Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Two Worries
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I have worries.
Two of them, no less.
I've always been the type burdened with endless worries and anxieties.
They're nothing major. Most of my troubles are trivial, pointless things.
My first worry: the soccer team I root for lost again.
A 0-3 defeat.
Clean and utter perfection, in both the play and the result.
'Those trash bastards.'
...Yeah, really nothing to sweat.
But the second worry? Depending on who hears it, they might call it serious.
About two weeks had passed since the picnic incident. A long time if you think about it that way, short if you don't.
Thanks to the real combat experience in the park, most of the academy students had made massive strides in those two weeks.
Everyone's magic power had increased since enrollment, boosting their physical abilities and skills across the board.
In this world, it wasn't an exaggeration to say magic power was the sole measure of strength.
It influenced everything from physical prowess to the firepower and endurance of one's abilities.
And yet, for me...
Silbi-sensei looked puzzled.
'Why...! Why not!'
No matter what I did, my magic power refused to budge. It was stuck at the same level as when I first arrived in this world.
My magic power and physical stats were still hovering around level 50.
'Come on... After fighting those magic beasts tooth and nail just to survive, shouldn't I at least level up?!'
I trained until my magic power bottomed out every single day, to no avail.
Everyone around me progressed daily, but I was left standing still, all alone.
Yoon Na-rin's magic power was starting to catch up to mine, and I was getting anxious.
"Hmm... Don't worry too much, Anis. Sudden massive jumps in magic power overnight are rare, but they do happen."
Silbi-sensei tried to comfort me when she noticed my unease.
"...Okay."
...It didn't help much.
Either way, my body wasn't from this world to begin with. I might stay stagnant forever.
'...Forget saving anyone. I'm the one who needs help.'
I felt a bit dejected.
...Even if I resolved to live as one of this world's people, I was still an outsider at heart.
'...No, there has to be a way.'
I'll think positive.
It was no big deal.
My chest felt a little tight, but whatever.
Acamedy Academy's top floor, the principal's office.
An old man sat in a chair, reading a book.
It was a thick one.
"Hm."
The old man let out a short grunt.
His long gray beard and wrinkled yet sharp eyes gave him a dignified air.
Anyone would think he was poring over some dense academic tome.
"...Getting me all worked up."
Not even close. The book Fergus Dee was reading was just cheap erotica.
A few more pages flipped, and he closed it.
"Another masterpiece."
Fergus stroked his beard and muttered sagely.
"Nothing beats taming a haughty elf through discipline and violation..."
"Finished already?"
A woman's voice interrupted his soliloquy.
"...How long have you been here?"
"Since you said it was getting you worked up."
"Hrm."
Fergus nodded along with her words.
"...Would you like to read it, Yeriel? It's a classic novel."
"...Fergus. Aren't you a bit too faithful to your desires at your age?"
"What do you mean by that?!"
"...Anyway, no more magic beasts to tame, right?"
Yeriel cut off his indignation.
"Yes. They're dwindling lately. Hardly any coming in from the heroes' captures."
"Really? Your staff must be twiddling their thumbs. What about the defectors? Found them?"
"We have leads. The Hero Association's sending a top-rank hero soon. I'll go if needed."
"Quick work. The Association never disappoints. So, where's the suspect?"
"Ahem."
Fergus cleared his throat and straightened up.
"Pulsnal Church. A cult that's been getting bold lately."
Heading back from the academy. Tomorrow was Saturday.
We'd all trained at the field and parted ways outside.
Han U-sol and Reisi lived in the opposite direction, and Yoon Na-rin rode off with Yoon Kang-woo's car to her family home. I was on my own today.
Walking back to the dorms all by myself, some middle-aged lady grabbed me.
"Young lady, want to hear the good word? Pray with us to the divine, and He'll come back to you."
'...What the hell.'
...God. I almost snorted. I'm an atheist. Sure, gods existed here, but back home? Nah.
Mention of God brought back old memories.
In my old world, God was like a drug. Only broken, shattered people sought Him.
[I'm sorry... Forgive me... It's all my failings...]
[Ahh... Lord... Forgive this wretched soul... Have mercy on this child...]
After blacking out from my drunk dad's beatings, I'd wake to him sobbing and muttering prayers.
They were so desperate and sincere, I nearly fell for it as a kid.
If only he hadn't stopped abusing me.
If he hadn't shattered my ribs that night.
If those broken ribs hadn't punctured my organs, landing me in the hospital fighting for life.
Maybe I'd have believed in God for real. His prayers were that convincing.
[Forgive me... Ahh, Lord...]
Waking in the hospital, he'd grab my hand and start praying again.
That's when I realized: he wasn't repenting. He was just dumping his guilt onto some "God."
Praying was a way to offload blame and find comfort.
A privilege for the broken.
God never heard my dad's prayers. Never forgave him, never pitied me.
The only one listening was me. Nothing changed.
This lady's probably the same. Not all there. People clinging to God usually are.
"...No, I'm not interested."
I tried to brush past, but she barked at me.
"Tch!! No faith like that, you're useless! You'll end up in hell!"
"......"
People like this are all the same.
Old world or new.
...Running into the same subway crazy lady bullshit from my past life here too.
I was timid back then.
The old me could've never yelled back at a shrieking subway auntie. I'd just endure till my stop, dragged to church in the end.
'But not anymore.'
These days, I wasn't just tight with Yoon Na-rin, Han U-sol, and Reisi. I was even chatting with other students.
Social skills light-years beyond past-life me.
'I'm one of the cool kids now.'
Yeah. I'm popular. And popular people reject firmly when they need to.
I decided to yell back loud.
"Look, I said... I'm... not... interested..."
"Huh? What?!"
"I... said... not..."
"Speak up!!"
"...inte...rested..."
"Why are you so quiet!!"
"......"
"Anyway, you'll get divine punishment like that!"
"...I'm... not inter..."
"Tch!!"
"Come on!"
"Uh, wait..."
...This lady was even crazier than the subway one.
I got dragged along helplessly as she yanked my arm.
'...Why's the church named that.'
Pulsnal... Pulsnal? Mocking Arsenal for only being 8th?
'Just fake pray, say I'll come back, and bolt.'
Worked in my past life.
She dragged me inside.
Lots of people chatting and smiling. They greeted me warmly.
"Now that you're here, let's meet the Leader!"
...Leader? Total cult vibes.
She hauled me off somewhere gripping my arm.
...Whatever. I'll play along and bail.
In the room she led me to, a man waited.
"Leader, brought a new believer."
"Well done. You can go."
Too young for a cult leader. Late 20s tops.
'...This guy's the Leader?'
Frivolous. That word fit perfectly.
His dyed golden hair and tanned skin screamed anything but holy leader.
He chuckled lightly and offered a seat.
"Have a seat. What's your name?"
"...Anis Harper."
"...Anis Harper. Pretty name."
His eyes narrowed.
"Shall we talk, then?"
Snap!
He snapped his fingers.
And my mind started to blur.
About 30 minutes later.
"Hic... Snf..."
I stifled the sobs trying to escape, hand over my mouth.
"Sob... Ngh..."
"I see... Anis Harper..."
The man looked at me.
"Watching your classmates advance daily fills you with anxiety and impatience."
"It must feel like they're leaving you behind, terrified."
"Ngh...! Yes, exactly...! I want to confide in my friends, but... for some reason, I can't...!"
I forced the bursting tears back down my throat.
I was in the middle of counseling now.
"What should I do...?"
"I can't guarantee a fix. Your magic power might never grow, or it could surge tomorrow."
"But this much I can promise."
He smiled benevolently, a far cry from his flippant first impression.
"Bottling up worries like that leads to them festering eventually. Before solving them, you need comfort and healing from someone."
"Sometimes, the closest people are exactly why you can't open up. That's your case, Anis."
"But we at the church can comfort you. Heal you. We're not as close as family or friends, but not distant strangers either."
"Sob...! Leader...!"
Fresh tears welled up. Emotions choked me.
The Leader spoke again.
"Come to the church starting tomorrow, Anis. Pray to the divine, mingle with us, and heal your wounds."
"And share that happiness with as many as possible. That's the only way to mend your pain."
"Yes, Leader...!"
I let the sobs loose. Bawling like a child, I wailed.
After his comfort and greetings with the believers, I left the church.
My hazy mind cleared, but his words burned crystal clear in my head.
"Whew..."
Crying it out left me refreshed.
'Should I bring Na-rin...?'
I headed to the dorms with light steps.