Yearning to Be a Heavenwing
Attention! Archbishop Bern reports
the Hillheim diocese is recruiting new
Templars! All current applicants
will be exempt from entrance
examinations. Enlist today!
Passing Villager 1: Recruitin' Templars again? Weren't they just doing that in the Leppo district?
Passing Villager 2: Cor, and without even an entrance exam! Might give it a shot m'self, just for the laughs and a fine story.
Passing Villager 1: Ha! You can't even lift a sword, mate! Still, it makes a fella wonder what they need all the warm bodies for.
Informed Man: The bishop has no concept of true tactics. Those damnable perditionists are simply becoming ever more desperate!
Informed Man: And so does the land of the goddess fall ever deeper into waste. If only Heavenwing Silvain were still alive...
Hillheim Diocese Templar Training Grounds
Templar Hope: One! Two! One! Two!
Older Templar 1: One...two...one... *pant* P-Paladyn Tobias, sir? Exactly how long must we continue performing practice swings?
Tobias: You have 500 reps remaining—and I have other business to attend to. Be certain they are done by the time I return.
Older Templar 2: He's no Paladyn, but a damn devil!
Templar Hope: Aw, there's nothing more fun than training! Besides, what's 500 more?
My heart leapt in my chest when I heard new applicants were exempt from entrance exams, and now I spend every waking moment training!
And the best part? The person overseeing my training is a Paladyn! A true Paladyn! You better believe I won't throw away THIS chance...
Templar Hope: One! Two! One...twoooo... Whew! I'm all kinds of tuckered, but it's worth it to make my dream come true.
Templar Hope: Okay, Hope! Just 476 to go!
Tobias: My opinion on the matter has not changed, Your Grace—I cannot advise further thoughtless ballooning of our ranks with these legions of new recruits.
Tobias: Such new blood is as useless as a hat on a fish without proper training.
Tobias: And because of the manpower such training requires, security in other locations all across the land is now sorely lacking.
Tobias: I am aware you would have us make ready for conflict with the conservatives, but this current plan of action is placing the cart well before the horse.
Archbishop Bern: Your feelings are well understood, Tobias. However, a great cause calls for extensive preparation; we are merely sowing seeds for harvest at a later date.
Archbishop Bern: It is not one hero which determines the current, but an army. I should think you understand that point as well as anyone?
Tobias: ......
Archbishop Bern: I expect great things of you, Tobias. You are, after all, his one and only child.
Tobias: ......
Templar Hope: Sir! Sir!
Templar Hope: There you are, sir! Where were you?
Tobias: Merely seeing to an errand, er... I'm sorry, are you one of the new Templar recruits?
Templar Hope: Yes, sir! And the name's Hope, sir! Also, I finished my 500 practice swings and was wondering what to work on next.
Tobias: I see. Er, and where are your fellow recruits, if I may ask?
Templar Hope: Collapsed on the ground, sir! They all said they couldn't take it anymore and starting crying and... Well, other things.
Tobias: From a mere 500 practice swings? Fie! This is why we need a stringent entrance exam instead of allowing any feckless oaf to stumble through our door.
Tobias: ...But very well. Though you may be without any of your peers, I would still take the measure of your strength. Come.
Templar Hope: I'll give it my best, sir!
Templar Hope: Hyah!
Tobias: ...Weak.
Templar Hope: Aaaaah!
Tobias: Hmm, about what I'd expect. Hardly impressive, but there is potential there. You'll improve with training.
Templar Hope: Seriously?! Ehehehe... I knew it, maybe I'm just a naturally talented knight.
Templar Hope: Heck, I knew I had the capacity to be more than just a priest!
Tobias: Explain.
Templar Hope: Well, my first profession was in the priesthood, but now I'm studying to be both a priest AND a knight.
Tobias: And why would a boy of the cloth harbor the ambition to become a Templar?
Templar Hope: Because I want to help people!
Templar Hope: Er, not that priests aren't helpful, per se. I just want to help them DIFFERENTLY.
Templar Hope: Also, I've always wanted to be a knight.
Templar Hope: I mean, the more ways I have to help people out, the better, I always say.
Templar Hope: It's a dream I've had ever since I was saved by a Heavenwing some years ago.
Templar Hope: Heavenwings are just the BEST!
Tobias: !
Templar Hope: A Templar who is skilled in battle, healing arts, AND a parish leader? I mean, what's better than that?!
Templar Hope: Anyway, when I heard the Heavenwing post was vacant here, I figured I'd show up and give it my best shot.
Tobias: The path of a Heavenwing is not some trivial idea to be tossed about, boy!
Templar Hope: Huh?
Tobias: You seem to mistake the knighthood for some flashy existence. Helping people is an act of great responsibility—something which I am unsure you comprehend.
Tobias: Would you truly navigate the path before you with such a frivolous attitude?
Templar Hope: Um, yes? I mean, er... Look, I know what you're saying, and I understand this isn't going to be easy.
Templar Hope: But I have more determination than anyone, so I know I can do it!
Templar Hope: Whatever hardships I might face, my resolve and passion will see me through.
Tobias: (I've seen that fearless look before. It's the same one I once saw in my master's eyes...)
Tobias: (Though I suppose his type can also grow into... No. If this sprout has the potential to grow strong, then now is not the time to be selective.)
Tobias: Enough, boy! All the gumption in the world will not help a weak thing like you become a Templar of even modest rank, let alone a Heavenwing.
Tobias: If you truly desire such a path for yourself, I must train you like you have never been trained before. Are you prepared for this?
Templar Hope: That's exactly what I was HOPING you would do, sir!
|