The Price of Knowledge

They were going down the staircase, eventually reaching a wide corridor with high dome-shaped ceilings. In the peaks hanged small lanterns that emitted warm light, illuminating the underground passage. Ceilings were intermittently supported by stone columns, but other than that everything was very bland, especially in comparison with the grand interior of the main hall.

"Follow me please.And from now on please be silent in the halls. Such are the ways here." Said the priest.

Sirius and Gregor nodded and went behind the priest. Just now Sirius noticed the unnerving silence. Most of the people wore masks like that of the Inquisitor and Observer, black of white depending on gender. Their robes varied in the degree of decor, but most of them were black and white, with rare one-tone cloaks of people not from the Order. Sirius' green cape on top of farmboy clothes was more out of place here than plain black robes of the priest and Father Gregor, making him feel alien in the underground chamber of the Order.

They walked down the corridor in complete silence, sometimes turning into the branching path. Eventually, the priest stopped in front of the door and quietly stood, as if waiting for something. The door clicked and opened on its own. The priest stepped to the side and bowed to the Gregor and Sirius, inviting them inside with a gesture. They bowed in return and went inside, closing the door behind. The room was rather cramped, rows of bookshelves along the every wall making the space even more suffocating. In the middle of the room facing the door stood a wooden table covered in high stacks of books and paperwork. In the high wooden chair sat Silver Inquisitor in his usual attire with faceless black mask. He stood up from the table, showing his attention.

"Priest Gregor." Said the Silver Inquisitor without emotion, acknowledging their visit.

"Greetings, Silver Brother. Apologies for the sudden visit." Answered Gregor with a bow, which Sirius quickly mirrored.

"I know you wouldn't ask for an audience if not for serious matter. I believe, it is regarding Pupil Sirius."

"Yes, Silver Brother, it is regarding recent request of Sirius Your Holiness had approved."

"Tell me." Sirius thought he caught a hint of amusement from Inquisitor's voice.

"When studying the medicinal herbs, Sirius noticed the ingredient's interaction with mana in the air. His perception of mana is rather keen, as you are already aware."

"Yes, I am, indeed. Pupil Sirius, tell me more about your findings."

"Sure, Your Holiness. When I was preparing the paste of the blackleaf root, I noticed that it would heat up a mana passing through it. I began experimenting on different plants and noticed other interactions between different plants and mana. I had noted down them in my notebook."

"Do you have it on your hand?"

"Of course. Please take a look." Sirius said, while unbuckling a small notebook from his hip. His voice was steady, but internally he was sweating bullets. inquisitor's domineering presence made him uncomfortable, despite his seemingly friendly mood. Sirius opened the notebook on the correct page and passed it to the Inquisitor with a bow.

Inquisitor read through the notes, lists, diagrams, and tables. Sirius went through a lot of materials, writing down their interactions after being ground into a paste, soaked in an alcohol and water, dried on the sun or wilted in the darkness, anything he could think of. Most of the times the results were unchanged or weakened, but in some cases they would be stronger, different or even opposite from the fresh state. After reading through the last page, Inquisitor closed the notebook and handed it back to Sirius, which he promptly accepted.

"I consider this information interesting, but what is the reason for you visit?"

"I think it can be used as a novel way of spellcasting." Stated Sirius.

The room became instantly colder, as Inquisitor turned towards the Gregor, his right hand moving towards the hilt of the sword.

"Please do not blame him, Your Holiness!" Screamed Sirius. "It is my sensitivity towards mana that guided me towards that information! Father Gregor did not teach me that!"

"Tell me more." Slowly said Inquisitor, without drawing the sword. He shifted his gaze towards Sirius, waiting for explanation.

"I..." Sirius gulped. "I know that spells everyone uses is simple manipulations of the parameters on mana. Changing them changes the way it interacts with the world. Despite not having enough might to use magic on my own, I was able to recognise the principle behind on my own."

"It is unfortunate." Said Inquisitor. "But I cannot trust you."

"You strip the mana in the air of its heat!" Sirius shouted in desperation, making Inquisitor stop.

"And?..." Inquisitor stopped his hand from pulling out a sword.

"And... You gather hot mana in your sheath to make a blade of fire, while cold mana is expelled away, freezing the room." Said Sirius with determination.

Inquisitor stood still, thinking about the words of a kid without a solid astral body, who correctly guessed the principles behind his Holy Flame Blade, the Order spent quite some time developing. He removed his hand from the hilt and placed both of them on the table, supporting himself, falling deep in thought.

"You are dangerous." Eventually he said, looking forward. "Only in Order..."

"I won't join the Order."

"Why not?"

"Your people took the life of my foster father, Deacon Verden, when trying to kill me nine months ago." Defiantly stated Sirius.

"Right... So the last time you lied because you did not want to say that outright."

"Yes. You would kill me straight away." Sirius stated coldly.

"Indeed I would..."

Inquisitor thought in silence. Eventually he sighed.

"I need to assemble a tribunal with Bishop of Ravenloft being an impartial side. You will be judged."