Holy Training 1

[11:29] Sigismund cos Gardios says, "I want you to help me learn."
[11:29] Julius Domenico asks, "Sounds good, what do you need help with?"
[11:31] Sigismund hummed at the question. What exactly...Well, just about everything if he was to be honest but he needed help with something in specific right now. He could always ask Milon for some lessons in swordsmanship and what not.

No, he approached the oldest Domenico in hopes of getting started on how to learn another way of using pure mana.

"I want to learn Holy Magic, if you've the time and patience. I'll be asking one of my cousins as well later, but I wanted to get started if you've nothing to do. Time is precious, afterall."

And sooner he could light up his own path, the sooner he could perhaps banish these shadows plaguing him.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)
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[11:34] Julius quietly watches the boy as he responds, the curios expression he often carried present, a tilt of his head in tandem. Lessons in Holy Magic was something he could provide, lending a hand to those in need was a necessity for a man of faith like himself.

"Come, I'll get you started then," Julius says, footsteps taken towards the church. The Deacon gestures for Sigismund to follow behind.
(Julius Domenico)
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[12:09] Sigismund follows after the Deacon, head inclined in a small bow of gratitude. Even if he didn't come out of this lesson shining like a true holy knight, it would be enough for him to at least get some feel of the basics and what one truly needed to be able to utilize Holy.

And so the young Gardios follows after him, one eyed closed as his thoughts ran rampart. His heart and mind were in disarray. Specifically, the logical part of him understood the importance and the need of Holy Magic and how it could benefit him.

His heart however sang to him about what kind of great adventures he could have and how every proper Knight ought to strive for the ideal of a 'shining' one. Cosmic magic and Holy magic together would be great paint for such an image.

And with him being the blank canvas on which it would be applied to. He just needed to make sure not to mix the colors...

He entered the Church, bowing his head once more as he gave a prayer to the Stars above and the Heavenly Host. It would only be fitting to start his training here.

Julius knew his duty. That much was for certain.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)
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[13:09] The duo walk the halls of the church, the building Julius often found himself within - be it studying the codex, practicing his magic, or situations like this where he was teaching an aspiring Holy Magi, this wasn't his first rodeo.

Eventually he finds himself ahead of the alter, a copy of the Codex spread wide atop it, it's contents he often drew from in times of adversity, it wasn't rare to see the man reciting its scripture before and after battle, devout through thick and thin. A finger traces its pages, a brief moment taken to scan its content before attention is given to Sigismund.

Julius draws a breath.
"Tell me, what do you know of Holy Magic currently?" he asks, curious if Sigismund was walking into this blind or if he had prior knowledge. There were no right or wrong answers, simply a baseline assessment, one that would direct the manner in which Julius taught today.
(Julius Domenico)
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[13:25] Sigismund comes to a stop right in front of the altar, pausing to take drink in the Church's interior. This was not his first time, sure. This was not his first time here, of course. He came here on his lonesome when he arrived first in Osrona. Then again when his cousin offered to instruct and guide those in wanting to build a connection with the Stars.

But this was the first time he really allowed himself to take in the sight. It was impressive for sure, as benefiting the Faiths home. And yet, it was also humble in the ways only a religious place could be. At least one such as this.

He didn't want to know what the temples dedicated to those Blooded ones were like. He would half expect fire all over and the remains of their sacrifices burning on the pyres.

Julius' words snap him to attention and his gaze falls solely upon him with a slow bob of his head soon following.

What did he know of it?

"Mhm...It's magic that's the opposite of Occultism. They are polar opposites. Whereas Exorcism magic- or Holy as it is more commonly known is based around positive emotions such as wishing to protect someone, Occultism is the direct opposite, fueled by destructive thoughts and dark emotions."

That's not to say that a Holy Magic was immune from the effects of depravity or being evil. One can be the most evil man in Esshar and still wish to protect his family.

It was a paradox to Sigismund, but it was a notion in which he saw that no person was beyond redemption if they truly and heartfully tried.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)
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[13:28] Juliet gives a silent thumb up to her brother, then slides out of the church.
(Juliet Domenico)
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[13:37] The duality that was Holy Magic was one that intrigued Julius as he grew older. Once a boy who viewed the world as good or evil, black or white had slowly began to understand the complexities of morality for what he thought was good may be evil to another - a difficult concept to contend with as a man who wished to do nothing but good, but such was the life of a Magi, things in Esshar were not easy.

Julius nods his head, Sigismund's answer was correct, he expected no less of the boy. After all, he was a member of the noble Gardios family, amongst their ranks multiple Stellus and notable individuals, one could assume he wished to follow in their footsteps, there were large shoes to fill. The Deacon could not relate to such notions, himself of humble origin; they weren't too dissimilar in the fact that the both of them did not grow up within city walls.

"Correct," he says nodding. Both hands rise, palms open and facing the roof, "Holy Magic at its essence is ethereal magic manifested from ones emotions," his hands teeter back and forth in a fashion akin to a scale, "Though as Holy Magi we've got to ensure we harness our emotions carefully, I suppose you can say what's light and dark are two sides of the same coin."

Fumbling around his pocket, Julies withdraws a single coin, carefully balancing it atop the backside of his hand, "Here we have Holy Magic," it remains still on top of his hand, calm, unmoving, a clear symbol for the magic. Julius flicks the coin, spinning it atop the alter. Clear contrast, the coin wobbles, uncontrolled, unruly, "Lose control and you can easily fall into what's evil. Make sense so far?" he asks.
(Julius Domenico)
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[13:54] It always fascinated him how ethereal magic worked. Cosmic magic was granted by one forming a contract with a Star and it being what supplied the Magi with its strength. A more external source rather than an internal one. In the opposite, energy magic was the usage of a Magi own magical energy, shaped into a pure form.

Holy Magic and Occultism were in the sense the same, just focusing on the opposite spectrums of emotions and desires.

Regardless however, he had a duty to uphold himself. While he hasn't been made a squire yet, that did not mean that he should stagnate and not do anything to improve upon himself. "Mhm. Duality..."

They were the opposite and yet had so much in common with each other. It was completely ironic but it wasn't something that Sigismund hated persay. He's yet to do meet an user of it. He was vary of it of course but he couldn't say he hated anyone that used it yet.

He watched the coin with rapt attention, bobbing his head slowly in agreement of his words.

"It does."

(Sigismund cos Gardios)
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[14:09] "Good," he'd gotten the basic concept behind it out the way, there wasn't much to explain in that regard, or better yet it was difficult to explain ones emotions in regards to the magic, to wield Holy Magic was unique to the individual after all; a common denominator remained, perhaps not a pure heart, but a good one nonetheless. One who had been tainted by evil could not wield such magic.

Julius plops the coin back into his purse, it was the lone one he had on him, Juliet being the one to manage his money, a vice of his happened to be gambling-- or risk taking as he liked to call it, quite the holy man Julius was. His purse is stowed away, hidden away within his dark garbs.

It was time to move on to something a bit more practical, one could theorise all they want, but without putting said theories to work, nothing would ever to fruition, fruits of their labour for naught.

"We'll start with something simple today," Julius reaches into his pocket pulling out a small amulet, an item he often kept on him, one from his youth, when he was learning to wield Holy Magic - it was adorned with a green ore, known for reacting with magic, "Watch carefully."

An ethereal cloak shrouds Julius' palm, a certain warmth radiating, the once green ore now a golden hue, positive mana infused with it.

"I want you to infuse positive mana with this amulet, you'll know you're doing it if it becomes golden just like this," the color begins to fade, green once more, "Holy Magic is power drawn from the ones emotions and the Angels themselves - control the flow of your mana and call to them."

With that said, he hands it over to the boy.
(Julius Domenico)
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[14:39] Juliet returns, clad in occult thorns that clung to her upper body like a scarf. Despite the visible pain, she was still there to witness her friend becoming an adept at the art of holy.

"Hooray."
(Juliet Domenico)
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[14:52] Something simple?

Well, if Julius said it would be something simple then he figured it would be such a thing. Or maybe there was more to the boy than he thought- could be. He was strong- far stronger than him at the current moment. Though he could argue him being older and already a Deacon for such a fact.

But that was an excuse. Sigismund simply needed to do better.

He watches carefully as he's prompted and watches the older boy take out an amulet.

And the effects are almost instantaneous as a warm and golden glow is produced from his being and wrapped around the amulet and seemingly absorbed by it.

Sigismund thought the sight beautiful.

Then Julius hands the Amulet over to him and he takes it gingerly, as if he was afraid of breaking such a precious object. His words are heard and the Gardios narrows his eyes for a split second in thought.

Positive mana, was it? Calling upon the strength of the Angels themselves, was it? Julius wasn't wrong in that regard, for this power was the gift of Kraus all those years ago when Arthor first took up Excalibur.

He clutches the amulet in both of his small hands, eyes closing as he draws in a deep breath and focuses, drawing upon the energy inside of him. The harder part however would be changing that energy.

He'd think of Osrona. Of his friends- of his family. All three things important to him, worth protecting and things that he wanted to protect. A prayer to the Angels was uttered silently as he squeezed just a tiny bit harder.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)
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[15:10] In truth, harnessing magic in general was a difficult task - a daunting task to some, but in the face of adversity, Julius was one who often downplayed such problems, if something were portrayed to be easy, it would be-- at least that's how he thought things worked, perhaps Sigismund would find using such magic difficult - it required a certain individual after all.

Julius' arms come to a fold across his chest, bright blue hues meeting shades of green, though the amulet is quickly hidden between Sigismund's palms. Julius watched with the eye of a well-trained Magi, a Deacon at a young age, likely a Keeper within the next year having just turned eighteen, a talented boy in the eyes of some, hardworking in the eyes of others - observing mana in its raw form was a difficult task, but with enough training one could.

Traversing the boy's mana circuits is positive mana, from points of convergence to the tips of his fingers, to the amulet. A feint shine radiates, not quite as bright as Julius' demonstration, but it was a start.

"Good," he says.

Hands wrap around Sigismund's, encasing the boy's hands and amulet as if it was a caterpillar within a cocoon. Julius' palms carried a certain warmth, not that of body heat, rather his connection to the Constellations, the Angel's, the presence of a man of Faith, a certain righteous aura lingered, the sensation unmistakable.

Chants of his own fill the room, the odd manner in which he prayed on full display.

Just as before, a golden hue erupts, the palms of the duo coated with the aura, positive mana infused with the amulet, as promised that too shines bright and golden. While similar to before, the bright lights were much larger than before, the collaboration between the two of them manifesting a grand spectacle, flickering shining lights, warmth that rivaled the flames that lit the room - a peek into just how grand magic could be at times, for Sigismund was just reaching the tip of the iceberg.

The teen takes a step backwards, hands pressed together. He dips his head slightly, "Did you feel it?" Julius smiles, "That was Holy Magic, that sensation was us tapping into that dormant magic. Those emotions you felt, that tingle across your body, thoughts that raced your mind and prayers that escaped your lips. That is Holy Magic."

A practical demonstration for the boy, Julius found it the most effective method, "Replicate that when you conjure spells and you'll prove to be powerful."
(Julius Domenico)
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[15:25] Juliet Domenico says, "Hello, Espelette lei Eden."
[15:25] Juliet Domenico asks, "Care to join me on the bench?"
[15:30] Espelette lei Eden says, "Hello, Juliet Domenico of the Domenico family. "
[15:30] Espelette lei Eden asks, "I would like nothing more. What are we watching?"
[15:32] Juliet Domenico says, "Our friend, Sigismund cos Gardios is learning to properly wield magic of the Holy archetype, which is an advanced type of Energy magic."
[15:33] Perhaps this was more difficult than he thought. Perhaps he wasn't thinking hard enough. Not projecting his feelings hard enough. Maybe the Angels weren't hearing his prayers? Or maybe...

Just maybe...he wasn't cut out for it? While he didn't exactly pick up the blade easily, he had a natural affinity for it in way that let him learn it without too great an effort. Effort was still required, for talent without hard work was a wasted one. But he didn't need to train himself ragged to do so.

Perhaps he was overreacting. He wasn't sure if Holy Magic was something most people picked up naturally so he could very well just be in the same boat as most people.

Doubt however, always nagged on his mind. And even as much as he tried to picture his family and friends, a certain other individual would appear in his mind whenever he thought too hard.

That pale face stained crimson, with eyesof blood that glowed eerily.

He had to bit back a wince as the latest image was all that more lifelike, locking his knees together as he resisted the urge to flee. Why did everything always come back to that encounter in the forest? To that monster?

To her.

He almost did jump as he felt Julius hands on top of his own and he slowly relaxed as he felt the very same warmth that he felt before slowly seep into him. Into his being. He oft did forget that Julius was actually an ordained priest with how he acted sometimes.

Not today, however. Or at least in this current moment as he heard chants leave the mans lips as well and he joined him as he projected his voice louder. There was less timidity in his voice now- more a sense of purpose as slowly but surely, those images of Tara were burned away in a blinding light, leaving his mind with silhouettes of his family and friends and a big castle behind them.

Another deep breath was taken as he paused in his chants, the light around them growing all the stronger as both his and Julius mana and emotions resonated together.

A moment after, Sigismund stood staring at the glowing amulet with a transfixed expression. Ah, the warmth, the glow- the sheer feeling of it was enough to lave him speechless. Julius words were heard and yet he did not as much as answer him as he just basked in the feeling.

He'd snap out of it a moment later and hand the amulet back to him, a smile slowly blooming on his face. "That was amazing, Julius..." And it truly was for the younger boy.

So, this was how it felt to use Holy Magic, even if it incomplete in his case.
(Sigismund cos Gardios)
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[15:34] Espelette lei Eden says, "Incredible. It only makes sense then that Julius Domenico, your brother, blooding sibling and eldest son of the Domenico family would be tutoring him in the ways as he himself is an expert in holy magic, an advanced subset of the energy magic umbrella. "
[15:34] Espelette lei Eden says, "blood sibling**..."
[15:36] Juliet Domenico asks, "Your speech is off today, my friend Espelette lei Eden, or should I rather say, doggy boy?"
[15:37] Espelette lei Eden says, "Yes, I am coming down with something.. and please- not in front of people, at least.. they will ask me to explain 'doggy boy'. I cannot. "
[15:45] The sensation was euphoric in a sense, one that could not be described with words, Julius found himself speechless as well the first time he harnessed the magic gifted to them by those above.

"I thought you'd say that," he nods stifling laughter with his off-hand.

Where there was light there was darkness, things could never be simple in Esshar.
"Now you understand what it's like to wield such magic, it feels amazing yes, but we can't let that detour us from our righteous path, the pleasure's of flesh are nothing more than temptation, temptation with intent to lead us astray, to taint our souls and prevent us from reaching Paradise." Julius in comparison to many of the other priests was lighthearted, a joker in the grand scheme of things; he was no fool, his Faith unwavering, a devout man and strong in his ideals, such behaviour instilled in him from his upbringing, a combination of the efforts of the church and his parents.

A smile paints his visage.

He pushes the amulet back to Sigismund, gently closing the boy's palms, "I want you to keep it, use it to practice your magic," arms fold across his chest once more, eyes turning to the duo south.

A brief glance of his sister reveals her wounded state, it was clear she'd got herself in another battle- she carried wounds that needed to be looked at properly, "Juliet, have you been getting in trouble again?" he asks, a look of concern present, a rare sight for him in fact.
(Julius Domenico)
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[15:46] **forgot to add.

"When you're able to make the ore shine bright like a light, come back to me."
(Julius Domenico)
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[15:55] Sigismund takes the amulet hesitantly. He wasn't worth it in all honesty or at least he felt like that. But if Phos choosing him was any indication then he was going to do his best and learn this magic as soon as he could. Perhaps he could get his cousin in on these lessons?

Probably.

But for now, he just inclines his head in gratitude and does his best to ignore the peanut gallery. Or at least with how they were acting. If he busted out a laugh at their overly formal way of speaking, he wasn't sure if he'd let himself live it down.

Not in the Church at least.

At the mention of Juliet and trouble however, he turns around, his gaze falling upon the younger Domenico sibling and he squints, trying to find any trace of injuries on her.

"Eh?"
(Sigismund cos Gardios)