Freshman Dante's Turbulent First Day at the Academy
I could confidently say that my academy life had gone off the rails after just one day. Not only had I managed to get on the bad side of several professors for various reasons, but I'd also been assigned to Class B, where every conceivable incident and accident seemed to occur.
Ah, it can't be easy to screw things up this badly.
While everyone else was gradually making friends, I was the only one without any. Well... thinking about it, that was only natural. The nobles ignored me, calling me a disgrace to our class, and the commoners were too intimidated by my status to approach. I never imagined I'd be contemplating dropping out after just one day at the academy.
"To think I'd end up eating lunch alone."
"Master, you're not alone. You've got me!"
"Demons don't count as people."
"Eek."
My monumental first lunch at this prestigious academy. Most first-years ate in the cafeteria, but I sat alone on a bench outside, munching on a sandwich.
Too many stares inside. It's overwhelming.
It wasn't that I was intimidated by the attention—just that it felt too burdensome. Belloa Lamier kept glaring at me for surpassing her, too.
So, I'd opted to buy a sandwich from the vending area and eat outside. It stung at first, but it reminded me of my past life, so it wasn't all bad.
"Is that slime jelly tasty?"
I'd finished my sandwich and turned to stare blankly at Lilia beside me. She was already on her second pack of the stuff she'd bought from the vending area earlier.
"It's surprisingly good. Want some?"
"No thanks... the texture is way too gross."
Who the hell thought to mimic a slime's texture in jelly? I never wanted to feel that slimy goo coating my mouth again.
Stomach's full. Maybe loosen up a bit before class.
For the time being, it was just orientation—no real classes, just theory lectures anyway. I had no intention of slacking off like an idiot. Lunch break was plenty long, so getting a feel for things now wasn't a bad idea. Even in my enhanced state, my experience and instincts lagged behind others.
"Whoa... the academy really is loaded with cash."
I wandered from the bench to the nearby training ground and gaped at its sheer scale. It dwarfed my family's training area and was equipped far better. Training here would actually be motivating. And with hardly anyone around, it was perfect for a light session today.
"Hoo..."
I steadied my breathing and slowly focused my mind. Time around me slowed, my body sensations sharpened. I felt the mana flowing through me like swimming in water, channeling it through the circles in my heart—the phenomenon mages often described.
Talent: Mana Affinity is assisting your magic.
—ZZZAP!!!
A blue spear materialized, streaking as a dark azure flash that slammed into the target.
—Ding-ding-ding-ding!!!
The target shuddered, and a mana measurement panel floated into the air.
A 3rd Circle spell hitting 3902 right off the bat. Insanely high.
It really drove home how absurd my talents were. Average 5th Circle attack spells topped out around 4000, yet I'd nearly matched that with a mere 3rd Circle one.
Might as well test some other spells while I'm at it.
I regulated my breathing and refocused on the mana flow. Slipping back into immersion—three magic circles shimmered into existence mid-air.
"Master. Sorry to interrupt your focus, but someone's here to see you..."
Lilia's words yanked me out. Who the hell would seek me out specifically during lunch?
"Uh... huh?"
"Heehee. Hello?"
"Ah."
The person greeting me was someone utterly outside my expectations. Why was she here during lunch, of all times?
"H-Hello, Saintess."
"No need to be so formal. I'm a first-year too, after all?"
"N-No, it's just... you're so holy."
Before me stood a woman whose white hair and golden eyes harmonized in ethereal beauty. Purity and nobility. White and innocence. Devotion and mercy. The embodiment of every sacred term from the scriptures. A saint rivaling the heroes of legend—Yuria, the Saintess of the Holy Church.
"You're Dante from our class, right? Nice to meet you."
"Ah... likewise. Truly an honor, Saintess."
That much was fine. Same academy, same class—we'd bump into each other and exchange greetings eventually. But...
"What brings you to seek me out during lunch, of all times...?"
Why had she come looking for me specifically at lunch? Don't tell me...
It's this airheaded demon next to me, isn't it? Shit. Does that mean I'm getting dragged off for a holy trial, hunted, and executed?
"Hmm, how should I put this? I sensed something from you."
"......Pardon?"
"An instinctive pull? A foreign, turbid aura, perhaps."
"Ah."
Her words clicked instantly. Yep, Lilia was the culprit.
"Haha, no need to tense up. It's not like holy knights are swarming in."
Not that, then. Dodged a bullet.
If it were, I'd have been smited holy-style—no escape.
"But this feeling won't go away..."
"......"
"Why not pray with me right now? The Lord's grace will make it all better!"
"Ah."
I desperately wanted to bolt, but that'd look even more suspicious. I checked the time—still 40 minutes left in lunch.
"Right here, let's pray!"
"...Here?"
Praying smack in the middle of the training ground? Is this saintess right in the head? Cult vibes much?
"S-Saintess, don't these things usually happen in sacred places?"
"No! The Lord understands the pray-er's circumstances!"
"At least the prayer room in the theology department, then..."
"No! Wherever I am becomes a prayer room!"
"Ah."
This was insane. Looked like I had no choice but to pray here.
"I'll guide you. First, close your eyes gently and kneel?"
"Ah......"
"Dante?"
Refusal wasn't an option, apparently.
"......Yes."
I knelt slowly, closed my eyes, and clasped my hands. The suddenness threw me, but it was the saintess—no refusing.
She's probably instinctively sensing Lilia, who's bound to me.
Otherwise, she wouldn't insist on praying here and now. To sense her despite her lost rank and much-diminished power... no wonder she's the saintess.
"Great Lord. Let the Father's grace descend upon us."
As her voice flowed softly, vast light poured from the heavens. Torrents of holy power rained down like a storm, warming my body and clearing my mind. But...
"Kyaaahhh!!! M-Master!!! Save me!!!"
Even weakened as she was, Lilia's demonic nature made her writhe in agony. And me, having absorbed part of her rank, felt pain and recovery warring within.
"......What's wrong?"
Yuria shot us a suspicious glance, sensing something off.
Talent: Miracle's Manifestation is mitigating the holy power.
Trait: Seal of Original Sin is mitigating the holy power.
My myriad talents and traits activated gradually, dissipating the holy power. Miracle's Manifestation absorbed it, while the Seal of Original Sin neutralized the backlash.
"Hah... l-live."
Lilia, who looked on the verge of death moments ago, sighed in relief.
How much time passed like that?
"Let's stop here for today!"
Yuria's brighter voice let me end the prayer.
"How was it? Feel better? Fatigue gone?"
"...Y-Yes. But praying here might not be ideal. For your reputation, Saintess."
"Heehee... Understood. Forgive my sudden intrusion and imposition."
"Of course. It's all your mercy."
Stretching my relaxed body, I felt truly recovered, just as she'd said. She smiled warmly at me and departed. Only then could I exhale in relief.
"...Weird, somehow."
I ignored Yuria's backward glance.
While Dante and Yuria prayed earnestly in the training ground, one onlooker couldn't laugh.
I came to see what the guy who beat me was up to... and this is the scene?
The two of them kneeling side by side in prayer, right in the center. Belloa couldn't wrap her head around it.
Sure, the saintess prayed without hesitation whenever she received a revelation or sensed someone in need—it was her doctrine. But...
Why's the top student doing it too?
Dante, who'd surpassed her to claim the magic department's top spot. Seeing him join in left Belloa utterly baffled.