Ch.338Safety Insensitivity (2)

When life falls into a routine, time tends to flow quickly. This remains true even after I revealed my identity.

Before I knew it, the weekend had arrived. As they say, humans are creatures of adaptation, and the gazes directed at me have become somewhat familiar.

My red hair and appearance already made me stand out wherever I went, and that hasn’t changed since my confession.

If anything has changed, it’s that people now look at me as if they’re seeing a celebrity in person.

Especially when going out, I must always be accompanied by Adelia Cross and Kate Louise Angelica.

These two are already distinctive beauties with strong personalities, and with me added to the mix, it’s impossible not to attract attention.

Moreover, Kate is nearly as famous as I am and radiates a holy aura everywhere she goes.

During the first week, we received all kinds of stares, but by the weekend, people seemed to accept our presence as normal.

However, that only applies to those who were already attending the academy. There are still people who come looking for us after hearing rumors.

The fact that I’m a student at Halo Academy is already widely known, and I have no plans to go anywhere until vacation.

Because of this, not only ordinary people but also those with unclear identities have been coming around, causing trouble.

Some have even attempted to climb over the walls, keeping the academy’s guards very busy. I heard the Empire has dispatched knights out of concern.

Fortunately, the academy requires proper identification for entry. If you want to bring a non-student acquaintance, you must accompany them.

So far, there have been no reports of dangerous elements infiltrating the academy, but it’s better to be cautious. We don’t have to look far—the Cardinal is a high-ranking member of the demon worshippers.

Therefore, it’s possible that someone associated with the academy could be a demon worshipper.

Currently, the Church of Luminus, led by Kate, is conducting a large-scale investigation, and the Church of Mora is secretly lending a helping hand.

However, whether it’s because only a week has passed or because there truly is nothing to find, nothing significant has been discovered.

Occasionally, suspicious individuals are detained, but they’re released after a simple investigation. Most are just trying to catch a glimpse of me, so everyone has become more lenient.

Except for Cherry Blossom Roseberry, whom I’ve permitted to engage in legal stalking. In her case, she’s never been caught, not even once.

‘It’s amazing she’s never been caught.’

She was never reported until I actually spoke to her. Despite her distinctive appearance that stands out from afar, Cherry rarely attracts attention.

Since I first noticed her following Hyria, I’ve wondered if she might have a genuine talent for this. That’s what I think.

Anyway, time has passed, and now it’s the weekend with plenty of free time. Usually, I would train with Adelia or go on dates with my lovers, but I skipped that this week.

We decided to be cautious since something might happen if we all went out together.

Furthermore, it’s midterm period, and Cecilly is helping Deskall run the country, so the situation isn’t easy.

Whoosh!

“Eek?!”

“Adel noona is lucky. You get to be alone with me without worrying about others.”

I gave Adelia, who had changed into workout clothes, a back hug while speaking playfully. She visibly flinched at the sudden attack, the sensation clearly transmitted to me.

Moreover, I could feel her firm muscles despite the workout clothes. Adelia always trains after her shifts end, so her figure never deteriorates.

“You startled me. And I’m not playing—I’m working. Please make that distinction clear.”

“But you don’t dislike it, right?”

“…Well, that’s true.”

At first, Adelia spoke as if distinguishing between public and private matters, but it seems she couldn’t suppress her true feelings.

I smiled gently at her slightly reddened face. Though she always appears dignified, she also shows these lovable aspects.

Besides, contrary to her words, she doesn’t strictly separate work from personal matters. In the dormitory, the boundaries completely disappear, and a subtle current flows whenever our eyes meet.

When the atmosphere ripens further, we immediately enter the game. When Marie and Cecilly are around, we exercise patience and hold back, but with them gone, there’s no need to be mindful.

It feels like the fox has become king in the absence of the lion and tiger. Though Adelia is more like a dog than a fox.

“So what are we doing today? Until now, we could use the public training ground.”

“We can do strength training with the equipment inside. The problem is cardio…”

Adelia seriously pondered while still in my back hug. She seems to have grown accustomed to these pranks.

“Can’t we just go outside and run?”

“No way. I’d rather not do it at all.”

Adelia firmly rejected my suggestion. Even after a week back at the academy, she remained resolute.

While being cautious is good, I couldn’t help feeling a bit frustrated.

Most academy staff have been investigated by the Empire and the Church of Luminus, and the Church of Mora is investigating the underground.

Not only the Church of Mora but also Helium personnel, including Gartz Balack, are involved.

In other words, the chances of an incident occurring at the academy are very slim. We’d only be running for about an hour, and the likelihood of something happening during that time is almost zero.

“Then why don’t we call Kate as well?”

“Lady Kate too?”

“Yes. We can exercise with Kate.”

“Hmm…”

If we add a definite “insurance” to this, my safety would be guaranteed. Adelia seemed to consider my words.

Kate is a strong shield for me. Despite various concerns, she’s as reliable a guard as Adelia.

“Do we really need to go that far? If you ask, Kate would certainly agree, but is it necessary?”

After considering, Adelia asked me with a puzzled expression. I suppose it’s true—it’s the weekend, and I’m essentially being a nuisance.

Kate probably has her own private life that I’m interfering with. Of course, as Adelia said, she would grant any request I make.

No matter how mature someone is, it’s natural to be annoyed when their routine is disrupted.

“I think I need to exercise regularly for the future. I feel anxious if I skip even a day.”

“Anxious?”

“Yes. Opportunities to build stamina like this are rare. And as someone said, I don’t have much time left before I become public property…”

“…”

Adelia made an expression that suggested she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at my self-deprecating response. It sounds like a joke, but it’s not at all.

Right now, everyone has their own circumstances, but once everything is resolved, they’ll rush to me like horses with loosened reins.

First would be Cecilly. She’s currently helping Deskall with Helium’s affairs and rarely shows her face.

What would happen if everything ended in this situation? She would undoubtedly rush to me like an unleashed horse.

Cecilly alone is frightening, but that’s not the end of it. I’m not exaggerating when I say there’s a line of people waiting.

“As you know, holy power is a catalyst that aids growth. This is why holy knights can build their strength through worship. And the more holy power accumulates, the greater the growth. In emergencies, it can be used like a potion.”

“That’s right.”

“And I need to convert the accumulated holy power into stamina whenever I get the chance. If I keep postponing it, it would be like pouring water into a bottomless jar.”

“Hmm…”

Even after hearing my persuasion, Adelia seemed slightly unconvinced. More precisely, she understood intellectually but couldn’t fully accept it.

Though she’s a believer in Luminus, she’s not as devout as a cleric and has focused solely on martial arts. It’s natural that she wouldn’t easily understand.

So I explained more simply for better comprehension.

“I could wither away.”

“What?”

“I’m not lying—I could wither away from lack of stamina. My strength is fine, but I absolutely need to increase my endurance.”

“Let’s go right now. Does Kate have workout clothes?”

She was immediately convinced. Of course, judging by her slight smile, she probably took it half as a joke.

The problem is that it’s not a joke—it’s a future that Luminus himself verified. I can’t express how shocked I was when he remained silent.

Fortunately, thanks to the Biography of Xenon, I won’t run out of holy power, but it’s surprising that it’s still insufficient.

‘Even handling one person per day wouldn’t be enough…’

I might have to deal with two or more people at once. Everyone’s sexual desire is different.

Moreover, women, unlike men, tend to have stronger sexual desires as they age. This is all an investment for the future.

“Exercise?”

“Yes. Do you exercise, Kate?”

“No, not at all.”

“What?”

Later, when we called Kate, we discovered a surprising fact: Kate doesn’t exercise at all.

Instead of exercising, she prefers to pray to Luminus—a truly devout believer’s response.

“Aren’t you a Grand Inquisitor, Kate?”

“Yes.”

“And you go around with that white armor and heavy mace I saw before…”

“Eliminating filthy demon worshippers.”

How? Both my and Adelia’s gazes naturally shifted to Kate’s forearms.

It was the weekend, and she had just left the dormitory in casual attire. As a result, her delicate forearms were visible.

Arms that looked like they had never lifted anything heavy. Not just her arms, but her entire physique was far from muscular.

At a glance, she seemed similar to Marie. While holy power can enhance strength and stamina, it’s inefficient, so basic training is usually preferred.

“You haven’t gone your whole life without exercising, have you?”

“Not quite. I received training when I was at the church. I believe it was the same training that holy knights receive.”

“And after that?”

“I never did it again. I didn’t feel the need.”

What’s with this person? How did she become a Grand Inquisitor?

I raised an eyebrow, finding Kate’s words hard to believe. Unaware of my thoughts, Kate maintained a blank expression.

“Um… Cardinal Kate? May I examine your body, if you don’t mind?”

Adelia, sharing my sentiments, made the request with a doubtful voice. Although we’ve never sparred, this is a story that’s hard to believe.

Kate nodded, granting permission. She seemed to have easily agreed because it was Adelia asking.

“Um… Cardinal Kate?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“This might be presumptuous, but I think you should exercise every weekend. Even for someone blessed like yourself, this is…”

Her arms were apparently softer than expected. Judging by Adelia’s serious advice, it was certain.

In other words, Kate’s holy power and its application are unparalleled. With one strength enhancement, she’s much stronger than a holy knight who has trained for decades.

But what if she can’t use holy power? Kate would be just an ordinary woman. If such a situation arises, she would face a significant crisis.

Her position as Grand Inquisitor had blinded her. It’s fortunate we discovered this now; otherwise, she could have faced serious trouble.

“Wouldn’t it be better to pray instead of exercising?”

“That might be true for you, Cardinal Kate. But focusing solely on one aspect isn’t a good choice. A clear strength can also be a weakness. If, by chance, you can’t use that strength, you’re nothing but a scarecrow.”

“Hmm…”

Adelia offered her advice with a serious voice. Kate exchanged silent glances with her before looking at me.

It seemed she was giving me the choice. She probably didn’t care either way.

Since I need to exercise anyway, and Kate can simultaneously improve her lacking physical abilities, it should be fine.

“Since we’re here, I think it’s good to exercise together. I need your protection anyway, Kate.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and Adel noona will lend you workout clothes.”

I lent Kate the workout clothes I had prepared in advance. She’s shorter than Adelia, so they’ll be big, but better than nothing.

Shortly after, Kate emerged wearing black workout clothes. We can buy shoes outside.

Since she usually wears only her nun’s habit, seeing Kate in workout clothes felt refreshing. Her golden hair, reminiscent of a golden wheat field, fell gracefully to her chest, and her blue eyes, expressing awkwardness, exuded a peculiar cuteness.

“How is it? Does the outfit fit somewhat?”

“It’s slightly big, but it fits well enough. Though my chest feels quite constricted.”

Though there was no malice in her statement, it touched on a woman’s pride. As soon as I heard it, I immediately looked at Adelia.

She was clearly smiling, but the corners of her mouth were trembling slightly. The slight shadow on her face was an added detail.

Just to clarify, Adelia is definitely not small. In fact, she’s larger than average.

It’s just that Kate’s chest, nourished by holy power, is much larger. Come to think of it, I seem to be surrounded only by women with large chests.

‘…Except for one.’

I won’t specifically mention who that one is. It feels like I’m making an unfair comparison.

Moreover, that one person has distinct advantages, so she’s by no means inferior. Depending on preferences, she might even be overwhelming.

Anyway, the weekend stamina training began.

“Kate, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Surprisingly, I found that Kate was handling my and Adelia’s routine well. Contrary to appearances, she seemed to have developed good stamina.

“Cardinal Kate, I’m asking just in case, but are you using holy power?”

“Isn’t this how it’s normally done?”

Not at all. She had been using holy power instead of stamina from the beginning. The proper method is to exhaust all stamina first and then use holy power like a potion.

Whether she was taught incorrectly or found this method more comfortable, it’s completely wrong.

Of course, her holy power itself would greatly increase. With Luminus’s blessing, it’s like an inexhaustible well.

So when we restricted her use of holy power…

“Haa… Haa… Haa…”

“Kate, are you okay?”

“Y-yes… Haah… I’m… fine.”

She didn’t look fine at all.

Within less than three minutes, I found Kate trembling. And another thing:

“Hoo. Hoo. Hoo.”

“You suddenly seem fine again.”

“I recovered… Hoo. With holy power.”

“…”

I realized that it wasn’t her high stamina but her incredibly high regeneration ability.

‘…It feels like raising a tiger cub.’

The weekend seemed like it would pass without any incidents.