[hr][hr][indent]

[color=red]"I'd be surprised if you did know. Crest knowledge and research isn't nearly as commonplace as it should be,"[/color] Tomai replied to Lienna's comment without skipping a beat, whatever negativity he had definitely wasn't aimed at her in particular. He did drop the unpleasantness, rising from his seat and walking over to the chalkboard nearby. Cautiously flipping it over to its blank side, he began a series of strokes, creating a circle of what looked like symbols. Once he finished, he tapped each one--twenty taps--before going to the blank center and drawing one last symbol.

Satisfied, he turned to Lienna. [color=red]"You're correct. Crests were often rumored to give minor blessings varying from bloodline to bloodline, but on a whole were consistent with their effects,"[/color] He told her. [color=red]"When looking at crest bearers, to the naked eye nothing stood out about them. It was said some people went their entire lives without even knowing they even have crests. One could argue that aside from showing up on a Hanneman Machine, nothing separated a crest bearer from the rest of humanity."[/color]

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he shook his head. [color=red]"And this changed around three or so centuries ago. The first count came from one of the Emperor's children who disappeared from the sight of a maid. It was not magic, but an inherent ability. The child bore the Crest of Cethleann, yet their elder sibling who bore the same crest exhibited no such abilities,"[/color] Tomai revealed. [color=red]"It wasn't until a decade later that another recorded incident appeared: one bearing the crest of Gautier held a strength that could topple walls with their bare fists. Within the century, almost one hundred differentiating crest bearers were discovered to have these innate abelites."[/color]

Tomai was more than certain Lienna would have thought that he was giving her the runaround, but he deemed the information necessary before continuing. [color=red]"The only hint we have is that the archbishop at the time, Archbishop Rhea, received a [b]revelation[/b] from the Goddess after an unnoted tragedy befell a village called [b]Remire[/b]. While the details of that day are unclear, the revelation that Archbishop Rhea received stated that Fódlan was in need of unification, and to help the people, the goddess' blessings would change to lead Fódlan to a better future."[/color]

He paused for a moment, giving Lienna a slight shrug. [color=red]"The Emperor's child was born that night. The timeline is...too solid to discredit the revelation,"[/color] He reluctantly admitted. [color=red]"That said, I think whatever happened in Remire is what changed the crests and not the revelation. And that something is this."[/color]

Tomai circled the symbol in the center. [color=red]"[b]The Crest of Flames[/b]. None have held it since the days of Nemesis...but a few personal accounts from those that lived in Remire witnessed its return. I believe that the final crest coming to Fódlan somehow amplified the other crests,"[/color] He gave the board a tap. [color=red]"Twenty one crests. Twenty manifestations. Each unique, and despite multiple studies, there is no consistency between crest and power. While it's still being researched on why, I think the fault lying in the Crest of Flames is more likely than believing it to be some random blessing."[/color]

Putting the chalk down, he walked over to his seat and sat down, turning the nest page. [color=red]"It's a lot to take in, but you seem bright enough to handle it,"[/color] He said, as if it was some weird apology for talking too much.

[/indent][hr][hr][indent]

Ioannis couldn't help his blush, his smile humble as he shook his head at Auberon's compliment. He listened patiently to the conversation, interested as they spoke of the other students. Once it was time for him to speak, he remembered himself, straightening up just a touch--though he was still much more relaxed around the pair than he had been with others. At Clarissa's question, Ioannis's lips parted, but he hesitated, as if surprised. After a second, however, he put on his smile again.

[color=springgreen]"I did. After some encouragement from Lady Arianthe, I felt that I should make a statement to the Officers Academy. Particularly with the class arrangements,"[/color] He admitted. [color=springgreen]"There are some in the clergy that did not think a child should have any say in the manners of the church and academy, and that I should leave things to Sirius. I suppose that paints me in a poor light, but rest assured that I had the best intentions. I really do think that the Rose Unit will be a shining example on the unit system because if those in highborn and lowborn can come together, then we will have succeeded in unifying the people a little more."[/color]

Ioannis shifted just a touch, taking in a small breath. [color=springgreen]"I...I am sorry if that is too much! I seem to be rambling!"[/color] He laughed. [color=springgreen]"I've never actually admitted any of that to anyone, but I suppose it must be because you're both of great character!"[/color] He beamed, the small beads in his headpiece clinking together as he looked between the pair. 

[color=springgreen]"I'm always happy to hear from the students, though. If you have any other questions, I'm more than happy to answer them!"[/color]


[/indent][hr][hr]