The Price of Knowledge

Sirius was shaking. The stress was unbearable and he began sweating and breathing heavily.

"Pupil Sirius, are you able to continue?" Said Inquisitor to the side of Sirius, seeing that the boy was pale and shaky.

Sirius looked to the side, but the stressful situation and the glimpse of his robe stirred up the memories his mind hid deep inside. A person in black and white robe entering through the window of his room. Something exploding downstairs, followed with a loud thud that had woken up Sirius. Door slamming open and Verden barging inside. Mana filling up the room, like a water leaking from the shattered barrel. Verden hitting a person inside in the neck. Another thud, as a body of the intruder collided with the floor. Voices of people talking outside.

"My boy, I need you to run to Rivervale and tell Gregor that Silver Flash happened. Do not worry about me. Run, I will lower you through the window. Quick!" Verden said while pulling over Sirius' coat and putting Seth under the shirt.

Verden's face paling by the second. Sirius jumping from the window and running towards the village. The sounds of people shouting from behind. Fire spreading inside the hut...

"The people that night... Why did they come?" Finally asked Sirius after a deep beath.

"The Cleansing? They take any suspected Child of Prophecy into the headquarters and indoctrinate them right away."

"Why would they kill master Verden?"

"Whoever stands in the way is an enemy of the Order."

"Why are you telling me all that, anyway?" Sirius dropped any courtesy, he had only spite in his voice.

"You, are a Child of Prophecy. You deserve to know. I think, the Cleansing tried to reason with Verden, but he would not budge, so they decided to kidnap you."

Sirius was displeased by his cold attitude and wanted to lash out, but he felt mana shaking around him from all the emotions and tried to calm down.

"All that, and for what? To hide me underground?"

"You might not understand the reasons, but I assure you, the Order serves the people of the Kingdom. They are our priority."

Sirius accepted that any reasoning is fruitless, so he abandoned any other attempts. Instead he tried calming down, while waiting for Bishop to return and thinking what he can say to lighten the punishment.

After a minute the Bishop and Inquisitors returned and took their seats.

"Pupil Sirius, your findings are indeed very valuable. You did the right thing coming here." Said the Bishop, his warm smile instilling into Sirius and Gregor some calm. "The Cleansing that came for you was late due to you missing baptism. At normal circumstances it would doom anyone to a life of a null. Your perception though would make you a great theoretical researcher. Unfortunately I can not force you into joining, since you are, let's say, not very happy with the way Silver Order has treated you. Additionally, you are not a believer, am I right?"

"Yes, Your Holiness. I attend the church, but I am not convinced by their teachings." Weakly answered Sirius, afraid to anger the Bishop.

"It is fine, no need to worry. While unfortunate, the Order is very strict in that regard, requiring everyone to sincerely believe in the Twin Gods and their ways. Therefore we only accept those who share out faith. Now, are you ready to listen to our verdict, Pupil Sirius?"

"Yes." Sirius steeled his nerves and nodded, looking up at the Bishop and Inquisitors.

"Your contribution, though valuable, goes against the Codex. It is unheard of to receive such precious discovery from someone who is not only indoctrinated, but also not baptised." He paused, making that information sink in. "Therefore, we would like to propose you a compromise."

"A deal?" Asked Sirius, in a state of mild shock.

"You can say that. Your view of the world is unique and we cannot rob the Kingdom of your discoveries. We want to propose you to exist in Rivervale as a rogue researcher, without the right to leave the village. There you are allowed to do your studies in any branch you find worthy." Bishop paused, giving Sirius time to process information.

"Really?..." Was the only thing Sirius said. He looked at the Inquisitor of Rivervale, who also looked rather baffled, his surprise seeping through the black mask.

"You are allowed to live, Pupil Sirius. But..." Sirius' heart skipped a beat. He feared that 'but'. "But only under certain conditions. As long as you remain a non-mage and report back all your findings you are allowed to live. Do you have any questions?"

"Why am I not allowed become a mage?"

"While it is unlikely, since condensing a Mana Pool on your own is incredibly hard, but it was needed to be stated. You possess a keen perception you might be able to, but we can not afford a rogue mage roaming in the Kingdom. So we decided you are not allowed to possess an Astral Body."

"And what if I accidentally achieve it?"

"We have to execute you." Bishop said, accentuating all the seriousness of his decision. "Do you accept this verdict?"

"I accept these conditions, Your Holiness!" Said Sirius.

After finalising the procedures, he was led outside the headquarters along with Father Gregor. In daze they both exited the chapel and sat outside on a bench, looking at the setting sun, giving its last shine from behind the tall cityscape. As the relief washed over them, they both felt the grave situation they just escaped.

"I survived..."

"You did, indeed..."

"But how..."

"I have no idea..."

"..."

"In your place I would reconsider your faith in Twin Gods... They are definitely looking over you..."

"I might... That sounds nice..."