Chapter 160
One month had passed since the gang incident was resolved.
Clael had returned to his peaceful daily life... but his teaching duties were only getting busier.
The reason for that was... Mrs. Veleno, who had been in charge of music, never returned from her temporary leave and instead took paid vacation.
Veleno, who got caught up in the gang attack, was so shocked that she became reclusive, and her worried family apparently took her on a trip.
It seemed she was now in a distant southern country... and wouldn't be back for another two months.
Because of that, Clael had to fully take over the music classes, and his teaching hours increased.
If it were only theology, it wouldn't be that much trouble... but his workload had simply doubled. Of course it was tough.
On top of that, the final exams were approaching, and he was struggling to create the test papers.
It was his first year as a teacher, and the job was already unfamiliar... the added burden had him pulling all-nighters every day.
"Lord Clael, are you all right? Are you tired?"
"No... I'm fine, Reina."
Lunchtime.
As usual, Reina came to the sanctuary with a homemade lunch, and Clael responded with a smile.
"It's true that I've been quite busy lately... but strangely, I feel fine. Even now, I feel really refreshed."
Clael spoke gently to Reina, who asked with concern.
Part of it was that he didn't want Reina to worry... but in truth, he wasn't all that exhausted.
Even though he should've been busy, he felt a strange sense of fulfillment in his daily work, and despite the lack of sleep, he was feeling great.
"I see... I'm glad to hear that."
Hearing Clael's reply, Reina looked relieved, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.
"I made lunch again today, so please eat it... oh, and this bundle is your late-night snack, so have it later, okay?"
"Thank you as always... it's a big help."
He moved to the theology prep room and received the lunch bundle from Reina.
Recently, he'd been pulling all-nighters to make the tests, and upon learning that, Reina had started making him late-night snacks.
Reina's cooking skills had improved even more lately.
The late-night menu was usually something light like sandwiches, but eating it gave him a strange surge of energy.
Just like in games where food gives you buffs, Reina's cooking probably carried the Saint's blessing.
"Today I made tuna sandwiches. I also included mustard, so if the flavor feels lacking, please add some."
"Thank you... but Reina, are you feeling okay? The exams are coming up, and you also have your sacred duties at the shrine, right?"
Clael was just as worried about her.
He wasn't the only one struggling to juggle two roles.
Reina too must have been torn between her roles as a student and a Saint.
Clael had long been worried that making lunch for him might be a burden on her.
"I'm fine. I enjoy studying, and making lunch is a nice change of pace. Actually... ever since you came to the academy, I've been feeling healthier."
As Reina said that with a smile... light radiated from her back.
It wasn't a metaphor—she was literally glowing.
It was the light of the Saint's blessing, visible only to clergy.
"I-I see... well, as long as you're okay, that's good. Yes."
Overwhelmed by the sheer divine power, Clael averted his eyes from the light and opened the lunch bundle.
Today's menu was bite-sized rice balls, mini hamburg steaks, shumai, and parsley salad.
It was a mix of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes... but where on earth had Reina learned to make shumai?
"Ah, it was written in a cookbook I found in the annex library. It was about cuisine from a distant eastern country and was really interesting."
"Wow... I didn't know we had such books. I had no idea."
The academy's annex library contained a wide variety of books, including many from foreign countries.
As a graduate, Clael had used it often for exam study... but the library was so vast, one could easily get lost in it.
"Speaking of unknown books... a girl in class mentioned something recently. She said she found a strange book in the library."
Reina suddenly brought that up.
"A strange book? Maybe it was one of those imported from a foreign country?"
"No... it wasn't like that. She said there was a black book left on a table. She thought someone forgot to put it away and tried to pick it up... but then felt someone's presence behind her and turned around."
"...And then?"
"There was no one there, and when she looked back at the book, it was gone. Strange story, isn't it?"
Reina said while munching on her own lunch.
It sounded like a ghost story... but from Reina's expression, it didn't seem like she was trying to scare him—just casual conversation.
"Could it be...?"
Clael started to say something... but stopped midway.
"Lord Clael?"
"No, it's nothing. This hamburger steak... the sauce flavor really soaks in. It's delicious."
He deflected and changed the subject.
If Clael's hunch was correct... a game event might be happening.
('The Seven Mysteries of the Academy'... that was a randomly occurring event with no set timing...)
Remembering his game knowledge... he let out a small sigh.
(If that event really has started, it'll be a hassle... of all times, it had to happen during this busy period...)
"The rice balls are delicious. Really delicious."
As if trying to escape reality, Clael devoured his lunch.