Chapter 13
Chapter 13
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: EP.13 4-2. A Mana-less World Just for Me is Wrong
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A spacious classroom dominated by a massive cross embedded in the central wall.
It resembled a cathedral with its stained glass windows.
This was the venue for today's final lecture: [Understanding Divine Power]. Four statues stood in a row around the podium.
"Hello, little lambs."
A nun with golden bobbed hair entered through the front door.
The steady click of her heels echoed evenly. She was wearing shoes.
"I'm Beatrice. This is my first time teaching Divine Power Studies."
Another unfamiliar face. Her perpetually narrowed eyes made it impossible to discern their color, but
the black habit she wore confirmed she wasn't the one I was looking for. Was she really nowhere in this academy?
'I thought taking this class would lead me to her.'
I glanced around. No one with wolf ears, as expected.
All that surrounded me were the oblivious hero, the tsundere elf, and the stoic glass knight.
The crown prince did have wolf ears, but from my game memories, that was a common trait among beastkin.
...He was definitely not the one. Even when dirt filled my eyes in death, he wouldn't be.
"...What are you doing?"
"Nothing at all."
Her senses were razor-sharp, as always.
She turned to look right at me after just a fleeting glance. Must be the elite bloodline genetics from the Ten Heroes.
"Little lambs. What do you think divine power is the strength of?"
"Isn't it the power of faith in the gods? Like Tardun or... Akasa?"
Ariel gave a bold response, but the squinting nun didn't so much as twitch.
"Wrong. Allow me to demonstrate."
With that, the professor brought something out from behind her. A watermelon-sized, wriggling lifeform.
'Oh, that's...'
A strange feeling washed over me, and I leaned forward.
"...A Fox Slime?"
"Why bring out a Rank 1 magic beast all of a sudden?"
"This is weird."
What business did a magic beast have in a divine power class? The four of us shared the same sense that something was off. The slime in the nun's arms wagged its eye-corners in a smile.
'The mascot from the [Knight Heart] Trilogy.'
A slime with fox ears and a tail. A monster that adored humans without exception. An adorable fox-like magic beast with expressive faces.
One of the things the Nameless Saintess loved.
She set the slime down far away, then returned to the podium.
"Divine power isn't born from faith in the gods. If it were, this wouldn't be allowed."
A glowing bow and arrow formed in Beatrice's hand, which she aimed at the distant Fox Slime.
The pitiful monster trembled violently. Her actions were unthinkable for a professor, and my breath caught.
"Wha...?"
"What the hell is that? Licht, tell me I'm not seeing this."
"Ha... seriously..."
"What's going on? That thing? No way she's gonna shoot?"
The classroom buzzed with unrest, the chill in the air sending shivers down spines.
In this sudden crisis, a past memory flashed through my mind.
[Did you know? Fox Slimes fear attacks from humans the most. It's so cute. Poor thing.]
I recalled what she said when I gifted her a giant Fox Slime plush. An uncomfortable sensation stirred.
'Damn it.'
This game wasn't full of evil monsters only. The Platinum Wolf had told me that much.
My body moved on instinct.
Third Form.
Wing Deflection.
I leaped forward and batted away the incoming divine arrow. The light-concentrated projectile gouged the floor, and in that moment, something odd tingled at my fingertips.
"My, that's unexpected. To think four students would step up to protect it. This incoming class has some promising talent."
Beatrice gave a small smile, as if she hadn't intended harm.
"I know there are separate Training Slimes for that, Professor."
As I lowered my sword, I felt puzzled by her words. The force on impact had indeed been weak. Almost like she'd aimed just in front of the slime's paws.
It seemed she'd anticipated this very reaction.
"Of course there are. But I wanted to see your humanity."
I was dumbfounded. Was that why she'd pulled this stunt? Never trust the squinters.
Wait, four of us?
'...? Why is there a glass wall in front?'
I stared in confusion at the large mirror that hadn't been there moments ago.
"Harsh."
Golden eyes gleamed as another knight shielded the slime. It was Mardol. My favorability toward the crown prince ticked up.
"This teaching method is wrong!"
"That's too much. It's just a people-loving magic beast. People even keep them as pets..."
Kainel and Ariel guarded behind me. The slime was now nestled in the red-haired mage's arms, seemingly calmed compared to before.
"My eyes didn't deceive me."
Clap, clap.
Applause rang out then.
"Excellent. Kainel, Ariel. Mardol, Licht... Very good."
The professor praised the four who stood in her way. Her fabricated smile—eyes unchanged, only lips curved—sent a slight chill down my spine.
"I value this humanity as the foundation of heroes more than mere healing skill. Well done."
She's got some twisted views. Did she roll through battlefields? Like Dennis?
I glared at Beatrice as she approached Ariel without a flicker of expression.
She stopped before the Blazing Flame Mage.
"Divine power is the manifestation of rational desires. That's why I wanted to test your hearts above all."
"Wh-what are you planning now?!"
"Don't be scared. I never targeted this slime to begin with."
She gently stroked the Fox Slime, then clasped her hands in prayer. A cluster of light gathered again, falling upon the slime like snowflakes.
The slime flinched slightly before regaining its vigor, bouncing happily across the floor. No longer afraid, it left the mage's embrace.
"Most who believe in gods are high-ranking clergy or priests, leading to this prejudice."
The click of heels returned as she went back to the podium and continued.
"But plenty do evil in those names. Consider this a warning to stay vigilant—no misunderstanding."
The nun flashed a bright smile.
"Experiencing it firsthand beats a few words."
Probably referring to the cult-like villains. So they were around in this timeline too. I let out a sigh.
"Today, let's learn the healing prayer you just witnessed."
Man, this class was dragging. Why full attendance? A past memory flickered—first OT in college was non-negotiable.
"The easy way: recall your strongest desire. If none, pray to a god."
The bobbed-haired professor clasped her hands again.
If I knew her family name, I'd recall her role in [Knight Heart] or [Black Heart]. No way a character this unique appears once.
But this was the past. Bound to be info I didn't know.
'Can't be sure yet.'
No rival event with Mardol either, so I needed to think carefully.
Our group returned to our seats.
Beatrice gave a small nod, as if promising no more disruptions.
We began praying.
Huh, maybe I could raise Ariel's and Kainel's Love Meters here.
"Miss Ariel."
"Licht, wanna burn? I can make it happen."
"No. Sorry."
Ugh, failure.
Probably still rattled from yesterday. Makes sense after getting cucked by your childhood friend. I switched targets.
"Mr. Kainel."
"Why not think of that white-haired guy instead."
"Enough... I... lose..."
This one's a bust too. Even the oblivious mutt couldn't pull options. I hung my head, counterattacked.
"White hair?"
"..."
Crown prince overheard. Kainel, we're settling this later. Can't have him sparking a romance with the Saintess.
If she goes harem route, side characters get pitifully discarded. No contest against other heroines.
Drained event CGs and full VOs for other girls? Platinum Wolf skipped that.
She needed someone who only had eyes for her.
'Screwed.'
Sighing deeply, I closed my eyes and clasped my hands. Even without mana, maybe divine power? I focused on mastering the healing prayer, banking on that hope.
No one could match my singular desire.
Pine tilted her head repeatedly, watching Licht. He had his eyes closed, so she couldn't see, but...
'White hair...'
No matter how she thought, it matched her own. She glanced down at her armor.
Imperial special-order gear that blocked all magic. Masterpiece-level equipment wouldn't be pierced easily.
'Does he have eyes like mine? This guy too?'
His split-second judgment earlier had surpassed hers. The thought that he might be stronger made her clench her fist.
'Or maybe same Masterpiece gear. Intriguing.'
She eyed the Black Knight's dark helm. Her wolf ears twitched inside her helmet, focusing on the man's murmuring voice as he squeezed his eyes shut.
A slightly thick, low tone.
"Please... let me protect it this time."
His earnest demeanor sparked her fierce curiosity. Her tail swished faintly inside the armor.
Instinctive reaction. Pine turned her head to avoid detection.
'That stance earlier... defensive?'
She replayed the scene in her mind.
A sword art made to catch flying dragons mid-air.
It could fill her weaknesses perfectly.
'You're the clan leader's daughter, so no!! Too much mana—magic's better for you!'
She recalled begging Drake as a child, only to be refused.
His hearty laugh. That sly grin lingered strongly in her memory.
"Student Mardol? Not praying?"
Beatrice gestured at Pine to clasp her hands.
She looked around. Everyone else was praying; she was the only holdout.
"Hmph."
The glass knight didn't like this woman, but with the pair beside her praying, she figured she'd give it a shot.
Think of a desire, huh. She had only one.
'I need to get stronger.'
Finally, Pine closed her eyes and clasped her hands.
The four harbored different mindsets as they sought to master the healing prayer.