Academy’s PTSD Chaplain - Chapter 57



57 – Grade Level Duel (6)

“When defining the existence of a human, these are the elements that are recognized. The creative gifts of the Lord. They are all spirituality.”

Professor Antonelli’s words came to an end. Cloé stared at him in a daze.

It is the law of the world. One absolute condition that applies universally. Something beyond the spiritual interference level that applies anytime, anywhere.

The moment the concept of spirituality entered her mind, she gained an insight.

Something latent within her that had not blossomed, a mysterious something. She peeled away a layer of its solid shell.

“Something that cannot be explained in detail, yet is recognized….”

Yes. It is something that cannot be explained with human language and intention. Therefore, trying to define it with a single word or sentence is futile.

Cloé and the other students, including her, certainly understood what spirituality is.

However, if asked to explain it in words, the students would not be able to answer. Because it goes beyond the realm of verbal explanation.

So, it is about understanding it.

Spirituality (영성).

True to its name, it is a resonance that arises from the soul, originating before the body is formed.

A sacred whisper from the Lord, directed towards the tiniest souls.

For infinitely small humans, such a whisper from the Lord is enigmatic. In that case, humans should not observe and interpret it from a functional perspective, but delve into it from a spiritual perspective.

Yes. It is the communion of souls. A flash of understanding in the mind. A thought beyond thoughts that pushes the brain activity of geniuses gathered from the entire empire to its limit. Transcending perception to super-perception.

A shiver ran down the spine. Something electrifying that seemed to flow through the spine from the brainstem, penetrated Cloé’s entire body.

And it was not only Cloé.

A sensation unparalleled with anything in this world struck the classroom like a powerful crashing wave. Like facing the impact of a violently breaking wave head-on, the students could feel a sudden shock, leaving them stunned but with a sensation of their insides being pierced.

“Accept the Lord’s gift, the shimmer of the soul that is born as the sons and daughters of humans. Embrace that noble destiny… just accept it.”

“Ah, yes…”

Several theology students clasped their hands together. Trembling hands like delicate ferns gathered and merged, forming a grand pillar of faith.

Yes, a sturdy pillar of faith supported them.

“We are human. And precisely because we are human, we can attain such spiritual enlightenment.”

This class was insane. It went beyond a simple lecture and revealed something more.

“And this enlightenment cannot be achieved by merely being human. Those who can attain enlightenment are…”

The free will of humans. And the spiritual belief in existence despite nonexistence.

“Only those who possess these two conditions can truly attain enlightenment.”

This is what Professor Antonelli had wanted to teach them since the beginning of the semester. The free will of humans.

Just by taking this class, the students had been immensely satisfied. There would be no further teaching beyond this, and they believed that there could be no further enlightenment.

So, yes. The enlightenment that could be obtained from it was now gone. It was like dried-up well water after everyone had drunk from it. No one questioned or doubted it.

But it was an inexhaustible wellspring. Professor Antonelli was proving that fact.

“And surprisingly, all of you seem to fulfill those two conditions sufficiently.”

That’s why you are beautiful. Professor Antonelli spread his arms wide.

“Like the beautiful galaxies that illuminate the night sky, you all shine the brightest in this moment.”

Emotions have limits. When those limits are exceeded, humans consider that overflow something beyond emotions and lose control of it.

“All of you are the holiness existing under the grace of the Lord. That is what you are.”

The prayers of the theology students muttering like mad slowly filled the lecture hall. More and more students began to echo the movement.

It felt like suffocating. I bit my trembling lips trying to restrain them.

Professor Antonelli opened the Bible. His hand gently turned the pages, finally stopping somewhere.

“Behold. Listen. Taste. If these three are not fulfilled, then simply believe.”

If I were to return to the earth and be united with the Lord, I would not have lived, but it is simply the Lord living within me.

However, my existence in the flesh is due to the Lord’s love, which has enlightened my soul.

Therefore, when I stand outside the door and knock, if anyone opens the door, I will enter and we will eat together, you and I.

“Purity and flawless piety are understanding my words… Corinthians 6:3-5.”

The students looked at Professor Antonelli with expressions that couldn’t be put into words. Facing those indescribable faces, Professor Antonelli spoke.

“Today, you have experienced enlightenment emanating from the spiritual realm.”

In that moment, Chloe sensed something fluttering in her heart.

It was a flash that rose from the depths of a person’s being. It was something warm like fire, yet imbued with a bright clarity that sparkled like green.

“Ah…”

Within Chloe’s inner self, a flower bloomed.

* * * * *

Deng— deng—.

The sweet silence was shattered by the cruel farewell of the tedious class. Almost unknowingly, the students’ eyes turned towards the clock.

11:30 AM. It was exactly the time when the class ended. Regret painted their grim expressions.

“We will conclude today’s class here.”

Professor Antonelli, who had picked up the textbooks and other materials, strode out of the classroom without hesitation, just as the class had begun.

The students, who had been staring blankly at him, slowly rose from their seats.

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“Shall we… go?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

“What about lunch? Shall we go to the cafeteria?”

“Forget about lunch. More importantly, I’ll quickly stop by the library.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Me too!”

The sight of students running to the library, passing by the students heading towards the cafeteria, was peculiar. These were students who had always shown disinterest and lack of enthusiasm with tired eyes when attending classes in other departments.

“Cloe, what do you want to do?”

“Hmm?”

At Elin’s call, Cloe looked at her with absent-minded eyes. There was a sparkle in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“We’re talking about lunch. Are we going to eat at the cafeteria?”

“Yeah. That’s right. Yeah.”

“Cloe, are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Isn’t it better than before?”

Saying that, Cloe held Elin’s hand and left the classroom. She just wanted to quickly fill her stomach at the campus cafeteria and rush to the training ground.

“…”

Laura von Adelheid, who was still in the classroom, stared at Cloe as she left, transfixed.

“…That child.”

A few weeks ago, she had met this magic department student near the Academy headquarters.

Other than conducting experiments on Professor Antonelli and divine power, she was an ordinary student without any notable characteristics.

Yes, that’s how it must have been…

“Something has changed.”

A fervent, simmering something was sensed within her. Laura, possessing genius talent in magic, could be discerned even among those proficient in the art.

A strange sensation—blue, intense, and unrestrained. Laura naturally maintained a sense of vigilance.

“I thought there would be nothing noteworthy….”

Perhaps, it would be good to be a bit tense about this year’s grade-level sparring.

Thinking so, Laura slowly left the classroom.

* * * * *

I continued walking, adjusting my slouched body.

Always the same feeling, but once I finish a class, I feel drained.

It was due to the high level of students at the Chaldea Imperial Academy. Moreover, handling the top-performing A-class students among the first-year students made teaching these prodigies a challenging task.

“Head Priest, are you okay?”

Sophia Besje approached, scratching her cheek. I handed her the box in her hands and shrugged my shoulders.

“No problems.”

“You seem unusually tired today. Well, you always seem that way….”

“…I just had a little trouble sleeping. Nothing for Sophia Besje to worry about.”

“Is that so….”

Sophia Besje and I silently continued walking. Today’s plan was to return the textbooks used in class to the professor’s office and then have a meal with Professor Esther.

“…Hm?”

Someone slowly approached us.

“Oh, Professor Antonelli. Meeting you in a place like this? Nice to see you.”

It was Professor Scarlett Underwood, an impressive woman with flaming red hair. I discreetly glanced at the thick books leaning against her side. Like me, it seemed she had just finished a class and was on her way back.

“Yes. Nice to meet you too.”

I replied like this, but I had no particular intention of building a friendship with Professor Underwood. If a friendship were to develop, that would be fine, but I didn’t have the desire to make an effort to become close.

Was she trying to pull me into her faction as a candidate for the next headmaster? Or perhaps, was the exposed rivalry burdensome?

It didn’t matter. It just didn’t look good to see Armstrong and Underwood constantly tearing each other apart. She wasn’t even officially nominated as the next headmaster yet.

Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Professor Underwood suddenly lowered her head and offered an apology.

“I was too rude last time, right? I apologize.”

“Ah, well… It’s alright. But, if you could raise your head…”

“I’m really sorry. I’m not usually like this, but I guess I got too excited.”

“…It’s really okay.”

Honestly, it was too burdensome to see the sight of her hunched over. In a courtyard where students were passing by, it was impossible to openly stare at her. I discreetly averted my gaze.

Professor Underwood, who raised her head again, smiled with her alluring charm.

“If you ever need help, feel free to come find me anytime. I’ve often heard about Professor Antonelli’s reputation from the first-year class, so I think we can be of help to each other.”

“Yes. I’ll come see you later.”

“Alright. Oh, by the way… I have to go to the lab now, so I’ll take my leave. Hehe…”

I silently watched her back as she slowly moved away from us.

“…Father Superior, you’re subtly perverted.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Why do you look at women’s chests so blatantly? What’s so great about them being so big?”

“I’ve never seen them.”

We resumed walking. Heading towards the professor’s office, I decided not to think much about Professor Underwood’s words.

No matter how much I thought about it, it seemed that I wouldn’t need Professor Underwood’s help.