Chapter 421: A Lot to Take In

Cherion looked down at the leather-bound observation journal resting in his lap, his thumb lightly running over the rough cord tied around its middle.

"I really can’t thank you enough for holding onto this, Your Holiness," Cherion said, looking back up at the elderly priest across from him. "I’ve been trying to figure out the limits of my power on my own, but having actual records from my parents... it feels like a massive step forward. I think this will help me get a much better handle on things."

The High Priest listened quietly, his hands resting on his thighs. He didn’t smile. Instead, a gentle, lingering concern settled into the lines around his eyes.

"Knowledge is a comfort, Lord Cherion," the High Priest said softly, his deep voice carrying a solemn weight. "But do not let it blind you to caution. Magic of your nature does not obey the simple rules of human artifice."

Cherion tilted his head slightly, his brows knitting together. "Caution?"

"There is no such thing as absolute abundance in this world," the old man explained, leaning forward just an inch. "Every act of restoration, every divine or innate gift that alters the natural order, demands something in return. There are always downsides. Always a cost."

Cherion shifted in his seat. "I mean... I’ve used it a fair bit recently. So far, the absolute worst I’ve felt is a little lightheadedness or a brief spell of dizziness. Nothing a good night’s sleep couldn’t fix."

"Because you have not felt a heavy toll yet does not mean the debt does not exist," the High Priest replied gently, though there was no mistaking the warning in his words. "Sometimes the cost of a power accumulates silently. It buries itself in the blood, or in the spirit, waiting until the vessel is pushed past its limit. You must never assume you are immune to consequences simply because they have not yet caught up to you."

Cherion went quiet, his gaze dropping back to the desk.

He’s not wrong, Cherion thought to himself, a cold knot forming in his stomach. He remembered how exhausted he had felt after healing Iryna that one time, or how his head had throbbed a little after using his gift in short bursts. At the time, he had brushed it off as simple physical stamina running low. But what if it wasn’t? What if using this body’s power was slowly damaging something fundamental inside him?

The thought made his pulse quicken just a fraction. Great. As if I didn’t have enough to worry about.

"If you truly wish to understand what your power demands, and what your parents may have discovered before their passing, you will likely need to look beyond this single journal," the High Priest continued, breaking the heavy silence. "I still strongly advise you to visit your family’s southern estate. If there are answers left to find, they are buried there."

Cherion swallowed hard, fighting back an involuntary groan.

Oh geez. The South.

The mere thought of traveling all the way down to the southern territory made his head ache even worse than the priest’s warnings. It wasn’t just the long, bumpy carriage ride or the unpleasant political headache of leaving the capital. It was the sheer, terrifying reality of stepping onto OG Cherion’s ancestral grounds.

He had no memories of that place. He didn’t know the layout of the manor, he didn’t know the old servants who might still be tending the grounds, and he certainly didn’t know the family traditions. And now, to make matters ten times worse, the High Priest had casually dropped that the family death anniversary was right around the corner.

Zarius definitely knows about the anniversary, Cherion thought, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of his coat. Marielle probably knows too.

"I... I will certainly keep that in mind, Your Holiness," Cherion managed to say aloud, forcing a polite, composed expression onto his face despite the internal panic screaming inside his brain. "Thank you for the advice."

The High Priest smiled faintly, recognizing the tension in the young man’s shoulders even if he didn’t know the true reason behind it. "Take your time, Lord Cherion. The truth is patient. It will wait until you are ready."

The old priest stood up from behind his desk, and Cherion immediately rose to his feet as well, tucking the worn leather journal securely inside the deep inner pocket of his coat. He patted his chest twice to make sure it was settled safely against his ribs.

Before they could walk toward the office door, however, a sudden, hurried knock sounded from the hallway outside.

The heavy walnut door creaked open, and a young temple attendant stepped into the room, looking somewhat flustered. He offered a quick, low bow to the High Priest.

"Your Holiness, forgive the intrusion," the attendant said breathlessly. "The senior elders from the western wing have convened in the upper council room. They are requesting your presence immediately to review the seasonal ledgers before the afternoon service."

The High Priest let out a quiet, long-suffering sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose with two fingers. "Ah. The ledgers. Very well." He turned back to Cherion, offering an apologetic dip of his head. "It seems my duties call me away sooner than I had hoped, Lord Cherion."

"Please, don’t let me keep you," Cherion said quickly, relieved to have a moment to breathe. "I can find my own way back."

"The hallways near the private quarters can be quite confusing for guests," the High Priest noted smoothly. He turned to the young attendant. "Go ahead to the council room and tell the elders I will be there shortly. Lord Cherion, if you would not mind stepping out into the outer corridor, I will join you in just a moment once I gather a few documents from my desk."

"Of course," Cherion nodded.

He gave the High Priest another respectful bow and turned, stepping out of the warm study into the quiet, cool stone corridor outside. The attendant bowed to Cherion in passing before scurrying off down the hallway to deliver his message.

The heavy wooden door of the study clicked shut behind Cherion, leaving him standing entirely alone in the long, arched passage.

Cherion took a deep, steadying breath of the crisp, cool air, letting his head rest back against the smooth stone wall behind him. He closed his eyes for a second, letting out a long, shuddering sigh that seemed to drain the last bit of tension from his muscles.

First Zarius talking about weddings, then Marielle looking like she’s carrying the weight of the world, and now a secret observation log and a forced trip to the South...

Cherion ran a hand through his hair, letting out a dry, breath-filled laugh. I came out today thinking I was just getting a simple tour of a temple. How did my life get this complicated so fast?