Chapter 4: Those Who Hunt the Light
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> "When the light gets too bright… the Church sends hunters to snuff it out."
— Whispered saying among rebel mages
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Word of Rael's power spread quickly.
The next day, a letter arrived: a summons from the central church in High Lestia. But it wasn't an invitation — it was a warning.
> "Rael Stroud is to surrender himself to the Holy Knights for investigation. Any use of unrecognized healing magic will be treated as heresy."
"Figures," Rael muttered. "Save a village, get called a heretic."
The village priest looked nervous. "They're sending the Lightbringers."
Rael frowned. "Who?"
The priest whispered, "The church's elite unit… holy assassins who erase magic that 'goes too far.' No one survives when they come."
That night, he didn't sleep.
He trained.
He practiced Reverse Heal Shot in secret, focusing it through his palm. He even discovered something new — when he pushed his healing magic too hard, his hands bled light instead of energy.
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New Discovery: Pain Conversion
By channeling real injury into a spell, healing power becomes unstable — turning it into explosive holy damage.
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> "The closer I am to breaking… the stronger I become."
"If they want to erase me, I'll make sure they remember my name."
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Dawn — Church Grounds
The Lightbringers arrived at sunrise. Three of them. Gleaming armor, glowing swords, and a soft choir echoing from their robes.
"Rael Stroud," the leader said. "You have one chance to kneel and submit."
Rael stepped forward.
"I won't kneel to people who fear power just because it's different."
They drew their weapons.
Rael raised his hand.
> "Sanctified Blast!"
— A new technique combining Heal + Pain Conversion.
A glowing orb exploded forward, hitting the lead Lightbringer mid-charge. His armor cracked. The ground shook. Birds fled the forest.
The other two froze.
But Rael didn't stop. He ran into the blast zone, blood dripping from his nose, pushing past the pain.
"I'll show you a new kind of healer."
The injured Lightbringer stared up at him. "You… you fight like a demon… but your light… is pure…"
Rael knelt, and this time cast a real heal — on the man who tried to kill him.
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To Be Continued in Chapter 5: "The Rebel Hero"