Fire Mage (Web Novel)
chapter-448

'Yes, why would he want to invite trouble by killing the normal citizens? Anyway, it's better to be safer than sorry.' Caster muttered inwardly and soon spoke.

"Then, I'll tell you more about the Awakening process." He paused for a moment and then added.

"Before that, show me your real face. I want to check your original physique."

Meanwhile, Charles didn't say a word and agreed to his request. Then, he deactivated his [Shape-Shifting] skill and returned to his original appearance.

A second later, a 28-years-old looking young man appeared in front of Saint Caster.

On the other hand, Saint Caster stared at the shape-shifting process and widened his eyes in shock.

'Except for his true physical strength, everything within his body is changing!' While muttering inwardly, Caster used his wooden cane to touch Charles's body and studied him for a few seconds.

After that, he took out a cigarette from his surcoat, placed the butt part in his mouth, lit it up using a match stick, and inhaled the smoke inside.

A second later, he removed the cigarette from his mouth and let out a puff of smoke. Then, he closed his eyes and spoke with a thoughtful look on his face.

"Your body is in messy shape. Unlike the Knights' method, you seem to have used a forceful method to strengthen your body. Did you use those similar alchemic potions like the druids? No wonder your body physique is in such a messy state. You haven't even awakened your body physique."

Upon hearing those words, Charles raised his eyebrows and waited for him to continue.

Meanwhile, Saint Caster took another puff inside, exhaled the smoke, and added.

"Not only that, but you also didn't strengthen your muscles using the affinity element. Although your body seemed to have formed some strange connection with the fire-elemental energy, you still need to do more training to assimilate the fire energies into your body muscles and bones." While speaking, he turned around, gripped the wooden cane with his right hand, and started walking towards the altar.

Soon, he stepped on the dais, walked past the altar table, and soon arrived in front of a 1-meter tall stone pillar. The stone pillar appeared greyish, and on top of it was a burning bowl. Charles noticed that a sunshine flame was burning inside the bowl and gave off a feeling of pure sacredness.

'Hmm? I also saw such a similar stone pillar inside the secret chamber. Is this the connection bridge between the believers and the Goddess Zaqiel?'

While Charles was studying the ritual process, the old Saint first took five colorless crystals from his pocket and tossed them into the burning bowl. Then, he raised both hands above his chest, crossed the fingers with one another, closed his eyes, and started to pray in an ancient language.

After a minute of long chant, he opened his eyes suddenly, moved his right hand towards the burning bowl, and took out five reddish crystals from it. Then, he turned around, stepped away from the altar area, and soon arrived in front of Charles.

Then, he first took out a unique small stone and gave it to him.

"Swallow this stone and do the first awakening process here. I'll go back to my room and bring back the knight technique manual for your training. When you finish the first awakening process, you can follow the instructions written in the knight technique manual and strengthen your physique on your own. Once you reach the bottleneck, you can use the second awakening stone and continue the process." He paused for a moment and then added.

"I'll give you five stones for your future progression. As long as you follow the procedure, you'll become a Saint Knight within 20 years."

Meanwhile, Charles took the small red stone from the old man's hand, cast [Arcane Eyes] skill, and analyzed it. After confirming that there was no problem with the awakening stone, he sat on the nearby pew and cast [Sun's Guard] spell on himself. Then, he closed his eyes and swallowed the red stone.

A second later, a strange hot sensation appeared in his throat as the red stone dissolved into pure mystic power and spread all over the body. Soon, the mystical force seeped into every cell and created a strange mutation. Unlike the time he ranked up, Charles felt a deep connection with his soul and the body!

He stayed in the same position for the next 2 minutes as he continued to observe the changes happening inside his body and finally opened his eyes. Then, he looked at his own hands and felt a strange refreshing feeling.

'Hmm, this awakening process is indeed helping me gain control over my body to a greater extend. Although it didn't increase my body strength as I already increased it using potions and attribute points, it definitely improved my flexibility. Moreover, I can now also borrow the surrounding fire elemental energy and create an aura around my body for defensive purposes.' Charles nodded his head in understanding and soon squinted his eyes. Then, he looked at the right-side hallway and saw the old Saint was returning while holding an old book in his hand.

Meanwhile, Charles stood up from his seat and went towards him while dismissing the hovering [Black Inferno] spell.

On the other hand, Saint Caster looked at the disappearing flame ball and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thanks for understanding my concern, mister. If you have any more doubt, feel free to ask me." While speaking with a polite smile, Saint Caster gave the knight's manual and the remaining four red stones to Charles and took three steps back.

On the other hand, Charles let out a chuckle, looked up at the dome-shaped ceiling, and spoke.

"I do have one more question, old man." He paused for a moment, shifted his gaze towards the wrinkled old man's face, and asked with the same smile.

"How long would it take for your church friends to come here?"

Upon hearing those words, Saint Caster widened his eyes in shock and blurted out.

"H-How did you know?"

"You think there are no other ways to notice the telepathic waves? You are standing in front of an otherworldly being, mortal. Humph, I've long noticed your sneaky action. Well, I don't want to disappoint you guys." Charles spoke in a cold tone, snapped his fingers, and created another ball of black flame.

Then, he used his wisdom power and let it move towards the dome's interior. But unlike the last one, this fireball appeared more than a five-meter radius and sucked all the negative emotions from the nearby surroundings.

"What are you trying to do?!" The Saint caster instantly conjured an illusionary sword made of pure light and pointed the tip at Charles.