Why Has the Terra Saintess Come Here?
All the students gathered there couldn't help but feel puzzled. Why had the Saintess of the Terra Church come here? Just to express gratitude? They had heard that the students of Solemnute Adem had made a great contribution to defending the Terra Church this time, but that alone wasn't reason enough for the saintess herself to visit Solemnute Adem.
In the Solemnute Empire, the position of a church's saintess was extraordinarily high. If anything, it was a status even higher than that of imperial heirs without succession rights, placing her above Ashytara in rank. The Solemnute Empire was a sacred empire that strictly worshiped multiple gods, with the emperor serving as the pope. Moreover, saintesses or saints from other churches were merely titular; they were the religious leaders, the heads of their faiths. Thus, even Nadan, who always picked on Ludenberg, would have to immediately cease his activities at Solemnute Adem the moment he revealed his identity as a saint of the Setra Church.
In any case, with such a figure openly visiting Solemnute Adem, the students were bound to buzz with excitement.
"Hello, students of Solemnute Adem."
But that murmur began to fade on its own as Idilrock's clear voice echoed through the auditorium.
"You're probably wondering why I've come to Solemnute Adem today."
A few students nodded.
"There's no grand reason. I'm simply here to express my thanks. The Terra Church was able to overcome this crisis purely thanks to all of you. So, I spoke with Crown Princess Sione about conveying our gratitude."
Idilrock nodded toward somewhere as she spoke, and a knight ascended the stage carrying a box containing medals.
"Therefore, the Terra Church has decided to award medals to every first-year student of Solemnute Adem who endured hardships for the Terra Church and protected Solemnute during this incident."
A medal directly bestowed by the church itself was proof in and of itself of being a benefactor to that church. Possessors of such proof could receive various supports from the church, and if the recipient belonged to the Terra Church, they were often easily promoted to church knight positions. Thus, the upperclassmen couldn't help but gaze enviously at the first-years.
"However, awarding them one by one would waste your precious time, so we've selected one student who made the greatest contribution as a representative to conduct the ceremony through them. The medals for the other first-year students will be sent to their dorms after the ceremony."
The students' murmurs grew louder in an instant. Whispers of curiosity about who that one student with the greatest contribution might be filled the auditorium, making it noisy.
Idilrock waited for the commotion to die down, then directed her gaze toward a particular spot. There stood Ludenberg Lavante, wearing a composed expression because he already knew about the medal in advance.
"Now, let the award ceremony begin. First-year Knight Faculty student Ludenberg Lavante. Please come up to the stage."
The first-years mostly looked convinced, but students from other years began to question how a student without divine power could have made the greatest contribution.
"Good for you."
"You knew it was coming anyway. What's with the surprise?"
"Still. Go on up quick. The saintess is waiting."
"Yeah."
Ashytara just beamed happily as she spoke to Ludenberg. He smiled awkwardly, perhaps a bit embarrassed, and ascended the stage.
Idilrock greeted him with a slight smile, then began reciting his achievements.
"Ludenberg Lavante. During the Solemnute raid, he rescued numerous citizens and led them to the Terra Church. He played a decisive role in subjugating three high-grade erosion beasts that infiltrated the Terra Church and personally rendered a Salvation Cult knight combat-ineffective, saving the Terra Church from crisis."
As soon as his feats were enumerated, the upperclassmen stared at him in disbelief. What the saintess had just described was impossible for a mere student. But since it came from the saintess herself, and hearing corroboration from nearby students, they had no choice but to believe the improbable tale.
"The Terra Church has selected Ludenberg Lavante as the greatest contributor to this incident and hereby awards him the first-grade medal of the Terra Church."
The murmurs swelled into a massive uproar at the mention of a first-grade medal. What was a first-grade medal? In any church, it alone granted treatment as a church noble. The students gasped at the thought of a mere seventeen-year-old first-year receiving such an honor.
"Additionally, though they are not here on stage now, all students who rescued citizens and aided the Terra Church during the Solemnute raid will also receive third-grade medals."
The first-years wore satisfied expressions. A third-grade medal was no small thing.
After finishing her words, Idilrock hung the prepared medal around Ludenberg's neck and bowed her head.
"Thank you for your dedication. Because of your exploits, you bought us time, allowing everyone there to survive."
"I'm the one who's grateful. If you hadn't erected that final barrier, Princess Ashytara and I wouldn't have made it either."
Ludenberg bowed in return to show his respect, then descended the stage. As he did, applause from the students rang in his ears. Some clapped perfunctorily without knowing who he was; others clapped fervently because his actions had saved their lives; still others clapped with sullen expressions, displeased that he was receiving a first-grade medal.
Amid it all, Ludenberg smiled. No special reflections were needed. He was simply glad to have accomplished something on his own and to receive people's recognition. Whatever this "evil fate" nonsense was, he was certain he could overcome it, just like this moment.
That conviction etched itself into his heart right then.
Solemnute Adem began to operate normally again. Morning theory classes followed by afternoon training—the routine schedule gradually resumed, and the students adapted to it with astonishing speed. With evaluation period approaching soon, many threw themselves into faculty activities.
As a result, the professors handling theory classes lectured with even greater fervor, while students attended with pallid, deathly faces.
The professors' excessive zeal usually translated into suffering for the students.
"Understood? As you felt during this raid, erosion beasts are not to be taken lightly. You there."
Professor Calvin's finger pointed at Evelyn.
"Me? Me?"
"Yes. Evelyn Ansis. How many erosion beasts did you cut down during the incident?"
"Well... quite a few, but..."
"Do you remember their characteristics?"
Evelyn nodded at Professor Calvin's question.
"...Yes."
"Good. Recite them. The traits of what you saw."
"Uh, is it okay if I ramble a bit?"
"As you like."
"First... there were many that acted like humans. Especially the mid-grade ones. I didn't take them down myself, but even the church knights struggled greatly against them."
Evelyn then detailed the erosion beasts' movements, the toughness of their hides, and the specific traits of those she had personally handled.
"...Also, there were erosion beasts that had devoured horses or similar animals. They charged with insane mobility on their four long legs, harassing people, so I prioritized it."
"How did you handle it?"
"That horse-like erosion beast clearly had weak legs, so I targeted one with a Wind Blade sacred law first. Just disrupt its balance once, and I could seize the flow. But then something unexpected happened."
"Unexpected?"
"Its legs were incredibly tough. My sacred law couldn't even scratch them."
"Ah, that can happen. What was your next choice?"
"I immediately reinforced my body with divine power and, as it charged, slid under it belly-first, slicing it in half. Then I crushed its heart from the exposed cross-section. Fortunately, its body itself wasn't that tough."
"Well done. Erosion beasts often have traits beyond your expectations, so always observe carefully. That alone will make surviving them much easier. Don't charge in blindly."
A smile crept onto Evelyn's face at Professor Calvin's praise. He continued his explanation.
"To deal with erosion beasts effectively, you need to study the traits of numerous creatures and information from seniors who've faced them directly. But even with that knowledge, as erosion beasts evolve, they develop unique traits. So, always strive to apply your information flexibly."
"Yes!"
"Evaluations are coming up, so no assignments for now. But memorize what I explained today. Class dismissed. Good work."
"Thank you!"
The Innocence students grinned at the news of no assignments. Professor Calvin's Erosion Studies was infamous for its heavy workload, so no assignments meant more free time. Academy life was dizzying enough with evaluations looming, but little blessings like this were necessary.
"Lude. What's afternoon training today?"
"Dunno. Professor Hainkel said something about explaining the midterms."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. We'll see when we get there. Lunch first."
"Right!"
The two headed straight for the cafeteria.