Ten or Several Dozen Years Ago
Ten or several dozen years ago, the Satan Cult executive known as Wrath launched a sudden assault on the northern region of the Korean Peninsula. There were no demon species, no magic beasts, not even Satanist followers trailing him. Wrath was alone, while the Romanica Church's forces numbered beyond counting.
No one could have predicted that the clash with Wrath would lay waste to thirty percent of the peninsula's territory. The site of the actual battle still reeks of demonic energy so potently that no one can even approach it, and the surrounding areas have become uninhabitable wastelands poisoned by the same miasma. As a result, the Papal Court drew a line at the 38th parallel to mark the boundary, restricting civilian access and residence.
…However, this area has been completely purified of demonic energy to serve as a training ground for clergy affiliated with Florence Academy and the Papal Court. It's a place of symbolic significance, marking the site of victory over Wrath.
The teacher gripping the microphone paused there to catch his breath. He was probably trying to say something like, "There's no demonic energy here, so don't be too scared." They wouldn't have chosen it as the practical exam site if any lingered, after all.
"Now, before the practical exam begins, I'll outline the precautions and safety rules…"
While the teacher droned on with the usual boring precautions and safety guidelines, I scanned the surroundings, roughly tallying the students present. It didn't look like the entire student body was here. At most, about one-seventh. I wondered where the rest were when my eyes met Kim Jin-seo's.
"…"
She stared at me with heavy-lidded, sleepy eyes, then shook her head side to side. It seemed like a greeting, but if that's what she meant, why not just wave? Shaking her head like that was baffling.
The teacher spent a full twenty more minutes on safety rules before we finally started moving toward the exam grounds proper. Tension made the students' steps heavy and sluggish.
"They look like animals being herded to the slaughterhouse…"
Jeong In-ah muttered beside me as we walked. Now that she mentioned it, yeah, they kind of did. I wasn't feeling much different myself.
I glanced up at the sky. The sun blazed fiercely overhead. It was especially hot today.
"Hot."
My absentminded mutter made Jeong In-ah tilt her head. She pointed at my overcoat.
"If you're hot, take it off. Why'd you wear something that thick?"
"Take it off? How could you say that…"
"Huh? No, I didn't mean… Hey! Don't twist my words like that!"
She snapped in outrage, and I just laughed it off. The coat stayed on. Even if I stripped down to nothing else, I couldn't ditch the coat. Not right now, anyway.
"I said take it off 'cause you're hot—what kinda nonsense are you…"
Jeong In-ah pouted, lips jutting out as she grumbled. She was wearing a hoodie over her uniform today, the hood bobbing with every step. I stared at it for a good while before I couldn't resist and yanked it down.
"Ack!"
Jeong In-ah let out a shriek, narrowing her eyes into a glare.
"Hey, what the hell!"
"…It was just begging to be pulled."
"You wanna die?"
She balled her fist and shot me a death stare. I flashed an apologetic grin to defuse things.
"Sorry, I'm beat—acting on impulse."
*
Just before entering the village that served as the exam grounds, every student—including me—had to pass through a security checkpoint. It was the same setup from the Charity Holy Mark reelection exam, probably to weed out anyone smuggling holy artifacts. They were even collecting phones.
I stashed my hidden items in various spots on my body as practiced, handed over one phone, and passed through the checkpoint.
Beep—!
As expected, the alarm blared. All eyes from students and teachers turned to me. I let blatant confusion show on my face, my whole body screaming "I've got nothing!" A few teachers approached, Ha Ye-jin among them.
"Do you have any metal items on you? You already turned in your phone, right?"
Ha Ye-jin asked. I nodded vigorously with an ultra-innocent, wronged expression. She checked the machine for malfunctions, then looked back at me. No real suspicion there.
"Arms out to the sides. Like this."
"I… I'm innocent."
"You're not guilty of anything, so why 'innocent'? Just stand there."
She fetched a handheld metal detector and scanned me. It beeped over my chest. Ha Ye-jin narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"What's in there?"
"Huh? Yeah, what is?"
I feigned ignorance and rummaged in my coat's inner pocket. Out came the watch—Mun Yo-seop's "gift" from before. She alternated stares between me and it, face blank with disbelief.
"Why didn't you wear the watch? Why stuff it in your pocket?"
"Uh… forgot. Should've turned it in earlier."
"Hurry up and go. No time."
Ha Ye-jin said curtly. I bowed deeply with another apology, slipped the watch on my wrist, and slipped away naturally.
First hurdle cleared without a hitch… Or so I thought.
"Hold on, Do Seon-woo. Come here."
Ha Ye-jin, who'd let me go so easily, suddenly called me back. I fought to keep tension off my face as I approached. Failing here meant scrapping the whole plan. No room for mistakes.
"…Yes? What is it?"
I faked a trembling voice, averted eyes, hesitant steps—everything contrived as I answered.
Ha Ye-jin eyed the watch on my wrist with a somewhat bored look.
"You're just gonna wear that through?"
"Ah… Should I turn it in?"
"Yeah, better. That's an expensive watch, right? What if it breaks during the exam? Could even be a holy artifact. And… can't say more now, but yeah, take it off."
"Got it?"
I only knew it was pricey; no exact figure. Mun Yo-seop gave it to me, after all. I nodded agreeably, unstrapped it, and handed it over.
"End times, I swear. Kids wearing stuff like this."
Ha Ye-jin teased as she tucked it into the envelope with my student ID and name. I chuckled it off and turned to rejoin the line, but she stuck out her arm to stop me.
"Wait, actually—you need to pass through again. Forgot about that."
She pointed at the checkpoint.
"…That necessary?"
"Yep. Who knows what else you're hiding—"
Beep—!
Right then. The alarm went off again—but from Jeong In-ah this time.
"Huh? Wh-what?"
Her face flushed as she whipped her head around in panic.
"What's her deal now? Hang on."
Ha Ye-jin frowned and headed over, handing her detector to the teacher there while chatting.
"Ogoun."
In the meantime, I called out mentally.
[Lately it feels like you're just piling on the chores. Should I even…]
"Just once. Quick."
[Tch.]
Ogoun clicked his tongue but obliged. I'd tipped him off yesterday. I timed it to match Ha Ye-jin's return and passed through. No beep.
"Okay, go on."
She nodded indifferently, and I rejoined the group ahead. Clearing the checkpoint—hurdle one—finally eased the tension from my body.
[Lucky again, huh.]
[Didn't I tell you this morning? You'll be lucky all day.]
Legba and Baron Samedi's voices sharpened now that fatigue, tension, and worries had faded. Baron Samedi usually dropped cryptic lines and vanished, but today he seemed glued to my mind.
[Figured it'd be fun sticking around here today. Got stuff to chat about with Legba too.]
[Oh? I have no intention of chatting.]
"…"
I walked with the students, listening to Baron Samedi and Legba bicker, reviewing the plan in my head. Repetition was key; no such thing as too much.
Bringing the watch—and tripping the alarm on purpose—was all calculated. Submit it like it was an honest oversight to throw off suspicion of other contraband. If it were a stranger, I might've been busted, but luck struck: Ha Ye-jin. Her guard toward me was lower than most. I was her class student, and she thought well of me overall.
Plus, Jeong In-ah's timely alarm distracted everyone, letting Ogoun's power pause the machine briefly for a clean pass. Sorry, but I'd slipped Eden's Flame Sword into her hoodie hood during our earlier prank—tiny enough for stealth. Couldn't risk Ogoun's power openly with teachers watching, so her snag created the perfect diversion. Pre-planned.
"Phew."
I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and slung off the coat over my arm. I'd ripped the lining, stuffed Baal's maw inside, and sewn it shut—smuggled during that casual gesture. The thick coat in this heat? All for this.
Inside Baal's maw: an emergency phone for official contact with Kang Ji-a and Voodoo executives. The Sem Brothers' Robe Bae Jeong-hwan procured—hides presence for safer infiltration; Gu Jun-hyeok used it in the Charity Holy Mark reelection. A small vial of assorted animal bone dust. And an umbrella.
[Get caught, and expulsion's the least of it.]
Baron Samedi noted. I'd use them precisely today—without detection. Caught meant expulsion at best. Or exposure as Voodoo leader.
"Hey, wait up. Ugh, walk together."
Someone called from behind as I walked lost in thought. Post-checkpoint Jeong In-ah was jogging up, face full of grievance even from afar.
"Why'd you trip it?"
I asked. She caught her breath, voice quivering.
"Dunno. Said there was a holy artifact in my hood. Wasn't mine. So freaking unfair right now…"
"Hm… Maybe some kind soul snuck it in for good luck on your exam?"
"Kind soul my ass—someone totally screwed me over on purpose. Whoever it is, total asshole."
"Ah. Yeah, sounds like a real jerk."
"Haven't pissed anyone off lately either. What the…"
I wiped sweat from my brow as she vented irritably. My conscience stung hard…
"Ah, announcement for Florence students here for the practical exam. I am the proctor for this…"
We'd arrived at the designated site mid-chat. As students lined up, the self-proclaimed proctor announced exam details.
I kept mentally rehearsing the plan while he explained content and criteria. My nerves wouldn't settle. Today was my second riskiest gamble ever.
*
The practical was group-based, but also by class division. Nominal teams, real rivalry between classes. Criteria: who collected the most tokens—individual, team, class tallies fueling a three-way paladin-priest-knight battle royale.
"Clergy virtues aren't just one or two. Faith is key, but might, wisdom, or kindness may be needed depending on role."
Collecting tokens wasn't simple, though. Per the proctor, active clergy waited in ruins or spots around the site. Fulfill their "conditions" to earn tokens from them.
"Today evaluates your virtues comprehensively."
Conditions varied by cleric; token count scaled with difficulty. Debate? Persuade them. Subdue? Take them down.
"Combat between individuals or teams allowed during the exam. But only 'non-injurious restraint' permitted."
He distributed electronic watches for ID and time, plus five handcuff sets per team—eight for paladin teams. Priest and knight teams got their perks too.
"If clearly subdued and cuffed, you're a 'hostage.' Teams can negotiate for keys and tokens."
Handcuffs marked "clear subdual." Pure negotiation strategies viable too.
"…"
The exam began. My team: Holy Knight-D, labeled on the watch. Starting point: under the clock tower southeast of the central pit.
Seeing the others there, I couldn't help grimacing.
"Ah… crap."
"Do Seon-woo! You in Holy Knight-D too?"
Kang Dae-man was on my team. I'd heard via Mun Yo-seop it was team-based, planned accordingly. But with our skills, the other eight were likely dead weight. Otherwise, why pair us?
"What luck. With you and me together, victory's guaranteed."
"We'll see…"
If the rest dragged us down, plan revisions needed. They might surprise—Florence elites, after all. But no initiative for strategy or leadership? Problem.
"Everyone, gather up!"
I called the scattered Holy Knight-D members. They shuffled over, faces tense. As expected: zero assertiveness or confidence. Time to rally morale first.
"Listen up. We're paladins. What's our strength?"
"Chivalry and courage?"
"That's more general virtue. Paladins move as a unit. We peak when everyone's power unites."
"Ooh!"
"First, we pick a leader—like a commander. Anyone else want it…"
I scanned faces. All avoided my eyes at "leader." Knew it.
"…I'll do it. Follow my lead without question, got it?"
Kang Dae-man and the rest nodded. Low initiative, but obedient. My school rep probably intimidated them. Lucky break.
"Memorize what I say now."
I locked eyes one by one, dead serious. They nodded solemnly—my tone brooked no argument. Kang Dae-man seemed oblivious outwardly, but listened intently.
"I'm sitting this one out."
Their faces hardened.
(To be continued in the next chapter.)