[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/LRTXGTr.png[/img]
_________________________________[i][b]Master[/b][/i]_________________________________
Church Hilltop
[@Scallop][/center]

Xerxes could tell that Ludwig was interested in the Haoma. But if he knew its true properties... Well, Xerxes would tell him in time. Not that he had a reason not to for now, but all mages here in this war had something to keep secret. Not that he really had anything to hide beyond this. He was a bit too open about who he could be. 

[color=fff79a]"Well, chickens made good company. I guess I just saw something in such a humble lifestyle as raising chickens. Not all mages are born to wealth, Ludwig. Some like myself have to go out and create their fortunes."[/color] It was a simple lesson sure, but Xerxes could be a bit of a mentor to younger mages. Considering his age though, that qualified almost every other mage on the planet. He expected Ludwig would be shocked, or even deny it at first if he told him just how long lived he was. 

He was rather amused by how the boy kept a mask on him at all times. He expected the Krauste heir to be paranoid. Most mages would be when placed with such a high honor, and all the risk of ruining ones family name. Xerxes though had long come to terms with his choices, and didn't regret them one bit. But youth must carry that burden, while Xerxes had sought to abandon it. Selfish, probably but he would have rather done it a million more times than have to live his life in a cave. A life with nothing of value, rather than serving others from the darkness, and leaving only one day in a year. 

[color=fff79a]"I haven't really checked his magic circuit count. But he has next to no magical resistance, or ability to resist it. I suspect that if he does have circuits, then they are dormant, or in such a poor quality and count that he may never have qualified for a mage."[/color] Xerxes said all while lighting another of the odd blue flamed lamps. 

He had been observing Ludwig and his servant for a time. Well, mostly since they entered the church. But he did his research. He still wasn't sure just who Ludwig had summoned, but that may not be a real issue. In truth, archers were an interesting class. They came in a far greater variety than something as overly violent as a berserker. But Xerxes considered himself lucky to have his servant either way. He did so find a good use in something like Darius. Maybe he should spend some time with the archers. Get to know them more. The man named Tesla was from the future, and Xerxes had an tiny interest in trying to insert himself into the man's legend. Probably as an investor. 

[color=fff79a]"Well, to be honest, as I said earlier, I have no wish for the grail. Maybe Berserker does, but I do not. I am a healer, seeking to help the civilians who may be injured. I was tracking a mage who I believed was seeking to get civilians injured. I ended up ambushed by the Matous and their crest worms, and well... You know the rest of the story."[/color] Xerxes said, keeping it all rather simple and easy to explain. [color=fff79a]"As for you, and your taboo research... I consider that worth pursuing. All things that have been for the betterment of humanity was once labeled as taboo. Galileo was considered a treasonous man because he dared question the church. But his actions revealed to the people that we are not the center of the galaxy. The man above use, Tesla. The way he talks you'd think the things he has done were unconceivable at the time. Taboo. To control lightning."[/color] Xerxes smiled, and finally took a seat. [color=fff79a]"If you require help, I will see what I can do to help you, achieve a dream as great as Tesla's."[/color] 

[color=fff79a]"As for Persia."[/color] There was a long pause, as Xerxes gazed off into the distance. [color=fff79a]"It has changed so much since I was born. I left for a time to see the world, but when I returned... I have been alive for over a century."[/color] Xerxes said, turning his gaze to see Ludwig's reaction. [color=fff79a]"Impressive, isn't it? That I can look so young, despite having lived long enough to live through the fall of the Zand Kingdom, and the rise of a new empire in its place. You will find few of my countrymen who love the Qajar. We have lost lands to other countries, that we once held sacred. My own family lived high in the mountains, and our traditions are strong. I am the last of my family, and I do not regret it. They lived in caves, never seeing the sun. And it was only time before our lands were taken, and my family... If I was to make a wish, it would be to have somebody to pass this all onto. The secret to live to be a hundred years old. In a month, I will be celebrating my 130th birthday."[/color] A lie. He was far older. But Ludwig didn't need to know that.