"As long as you need my services, I shall be of help," the priest said. "A donation is not necessary, and I do not wish for you to believe it is."

"Don't worry, I'm simply doing it because it's only fair to compensate you and your shrine for the time and effort you are spending."

"Very well then. What is this other matter you speak of?"

"To be honest, I feel fine, but someone keeps on pestering me about making sure I don't have a lasting injury from my fight."

"I understand."

The priest repeated the same actions upon him.

Aleister's muscles relaxed, and his breathing calmed. The divine anima that surrounded him was warm and comforting, similar to a thick, hefty blanket on a cold winter's night, yet weightless to the touch. He opened his eyes and as the divine anima lingered, the colors in the room appeared to have deepened for that for just a moment longer.

"No matter the injuries you carried, you should be fine in the future, however, because I lack expertise on restoration magic and due to not knowing the specific injury and thus requiring me to cover the entire spectrum, it is likely not perfect," the priest explained as he wrangled his glove back on. "I recommend visiting the shrine at least once more in the future. However, your presence is always welcome no matter the occasion."

"Thank you for your services, I shall not forget them." Aleister bowed after opening the door. "I will return soon for a checkup and bring my donation with me on that day. Since you are knowledgeable about my situation if I wish to speak to you again, how may I find you?"

The priest took off his clerical collar and handed it over to Aleister. "Come wearing this collar and ask for Brother Vy. Anyone of our priests of priestesses will direct you towards me."

"Well, it was my pleasure meeting you Brother Vy."

The priest walked through the door. "It was my pleasure meeting you as well, Aleister."

Aleister leaned up and looked over at Syn. "I never told him my name, did I?"

"You didn't. But he's obviously a higher-ranking priest than most, so him keeping up with the daily occurrences within Osetia and deducing your name shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. Especially since you specifically mentioned the only action, you have ever taken in which people might recognize you from."

"Wow, looks like he really rubbed off on you."

"How so?"

"You started speaking so formally all of the sudden I almost thought I was speaking to a different person."

"The presence of the divine anima made me realize the error in my ways."

"Whatever you say."

"More importantly, how are you feeling right now?"

"I feel the exact same as before."

"Well, if you notice any changes, let me know."

"Why do I have to tell you? Are you going somewhere?"

"You know what I mean."

Aleister turned around. "Well, at least now I know that these two should be fine. But, I wonder what happens now since the white-onyx crystal replaced their bloodline?"

"Explain your question some more."

"Like, I'm wondering if they'll have the same powers or if they will even be the same person."

"Their core personalities will stay the same. However, you might notice some slight changes within it. Nothing too significant, but differing traits for sure."

"Well, I won't notice them since I barely know them."

"I know that you know I was, metaphorically speaking," Syn said while massaging her temples. "The traits and powers they gain will derive from the original user of the bloodline. However, each person and their soul is different, so even between them the traits won't be the same."

"So they became Weavers, but at what cost? The removal of your bloodline. Is that something someone would voluntarily choose?"

"You aren't the right person to be asking those types of questions."

"I don't agree with that."

"Hm? Why don't you? You have the blood of a noble clan running through you, so of course, you wouldn't cast it aside. But for those without any such lineage, I'm sure the choice is a no-brainer. Especially in a case like this, where due to the dilution, their bloodlines actually ended up merging to create a new unique bloodline."

"Didn't Luo Yun say they would replace their previous bloodline?"

"He did, but I'm not sure if that's merely a fear-mongering rumor, or if that only the case if you know the proper method of infusing one with the white-onyx crystal."

"I think the results are better off this way. They didn't get a choice in the matter, and I'm afraid more people would hold on to their bloodline, even if it was inferior to not. However, a merger between the two is different, since most people would view it as strengthening their own bloodline."

"I'll take your word for it, as I'm not familiar with familial ties or such notions of holding onto your bloodline, even if it's inferior. Mainly the second part. I'm sure I have the memories of a family or a relationship similar to that before I became a contractor."

"Don't fret. I believe you do as well. The owner of the contract called you one of his children, and since there are quite a number of contractors out there, it seems as if he kept quite busy."

"It makes sense. If you're a wielder of such power, then producing a numerous amount of offspring, likely with other powerful companions for the best results, ensures your legacy will continue to spread through children with your bloodline."

"And would you look at that? All of a sudden, you're unable to speak about tossing your bloodline away. Even more so as you no doubt have one much more potent and powerful than mine."

"Somehow it did end up like. However, just because I can't speak on it, doesn't mean you're able to."

"As I said, you're wrong."

"But you never said why."

"Throughout the entire process of dealing with the white-onyx crystal and talking to you about bloodlines, I've come to an understanding." Aleister smiled wryly.

"And understanding about?"

"About learning arcane magic and becoming an arcanist."

"Hm?" Syn's ears perked up as floated in front of Aleister, resting on a safety railing.

"In order to learn arcane magic, you need to sever your ties from all other sources of magic. This seems to make sense because divine magic is the antithesis of arcane magic, right? One comes from the gods, the rulers of the world. However, the other comes from the land, which is oppressed by them. These two are unable to work together. And remember how you also said that although primal magic differs in name, in reality, it's still divine magic, but created by a non-divine being?"

"Not explicitly, but you seemed to have understood my words quite well."