Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

4 – 4. First Class (2)

Cloe glanced at the clock. 10:30 AM. There was still an hour left for the class to end.

“So, when did the manifestation of divine power begin? To know that, we need to go back to the very distant past, to the time when the Creator descended to the earth. According to the Bible….”

Elin, sitting next to Cloe, was continuously nodding off, despite having been woken up several times. The theology class was that boring and lacked any excitement.

The solemn and quiet atmosphere of Professor Antonelli’s class was a significant reason for this. Cloe found the class atmosphere somewhat challenging compared to what she had expected.

“…Therefore, the power known as divine power is a grace that anyone can use if certain conditions are met. This is possible because humans have accepted divinity from the beginning.”

Three densely filled pages of notes were quickly taken out of the empty notebook. It had only been an hour since the class started, but Cloe’s hand didn’t rest.

Professor Antonelli’s lecture was like a compressed practical session. There was no unnecessary information, and every point was crucial. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everything covered in today’s class would likely appear in the second-semester exam.

However, it wasn’t only complex content. Sufficient explanations were interspersed, and based on those explanations, one could deduce answers to any subsequent questions that might arise.

“The parts that I don’t quite understand… I’ll have to meet with the professor separately later.”

Claudia underlined the parts that were not clear to her. It was still a time when she had much to learn.

“As it is said in the scriptures, the good shepherd willingly sacrifices even his life for the sake of his lambs. Living in an era of magic and divinity, we must not forget such grace. That is the conclusion.”

With those words, Professor Antonelli paused briefly in his lecture. Claudia, who was diligently taking notes on Professor Antonelli’s words, briefly released her pen, taking a breath.

While Professor Antonelli smoothly continued the lecture, he occasionally left 2 to 3 minutes of silence to provide a break. Thanks to this, even the struggling students could somehow catch up with the lesson.

A high-level lecture that considered the capabilities of the students. Claudia silently thought she had made the right choice coming to the academy. Although she belonged to the magical department, there was a significant connection between theology and magic, making her learning experience fulfilling.

As she relaxed her hand and eased the tension in her stiff gaze, a slender arm rose from the front row of the classroom. Claudia stopped wiping her eyes.

“Professor, I believe that the academic discipline of theology based on divine power is fundamentally inferior to magic.”

It was Adelheid’s turn. Claudia widened her eyes, focusing on her words.

“In academic circles, the idea that divine power is still an unclear and somewhat ambiguous force dominates. Miracles using divine power, with limited scope and clear boundaries, do not seem as useful as simple magic that anyone can use.”

A slightly defiant tone. The eyes of the students filling the classroom narrowed. In the frozen air, Adelheid continued her words.

“Therefore, I think modern theology is now closer to a liberal arts study called ‘Deathology.’ Unlike in the past, theology should be seen as a discipline that assists magic.”

“…What are you trying to say?”

Professor Antonelli’s expression twisted. In response to Professor Antonelli’s probing question, Adelheid chuckled lightly.

“Please refrain from teaching classes that go beyond the scope of modern theology. That’s what I wanted to say.”

The classroom fell silent again. In a standoff, Professor Antonelli and Adelheid exchanged glances without backing down.

Claudia swallowed dryly, unknowingly clenching her fist. She couldn’t understand why Adelheid was coming out so sharply. Finally, Professor Antonelli spoke.

“The flexibility of using magic. Indeed, miracles using divine power have a nature that is difficult to discuss compared to magic.”

A dry, rough, and unyielding voice. Perhaps that’s why. The reason Claudia unconsciously clenched her fist.

“For the vast majority of ordinary people, excluding professional priests, using divine power is as difficult as it gets. Therefore, the argument that theology itself is closer to liberal arts than a practical discipline is also a valid statement.”

“But then—”

“However, it can be seen as a flawed approach to theology.”

Professor Antonelli raised his fist. The fist that stopped near his chest slowly began to unfold. Finally, what was revealed in the classroom was…

“That, that…”

“…What is that.”

“Wow…”

It was the proof of theology itself.

Like flowers blooming, word by word. The smoothly unfolding golden hues filled the classroom.

Unnoticed, waves of golden color spread evenly throughout the entire classroom. The students’ eyes did not consider the idea of Professor Antonelli’s hand falling.

The embodiment of a geometrically perfect balance, one that would make students of the magical arts salivate with desire—the epitome of intricate divine power. A single golden flower blossomed on Professor Antonelli’s palm.

But it didn’t end there. The pure essence emanating from a single flower gradually revealed more shyly budding flowers. One, two, and eventually, five flowers bloomed in his hands.

“The, the flowers of the primordial…,” murmured a student sitting in the back row, awestruck.

It was the proof of faith passed down from ancient times, used by priests when discussing ranks—the flowers of the primordial. Five of them had bloomed.

“Ah…”

No one anticipated the collective silence that befell everyone in the classroom, including Adeleide. Even Elin, who had just awakened from her slumber, was in awe.

The exquisite geometric perfection differed from the magical arrays used in the magical world. No, the comparison was impossible. Points, lines, shapes—these magical arrays composed of all these elements were on a different plane of complexity.

Despite forming a structure that surpassed such limits, it was not repulsive. Instead, the densely intricate and meticulous structure was so beautiful that it stirred the heart.

It was the golden flower, the culmination of everything—the embodiment of harmony.

It was so fantastical that admiration involuntarily escaped one’s lips. It was breathtakingly beautiful, eye-wateringly so. It was heart-achingly wondrous. The truth of the entire world seemed encapsulated there.

And the students remembered. It was a journey back to the time when the class began.

As one, they all searched for and turned the pages to find the verse that marked the beginning of this theological class. The sentence that interrupted the commencement of the class.

And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.

“The light of the primordial…”

A gasp!

The flower that had captured everyone’s attention withered in an instant. Disappointed sighs erupted throughout the room.

Someone got lost in deep thought. Someone was ecstatic about the grace of the primordial. Someone tried to interpret the structure they had just seen, furrowing their brows.

Someone did. Someone did. Someone did.

And the one sitting here.

“Laura von Adelheid.”

Laura von Adelheid.

She raised her head blankly. The slightly annoyed face of Professor Antonelli came into her view.

“Then, why? Why can’t everyone living on this land use this power? Do you know the reason?”

Laura von Adelheid couldn’t offer any response. The desire as a magical scholar surged endlessly.

And there was doubt. If her words about theology were truly useless, what was the meaning of the incredible thing she had witnessed just moments ago?

Professor Antonelli, who had been staring intently at her, eventually addressed the entire classroom.

“Do you all know?”

“….”

No one could answer. No one could raise their hand willingly.

“No one seems to have an answer.”

Professor Antonelli descended from the platform and addressed everyone in the classroom.

“Well then, it’s an assignment.”

Assignment? What assignment?

Just as confusion filled the students’ minds.

“The deadline is one month. I hope each of you will submit a roughly ten-page document, summarizing the reasons why everyone is unable to use sacred power and proposing solutions to the problem.”

The faces of the students in the classroom contorted strangely. On the first day of class, the idea of an assignment was one thing, but the profound and seemingly insurmountable nature of the topic made it even more daunting.

Professor Antonelli, who unexpectedly burdened the freshmen at God Academy with a task, approached Adelheid Young, who was still chewing her lips with a vacant expression.

“And, Laura von Adelheid.”

“Yes.”

“If you have questions during class, it is basic etiquette and courtesy to raise your hand at an appropriate time and seek permission to ask. It is a matter of decorum.”

Decorum. The weight of that single word was palpable. Laura von Adelheid bit her lips forcefully.

“The attitude you displayed earlier not only disrupts the class but challenges the authority of the professor. Doesn’t it?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Laura von Adelheid, you have earned a deduction of 10 points.”

“…”

The cold verdict was delivered.

The classroom was once again enveloped in shock. While Professor Antonelli’s stern punishment could be expected, the fact that Adelheid Young, a favored child, was the target of the disciplinary action was a major event.

At the Chaldea Imperial Academy, if a student accumulates 50 points in deductions, a disciplinary committee is convened. And Laura von Adelheid received 10 points in her first class.

Deng— Deng—

The bell signaling the end of the class rang. However, no one got up.

“Well then, let’s conclude today’s class here. I’ll see you three days from now for the next class.”

Only Professor Antonelli calmly left the classroom, carrying his Bible and theological books.

Manifestation of sacred power. Immediately after witnessing the beautiful beginning of sacred power, Adelheid Young received a deduction of 10 points.

More importantly, the fact that the freshmen were handed an assignment too profound and difficult for them to solve was the crux of the matter.

A little later, the first-year Class A students were tearing their hair out and making an uproar. It was an expected sequence of events.

All of this happened on the first day, the first class at the academy.