The Price of Knowledge

The rest of the rite went similarly, with out any accidents. Sirius watched a couple more kids be initiated and fell into deep thoughts. He pondered about what he just saw, and matched in his mind what he already knew. This rite was similar to circle diagrams he studied before, but it used people to guide mana. Maybe it was because the rite itself was much older than diagrams, so it was mainly manual and required supervision. But something was still not fitting. The spheres were definitely gold and, as Father Gregor confirmed, silver, nothing more. In diagrams he used yellow, white and dark-grey chalks, and he was sure he saw some glint in the lines. He concluded it was metal dust, but he had no idea what the third chalk contained. Also, to condense Mana Pool, the Bishop accumulated a large amount of dense mana in Laura's body, which acted like gold. Could the other two starting mana organs be linked to other metals? For that Sirius needed to observe people with Mind's eye and Thought Constellation, but the Kingdom had no such people around.

While he was thinking, the rite concluded and a happy batch of newly-initiated pupils ran towards their parents, and the crowd began dissipating. Sirius asked permission to talk with Bishop, as he walked towards the church.

"Your Holness, may I ask a question?"

"Greetings, Pupil Sirius. Already thinking about uncovering our secrets?" Teased Bishop, as they walked alongside each other. "You surely can, but just until we reach the church."

"Thank you! So, umm... What are the chalks for circle diagrams are made of?" Sirius went straight to the point, making the Bishop stop in his way.

"I am both impressed and terrified that you linked them together so quickly. Please don't use it to condense Mana Pool, I really don't want to have you executed. As for your question, they are made of gold, tin and lead." He began walking again, a bit slowly than before.

"Tin? But I thought they are made of silver, just like those orbs."

"Silver and tin are similar in their behaviour. Gold and copper are as well, and so are lead and iron."

"If gold stores mana, what does other metals do?" Sirius hastily asked as they were already at the church's doors.

"That... I am afraid I am not allowed to disclose that, but you can study them like you did with plants. I am sure you will guess correctly. Farewell, Pupil Sirius, I wish you success!" Said Bishop, disappearing in the hall, leaving Sirius standing outside.

"How everything went?" Asked Father Gregor, after catching up to Sirius.

"Better than I thought. I understand why people love him, he is very friendly."

"It is true, rarely you can see such an easygoing and down-to-earth person among the higher echelons on the church. Did you get your answers?"

"Some of them, yes. Others, like I thought, are secrets. However, he gave me a hint I needed, so that is fine."

"If so, let's go back to the guild, we might return before the dusk if we move out in an hour or so."

"Can we buys some stuff on our way?"

"Buy some stuff... You never asked that before. What do you need exactly?"

"I need some metals, maybe a tool or two. I think the Order can give back the money for that after the fact."

"Are you sure?" Gregor was intrigued by the eagerness of Sirius. The boy's mind was already cooking up some plan of research.

"You can say it was for the research. I think they won't mind."

"Fine, why not. So, give me a list and let's look around for the materials."