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026. Kindness

Just like Sirius predicted, the crystals were peeling off after fixing him up. He had to lie at home with thick crystal covering his eyes. At times he would find metal dust on his pillow, as it was pulled out by this strange substance, that seemed to be almost alive. At least now he knew the application of the purple leaves... Usually he would prefer to find it out via safer means, but accidents happen. Speaking of an accident, in no way he could believe a metal would explode and shatter the bowl. Now he had to make a new one. Today would be a nice day to try that, as the green blindfold have finally decided to leave his eyes, falling in his lap during breakfast. Sirius looked around with surprise, happy to see the sunlight again.

"Oh, congratulations!" Said Gregor in passing between mouthfuls. "How is your revelation?"

"If possible, I would rather avoid such revelations in future." Said Sirius, finally touching his eyes and squinting at the brightness of the sun. He looked at the crystal. "Was it this muddy all this time? I thought you saw my face through it?"

"Actually, it was very clear when it appeared. It darkened over time, maybe as it lost its powers. How are you?"

"Fond of being able to see. Other than that, I am fine. I think it took so long because of metal dust." Sirius looked inside the chunk of a crystal, seeing some sparkling dust.

"Yes, you were shedding that stuff everywhere, like a dog in the summer. I think some pots still have traces of tin."

"Sorry about that... I really don't know why it suddenly exploded."

"I might know, but the church prohibits from disclosing it. I am afraid you have to find it out on your own."

"It will wait, I still need to make a new bowl. The last one is scattered around the lab." Said Sirius after finishing his breakfast.

"Sure, just don't forget to clean up."

"Of course! I'll be at Brown's smithery!"

"Take care!" Said Gregor to the excited boy, as he ran out of the house.

Sirius went to the lab and cleared up pottery shards. They would be useful in his next pot as a stabilising additive. He wanted to try out different things this time and fire everything in one batch, so he took his backpack as well, where he stored his supplies. Satisfied with the order in his lab, he went outside and towards the Brown's workshop. Just as Sirius was walking up to the blacksmith's place, he heard some loud chattering and curiosity took him over. Near the church he saw villagers looking at a young man in priest's black robes. He was widely grinning and talking to no one in particular, while pointing his index finger forward.

"This one I also invented myself! I call it a wind arrow!" He said, while aiming at an apple on a fence post, one eye closed. He then focused, and Sirius felt a very bad magic being used. Like, really bad. The mana flow was very forceful and rough, turbulent and unruly, always trying to get out of control, making Sirius wince in disgust. This man however had some talent, so he managed to direct the energy correctly, and a dense ball of compressed air left his finger and in a wild spin flew towards the apple, ripping it into pieces. The crowd applauded and cheered once again. Father Gregor also was able to cast spells, but he preferred not to do so in public, like this man.

"Oh, a new face!" Said a young priest noticing Sirius' grimace. "Didn't see you when I arrived! Is a new Priest from Ravenloft such an often occasion in these places!?" He teased and laughed.

"Please forgive him, Priest Arthur, he is just a null." Said someone from the crowd.

"My name is Pupil Sirius. And no, We only had one Priest for a long time."

"I see! This is why you all are so excited about my magnificent spells?"

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"Usually in church you are taught the value of magic and modesty. This is why we value each and every spell being used."

"Huh! What could a null know about spells? When was the last time you ignited a fireplace without a magic circe?"

"A week ago. Actually, about spells. The last one was bad." The crowd gasped.

"What did you say?"

"It was messy. And you called that an arrow? The apple was torn apart, not pierced." Murmurs of agreement swept across the crowd. "Also, it was very messy and you almost lost control over it. Were you not taught about the Mythos' punishment for carelessness?"

"I would listen to you if you were right. However, I don't believe someone who cannot cast spells knows better. As you can see, I am still here! And everyone likes what I can do!" The crowd, reminded about the God's punishment, agreed, but made a step back nonetheless.

"Well, I actually might know better. If you want, I'll describe you what was wrong. You can find me at the church's library most of the time." Sirius said and turned around.

The anger was seething in him, this arrogant priest knew how to strike the nerve. As he made a couple of steps, he felt the forceful pull behind him, and heard the crowd gasp. Purely on instinct he dodged to the right, turning back to face the priest. Arthur's eyes were brimming with rage, as he was humiliated in front of all these people, and his index finger pointed where Sirius stood just now. With a crack a 'wind arrow' hit the ground near Sirius. Arthur, even more furious pointed directly at Sirius' face, but something went wrong this time.

As Arthur gathered energy and pushed towards his finger, his forearm exploded, splattering blood around. He screamed in pain, and fell to the ground, accompanied by the shouts of terrified crowd. Some people looked towards Sirius, unsure if the only healer in the village will help his offender.

"Shit..." Cursed Sirius under his breath and went towards the squirming man. "Give way! What did I say!? You dumbass!"

Sirius put his backpack on the ground and took out a jar with World Tree leaves, mortar and pestle and a wide board.

"For your hubris you will pay by being a test subject." Sirius took his mutilated hand and looked inside. It was a first for him as a healer, but he steeled his nerves. The wound looked like it exploded from the inside, bone fragments littering the edges. Sirius put a mortar under his wound, getting some of the blood inside. After he threw a couple of leaves as well he told to a random man in the crowd. "You! Grind that until it sparkles."

"What about you?" Said a man.

"I need to prepare a ritual, or it won't work." Answered Sirius, while taking out ritual chalks. He drew the most perfect black circle anyone in Rivervale seen being drawn by hand. Inside he drew two golden ones and littered the rest with silver arcs and lines, leaving a place for a mortar inside. After that he drew a small silver circle beside and connected with lines. Not even a minute passed while he was doing all that. "Is paste ready?"

"Yes!" A man gave back the mortar. Inside Sirius found a perfect paste that began changing colour to green and glint in the sun.

"Perfect!" Sirius said and placed a mortar inside the large circle. In the small one he put a whole jar of purple leaves and threw a half of golden chalk on top. With a thought the circle shone, as the energy left the jar and a piece of chalk, leaves withering in process. When the paste in the mortar began shining, Sirius flipped it over the wound, dumping its contents inside.

Arthur screamed, and squealed, and whined, and cursed, but Sirius was holding his arm with deadly strength. Eventually his shouts died down and he looked at his wounded arm. A thick green shell covered his forearm, pulling down with its formidable weight. In shock he looked at Sirius, who was prepared to receive praises.

"You... A heretic!"