Chapter 17: A One-Star Priest Determines the Lower Limit

The damage reflection shield can reflect 50% of the damage dealt to Ancia by enemies, and the remaining 50% will be applied to the shield. The shield's strength is related to Ancia's own spirit value. If the shield is broken, the remaining damage will then affect Ancia.

The half-formed binding chains of Heligalo dissipated, and he walked towards Ancia, his eyes filled with self-reproach. "Ancia, thankfully you're alright. It was my inaccurate estimation of your magic power that allowed the magical beast to break free of its restraints, almost injuring you."

Ancia reached out, wanting to pat Heligaluo on the shoulder to comfort him, but then remembered Heligaluo's mysophobia, so she put her hand down. "It's okay. As a priest, I should be able to protect myself before my teammates finish the battle. I can't always rely on your protection."

“A team’s strength is often determined by its weakest link. You and Skark can determine the team’s ceiling, while I can maintain the team’s floor—that is, how long we can stay on the field. The stronger the enemy we face, the higher the demands on the priest.”

“Herri, what I want to be is someone who makes my partners feel at ease.”

A bright light shone in her dark eyes as she smiled radiantly, "Don't underestimate me."

“How could I underestimate you? Ancia has always been the best! Now we can change our tactics.” Skalk was actually the first to react, but when he saw the golden light emanating from Ancia, he stopped his rapid charge.

He always believed in Ancia's talent and abilities.

"Alright, alright, I don't have much magic left. Shall we stop practicing here for today? We'll be staying in the Monster Mountain Range for a few more days anyway, so there's no need to rush." ​​Ancia was a little embarrassed by his praise.

“Alright, let’s return to Red Maple City now. Leave the magical beasts we encounter along the way to me, you all recover your magic.” Skark’s wolf ears twitched slightly, and he could sense any movement.

On the way back to the city, Ancia asked in a low voice, "Heligalo, can Skark stay in the guest house of the Holy See of Light? It seems a bit pitiful if he stays alone in the inn in Red Maple City."

Heligalo chuckled. "Why not? Just because he's an orc, the Holy See of Light won't turn him away. The orcs were the warriors who suffered the most heavy losses in the last demon invasion, and the Holy See of Light admires their sacrifice."

Skulk could hear the conversation inside the carriage, but the usually lively and cheerful Skulk remained silent and said nothing.

Upon arriving in Red Maple City, he was all smiles again.

“I’ve never stayed at the Church of Light before. Stepping in, I feel like my soul has been cleansed.” Skalk’s expression was very serious. The clergy coming and going all had solemn and dignified postures. Infected by the atmosphere, even his wild and unruly nature was restrained.

Sister Molly, as before, led them to the courtyard where the guests were staying, and said with delight, "It's been a long time, Miss Ancia."

“It’s you, Molly. Good day.” Ancia greeted her briefly and then got to the point, “Molly, my companions and I are staying at the Vatican these few days. You don’t need to bring us Holy Communion.”

"Oh, really?" Molly asked, somewhat surprised.

“Really, we want to try other foods in Red Maple City so we don’t waste the Holy Communion,” Ancia said firmly.

“Okay,” Molly agreed.

After Molly left, Skulker scratched his cheek. "What's Holy Communion? Doesn't it taste good?"

Ancia sighed. She remembered that Skark in the game was a meat lover. She looked over with a subtle expression. "Whole wheat bread and water, Skark, you should be grateful to me."

"!"

Skalk looked terrified, then grinned, "Thank you so much, Ancia!"

After resting for a while, Ancia and Skark quietly slipped out of the courtyard, left through the side gate, and had a good barbecue at the most famous tavern in Red Maple City.

"Your Highness, the intelligence from the Eternal City has been placed in your room." Jess hurried down the corridor and found Heligaluo. "Your Highness?"

Heligalo's gaze left Ancia and Skark's retreating figures; they must have gone sightseeing outside the Vatican together.

"I understand, I'll go check now." Heligaluo nodded slightly and walked in the opposite direction from them, which was the way to the room of the Holy Son of Light.

*

After practicing in the Monster Mountain Range for four days, Ancia's level rose rapidly, reaching level 10.

Looking at the updated attribute panel, she finally figured out the rules for attribute points awarded for leveling up.

"They're really stingy with the stats for Constitution, Agility, and Strength. You only get 1 point for every 5 levels. But they're very generous with Spirit, giving it to you every time you level up. I already have 52 points," Anciya muttered to herself.

"Ancia, what are you muttering?" Skalk was too far away to hear clearly, and his ears twitched.

"Ah, it's nothing. I was just thinking that I might be eligible to take the one-star priest exam," Ancia said.

Having just reached level 10, a new star rating appeared in her attribute panel, with gray text flashing and clearly urging her to complete the one-star assessment quickly.

“The Priests’ Association in Red Maple City can conduct assessments for priests from one-star to five-star. If we rush back now, we should be able to complete the assessments before sunset,” Heligalo said.

“Then let’s go back now. I don’t want to miss the beginning of a future top priest’s journey to becoming a priest.” Skark decisively dealt with the monster in his hand.

“Well, this is perfect timing, I can also take the two-star mage assessment now. Ancia, shall we go now?” Heligalo smiled.

Both azure and amber eyes looked at Ancia, waiting for her to make a decision.

"Walk!"

The Priests' Association and the Holy See of Light in Red Maple City were not far apart. Skalk watched Ancia walk into the Priests' Association, while Heligalo went to the Mage Tower ahead of time to take the two-star mage exam.

The pure white lobby was sparsely populated. Two association staff members dressed in white priest robes were chatting behind the counter. When Ancia entered, one of them smiled and said, "Hello, how can I help you?"

“I’m here to take the exam for a one-star pastor,” Ancia said.

"Please fill in your information here, and then pay 5 gold coins." The staff member handed over a piece of paper.

The information I filled in was all basic, including my mentor and lineage.

Ancia thought for a moment, then filled in Gracia Academy and handed it back along with the gold coins.

"Since you are a student of Gracia, your assessment must be fine," the staff member said solemnly after the routine check.

"The testing area is this way, please follow me."

The assessment for a one-star priest was relatively simple. The staff led Ancia to a device that tested her magic power level.

Staff: "Inject magic into this crystal ball. If the crystal ball is completely filled within one minute, you can proceed to the next test."

A transparent crystal ball sits alone on the table, somewhat similar to the crystal ball used to test affinity values, but without the magic crystal screen connected to it.

Ancia channeled her magic into the crystal ball through her palm, causing milky white ripples to spread inside. The ripples spread upwards in circles until the crystal ball was completely filled, emitting a soft white light.

This stage tests the priest's proficiency in using magic. After being consumed by the crystal ball, about half of the magic power in his body remains. It is unknown whether he can cope with the remaining tests.

In the second phase, we arrived at another room where a humanoid puppet lay on a simple operating table. The puppet had several knife wounds of varying depths on its surface, from which red liquid was slowly oozing out.

Staff member: "When performing healing magic on a puppet, as long as the wound stops bleeding and the skin shows signs of healing, it meets the assessment criteria."

Ancia took out her staff and waved it gently.

"Healing spell".

The gem at the tip of the staff emitted a soft golden halo, which flowed toward the puppet on the platform. Under the effect of the golden magic, the puppet's bleeding wound quickly stopped, and the wounds slowly healed. Once the golden magic left, there was no trace of the knife wound.

The staff member exclaimed in astonishment, "My God, you are the best novice pastor I have ever treated in this stage! No novice pastor has ever completely healed a wound before."

Ancia simply nodded, showing no arrogance whatsoever. "Can we proceed to the next test?"

If she struggles in the one-star priest test given her stats and talents, then she's doomed.

Staff member: "Okay, please follow me."

The final test was conducted in a venue with doors at both ends; the staff simply escorted Ancia to the front door.

"Simulated monsters will attack you in the arena. Don't panic. Just run to the back door and leave, and the one-star priest assessment will be over. Good luck."

After Ancia entered the area, the front door closed, and the mimicry of magical beasts slowly emerged in the room, just like the magical beasts that often appeared on the outer side of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

"Damage Reflection Shield".

A golden shield covered her body, and Ancia took off running towards the back door. The arena was about 400 meters long, and she charged forward while braving the damage reflection shield.

The mimicking novice monster chased after Ancia, its shield value constantly decreasing, only to be refreshed before it completely disappeared.

Without even needing to use healing spells, Ancia used all her magic power to cast a damage reflection shield. When she reached the end of the arena, she still had one-third of her magic power remaining.

When her hand touched the doorknob, all the mimic monsters chasing her disappeared, and the door opened automatically.

[Congratulations to the player for completing the main quest [The Beginning of Miracles]!]

The player receives 5000 gold coins and 5000 experience points.

The player has received a new weapon, which has been added to their inventory.

The system's rewards were very generous, allowing Ancia to level up two levels in one go. The new priest's staff could also replace the basic priest's staff, making it much more convenient to use.

The Priest Association issued Ancia a one-star priest's robe with a star on the chest. When she breaks through to the nine-star priest level, the star will be replaced with a moon.

Ancia, dressed in a one-star priest's robe, walked out of the priesthood. Skark was standing at the entrance waiting, seemingly without having moved an inch.

“Ancia! One-Star Priestess! Over here!” Skark waved and shouted, his short, deep red hair turning brown in the sunlight.

Heligalo, standing beside him, smiled; he too had completed his assessment as a two-star mage.

"The one-star priest is here!" Ancia said with a smile as she ran towards them.

A note from the author:

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