More time passed in a lull. Wolf didn't poke any beehives or stir up trouble.
He got along well enough with his family while they worked out the details of getting him a tutor. The one Len had used had moved to Crossroads for more business. There was talk that Nebo might teach him, but Nebo was busy helping Dad with trades.
Coby finally got back with his father. They'd been successful on a few major hunts—though their tracking had taken them into Crossroads territory, where they'd sold most of their game. Still, they brought back some meat for Wolf's family, which made everyone happy.
When Wolf mentioned the church lessons, Coby had been indifferent. He respected the gods and what they gave, but he didn't think learning about them would help his hunts. So he didn't care much.
The first day they were both able to go to the church together was a major event.
Both families saw it as a big deal—the boys learning about magic and the gods. They called it a "rite of passage." Even the poorest people in a city made time at least once in their lives to visit a church and receive blessings.
Many believed you couldn't be blessed if you didn't acknowledge the gods in a church.
That was why, no matter how small the town, a church was always built at the start and funded by the kingdom. It ensured that even the poorest communities had at least food and shelter to help them move forward.
Those who came were required to work—the gods gave nothing for free. But nobody was made a slave. At least not in this kingdom and the territories it controlled.
Wolf had asked Nina about her tribe's churches once. She'd said they followed an elder, which served the same purpose.
Finding the church was easy. It was the biggest building in the village.
Wolf stopped, staring up at it. How had he never really seen this place before?
When he thought about it, it made sense. His home was near the lake to the west, and the main road out of town ran north and south. He'd never had a reason to go east toward the church.
Logically, it made sense. But it also surprised him how large his village actually was. He'd always thought they were a much smaller place.
Maybe that's why Len is always busy, he thought. And why Nina and Nebo are helping Dad look for more workers.
He was seeing a bigger picture now. Beyond just his own small world.
"Well," Coby said, breaking his thoughts. "What do you think?"
"Big."
"Yeah." Coby sighed, staring up at the church. "It is. Let's get this over with and see what we have to learn. Maybe we'll get blessed and won't have to come back after today!" He laughed at that.
Wolf smiled. "That would be nice. But I really want to know more about magic."
The inside was very clean. And they could feel something different immediately.
"Magic," Wolf whispered.
Coby looked around, less impressed but agreeing. The place felt special.
There were many rows of benches—seats for worship. A few people were scattered throughout, praying quietly. Wolf saw several people dressed simply in black and grey robes walking around, tending to various tasks.
A huge red carpet ran down the middle of the church. It felt both nice and wrong to be stepping on it with their dirty shoes. But they went forward anyway.
One of the people in black robes noticed them and stopped, smiling patiently. "How can I help you today?"
"Um, we're here for the lesson?" Wolf spoke up, addressing the black-robed figure.
"Aha! You're on time. And new faces too." The priest gestured down the hall. "The lessons always take place through the back left door. First door you see, then turn left again."
"Thanks," they both said.
"No worries. May the gods bless you."
Wolf smiled at that. He did want to be blessed—but he was worried that saying it out loud might somehow annoy the gods.
After passing through the first door, they entered a large open area.
It looked like a garden of magic.
Hedges of flowers and carefully tended patches surrounded different areas. Light shone down from above, as if promising blessings for all who walked among them. The smell was pleasant and made Wolf want to curl up and sleep right there in the sunlight.
He noticed random people scattered throughout—praying or meditating, he wasn't sure which. A few moved about quietly, tending to the plants.
When they entered the room made for studying, the bishop was already there.
So were a few other kids around Wolf's age. One immediately caught his eye—a beastkin. A catkin, he thought. They weren't looking his way at first. They seemed bored, their tail swishing lazily back and forth.
That's what caught his attention. The tail. And their pure white hair.
"Ah," the man at the front said, noticing their arrival. "I think that's everyone I was told was coming today. If not, we can always catch up with the others later."
He smiled warmly at them all.
"My name is Bishop Light. It's not my real name—but one I chose when I took over this church." He paused, letting that sink in. "I wanted to be remembered for who I was: a bishop, and a man dedicated to the god of light."
He watched them with kind eyes before continuing.
"We worship all gods here. But the gods do not frown upon anyone who favors one over another." His voice was gentle but confident. "You can even love them all equally and follow the god of balance, who keeps all things in order. For any one god alone would lead all the others astray."
Wolf found himself engrossed in the words.
But he noticed Coby looking around, already bored.
And then he noticed the catkin looking his way. Smiling. Her tail no longer swishing.
Wolf quickly averted his eyes, focusing back on the bishop.
It was then that Coby made an unexpected statement.
"I know we need the gods," he said. "And I'm thankful for them giving us life." He paused. "But we still have to hunt to survive. And that means more to me and my dad."
Wolf frowned. They'd barely started the lesson and Coby was already causing problems.
The other kids looked on passively, waiting to see what would happen before voicing their own opinions.
Bishop Light smiled. He didn't seem angry at all.
"You are right," he said warmly. "And wise for your age."
Coby looked surprised.
"The gods do not desire submission," the bishop continued. "Nor do they require us to kneel to be blessed. That's why they don't interfere with our lives directly."
Coby was listening now, happy to hear his view wasn't wrong.
"The gods need us to be challenged," Bishop Light said, becoming more impassioned. "To understand our own lives. But they let us choose. They give us all the tools—we must build with them."
A girl among the kids spoke up. "How come not everyone can use magic?"
"A very good question." The bishop paused, searching for the right words. "Magic is a blessing for all. But there's only so much that can be given at once."
"It's why magic grows stronger over time in new areas," he explained. "And gets weaker when more people draw on it."
He looked pained before continuing. "It also led to some people shunning the gods' gifts—assuming they didn't need the gods at all."
Coby shifted uncomfortably. He felt like the bishop was hinting at people like him.
But Bishop Light noticed his expression and clarified quickly. "Those people tend to be bandits. Or tribes of rogue beastkin." His voice grew stern. "Those who reject everything society offers, yet still take blessings. But they steal the gift instead of earning it. And they hurt others for more power instead of sharing."
Wolf raised his hand. He needed to know. "How can someone be blessed? What are the rules?"
He hesitated, then added: "My family has always believed in the gods. But is there more to it?"
"Another good question," the bishop remarked. "You can pray. Or even just live your life, and the gods can see your actions and decide you will be blessed."
He paused. "You can also challenge a dungeon. But that's dangerous. And the gods can still deny you."
He finished with a solemn expression.
"But I was told they always reward those who try?" Wolf said, confused.
"They do," the bishop said gently, trying to calm him. "But as I said before—magic has a limit."
He looked around the room carefully. "There are five of you here, correct?"
Wolf nodded. The others did too.
"Then let's say I just blessed four of you." The bishop pointed directly at Wolf. "But not you, child. Because I only had enough blessings for four."
Wolf's heart dropped. Why? Why had he been punished?
Bishop Light smiled sadly. "You think I'm punishing you, don't you? Judging you before you even had a chance to prove yourself? Deciding who was better and more worthy of the gift?"
Wolf felt his face burn with shame. He'd been seen through so easily.
But he did feel attacked. He just wanted magic! And Coby didn't even care!
"It was an example," the bishop said gently. "No blessing was given or denied. At least, not from me."
He looked at all of them seriously. "The point is—this is how bandits feel. And how they justify being evil. The gods didn't give them power, so they take it from others."
His voice softened. "The gods want to bless everyone. But there must be a balance, or bad things happen."
Wolf was still trying to recover from the idea that he hadn't actually been denied a blessing when one of the boys spoke up.
"What about orphans?"
It was one of the quieter boys. "They can't do anything but what they're told. Can they still get magic?"
"My!" Bishop Light exclaimed with genuine delight. "A bright young bunch you are, with so many good questions!"
He smiled warmly. "Orphans are not denied blessings any more than anyone else."
"How do you know?" the boy pressed.
Bishop Light's smile shifted—became something softer, more personal. "Believe it or not, I was an orphan myself."
That shocked the kids.
"You?" came a chorus of surprised voices.
"Aye, me," he replied, clearly happy they were listening so closely. "I was taken in at the city church—dirty and unloved. I had nothing to believe in. Nothing to care for."
His voice grew quiet. "But the nuns loved me anyway. The same as everyone else."
He paused, remembering.
"I ran away once. Starved for many nights before I came back in shame." He smiled sadly. "Just to be loved the same way again."
The kids were hanging on every word.
"It was after that I truly believed," the bishop continued. "I focused on the light. And I was blessed with healing light."
"What! Really? No way!" Various voices erupted all at once.
"It's true," Bishop Light said, still lost in the memory. "Though it wasn't a strong blessing. I didn't want to be a healer, you see." He gestured to himself. "I loved the light, yes. But my desire was to be with the church. And this was the gods showing they approved of that path."
He straightened slightly, coming back to the present.
"So for years, I studied and helped the church. And when a new town was being built—when a chance came to start a new branch—I jumped at it." His eyes shone. "A chance to spread the teachings."
As the bishop finished his story, Wolf felt amazed. So did the other kids. Even Coby seemed more interested in what the bishop had to say now.
The catkin girl spoke up. "What about dungeons?"
Wolf's attention sharpened. That was the first time he'd heard her speak.
"Why do they exist?" she continued. "My mom said only monsters live there."
"Hmmm." The bishop thought for a moment before answering. "Your mother is not wrong. But we need dungeons to spread magic in the world."
He watched them all carefully. "Dungeons have monsters because that's where the gods trapped them. It's why dungeons can serve as a test."
His expression grew serious. "But you children should never see dungeons as a game or a toy to play with. They are necessary, yes. But people can die even in the weakest dungeon."
Wolf raised his hand again. He'd been wondering the same thing. "Why would we want to fight monsters? Especially if you're already blessed?"
"Rare mana gems drop from monsters," the bishop replied casually. "Herbs, spices, and ores are common finds as well."
He gestured broadly. "It's why we tend to have an abundance of supplies when living near dungeons. More dungeons mean more blessings and more wealth for everyone."
"As for why fight if you're already blessed?" He smiled. "Well, that's what adventurers do! They help those who work outside the dungeons. We need people to fight—but we also need people to build, to pray, to gather, and to make things!"
His voice was warm. "Nobody is forgotten in the gods' plan."
He paused, waiting for the next question.
"But what about those who still don't get a blessing?" Wolf asked.
He couldn't help the fear creeping into his voice. What if he got nothing, even though he believed? Why else would bandits exist, full of hate?
Bishop Light frowned. "It seems I didn't explain it well enough." He looked at each child in turn. "Even the poorest, the weakest, or yes—even the evil—are blessed."
"But you said—" Wolf started to argue.
The bishop held up his hand gently. "Nobody is ever denied."
He paused, thinking. "Hmm. Maybe this would help put it into perspective."
He went over to a shelf and pulled down what looked like a container of glass balls. Small, colored beads.
"We use these to help train those with magic," he explained, returning to stand before them. "But they work for everyone. For this example, no magic is needed."
He held up the container. "So. I have twelve beads. And there are five of you." He began handing each child a single bead. "Nobody is without magic."
Wolf held his bead carefully, staring at it.
"Now I have seven left," the bishop continued. "Everyone could get twice as much magic, right?"
The children nodded.
"But instead..."
When he handed out the remaining beads, he gave the catkin girl four more. Coby received two. A different boy got one.
Wolf was left with just his single bead.
"Now everyone has magic," Bishop Light said quietly. "But the power given is different."
He let that sink in.
"And that is where evil comes from. Where the hate that makes people take from others is born."
Wolf stared at his lonely bead. Even now—even getting the magic he'd always wanted—he felt cheated. Given less than others.
He knew it was on purpose. He was being tested. And he'd already proven he was greedy.
As he sat there reflecting on those dark thoughts, something bumped his side.
Surprised, he looked down.
A bead.
He looked up to see the catkin girl smiling at him. She'd given him one of hers. Then she turned back to face the bishop, as if it was nothing.
Wolf wasn't sure how to feel.
He was grateful. But he was also ashamed at how much magic meant to him. How much he cared about getting even that one extra bead she'd given.
The bishop gave them a minute to reflect on the unequal distribution.
Then he continued, his voice heavier. "Now. How do others take magic?"
He paused, clearly hating what he was about to say. "It's complicated to explain. They don't take it directly from a person, but..."
He struggled with the words. "Killing. Killing others."
He said it reluctantly, like the words tasted bitter. "They think it gives magic back to the area. That it proves those they hurt were unworthy of the gods' gifts. So they should gain the power instead."
Wolf's voice came out small. "Is it true?"
He was afraid to know. But the words slipped out anyway.
"Yes and no," the bishop said, looking deeply conflicted. "Magic is finite, even as it is infinite. It can only be in certain places at once, and it needs time to grow more abundant."
He paused, the next words clearly paining him. "So technically... yes. By taking from others—by killing—it allows more magic to be drawn in that area."
His voice grew bitter. "It pains me to say this. I would prefer to lie to you children. To let you live in ignorance." He shook his head slowly. "But it's better you learn the truth and try to be better than to lose faith and turn to evil. Better than seeking power the wrong way and saying you're justified."
One of the girls spoke up, voice shaking slightly. "Why do the gods allow that?"
The bishop looked sad. He lowered his head before responding.
"They don't." He sighed. "Well, they don't want to. But it's part of our freedom. Part of the trials of this world."
His voice grew quieter. "What do we do in such cases? Do we allow it? Fight it? Or... are we the ones who do it?"
Wolf wasn't sure what to think about that. It was a sobering thought.
The weight of it settled over all the children like a heavy blanket.
"How do you know these things?" one of the boys asked quietly.
The bishop's expression softened. "It's written in historical texts. Passed down through the years from when the gods walked more closely with us."
He looked distant, reciting from memory. "They tell of a time when humanity was free of monsters. When we were allowed to rule with power unchallenged." His voice grew somber. "We hunted and hurt each other. Nearly drove ourselves to extinction."
He paused, letting them imagine it.
"The gods tried to fix it by creating monsters to balance us. But it made things worse." He shook his head. "So they trapped the monsters in dungeons and limited the power anyone could have at once. To keep balance."
He was silent for a long moment.
"Until the day we all grow beyond our greed. Humans and monsters alike."
Bishop Light smiled bitterly. He wasn't happy with how dark the lesson had become.
"What's the earliest you can gain a blessing?" Coby asked.
The bishop looked relieved to move to a new topic. "Oh! At birth, I suppose?" He stated it like a question, which made a few kids frown.
He laughed at their expressions. "The problem is—unless the child manifests a power they can control, you never actually see it. And depending on what the power is, they might never have a reason to use it. So it never appears."
He reflected on his words, then clarified. "Around four years old is the earliest we've recorded a child with a visible blessing. Beastkin tend to draw magic more easily, but usually around ten is more common for humans."
He paused. "Now, the latest it happens?"
He looked at them seriously. "I guess... never?"
Several kids immediately started to protest, but the bishop quickly held up both hands to stop them.
"BUT—" he emphasized, "magic is always flowing. So if you received weak magic at birth and don't know what your talent is, you might assume you never got one. Even though you had magic the whole time."
The kids didn't seem to believe that. It felt like half-truths and loopholes.
The bishop sighed, seeing their disbelief.
So he held up his hand.
A wave of light—like glowing water—flowed from his palm and washed over the children. It was warm and felt like life itself brushing against them.
Several children gasped.
"Let's say I always wanted a water blessing," the bishop said, still holding the light. "No matter how hard I tried, it would never be water magic. Only light."
He let the glow fade. "The same with fire, earth, wind, or darkness. You receive what the gods give you. Not what you want."
He looked at each child seriously. "If you get balance magic, your power will only be internal. You may affect things, but you'll never be able to project power into the world. Only into items or maybe people." He paused. "We're not entirely sure, actually. Balance magic is hard to get a clear record of. It's the rarest blessing given."
His voice grew more intense. "The point I'm trying to make is this: if I spent my whole life chasing a water blessing, I would swear I had nothing. Even though I was blessed the entire time."
He gestured to them all. "Bandits try to force more powers by taking from others. Hoping to get more, like those small beads I gave you." His expression darkened. "But by removing the beads the gods gave to others, hoping for power..."
He trailed off, letting them imagine the rest.
Wolf looked down at his hand. He'd forgotten about the two beads he held. It forced him to remember that others had more. And he only had two because the girl had given him one.
But that wasn't what happened with bandits.
He now saw how dangerous magic could be. How dangerous it was to want what someone else had.
He thought of the hermit suddenly. "What about potions? Can't we drink more magic?"
Bishop Light's expression changed immediately. He frowned.
"Who told you that?" His voice was stern. Almost angry.
Wolf was surprised by the reaction. The bishop actually looked upset. So he confessed quickly.
"The hermit in the woods makes potions, right? Can't he make us a drink that gives us magic?"
"Aha." Bishop Light relaxed immediately. "You misunderstood."
He smiled, no longer stern. "The potions Herbert makes are not magic potions. He focuses on herbs. Herbs that heal the body, not grant magical power."
Wolf felt a flash of disappointment.
But the bishop wasn't finished. He paused, his expression growing serious again. "However, what you said is true. And dangerous."
The children leaned forward.
"To make that kind of magic potion—one that grants power—you have to hunt creatures of magic." His voice grew heavy. "Some of them are pure and good. And they're hunted for that very power."
He looked at each child in turn. "Other creatures are cursed. Evil. And drinking their essence is poison to your soul. You cannot drink the magic of evil and stay good."
The room was completely silent.
The bishop seemed to have an afterthought. "There may one day be someone whose power can alter magic by will alone. By pulling it directly from the world itself." He shook his head slowly. "But that is... not likely."
Wolf couldn't help but feel defeated.
Magic could be bottled and used for things. But it wasn't as simple as drinking a potion to give yourself new magical powers. It never was.
The bishop collected the beads back from the children, placing them carefully in their container.
"I'll see you all next week, same time," he said warmly. "You have duties to attend between these visits, I'm sure. But you're always welcome to stay and have a meal. Explore the church. Or be on your way."
He smiled at them all. "The choice is yours."
They had a short break for a meal, then were free to wander the flower garden.
It was just as magical as before.
Wolf stood near a patch of blue flowers, staring at them without really seeing. His mind was still turning over everything the bishop had said. About magic, about greed, about—
"It's pretty. But it gets boring after a while."
Wolf jerked at the sudden voice.
The catkin girl was standing right next to him, staring at the same flowers. She turned and smiled when she saw his startled face, then giggled.
"I'm Teva," she said brightly. "What's your name?"
"Um... Wolf?"
She tilted her head, studying him. "Are you asking me? 'Cause you didn't sound too sure it was your name."
She stared at him with deep blue eyes. Wolf found he couldn't look away.
It was then he saw Coby from the corner of his eye, walking up to them. He looked bored with exploring already.
"Who's your friend?" Coby asked.
He looked at Teva with complete passiveness—didn't see her as anything special, just a normal girl. Which somehow made Wolf feel more flustered.
Teva waved to Coby before speaking. "My name is Teva. And... I assume this is Wolf? He was just telling me."
She looked back at Wolf, still smiling. So full of energy and mirth.
Wolf finally found his words. "Yeah. I'm Wolf. This is my best friend, Coby."
Coby smiled and nodded, but clearly didn't care much beyond basic politeness.
"We going soon?" he asked Wolf. "I want to check in with my dad. Let him know how the day went."
Wolf saw Teva's smile fade. Her little ears drooped.
"You're leaving already?" She wanted to say more, but she didn't even know them yet.
Wolf looked conflicted. He glanced between Coby and Teva, then made a decision.
"I'm going to stay for a bit," he said. "To get to know Teva. She was nice to me in class."
Coby looked surprised. He didn't remember anything special happening during the lesson. But he shrugged, trusting his friend.
"We meeting at the same time tomorrow?" Coby was already planning new adventures.
"Yeah."
Coby turned to Teva, gave her a polite nod, and headed for home.
Teva waved goodbye, but he was already gone—leaving Wolf alone with her.
"You're new here?" Teva asked, stepping closer. "I don't remember seeing you before."
She was trying to recall if she'd ever noticed him around the village.
Wolf moved back slightly. Her being this close felt... off. Even though his sister and Nina stood close to him all the time. This was different somehow.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "Born and raised here. My family owns the main general shop." He paused. "I work there sometimes."
Teva smiled, listening intently. "Really? I just moved here recently. But I've been stuck at this church most of the time." She sighed dramatically. "It gets boring after a while. And all the other kids seem too little to be fun to play with."
She stretched as she spoke, and Wolf found himself noticing her more.
She was wearing a loose grey robe—the same as all the other helpers at the church. He tried not to stare, but he couldn't help noticing she was more... developed than his sister. It embarrassed him to even think it.
He looked away quickly, focusing instead on the slow curling of her tail.
Then away at the random flowers around them.
Teva watched him stare out at the flowers. She could tell he was distracted. Nervous, maybe.
So she decided to show off a bit. Try to impress him.
She extended her hand, and a slow flow of water appeared—like a tiny stream—raining gently onto the flowers below.
Wolf's reaction was immediate. Shock and amazement crossed his face.
Teva felt a surge of pride at catching his interest.
"YOU KNOW MAGIC!"
Wolf slapped his hands over his mouth, realizing he'd shouted. A few people nearby turned to stare, but the moment didn't last long. They went back to their prayers and meditations.
Teva laughed, full of joy at shocking him so completely. "Yeah! I do. Level three water magic."
Her voice was full of pride.
"Amazing," Wolf breathed, staring at her hand like it held all the secrets of the world.
She saw the pure awe in his eyes—and suddenly felt self-conscious.
She'd been trying to get him to play with her. Not lose himself completely in a small display of water magic.
Wolf noticed her playfulness turning inward. He realized he was scaring her off.
"Sorry," he said quickly. "That was rude. You've been nothing but nice to me." He looked down. "But I kinda lost myself there. I'll... I'll go."
He started to turn away.
Wolf felt like an idiot.
"Don't go."
Her voice was soft. Almost pleading.
Wolf flinched but stopped. He kept his back to her, unable to turn around. The shame and anxiety held him in place.
Teva sighed. "Let's start over."
Only silence came from Wolf, though he didn't try to run away. As if listening. Waiting to hear what she would say.
Then Wolf heard her gentle voice, as if nothing had happened: "Hi. I'm Teva. And you are?"
He couldn't help it. He laughed.
Wolf turned fully to face her. And this time, he really smiled.
Teva saw it—that genuine, beautiful smile—and her heart skipped a beat.
"Hey," Wolf said, his voice steady now. "I'm Wolf. Nice to meet you."
She wasn't sure what had changed. But it made her happy.
Maybe they really could be friends.
They ran around the garden playing tag. Other kids eventually joined in, turning it into a proper game.
Teva cheated shamelessly—using water magic to splash Wolf and tag him from a distance. He both hated and loved it. Hated that he had no magic to fight back with. Loved seeing her use it so freely and playfully.
When things finally calmed down and they were sitting in the grass catching their breath, Teva told him about herself.
How she volunteered to help her aunt, who was a seer. How she lived nearby with her mom. How boring it all was sometimes. How isolated she felt.
She shared random dreams and hopes.
Wolf didn't talk much. It seemed like Teva had a lot she wanted to say, and he was happy to listen.
Once he stopped seeing her as some rare magical gem and started seeing her as just... a person, she became much easier to be around.
Though he still felt different around her than he did with Nina or his sister.
He wasn't sure why.
But it felt nice.
The next visit to the church came after many frustrating days.
The shop kept needing more help. His sister was always busy, even with Nina and Nebo working there. And Coby spent more time hunting with his father than ever before.
Wolf had been looking forward to this church visit for days. For his new friend.
He regretted not trying harder to visit sooner. But life hadn't let him.
He felt this visit was going to be a blessing for several reasons: not only would he finally see Coby again after all his hunts, but Teva should be there. And he'd get more lessons about magic and the gods.
When they entered the church, they saw the same mix of black robes and grey robes moving about quietly. Wolf approached one of the priests—at least, he thought they were priests.
The man in black robes saw them approaching and waited patiently.
"Hello," Wolf said. "We're here for more lessons?"
The priest smiled. "Aha, yes. That makes sense. There are a lot of you showing up today." He paused, almost to himself. "Is it that time already?"
Wolf wasn't sure how to reply, but one of the other kids spoke up—a little girl he hadn't noticed before.
"Yes! Mommy said to learn for blessing."
The priest smiled warmly at her. "Do you know the way? I can guide you if you'd like."
"We're okay," Wolf spoke up. "I know the way. I can guide them."
"Then be well," the priest said, stepping aside.
Wolf led the small group forward, a few younger kids following behind him and Coby.
They reached the study room easily enough.
Teva was already there, sitting off to the side looking bored. But the moment she saw Wolf, she perked up immediately. Her ears went from drooping to standing straight up.
"Hey!" She ran up to them, barely able to contain herself. "It's been so long since you visited!"
She pouted at him, but couldn't stop smiling.
A few of the other kids watched with mild amusement.
Wolf was happy to see her too.
"We've been busy," Wolf explained. "Coby's been on hunts with his dad, and I've been working at my family's shop."
Teva waved to Coby, who nodded back politely before finding a spot to sit.
Wolf and Teva sat close together, falling into easy small talk. She told him about the boring week at the church. He told her about a customer who'd tried to haggle over a single copper coin.
They were laughing when the bishop entered.
Bishop Light waited for them to settle down, but he looked exhausted. Like he'd been awake for days.
"You okay?" Coby asked.
The question surprised Wolf. He hadn't thought Coby cared much about the church—though Wolf had been wondering the same thing.
The bishop smiled, but the tiredness didn't leave his face. "Sorry, children. You came for knowledge, and here I am offering you concerns instead."
He rubbed his eyes. "I'm fine. Just tired from lack of sleep. There's been a lot of work happening in the city—events taking my time. And working out details with new recruits takes its toll." He sighed. "Time is always short."
One of the boys spoke up from the side. "Recruits? What's that?"
"Aha, I forgot." The bishop managed a small laugh. "Some words aren't commonly spoken to children. It means getting people to join you for work. Or for something you need help with that you've planned."
He gestured vaguely. "The church recruits helpers to feed the hungry, spread the word of the gods, keep people healed, stop the spread of sickness, ease suffering." His voice grew heavier. "It's not easy. It needs a lot of training and oversight to make sure everything goes well."
The children nodded, accepting the answer.
But Wolf could tell they really wanted to know more about magic and the gods, not church business. The bishop saw their faces too—a mix of polite caring and fading interest.
He laughed. "Aha, youth! I understand. You want to know more about the gods and magic." He smiled more genuinely now. "And we did promise to teach. So please, feel free to ask questions."
Wolf wanted to speak up, but he wasn't sure what to ask. He'd already been told magic was given by the gods and nothing could make it happen sooner. So he felt mostly lost about where to go with his questions.
Coby, however, seemed to have something on his mind. He spoke easily, like always.
"Why should we care about magic?"
He looked directly at the bishop. "Just 'cause the gods give it doesn't mean we need to use it, right?"
Wolf was surprised. His friend was really that indifferent to magic. Or maybe he only cared about hunting, which made more sense.
"Hmm." The bishop rubbed his face thoughtfully. "An interesting question. And not wrong."
He looked at Coby with respect. "The gods give freely. But no—you are not required to care about magic. Or even use it, if you were blessed with a rare gift." He paused. "You lose nothing by not caring. And even if you only use it for yourself, it's still your gift. Given to you."
Coby nodded. That made sense. It was a fair answer.
"Why are there grey robes and black robes?" one of the kids asked from Wolf's side. "Aren't you all the same?"
The bishop looked surprised, then smiled. "Ah, a simple question with a simple answer."
He pointed to Teva, who immediately smiled and waved to everyone looking her way. Wolf felt a small flutter when she did.
"The grey robes," the bishop explained, "are those who want to help and give back. They're training to become black robes, or they were saved by us and are repaying that kindness. The black robes are those who've devoted themselves entirely to the church." He gestured to his own black robes. "Whereas the grey robes are temporary."
"Saved by you?" the same child asked.
"Yes." The bishop's expression grew gentler. "Not all people have good lives. Not all can choose their own path. So we give them hope and a choice."
His voice was warm. "They're not bound to us. They can leave anytime, or stay until they find peace."
He finished with a kind smile.
Another little girl spoke up. "My dad said there are different types of magic. Types that are different from the gods. But how can that be if the gods gave us magic?"
Wolf was surprised. He'd never thought about what kinds of magic existed. He'd just wanted to learn more about magic in general.
He glanced at Teva beside him.
She was smiling, but looked indifferent. Like she'd heard all this before and was just passing the time.
She noticed him looking—and stuck out her tongue at him.
Wolf couldn't help it. He laughed out loud.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Sorry," Wolf said quickly, face burning. "I'm listening."
He saw Teva beside him trying desperately to hold back her own laughter while also trying to look serious. Her tail was twitching with suppressed mirth.
The bishop didn't seem to mind. He just smiled slightly and focused on the question.
"Hmm." He was lost in thought for a moment. "A tricky question. Though the answer is simple: the gods are masters of all."
He spread his hands. "Anything we have comes from them. Any magic, any power—it's all given to us by the gods."
Wolf felt happy hearing that. It meant things could defy understanding. Things weren't set in stone. Things could change!
He noticed Coby looking thoughtful before his friend spoke up with the next question.
"Do the gods speak to you? Or to others?"
The bishop shook his head, looking solemn. "No, I'm afraid not. In the past, humanity was closer to the gods. But they have since distanced themselves from interacting with us directly."
He paused. "At least, according to the old texts. We still look forward to the day they offer guidance again." His voice grew quieter. "But they've always been trying to balance letting us live freely with not letting us destroy everything with magic."
"Why do beastkin get more magic if we're all the same?" one of the boys asked.
Wolf immediately noticed Teva fidget beside him. Her ears lowered slightly, and she looked downcast. Uncomfortable.
Without thinking, he gently poked her leg.
She looked over, saw it was him, and seemed to recover a bit. That made Wolf happy.
But as he sat there, he couldn't help thinking about the question himself. It was frustrating—having no power while seeing others blessed with gifts.
A gentle voice whispered in his ear. "I would share my magic with you if I could."
Wolf jerked his head to look.
Big blue eyes were inches from his face, filled with genuine concern.
She was way too close. He wanted some distance, but could only stutter instead. "I... it's... o-okay."
He smiled awkwardly.
Teva giggled and moved back, looking far too amused by his reaction.
Coby noticed Wolf looking flustered and leaned over. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," Wolf said quickly, nodding.
He forced himself to focus back on the bishop, who was still lost in thought. The question clearly troubled him—he knew it could stir up conflict and wanted to address it properly.
"Don't envy others' power," the bishop finally said. His voice was firm but kind. "Nothing good will come from it."
He paused. "As for why beastkin seem to be born more blessed? Yes, they are. But only because they were born into a world already filled with magic. Whereas humans existed before magic came into the world."
Wolf raised his hand, wanting more information. Others seemed curious too.
"How were they born in magic?" he asked.
"They didn't exist in our world like we did before the gods gave us magic," the bishop explained. "They came later, to help balance things. To help us fight monsters."
He looked at Teva kindly. "Where we humans often sought power for ourselves, beastkin shared freely. More often than not, at least."
His expression grew more serious. "There is evil even among beastkin. It's just much rarer."
The questions continued. Some children even asked the same questions twice—questions the bishop had already answered.
But he never got upset. Never showed impatience.
He really was devoted.
As different children repeated the same questions over and over, Wolf started to feel pity for Teva. She must have heard these same speeches dozens of times. He'd only sat through a few lessons and was already getting bored.
He decided to whisper to her. Let her know he understood her pain.
"Sorry you have to listen to the same speech all the time," he murmured, leaning close. "Even I'm getting bored."
Teva laughed—then quickly covered her mouth to muffle it.
Wolf grinned. He was happy he'd gotten her back, even if unintentionally.
The bishop noticed the small outburst. He smiled slightly, recognizing it was time to wrap things up.
"You children grow more each day," he said warmly. "And you always ask questions, which is good. You're always welcome here among us."
He looked at each of them in turn. "Remember—no matter your place in life, the church will always try to help. So try to do the same when you're able. Not just for the church, but for each other."
As everyone started going their separate ways, Wolf met up with Coby near the garden entrance.
"Hey! Let's go exploring," Wolf suggested, already planning an adventure.
Coby shook his head. "Sorry. My dad's got a major hunt coming up soon, and I want to prepare more."
That saddened Wolf. It seemed like more often than not, their free time was spent apart these days.
Coby saw his frown and smiled. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." He paused, then corrected himself. "I mean, I'll be around for years to come. We can explore when I'm a master hunter and you're a master mage!"
Wolf chuckled despite himself. "It's good to know I'll always have you as a friend."
Coby shook his head, looking full of pride. "No. Brother. We're that close, even when we're apart."
Wolf felt a surge of warmth. Pride, knowing they were that close. He no longer minded that Coby was focused on hunting. It was part of growing up, he realized.
"Okay... brother," Wolf said quietly.
Coby slapped his arm affectionately. "Aye, brother!"
He paused, thinking. "Hmm. I guess that would make Len my sister too? I always wanted a sister, so I'll include her."
Wolf laughed. "She's a good sister. I'll let her know so she can treat you like family!"
Coby laughed at that. "She's always treated me like family. I'm just making it official."
Wolf grinned. "Yeah, that's true. But I'll still let her know. Don't want to make it weird by not telling her."
Coby wished him well, already thinking about the upcoming hunt.
Wolf watched him go, then looked around.
Where was Teva?
She usually loved sneaking up on him. But now she was gone.
Maybe she was busy? He figured if she'd wanted to play—or could have stayed—she would've found him.
A bit sad their time together had been so short, he sighed.
He left soon after his brother Coby, even though he'd been hoping to stay longer.337Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiJ9h451eV
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