“Come on boy! I’m not waiting all day for you!” Vel yelled up the stairs.

It was a few hours after Max and Emi returned back from their journey in the deep ocean. Today was the first lesson with Burk and the first day of healing training for the [Priests]. Vel remember quiet vividly what happened last time Max went to the Church and offered to escort the young man. She would normally be sitting in with the rest of the healers, but she thought it wise to accompany Max the whole first day.

“I’m coming! I’m coming.” Max yelled from his upstairs room. A few seconds later he teleported next to the door with Emi. “Ready?”

Vel grumbled something about mana to walking-down-the-stairs ratio. The city was in full swing for winter. Extra guards patrolled the streets and walls watching for hidden monsters or migratory waves. Shopkeepers were selling behind protective fur forts, hoping that they would be protected from the chilled wind. Fires poked out of community firepits, and smoke filled the air above Lesterwood. Chimneys and hearths were hastily being cleaned to ensure safe usage for the coming days. If the threat of monsters wasn’t so high, Max would have though this time of year to be beautiful.

The Church seemed bigger than Max remembered. It was a tall cylindrical building, one that broke and created the skyline of Lesterwood. It sat in the middle of a large courtyard with paths branching far into the city. It was a hub, one that most everyone visited. Unlike the market or Guild hubs, the Church had no stalls or peddlers set up. It was monitored strictly by the guard and [Priests].

The inside lobby was white marble and open. It was a quiet and somber room, much like the Church of Earth. Conversations spoken is whispers filled the air. It gave the building a sense of purpose, everyone was afraid to be disrespectful. In the center, taking up most of the lobby was a stature of three Gods. The big three. The Gods with the biggest following and longest lore. Important in everyday life on Nava for the faithful and absolutely unmoving for the faithless.

“Max! Emi! …Veline…” Woppy shouted from across the room, breaking the quiet and turning heads.

Woppy or, Wop, was a Moon Elf. One of the few Max had met. He was tall for an Elf but what was much more unique about him was that he was bald. He was also the [Priest] that almost killed Emi during their first visit to the Church.

“Wop…” Vel slurred. “I expected someone else to greet us…”

If Wop took offense to Vel’s words, the man didn’t show it. Instead, his smile remained stone. He looked from the old woman to Max and his Bond.

“Max! Emi! I have something for you. As payment for my error some time ago. I present Emi with a Gold Gilled Sparky! A Mythic rarity fish. Used in many Alchemical recipes, the fish is also a delicacy for certain Royal lines.” Wop presented the fish like a holy object, falling to one knee and bowing his head to the little monster.

Emi looked between Wop and Max uncertainly. On one hand, this man almost killed her, and on the other it was a good-looking fish... It was yellow gold and black. Stripes of arcing electricity moved down its scaled body creating very tender and succulent meat.

You can take it if you want. Up to you. Max said feeling his partners hesitance.

That was enough for Emi. She quickly snatched the fish away from the [Priest] and scarfed it down without any grace. Emi had become somewhat of a connoisseur of fish. Since coming back to Lesterwood and her personal hunting grounds, she has sought out specific fish, finding the best kind for the type of day. This fish that she ate now, may ruin her in the long run. It was sooooo good. Fatty but tender, smooth but not slimy. The arcing electricity make her throat tingle as she swallowed, making the meal eventful and unforgettable.

“For you Max, a coupon the owner of Spell Books and Tomes gave me years ago. I found no need for it, but I feel that you could make great use for it.” Wop held out a small slip of parchment.

30% off any book under 500 gold.

The slip was signed with a scribble, presumably the owner’s.

“Thank you, Wop. It means a lot.” Max said.

Wop smiled. “I am one of the few outside the Church of Healing that know what you are doing later today. I think that is absolutely genius. How many lives could be saving with what you are going to teach!”

“Right, right. Max is amazing. But first, he has to survive his meeting with Burk and before that he has to actually get to her office.” Vel said bluntly.

“Ah I see. Right this way, Max, Emi. Veline, I have been informed you are allowed to sit in, if you so choose.”

Wop led them down the hallway and through the back rooms. They went through a different hallway than last time. Rather than a marble and stone hallway and staircase, this route was more industrial. Open support beams and metal scaffolding was common as was the workers and [Builders] that were adding to the mess of renovations.

Guess that answers how more floors are added… Max thought.

Up a flight of stairs brought them to the familiar hallway that Burk’s office connected to. Last time Max saw this area, it was swarming with guards and chunks of out of place stone. Remnants of a battle. Wop knocked once and opened the door, ushering in the visitors.

You have entered a place of the Divine.

The room was familiar. Crowded and messy. A couch and table set. Shelves overflowing with memorabilia and odds and ins. It reflected Burk’s personality, except for the pristine and cared for shrine in the center of the room. A shrine to Ofes, the Goddess of Light. One of the Big Three and the first being Max had ever met on Nava. Max would always be thankful for Ofes and her words of caution, even if she had interceded events in Max’s life.

Burk sat leaned back at her oak desk, feet kicked on a spot devoid of papers or ink. She was shoeless. Max also could have sworn she was asleep when they walked in, only to wake and act natural. A show of character. Max thought amused.

“Hello, Max, Emi… And Veline.” Burk said with a partial yawn. “Come on then, sit.”

Wop gave Max a nod from the doorway and left. Vel opted to sit in an old rocking chair that she had to dust off. Mad and Emi found a comfy spot on the couch and Burk dragged her desk chair to sit in front of Max. Burk watched him for a few minutes without saying a word. She then turned to the shrine and spoke.

“I agree.”

Max and Vel looked at each other.

“Max, I want you to hit me with the hardest Aura Exchange as you can.” Burk said after turning back.

“Aura Exchange?” Max asked uncertain.

“You read the books I gave you, correct?”

“Yes, I know what Aura Exchange is… Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you…”

“Don’t worry, you won’t.” She said with a sly grin.

Max sighed and got to work. Aura Exchange was a concept laid out in three parts. Creation, Expulsion, and Handshake. One of the book Burk had Max read was entirely theory and read like a cardboard box but had interesting concepts such as the Exchange. It was a simple concept, really, not much different than strength training or sparring. The idea was that if two people who could control auras both released a steady stream of power, the stronger of the two would win while the other would correct errors and work to better themselves. The execution, however, was not as simple.

Auras, as Max had learned, are hard to control. Emotion seemed to be the best way to manipulate them but that left plenty of room for error. The example Max thought back to was his time walking the streets of Esmel after waking up from the fight with Buzluc. Only in retrospect did Max realize he had been projecting an aura of newfound life. Happiness and pride rather than sadness and despair it could have easily been.

Max had felt a few auras during his short time on Nava. Mel was the obvious face that came to mind. Her upset face and the subsequence dual challenge that followed when Max shrugged off her aura. There was a bandit on the way to Esmel. It was significantly weaker than Mel, Max didn’t even think Clammy noticed, and she was the one to kill the pour soul. But now, Burk, her aura was as solid as a lead cannonball. There were no dimples or cracks, soft spots, or weak points. It easily blew Max’s aura away and removed the air from his and Emi’s lungs.

Vel was quick to jump to Max’s protection, forming a blade of water at Burk’s throat. Max waved Vel back and mentally sent Emi away from the couch. She took place on Vel’s lap. Max in the meantime calmed his racing heart and prepared for round two. Knowing what to expect, Max bolstered his attempt. Burk’s aura easily defected his untamed attack.

“Better.” Burk said with a smile. “Next for pure defense, ready yourself.”

She didn’t give Max much time. A hastily formed barrier was constructed solely in front of himself. Burk easily spun her aura around in a hook form, striking Max and causing his focus to drop. Again. Max heard before a second shock of pain emptied his lungs. He reacted stronger and with more resolve at the second again, covering himself completely. Burk sheared away his aura like it was nothing.

“A weak spot I see… But manageable. Catch your breath, Max. Listen to my words carefully.” Burk said.

Max nodded as he wiped the sweat collecting against his forehead.

“I take it you found where your aura is in your mana system?”

Max nodded.

“The easiest way I have found for someone to learn how to better manipulate their aura, besides practicing, is to imbue mana with it. I know, I know, its counterintuitive. What [Warrior] is going to use mana. They don’t have enough or simply aren’t mana touched. But my advice remains. Mana is easier to control than aura. I have a few theories, some of which the lady upstairs has confirmed.” She gestured to the shrine.

“But those will come at a later date. For now, gaining the muscle memory of moving aura around with mana will prove vital for later development. Since your body is unique, in that you have a fully developed mana system while also having access to aura, your training may prove to be easier… Or harder, than most.”

“Harder?” Max asked, his breathing becoming more level.

“Well easier in the sense that you have more mana than the average [Warrior] to practice with but harder in the sense that… Well… Mana and aura don’t play together very nice.” Burk said.

“What do you mean.”

She sighed. “Did you not notice how utterly dominated your aura was when it tried to Exchange with mine? Even with that ounce of Divine, you were out matched several hundred times over.”

Max eyes widened.

“Oh, don’t act so surprised. I stand before the Divine every day.” She waved Max off. “But my point still remains. Your aura is significantly weaker than it should be.”

“But when Mel, my friend that is, showed me her aura, it felt like nothing. My aura is stronger than hers and she had formal training.” Max said.

Burk raised an eyebrow “Did you test your aura on her?”

Max though back. “No, I guess I didn’t.”

“Next time you see this friend, test it. I guarantee that she will shrug it off like I presume you did hers.”

“I don’t understand.” Max said confused.

Burk sighed again. “There are two forms of auras. Perceived and practical. What we did earlier was an exchange of perceived aura. What I assume happened when your friend used her aura on you, is that she used the practical aspect that is often taught. A failing of the smash and stab lifestyle that adventurers usually have.”

Max stared blankly.

Burk exhaled harshly. “Adventurer often user their auras as a shield or to strength a weapon. This is great and all, it has many uses and can be quite deadly, but it creates a weaker aura. Weaker in the sense that it does not reach its potential. Practical works great when making your sword harder is all that you need but is utterly useless when you are trying to stop a riot single handedly.”

“And that’s why you think it is going to be difficult for me to learn auras? Because I am learning the harder version?” Max asked.

“Again, yes and no. Your high mana levels are going to cause your aura to work in strange and unintended ways. You should be able to manipulate it much easier than you showed earlier. But on the other hand, having access to more mana may prove to be an important catalyst. I don’t think the type of aura you are going to learn will make much of a difference. They are inherently the same, just different methods of usage.”

Max massaged his temples.

“But that is all going to come in time. Prepare yourself, we are Exchanging again.”

Max had the air knocked out of his lungs several more times before Burk eventually called the lesson.

“Good work today. Practice manipulation through mana as homework. Wop will show you to the atrium.” Burk moved to her desk and shuffled through a drawer. She removed a small bell and rung it three times. Max and Vel looked at each other confused before a knock sounded from the door and Wop stepped in.

“To the atrium?” He asked, gesturing for Max, Emi, and Vel to follow.

Manus seemed to have a skewed idea of how many ‘a few’ was. While Max and Vel expected a dozen healers, the actual number was closer to ninety. Healers and [Priests] from all walks of life sat in the large colosseum style room. Drakes, Humans, Elves, various Beastkin, a few Dwarves and even a Naga, each wore various styles of white or black robes all of which had the expected gold bird on a green circle.

In the dead center of the room was a small runic contraption which was projecting a vivid image of a bird flying through a grassy field. The image seemed to follow you as you moved, allowing perfect viewing from anywhere in the cascade of rows and seats. Just like a jumbotron. Max thought. Wop led them to a set of prime seats where Manus and two others sat.

“Max!” Manus shouted above the chatter. “Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, thank you… I thought you said a few would be here, this is definitely more than a few…” Max said.

“… Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s just… I’m a bit out of my comfort zone.”

“I could prepare a tonic? Or potion? Brandy?” Manus began listing remedies.

A polite cough from one of the healers brought Manus back to reality.

“Ah, very sorry.” He spoke. “Max I would like to introduce you to Fen Robhin. Lesterwood’s Church of Healing Branch leader.”

“Oh! Hello, I’ve been wanting to meet you.” Max said.

“Likewise.” Fen responded.

Fen was a peculiar Human woman. She was thin and short and had freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her red hair was almost animated, shimmering in the fountain of colors the bird projection made. The most interesting aspect of the woman’s appearance was the bright red scars that shown through her dress, out across her neck and chin. Veins protruded out sightly, glowing red with every breath. Burn scars with magical aspects. The woman was the reincarnation of fire, having been broken and rebuilt by the very same element.

“If you ever need my help in the clinics or a difficult case, feel free to contact me. I’ll be around.” Max said.

“Thank you, that is very kind.” She bowed slightly. “I am looking forward to your seminar.”

“I hope I won’t disappoint.” Max said.

“There is little doubt of that happening, Max.” The last of Manus’s entourage said.

“I don’t think we’ve met?” Max said to the man.

“Oh, we have. Don’t tell me you already have forgotten me?” As if to punctuate his sentence, his eyes turned from dirty brown to glowing ethereal blue. The man smirked as Max made the connection.

“Subuntu.” Max whispered causing Vel to flinch. “I didn’t think you’d come in person.”

“And miss out on the largest gathering of Healers in the last century? Not to mention the subject matter of a millennium?”

For some reason the butterflies in Max’s stomach became aggressive.