Mantle of the Gods

Only one more person was given a mantle.

She was also a Mundane which left the two Nobles perfectly content to ignore us once the ceremony was over. Two Priests came and opened the tent flap, allowing us to see the ArchBishop on the other side.

“Right this way,” the ArchBishop motioned for us to exit.

“Nobles first.” The first Noble said as he got up and cast a look over at the three of us. “You better not think just because you have a mantle now that you are my equal.” He stormed out of the tent.

I expected the other Noble to say something, too, but she followed after him without gracing us with a parting comment.

One of the Priests flanking the door let the tent flap drop and followed after them. The blonde-haired brown-eyed Mundane got up first. She seemed a little more cheerful now that the Nobles were gone, but had been too scared to speak while we had been in the presence of nobility. I hadn’t wanted to draw any more ire myself, so the three of us had sat in silence while the Nobles conversed like we hadn’t been there.

I followed her out, leaving Rix to bring up the rear. I thought she’d be more comfortable with that and it was also the order that we’d been sitting. The other Priest moved to follow us, causing the redhead to step out of his way. He paused, looking to the ArchBishop for guidance.

“Take them to their car.” The ArchBishop pointed at me, “You stay.”

I watched as the Priest took the lead and led them to a separate vehicle than the one that the Nobles had gotten in. Apparently the blonde Noble had gotten his wish.

Once the two vehicles drove away, a third car pulled up. The ArchBishop started walking towards the car, but stopped when he realized that I wasn’t moving.

“You’re riding with me. I have questions for you.”

I followed after the balding gray-haired man and got into the backseat of the car. I had never been in a vehicle like this. The few times I’d ever been in a vehicle, it had been either a bus or a small car with only two rows. This vehicle had seats in the back that faced each other with a divider that blocked off our view of the driver completely.

The ArchBishop ran his hands through what little hair he had left on his head, “Who are you?” He began undoing the front of his white robes, revealing jeans and a comfortable shirt underneath.

I felt the car start to move, but I couldn’t tell where we were going because the windows were so tinted that I couldn't see outside.

“I'm Atlas.” I stuttered, not quite sure what he was asking.

“I don't mean what is your name. I mean where did you come from? Who were your parents?”

“I don't know. I was brought to the All-Temple as an orphan at the age of three where I stayed until fourteen when I was sent to the Dispatchers to work as a Porter.”

The ArchBishop nodded his head, “Yes, I know that.” his voice had a sharp hiss to it, “I want to know what you know about your family.”

“I honestly don't remember anything other than what I think is the warmth of my mother's hug, but that's all I can tell you about them. I'm sorry.”

The ArchBishop rubbed his temple. “You have no idea the situation you have put me in.”

I wrinkled my brow, “I'm sorry. but I don’t know what that means. Do you know what my class really is and why did you say it was Caster?”

The ArchBishop looked at me like I had asked a stupid question. “Your magic stat is the highest of your six base stats, naturally you will be classified as a Caster.”

I nodded, it made sense, but my real class didn't. “What is going to happen to me?”

The ArchBishop sighed, “You still have to be taught and you're still going to have to go into the dungeon.” he looked up at the roof of the car, “But we need to do something about your class and I need to get someone I trust…” he started murmuring under his breath as he kept talking, then snapped his fingers. “I've got it!”

I waited for him to explain, but it seemed like he had completely forgotten that I wasn’t part of the conversation.

“You're also going to need a Priest. Someone we can stick with you without raising suspicion. Someone who will make sure you grow and stay in line.” He pulled a pad out from the door and began flicking his way through information.

“Do I get a say?”

The old man glared at me like I had asked another stupid question. “No you won't get to pick any of your team.” he thought for a moment, “Actually, that might not be a bad idea if I keep all of you together, then maybe… No, but I could…”

I watched him musing and talking to himself. “But what kind of a class is…?”

“Silence!” The ArchBishop pulled out of whatever argument he was having with himself, “Don't ever utter the name of that class. Ever!” He pointed his finger at me, “If you do anyone you speak it to will be killed and so will you.”

I swallowed, sensing the severity of his threat. And by his tone I felt like he wasn’t referencing him as the one issuing my death. I tried to think of a reason, but I couldn't fathom why the ArchBishop would be so upset. I could understand if word got out of what my class was then it would upend what the All-Temple had been teaching about the six starting classes. I had a feeling that he knew more than he was letting on. I could tell he knew exactly what the class was but right now I wasn’t getting anything more out of him. I settled into my seat and thought about what the crystal had read before the ArchBishop had blinded everyone.

Atlas Zeb - Level 1

Age: 18, Hair: White, Eye color: Green, Height: 6’

0 Exp

godling

10 Power 10 Defense 10 Speed

12 Magic 10 Recovery 10 Aura

I realized that the reason why so many of the lower-ranked Adventurers that I had worked with had towns for their last names. The numbers seemed normal enough to me and it made sense why he would say I was a Caster given that my magic was two points higher than the rest of my stats. The thing that I think scared him and confused me was the word that I was only able to read for a second. The word that had been my class.

Godling