"Here, you’ll be given the following: the rules of the Verge, how to utilize your will, how to ascend... and the gods’ favorite... a chance to acquire resources."
Atticus raised an eyebrow. "Resources?" he asked.
"You’ll find out more on that during your stay here. My only job is to help you settle in."
The admissions officer still hadn’t paused his steps. Atticus could see that he was leading him toward the main building, the imposing castle he’d seen from on top of the hill.
Atticus used the brief silence to glance around once more. What he’d seen earlier was true. There were only a few sparse buildings littered around.
"Do all the gods stay in the castle?" he finally asked.
"Yes."
Atticus didn’t like the sound of that. The castle looked massive, but with the number of gods he was seeing, it didn’t seem like he would be getting any sort of privacy.
He shuddered and truly hoped that he wouldn’t be forced to share a room with someone, or people. There could be nothing worse.
"What Will path do you follow?"
That question brought the admissions officer to a stop. The man turned towards Atticus, eyes still calm like a still lake.
He looked like Atticus had just asked something he wasn’t supposed to ask. Regardless, Atticus met his gaze calmly. It was a question, it was his choice if he wanted to answer it or not.
A smile creased the aged man’s face, and he turned to continue his walk. "I follow the water path."
"Is that a major faction?"
"No," said Masner, almost chuckling. "We water willers are but a minor faction."
"The water path, huh... it shows."
Atticus focused on Masner’s movement. They were calm, serene. It didn’t look like he was taking steps; it looked like he was flowing like a wave.
"You’ll see more of that here." Masner cast Atticus a probing glance. He felt like he was conversing with a new chick.
"I can see you’re very less informed. For the sake of it, I’ll give you a brief lesson, but don’t expect this to happen again. Visit the library if you want answers."
"Your Will path is more than just a power. It’s an extension of your being. The path you follow will mold who you become. An advice, in Will Hall, it’s easy to tell a god’s disposition by the path they follow."
Atticus listened quietly. If he had to be honest, he was more chatty than usual. This was because he had recognized a chance to gather information when he met Masner. It seemed like a dumb thing to pass up.
Eventually, they both reached the castle and began making their way across the halls. Just like outside, the halls were bustling.
Atticus noted different groups clustered on different paths of the hallway. There was one thing he couldn’t miss even if he wanted to, they each had the same distinct features. The same aura, the same temperament.
’The same Will faction,’ he realized.
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