Chương 374: Intermission. Laura's Thoughts 2

Laura Buckley's Point Of View * OPEN! SIT UP!" NOOOO!"" What!?" Agnus called out to me as I woke up from my nightmare. I was napping after my afternoon training." Laura! Are you okay!?" Agnus rushed to my side. I was in my room, in the home I purchased with my reward money from working as an Adventurer with my Friends. Right... I scheduled a session with Agnus to try and control my Cleric Abilities better. I had the same dream that's been plaquing me since I got here. John, the purple horizon, the forest...

There's been changes since then, light-pink eyes watching him from a distance with great care in them. A yellow Umbrella over his head, a see-through silhouette of angel wings at his back, a black sword levitating around him like a bee around a flower that it's unsure if it wants to pollinate. A blonde feathered owl on his shoulder, a shadow of fire to his side, a long white blade on a brown stick, I remember that John told me the name of the weapon once, it was what samurai would use besides a samurai sword...

A Nagi... Naginata! That's what it was called. It jumps along behind him, like a pogo stick. There was a giant wolf, with dark-brown fur and red eyes with black slitted irises walking along with the rest of the artifacts. And finally, next to him was a cow walking calmly by him, like a loyal dog. But the most concerning of all, was what was above him in the forest. To his right, an army of golden statues.

At the front of the army were 2 golden statues with angelic wings, one shaped like a woman and one shaped like a one-eyed man. They both had their swords drawn and were aiming them at him as he walked, waiting for the moment to strike. Another statue stationed behind him glowed with a dark, twisted energy with a wide evil smile. On the opposite side of him were a murder of crows with dragon wings looking for the proper moment to dive into the forest where he was.

With that, the dream ends the same as it always does, with him stopping in place long enough for the crows and the statues to attack and they all brace themselves to dive in. That's where I wake up, right before I can scream to warn him. Agnus was still worried about me... I need to answer her." It's my dream."" Is it-"" It's not getting better... I feel like I see more statues and crows every day. Agnus... I need your help."" The Gods are showing you a vision, Laura, I can't do anything about that.""

I know, Agnus, what I need is to be able to contact him, like you told me I could." Agnus looked at me dispiritedly, that was because our results haven't been satisfactory so far." I know, I've been reading through text after text. I can't find anything new about how to make a Cleric talk to a loved one through their visions, especially with you, since I don't know of any Cleric who's had this much of an issue learning how to control their visions.

I think the only way to do it is by Evolving your Class at this point."" But that book-"" I know, I know... I've read it as well. But that book is over 500 years old, and the information was collected just as a basic rundown for beginning Adventurers, I think the way to do it is to Evolve into a higher version of a Cleric if you can't do it yet after all of this trying, Evolution has to be the answer."" But aren't you an Evolved Cleric already?""

Yes and no, I am a Cleric, and I Evolved, but I Evolved my 2nd Job, which was Nun. I became what's called a Half-Saint Lord through the Nun Job Tree which changed the way the Half-Saint Lord Job operates for me. It's more of a Physical Job. But, depending on the Job you manage to Evolve, the Half-Saint Lord could be more Physical, more Magical or more of a Healing Job. Because of that, I still received visions for a long time because I'm a Cleric, until they stopped when I Married My Husband.

But more importantly than that, I have learned that the visions only really affect those of 2 persuasions, the devoted and the pious."" What?"" Devoted and Pious, in more complete terms, you could say that it affects those that love deeply and those that serve the Gods strictly."" I see..."" However, I'm not quite sure if the Gods give the visions out to the devoted for no reason."" What are you trying to say?"" I think they might be answering your deepest wishes, but twisting the delivery.

That might be the reason why you can't fully grasp how to talk to this "John" boy, is because of this twist. For instance, the visions I had of My Husband were of him crying on his parents' death beds. However, his parents were more than healthy, until they passed some years later after we had Married and gifted them with grandchildren. Some time after that, after leading fulfilling lives, they passed on as all of us do. But once they passed, I saw each vision come to fruition.

It allowed me to see my deepest desire, My Husband, but I saw him at 2 of his lowest moments. However, your visions seem to be more figurative than mine. I don't even think you're seeing the future like me. I think you're viewing the present, albeit, the peeks into the boy's life are severely cryptic, unlike my own visions." This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings." So, like a monkey's paw..." I wasn't happy to hear her thoughts on the matter... If that's the case..."

Agnus, if I'm able to Evolve to a higher version of the Cleric Job, will I really be able to control the visions and speak to John?"

"?" Agnus was surprised by my forwardness, I wondered why, since I've asked similar questions for the past year now to her." Yes, there is a branch that's strictly for the Cleric, it's even called "the Cleric Tree" in the Church."" What's the Evolution called?"" High Cleric."" Then that's what I'll aim for." /BANG! /" Lady Laura! Lady Agnus! The King has requested to meet you both immediately!" A girl a little bit older than me outfitted in white armor entered my room with a bang.

She bore the crest of the Royal Family, so I could easily guess who she worked for. I didn't put up much of a fuss and simply followed her lead and left for the Royal Palace. When I arrived, I was greeted by my Friends and the fool. I continued to ignore him as I greeted everyone and waited for the King to come to inform us why we were summoned here." Have you figured out how to contact him yet?""

No, but I feel like Agnus has finally given me a lead, with the money we've made from Adventuring, I should be able to start truly progressing to it." Ashley was the first one to ask about being able to speak to John. At first, I wondered if it'd be even worth informing them about it, seeing as they didn't act like I did when we first arrived here in Gaia, but through the months, they've continued to ask about it and look for resources to help me.

My original view of them not being worthy of his time has started to change. The truth of the matter is, they're all pretty girls, who Love John, not as much as me, but enough. However, them actually ending up with him instead of me, is a different conversation in its entirety. I'll at least allow them to speak to John when I finally make my breakthrough and Evolve.

The fact that Ashley's taped fists and dirty boots were well worn, showed that she was still busy working herself to the bone to master her Monk Abilities." Still nothing? I can't believe it's been so difficult to learn, are you sure Agnus is the best fit for teaching you?" Jaime was next to comment. She's been straightforward with her support. She'd sweep my floors and do my laundry if it meant getting closer to talking to John again.

For some reason, I find her newfound confidence when it comes to speaking concerning... She might be my biggest rival after all of this." I think Agnus is best, she hasn't lied to me, she was pretty fanatical at first, but she's calmed down since then. I think since I've shown more of myself, she's taken to treating me more like a daughter or niece than a glimpse into the Gods various Wills."" I see." Jaime scratched her chin.

I couldn't help but notice the papercuts and dirtied robe of hers, she's been reading a great deal of her new Grimoires as well as Meditating. Her mana was scary to feel nowadays. I'd imagine she's close to Master Mana Advancement. I guess this year of focused improvement has done all of us wonders. Between all of the training, Questing and missions we've been given from the King, we're definitely becoming stronger. Even the fool with his training under Jessie." What is the thing you need to do, Laura?"

Lucy asked the obvious question." I need to Evolve. Apparently, my ability to control my visions can be controlled with my current Job Class, there's something specifically wrong with me. Agnus thinks the only answer is Evolution. I need to Evolve it and become stronger to take control of my visions. Then I can contact him." Lucy took in my information as she stood there, daggers at her waist and tattered rags all around her body, she's been diving into training fields perfecting her different abilities as a Thief.

She and I were somewhat of kindred spirits in this regard. Sure, Jaime is technically the same, but I'd rather have to sit and Meditate than find all of these other requirements to strengthen my powers as a Cleric. Praying, Healing, Smiting "enemies of the church.", it's all so tiresome. The same with Lucy, she needs to steal treasures and disassemble traps to gain more insight into her Job. But again, they're all doing so much, so the next time we attempt to take the Demon King's head, we succeed.

Even the fool has, which Lucy had tried to tell me ad nauseam, but it doesn't matter to me. Only John matters, I hurt him so badly because of all of these limiters I had on me. I need to repay him for my mistakes, and I'll bear him as big a Family as needed to make him finally fill that hole in his heart full of loneliness. I know I can make this up to him when he finally gives me the 2nd chance I need..." Ah, good, you're all here!" The king came into the room finally." I'll cut this as short as I possibly can.

Demons are encroaching on Phoenix Tail! Jen sent a letter. We need to fight back! You've all been training for so long, it's time to prove to all of Promethia that you're the Hero Party!" He continued to prattle on, they all take notes, I plan as they speak. Not for the Demons, I'll kill whoever gets in the way of my reuniting with John. My plan was much more complex in my opinion. I'll just need to capture John as soon as I return, before they could get their hands on him.

I'll reserve a motel immediately when I get back. That way no one can stop me from doing what needs to be done... I'll just need to find the right excuse to bring him to the motel. It'll be easiest to apologize to him first and tell him I want to speak to him more. He'll do it, I'll just need to mention Mom and Dad, he's always felt indebted to them, I can use that... They'll forgive me when I show them their first Grandchild of many.

Besides, the only reason they took him in then was because of my begging, so in reality, I'm just reaping what I've sown. I know he's liked me for a long time as well. I remember the way he looked at me when I began to pull out those movie tickets before my Parents entered the house. Yes, those eyes, they were awkward, but I could see that he was attracted to me, my Mom had to stop me from going to his room that night. I won't let anyone stop me again.