Episode 4| Awaken Holy magic
Riley returned home just before sunset.
The small house was quiet when she stepped inside, the warm glow of lantern light flickering across the wooden walls. Her father was still busy in the shop downstairs, speaking to a customer.
Good.
That meant she could slip upstairs unnoticed.
Riley quietly entered her room and closed the door behind her. For a moment she leaned against it, letting out a slow breath.
Her mind immediately returned to the next step of her plan.
If she intended to enter the temple, she would first need something extremely important.
Holy magic.
More specifically—
The Power of Light.
In the original novel, Riley Scott’s holy power had awakened naturally a few months later when the temple priests passed through town. Once they sensed her immense light affinity, they immediately took her to the capital and declared her the future Saintess.
Which was exactly the future she wanted to avoid.
“Alright,” Riley muttered, sitting cross-legged on her bed.
“If I’m going to scam the temple… I should at least unlock the powers they worship.”
She closed her eyes.
According to the memories of the original Riley, holy magic came from deep within the soul. It required calmness, focus, and a connection to divine energy.
Mikayla Edwin had never believed in divine energy in her previous life.
But she was willing to make an exception if it helped her infiltrate a corrupt church.
Riley placed a hand over her chest and began focusing inward.
At first, nothing happened.
Minutes passed in silence.
The room was completely still except for the faint sound of wind outside.
Then—
A warmth stirred deep inside her chest.
Riley’s eyes snapped open.
A soft golden glow flickered faintly in her palm.
“…Oh.”
The light pulsed gently, warm and pure.
Even Riley could feel the strange peaceful energy radiating from it.
“So this is holy magic.”
She stared at the glow thoughtfully.
In the novel, Riley’s holy power had been described as overwhelming. The moment it awakened, priests immediately recognized her as someone blessed by the heavens.
Which meant one thing.
Riley immediately clenched her hand, extinguishing the glow.
“That’s dangerous.”
If the temple sensed power stronger than the current High Priest’s, they wouldn’t celebrate her.
They would eliminate her.
The church wasn’t interested in sharing power.
They controlled it.
Which meant Riley needed to be careful.
Very careful.
She closed her eyes again and summoned the light once more.
The golden glow appeared again in her palm.
This time she carefully reduced the flow of energy.
The light dimmed.
Then dimmed further.
Until it looked weak and unstable.
Riley nodded approvingly.
“Perfect.”
If she entered the temple showing this level of power, they would consider her just another minor priest candidate.
Someone insignificant.
Someone harmless.
Exactly the kind of person who could quietly climb the ranks without attracting attention.
For the next two days, Riley practiced constantly.
She learned to summon her light magic quickly.
Then suppress it.
Then release small bursts of healing energy.
By the end of the second day, she could perfectly imitate the magic level of a low-ranking priest.
Which meant the first phase of her plan was complete.
And more importantly—
It was time to collect her artifact.
---
That evening, Riley returned to the same tavern she had visited before.
The bartender immediately recognized her.
She showed him the small parchment Frankie had given her.
Without a word, he led her back to the hidden room.
Frankie was already waiting.
“You’re punctual,” he said casually.
Riley sat down across from him.
“You said two days.”
Frankie reached into a wooden box beside him and pulled out a small velvet pouch.
Inside were two silver rings.
He slid them across the table.
“Your disguise artifact,” he said.
Riley picked them up carefully.
The rings felt warm to the touch, faint magic humming inside them.
“They work together,” Frankie explained.
“Put them on and your body will transform into a male version of yourself. Take them off and you’ll return to normal.”
Riley raised an eyebrow.
“That simple?”
Frankie shrugged.
“High-level magic tends to be.”
Riley slipped the rings onto her fingers.
The moment she did—
A warm current of magic flowed through her body.
Her bones shifted slightly.
Her height increased.
Muscles formed along her frame.
Her long golden hair shortened until it rested neatly around her shoulders.
The transformation ended within seconds.
Riley blinked.
Frankie stared.
“Well,” he said slowly, “that’s… impressive.”
Riley stood up and looked at the mirror hanging on the wall.
The reflection staring back at her looked almost identical to her original self.
Same golden blonde hair.
Same vivid green eyes.
But now—
Her hair was shorter.
Her jawline sharper.
Her shoulders broader.
Her body carried the lean strength of a well-built young man.
It looked like she had a male twin.
A very handsome one, if she was being honest.
Riley smirked slightly.
“Perfect.”
Frankie leaned back in his chair.
“You look like you were born with that face,” he said.
“Careful though. Handsome men tend to attract attention.”
Riley removed the rings.
In an instant, her body shifted back into its female form.
She slipped the rings safely into her pocket.
“Thanks for the business.”
Frankie waved lazily.
“Don’t forget our deal.”
Riley paused at the door.
“I won’t.”
Then she left.
---
When Riley returned home later that night, she found her father finishing dinner preparations.
Gerald looked up with a warm smile.
“Welcome back, sweetheart.”
Riley hesitated briefly before sitting across from him.
There was something she needed to tell him.
“Father… I’ve been thinking about our situation,” she began carefully.
Gerald immediately looked concerned.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
“I know,” Riley said gently.
“But I want to help.”
Gerald sighed.
“You already help plenty in the shop.”
Riley shook her head.
“I want to do something more.”
Gerald waited silently.
Riley took a deep breath.
“A noble lady in the capital is looking for new maids,” she said.
The lie came easily.
“She pays well… and offers training.”
Gerald’s eyes widened.
“The capital?”
Riley nodded.
“It’s a good opportunity,” she said. “If I work there for a few years, I can send money home.”
Gerald looked conflicted.
“But you’re still so young…”
Riley smiled reassuringly.
“I’ll be fine.”
He studied her face carefully.
Finally, he sighed.
“You really are your mother’s daughter,” he said softly.
“She was always brave like this too.”
Riley felt a small pang in her chest.
Gerald reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“Alright,” he said gently. “If this is what you want, I won’t stop you.”
Riley smiled.
“Thank you, Father.”
That night, after packing a small travel bag, Riley stood quietly by the window in her room.
The moon hung high in the sky.
Two silver rings rested in her palm.
She slipped them onto her fingers.
Once again, the transformation flowed through her body.
Within seconds, the young woman named Riley Scott had vanished.
In her place stood a handsome blonde young man with sharp green eyes.
Riley looked at her reflection and smiled.
“Guess it’s time to start my new career.”
Her green eyes gleamed mischievously.
“As a priest.”