The High Priest gently shook his head and explained patiently;
"That was, indeed, what the Temple hypothesized previously when curses were still a mystery for us. However, decades of data from the temples around Prasinos recorded that the people with spiritual powers who were tried by the high courts from doing evil things couldn't cast any curses.
After committing evil, these people immediately lost their ability to wield spiritual powers. They were also unable to access the gifts they previously received from the heavens and even mana. In fact, all of them regressed to being a non-magic person prior to their execution or death.
With that, the temple concluded that curses are not spiritual powers used for doing something against the heavens. It was rather something that originated outside the boundaries of the heavens, to which we have yet to understand to this day.
Although the main purpose could be easily concluded - curses exist to go against the heavens."
"…" Eli and Leon contemplated deeply about the contrast between the curses and spiritual power.
"Now I understand why the temple remained helpless upon encountering various cases of curses even though one can already use spiritual powers." Leon finally broke the silence in the room.
"We lack information about the very nature of the curse." Eli concluded.
"Indeed. That is what we strive to achieve for this investigation. While I train you how to control and use your spiritual powers, it would not really make a difference if we lack understanding about the thing we are going against. Even if you have the innate power to resist the curse, how sure are we that you could trigger it constantly?" The High Priest explained.
"I understand, High Priest. We will focus on this matter while you and Eli train in the coming days." Leon now understood why the Priest let him join the lecture.
"En! Now going back to Young Eli's spiritual power, I would also like to ask you Your Highness Third Prince, how strong was Baobao's companion before Eli became aware of her spiritual powers?" The High Priest dived to the next matter at hand.
"According to my subordinate, he was as strong as a low level A class devourer." Leon immediately answered, remembering Olivier's assessment of Wisey and Baobao during their summoner's training.
"Hmm, I see… But do you know what level Joab and Keren belong to when they used their spiritual power earlier?" The High Priest meaningfully asked the two.
"That would be the peak of A class." Leon answered with certainty. He looked at Eli and Baobao with a surprised look, then he turned to the High Priest who was also certain that he understood what was on his mind.
Baobao easily defeated the two vice captains who were only a step away from being considered as an S class while using their spiritual powers!
"Before we conclude anything, let's verify our hypothesis first." The High Priest told Leon.
"What's going on?" Eli was also confused about the sudden increase of Baobao's strength. She wanted to know why, however, the two men infront of her were talking cryptically.
"Young Eli, you have to stay here for a while. Your companion, His Highness and I shall go back to the training grounds to verify something. We will go back and explain to you after we verified, so please do not go out of this room and stalk us." The High Priest commanded rather sternly.
Although taken aback by the High Priest's orders, Eli nodded cluelessly and watched as the trio exited the room.
After around thirty minutes, the trio came back. They looked as if they understood something from exiting the room.
Eli grew more curious and was slightly aggrieved that she was the only one who was clueless about the matter. However, she still patiently waited for them because she was sure that they had a purpose for delaying their explanations.
When the trio settled down, the High Priest immediately explained to Eli what really was the matter;
"We suspected that the reason of Baobao's immense upgrade of strength was that you have used your spiritual powers during that time. The reason why we exited was because I had His Highness Third Prince fight with Baobao to see if he can still wield the same strength he had displayed earlier.
Of course, if Baobao managed to display a strength at par or similar to His Highness, then we could say that Baobao can freely use your spiritual powers instead.
We also needed to determine whether you subconsciously used your spiritual power to boost Baobao or that Baobao himself had continuous access to your spiritual power as his contractor. So we needed you to become completely unaware that Baobao would be engaging in a fight outside."
Eli was left speechless because of the High Priest's words. There were a lot of things he revealed through his explanation.
First he was aware about Leon's true strength. Seeing Leon's rather restrained expression, Eli could feel that he was also equally shocked.
Second was the fact that she was able to use her spiritual power in a way that was different from praying to cast a blessing. If that was the case then she may be able to master controlling her powers earlier than expected!
"Then.. what might the conclusion be?" Immediately adjusting her mental state, she proceeded to ask for the conclusion of their impromptu experiment.
"There was no doubt that you had subconsciously used your superpowers earlier!" The High Priest concluded.
"If you were able to consciously use it though, you might have not only increased Baobao's strength but also yours." Leon added.
"I see, then I really have to strive in my training for the next few days." A spark of hope ignited in Eli's heart. The earlier she could master the use of spiritual powers, the sooner she could reunite with Little Han!
"Un. Now let's move to the very reason why I conducted this lecture in the first place." The High Priest finally moved to the crux of the lecture as he looked at Eli, Leon and Baobao seriously. "It was the fact that you both possess the open paths and spiritual powers."
"!!!" Leon and Eli looked at the High Priest with a complicated expression.
"You two both know how big of a matter it was for everyone to know that a person is of open paths. Even until now, many have been curious and covetous of this power. But also being the subject to the Oracle would be something that endangers your lives even more."
Although there might be a reason why the heavens have gifted you both with open paths, it is better to keep it masked until the crucial moment arrives. However, that doesn't mean that you will not need both powers now.
In fact you need these powers now more than ever." The High Priest explained.
"The open paths, I was only able to open it once. But I have no clue how to open the others." Eli replied at the High Priest.
The High Priest nodded in understanding. "That's why I'll have His Highness help you with that. Today, you shall open your two other paths. You have to know how to use the last two paths and enhance it with your spiritual powers. Only His Highness can help you with that."
"I understand, High Priest." Leon nodded with understanding.
"Young Eli, hold on until the end. I know these things are too much for you to learn and take in, but you know what is at stake in this matter." The High Priest looked at Eli worriedly, he knew for himself how much of a burden he was putting on Eli's shoulder.
Eli held Leon's hand and looked at the High Priest with courage. "I know. High Priest. I'll do my best."
"En.. As for how you will hide your abilities publicly, let's cross the bridge when we get there." The High Priest relayed his instructions for the day and left Eli and Leon to start attempting to open the caster and devourer paths in the training grounds.
Going back to the grounds, Eli stood expectantly at Leon who had already changed into simple training clothes.
With a light brown shirt with a v-neck crisscross design subtly showing a portion of his chiseled chest. Leon looked incredibly handsome and cool as he approached Eli who was secretly admiring his sexiness.
Leon didn't miss Eli's sneaky looks towards him, of course. He didn't expose her but a subtle smirk appeared on his thin lips, feeling satisfied in his heart.
He would love to tease her right now, but he knows that they have a mission at hand and it was important for Eli to have a stable state of mind.
So instead, he reached out his hands and caressed Eli's cheeks, looking at her slightly blushing face.
As if he didn't notice her thoughts, he gently asked the little woman beside him with a doting expression, "Ready?"
Eli immediately adjusted her mood and answered, "Yes!"
