To Jin's eyes, Vendrick had shown his greatest strength just now. To have bowed before the Nine Sages and kept the solid composure went beyond his expectations. Although his position had been harshly put into question by those above, somehow he had not lost his elegant posture and noble demeanor.
Jin shook his head in confusion at this hierarchy. His brother called himself Sentinel as if it had a greater meaning, but what that really was seemed uncertain. What he knew was the things he had seen, that he had lived through. His experiences were more real than any tale told by his father in Kaban. And now he had experienced enough to tell one of his own. In his first, he had witnessed the skill of foe and friend, both sides of the coin could just as easily defeat him with their eyes closed. Yet his brother was by far the most powerful of them all.
Irritating to his subconscious was this comparison, one he couldn't get out of his mind. Memories surfaced as if he were reliving history, glimpses of the past. Flashes that could not be easily forgotten, neither did he wish to. His golden decisive eyes—fearless and sharp as his blade.
And to remember it fondly was also his greatest attempt at seeking guidance.
For the attacks came down fast but they did not faze him. Subtle and elegant movements under the bright moon left Jin in awe. Dueling with a Behemoth more than twice his size—A Devourer—while using a loaned weapon to defend himself painted an entirely different picture than the one Vendrick had made an effort to paint himself as. The Elders seemed to stand firm on the far opposite side of wise. They seemed blind to how capable his brother was.
And that annoyed him deeply, that almost sickening treatment had brought them to this point that was so ridiculous. And even knowing that man with the golden eyes, he couldn’t bring himself to understand. With the spear he carried with him slung across his back, he embraced the will of the Council. To accept their harsh decision with a straight face, as defiance hadn’t even crossed his mind.
***
Moments after the meeting ended, the council escorted Vendrick and Eliza up to the second floor. As far as Jin understood, the second level was where the Disciples honed their skills and spent most of their time. If that logic held, it meant that the Elemental Warriors would be for the most part training on the first floor of Sanctum. That explained the unique symbols per floor. Now he had brought reason to Viktoria and Tristan after the commotion. They would together have to wait for Orion to walk out of the room and surround him like flies. After all, he was the only High Elder that Jin had previously known, and it seemed like the best bet to gather information from. The rest agreed with him, each keeping their own doubts in mind.
“Elemental techniques have a big flaw once you've awakened the nucleus. Within the Elemental Way, there are many mysteries and knowledge to be found. One was to be shared by Orion—Keeper of the Flame— at this moment, however.
"Although the individuals gain the ability to summon the elemental in various forms, it comes with a great price for the non-experienced. Young warriors may suffer from the lack of elemental aura surrounding their nuclei. You see Tristan, Elemental Warrior is merely the first stage in the ladder of ascension. They are not physically, mentally or even elementally ready to sustain the after-effects of their newfound techniques. For that reason we advise for only those at the Disciple rank and above to bring forth Elemental Techniques. And that is only after mastering the unleashing of the Inner Technique. To harvest the Elemental around the nucleus, shielding the vital aura from being drained with utmost caution.”
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“We are still incapable of gathering elemental energy and flowing it to our bodies, therefore the energy spent in said techniques is fueled by vital energy instead. When Eliza used the technique for a second time her elemental energy was lacking. So it affected her extensively, straining her inner nucleus to the very core.”
"That's correct Viktoria," Said High Elder Orion with a satisfied smirk.
“But that doesn’t make any sense. Please tell us Elder Orion, why would Vendrick knowingly take us along?”
“That is something you should ask Vendrick, as we are left to judge his actions. His reasons for it are irrelevant to the case. He has indirectly caused harm to a foreign ambassador and it would look extremely bad if Malachiel or any of the other Sages turned a blind eye to the matter.”
"Even you?" Asked Jin.
Orion nodded. "Oh, especially me."
“It still doesn’t feel right to me. There was no way my brother could have predicted we’d encounter a Behemoth that would push Eliza that far," said Jin carving a frown.
The thought of his brother being punished so severely did not sit well with him, a person as humble and talented as he was. He was no deserving of such treatment. He imagined what else he got through while he spent time in Kaban growing up. All these customs and laws would be a routine that he had previously gotten used to in the last two years since he was already training with the High Elders by then.
Looking back, he'd already expected Viktoria to react coldly, but even Tristan and Eliza didn't seem surprised at the turn things had taken. Maybe it could all be explained why he had been a purist from the beginning. Isolated for all that time led him to create such strange morals that they turned even the safest fortress in the realm into an uncomfortable dwelling to ponder.
“Can I at least talk to him? Or are we also forbidden of speaking to each other?” Orion took a step forward and approached Jin, removing the hood from his head. The light reflected off his shaved head, there was not much explanation for the posture Orion had taken, but he knelt the same way a father would approach his young son and spoke with a surprisingly soothing voice.
“Once a child sees a wheel spin for the first time, it wants to touch it—unaware of the high risk of breaking it. A wise man however, watches it with caution and realizes why it runs so well on its own in the first place. So Jin, son of Alaric—Do you seek to be a child or a wise man?” Silence filled the halls as Orion stood up and resumed before Jin could let out an answer.
“I don't expect you three to agree with the final judgment of the Council, merely respecting it shall be enough. Tensions are high in the borders of Elba and Belkor, and even the smallest mistake can be seen as a reason to take arms. It is in our best interest to maintain the prosperity of Sanctum at all cost.”
“Wait a second, so what happens to her now?” Asked Tristan, bringing the most important matter to the table to the Elder.
“Fortunately for all, she is only unstable because Vendrick is unable to skillfully apply healing techniques. But fear not, as she shall be under the care of the best healers, therefore her nucleus will be stable in the next couple days.”
"I see."
“For now please rest, and tomorrow morning you shall have your first lesson in the Elemental Way.”
"Thank you for speaking to us privately, Keeper of Flame." said Viktoria.
"No problem, and please we don't need to keep the appearances among us," Uttered the Sage in a low voice, "Just call me Orion."
He glimpsed at Jin before leaving the room, “There is a reason why the Hall of First Floor’ door does not budge any sooner; Children are not welcome there. You left as a young adventurer, but your expressions upon arrival are of a changed man."