obvious that she is happy and she has completely forgotten everything else. I stay quiet and let her bask in the moment until I finish on the current beastman and send him out.

"So, what did Roddick say?"

Belliza says "Oh, um, he said yes."

"Great! If the research runs into any problems let me know. I might be able to offer some suggestions."

Belliza says "Alright, I will keep you informed."

"Thank you."

With that I turn my attention back to the procedure and Belliza plays with Rat. When dinner time comes around I tell Belliza that we are done for the day. Doing so many procedures has left me with a headache, but I did manage to complete fourteen procedures today.

Of course with hundreds still to go that isn't very impressive, at this rate it will take months. Just to convert the army will take a year if I don't find a way to speed up the process. It needs to be faster so that the beastmen have time to adapt to the changes before the war starts.

With just me, no matter how fast I get, it isn't going to be enough, I need a different solution. White said she could control life force like I do, but she can't manipulate mana. Maybe, if she has other priestesses that can do the same, I could train them to work with some mages.

When I return to the inn, I thank Sarah for the lunch and then return to the tower. After having dinner with the kids and the others I spend some time thinking about the problem. If White has more people who can manipulate life force, then all I need is some trustworthy mages.

"Yui, Core, how hard was it to make the portable ritual?"

Core says "It was fairly easy. Why, do you need another?"

"I am thinking about it. Doing it alone I would spend from now until the war starts just trying to convert people."

Yui says "That is true. The process takes too long and there are too many beastmen."

Core says "While we have made progress, we still can't manipulate life force. Without you there is no way to create the artificial core."

"That isn't entirely true, it seems healers can gain the ability to manipulate life force."

Yui says "Is that true?"

"Yes, White said she was able to do it."

Core says "If that's the case, we might be able to help you."

"What do you mean?"

Yui says "We have been working on a way to make a ritual that does the entire procedure. The only thing we couldn't do was find a way to manipulate the life force."

"You mean you could make a ritual that does everything else? Including the mana conduits and veins?"

Yui says "Yes, it can do everything except move the life force."

"So if the church has some people who can manipulate life force then we can perform the procedure?"