episode_0004

A large crowd had gathered in front of the bulletin board. Not only the candidates for saints and saintesses, but also other clergy had gathered and were looking up at the notice that had been posted this morning.

“What the heck is going on?”

I also squeezed in and read the notice on the bulletin board.

[2nd Quarter Saint Candidate Evaluation Exam Announcement]

It’s an evaluation test. Well, it’s been almost three months since the first quarter test, so I thought it was about time for the announcement to be posted.

What was important was the content before the timing.

That is also the reason why, unlike before, people who have seen the announcement do not leave right away.

The subjects of the second Sainthood Candidate Evaluation Examination held this year were as follows.

-The ability to control the Sacred Stone is evaluated in this format.

-First, how long can the sacred stone float?

-Second, how freely can you move the sacred stone?

‘The ability to control the sacred stone… … .’

Shinsungseok. As the name suggests, it means a stone that contains the power of a god.

At first glance, it looks similar to a magic stone, but… … .

The uses of these stones were more diverse than those of magic stones, as the power contained within them could be used as an ingredient in top-grade potions such as elixirs.

Like most priests of a certain level, I also carry around a few small sacred stones in my bosom… … .

It was a stone that had many uses in emergency situations.

So why was the ability to control such stones selected as an evaluation item?

It was simple. Since the sacred stone contains a small amount of divine power, it is relatively less affected by mana or aura, and the only power that can interfere with the sacred stone is divine power.

It would be natural if it were natural since they have their roots in the same place.

In the Solar Church, based on these properties, the sacred stone has been used as a medium to determine the level and skills of priests.

For example, how long can this stone float with divine power?

The more excellent your ability to apply divine power, the easier it will be to interfere with divine stones.

I heard that when you reach the level of cardinal, you can juggle the highest level sacred stones without touching them… … .

Since it is unlikely that the Cardinal’s subordinates would actually take on such a clown-like role and show off their skills, it was impossible to know whether it was true or not.

It just means that there is a big correlation between the level of the priest and the sacred stone.

Anyway, back to the topic, why are all those who saw this notice making a fuss?

That’s because this method of judgment was not originally included in the evaluation test for candidates for saints and saintesses.

It wasn’t a matter of elevating a priest to a bishop, but rather a selection process to choose the saints and saintesses who would reign over this continent for ten years.

The argument was that how can you judge them by whether they are good at bouncing rocks or not?

First of all, when it comes to candidates for saints or saintesses, they are basically teenagers with natural talents close to those of future cardinals… … .

Even if you don’t take unnecessary tests, I think you will have that level of ability.

… … It was a judgment. Now, it seems like the thoughts of the people above have changed a little.

Are you really introducing such a formal test now?

“That’s too bad.”

I decided to chuckle and wish the girl good luck.

The surroundings just got a little noisier.

Did the ‘mastermind’ appear? I turned my head.

As expected.

“… … .”

Right there stood today’s main character, Lete Heresia. Her face was unusually stiff, and her trembling eyes were directed at the bulletin board.

-You’re screwed, Miss Lete.

-No matter how I look at it, isn’t this a sniper attack? Could it be one of the Cardinal’s subordinates…?

-Shh, stop talking nonsense.

People around them might be gossiping among themselves, but the number one candidate for the saintess had extraordinary hearing.

Even if he doesn’t show it with his expression, he’s probably listening to everything.

For a while, Lete silently endured the murmurs of those around her, and the gazes that were a mixture of pity and low-quality joy.

“… … hmph.”

She suddenly turned around. Her expression was even colder than before.

At this time, even the nobles who had been talking nonsense had no choice but to keep their mouths shut.

If you become a target for no reason, you might incur the wrath of ‘that’ Lethe Heresia.

‘But you must have heard it all.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly and looked at them with displeasure.

What do you mean they have no sense of propriety?

If you’re going to make a fuss, shouldn’t you be brave enough to say it in front of others, or if that doesn’t seem to work, shouldn’t you just keep your mouth shut from the start?

I scratched my cheek slightly, even though I secretly thought they were ugly.

Well, maybe I’m just taking her side because I know I’ll be in that same situation soon.

Actually, I too was receiving a few leer glances, although not as much as Lete.

If the process of evaluating candidates for sainthood included the control of the Divine Stone… … . Then, would it be any different for candidates for sainthood?

Even so, it would only be a difference of early and late. Thinking about the notice that will be posted in a few days makes my mouth feel like it’s going to get wet.

The ability to control the sacred stone, and furthermore, the ability to apply the sacred power, has nothing to do with talent.

Even if Lete Heresia and Evan Lane were born with talents that were close to the highest level of all time, they were powerless in this area.

That was to be expected, as the ability to transform divine power more fluidly and apply it to a variety of situations could only be accumulated through one method.

The diversity of divine nature. That is to say, the number of sexual experiences you have had so far.

“Sigh.”

I let out a short sigh and muttered with my lips twisted.

“… … Fucked up… … .”

To be honest, I’m not very good at moving the sacred stone. No, I’d say I’m close to being incompetent.

I wonder if it’s possible to raise the gap by 5cm by just pouring divine power recklessly.

Anyway, the situation has become awkward. Lete is the one who gets screwed first.

This was not a disaster that even I could avoid.

Of course, I was confident enough in my ability to apply my power smoothly and not have to find an efficient way to use it in the process. It’s not that I’m arrogant, I really am that good.

It may not be any different for Lether, but the problem is that it has been selected as an official subject for the evaluation test.

It means that it is not a situation where you can say, ‘I’m so great that I don’t have to do that.’

“Hmm.”

I was scratching the back of my neck, feeling uneasy, and then I quickly turned around.

There’s no point in standing in front of the bulletin board forever, and there’s nothing to do.

Rather than receiving unnecessary ‘good-looking’ stares from other candidates for sainthood, it would have been better to go to my room and take a quick nap.

I don’t know. It’s an exam, so I’ll figure it out somehow.

In the assessment tests held four times a year, you will receive a warning each time you fail.

For example, it feels similar to a yellow card… … It is very similar in that it evolves into a red card as soon as two warnings accumulate.

In other words, the candidate is eliminated. The moment you fail the evaluation test twice, the title of ‘Saint Candidate’ that is attached to your name is gone.

Well, I’ve never been warned before, so once would be okay.

Just as that thought occurred to me, I was about to turn down the hallway and head to my room.

‘for a moment…….’

A thought suddenly occurred to me. Now that I think about it, didn’t you, Lete, definitely get a warning during the third quarter exam last year?

I remember that the five candidates for sainthood came at me determinedly and bit me persistently.

As a result, the five were treated as pseudo-timing and received warnings, but Lethe failed the test at the time anyway.

That means, in the end, Lethe has already accumulated one warning─.

“billion.”

It was at that moment that I felt a strong pull on my arm while I was thinking, and I derailed from my original course.

Boom! I was suddenly pushed and ended up in a corner of the hallway.

“… … What are you doing?”

I looked down at the person who had captured me with absurd eyes. The person who had pushed me against the wall had lightly swaying ivory hair.

I blocked the walls on both sides with both hands to keep me from getting out… … .

“… … Wait a minute.”

The first-ranked saint candidate and a close evil friend. Lete Heresia.

She bit her lip with a look of shame on her face.

“Just talk to me for a minute. Evan.”

“… … .”

At that moment, when I saw the tips of Lete’s ears turn red, I could sense her intentions and purpose of wanting to talk to me, even though it was out of character for her.

“What are you talking about?”

He didn’t show it and responded calmly. He just wanted to listen to her a little more. What on earth would she say?

Lethe looked up at me with her blue eyes for a moment, then lowered her head as if she was confused.

Was it a mistake or intention? Her forehead, which had lowered its head like that, lightly touched my chest and then fell, but neither Lete nor I had any intention of mentioning that part.

‘Ugh… …!’ Lethe let out a sigh, revealing how angry she was.

“That doesn’t make sense… … ?”

And then she looks up at me.

I asked back.

“What is it?”

“Don’t ask me that for no reason! You know what I mean. Controlling the sacred stone? We’re not ordinary priests, so what the heck… … .”

I didn’t say much to her, but of course I understood what she was trying to say.

Of course, she’s not the only one who has doubts about this test.

‘It’s strange.’

-No matter how I look at it, isn’t this a sniper attack? Could it be one of the Cardinal’s subordinates… ?

There was something like that among the whispers in the square a little while ago. If even others feel that way, what would it be like for Nana Lete, who was the one who was shot?

Of course, I couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“There must be some kind of conspiracy. This is clearly a test that was changed to target you and me. The original test had nothing to do with the Shinsungseok.”

Lete continued speaking in a seething voice.

Even though he’s angry, he still looks strong.

‘This is the first time I’ve seen him so agitated… ‘

I guess you can probably guess some of it.

Unlike me, who was an orphan, she was a descendant of the Heresia family, which was considered a prestigious family even within the Solar Cult.

If there is any conspiracy behind this test, it must be aimed at her.

In other words, it was no different from saying that I was unlucky enough to get caught up in it.

‘hmm.’

Thinking that way and looking down at Lethe again, I felt an inexplicable emotion.

I realized too late that it was ‘annoying’.

Yes. I was really annoyed by Lete Heresia right now. Doesn’t that mean that I’m in a difficult situation because of this woman?

Thinking about it that way, I felt really embarrassed that he dared come to me and complain.

That was why. I pretended to be cool and gently pushed Lete’s arm away.

“… … Ah.”

Lethe looked slightly embarrassed as the guard blocking me was released. She looked at me with a slightly shaken expression.

“, half?”

“So.”

Ignoring Lete’s voice calling my name desperately, I crossed my arms and asked her.

“Why are you holding me like this?”

“Uh, um… … .”

“Do you have anything to say? If you have something to say, say it quickly. I’m tired.”

“Hey, is it morning now?”

“Because naps are important.”

I answered with a serious expression, and Lete looked at me blankly with a sour expression as if she had heard all sorts of strange things.

Ignoring those sullen eyes, I nodded.

“What to say.”

“… … .”

Then Lete fell silent. Not only that, but she also slowly lowered her other hand, which was still leaning against the wall behind me.

“Nothing else… … .”

She pursed her lips in a voice that was as small as an ant crawling.

“This test, there’s something strange. I wanted to talk about that… … . You, you too, in some ways, you’ll be adversely affected, so… … ?”

“That?”

“… … Ugh… … . The point is, that is, I was trying to say that this is a nonsensical stock selection in the first place.”

Lete’s voice got quieter and quieter. I wondered if it could get any quieter, but the next time I listened, it had dropped another decibel.

“Secondly, if I fail this exam, I’ll be in a bit of a difficult position.”

She was constantly fidgeting with her hands, talking nonsense.

Of course I know what that ‘awkwardly awkward position’ is. I guess this woman thinks I don’t know that she’s got a lot of warnings.

“Ahem… … . This isn’t really a big deal, but I think I should pass this test if possible, right?”

Anyway, Lete never revealed her ‘very difficult situation’ on her own.

She just mumbled that part vaguely, then quickly blushed and looked up at me.

“So, I have a suggestion.”

“Suggestion?”

I tilted my head once and immediately asked back.

“What suggestion.”

“… … .”

“?”

But Lete didn’t answer right away. She just lowered her head, making the courage she had shown just before seem meaningless.

She reached out with her fern-like hand and gently pulled at the hem of my dress.

“… … Tonight, tonight… … .”

And then he starts to grumble in a very distressed voice and tone, as if he really doesn’t want to say it, but can’t help it.

Lethe’s hand, which was holding my clothes, stretched out and then bent again repeatedly. And.

Lete’s face turned slightly red and she turned her gaze away. She whispered that damn ‘proposal’ to me.

“I’ll leave my door open… … .”

“… … .”

“Car, find, come, then. Ugh. Before going to bed, me and, relationship, huh, hueuh… … !”

She, whose neck was burning hotly, never said ‘those words’ herself, but it wasn’t something to be sorry about.

I could fully understand what he was trying to say.

I said this to Lete, who was struggling to spit out the subject somehow.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“… … Ah, um.”

And Lete smiled brightly, pretending not to notice, but smiling clearly.

He seemed relieved that he didn’t have to convey the essence of the proposal himself.

but.

“But I will refuse.”

“?!”

I kicked away her offer, raising my palm.

Lethe suddenly showed a look of shock on her face.

I had no intention of changing my words. Surely, her suggestion would be valid for me as well, and it would be the only way for us to help each other.

“I haven’t been warned yet.”

“… … !”

The important thing is that our positions are different. I don’t have any accumulated warnings, but isn’t that the case with Lete Heresia, this woman?

A guy who’s likely to get screwed if he fails this test, and a bitch who’s really going to get screwed if he fails this test. The former is me, and the latter is Lete.

In this situation, I would happily say no.

A mind that is willing to accept even a warning if only it can fuck that Lethe Heresia.

“This situation is funny.”

“… … You, really?”

I raised the corners of my lips, and only then did Lete open her mouth.