episode_0005
by fnovelpia“Wow… I almost fainted in the classroom.”
When I introduced myself, a thunderous applause suddenly erupted, startling me a little. I almost took cover behind the podium without realizing it.
The sound of howitzers firing, the sound of gunfire hitting my ears right next to me, and all the other sounds, including the sound of applause, make me think of bad things. To me, that bang bang sound was a pain.
At the entrance ceremony, I was fine because I had just taken the medicine, but not now.
My steps toward the cafeteria were heavy. I lifted the heavy theology book in my left hand. Before I knew it, cold sweat was forming on my forehead.
“Handkerchief, handkerchief… . Huh.”
As I was searching through my bosom with my right hand to get the handkerchief out, my arm began to tremble and stiffen. As a result, the handkerchief fell to the floor.
“…Fuck.”
My right arm was shaking incessantly. I instinctively used my left hand to firmly press my right arm. It was only natural that the theological books I was holding in my left hand would spill onto the floor.
As I stood there leaning against the wall in an awkward position with my arms crossed, students passing by gave me strange looks.
As I held my right arm like that for a while, the sharp pain in my right arm began to subside. I sighed and picked up the theology books that had spilled on the floor.
Holding the theology books I had barely managed to collect in my arms, I was about to pick up the handkerchief that had fallen on the floor.
Swish—.
A pair of navy blue braids dazzled before my eyes. I saw a white hand snatching the handkerchief I was trying to pick up and handing it to me.
“Professor Lucio. Are you okay?”
The person who appeared before me like a savior was my academy lunch mate, Professor Esther Garrett.
* * * * *
“Thank you for earlier.”
“What? But, why did you do that all of a sudden?”
I put down my fork and met Professor Esther’s eyes. Her mysterious purple eyes were staring straight into me.
“What are you talking about?”
“I was walking along the other side of the hallway, and suddenly Professor Lucio was acting up in the hallway. I wondered what was going on.”
“What a shame… .”
I made an embarrassed expression. Then Professor Esther laughed out loud like a rascal.
“Ugh… . Just kidding. Just kidding.”
“No, I definitely made a fool of myself.”
“Huh? I told you I was joking?”
“Okay, I understand. I understand.”
“So, why did you really do that?”
“… … .”
It was a wound he received during the Great War. A shell fragment lodged itself in his shoulder. It damaged the nerves and fascia of his right shoulder, leaving him permanently disabled.
… I couldn’t say that even if I was beaten to death. I felt like the food I had eaten in vain was going to be eaten again.
“It just happened because a mouse suddenly appeared.”
“… Huh.”
“It’s really salty.”
Professor Esther looked at me, chewing on her chicken as if she didn’t like my answer. This time, her fork moved to the plate containing the salad.
“… Well, let’s say that. I guess it’s not the time yet.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Professor Esther, who was eating her salad like a rabbit, took a sip of water, pointed to the stack of theology books next to my plate, and asked,
“By the way, how did you feel about your first class?”
“What are your thoughts?”
What do you think? Do you want to hear that you almost peed your pants because of the applause?
When I asked with a frown, Professor Esther shrugged and continued speaking.
“That’s right, it was a class at Chaldea Imperial Academy, right? Even I, who came from a small-town academy, was sweating profusely? The level of questions from the students was on a whole other level. That’s why I had such a hard time adjusting the difficulty level… .”
“… Well, are you going to the same academy as me?”
“Yes?”
When I heard that, I suddenly remembered Laura von Adelheid, who had been smiling unluckily with the corners of her lips twisted. Adelheid’s daughter, who had been harboring inexplicable hostility toward me and asking me sarcastic questions.
The level of questions is on a whole other level… .
I agree to some extent, although I’m sure Professor Esther meant it in a positive way.
“It was worth it. There wasn’t anything particularly difficult about preparing for class.”
“That’s amazing. I heard that other professors still sweat profusely when exams are given.”
“I’m not that great. I can’t even compare to other professors.”
Professor Esther narrowed her eyes and looked at me. When I stared at her without knowing what was going on, Professor Esther met my gaze for a moment, then looked away and sighed.
“… Professor Lucio needs to be a little more confident.”
“Is that so?”
“The Chaldea Imperial Academy, you say? Every year, it produces imperial personnel, and even nobles from neighboring countries try hard to enroll there! Professor Lucio started his career there, so that says it all!”
I have heard of the reputation of the Chaldea Imperial Academy. However, no matter how much I think about it, I still can’t figure out how I was able to get a job here.
When I think back to when I was interviewed, I don’t think my attitude toward the interview was that good. To be honest, I didn’t think I had a chance of being hired.
If there was anything surprising, it was that General Damien knew about my combat experience before I even brought it up.
“What the… . Yes. Now that I think about it, it doesn’t make sense. How did I get hired? ”
“No… . I told you to be confident, but you fell even further and crawled on the floor, what should I do… .”
Professor Esther munched on her salad with a deadpan expression. I watched her for a moment, then stood up with the plate still full of food.
“I’m sorry. Excuse me, but I think I have to get up now.”
“Uh… . Why? You haven’t even finished eating yet… .”
“I have no appetite, and I have to visit the main academy building.”
“Ahh… . Definitely… .”
Come to think of it, even though I had become the parish priest of the Academy, I had not yet thought of visiting there. Since I still had some time left for lunch, I thought I would take a walk and visit the Academy parish.
“Then I’ll go with you! Just a moment! I’ve almost finished eating… !”
“… Take your time.”
I cleaned up the table and slowly walked out of the restaurant. Professor Esther, her mouth swollen, followed me, panting.
“Oh, right! Look at my mind! Hat!”
“… … .”
Thanks to Professor Esther who left her cone-shaped hat at the restaurant, there was a small incident that delayed things a little bit more.
* * * * *
Arriving at the main academy, Professor Esther and I took a leisurely stroll outside the cathedral. There were benches here and there, making it a good place to rest, and the landscaping was well-maintained, making it aesthetically pleasing.
“It’s really big. It pales in comparison to the cathedrals in the city center.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Well, it doesn’t make sense to have a separate cathedral in charge of the academy in the first place.”
Chaldea Imperial Academy. As an academy with a reputation that stands out even within the Empire, the grounds of Chaldea Imperial Academy boast an unimaginable size.
And, naturally, a cathedral in charge of the academy was built on this huge academy site. That is the main academy church.
“Yes. Really. At my previous academy, there was no church, so theology professors suffered. Theology students were also uncomfortable.”
“Sure… .”
After looking around the cathedral for a while, we soon stepped inside.
Then, the largest space in the main academy hall was the first to reveal itself.
“This is the chapel.”
“Wow… .”
The stained glass reflects sunlight and casts a rainbow of colors. This, combined with the tranquil atmosphere of the cathedral, creates a sense of grandeur.
Inside the chapel, several priests wearing priestly robes and some students who appeared to be from the theology department were already praying. The priests wearing priestly robes were probably professors from other theology departments at the academy.
As I entered the chapel with Professor Esther, several theology professors glanced over and bowed their heads. I nodded silently in return.
Even though I was chosen as the head priest of this academy, the professors of theology department at the academy who were already working there didn’t seem to be jealous of me. They looked at me as if it didn’t really matter.
This is because they also know that being the head priest, especially in an academy where incidents and accidents are constantly happening because of erratic students, is not necessarily a good position. It’s a kind of sense of camaraderie that people in the same profession feel.
“I plan to go to the head priest’s office. Professor Esther… .”
“Can I, can I go into a place like that?”
“Professor Esther. I am the head priest here.”
“… Ah.”
Professor Esther’s ears turned bright red as she asked me a question with a worried expression. She seemed embarrassed for asking such a stupid question.
I chuckled and walked slowly. There was no reason to disturb those who were worshipping quietly.
How long did it take us to walk like that? We went up to the second floor of the cathedral and soon found the priest’s office. I put my hand on the doorknob… .
– … Please fill our hearts with grace… To the Lord who saved us… .
“… Hmm?”
“Why are you like that?”
Inside the priest’s office, a mysterious voice was mumbling and flowing out. When I stopped turning the doorknob, Professor Esther poked her head out as if asking what was going on.
“… Can’t you hear me?”
“What are you talking about… . Huh?”
– … Today is the first day I meet the parish priest. I pray for the parish priest who will firmly support the Academy parish… .
“People? No, this is… . A prayer?”
Someone seemed to be praying inside the priest’s office. I clicked my tongue without realizing it and flung open the door to the priest’s office.
“Today, a blessing like a shower… . Hehe!”
In the middle of the priest’s office, a girl who was kneeling and praying looked at me with surprised eyes. No, shouldn’t I be the one who should be surprised?
I studied her face carefully. She was an impressive girl with short golden hair that reached down to her shoulders and clear green eyes like emeralds. Beneath that, she was wearing a pure white sash over her black priest’s robe.
“… What is it? Professor Lucio. Do you know him?”
Professor Esther leaned close to me and asked me questioningly. Even if you ask me that… .
“… Excuse me, who are you?”
I don’t know this person at all.
“I don’t know who you are, but this is the head priest’s office. You are not allowed to enter without permission.”
“… Are you, by any chance, Superior Priest Lucio Antonelli?”
“That’s right. Who are you, Sister?”
Since she doesn’t look like a student, I added the title of “sister” first. The white sash draped diagonally over the priest’s vestment is the type of clothing worn by deacons.
She gave an ahem cough, then put her hands on her hips and spoke confidently.
“I am Deacon Sophia, who was sent as the deacon in charge of the parish priest! I was cleaning up and saying the pre-meal prayer before the parish priest arrived!”
At best, he had a young face that seemed like he had just become an adult. He seemed to have been appointed as a deacon right after graduating from the Holy Land Theological Academy. By the way, a prayer before meals?
“… Are you saying a prayer before meals?”
“Yes!”
Deacon Sophia answered briskly. I looked down at her hands with anxious eyes.
A hard piece of black bread was held in her hand.
“… Is that lunch?”
“Yes!”
A uselessly lively answer. It made me slap my forehead without realizing it.
“Why don’t you eat at the Academy cafeteria… .”
“That, that’s… . I lost my subordinate appointment certificate on my way from the Holy Land to here… . Unconfirmed outsiders are not allowed to eat at the Academy cafeteria… .”
“… Let’s go to the restaurant first.”
We headed back to the restaurant.
Anyway, I had a strong feeling that the torturer had arrived.
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