Chap 77-Succession Ceremony

 

From morning, the academy was bustling unlike usual.

The students were gathered in small groups, moving busily to prepare something, and the professors were frantically directing them.

I blankly watched the lively scene from the bathroom window.

It seemed that cleaning the bathroom, which I usually found annoying, was helpful this time.

Because I didn’t have to participate in the noisy and troublesome event preparations.

The reason they were so busy was only one.

It was because of the ‘succession ceremony’.

A ritual dedicated to the transcendent being called the Goddess of Victory, or the God of Fighting, praying for victory in the upcoming war.

God of Fighting.

She was a transcendent being with the absurdly overpowered level 11 [Authority of Victory].

An incomprehensible divine power that ultimately led to victory in any irrational and desperate war situation.

Frankly speaking, she was a transcendent being who didn’t quite suit me.

I, after all, prefer defeat to victory…

“…….”

Anyway.

Thanks to her, in the terrible war against the gods a long time ago.

In [Ragnarok], the transcendent beings barely annihilated the gods and achieved victory.

Strictly speaking, she wasn’t a god, but a transcendent being who was born mortal and transcended her limits with her own power.

Well, it didn’t matter because most ordinary people would see transcendent beings and gods as the same thing anyway.

Only one thing was important.

The fact that she was an existence that brought victory.

So, Terra always held a succession ceremony before important wars.

And the academy’s midterm practical exam was nothing short of a small war for the students.

Because it was the fate of the students in this world to be driven to the battlefield after graduation.

To instill in them the mindset to take the practical exam seriously as if it were a war, the academy held this succession ceremony every year.

After roughly tidying up my sweat-soaked clothes and coming outside, the academy square was even more crowded with students than before.

And all their gazes were directed towards one place.

It seemed that the succession ceremony was about to begin.

On the temporary altar set up in the center of the square, there were splendid decorations and objects emitting a sacred aura, and around it, students from each class were gathered in an orderly manner.

“Hmm… I guess it’s over there.”

I found the area where the A class students were gathered and headed there.

Fortunately, there was an empty seat in one corner, so I quietly took my place there.

After a while, a familiar pink hair appeared on the altar.

On the platform stood Saintess Candidate Lina, the officiant of today’s ceremony.

Unlike usual, she stood in front of the altar with a solemn and serious expression, and soon began the ceremony with a clear and pure voice.

“Here, we pledge to the God of Fighting.”

With her declaration, all the students gathered in the square bowed their heads reverently.

“Victory with blood, peace with the sword.”

“May there be victory in every battlefield.”

As Lina recited the solemn prayer, the elderly priest standing next to her gathered holy power and began to engrave the prayer word by word on a blue glowing stone tablet.

It was a sacred and solemn atmosphere, recreating an ancient ritual.

I blankly stared at Lina’s figure.

Lina, wearing pure white ceremonial robes for Saintesses instead of the academy uniform she usually wore…

Was sacred and beautiful.

…

“With this, I will conclude the succession ceremony! All students are to disperse and prepare to depart for the training grounds immediately!”

With the shout of the professor in charge, the students gathered in the square began to disperse, murmuring.

I was about to leave when Lina approached me and naturally linked her arm with mine.

“…!”

The soft and tender sensation felt on my forearm.

I was slightly flustered without realizing it.

My flustered expression showed on my face.

“Can… can you move away a bit?”

I tried to act as nonchalant as possible, but my voice trembled and my face flushed.

I couldn’t even stop the end of my sentence from trailing off.

Seeing my reaction, Lina chuckled and said.

“Oh my, it seems to be having some effect?”

She seemed satisfied as she released my arm and took a step back, then smiled and asked me.

“So, how was I today? Was I cool?”

I almost blurted out that she was pretty, but I barely stopped myself and changed the subject.

“More than that, is it okay for you, a Saintess Candidate who serves the God of Benevolence, to actively participate in a ritual for another god?”

“Well, what does it matter?”

Lina replied unexpectedly calmly.

“In the end, the transcendent being called the God of Fighting also worked for the people, for Terra. That’s what faith is all about. You say you’re serving God, but the first priority should always be people, I think.”

I was slightly taken aback by her direct and bold words.

It didn’t seem like something a Saintess Candidate would usually say.

Lina seemed to read my expression, as she smiled gently and continued.

“That’s why our Holy Theocracy was able to take root in this land without gods and gain the faith of the people.”

Her eyes deepened for a moment.

“Do what is right in any situation. That is the doctrine that our order, which believes in benevolence, considers most important.”

‘Hmm… It’s definitely a good thing to say, but…’

Knowing the reality of the order and the secrets they were hiding, I had to suppress the urge to point it out.

“How is it?”

Perhaps mistaking my silence for something else, Lina asked me with sparkling eyes.

“Don’t I look a bit cool, wearing these sacred clothes and saying such wonderful things?”

And she took another step closer, looking at me with expectant eyes and whispering.

“How do you feel seeing this sacred and wonderful side of the Saintess Candidate? Do you feel like changing your mind and repenting to become a good person, even now?”

Unlike the previous questions that were difficult to answer, I could answer this question very firmly and definitely.

“No. Not at all.”

…

Leaving Lina, who was complaining that I was being too harsh, behind, I hurried back to the dormitory to pack the luggage I needed for the practical exam.

When I opened the door, Professor Emilia was already standing next to my luggage bag, waiting for me.

“You’ve arrived, Miss. I have prepared all the necessary luggage here.”

She said, pointing to my neatly organized belongings.

“Thank you, Professor.”

I bowed my head.

I felt awkward yet grateful for her recent attentiveness towards me.

“Nyaaaooo-”

At that moment, a familiar cry rang out, and a fluffy white ball jumped down from Professor Emilia’s shoulder.

It seemed that she had been on her shoulder all along.

‘…I won’t be able to see her for a day now.’

I couldn’t take a cat to the training grounds.

I felt a little sad for some reason.

“Nabi, come here.”

When I gestured, she darted into my arms.

The way she rubbed her small body against me and purred was quite lovely.

It wouldn’t be a long time apart, but I couldn’t help but feel a bit sad.

I stroked Nabi’s soft fur.

“Do you like that child so much, Miss?”

Professor Emilia asked me with a smile.

But something was strange.

For some reason, her smile… looked a little awkward.

Like someone who was forcing a smile.

I tried to ignore the awkwardness and replied.

“She’s pretty. She’s friendly, and she doesn’t cause trouble. How well-behaved is she?”

At my words, Nabi held her head high and looked very proud.

“Look, Professor. It’s like she understands that I’m praising her. Don’t you think she’s really smart?”

As I said in amazement, Professor Emilia carefully took Nabi back from my arms.

“Hehe, I see. Nabi will probably be going to the the exam with you, Miss.”

“Yes? Really? But… wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

I asked back in surprise.

The farm were swarming with magical beasts, and there was no way that little cat would be okay.

“Don’t worry. Nabi will be with me in the safest place. While you are fighting, I will take good care of her.”

Professor Emilia said softly, as if to reassure me.

Still feeling a little worried, I stroked Nabi’s head one more time as she was held in Professor Emilia’s arms.

Seeing my actions, Professor Emilia suddenly glanced at Nabi and said.

“But don’t spoil her too much, Miss. She’ll just develop bad habits.”

For some reason, Nabi looked incredibly shocked at Professor Emilia’s words.

Her round sapphire eyes trembled, and her ears drooped…

It was as if her world had collapsed.

She looked so pitiful that I felt sorry for her.

‘Is she really a cat…?’