With the assessment officially ending, Joab and Keren also relaxed and their previously ruffian-like demeanor also disappeared.
They approached Eli with concern, for they were worried that she might be injured. But when they saw Baobao guarding her vigilantly, they hesitated after reaching the ten meter radius.
It was only Leon who managed to get past the forbidden distance.
He knelt at Eli who was looking exhausted, resting in Baobao's tummy.
A gentle smile appeared on his ever expressionless face as he lovingly patted Eli's head, "You did great. You surely made the Blades proud when you executed the shadow steps so excellently just now."
He didn't wait for Eli's reply. Instead, he nodded at Baobao and carefully lifted Eli with his strong arms away from the training ground.
Eli could smell the baby powder's scent from Leon's chest. The scent greatly comforted her. She clung to his clothes, feeling relaxed in his arms as Leon carried her to where Kayden is at the moment.
The images of the battle still lingered in her mind and was still immersed from that sensation. But with Leon beside her, she finally managed to calm herself down and face reality.
Meanwhile, Joab and Keren exchanged looks with Baobao's bright dark eyes. They were the only people left at the center of the training ground along with the High Priest who was also calmly scrutinizing Baobao.
The big fluffy fellow sat quietly on the training ground.
Unsure if Baobao was angry at them, the two vice captains could only try to communicate to him carefully. They concluded from how Baobao interacted with Eli that he was extremely protective towards his master.
"Mr. Panda, we didn't mean to hurt young Eli. In fact, the High Priest was ready to activate his defensive array at the moment when she would be injured."
The duo tried to coax Baobao, but they were so afraid that they subconsciously stepped back and hid behind the High Priest like two frightened kids. They were still unable to forget the sensation of being swatted like flies in the training ground.
Imagine two full grown adults, one was burly enough to wield a heavy weight hammer, the other was graceful enough to beautifully wield the spear. But they were hiding pitifully behind an elderly high priest in front of a notoriously fearsome beast!
Baobao only nodded his big furry head and slowly went towards Eli, Kayden and Leon. He didn't show any signs of being mad towards the two vice captains.
Before Eli joined the investigation team, she informed both Baobao and Wisey that they would be training alongside her with the help of the people from the temple.
Thus, he knew that the people in front did not have any intentions of hurting Eli. Instead, they were here to help them become stronger in order to protect their little master.
"These were just superficial wounds. We are lucky that none of your nerves or bones were hurt. This ointment can heal this kind of injury within a day." Kayden immediately checked Eli's condition and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that Eli was just generally exhausted.
"This potion will restore your energy. I recommend only drinking this once a day though." Kayden also gave Eli a few doses of energy replenishment potion for her upcoming training, which Eli carefully kept on her space pouch.
"Thank you brother…" She obediently listened to Kayden's medical advice and also took the potions he produced.
"Young Eli, are you alright now?" After a few moments, the High Priest checked her condition and asked if they could continue with the training.
"Yes, High Priest! I'm ready to continue." With her body refreshed and her wounds cleaned and medicated, she valiantly stood up, answering the High Priest's inquiry like a private cadette.
"Alright! If you say so… Come with me and your contracted familiar. Also... I'd like for His Highness to follow,your presence would be of great value." The High Priest beckoned them to follow him to the discussion room, leaving the rest without a choice but to dejectedly exit the training grounds and continue the investigations.
The four entered into a room that was as spacious as a regular classroom. It proved that the training grounds and this annex room were really used for newly recruited temple knights.
Sitting down, the High Priest looked at Eli and asked, "Young Eli, how do you feel fighting someone way stronger and experienced than you?"
Eli spoke her mind about her mindset and feelings while fighting Joab and Keren.
She didn't hide embarrassing details such as wanting to literally cry or quit training. She told all her fears and anxiety along with her decision to hang on and persevere.
"En.." The High Priest listened silently at Eli's narration, noting a few words in his journal. He had a steadfast and unreadable expression making Eli and Leon unsure if he was in a bad or good mood.
After finishing his notes he looked at the them and relayed his assessment;
"Overall your main issue is your stamina. You already have a keen sense of the dangers around you, but you lack what it takes to sustain your life on the battlefield for a longer period.
You have to have many alternative means to be able to fight back and defeat the enemy. I understand that your prior training with His Highness Third Prince centered around self defense and survival until help comes.
However, your role moving forward would be one of the front runners. You have to learn how to initiate attacks that defeat the enemy.
As for your mental fortitude, it was surprisingly commendable.
Although it's normal to sense fear during the battle, for this sparring session, your fear does not stem from the fact that you are actually hurting or potentially another person.
But of course, we still have to see your mental state in an actual fight. With that I'll leave it for His Highness and your companion to help you deal with it in the future."
Leon and Baobao nodded, agreeing with the High Priest's evaluation.
"Also, there's no need to be disappointed because you used your contracted familiar as a weapon in a fight. You are a summoner, at least in public. That is why it is completely normal for you to appear in the battlefield alongside your familiars."
At this point Eli and Leon understood that the High Priest was also aware of the matter of Eli being an open paths possessor. They were again reminded of the fact that the High Priest had the gift of clairvoyance.
"I understand, High Priest." Eli responded, knowing his intention.
"Now before we move to the matter of your other paths, I want to discuss with you the effect of using spiritual powers for us, humans. This will be my first lesson for you. I purposely let His Highness listen, for him to also know."
"We are ready to listen, Esteemed High Priest!" The two responded.
The High Priest nodded in satisfaction and started his lecture:
"As you may already know, the nature of spiritual power revolves around one word - Blessing.
You have already witnessed giving blessings on people with the intention to protect. Most of us High Priests use the power to heal others and deliver people from being possessed by wandering spirits.
All in all, spiritual power only brings benefit to the person receiving from the caster, rather than damage or harm."
"But… Joab and Keren??" Following the High Priest's explanation, that the nature of spiritual power is not to harm people, why did Joab and Keren manage to use the spiritual power to raise their chances of winning against an opponent?
"That is because you can cast the blessing upon yourself, of course." The High Priest answered in a matter of factly tone.
"Let me correct your perception on spiritual powers. Although it was by nature a blessing, its purpose was to help someone overcome.
Remember, you cast a blessing because you want the receiving person to defeat or survive from the enemy. You heal because you want to eliminate the cause of pain and torment of the other person.
With that, we can conclude that although the nature of the spiritual powers are not for hurting people, it can still be used as a tool to help 'achieve victory' as the blessing implies." He continued to explain.
"I see, that was why Joab and Keren were able to boost their abilities by leaps and bounds." Eli nodded in understanding.
It was like a caster using a spell for himself to have the abilities of a devourer. Eli could only agree that spiritual powers cannot really be categorized alongside the three paths of mana usage.
Its very nature and use was different from how mana works for other people.
Leon and Eli contemplated for a while, digesting the principles that the High Priest explained.
"I understand that spiritual powers are used to overcome adversities. But what if the wielder of the spiritual powers become evil? Wouldn't that power be tantamount to a curse?" Leon asked, deeply immersed with the discussion.
