Blessed, Yea, Blessed (3)
Here is a single grain of sand.
The grain of sand is infinitely small. It gets swept this way and that by the slightest breeze.
Sometimes it floats aimlessly on the water, other times it tumbles along a beach covered in countless sands. And at times, it settles into the crevices between other soils and grains.
Layer upon layer of more sand piles atop this settled grain. It becomes just one among the myriad identical grains.
Then, atop this mound of sand, other things begin to accumulate. Shards of shattered rock, earth, and even water seeping in.
Thus, the tiny grain of sand, packed tightly without gaps, gradually hardens and swells in size. It grows into ever larger clumps of sand, compressed by the weight pressing down from above, until at last it becomes stone.
It was on a day when a storm raged.
The soil and debris covering the stone are swept away, just as the grain of sand once was in its drifting days.
And so, now a solid stone, it is revealed to the world. It finally emerges from the heap of earth.
No longer the insignificant speck buried in a vast dune, invisible to all. The stone now catches the eyes of people and beasts alike.
This grown stone stands silently in place. Unshaken by rain or wind, uncracked even if stepped on. To others' gazes, it might seem a mere worthless pebble.
Then one day, someone picks it up. They touch it, brush it, even sniff it.
The stone remains hard and silent. Yet it can feel the warmth of the hand that holds it.
The one who found the stone soon pockets it and departs somewhere. The stone merely follows the hand's lead.
This stone's name is faith.
And the one who discovers the stone is the Lord.
Does learning ever truly end?
If someone asked, Laura von Adelaide could answer with utter confidence.
That learning has no end. Even a white-haired elder has lessons to learn from a child.
But what about now?
Dong—dong—.
The merciless bell tolled endlessly. Snapped from her reverie, Laura unconsciously furrowed her brow.
"I hope you've all gained some insight from today's lesson. Don't forget to submit your assignments before the deadline."
Class was over. The students stared blankly at Professor Antonelli. He gathered the books from the lectern and, as always, wrapped up the session.
"See you on Friday, then."
With long, confident strides, Professor Antonelli left the classroom, ignoring the dazed stares of the students. There was no hesitation in his step.
As Deaconess Sophia hurried after him with the handouts, silence settled over the room.
The students did nothing. In the first class, some had taken notes or tried sketching the scene they'd witnessed.
But now? Such efforts felt pointless. More and more students simply zoned out, staring into space.
Sounds drifted in of first-years from other classes heading to lunch in the hallways. Some dashed to the cafeteria, others went in chattering groups.
Normally, Class A first-years would have joined them. But they didn't move.
They just gazed into the void, or at distant mountains, or closed their eyes in silence. No one in the room stirred a foot.
No—couldn't move was more accurate.
Standing up now and heading to lunch as usual would mean losing this elusive something forever.
Professor Antonelli's lesson, followed by Chloe's manifestation of Divine Power. The students had seen it, grasped something, crossed a threshold.
Yet they had no clear way to name it. They'd vaulted the wall unconsciously, left standing dumbly without knowing why. So they kept probing.
That tantalizing, half-grasped thing. The fragments of knowledge tickling their hearts.
Right now, in this moment, Professor Antonelli was almost hateful. Who knew such frustrating stagnation was possible?
And that included one student gnawing her nails, forgetting all decorum in her anxiety.
What the hell is it...? I almost get it, but I don't...!
Laura von Adelaide was no exception. Her lips were bitten tight.
There had definitely been an epiphany. She, hailed as a genius prodigy in the magic department, knew it best of all.
That lightning-flash of insight through the mind. The thrilling, ecstatic pleasure that followed.
But this? This was new. After the sweet rush of growth, this stifling, head-pounding growing pain.
Laura glanced at the theology students. Did they know something? With their deep scriptural knowledge, had they grasped what Professor Antonelli meant?
But no fool in Class A would approach them to ask. Since class ended, they'd sat motionless, eyes closed in prayer—like statues. The pious scene forbade interruption.
Beyond that, a darker desire ruled. She wanted to solve this herself. Seize that maddening, almost-there key without help.
I want to crack it first—
This was Class A, the elite of Caldea Imperial Academy's 89th freshmen. To solve it ahead of these talents, stand tall, and leave first? To become the envy and jealousy of all?
Just imagining it was exhilarating. Insane. And right now, the classroom was full of madness.
They were mad for theology. For the grand truth hidden within, and the revelation it promised. Eyes ablaze, they hunted that glittering gem.
Had they ever delved so deep into theology before? Not unless you counted the theology majors.
No wonder other classes, chattering toward lunch, shot puzzled looks as they passed Class A's door.
Professor Antonelli had intended this. Laura knew it.
The assignment from the first class. He'd wanted them to seek the answer themselves, like this.
So he'd dangled clues, almost giving the answer, then left ambiguously. No wonder she ground her teeth in irritation.
Laura sighed. Glancing at the clock, twenty minutes had passed since class ended.
Thud!
She scratched her head irritably and slumped onto her desk. The bang drew no reactions.
Me, struggling like this...? Laura von Adelaide? All the clues are there! Impossible!
And Chloe, who'd received Divine Power directly from Professor Antonelli, was no exception. Even with his personal demonstration, she hadn't fully grasped his intent.
Ughhh...! I don't get it...! Am I an idiot...? Talk to Eirin?
Eirin, beside her, was devouring scripture with fiery eyes. Chloe dropped the idea.
Thus, the agonizing silence stretched. Twenty minutes became an hour, two hours, even past lunch.
No one left until the afternoon class bell rang.
Finishing my office work, I glanced at the wall clock.
The hands pointing to 5 p.m. filled me with unbridled joy. One more hour till quitting time. What could be better?
Today had been especially exhausting. Helping Chloe manifest Divine Power took more out of me than expected.
With her lifetime of faith and prayer yielding barely any Divine Power, I'd lent her mine. That was the issue.
Thankfully, my right arm only twitched faintly—no major pain. Good thing I'd given just a little.
I stretched, then stood for a proper stretch. Deaconess Sophia's gaze followed from the sofa.
"Deaconess Sophia. Have you finished what I asked?"
Affiliated with Caldea Imperial Academy Cathedral but also my theology teaching assistant, she was always busy. Professors had more work than you'd think.
Sunk into the sofa with lifeless eyes, she replied.
"Y-yes.... Just finished."
"When does the priest delegation from the Holy Nation arrive?"
"I checked with them both. Monday next week, probably."
"Well done. Give me the rest of the documents; I'll handle them."
She thrust the hefty stack at me like she'd been waiting. I set it on my desk.
"Father.... I feel like I'm dying."
"Deaconess Sophia. Humans don't die that easily."
"Hweee.... You might be wrong about that, Father...."
Whining like that. I shook my head.
"Deaconess Sophia. Are you free this Sunday?"
"......Huh?"
She bolted upright like she'd been shocked, emerald eyes darting wildly.
"Wh-wh-why.... do you ask...?"
"Even if you're busy, try to clear your schedule that day."
"But why...?"
Her face flushed crimson, pressing for reasons.
But honestly, I wanted to ask her why. Why clear Sunday? Obviously...
"We have to hold Sunday service, don't we? We skipped last week unavoidably, so this week it's a must."
"......"
Her eyebrows twitched. Those green eyes lost their spark, turning dead-fish blank. Her expression grew oddly frightening.
"Haa.... Of course. I was the idiot."
"Idiot how?"
"No, just me jumping to conclusions. Sunday service. Obviously. Yeah...."
She slumped even more dejectedly. I stared, still baffled.
"Sigh.... Why'd I even think that.... With a clueless father like you...."
"I can hear you."
"...Gasp."
I turned my chair to the window, ignoring her feigned innocence.
Students heading to dorms, strolling the grounds, or to training fields.
Among them, familiar figures trudged wearily toward the dorms.
White hair's Laura.... Pink is Chloe.
Laura, magic department genius; Chloe, this world's protagonist. I had high hopes for them both. How would they tackle my assignment?
How would they interpret my proof of faith? What fruits from the past month's efforts?
I couldn't predict the end. But surely, sweeter than I imagined.