2:01 p.m.
Temple of Priest Office Building, Temple of Priests Private Compound, Luxen City.
Vivian let out a sigh as she was walking on a hallway.
I really didn't expect that…
After claiming her 20 platinum coins rewards from the Mission Room, 50% of it was deducted to pay for her loans.
How could I forget about it…?
Motherfucker...
She stopped when she finally reached her next destination.
The Library Room.
Now for the next bothersome shit…
I wonder what will it be this time…
As she entered, she immediately turned to Annabelle's desk.
She's here…
Annabelle was sitting behind her desk and writing on what looked like a logbook. As Vivian made her way to her, at the corner of her eye, she noticed Carr tutoring a Brown Cloak Priest in his mid-teens while Criselle and Said were having a chat.
"Excuse me, Sister Annabelle."
Annabelle stopped what she was doing and raised her head. The moment she saw Vivian, a warm smile broke out from her lips.
"Sister Vivian. I was expecting you might show up late because I heard you're busy participating in the Feeding and Teaching Holy Mission, but I'm glad you're here. Please give them a moment," she said and then began putting away her pen and logbook.
Huh…?
She knows I'm participating in the Feeding and Teaching Holy Mission…?
Vivian let out a smile.
"Ah yes, I'm part of -- well, I'm still of Sister Melissa's group. But now that I'm a White Cloak, this will be my last week with her group."
Annabelle got up and nodded.
"Sister Melissa is in charge of the group responsible for conducting the Feeding and Teaching Holy Mission here in the city, correct?"
Vivian nodded.
"Yes."
"Would you continue participating in the Feeding and Teaching Holy Mission?"
"You mean with the other groups? To be honest, I haven't yet decided because I wasn't even expecting to learn a Class Magic and be a White Cloak right away."
"I understand," Anabelle said and nodded with a warm and kind smile. "Would you mind if we have our meeting at a more comfortable and private place?"
A more comfortable and private place…?
An image of Mrs. Belfair flashed inside Vivian's head and she subconsciously leaned back.
What is this old woman planning…?
"S-Sure…" she said with a forced smile.
***
Ka-cha!
Anabelle and Vivian entered a room next to the Library Room.
If Vivian were to describe the room, it was somewhat a small room that reminded her of a Guidance Counselor's office but it had a "homely" atmosphere. Although there was an office desk with two vacant chairs in front of it, a lounging area that had one two-person sofa and two single-person sofas with a coffee table in the middle, and windows draped with bright and beautiful curtains, the room had its own private bathroom, toilet, and a small kitchen.
What the hell…?
How come a room like this has a bathroom, toilet and kitchen while mine doesn't…?
It's disgusting to share such places with strangers, you know…
"Please take a seat while I prepare some snacks," Annabelle said as she headed over to the kitchen.
Vivian went to the lounging area and then sat at one of the single-person sofas.
"Sister, I forgot to ask," Annabelle said.
Vivian turned to her.
"Yes, sister?"
"Tea or coffee?"
"Anything will do."
"I prefer tea, particularly Nelle Tea. Would you like something else?"
Vivian shook her head.
"I don't mind."
Annabelle nodded and returned back to preparing the snacks.
Should I offer some help…?
I don't like to help though…
I mean…
I'm not the one who sent the invite…
And I'm not thirsty…
But I'd like to drink an energy drink…
Yeah…
Energy drink…
I miss those…
A few moments later, Annabelle brought over a tray with a teapot, two teacups, a plate of cookies, and two saucers.
Vivian got up and helped.
"Thank you, sister," Annabelle said with a warm smile.
"No problem, sister," Vivian replied and smiled as well.
After setting the snacks on top of the coffee table, Annabelle gestured her hand to the snacks.
"Please."
This isn't laced with poison or something, is it…?
"Thank you," Vivian said as picked up a cup.
Sip.
Annabelle picked up her cup and took a sip as well before placing it down. After that, she grabbed a cookie, took a small bite, and then placed the rest of the cookie on top of a saucer.
"You don't like cookies, sister?"
Vivian let out an awkward chuckle as she placed her cup down.
"I'm not really fond of sweet food, to be honest. And plus, I wasn't expecting this so I ate before coming here. I'm sorry."
Annabelle shook her head.
"There's nothing for you to be sorry about, sister. It is who should be the one who should say sorry because I'm the one who requested for you to come see and I didn't do my research properly."
"Um… By the way, sister, if you don't mind me asking, why am I here?"
"Oh, about that. First off, I want to congratulate you for getting promoted to White Cloak," Annabelle said with a smile.
"Thank you," Vivian said with a smile.
"You're welcome, sister," Annabelle said and nodded with a smile. "Next, I want to discuss your future career here in our Temple."
Vivian raised an eyebrow.
"Future career in our Temple…?"
Annabelle nodded once more.
"Yes. Are you aware of our Temple's Grade Job system?"
Vivian shook her head.
"I don't think so."
"What about the Holy Crusade?"
Would it be weird that a grown person like me doesn't really know anything about the Holy Crusade…?
"To be honest, and as embarrassing as this may sound, I only know just as much as an outsider about the Holy Crusade. But please, if you don't mind, please explain it to me like I don't know anything about it or as if I were a child."
Annabelle nodded once more.
"I'm going to discuss the Grade Job system first.
"As you may already know, our Temple has many Chapter Temples spread across the continent and we have many members. And just like with any organization, there must be positions assigned to all members of the organization to make sure that the organization stays intact or functions properly and all of the members are united.
"Now, the main issue here is who should be assigned to the positions, especially in the leadership positions. And this is why the Grade Job system was created.
"The Grade Job system is divided into 4 categories -- Grade I, Grade II, Grade III and Grade IV. And as for its hiring process, it's mainly based on the member's Holy Crusade points.
"For example, let's say there are two Priestess applying for the Head Librarian job position here in our Chapter Temple. Whoever has the highest number of Holy Crusade points between the two Priestesses will get priority in getting the job.
"And as you may have already guessed, to collect Holy Crusade points, one must participate in the Holy Crusade. And every time you participate in the Holy Crusade, you will be rewarded with 1 Holy Crusade point. Of course, you can also earn extra Holy Crusade points during your Holy Crusade contract by participating in Field Missions.
"Do you have any questions, sister?"
Vivian knitted her brows as she thought about it for a moment.
"You mentioned 'Holy Crusade contract'. Does this mean there's a time limit or duration for each Holy Crusade contract?"
Annabelle nodded.
"Each Holy Crusade contract lasts 6 months."
"How many -- I mean, what is the average number of Holy Crusade points that a person must have to make sure they can get priority when applying for a job?"
"It depends on what Grade Job you're applying for. Naturally, the higher the Grade Job position, the more Holy Crusade points are needed. However, if it's just based on the average age, our Brothers usually retire around 30 years old and they will have at least 20 points while our Sisters would usually retire around 28 years old and they will have at least 15 points."
15 points…?
1 Holy Crusade contract lasts for 6 months and gives 1 Holy Crusade point…
And assuming that I also get 1 extra Holy Crusade point for doing Field Missions during each Holy Crusade Contract…
She started calculating inside her head.
That's 4 years with 1 Holy Crusade Contract of me not earning an extra 1 Holy Crusade point from Field Missions…
However…
That's just the average…
I would need an extra 5 points…
She started calculating inside her head once again.
That would be 1.5 years…
Again, with 1 Holy Crusade contract of me not earning an extra 1 Holy Crusade point from Field Missions…
That would be a total of 5.5 years…
Or 5 years if I also earn 1 extra Holy Crusade point for the 2 Holy Crusade Contracts where I didn't earn an extra Holy Crusade point…
What the hell…?!
You're telling me I should participate in the Holy Crusade for 5 years just make sure --…
"I have a question, sister."
"Yes?"
"Let's say I got a job in our Temple and then someone comes along and wants my job. What happens?"
Annabelle nodded.
"That's a very good question, sister.
"When that happens, usually, the Temple would try to find a way where both of you won't clash in terms of job description.
"However, if it's a leadership position, the Temple would first assess you and that person's job performance. If it turns out that the other person is more capable, the Temple will then check both of your Holy Crusade points. And if the other person has more Holy Crusade points than you, he or she will be your superior and you will be their subordinate."
Vivian didn't say anything and cast her gaze on the coffee table that had snacks.
"But sister," Annabelle said.
Vivian raised her gaze.
"In your case, you have a very high potential to be in the Grade I or II Jobs."
"Huh?"
"In your First Holy Mission, the Reading and Writing Holy Mission, you displayed exceptional intellectual skills. Brother Ezekiel also informed me that you have a natural talent for arithmetic. So you have the qualities of holding a secretarial or managerial position for the Grade II jobs.
"Moreover, you have 3 Magic Art Affinities. If you get promoted to Gold Cloak, you'll become eligible for the Grade I jobs.
"Furthermore, you also showed that you have the courage and fighting prowess to hunt and capture demon-worshippers.
"And lastly, it hasn't even been a month since you joined our Temple and you've already become a White Cloak.
"With these qualifications and achievements, our Temple, the Luxen Chapter Temple, has decided to help you reach your full potential and become a valuable asset not only to our Chapter Temple, but to the entire Luxen Kingdom as well. And to make sure that happen, if you join the Holy Crusade, High Brother Lucius and High Sister Grana, the Headmasters of the Luxen Kingdom's Main Chapter Temple, will write you a recommendation letter and give you a recommendation medal that will serve as proof that you're a future High Sister of the Luxen Chapter Temple so the Holy Crusade officials are not allowed to assign you in a dangerous station or send you to dangerous Field Missions during your Holy Crusade contract."
Vivian looked at Annabelle with a deadpan expression.
"The Holy Crusade is that dangerous?"
"Firstly, once you sign up for the Holy Crusade, you will have to apply for a Division and there are 5 Divisions -- Infantry Division, Air Division, Sea Division, Inquisitory Division and Exploratory Division.
"The Infantry Division is the vanguard of the Holy Crusade. Wherever there are Demons, demon-worshippers, the members of the Cult of Infinity and heretics, they will be sent there to eradicate them or sometimes capture them.
"The Air Division is the aerial support and scout of the Infantry Division. They're also in charge of transporting people, and delivering messages and packages.
"The Sea Division is the vanguard of the Holy Crusade in the seas. They're also in charge of transporting large amounts of packages through the seas.
"The Inquisitory Division is in charge of preventing corruption and arresting Brothers and Sisters who have become heretics.
"And lastly, the Exploratory Division is in charge of diplomatic relations between the Temple of Priests and foreign forces. They will usually be sent to foreign or Pagan Lands to deal with the locals there.
"As you can see, the Holy Crusade can be safe or dangerous, depending on what Division you're part of. And considering that we have multiple types of healing spells, including [Resurrection], our mortality rate is also very low.
"But since our Chapter Temple has recognized your abilities and wants to make sure that you will grow to your full potential and become a future High Sister of the Luxen Chapter Temple, High Brother Lucius and High Sister Grana will write you a recommendation letter and give you recommendation medal that will serve as proof that the Holy Crusade officials are not allowed to assign you in a dangerous station or send you to dangerous Field Missions during your Holy Crusade.
"However, of course, in doing this, your chances of earning extra Holy Crusade points during your Holy Contract are low. And you learning [Resurrection] might take longer.
"But if you don't want High Brother Lucius and High Sister Grana to prevent the Holy Crusade officials from assigning you to dangerous stations and sending you to dangerous Field Missions so that you can earn extra Holy Crusade points and also learn [Resurrection] faster, you could do that."
Like hell I don't want that…!
Do I look like someone who has a death wish…?!
But they got me good…
It looks like asking if it's possible not to join the Holy Crusade is out of the question…
Especially after mentioning about the recommendation letter and medal…
However…
Exploratory Division…?
Pagan Lands…?
"Sister, I have a question."
"Yes, sister?"
"You mentioned about the Exploratory Division being sent to the Pagan Lands. Where is the Pagan Lands located?"
"Any place that isn't under the Temple of Priests' protection."
"Are there many dangerous monsters there?"
"Unfortunately."
"Let's say I joined the Exploratory Division, I was sent to a Pagan Land and then I encountered a group of dangerous monsters. Am I allowed to kill them or do I have to follow the rules here in the kingdom where overhunting is prohibited?"
"It's funny that you ask that, sister. Back when I used to participate in the Holy Crusade, I was part of the Exploratory Division. As long as you don't hunt the monsters into extinction, it's fine. However, if the monster, insect or animal has been labeled as a pest because it's causing problems to the living conditions of the people living there, then yes, you're allowed to hunt them into extinction."
"Oh…"
Wait…
Hold on…
This woman is old…
Probably in her 60s…?
How come she's still a White Cloak…?
That doesn't make any sense…
"Sister, if you don't mind me asking, how does one specifically learn [Resurrection]?"
"It's through self-sacrifice."
"Huh? Self-sacrifice? You mean…?"
Annabelle nodded.
"Yes."
"Oh…"
A serious expression appeared on Annabelle's face.
"I understand, sister, that you must be wondering why I'm still a White Cloak despite my age."
Vivian shook her head.
"No, no, not at all, sister. That thought never crossed my mind at all."
Annabelle nodded.
"I see. Either way, I still want to explain it to you.
"I joined the Temple of Priests late, when I was already in my 40s. And when I joined the Holy Crusade, because my Physical and Magic Force was already high from decades of training, there weren't that many chances for me to perform self-sacrifices. I even joined the Infantry Division in my first 5 Holy Crusade contracts before switching to the Exploratory Division.
"But in your case, since you're still young and growing, you have a very high chance of learning [Resurrection]. And it would be a huge loss for our Temple if someone of your talents can't be a High Sister which is why we're offering this to you. Especially for me, who has experienced what I experienced and has watched you, it would break my heart to see your talents go to waste."
Vivian scratched the back of her head.
"Um… I… I don't know what to say…"
Annabelle shook her head.
"It's fine, sister. Do you have any other questions?"
"Not anymore or nothing I can think of at the moment."
Annabelle nodded.
"I understand that what I told you is a lot to take so I'm not going to force an answer out of you today. But what I do want you to do is to think about everything I said in the next few days before the month ends.
"The monthly Ranking Match between our Chapter Temple and the Heisen Chapter Temple will be this coming Day of Satur. After that, it will be followed by the monthly Pilgrimage where our Brothers and Sisters who are signing up for the Holy Crusade will leave and go to the Holy Kingdom."
Vivian nodded.
"Okay, sister. I promise to think about it," she said and then as she was about to get up from her seat, she stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot. Can I ask what's the salary for each Grade Job?"
"For Grade IV, it's anywhere between 20-50 gold coins a month.
"Grade III is 500 gold coins a month.
"Grade II is 2,500 gold coins a month.
"And Grade I is 5,000 gold coins for Gold Cloak and 10,000 gold coins for Red and Gray Cloaks.
"These are the base salaries. The bonuses are not included because each bonus is different."
"I see," Vivian said.
********************
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Hello guys, belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I have a few announcements to make:
1) I received my new laptop around the second week of December but I was already in vacation mode with my family so I wasn't able to write that much.
2) Starting now, I will drop most of the gimmicks I've been doing.
I just want to focus on writing and posting.
Having said that, I will only be posting 5 chapters per week here at WebNovel. Meanwhile, at Patreon, it would be at least 5 per week.
As to why, that's because in the later chapters I'm writing around 2,000 words each chapter compared to the earlier chapters which were only 1,200-1,500 each.
On top of that, I also have two small businesses that I'm managing and other personal matters.
So yeah, my hands are quite full and I hope that you will understand.
By the way, I posted some Chapter Drafts at P-a-t-r-e-o-n. And to view them, you can read them at…
• https://www.patreon.com/Immortal_Shades
There, you will have access to the Chapter Drafts for $5 a month.
Please note that the chapters posted there are only drafts. So when those said Chapter Drafts will be published here, there will be some edits. And at the moment, Chapter Drafts 207-219 are posted there.
I would like to give my special thanks for this month's Patrons:
•
Thank you once again and I will see you in the next chapter.
Again, belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!