The Ascension Of The Celestial Priest

Under the midst of many parting gazes from the surrounding adventurers and commoners alike, Lukas boarded the opulent carriage and it immediately started heading North West of the Golden City. This was obviously a path Lukas had never ventured before and in his patience for a clarification, he kept an eye out of the small curtained window, thoroughly immersing himself in the new scenery of passing mountains and forests, within a very smooth ride.

It didn't take long for Mira to explain. "This is an adjoining hunting mission in which I recruited all of you to help me with something." She continued, "North western of here, more than few miles from my sect lays a stretch of the Evergreen Forest aptly named the Burnt woods where there is a fallen beast for us to hunt."

On hearing of the location, Lukas sat back as he recalled everything he had read on it. Tabernacle of Flames, Mira's respective sect was placed North-Western from Cathedral of Light, divided by more than few hundred miles of paved roads, countless villages and a huge swathe of the Evergreen Forest placed directly within the region collectively known as The Twin Mountains. Known for its polar opposite peaks, The Tabernacle of Flames Sect was established directly beneath the semi-active mountain due to its inherent heat while the World of Ice Sect stationed itself on the dead mountain, finding a perfect home for their ice cultivation within the freezing cold environment.

The name of the semi-active mountain is respectively named the Caldera and it's within that direction that the carriage carrying all of them journeyed towards to. Mira took a moment before she finally told them the true purpose of their sudden venture.

"The beast we are hunting is a wounded bird fallen from the upper precipice of the Caldera. If it wasn't for the rarity of such a beast around here, I wouldn't have had to drag all of you with me on this expedition. But the beast is quite important for me as it possess an inner flame essence which happens to be very important for my magical cultivation."

Lukas asked in curiously "You need the beast's flame?"

Mari nodded in response. "Our Sect's Meditation Arts allows a fire mage to cultivate a stronger flame by devouring and assimilating other sources of fire. This allows our spells to be even more formidable which in turn makes it a little easier for us for to advance to higher stages. Almost all of the fire mages, who train within the sect, get to refine the Volcanic Flame from the depths of the Caldera Mountain early on allowing for easier absorption and assimilation during the later stages. Others, like me seek other means and sources to upgrade our inner flames, laying a more perfect foundation for future advancement."

"Impressive!" Lukas noted as almost everyone who heard this agreed. He could directly see the clear advantages of possessing such cultivation methods. Devouring flames of nature to further one's inner flame would allow the said person to possess even more formidable strength, and if the flame it's of a higher grade, it would allow one to blaze through cultivational stages like a genius. But Lukas could feel a catch somewhere in between and Mira smirked almost as if she read his mind.

"It might seem so on the surface but there is an inherent risk involved during its practice. Devouring and assimilating other sources of flames requires exquisite control as it actually involves refining the flame for your own use. Any mishaps during the process can lead to devastating consequences with the most common being counter-devoured by the very flames you are trying to control."

She eyed all of them before she waved her hand dismissively. "But there are measures usually taken to prevent such things from happening too frequently. Most of times, we only have to worry about the stringent conditions required by the meditation arts including finding the type of flames perfectly compatible with oneself and the resources available to achieve a successful refinement. "

Mira flicked a speck of dust from her crimson robes as she nonchalantly added. "Within the walls of our sect, it's already an accepted truth that a price must be paid if one wants to possess formidable power."

Lukas could only politely smile while inwardly sighing in relief. He was quite lucky that the previous Lukas had awakened elemental Light which led him to be recruited by the Cathedral of Light. Their meditation arts only involved a sense of deeper meditation and the ability of one in comprehending their own elemental nature. It carried almost no risk and it still possessed an added bonus of cultivating one's psyche in the process, which directly improved Spell casting, spawning capable mages who could master powerful spells in combat.

While Lukas was busy distracted with his thoughts, Geoff asked the most important question.

"What kind of beast are we hunting then?"

"It's a Fire Streaked Raven." Mira answered. "…wounded, an infant, most likely with the strength of an Early Tier 2 Beast…"

It only took a moment for her words to register before everyone reacted. Moira only raised her left eyebrow while Geoff was visibly taken aback. Lukas's face twitched before he directly retorted.

"Tier 2?" he repeated almost as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "If I'm not wrong, the last time we nearly died at the hands of Tier 1* within those catacombs. Are we…" Lukas gestured at the nearby party "able to handle the strength of a Tier 2 beast?"

Mira derisively scoffed at the memory. "We could have easily killed that damnable beast king if it wasn't for its annoying ability to galvanize low level rats to way lay us. Besides the Fire Streaked Raven we are hunting down will almost assuredly be in its own making it an easy prey for us."

Witnessing the hesitant faces on everyone, Mira rolled her eyes as she explained further. "The Fire Streaked ravens are commonly found on the precipice of the Caldera Mountain where they usually breed near the top where the Volcanic flames are at their utmost intense. Their nests are built way up, far away from their invaders and since their Halflings are hatched in such rich fire environment, they possess the purest form of the flame essence. Its only in their efforts of learning to fly for the first time do we get a chance as they face the risk of dropping down below where they will be truly vulnerable."

Fully knowing she had their full attention, she leaned closer. "This is where we come in. Within years, the hunting of such rare birds had become somewhat of a tradition among the younger generation and that had led to elders almost never interfering during its course. Of course that meant they are usually a lot of people, outside and within the Sect itself, willing to throw away their lives in search of the prize but all of it is considered as a part of training in fostering able mages within the sect."

She didn't even pause when she got strange glances from all around her. "The last missive told me the beast was last seen burrowing deeper into the Burnt Woods, still within the boundary of the inner regions of the Evergreen Forest. We first have to take the carriage near the vicinity of the Caldera Mountain and then trek on foot through the Forest. With our small team, we will be able to cover ground very quickly."

She then got really comfortable, her wild elegance clearly exhibited for all her small audience to see.

"I do suggest we be comfortable and fully rest. The Journey to the Caldera Mountain is not short as I had to travel from my sect to the Golden City to get you."

Lukas mused to himself in silence as he let the last part of the sentence sink through. Looks like the impression he made last time was enough to warrantee this proud lady to travel a huge distance just to get him. But in turn it did make him realize that this beast must be very important to her if she went through all this trouble. As a kind gesture, Lukas wouldn't hold back as he was getting paid after all and the thought of fighting a beast that equaled a low Earth-Ranked Mage made him equally nervous and excited at the prospect of it.

In the end, it was truly a good thing that he had grown stronger and way more resourceful and powerful than they last they met. If they thought his last performance was his peak, they would be in for much larger surprise. But for now, he had to take some deep calming breaths, steeling his mind and preparing himself for yet another challenge ahead.

For reference purposes.

*Tier 1 Beast is likened to Mortal Mages

*Tier 2 Beast is likened to Earth Mages, and so on and so forth.