I was awake but lying there in my little bed, looking at my Status after achieving level 25 in my Advancement finally.

  PERSONAL STATUS

  Level 3

  Cidrakas Lasalis

  Strength: 18

  Dexterity: 16

  Constitution: 18

  Wisdom: 10

  Intelligence: 10

  Charisma: 12

  Skills

  Advancement 25

  Mimic 1

  Blessings

  Blessing of Rekf

  I'd finally rakned up the Advancement. The next perk reduced the time from 24 hours to 12 hours just as I'd hoped. Turns out it's a well documented fact from the materials I'd been reading. With only one perk tree the reduction goes 24 >12 > 6 > 3> instant. The capstone was exactly what I needed and it would take me roughly 22 more days to get there. I'd spent my stat points as well, 2 each on Str, Dex, Con, and Wis. My Wis score had always been a bit low and it was nice to bring it to an average level.

  Next I looked at my Mimic skill. The original owner had chosen to boost its strength by 25% but I wanted to know what perks were available.

  Mimic Perks

  Boost: Increase the strength of targeted skills by 25%.

  Prolong: Double the duration of targeted skill.

  Efficiency: Reduces the cost, if any, of the targeted skill by 25%.

  The first and second options were incredibly useful. Prolong was useless to me though as I'd be keeping the skills indefinitely. I'd have to see if there was another increase to Boost past the normal capstone ability though or if I'd have to take one instance of Efficiency.

  Closing out my Status I grabbed my clothes and went to get washed up. As I bathed I thought about my life for the last 3 weeks or so. Aurelia's party was fun and a nice time hanging out with my friends. We'd talked for hours about life and our hopes and dreams. Gifts were given and songs were sung. My gift was a copy of A Primer on Skills. I could get it at a decent price of only 30 copper, still a considerable sum for me but she was one of my oldest friends.

  The next day her awakening had gone perfectly. She recieved Enchanting just as she'd hoped. The girl was blessed I swear. Her life couldn't fail to be wonderful by all appearances. I'd been allowed to assist and congratulated her immediately.

  I got dressed and went to serve breakfast. It was nice to get to know everyone in the church of Halcis. Most novitiates were only a little older than me with a handful of older ones training to be war priests. They spent time training with the Templars so it took longer. I saw most of the administrative staff at least once a week as well. They tended to keep odd hours as they were very busy all the time. Especially Zafas.

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  The man had been like a wolf on a scent since the murder. He'd questioned the staff, city guards on patrol that night, neighboring churches, all to no avail. He'd even sent inquiries to the Royal Guard but had been shut down hard and now he was out of leads. A fact that made him take on the demeanor of a wyvern with an infected anal gland. It was best to stay out of his way for now. It was probably for the best though. There is no way he was going to be able to touch prince Ferdin. Not unless he was willing to start an inquisition and subsequent holy war against the crown, and that was in no one's best interest.

  I finished serving breakfast and headed to the library. Stephens had been a good mentor, as he seems to have taken it upon himself to become one for me. He know far more than he let on and I was glad he'd seen fit to keep it to himself so I kept my mouth closed and played along.

  "Morning Floris." I waved at the librarian on desk duty this morning. Quiet young lady. Mousy little face and glasses with her long brown hair in twin braids as usual.

  "Morning Cid." She didn't even look up from the book she was reading.

  All right then. I went to the returns and began putting them away. I was an hour into my day, shelving books on the second floor when I heard someone speaking from the next aisle that caught my ear.

  "The royal family takes it very seriously. They're sending a team of investigators to assist High Templar Zafas next week." A soft, high pitched male voice said.

  "You dont find that odd? That they're sending someone at all? This should have no bearing on them and they never get involved in the church's affairs. And they just happen to be the only known practitioners of soul magic. Not suspicious at all." A deeper, more gruff male voice. They were being quiet not only because they were in a library but also because of the potentially editions nature of their conversation.

  "I'm telling you they're only trying to help."

  "Think for a minute. If there was something to be found, Zafas would've found it by now. With his and the Seekers skills, they can figure out what my late great grandfather at for lunch on his 3rd birthday a hundred years ago, yet they can't get one hint of a clue on something this recent and big? No they royals are covering their own rears."

  "If that's so then why send anyone at all, hmm? Why not just let it go to a dead end?"

  "Because they're paranoid. They want to know what Zafas knows. And to determine if he knows too much. It doesn't smell right im telling you."

  High voice sighed. "Well now you just sound like a paranoid loon. My father told me if they turn up nothing that one of the royals themselves would come by to look at the soul magic. That proves they're dedicated."

  "You think they find themselves guilty? Now who's the loon?"

  "Oh enough of this. We have work to do."

  The other grumbled and they walked off leaving me frantic. I wasnt worried about the investigators. I could just avoid them, but if prince Ferdin came later he could feel the remnant soul magic in me because it was his. My time here at the Cathedral might be coming to an end if he were to come as I'd have no choice but to flee.

  I finished the reshelving and sat in a quiet corner in thought. I'd have to make plans. If it wasn't the prince I should be okay, but if he's the one coming I'd have to leave. I needed to find out who was coming. Librarian Stephens might know who the royals were sending. He was practically clairvoyant.

  Near the end of my shift I headed to Stephens office. Knock knock.

  "Come."

  "Librarian Stephens, might I have a moment?"

  "Whats on your mind Cidrakas?" He gestured at a seat.

  "I heard some rumors that the royal family might be sending some people to help investigate. That's not normal is it?" I kept my tone light to lower the chance he'd be suspicious.

  "True. They're sending some people at the end of next week. A futile action if you ask me. Nothing that should concern you though. Simply curious are we?" His question was innocent enough but he was tricky. His face gave nothing away.

  "Not just that. I'd also heard a royal might be coming. I wanted to know if there was protocol on how we should act and if it differed depending on who showed up." It sound reasonable to me.

  "Ah, not to worry. Simply be on your best behavior when they arrive and do not address them unless they address you first. It shouldn't matter which one comes as your behavior should be the same but I believe they'll send princess Carmen. She's one of the most beautiful young ladies of her generation I hear. Is that why you're so interested?" He gave a smile that could've meant anything but seemed far too knowing.

  "Maybe a bit. I just didn't want to make a fool of myself by breaking some rule I don't know and make the Cathedral look bad." I gave a self deprecating smile.

  "You'll be fine. You conduct yourself quite well. I'd honestly be surprised if you had to interact with her at all though. She shouldn't be here long and will be working whilst here. If that's all then?"

  I nodded frantically as if I were nervous. "Thank you for your time."

  I kept to myself until after cleaning duty that evening. I was immensely relieved but I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd still need to be prepared for a catastrophe.