TN: Thank Nepper for the chapter.
TL/PR: Ruminas; ED: novicelily
The abbess of the central church walked with this generation’s saint toward their destination.
She had anticipated Clana’s answer and prepared her tailored uniform in advance.
As they moved through the church corridor, the abbess spoke.
“Headmaster Sertia has passed away.”
“Ah…… I see. Sertia……”
Though considerable time had passed and few remained unaware of this news, Clana hadn’t known.
Living cloistered within the church walls had left her disconnected from outside news.
Upon hearing these words, Clana fell silent. Despite her scattered nature as a saint, she possessed some sense of gravity. She studied the abbess’s expression, her face darkening.
This generation’s saint, Clana, had served as Sertia’s primary physician.
She had suppressed the curse on Sertia’s body, mixed holy water, and helped extend her life.
During her last visit, she had determined no further treatment was possible.
As her physician, Clana felt some responsibility for Sertia’s death.
Clana, jubilant moments ago, now hung her head.
Into the heavy atmosphere, the abbess spoke.
“You shouldn’t feel responsible. This was inevitable, bound to happen someday.”
Sertia bore the Demon King’s curse. Throughout history, no human cursed by the Demon King has survived.
From the moment of being cursed, her days were numbered. Far from helping, this generation’s saint could only delay the inevitable.
If not now, it would have happened eventually. It had simply come sooner than expected.
The Empire seemed to be concealing something about her death, but there was nothing more to uncover.
Albert, was it? The new headmaster’s name? The abbess considered him suspicious.
“……I know, but.”
The gloomy saint’s voice fell soft, tinged with tears, fragile in tone.
Knowing and accepting were different matters. Though somewhat mentally prepared, Clana was still barely an adult.
She is too young to easily accept death among those close to her.
The abbess sighed again. Announcing Sertia’s death merely introduced the real conversation.
Gradually shifting topics toward her main point, she continued.
“The Empire stands in chaos now. After the monster attack, we’ve lost a crucial pillar.”
“Yes……”
“I’ve heard the Empire plans to deploy this generation’s hero for field missions soon.”
Clana’s downcast face rose.
She turned toward the abbess.
“Didn’t you say this generation’s hero was still a student? Are they ready for field missions?”
“I heard the star’s power blossomed after the monster attack. The professors can no longer teach him.”
“Hmm……”
“That’s also why you must attend the academy.”
Clana tilted her head.
She pointed to herself, her innocent face questioning.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Well, heroes throughout history have always had companions on their journey. Few students possess the talent to accompany this hero.”
Therefore,
“The hero’s companions must possess equivalent talent and qualifications.”
Since ancient times, saints had been optimally suited as hero’s companions.
They could purify magical energy, heal the wounded, and demonstrate outstanding combat ability.
The title of saint alone overflowed with talent and qualifications, leaving no room for doubt.
A saint represented a pre-verified companion candidate from the hero’s perspective.
“If this generation’s hero forms a party and begins journeying, you’re a strong candidate as a companion.”
“Ah……”
Clana scratched her cheek, seeming not quite to grasp the situation.
She understood this wasn’t just about academy enrollment, but details remained unclear.
“I…… What should I do?”
“Nothing specific. If anything…… Learn what kind of person the hero is.”
“What then?”
“Perhaps become acquainted? They might be your future companion, after all.”
“Hmm…… Maybe.”
“I’ve completed the transfer procedures—you start tomorrow. Here’s your uniform.”
The abbess handed Clana a uniform with a blue ribbon.
“Ah…… Thank you.”
“It’s late now, return for today.”
“Yes.”
After Clana departed, leaving the abbess alone,
“Sigh……”
She released a deep sigh.
“Albert, what are you thinking?”
Though technically an adult, Clana remained a student.
Relying on students due to personnel shortages wasn’t even darkly amusing.
Were they really planning to send them to the battlefield?
Though unconfirmed, she despised the idea of sending tender-hearted Clana into bloody combat.
If Clana suffered any harm, she wouldn’t forgive Albert.
“……”
But she soon surrendered to reality.
Like Sertia’s death, this too was inevitable.
One couldn’t fight a predetermined fate. Even Clana, born a saint, would need release someday.
She couldn’t remain forever in the abbess’s shadow.
“Perhaps I’m being too protective.”
Recognizing this, the abbess resigned herself to releasing Clana.
As an adult, Clana needed to escape internal interference and forge her own path.
The church fell quiet.
***
A day passed, and news of a new second-year transfer student spread throughout the academy.
One might question such excitement over a single transfer, but this student was the famed saint.
Everyone knew the story—how the church had produced another saint after Saint Karen’s death.
Saint Clana.
Born with the stars’ blessing, possessing innate talent from youth.
Many at the academy knew her face and name. She had contributed significantly to rebuilding after the monster attack.
Many remembered her flowing silver hair and jewel-blue eyes.
“……”
And Iria knew her too.
Not just from their previous encounter. Beyond that, Clana’s name carried the same familiarity she’d felt with Ariel or Sera.
The name resonated somehow.
‘Is she also a protagonist in this novel?’
The possibility seemed high.
And,
‘This must follow the original story’s development.’
Sertia’s death must have triggered events from the source material.
Though circumstances remained unclear, somehow Iria sensed it.
The lingering déjà vu in forgotten memories spoke to her. These developments and character appearances were previously witnessed.
Iria had seen this scene before.
Better, then, not to interfere with events flowing according to the original story.
So today’s Iria decided to stop seeking out Ariel. Instead, why not observe their meeting?
Information gathering remained paramount.
Iria concealed herself in the bushes and waited.
She watched the martial arts training ground Ariel frequented.
As expected, Ariel appeared. Shortly after, she spotted the silver-haired woman.
“Ah, hello……?”
She fidgeted, clearly awkward about this meeting.
As expected, her memories proved difficult to read.
Holy power ran thick. Unlike Ariel though, she might be readable with magical energy.
“You’re this generation’s saint. What brings you here?”
“Uh, um, the abbess told me to meet this generation’s hero……”
“Really?”
Their conversation proved less informative than expected. Iria wondered why they’d bothered meeting at all.
As she watched blankly, she sensed a presence beside her.
“What are those two discussing?”
“……”
Iria turned her head.
There sat Sera, leaves and debris decorating her hair. Why was she here? In these bushes?
An awkward exchange of glances passed between the two, perfectly camouflaged in the surrounding terrain.
“……What are you doing here?”
“What about you?”
“Watching Ariel.”
“What a coincidence. Me too.”
“Why?”
“Is that important?”
Iria blinked, expression blank.
Sera, encountered in this strange place, showed uncharacteristic impatience.
Iria decided not to question her presence.
“I suppose it’s not that important.”
“Shall we watch together?”
“Sure.”
So they lay side by side, observing Ariel. Any passerby would have reported suspicious persons to a professor.
Regardless, Sera spoke while watching Ariel and the saint.
“Ugh…… They’re too far to hear. Iria, can you make it out?”
Iria nodded.
Her senses surpassed ordinary humans’. She could hear sounds inaudible to others.
Sera asked further.
“Really? What are they saying?”
Iria listened to their exchange for a moment.
Though it didn’t seem particularly significant.
“The abbess told me to build a good relationship with you, Ariel…!”
“The central church has deep ties with the hero. And if it’s the church, I’m not completely unrelated either.”
“Gasp, is that so?”
“I suppose. I am a saint’s child, after all.”
“Then can we have a good relationship?”
“Why not? Before being a hero and saint, we’re fellow students. Everyone’s equal within these academy walls.”
Iria turned back to Sera.
Again, nothing momentous had transpired.
“Well? What is it? What did they say?”
“……”
But Sera’s eyes blazed with excessive expectation. Iria scratched her cheek, caught in a dilemma.
Moreover, Iria struggled with words, unsure how to express this.
What should she say?
After brief contemplation, Iria summarized their conversation in one sentence.
“They say they’re going to start a relationship today.”
And then.
“……Huh?”
Sera’s expression transformed upon hearing those words.