Chapter 190: Exam (2) |
After Elisha’s panic incident, I cautiously relayed the story to the other women, fearing they might also freak out, but surprisingly, they all easily accepted it.
It seems it wasn’t an issue for them, already being bound to me, whether there were four or five of them.
I was worried they might internally struggle like Elisha without showing it, but it seemed that those accustomed to polygamy or slavery were already mentally prepared.
So, I spent the whole day lazing around, occasionally checking in on work, signing some documents, and flirting with the women who came by in shifts…
Having a carefree day for the first time in a while, my sporadically interrupted mana circuits fixed themselves.
Meaning, it was time to be discharged.
“It’s a bit sad, Faye.”
“Mmm. Indeed. It’s rare to have this time just the two of us… But that doesn’t mean you should get hurt and come here again, right? I would really cry.”
I slung my arm over Faye’s shoulder a bit deeper. Enough that my hand could reach her large chest.
Squish, squish.
“Eek… You’re naughty, Junior.”
Faye puffed her cheeks but didn’t push me away. Instead, she leaned in more, bowing her head.
I didn’t dislike the drooping of the corners of her mouth.
Briefly playing by pressing down on Faye’s puffed cheeks, I checked one last time for any items left behind before leaving the treatment room with Faye by my side.
Thunk.
“Good morning, Brother. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get permission to visit earlier, so I’m only seeing you now. It’s good to see you’ve recovered safely… Gasp!”
And there I was, encountering Helena, who suddenly covered her own mouth in mid-sentence.
Her single-braided, shiny blond hair swayed lightly. Likewise, her sparkling golden eyes fluttered between me and Faye.
What’s this? Even though I removed my hand from her chest since we were outside.
Wondering why, I reviewed the current posture of Faye and me.
Her head bowed. Her eyes hidden due to her long bangs. Her twitching lips. Her body leaning against me, as if embracing.
Hmm. Anyone would think we just had an intimate moment. I got it.
…But there was no need to make a fuss. Everyone knows Faye, and I became close after the duel.
As if nothing happened, I casually greeted her with a smile.
“Sister Helena. Thank you for your concern. I was able to recover quickly, thanks to you.”
“Me, too! Thank you… The Church of Righteous Radiance provided first aid, right? Thanks to them, Junior could recover without major aftereffects.”
Faye thanked her straightforwardly, albeit a bit awkwardly. I felt a sense of pride and ruffled her messy hair.
“Eek… But I’m the senior…!”
Faye’s head swayed weakly as I moved my hand. Perhaps that brought her back to her senses.
Helena, with a slightly reddened face, coughed slightly and continued.
“Hmm. It was my duty. Brother is not just anyone, but the chosen one of our Lord. The Cardinal was also pleased, considering it an honor.”
“It’s nice to hear, but it also feels burdensome.”
“You deserve it, Brother Yandel. Don’t feel burdened… You’ve indeed received a much more brilliant blessing than before.”
Helena made the sign of the cross towards me and slightly closed her eyes.
She must have sensed that my Blessing from the Sun God had risen to rank A+.
As if nothing had happened, she maintained a prayerful demeanor.
I awkwardly followed the sign of the cross and then tilted my head.
“But what brings you here, Sister Helena? It seems like you were waiting for me to come out. Do you have something for me?”
“Oh, yes. First… please take this.”
Helena looked around and pulled out a neatly folded pile of clothes from a spatial bag.
“What’s this?”
“The nun’s habit you requested. I’ve prepared everything… Just in case, you aren’t asking for another one, are you?”
“Ahaha… Well, about that…”
“Hehe. I knew it, so I actually prepared another one! Is this okay?”
Helena made a ta-da sound with her mouth as she pulled out an extra set of nun’s habit.
I quickly stored it in my inventory and firmly held Helena’s hand.
“You shouldn’t have… Sister Helena really seems thoughtful.”
“I’m not exactly happy to be praised for this. But you should know, this matter…”
“…Is a secret, right? I’ll definitely keep it. But is it a secret for you too, Sister Helena?”
“Yes. But, uh, about this hand…”
“Oops. I got a bit carried away.”
Releasing the hand I was holding, Helena quickly withdrew hers to her chest, slightly revealing the outline of her body, pressed by her voluminous nun’s habit.
“…Junior?”
I turned my attention to Faye’s skeptical voice.
“Ahem. Anyway, thank you. To think you came all the way here to bring this.”
“Don’t mention it. But there’s something more important I need to discuss.”
“So, there was something after all. Please, go on.”
“It seems the cultists, perhaps frightened by your and Professor Iona’s recent actions, have abandoned their branches and are fleeing somewhere.”
“What? They’re fleeing? The cultists?”
All cultists were fundamentally dedicated. They operate in secrecy for their grand mission but don’t flee when discovered.
Because defending their branches was a divine mission.
Unless they receive a direct oracle or orders based on an oracle from their headquarters, they never abandon their branches.
They don’t fear death; they regard it as martyrdom, so why would they flee?
But, conversely, this meant they could abandon their branches anytime if there was a clear command.
Like now.
“Yes, it’s true. There are a few branches we’ve been monitoring and just watching… they’ve all been emptied overnight.”
“Oh.”
“So, that means…”
Helena hesitated for a moment, then continued with a very sad expression.
“It seems the cultist purge we planned during the vacation might be a bit difficult. I’m sorry…”
“Uh, um.”
So, she was apologizing because we couldn’t strike at the cultists now?
It was true that I was favored by the Church of Righteous Radiance, but if they treated me the same, it would feel a bit off.
I awkwardly patted Helena on the shoulder to reassure her.
“It’s okay. These things happen. Maybe we should change our plans a bit?”
“Change our plans?”
“Yes. I’ve been wanting to visit the headquarters of the Church of Righteous Radiance… Would that be okay?”
“Wha–! Of course! The Lord would definitely welcome Brother Yandel!”
Helena instantly cheered up and beamed a bright smile.
Yeah. I had to visit at some point anyway.
It seemed like the Church of Righteous Radiance might be trying to make me an apostle, but I had no such intentions.
Being God’s apostle meant being bound by doctrine, whether you liked it or not. The Church of Righteous Radiance was relatively free-spirited, but there were still rules.
More importantly, my skills were aligned with being a magician, and if I officially became an apostle, I’d be forced to become a clergyman.
My magic would also be converted into divine power, essentially throwing away my existing build.
I obviously had to decline.
That was why I was going to the headquarters. I’d challenge them to make Helena an apostle and leave me alone.
Ultimately, if I reveal my goal to vanquish all Evil Gods, they might be disappointed but won’t hold me back.
…From how they jumped around last time, they might unexpectedly be quite lively.
The Church of Righteous Radiance was a generous god.
Unaware of my intentions, Helena happily bowed her head.
“Thank you for understanding. So, as we discussed earlier, let’s meet at the Academy’s main gate on the third day of the vacation.”
“Ah, about that… It seems we might have a few more people joining us. Is that okay?”
“Don’t worry. Our order will send our best carriage.”
“Ah, that’s a relief. Then, I’ll prepare accordingly.”
There was a suitable dungeon on the way, so if we stumble upon it, we might as well clear it.
Thinking this, I nodded noncommittally.
Later, Helena and I continued talking about the latest news from the Academy as we walked, eventually parting ways in the Central Square.
Helena headed back to her dormitory, while I took Faye to Iona’s private training ground.
As with the A-class students, professors also had their own training grounds. I heard the facilities were much better…
Most likely because most professors were intermediate magicians, the grounds were designed to withstand intermediate-level magic.
As soon as I was fully recovered, the first thing I wanted to check out was Iona’s training ground, which I had asked to borrow in advance.
“Is this the place?”
“It seems like it, Junior.”
Crossing a slightly complex path, we arrived at a building. I lightly knocked on the door marked Iona Francheska, which opened immediately.
Creeeak.
Inside the space surrounded by pristine white tiles, those who had been waiting greeted us warmly.
“Master! We’ve been waiting for you!”
“Yandel. You’re really okay now, right?”
“Welcome! Welcome! Hello to you too, Faye!”
After briefly hugging Carla, Elisha, and Iona in turn, I stood at the center of the training ground.
“So, shall we give it a try?”
Shouldn’t I test to see if I’ve really advanced to an intermediate magician level?
I’ve been worried about this the whole time I was lying down.