77 The Necromancer and the Priestess 11

"Rosella, are you really sure you want to go through this?" Kai said with a worried expression, but Rosella had on a determined expression. She was dressed in trousers and light leather armor, holding a wooden practice sword in her hand.

"Yes!" She said with a firm nod. She had asked Kai to train her in swordplay, and after a few months of basic strength and stamina training, she was finally ready to be taught some actual techniques. Kai was a little reluctant, but she had persevered this far, so he felt like he couldn't say anything. Maybe because of what she had experienced from a young age, but Kai felt that Rosella's determination was even better than many novice squires.

While Rosella and Kai were training, Yu Na was also going through harsher and harsher training.

She wanted to know the reason why she had to do this, and the reply from Yin Mei was always that she wasn't "strong enough".

Yu Na furrowed her brow. She had been able to take down that evil creature that had worried them so much, so how was it that she wasn't "strong enough"? From what the others had said, she could gather that she was actually pretty strong - the high priestess was considered one of the strongest mages on the continent, and she had potential comparable to hers. She wasn't stupid, so why did the high priestess continue to insist this?

When she confronted Yin Mei, Yin Mei's expression was calm, only raising an eyebrow. "Potential doesn't equal skill," she said, turning her attention back to the magic book on her lap. Because she had finished her previous summoning project, aside from teaching Yu Na, there wasn't anything more for her to do in her free time, so she started to research something else again so that she wasn't bored all the time.

Yu Na didn't buy it. Maybe it was because of what those around her had said, or perhaps because of all the books that she had read, but she already had it in her mind that she was a "genius" magic user, and even more, the "protagonist" of this story. All those heroines in the story would be having such an easy time, so why was it that it was only her going through such harsh training?

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure hit her, bringing Yu Na to her knees. Yin Mei looked down at her coldly, as the area was flooded with holy aura, but it was concentrated to just the area around them. It was heavy, like a ton of water crashing down on Yu Na's body. She tried resisting it, biting her lip so hard that she drew blood, but for some reason she couldn't. Why was there such a big difference, even though they should have similar ability?

"You see? Your ability to manipulate your magic is still too clumsy." Yin Mei said, calmly flipping a page in her book as she released her pressure. Actually, she didn't want to make Yu Na any stronger, but too bad that she had to at least put on appearances, or the Bishop would never allow her to succeed Celestina as the high priestess. She was already going through the trouble of suppressing Yu Na's holy aura, so that it didn't affect anyone, so why was it that she have to make her stronger on top of all that?

It was such a pain in the ass!

She even had to personally teach her too, or else if someone else taught her something that was actually useful, then wouldn't she be screwed? D*mn, she wished that the time for the succession ceremony could already hurry up and come!

Because of her stupid decision, so many of her previous efforts were all in vain, she definitely wasn't going to let summoning Yu Na be in vain as well. She fell unconscious for a week because of this girl; she would definitely have her repay her by dying splendidly.

Yin Mei looked thoughtfully as Yu Na's face alternated colors from red to white to blue before she finally stalked away angrily. Actually, considering Yu Na's progress, her talent really wasn't as good as Celestina's. At least, she wouldn't be able to reach Celestina's status of archmage any time soon.

The only problem was, was that because of Yu Na's affinity, it was hard for Celestina's magic to have an affect on her - at least, certain aspects of her magic. Specifically any mental manipulation magic, such as charm or mind control. Brute forcing it like she had done earlier still worked, but that sort of thing also had a limit.

The issue was that Celestina was not good at offensive magic, and instead specialized in support magic. On the other hand, the Bishop was the opposite way. Because of this, Yin Mei had been specifically looking more into offensive magic.

She hoped that whatever El was planning wasn't too dangerous. That being said, she couldn't see El losing to the Bishop. Actually, when she thought about it, El was even stronger than the Bishop? Hm? She tilted her head. Maybe it was because as the villain he was destined to die under the hands of the protagonist that Yin Mei kept on thinking of El as weaker than he actually was, but could El in fact be the strongest person here?

She started measuring strength. In terms of bullshit strength, clearly Kai ranked number one. But in terms of pure offensive magic capability, El, who had an affinity rivaling that of Celestina's, and also specializing in offensive magic, could be considered the strongest attack oriented mage on the continent.

She was mind blown. Did this guy even need her help?

Well, wait, the issue still remained with the protagonist though. El could take care of other matters by himself, but certainly he would need help so that he wouldn't die to the protagonist.

Yin Mei felt that since the male and female leads were no longer useful, she should just get rid of them now so that there were no issues later, but on second thought, they could still prove to have some use. After all, they were both loyal to her at this point in time. As long as she continued to keep her involvement with El a secret, there shouldn't be a problem.

She felt that the biggest issue was if her relationship came out. The issue wasn't Rosella, who actually had no real reason to hate El at this point in time, but Kai, whose family had been killed by El.

Yin Mei closed her book with a clap, standing up with a cool expression as she looked into the distance. She better make a few preparations just in case...

"Is that so?" The Bishop said coolly as a man dressed in black finished his report. The Bishop. His real name wasn't unknown, and it wasn't even clear if the man even remembered it himself. He had already lived a long time. Not as long as Celestina's predecessor, but already a very long time.

He had recently been concerned that Celestina had been a little different from usual, but he hadn't thought too deeply into it. But now it was clear that for some reason, she was anxious. Anxious about the matter of her successor. Was it just her wanting her freedom after these six years, or was it because something happened that was spurring her on?

For her to go as far as to risk developing a new type of magic, the Bishop thought that it was the latter that was the cause of her actions.

She had been docile all these years, still as water, unmoved by the world outside - so what was it that could move her? There was already an answer in his heart, but no matter how he thought about it, he didn't think that that could be the cause of her actions.

A few months later, the succession ceremony was finally scheduled. No one had mentioned to Yu Na that she would be succeeding the high priestess, or even asked for her opinion. This was because in their eyes, it was unnecessary. In the first place, Yu Na had no choice in the matter anyways, and in the second place, they could not fathom that someone would reject such a prestigious position.

But, obviously Yu Na had different viewpoints toward the residents of this world, being a modern woman. Yin Mei knew this, and so purposefully shut down the information that she would receive.

As for the matter of the ceremony, she outright planned on drugging the girl if she couldn't be convinced.

"What is it?" Yu Na asked, when Yin Mei took the opportunity to have her stay after the class to talk.

Yin Mei motioned the away the priestess who had been with them, and she bowed before leaving, shutting the door quietly behind her. Yin Mei turned her attention back to Yu Na, who thought that the blond haired girl's blue eyes were more piercing than ever. "I'd like you to inherit my title and position as high priestess. A person with such strong light affinity is rare, and this might be the only chance for me to be able to train a successor." She said calmly.

Yu Na thought for a moment, and then finally realized why the training had been so harsh - had Yin Mei already been training her with the intent for her to succeed this position, one she hadn't even been asked if she had wanted? She bristled up slightly, feeling angered.

"The position of high priestess is extremely important and prestigious. We protect all of humanity from danger, we are the hope of humankind." Yin Mei continued, without care for Yu Na's thoughts. "Even the king must bow his head to us when he meets us." Yin Mei thought that she had a basic grasp of Yu Na's personality - this kind of girl was vain, and slightly self centered. A very normal person. Because of this, she was directly trying to feed this girl's ego.

"There will be no more need for want, as everything will be at the tip of your hands." Yin Mei's voice and words were alluring, seductive, even.

But Yu Na was suspicious. If it was such a good position, then why did Yin Mei insist on handing it over to her?

"You're wondering why I want you to succeed me then?" Yin Mei said, guessing what Yu Na was thinking. After all, she would probably think the same thing if she was in Yu Na's shoes.

Yu Na cautiously nodded, disliking the way that Yin Mei seemed to know what she was thinking.

Yin Mei leaned her head on her hand, continuing to speak, "It's because what I want is something different. And I can't get it until I'm no longer the high priestess. Well, it's a very personal matter though, so I won't say anymore." Yin Mei glanced toward Yu Na. "You should think about it. I won't say that this position doesn't come without its responsibilities, but it does let you live without needing to want for anything more." Other than freedom that is. And good food from the outside. And actually a lot of stuff. But it was true that everything else was beautiful and perfect, at least, from the outside looking in.

Yin Mei let Yu Na take a break for the next couple of days to think things over, before she finally came to Yin Mei, agreeing to take on the duty of becoming the high priestess. In her eyes, if Yin Mei was no longer the high priestess, and she was, then perhaps Leon would look at her more. It was a silly thought, but love gave birth to those sorts of silly and unreasonable thoughts sometimes.

Yin Mei smiled brightly when she got the answer that she was looking for. That's good. If Yu Na had rejected this, then she would've had to figure out some sort of way to smuggle drugs into the church! Man, was she glad that she wouldn't have to do that now.