Chapter 20: Department of Theology

One way to deal with the Four Heavenly Kings is by using the power of the Ashtar family.

Even if I’m strong now, it’s not the same as before.

There could be differences in my body’s performance.

In that case, gathering the strength to fight the Four Heavenly Kings might be a better idea.

“Raising an army is probably the best option.”

The Empire has many enemies.

Of course, there’s the Demon Lord’s army, but the barbarians in the north frequently cross the borders too.

When the Empire joined the frontlines against the Demon Lord, there was a power vacuum in the northwestern front, which allowed the barbarians to cross often.

Wouldn’t it be better to have soldiers trained with new weapons to defend against them effectively?

In that case, it might be better to join a place like the Magic Corps.

Back when I was Noah, I only had to think about the Demon Lord’s army, so I didn’t have to worry.

But now, there’s a lot more to care about.

“Are you sure this is alright?”

While I was deep in thought, Plene cautiously asked me.

“Right now, it’s time for the Theology class, yet she registered for the same class as me.”

“Why does she keep following me around?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Well, didn’t you antagonize the nobles and include commoners in major studies?”

That was exactly what I wanted.

“What if those nobles are dissatisfied? I am Ashtar.”

“Oh.”

The greatest family in the Empire.

Honestly, it wouldn’t be a bad thing if they attacked me.

At that point, I could just push them away with force.

Then the commoners would naturally continue to take those positions, leading to the fall of the nobles.

It would be great if they collapsed.

After all, the Kingdom fell into corruption because of the nobles.

Now that I think about it, I used to clean up after those bastards too.

I chuckled.

“It doesn’t matter. Ashtar doesn’t care about such petty revenge.”

Even I find myself distasteful.

This is no different from what Syria or Ella would do.

Even if it’s an act, I need to adjust the intensity a bit.

***

“By the way, did you know?”

“Know what?”

“Lady Ashtar is now being called the hero of the commoners.”

Me?

“Me?”

A hero of the commoners, huh?

I’m sick of the word “hero.”

Back when I was Noah, being called a hero was proof of how much I suffered.

While Eugene and those girls were playing around in the background, I was the one struggling.

“Yes, regardless of your intentions, Lady Ashtar helped commoners who couldn’t enter the Swordsmanship, Archery, or Magic departments due to the nobles’ influence.”

“Hmm. I didn’t really plan it that way.”

If they think that, I’m grateful.

“By the way, do you also possess divine power? Why are you taking Theology classes?”

“Hmm, just curious? I figured I could at least earn some grades.”

I’m a bit curious about Theology.

That crazy saintess Syria never let me set foot in a church, after all.

It’s just a fleeting interest.

“No one takes Theology classes just to earn grades.”

“Well, I’m also curious for other reasons.”

I don’t know anything about Theology.

“I can’t just wing it on the exam. If it’s really boring, I can drop out later. I don’t want to stay in the same classroom as Pingcheng for too long, anyway. I knew Pingcheng was taking Theology classes, but I didn’t want her to start babbling as soon as she saw me.”

Anyway…

I turned my head to look at the Theology professor.

“Divine power is based on mana but possesses a unique property: light. What’s important here is that, unlike artificial light magic, which is created through spell formulas, people with divine power naturally possess mana infused with light from the beginning.”

“Then, is there a significant difference between those who learn light magic and those who possess divine power?”

The Theology professor explained while answering students’ questions.

This is a good theoretical class, like the Archery class.

It would be perfect if it wasn’t related to the church.

If you’re born with mana infused with the properties of light, you’d naturally have a higher affinity for light magic.

But being highly attuned to light magic could make you weaker in other types of magic.

In other words, if you’re born with light mana, you have to focus solely on honing your light magic.

“Those who are born with light-infused mana call it divine power and learn a new form of magic called ‘Holy Magic.’ It’s also known as a miracle. For ordinary people, they simply learn light magic from mana, so there’s a clear difference.”

The class was going on, but…

Something about it felt off from what I knew.

No, no. Syria would probably know more about this, but in the end, isn’t it all still magic?

“To be precise, only those qualified to become nuns and priests—those born with light-infused mana—can learn this divine power, a gift from the gods.”

Hmm. I finally understood.

This class isn’t worth taking.

No wonder that saintess never let me enter the church.

“Then, doesn’t that mean not just anyone can take Theology classes?”

This time, Plene raised her hand and asked.

“That’s a great question, Ms. Plene. While it’s true that those without divine power can’t easily become nuns or priests, it doesn’t mean there’s no way at all. Those without divine power can awaken light magic using mana and receive the goddess’s blessing to learn Holy Magic. Only then can they serve the church.”

I wanted to challenge that notion, but is it too dangerous to provoke the church?

Wait a minute.

It’s starting to come together.

Isn’t the church basically a scam?

I was once called the High Priest because I copied healing magic from the saintess.

I thought the only difference between a saintess who believes in the goddess and a magician was how efficiently they used their healing or mana.

But that wasn’t the case.

The nuns and priests chosen by the church are simply people born with light-infused mana, and they’re the only ones allowed to use light magic.

In other words, it’s a privilege of the church.

Come to think of it, does the goddess even exist?

Logically speaking, if a goddess really existed, she wouldn’t have chosen someone like that hero.

Well, I guess the thoughts of the goddess are only known to the high-ranking members of the church.

I want to cause a scene, but there’s no real reason to make a fuss right now.

Unless that professor is just from some local church, he’s from the capital.

I have to endure it.

If I start something here for no reason…

…wouldn’t it be kind of fun, though? Should I try it?

No, I need to approach this intelligently.

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

“Ah, it’s Olivia Rafa Ishtar. What’s your question?”

Alright, let’s go.

It might shake the very foundation of the church, but… don’t you want to give it a try?

“You mentioned mana infused with light—divine power. I understand that. But as you said, even those who use light magic can become nuns or priests, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“Then if light is the base attribute, doesn’t that mean holy magic is just another form of light magic?”

They’re treating this so-called ‘holy magic’ as a special ability, but in the end, it still falls under the category of magic.

Even they have a conscience, so they call it ‘holy magic.’

“Well, that’s true, but holy magic requires the goddess’s blessing.”

“But the goddess herself doesn’t teach it, does she?”

If they receive the goddess’s blessing, why are the ones teaching it nuns and priests? They aren’t the goddess.

It’s almost as if the nuns and priests are pretending to receive the goddess’s grace and teaching the candidates themselves.

“Ahem. So what exactly are you trying to say?”

I have one point to make.

“Isn’t it true that the church monopolizes the holy magic that qualifies one to become a nun or priest?”

“…Olivia, even as the daughter of Ashtar, that’s incredibly rude.”

Oh, I know that.

After all, this is a tacit boundary that shouldn’t be crossed.

But what’s the big deal?

I’m not Noah; I’m Olivia. Olivia of the Ashtar family.

I’ve become a villainess and oppressor of the nobility.

If they don’t like it, let them try me.

Besides, officially, I’m just a student asking the professor a sincere question out of curiosity.

I’m not trying to start a fight.

I’m just curious and want to know the truth.

“Don’t accuse me of rudeness. I simply want to know why holy magic, which falls under the category of light magic, requires the goddess’s blessing.”

“If you’re asking about that, it’s because the goddess’s teachings in the sacred scriptures…”

Ah. The saintess used to say the same thing.

• If you want to understand holy magic, look to the goddess’s scriptures.
• Bullshit. Do those scriptures tell you to practice holy magic on me every night?
• You’re disgusting!
• The disgusting ones are you and Eugene, rutting like goblins in nun habits.

The church members are all the same.

No logic. None at all.

Honestly, I’m starting to think the goddess is just a scam.

They’re no different from those who worship evil gods—they just believe in a different deity.

They claim that salvation and miracles can only come through believing in the goddess.

Actually, I began doubting the church because of that filthy Syria.

How can a saintess who claims to believe in the goddess have sex with the hero while still dressed as a nun?

“The scriptures don’t contain specific spells for holy magic, do they? Honestly, if holy magic and its miracles were taught to those who wished to learn it, wouldn’t that greatly help the citizens suffering from the Demon Lord’s invasion?”

“Stop doubting the church!”

“So, in other words, you have no logic behind this?”

It’s all the same.

Let’s be real.

I’m sure there are others as curious as I am.

It’s just that the commoners, restricted by their status, wouldn’t dare question the church, and even the nobles rarely challenge it because the church maintains close ties with the royal family and the aristocracy.

That’s why I’m asking what everyone is curious about.

“Hah. So, does that mean Olivia believes she’s exceptional?”

Why would an adult take the bait from a much younger kid?

“No, not really.”

“Since you’ve spoken so boldly, you should demonstrate the power to challenge the church. Now, let’s test your divine power. Step forward and place your hand on this crystal. It will reveal the level of your divine power.”

He’s openly targeting me.

The professor placed a crystal ball the size of a human head on the podium.

One by one, students are asked to pour their light mana into it to assess their divine power.

This will determine who qualifies to become a nun or priest and who does not.

“Oh no… why did you do that?” Plene asked worriedly.

“Because it felt like I should.”

No, it’s because they’re provoking me.

This is fun. It’s hilarious, honestly.

Where else can I let out all the humiliation I’ve suffered at the academy?

“What if this causes problems for the students in the Theology Department?”

“Would the church really retaliate against a mere student’s provocation? They can’t.”

If they did, it would ruin the reputation of both the academy and the church.

Soon, it was Pingcheng girl Lily’s turn.

There’s no point watching a washboard like her.

Her divine power is probably as flat as her chest.

But to my surprise, Pingcheng girl produced an unexpected result.

“Oh? Lily Rapha Ashtar. What is this light?”

“What do you mean?”

Swoooooosh!

Wow, her light is enormous.

It seems the goddess compensated for her flat chest by giving her immense divine power.

Looking at this, I guess the world is fair after all.

“This is the strongest light I’ve seen, second only to Saintess Syria.”

The evaluations of Syria are so exaggerated.

Saintess Syria doesn’t handle the power of light that well.

If anything, she’s more of a dark being than one of light.

Anyone can tell that Syria is an absurd figure.

The church just promotes her as a great saint because she’s supported by the kingdom, where the church’s main headquarters is.

Who would even think of someone who indulges in lust every day as a saint?

Actually, now that I think about it, with Pingcheng girl showing this level of light, who’s to say Syria isn’t the same?

“Then, I can become a nun!”

“You could even become a saintess!”

“Wow!”

Is she stupid?

If she becomes a saintess, she’ll be sent straight to the front lines of the war against the Demon Lord.

She might even end up sent to Eugene.

At least Syria and Ella receive Eugene’s favor; with that body, she’ll…

No, to put it simply, she won’t end up with the crown prince.

Honestly, that’s probably better for her.

The imperial family is full of extremely attractive people.

The men are handsome and tall, and the women have curvy, voluptuous figures.

Of course, their marriage partners are always equally stunning, but if Pingcheng girl’s genes get mixed in…

The result would be disastrous.

If they had a son, he’d be tiny, and if they had a daughter, she’d probably be mistaken for a boy.

“Alright, Olivia Rapha Ashtar, who questioned the goddess’s teachings. Step forward and place your mana into this crystal. Show us your power.”

‘Well, she’s still my sister, so I can’t lose to her, can I?’