Raziel looked at the wrought iron chandelier and then at the director.
His mind was going really fast, looking for a way out, an excuse, anything a scared novice would say.
'Think, dammit, think. Act like the useless trash everyone believes you are.'
"Father... I... I can't," he whispered, letting his voice shake on purpose.
"The fire only appears when I'm in danger and I don't know how to call it at will."
Marius watched him, his eyes narrowed as if trying to read his soul, looking for any crack in his acting.
"I see," he said finally, with a tone that revealed nothing.
"A talent without control is as useless as having none. You can leave, but let this be clear, novice, you and I have a lot to talk about."
Raziel didn't need to be told twice.
He made a clumsy bow and left the director's office, feeling Marius's gaze nailed to his back with every step.
For now, he had survived.
***
The fake calm lasted less than twenty-four hours.
The next day, while crossing the main courtyard on his way to the library, a familiar voice stopped him cold.
"Raziel! A moment, please."
Father Marius was walking toward him.
But by his side, an imposing figure made the air itself seem to vibrate.
He was tall, with tanned skin and hair that waved like a living flame.
From him emanated a pressure of pure power, a natural authority that crushed anyone around him.
Raziel's breath cut short.
'It can't be... Shit, it's the Exarch of Elementalists! This is an ambush.'
He fought to keep a neutral expression as they approached, but if this really was Exarch Caelum, his lie wouldn't last a minute.
Rumors said that man was the most powerful fire user in all of Phaedra and could smell a fake from a mile away.
"Raziel," said Father Marius, with a touch of forced pride in his voice.
"I would like to introduce you to Exarch Caelum. He has heard about your... unique situation and wished to meet you in person."
The Exarch's penetrating gaze landed on him.
Raziel felt as if those eyes of fire could see through his skin, his bones, until reaching the lie nesting in his core.
"Father Marius has told me a lot about you," said Caelum.
Raziel let out a nervous laugh, trying to sound like an overwhelmed kid and not like a man sentenced to death.
"I never thought I would have the honor of meeting you, sir, it is a true privilege."
Caelum extended his hand. Raziel hesitated for an instant before taking it, knowing it was a trap.
The moment their skins made contact, a shock of pure energy ran through him.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
[An entity of incalculable power is scanning your soul.]
[Passive Skill [Paragon's Concealment] automatically activated...]
[Incoming power analysis... BLOCKED.]
[PARTIAL SUCCESS]
[Anomaly contained, but the fundamental lie has been detected.]
[DEBUFF ACQUIRED: Exarch's Suspicion (Temporary)]
He tried to pull his hand back, but the Exarch's grip was like a red-hot iron shackle.
"Hmm..." Caelum frowned, his eyes fixed on Raziel's face.
Father Marius leaned in, his mask of a concerned priest perfectly in place.
"What is it, Exarch? What do you feel?"
Caelum finally let go of Raziel's hand, but the strange sensation remained, like a thousand needles of energy dancing under his skin.
"You told me he was a raw fire elementalist, Marius. But there is something strange..."
Raziel's heart hammered against his ribs. 'That's it, I'm busted.'
"Strange how?" pressed Marius.
"Every fire initiate has the spark running through their veins, a clear affinity. But in him—"
Caelum paused, looking for the words.
"It's like he is holding the hands of a thousand elementalists at once, it almost feels like..."
Raziel instinctively brought his hands to his chest, a gesture of pure self-protection.
He had to say something, anything.
"I just held hands with my classmates this morning," he stuttered, trying to sell the image of the friendly and overly enthusiastic novice.
"I was so happy for them."
He could see the doubt in Marius's eyes.
The director knew him too well; he knew Raziel wasn't one for physical affection or overflowing emotions.
Caelum's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing the layers of his deception.
"Is either of your parents a foreigner? Perhaps from Lyoness?"
Raziel swallowed hard.
"I don't have that information, sir. I am an orphan of St. Celeste."
He prepared for the usual look of pity, but Caelum's expression didn't change.
It was as if the information was a simple piece of data in a much larger equation.
"I see..." said the Exarch slowly. "But there is an energy in you that I cannot put a name to."
Marius, impatient, decided to force the situation.
"Exarch, perhaps it would be beneficial if you had a duel with—"
"Not necessary," Caelum interrupted him sharply, his tone admitting no argument.
"Let the boy be a priest or whatever he is supposed to be."
Raziel saw the flash of frustration on Marius's face, but he noticed something else in the Exarch's eyes: a hint of recognition.
Caelum turned to leave, but Raziel moved by pure instinct.
He had to know.
"Sir!" he shouted, almost out of breath catching up to him. "Could you feel...?"
The Exarch stopped and turned to look at him.
"If I could feel you are not from here?" he asked. "Or that you carry something much bigger than yourself?"
The words died in Raziel's throat.
Caelum's expression softened a fraction.
"Don't worry, Marius won't hear this from me." An immense relief flooded Raziel, but it lasted little.
"But he seeks the best for you, so don't judge him too harshly."
Raziel could only nod.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Caelum cut him off, his tone becoming serious again.
"Today you avoided being discovered, but the truth always comes to light and when it does, the whole Church will know what you are."
'The whole Church?'
The Exarch walked away, but threw a final warning over his shoulder.
"Don't think you are the only one keeping secrets, novice, the game is bigger than you think."
While Caelum's figure disappeared, Raziel stood nailed to the spot, his mind a mess.
He turned, intending to flee to the library, only to find Father Marius standing a few steps away.
Raziel tensed up, expecting the interrogation, the summons to the office, the usual threat.
But Marius smiled like a merchant, not a priest's.
"Well done, Raziel," Marius said nodding. "Seems you are useful after all."
The priest turned around and left without saying another word.
Raziel would have preferred the screaming, that approval felt like they had put a price tag on his forehead.