Episode 6| The Archmage one of the MLs?
The priest who had accepted Riley into the temple clapped his hands once, summoning a younger priest standing nearby.
“Thomas,” he said, “show our new trainee around.”
The young priest nodded quickly. “Yes, Father.”
He turned toward Riley with a polite smile.
“Follow me.”
Riley bowed slightly and followed him out into the long marble corridor.
The temple halls were vast and elegant. Sunlight filtered through tall stained-glass windows, casting colorful reflections across the polished floors. Priests walked quietly through the corridors, their white robes flowing gently behind them.
Thomas gestured around as they walked.
“The temple is divided into several sections,” he explained. “Living quarters, training halls, prayer chambers, and healing wards. Since you’re starting as a low-ranking priest, most of your duties will involve training, assisting senior priests, and volunteering for charity work.”
“Understood,” Riley replied calmly.
Thomas glanced at him again.
Even after several minutes, he still found himself slightly surprised by the new trainee’s appearance.
Handsome was an understatement.
If Ryan wore noble clothing instead of commoner attire, people would probably assume he was some young lord visiting the temple.
“Well,” Thomas continued, “let me show you where you’ll be staying.”
They turned down another corridor when suddenly—
Several priests ahead of them immediately stopped and bowed deeply.
“Your Holiness.”
Thomas stiffened instantly.
Riley followed his gaze.
Walking down the corridor toward them was a tall man in pristine white robes embroidered with gold.
His presence alone commanded the entire hallway.
The High Priest.
His long silver hair fell over his shoulders like flowing moonlight, and his sharp eyes carried the cold authority of someone used to absolute power.
As he approached, Riley instinctively lowered her gaze slightly.
But not before their eyes met.
For a moment—
The hallway seemed to grow strangely quiet.
The High Priest stopped walking.
His sharp gaze rested on the unfamiliar young man standing beside Thomas.
Riley looked back calmly.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence stretched longer than expected.
Then finally, the High Priest looked away.
“…Continue,” he said coldly.
The priests around them relaxed as he walked past.
Thomas let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Riley remained calm, though internally she was analyzing the encounter.
That must be the current High Priest.
According to the novel, the man was powerful, arrogant, and deeply corrupt.
But what Riley noticed most was the strange look he had given her.
Almost as if…
He had sensed something unusual.
Further down the corridor, the High Priest slowed slightly.
For some reason, his chest felt tight.
He glanced back once.
The blonde trainee had already disappeared around the corner.
“…Strange,” he murmured.
Then he continued walking, dismissing the thought.
Thomas soon led Riley to the trainee quarters.
“This will be your room,” he said.
It was modest but comfortable.
A single bed, a small desk, and a wardrobe.
“Your priest robes will arrive shortly,” Thomas added.
As if summoned by his words, a servant arrived moments later carrying folded garments.
Riley accepted them.
The robes were high-quality white fabric trimmed with faint silver thread—the official attire of temple trainees.
She changed quickly.
When Riley stepped back into the corridor, Thomas blinked.
The robes suited Ryan perfectly.
The young priest looked almost noble wearing them.
“Not bad,” Thomas said with a laugh.
Riley smiled politely.
“Thank you.”
Thomas gestured toward another hallway.
“Training begins tomorrow morning.”
The following day, Riley joined several other trainees in the temple courtyard.
Their instructor explained their duties.
“Today you will assist at the orphanage,” the senior priest announced. “Healing magic practice will be allowed, but do not attempt advanced spells.”
The trainees nodded obediently.
Riley kept her expression neutral.
Perfect.
The temple-run orphanage was located just outside the main grounds.
Inside, dozens of children ran around the small courtyard laughing and playing.
Some of them, however, were clearly ill.
Riley moved quietly among them.
One child sitting in the corner caught her attention immediately.
The boy looked pale and weak, coughing into his sleeve.
The illness was serious.
Without treatment, he might not survive long.
Riley knelt beside him.
“Hey there,” she said gently.
The boy looked up.
“Are you a priest?”
Riley smiled.
“Something like that.”
She placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.
Then—
A soft golden light flowed from her palm.
This was not the weak magic she had shown the temple.
This was true holy power.
Warm energy spread through the boy’s body.
Within seconds, the sickness vanished.
His breathing steadied.
Color returned to his face.
The light faded.
Riley stood up quietly.
No one had noticed.
Or so she thought.
“Interesting.”
A voice spoke from behind her.
Riley froze.
She turned slowly.
A tall man with long dark hair and piercing blue eyes stood beneath the shade of a nearby tree.
The aura surrounding him was immense.
Even Riley could feel it.
Incredible magic.
The man watched her with clear curiosity.
“You used high-level holy magic,” he said calmly.
Riley immediately recognized him.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Michael.
One of the three male leads from the novel.
The genius mage who rarely left the capital.
Of all the people who could have seen that spell…
It had to be him.
Riley quickly stepped closer.
“Please,” she said quietly.
Michael raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t tell the temple.”
His eyes studied her carefully.
“You’re hiding your real ability.”
“Yes.”
Michael tilted his head slightly.
“Why?”
Riley answered honestly.
“Because if they knew how strong my holy magic really is, I might not survive long enough to use it.”
Michael was silent for a moment.
Then he nodded once.
“…Very well.”
Relief washed through Riley.
“Thank you.”
Michael extended his hand.
“My name is Michael.”
Riley hesitated briefly before shaking it.
“Ryan.”
Michael repeated the name thoughtfully.
“…Ryan.”
Something about the young priest intrigued him.
He couldn’t quite explain it.
But the feeling lingered long after Riley walked away.
Over the following days, Michael found himself returning to the temple more frequently than usual.
And every time—
His eyes searched the halls for the handsome young priest named Ryan.
For some strange reason…
He felt drawn to him.
Meanwhile, Riley had a different problem.
Damn it.
She had accidentally caught the attention of one of the male leads.
And if she remembered the novel correctly—
That was the beginning of a very dangerous plotline.
Fortunately, one thing still worked in her favor.
The magical rings on her fingers were powerful artifacts.
Even the Archmage himself had failed to detect their true nature.
Which meant one important thing.
No one in the temple knew that the handsome priest named Ryan…
Was actually Riley Scott.