Chapter 35
Chapter 35
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Holy Priest Ordination and Reserve Platoon (4)
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Two days later.
I returned to the Pantheon and headed straight for the central cathedral. My ordination as a holy priest was taking place here.
From the assistant professor guiding me, I learned about the recent decisions. It seemed they'd concluded I could freely attend lectures from any denomination.
The assistant professor said to me,
"This is on a whole different level from the free denomination trials in your first year. Starting from second year, the advanced lectures and faith demonstrations for each denomination happen simultaneously. It just goes to show how much expectation they're placing on you, Lord Julian."
Completing the advanced major for even one denomination granted tremendous privileges in the Empire. A Pantheon diploma was the royal road to key positions in the imperial palace or command in the Imperial Guard.
'Specializing in one is already that big a deal. Six of them? Case closed.'
The assistant professor continued.
"The dean has made the wisest choice as well. With the power of Supreme God Jedin, ordinary methods won't fully awaken it. You need to experience the holy power of all six subordinate gods evenly to walk Jedin's path. Just like Saintess Agnes did."
Saintess Agnes was known as a priest of the combat denomination, as expected. But she was said to be a once-in-a-millennium genius who had mastered the doctrines and holy manifestation structures of the other five denominations as well.
Of course, I couldn't hope to understand all six doctrines like Agnes. The key was that I had the System.
Through the System, I could unlock various traits. For example, though I hadn't yet, I could buy the "Ordinary Alchemist" trait with GP.
'Then raise its proficiency through the alchemy denomination's lectures.'
Repeating faith demonstrations across the six denominations like that should unlock Jedin's power fully. Right now, using the power Agnes had passed on came with too many restrictions.
'In the colosseum, all I could do was nullify attacks. If I'd fought that magic beast head-on, I'd be the one turned to mincemeat.'
Being able to selectively attend lectures from the six denominations like this was crucial. The major characters in Demon King's Son were mostly top students or standouts from each denomination.
Using lectures and faith demonstrations as an excuse to approach the outstanding young ladies and female cadets. Forming sticky connections with them would naturally boost trait proficiencies.
'Master the representative class traits from all six denominations that way, and Jedin's power will truly be mine.'
It would also help unlock another of my potentials.
Especially the demon king's blood. Getting into steamy relationships with the alluring female cadets from each denomination was the fastest way to awaken that potential. I was extremely satisfied with the current outcome.
"We're here. You can enter the grand chapel directly."
The assistant professor's guidance ended. He was extremely deferential to me, still just a cadet. But considering my status and rank at the Pantheon, it was only natural.
"You've had a hard time."
"Oh, no need for such courtesy from someone like me."
At my words, the assistant professor bowed as if honored. He must be from commoner stock.
I quickly checked my attire. The new Reinhardt family uniform tailored by Otto and his son to fit my slimmer frame. It was incredibly comfortable yet full of presence.
I entered the grand chapel.
As I opened the doors to the grand chapel, it was already packed with people. The dean, the archbishops of the six denominations, senior professors, and senior instructors.
All of them had gathered for my ordination as a holy priest.
'All these big shots mobilizing for one cadet's ordination.'
These weren't ordinary priests. They were people close in the priestly hierarchy to the cardinals, who wielded power second only to the Emperor in the palace.
But ordaining a priest of Supreme God Jedin was unprecedented at the Pantheon. And given my status, they couldn't skimp on preparations.
'Shoulders feeling heavy. Super protagonists are something else.'
I walked to the center of the chapel. I'd already activated Ordinary Noble Scion. In full view of the seated attendees, I performed the proper etiquette with utmost courtesy.
Before the ordination, I recited a lengthy, glorious hymn to Supreme God Jedin and the six gods.
It went beyond standard liturgy into the pinnacle of refined, dignified holy rhetoric. Of course, Eirin had prepared the script in advance, and I'd just memorized it.
But the reaction was astounding.
"Wait... is that really Lord Julian? That wastrel—no, Lord Julian—knew how to observe etiquette like that?"
"Reciting the canon flawlessly, not a single word wrong. And every liturgical phrase so archaic and profound. Without serious faith, that's impossible..."
"Has Saintess Agnes's blessing finally manifested for real? I thought he was a total wastrel with no spark before—no, a cadet. What a surprise!"
"Did the miracle blast all the wastrel nonsense out of his head?"
The attendees were openly shocked, making it awkward for listeners. As Pantheon staff and professors, they knew all about Julian's wastrel antics.
"Everyone, please be quiet. We need to start the ordination! It's been ages since I heard such dignified praise, but this is an important occasion—silence is required."
Under the dean's lead, my holy priest ordination began.
"Before this young priest who carries the will of great Jedin and Saintess Agnes..."
The ordination was an archaic religious rite, utterly tedious. Meanwhile, I checked the System and let my mind wander.
The reward from the colosseum incident had arrived. Beyond the usual GP and MP, there was a special bonus: releasing a tiny amount of the Jedin holy power latent within me.
As the 0.1 ZP showed, it was minuscule compared to mana. But considering miracles only triggered when I nearly threw my life away, its value was immense.
'And I need to use it right here. To get that item.'
While I was distracted, the dean continued the ordination.
"Normally, holy priest ordination requires demonstrating faith in one's patron god via mana. But this is an unprecedented case of ordaining a priest of Supreme God Jedin. And since Lord Julian manifested a miracle in the recent colosseum incident, we'll skip that step. Do the attendees agree?"
Everyone nodded at the dean's words.
"Even as Agnes's son, manifesting another miracle on demand is impossible. If miracles were that easy, they wouldn't be miracles. I agree."
"The circumstances were different then. Lord Julian threw his body against the demonic energy directly—a special situation. We concluded the miracle arose from embodying Jedin's canon with his life. Valid point."
"Just showing he can use mana should suffice. That would convince everyone here."
They all seemed convinced. Plus, the medical denomination professor who'd examined me knew my state well. Far too ordinary to be a vessel for Jedin's power.
In short, replicating that miracle right now seemed unlikely. The dean said,
"Then we'll substitute the holy relic bestowal with the standard item for regular cadets. We'll use the ordinary rosary from the art denomination where Lord Julian stayed in first year."
"Agreed. But it's a shame if that rosary doesn't find its owner soon."
The attendees focused on the chapel's center. There sat an item prepared for my ordination.
A rosario. It resembled the Catholic cross necklace commonly called a rosary. This was a special holy relic stored at the Pantheon.
Thus, it was displayed as a symbol during special events like this.
The attendees said,
"Even the top graduating cadets of all time couldn't hold that item. It's infused with Jedin's power. For anyone but Agnes, a mere human bearing it..."
"But one of Agnes's last wishes was to deliver it to its rightful owner. Someday, someone will claim that rosary she used."
"If Lord Julian fully awakens Jedin's power later, maybe. Not now, though."
"True. Even active high priests battling magic beasts haven't been chosen by it. Its nickname 'owner-choosing rosary' isn't for nothing. Requires immense faith and noble devotion to the gods..."
True to form as high clergy, the talk drifted to faith activities. I interrupted briefly, addressing the dean.
"Dean Sophia. I have something to say."
"What is it, Lord Julian? Speak freely. This ordination is for you."
"Receiving ordination without proper faith demonstration feels like too much privilege. So I'll prove my qualification as Jedin's priest myself."
"Really? But miracles don't happen on command."
"You won't believe it easily, huh. But the proof is simple."
I pointed to the rosario in the chapel's center.
"That holy relic. Give me a chance to grasp it. That will be my faith demonstration."
The moment I finished, an uproar erupted among the attendees.
My holy priest ordination was finally over.
It had been tediously boring. Like being forced by an obsessively religious senior in the army to attend weekend services.
After enduring that dull rite, I was now at the Pantheon's grand training grounds. This was the first assembly of the reserve platoon.
I'd changed into combat dress uniform, different from the ordination attire. The main difference: a new rosario hung around my neck.
I checked the rosario via the System.
「Saintess Agnes's Rosario」
As expected, it was that unique item I knew.
A holy relic Agnes herself had used, infused with Jedin's holy power. Even high priests of the Holy Empire feared divine punishment and left it untouched.
I'd grasped it using the 0.1 ZP—Jedin holy power—from the colosseum event, combined with my 230 MP mana.
'Caused quite the commotion.'
I recalled the scene when I first hung this rosary around my neck. Jedin's light had filled the grand chapel again, just as I'd claimed—true proof of faith in Supreme God Jedin.
The attendees, witnessing the miracle anew, knelt in frenzy. They'd never imagined I'd succeed again.
'Hilarious sight. But I got a great item, so all good.'
Especially the question marks on the rosario. Unlocking those functions would greatly help conceal my growing demon king aura here in this holy academy.
Anyway, I never wanted to attend another stifling event like that. The open air of the training grounds beat the heavy chapel atmosphere by far.
Several other second-year cadets had gathered here besides me. All familiar faces—major characters from Demon King's Son, not extras.
This training ground was the assembly point for newly assigned cadets to the reserve platoon of the capital guard, specifically the top-tier Golden Wings squad.
Lillia, Chloe, Rosette, and such—not just denomination representatives, but top cadets from all six denominations formed the Golden Wings.
For Julian, who'd been bottom of the barrel in first year, assignment here would've been impossible.
As the top tier, the upcoming training and missions were leagues beyond standard reserve platoons.
Of course, my placement here was a reward for the miracle at the colosseum.
Naturally, the dean and Pantheon staff had wanted to put me in a lower-tier platoon.
Forgetting favoritism, my first-year grades made this spot too risky.
But citing my direct prevention of casualties and two miracles, convincing them was easy.
'Gotta nest in the Golden Wings. That's how trait proficiencies skyrocket and high-importance quests activate.'
Collecting my thoughts, I glanced around. At the waiting area on one side, familiar cadets chatted in groups.
But upon recognizing me, none approached. The wastrel infamy reached even these elites.
Platoon rules made all members equals regardless of tier or status—even princesses were just peers. With pride fitting Golden Wings selectees, no one fawned over me.
'Platoon discipline even treats princesses as equals.'
As I sat there, a pleasant fragrance suddenly wafted nearby.
"Oh my. Lord Julian, you're here early. May I sit beside you?"
"Of course. Please, have a seat."
As the fragrance's owner sat, something beautiful and massive jiggled dramatically. The owner of those generous breasts: Princess Lillia.
Lillia steadied the bounce with one hand and said,
"Goodness, I got a bit carried away."
Then, with her other hand, she suddenly grabbed mine. Just like last time, she began blatantly fondling it with explicit movements.