episode_0001

“… . Before we begin the entrance ceremony of our Chaldea Imperial Academy, I would like to express my gratitude to all the distinguished guests who have graced this place today. First… .”

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The Academy President’s long speech began, with the hall completely empty. Chloe began to listen intently, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

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“Chloe. Why are you listening so intently?”

“Of course, you’re the president. Don’t sleep too much and listen.”

“What do you want me to listen to when all I hear is useless talk… .”

“Hey, what kind of a habit is that to the president…!”

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Ellen, sitting next to her, shrugged and said.

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“But is it true? Look. They’re all asleep.”

“Ugh… .”

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Chloe looked shocked. She was shocked too, because everyone in the room was like a dove, nodding and pecked at the air.

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“When will it end… .”

“Elin. Look over there! Over there!”

“Huh?”

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Chloe called out to Elin, tapping her shoulder in response. Elin, whose eyes were half-closed, followed Chloe’s fingers.

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“You are the young lady of the Adelheid family!”

“Wow. That guy got into the academy? Isn’t he a year younger than us?”

“You’ve been known as a genius since long ago. As expected, he’s a member of the Adelheid family, a war hero… .”

“… Adelheid is a confession.”

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The Duke of Adelheid. A noble family that made great contributions in the last great war and took the lead in post-war recovery efforts.

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Chloe, who had once received support from the Adelheid Dukes, now had eyes that looked like those of a goddess. Elin shook her head helplessly.

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“Wow… . You are so beautiful. I wish I could at least talk to you… .”

“… Hmm?”

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Thanks to Chloe, I must have woken up. As Elin was looking around the auditorium, she saw a strange person.

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A man with sunken eyes and a tired look. His sunken eyes are staring into space, and his black hair is roughly tied up, making him look messy.

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However, thanks to the glasses hanging halfway down his nose, he was a man who even had his hair roughly styled, giving off a sense of intelligence and decadence.

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“First, let me ask you your name. What is your name? Like this. And… .”

“Look at that person. Chloe.”

“… Huh?”

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Elin called out to Chloe, tapping her side. Chloe’s gaze finally turned to her.

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Chloe stared blankly in the direction Elin was pointing. Where Elin was pointing… .

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“… No one is here?”

“Huh? No, yeah?”

“Are you kidding me? Just wait a little longer… !”

“No, what.”

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Elin looked at the seat where the man had been sitting. However, the man who had already disappeared did not appear.

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“The president’s speech is over.”

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Until the Academy President finished his speech, the man was nowhere to be seen.

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* * * * *

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Swish—

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The water sprayed violently. I stared blankly at the sight.

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As I looked at the waterfall-like water, I felt like the distracting thoughts in my head were being washed away. So I continued to look at it.

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“… Where is the medicine?”

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By the way, I came here to take some medicine. Right.

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After searching through my pockets here and there, I was finally able to find the envelope of medicine.

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Gulp.

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“Hoo… .”

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A drug with a little narcotic ingredients has definitely helped me with my mental instability. After all, there is nothing better than this drug.

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What? A bath in holy water? A conversation with the parish priest? Going to church and going to confession?

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“Phuhat… .”

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This was the kind of crappy advice people around me gave me as I wandered around after the Great War.

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There was no other way. If it had been treated like that, I would have had no desire to live. I didn’t want to rely on this kind of medicine.

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In particular, the words of the old priest who told me to go to confession with a solemn expression were the most absurd.

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While I was serving as a military chaplain on the battlefield, there was an old man who was locked up in the church, preaching nonsense and extorting tithes. He would tell me that I had killed someone and that I was a murderer. He would force me to go to confession whenever he had the chance.

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“That fucking old man.”

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I clenched my teeth. I felt dizzy. This was because the medicine still had its effects.

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“…Fuck, old man.”

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The cold water that was still flowing continuously soon filled the sink. Without hesitation, I put my face in the cold water.

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As I put my face into the cold water, my mind felt clearer. I opened my eyes in the water. I saw the drain plug of the sink. A round drain plug.

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I can hear something. From beyond the drain, a rumbling sound is heard. A muffled sound, a cry from underwater.

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I listened. I couldn’t hear very well because I was underwater, but I concentrated as much as I could on the faint sound.

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– Live, let me live… .

– We’re all dead! We’re all dead!

– Shoo! I said so!

– It’s the enemy! The enemy is coming! Repair the trenches!

– Bang! Tata tang!

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– You know, why did you survive alone?

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Choaack!

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“Ugh! Gasp… ! Ugh… !”

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Shit. I think the medicine is starting to wear off a little. I took another pill out of the bottle and took it.

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“Ugh… . Phew… . What the hell… .”

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This medicine lasted quite a while though. It must have been because my body had a hard time adjusting to it, and it was a strong medicine. However, it’s time to get another medicine.

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… I’m bored. At that moment, I found myself thinking that way.

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No. No. I can’t give up here. I made a promise. I can’t die until I keep it.

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I roughly wiped my face with a handkerchief. The ends of my hair were damp. I wiped it as best I could and tried to dry it.

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I didn’t like the look of my hair curling like a pig’s tail. After this entrance ceremony, I’ll get my hair trimmed.

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– … Okay, then. To the 89th Academy freshmen. I sincerely congratulate you on your admission.

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The thunderous applause could be heard here. It seemed as if the president’s speech was over. Then, it was time to introduce the new faculty members.

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Will I be able to stand in front of that many students?

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“… Let’s try it.”

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I guess I’ll have to try. Maybe. I wasn’t sure.

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I shook my head violently, feeling dizzy from the effects of the medicine. But I still couldn’t calm down, so I had no choice but to use a blessing spell.

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Only after doing that did I leave the bathroom.

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* * * * *

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“This year, we had a lot of trouble recruiting new professors as many applicants applied to our academy. There were many talented people and it was a fierce competition.”

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The Academy president pointed in this direction and eagerly helped me onto the plane. All around me where I sat were the newly elected professors of the Academy.

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Some were selected to fill vacant positions among existing faculty members, while others were assigned to teach newly created courses.

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I was the former. I took over the vacant professorship of theology.

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I thought I would be chosen, but I got lucky. I wonder if the Academy looked favorably on my combat experience. Is there anyone in the Academy who fought in the Great War?

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“I am very sorry that I could not help other excellent applicants… . However! That is why I can confidently say in the name of the Academy President, Damien Lindberg, that these new professors are people with incredible skills and abilities!”

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If there is, I want to ask. How is that person enduring this pain? Is he holding on while taking this damn drug? If so, is there at least a recommended drug?

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“Let me introduce you! First, Professor Esther Garrett, who is in charge of the Fantasy Magic Department!”

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Ah. This won’t work. The sound of the president’s microphone echoed in my head, making me feel nauseous. I could feel my fingertips getting cold.

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“Calm down. Calm down. Calm down… . Hoo… .”

“Yes! Thank you! I think you will continue to teach our academy students well. Next is… . The newly introduced subject! Professor Alfred of the Close Combat Arts Department! ”

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I calmed down a little. I had a strong urge to smash that damn microphone, but I could barely contain myself.

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The number of people sitting next to me was decreasing one by one. As I suddenly realized this, a really bad thought came to my mind.

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It’s like I’m sending off my comrades one by one…

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“… No.”

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The medicine worked. I endured the nausea and emptied my mind.

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The negative thoughts were scattered. Like dark clouds that clear away after rain. I took a slow, deep breath.

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“… Sir? Professor?”

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Someone tapped me on the back. I nervously turned around and saw a student who looked like a student council member flinching and looking at me.

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“What’s going on?”

“Ah, that’s… . I think it’s your turn to leave, Professor.”

“… Ah.”

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Looking around, I saw that the chairs that had been packed tightly around me were already empty. I smiled bitterly, thanked the student, and stood up from my seat.

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“Whew… Okay. Let’s do it.”

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Now that we’ve come this far, we have no choice but to do it.

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“Okay… . Lastly, let me introduce you to Professor Antonelli from the Department of Theology!”

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Clap clap clap—.

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The applause had gotten a little weaker, as if they had been applauded quite a lot. I moved my feet while thinking as positively as possible.

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* * * * *

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Step, step.

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Sharp footsteps echoed across the podium. Tension filled the eyes of the students who saw the source of the footsteps.

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“Why is your face so pale? Are you sick?”

“He looks a little scary… .”

“You don’t look well… .”

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The sound of footsteps cutting across the silent auditorium soon stopped in the exact center of the podium. Silence fell again.

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The man standing in front of the wide podium looked at the students. The eyes of countless students were focused on the man. The eyes of the professors and the president on the podium were also focused on the man.

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There was silence for a moment. Then the man opened his mouth.

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“… This is Father Lucio Antonelli, who will be teaching theology starting this semester. I will also be the parish priest of the Academy. Since theology is a required subject, I hope all the students taking my class will do their best.”

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An ordinary introduction. However, there was a lot of gloom in the voice, and it seemed to make the listener feel depressed.

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“That guy… is a priest?”

“What a peculiar person.”

“Did something bad happen?”

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As the commotion began to grow louder, President Damien quickly picked up the microphone and continued the introduction.

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“Priest Antonelli will take over the Department of Theology, replacing Professor Helena. Now, a big round of applause!”

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Clap clap clap—!

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Thanks to the powerful ending of President Damien, the applause was more lively than before. The applause gradually grew louder and soon filled the auditorium.

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Even amidst the thunderous applause, Father Antonelli could not smile.

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