Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

28 – Martyr’s Blood (5)

“….”

Priest Camilla tossed and turned on the bed. The stiff sheets crinkled with every move she made.

Sleep wouldn’t come. And it was serious.

It wasn’t because she had returned to the academy after such a long time, nor was it due to any disturbing elements in her surroundings. The comfortable bed was not uncomfortable at all.

Insomnia was particularly severe today. Even closing her eyes, her mind remained clear, making it impossible to sleep.

“Sigh….”

She suddenly sat up. Outside, darkness had already engulfed everything. In the shadows, she made her way towards the kitchen.

Since being caught by Chief Priest Antonelli, a bright red mark had appeared on her neck. Perhaps because of that, the slight rasping in her throat was irritating.

In the kitchen, she poured water to the point of overflowing, then swallowed a sleeping pill prescribed by the doctor along with it. The cool water flowing down her throat with the pill felt refreshing.

Now, I should be able to sleep.

She lay back on the bed. And closed her eyes. Silence filled the room for a while.

Tick. Tock.

Suddenly, the ticking of the clock sounded disturbingly loud. Camilla tried to ignore it by turning her body.

“Enough….”

Tick. Tock.

It was a futile effort. The sound of the clock’s ticking became eerily close. Louder and louder.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

– It hurts…. It hurts too much….

A voice echoed from somewhere. Priest Camilla covered her head with a pillow.

“Stop….”

– It hurts…. My arm….

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

– My leg…. My leg!

“I told you to stop—!”

The pillow she hurled hit the wall clock hanging on the wall, perfectly aligning it. The clock, struck forcefully by the pillow, wobbled precariously before crashing to the floor.

Bang!

“Haa… Haa…”

With the sound of the clock shattering, her mind snapped into focus. She grimaced, her face contorted. The soaked pajamas clung uncomfortably to her body.

The now-silenced room brought a sense of satisfaction. Then, suddenly, she realized something.

This place was the dormitory of the academy.

Unknowingly, Camilla, a sister who had inadvertently damaged the academy’s property, bit her lip.

“So, I told you to be quiet…”

Her action, as always, was to shift blame onto someone else. It was a behavior befitting her young age.

Tears welled up for some reason. Camilla buried her face in the pillow. Even though the pillow was damp, she paid it no mind.

Finally, Camilla, the sister, could fall asleep.

It happened at three in the morning.

* * * * *

“Professor Lucio, have you heard?”

Professor Esther said, chewing on a piece of beef. I swallowed the last bite of the bread I was nibbling on before opening my mouth.

“What are you talking about?”

“The priests who came from the Holy Empire this time. Because of them, there are already disturbing rumors circulating among the students.”

“…Disturbing rumors?”

Esther nodded emphatically with her cheeks puffed out from chewing. I waited for her to finish chewing her food.

After swallowing the mouthful of beef, Professor Esther spoke.

“It’s about the ghost story regarding Head Priest Giovanni that circulated around the academy. When the priests from the Holy Empire visited last time, Head Priest Giovanni was found covered in blood.”

“Yes.”

“Because of that, there are rumors spreading among the students that this time, too, the Head Priest will be found covered in blood. Surely, just like before, they’ll try to harm the Head Priest. Such eerie rumors are spreading among the students.”

Being found covered in blood. It was an absurd story. I put down my fork and spoke.

“That won’t happen. The circumstances of Head Priest Giovanni’s murder are uncertain, and such rumors are baseless gossip spread by immature students.”

“Well, is that so?”

“Which student is spreading such rumors?”

“It’s probably Daniel, the student…”

“…”

“Shall I say something harsh?”

“…No, I will tell you later. That will be certain.”

Unfortunately, Daniel had been doing his best as the head of the occult research department. It was the moment when the true identity of the rumors turned out to be empty.

I silently moved my utensils, promising myself to say something if I ever meet Daniel. The harmony of chicken, an unknown sauce mixed in my mouth, and the bread was excellent.

As I focused on my food without saying a word, Professor Esther sighed and spoke.

“Ah… Anyway, I’m worried.”

“What are you worried about?”

“The inter-grade competition before summer break. The first-year students are still lacking…”

Well, I’m not so sure if that’s the case.

This competition, called “Daeryeon,” was a climax worthy of an academy novel. Typically, when the main character shows off their exceptional talent, the professors watching become applause machines, clapping along with admiration.

Can we expect Chloe’s performance? I’m not sure. I don’t know much about magic myself.

“What do you think, Professor Lucio? I heard that students from the theology department are also participating…”

Theology department students participating? I looked up with a slightly puzzled expression.

If students from the battle department and the magic department fight each other, and theology students jump in the middle…

I think the professors from the theology department, including myself, will be extremely busy.

Perhaps sensing my expression, Professor Esther hurriedly continued.

“Ah… The theology students aren’t doing the competition. They are being evaluated differently, like purity of divine power or how well they use prayers…”

Oh, I see. I nodded and scraped the remaining food in my bowl into my mouth.

“They will all do well, won’t they?”

“Well, yes… After all, Professor Lucio is there for the theology students!”

“I’m not particularly interested.”

“Ahaha… By the way, where is Sophia Bujae?”

“I sent her on an errand because she had something necessary for Friday’s class.”

Since I paid for lunch, she should be able to handle the meal on her own.

After Professor Esther and I finished our meal, we briefly walked around the academy campus and parted ways.

I headed straight for the professor’s office. By now, Sophia Bujae should have returned.

Creak.

“Oh, Vice Head Priest. You’re here?”

And as I expected, Sophia Bujae was already seated in the professor’s office, sipping tea. I sat down at my desk for work and asked her.

“Did you have your meal?”

“Yes, I took care of it outside. Oh, Vice Head Priest, would you like a cup of tea as well?”

“Then, could I have a drink, please?”

There was a moment of silence. I gathered the items I needed for the lesson that Sophia Bujé had brought, and Sophia Bujé went about her own tasks.

“Here you go.”

“Thank you.”

Sophia Bujé brought the cup of tea to her lips. The bitter aroma of the cheap tea filled her mouth.

Sophia Bujé hesitated for a moment as she looked at me, then quickly pulled out an envelope.

“This is for you, Father Antoine.”

“Who is the sender?”

“Um… It’s signed as Colonel Mayhem.”

I accepted the envelope from her. Seeing the name Colonel Mayhem on the envelope, it seemed that Colonel Mayhem wanted to be referred to as a colonel no matter what.

As I opened the envelope, an elegant piece of stationery was revealed. I glanced at Sophia Bujé, who was standing awkwardly in front of me, and then folded the letter.

“Do you have something to say?”

“No, I’m just curious about the contents of the letter.”

“…Isn’t that being too straightforward?”

“But I’m just so curious.”

“Well, go ahead and finish what you were doing.”

“Fine.”

Sophia Bujé returned to the couch, clicking her tongue. I made sure she was settled on the couch and cautiously unfolded the folded letter.

– Father Antoine. It feels a bit awkward to write a separate letter to you. Did that day go well? I had another drink before going in, and I got a scolding from Melissa.

Melissa was Colonel Mayhem’s wife. I slightly raised the corner of my mouth and continued reading the letter.

– Anyway, the next gathering is likely to be held on April 16th. If you received this letter in time, it should be this coming Sunday. The address is attached at the bottom.

I checked the calendar on my desk. Today was April 13th, a Thursday. The gathering was just three days away.

“…It’s quite last minute.”

I continued reading the letter.

– You probably think it’s too last minute. However, my other friends couldn’t make it on any other day, so they explained… Please understand.

Below that, the letter was filled with detailed personal stories. How she was severely scolded by Melissa, and how she wouldn’t be able to drink alcohol anymore. But she also mentioned that she would secretly have a drink at this upcoming gathering.

At the very bottom, the address of the gathering was written. Sophia Bujé informed me that it was a relatively well-known place, even in the city.

“It’s quite delicious there. I’ve been there once… Why the sudden interest? Are you planning to go for a meal?”

Honestly, I wasn’t sure. I had only met Colonel Mayhem three days ago, and I still hadn’t decided whether I would attend.

As I hesitated with my response, Sophia Bujé added one more word.

“That restaurant must be incredibly difficult to book…. If you also want to go, wouldn’t you have to make a reservation at least several days in advance? When business is booming, they start taking reservations a month in advance.”

“… Is that so?”

“Yes. But why suddenly ask about that? Are you on a blind date or something?”

Sophia’s subtitle had a mischievous expression. I shook my head and put the letter in the envelope.

“It’s nothing. I was just curious and asked. Please don’t worry about it.”

“Hmm… Supervisor Father. You haven’t forgotten about going out with me on Saturday, have you?”

“…I remember.”

“Your response seemed a bit delayed… Maybe I’m mistaken?”

“It’s a mistake.”

“Alright then.”

I put the letter envelope in the desk drawer. I had already made up my mind about attending.

“Don’t go.”

No matter what, I had my pride. If a pathetic person like me, who was bound by the past and couldn’t do anything, attended, it would undoubtedly ruin the atmosphere and I would be cast out under the pretense of being cautious.

However, Sophie’s subtitle’s words about the difficult reservation bothered me a little. He must be no different from Lieutenant Mayhem. Maybe Lieutenant Mayhem also had a hard time making the reservation.

-“There are a lot of friends who want to see you. Especially the soldiers who received treatment from you.”

Suddenly, Lieutenant Mayhem’s words from three days ago came to mind. Remembering those words made me even less willing to attend.

The comrades of the Vermilion Phoenix Regiment, who fought alongside me. They wouldn’t know or understand my wounds, and they wouldn’t be able to take care of me.

On the contrary, I would be jealous of their appearances, be envious, and be prone to resent someone. Like last time, I had no desire to come back with nothing but more wounds.

Thinking of the countless gazes of disappointment directed at me, my heart ached.

I opened the window and took out a cigarette. The sight of the piled up cigarette butts on the ashtray on the windowsill caught my attention.

The sight of charred cigarette butts and cold ashes mixed together surprised me with how closely it resembled me. I forcibly turned my gaze away from the ashtray.

You want to see me. I am just…

“What do you want to see….”

I am just an insignificant person.

I stared at the sight of the cigarette smoke spreading out the window carried by the wind for a long time.