Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

22 – 22. Blessed, and Even More Blessed (5)

The students were speechless. No sound came from their mouths.

This was a place of learning. A moment of enlightenment. The entire classroom had transformed into a gathering of truth seekers. Disharmony should not be allowed to enter.

A single word from Professor Antonelli was like a battering ram that broke down the fortress that had confined them. The words that came out of his mouth were all preparations for this moment.

Simply put, one may interpret Professor Antonelli’s words as simply urging them to think for themselves and act freely. However, the depth of the meaning contained within was different.

Enlightenment. A realization that was higher than what they had thought.

The dead end that had seemed like the limit of their growth turned out to be a wall that could be pierced.

The certainty that they could grow further.

It was truly ecstatic, exciting, and exhilarating. Indescribable joy and pleasure surged through the bodies of the students sitting in the classroom. Professor Antonelli filled their widened eyes.

And Laura von Adelheid was more than that. She opened her notebook and reviewed all the lecture materials that Professor Antonelli had written up to now.

“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it…!”

In the past three years, as a magician, she had been blocked by various walls. She formed magic circles as written in books, honed her magical powers as described in books, and followed the teachings of her parents and professors.

In fact, the path they had laid out was so convenient and easy that it gave wings to Laura, who already possessed exceptional magical talent.

However, in the past three years, the idea that her own thoughts might be better than the methods presented by her parents and teachers, or the methods written in books, had increasingly occupied her mind.

But she did not stray from her path. She was busy whipping herself even harder, reminding herself not to get caught up in distractions.

Let’s do as they say. Let’s be safe. Let’s not try to crawl up clumsily in my own way.

Therefore, she had encountered a wall. That realization had just come to her.

“What I have learned so far, it wasn’t a futile effort. But….”

It certainly gained something, but it also formed a solid wall as it filtered and absorbed the accumulated residue. This was a significant burden for Laura.

Everyone around called her a genius, but in reality, she had been incredibly frustrated recently. How rigorous her training had been, listening to her strict father’s teachings.

Her father, Duke Adelheid, had shown a slight disappointment when she couldn’t break the wall in three years. But…

“I could have grown more…!”

Perhaps, even the fifth realm might not be enough.

Pahh—

Her whole body trembled. A type of pleasure she was experiencing for the first time ran through her spine. She was immersed in the sweet delight that felt like her bones would rot.

“Everyone.”

And, the one man who presented all of this.

“At this point, I believe I have given you enough time to feel the lingering effects.”

Professor Antonelli said.

He still had a stone-like face. Without any change in expression, his face remained silent and stoic. A blunt appearance. His hair still looked like a beggar’s.

It was the same Antonelli as always. However…

“Now, I will examine each of the assignments you have submitted.”

The cold, dark, and irritable appearance she had seen when she first met Antonelli was not there.

That blunt face, Laura von Adelheid. It appeared so affectionate and warm in her eyes.

Maybe, it was an illusion.

* * * * *

I knew that the students approached learning with a too passive attitude. And as soon as I realized that fact, I couldn’t help but sigh.

The top-tier institution that only produced the best of the best, the Cadet Imperial Academy. In such a highly respected academy, it was not ready to receive my lessons with such a stubborn mindset.

At least, only the students of Class A in the first grade, which I was in charge of, I wanted to equip them with autonomous learning abilities. That’s why I devoted a month to teaching.

I didn’t want my students to approach the lessons with such a stereotyped bias.

And, my predecessor would have wanted the same. That’s what I wanted to believe.

“As described in the Bible, this was a created personality and a solidified love based on faith. The divine power comes from that.”

Unlike the previous lectures that were just boring, now everyone had a different look in their eyes. It would be fine to continue theology class like this, but I decided to start by reviewing the assignments the students submitted.

I couldn’t jump to conclusions right away. First, I interpreted the assignments, and now it was the students’ job to study it. And I have faith in my students.

“Ellen student transformed the love strengthened by faith in the Lord and made it into a new personality. It’s not wrong to say that, but adding my personal opinion…. it might not be necessary to consider the faith in the Lord and the love that blossomed from it as a new personality itself.”

Elin, who met my eyes, nodded slowly. Elin was also a bright student, so she could understand my words well.

“However, Elin’s argument is fundamentally correct. The source of sacredness comes entirely from belief, and the proof of that belief is love for the Lord.”

The students listening to me hurriedly set their pens aside. Unlike before when they simply followed along and wrote without meaning, it was gratifying to see them now trying to grasp the underlying intentions in my words.

“Now, moving on to…”

Scribble. Scribble.

The last remaining assignment shook in my hands. I read the name written on the assignment.

“This is the assignment submitted by Laura von Adelheid.”

Laura, sitting in the front row, with her white hair, twitched. Her gaze rose, and our eyes met.

It was a formidable expression, filled with confidence and arrogance. That, in itself, was intriguing.

“Perhaps, this seems to be the final assignment. Let me take a look.”

Because she seemed so sure of herself.

* * * * *

Laura von Adelheid felt like her heart would burst. The pounding of her heart seemed to reverberate throughout the entire classroom.

The thirty-one assignments Professor Antonelli had previously read received considerable praise, each boasting its own completeness.

Surprisingly, Professor Antonelli was not stingy with compliments. He praised what deserved praise and accurately pointed out areas that needed improvement. No student dared to challenge his resonant and fair judgment.

Even Chloe’s assignment before Elin’s received such extravagant praise that it surprised everyone, given Professor Antonelli’s usual demeanor.

Therefore, it was a tense moment.

Laura had spent sleepless nights writing the assignment over the past few days, repeatedly revising it for this very moment.

However, Laura was confident. She was confident she would receive a favorable evaluation from Professor Antonelli.

So, she deliberately put on a haughty expression.

Her assignment was flawless. Whether viewed from a theological perspective, basic grammar and spelling, or even the presence of typos.

There was not a single flaw. Professor Antonelli, looking at Laura with the expectations reflected in her eyes, began reading.

“Well then, let’s begin.”

He unfolded her assignment. Finally, the product of a month of effort was revealed.

Scribble. Scribble.

One page, two pages. The paper started flipping.

Unlike the assignments seen before, Professor Antonelli was taking quite a long time even to read one side.

“Hmm…”

Occasionally, with a few interjections and a slight frown, Professor Antonelli’s demeanor was certainly different from when he examined previous assignments. As a result, the other students also began to feel the tension.

Laura wiped the sweat from her hands onto her skirt. It was an uncultured action, but now she couldn’t bring herself to casually take out a handkerchief and wipe away the sweat.

Flutter.

That’s how the last page turned.

“……”

Professor Antonelli closed his eyes for a moment. How long had it been since he had last spoken with the paper titled “Laura von Adelheid”?

Thump.

And in an instant, Professor Antonelli placed Laura’s assignment on the podium. Unlike the previous assignments which he had examined page by page and interpreted, Laura’s assignment was different.

And this became the seed of unease. Laura watched nervously as Father Antonelli meticulously observed her work.

Professor Antonelli slowly turned back towards the podium. Then, he looked over all the students sitting in the lecture hall.

And suddenly, he uttered a sentence.

“Ladies and gentlemen, when do you think faith is born?”

It was an unexpected question. Laura couldn’t understand the meaning of the question.

Why wasn’t her assignment being evaluated? Why?

Was it lacking in completeness? Had it not satisfied Professor Antonelli’s expectations?

Interrupting her thoughts, Professor Antonelli continued speaking.

“Faith is born from belief in the Lord and the love we receive from Him as a result.”

Along with Professor Antonelli’s textbook answer, his gaze turned towards Laura. His eyes appeared infinitely warm and compassionate.

Professor Antonelli took slow steps. Descending from the podium, his destination was in front of Laura.

“Laura von Adelheid, student.”

“Yes…?”

Facing Laura, who was taken aback, Professor Antonelli spoke.

“Faith, in a sense, can be seen as a vague subject. It is because each person has different opinions and thoughts about faith.”

Laura simply listened silently to Professor Antonelli’s words. Faced with such Laura, Professor Antonelli said,

“In the world where everyone can use divine power… why did you write that it is an impossible thing?”

“……”

All the students in the lecture hall were shocked. The contents of Laura’s assignment were incredibly shocking.

“Miss Adelheid clearly explained the method in detail over the span of nine pages, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“What I want to ask is the last paragraph written on the remaining page. Why did you describe it as impossible for everyone to be able to use divine power? I want to hear the reason.”

So.

Right now, Laura… Laura von Adelheid. In a world where everyone uses divine power, it is considered impossible.

That sentence concluded the assignment.

After explaining everything in the previous content, she wrote a single sentence denying it all.

It was like flipping over a carefully prepared dinner table.

However, Laura remained indifferent. Slightly lifting the corners of her mouth, she replied to Professor Antonelli.

“Well, it’s true.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I definitely discovered the detailed principle of manifesting divine power…. But the more I discovered, the more doubts arose.”

“What kind of doubts were there?”

“Is it really possible for everyone in the world to sincerely love their neighbors and those around them, and for the Lord to reward that faith? It just doesn’t seem possible.”

A world where everyone has a good heart, demonstrates true faith to the Lord, and the Lord reciprocates with love.

A world where people with evil minds do not exist.

Such a world is only possible in heaven.

“……”

The classroom fell into silence. And the word of Professor Antonelli, piercing through it.

“Laura von Adelheid, congratulations.”

Her stiffened lips showed a faint smile that seemed to waver.

“I dare to say it. Among the assignments examined today, the assignment submitted by Student Adelheid….”

The faint smile of Professor Antonelli, which Laura saw for the first time.

“Undoubtedly, it is the best.”

It was enough to reward Laura for the efforts she poured out over the past month.