Chapter 45: Elective Class (8)
Strictly speaking, there was no real need for me to attend Sister Roberta’s class.
No, perhaps it was more accurate to say that I already knew more than enough without attending.
How to apply divine power in real combat.
Combat techniques as a priest.
The essential difference between divine power and mana, that is, between a priest and a mage.
The stance and mindset a priest should maintain on the battlefield, and above all, the things that must be prioritized……
I had already mastered all of this long ago, so much so that my body remembered and reacted instinctively.
Even so, the reason I was here was simple.
Contrary to what I had just said, I knew all too well that I was still lacking in many ways.
And Sister Roberta was one of the few people who could fill the gaps in me.
‘Above all else……’
The great war that was only a few years away, and the countless incidents that would erupt in the meantime.
Knowing those truths, there was no way I could just sit still.
‘Honestly, no matter how much strength I gather, it would be no different from a sandcastle against the tide.’
Even as I thought that, a bitter smile formed on my lips.
Nevertheless, I had to begin with the things I could do right now.
First, I needed to fill the things I was lacking in.
That was the first step.
And then, after that……
‘Phew.’
Just thinking about it for a short moment made my head throb as though it might split.
Unconsciously, I let out a sigh and pressed my fingers between my brows.
For now, I needed to focus on the class.
With that thought, I looked toward Sister Roberta, who stood at the front.
“……So once again, the first ability required of priests at the frontlines is the strength to protect themselves. Beyond that, it is the resilience to survive the longest on the battlefield.”
Sister Roberta continued her lecture in her distinctively calm and gentle voice.
It was easy to see why not a single Holy Knight candidate skipped her lessons, just as I had heard.
She emphasized the fundamentals clearly, yet seamlessly tied them to higher concepts, teaching in a layered, three-dimensional way.
Above all, her teaching brimmed with the insights of someone who had spent decades on the frontlines—knowledge that no theorist alone could possibly know—and the way she naturally drew in student participation was especially impressive.
‘Good thing I practiced in advance.’
From refining divine power to manifesting simple miracles.
From releasing divine power into water to observe the changes.
From blessing oneself to strengthen the body, and more……
They were all simple, basic practices, but precisely for that reason they served as the most direct measure of a person’s divine power and ability.
Fortunately, I managed to finish the class without any particular problem in front of the others.
It was only natural, since ever since that incident in the cafeteria, I had devoted most of my time to mastering the control of divine power.
What had once been difficult to manage when I first returned was now so familiar that I could handle it freely.
“And then…… oh my, has the time already…….”
As Sister Roberta spoke, the bell signaling the end of class rang.
She exhaled deeply and then let her gaze sweep across the students.
“In the next class, we will continue today’s discussion, but we will also take time to swiftly review the theories. If possible, please preview chants, consecration, and vows. Thank you all for your hard work today.”
The moment class ended, I immediately rose from my seat.
I had promised to help Cecilia with her training.
“Ah.”
As I packed my things, Lancia’s face suddenly came to mind, and I glanced around.
But her figure was nowhere to be seen, perhaps because she had already slipped out of the classroom.
Had she gone back already?
‘Maybe she had something urgent to do.’
Well, she must have had her own business.
Thinking little of it, I left the classroom at once.
In the hallway, students who also seemed to have finished their classes were hurrying along.
Amidst them, I quickened my pace as well.
There wasn’t much time left until the appointed hour with Cecilia.
“……”
Cecilia Everglenn.
When she had first asked me that favor, my initial reaction was bewilderment, followed by worry.
Why had she asked me of all people? That bewilderment.
And whether such a change might bring about negative consequences—that worry.
But before long, those emotions shifted into something else entirely.
That was expectation—that perhaps this could lead to a better outcome.
‘Though I’ve already reminded myself countless times…….’
At first, I had been constantly worried that my careless actions might alter the future.
But only a few days ago had I finally realized that the future had already changed from the moment I returned.
It had taken me several days to grasp such a simple truth.
What’s more, in Cecilia’s case, meeting me and facing the Dungeon Field Class incident together had already altered her future beyond any chance of reversal.
Yes, we had already reached a point of no return.
If so, the only choice left was to guide it toward the best possible outcome.
‘……Right.’
At most, only a few years remained.
Within those years, countless incidents would erupt.
I had once been the very person entangled in them, other times merely an observer, and sometimes just a third party hearing about them after the fact.
And the one thing they all had in common was that every single one of them was a catastrophe, bringing terrible destruction, and not a single one was easy to handle.
The countless incidents and accidents that had occurred within the Academy.
The schemes of the Cultists of the Evil God, who spread across the continent and surfaced into the open.
The civil war led by Second Princess Velita, and the massacres it unleashed.
The subsequent invasions by foreign races and hostile nations, seizing the opportunity.
And finally, as if to bring it all to a close, the declaration of war from the demons who broke their centuries of silence……
Listing them one by one like this made me realize once again just how many crises I had overcome.
And no matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t believe I’d be lucky enough to survive them all again.
There was only one way to escape such threats.
One.
Only.
Repeat it.
And again.
Do not forget.
Ah.
You must.
Only.
After.
Meet.
And.
Then.
Ah.
‘……Yeah, there’s only one.’
For a moment my head throbbed, but soon it felt completely clear.
I nodded slightly and muttered again as if repeating to myself.
‘The heroes.’
The seven heroes.
And the many others who rose up to end the chaos alongside them.
I needed them.
To add a little more explanation, I needed them stronger and more complete than the ones I remembered.
‘……I can do it.’
I remembered almost all of the countless incidents that had happened over those years.
Naturally so, since my dormitory was Crooks.
In other words, the place where those gathered who sought to become priests of the Holy Sun Church, serving the Creator God Ilionel.
In my past life, when countless incidents broke out and countless people died, this was the busiest place in Arpentia Academy.
Instead of attending classes, we went outside to help in the ruins.
We performed miracles for those who lost their homes, offered helping hands, prayed for the dead, and held funerals.
Thanks to that, I inevitably came to know of many incidents.
And so I reached the conclusion once again.
That I should support and nurture the yet-to-bloom heroes of the future here at Arpentia Academy—especially those who would one day be praised as the seven heroes.
That through them, I could block and change the dreadful future I already knew.
The first among them was Cecilia Everglenn.
And whether it was coincidence or inevitability……
Unlike the others, Cecilia was someone for whom I knew clearly how I could help, and I even possessed the knowledge to do so.
‘Yes.’
Let’s give it a try.
With that thought, I hurried toward the park where I had promised to meet her.
“……”
As I walked, I suddenly realized something, and my pace gradually slowed.
At last, I stopped and slowly looked around.
There was no one but me.
It was an obviously strange situation.
And the only person I knew who could create such a situation, and who would go out of their way to do so with me now, was just one.
“Do you have some business with me?”
As I spoke, I steadied my senses.
But as expected, aside from a faint sense of discomfort, there was nothing unusual.
Even so, that faint discomfort was enough.
As I scanned the surroundings slowly, my gaze soon fixed on one spot.
I stared at it and opened my mouth again, softly calling the name of the one who had created this situation.
“Professor Windy May.”
The scenery where I looked began to ripple.
And then, someone appeared.
Just as I expected, it was none other than Professor Windy May.
“Wow!”
She let out an exclamation of admiration as she looked at me.
And then she approached me with quick steps.
Her reckless manner, ignoring all sense of personal distance, made me instinctively take a step back.
“How did you know where I was?”
“……I just guessed.”
“You just guessed?”
Professor Windy May tilted her head as she looked at me.
Her eyes sparkled like jewels, as if pleading with me not to lie.
“Then how did you know it was me?”
I glanced briefly at her twitching ears as I answered.
“That too was a guess.”
“That too?”
“Yes.”
Though she looked like a child, she was a half-elf whose true intentions were impossible to read, and I answered as naturally as I could.
“Some seniors told me that if I ever encounter unexplainable phenomena or incomprehensible situations in the Academy, nine times out of ten it’s because of one of Professor Windy May’s pranks.”
“Mhm mhm.”
“……And since I had already spoken with you before and knew your face, I thought it was you playing a prank on me.”
“Oooh~”
Professor Windy May clapped her small hands together with a cheerful sound, as if impressed.
Her green hair bounced like springs with every movement.
“That’s a convincing answer.”
At her pointed reply, I only responded with a silent smile.
After clapping for a while, Professor Windy May floated up until her eyes were level with mine.
“First, let me correct you—it wasn’t to prank you that I did this.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I’m not so reckless that I would use such magic just to play around.”
“Ah…… I see.”
I still vividly remembered the many things she had done in my previous life.
That made my reaction somewhat awkward, but fortunately Professor Windy May didn’t seem to mind at all.
“Mm, beating around the bush isn’t really my style. And since I don’t have the luxury to test the waters slowly, I’ll just get straight to the point.”
With that, Professor Windy May descended slowly to the ground.
Then she looked up at me, her playful demeanor gone, her face serious, and spoke.
“Lian Gwendil.”
Her voice carried a weight that made it hard to respond.
“I am making you an official proposal.”
Windy May Maddown.
One of the five Archmages, the half-elf, spoke to me with utmost courtesy.
“Will you become my disciple?”
……What?