Sepenteria Continental General Academy
Sepenteria Continental General Academy
Long ago, in my past life, I remember hearing stories from my brother.
...
Fuck, now that I think about it, I talked to my brother about this novel a hell of a lot.
Why did I listen to so much of this?
Come to think of it, did I secretly enjoy listening to such useless stories in my past life?
...
I don't know.
There's no way that's true. I must have just been mindlessly nodding along to my brother's incessant chatter, and it got stuck in my brain.
Anyway, I have a clear memory of what I heard back then.
It was about the Sepenteria Continental General Academy, the center of this world and the stage for the novel.
─ The setting for Part 1 of the novel is the Sepenteria Continental General Academy.
─ No, actually, come to think of it, Part 2 doesn't stray far from Sepenteria either. It's that important of a place.
─ What the hell do you want me to do about that...
─ Hey! Listen up, little brother. The two protagonists meet fatefully in Sepenteria. At first, they're wary of each other, slightly dislike each other, and bicker, but then they get swept up in a few incidents, helping and saving each other. Then, they slowly start to harbor feelings. And at a certain point, they go, "Huh? Is this love?"
─ ...Isn't that too much of a cliché?
─ Clichés are the most effective, little brother. Anyway, the setting of the Sepenteria Academy is the most important part of this novel, and here's what kind of place it is...
─ No, wait! Fuck, don't tell me you're going to tell me all the settings for Sepenteria-something or whatever, are you, brother?
─ ...I am, actually. Don't ignore the author's passion.
─ Then I won't listen. I'm off...
─ Sorry, sorry! I'll really summarize it. Just the core, very briefly!
─ Ha... fine, I'll listen. What is it?
─ The Sepenteria Continental General Academy is, in name and reality, the best educational institution in the world.
─ That's obvious. It's where the protagonists go; you wouldn't write a story set in an academy that's ranked 2nd or 3rd.
─ Hey, hey, listen to the end. The representative departments of this academy are the Traditional Knight Department and the Advanced Magic Department. Only those with the greatest talents bestowed by the heavens can enter. Family and lineage are just basic options, you know.
─ That's also too obvious.
─ Ugh, seriously. Just listen, will you? There are two symbolic towers for these two departments. They are the two male and female protagonists who are overwhelming in location, skill, and talent.
─ These two are in different departments, but they meet in the same club. Then, one day, unknown enemies suddenly attack the club room where the protagonists are. This is the real beginning of the novel. The protagonists fight back against them and notice the shadow of a huge threat looming. Then, they join forces with other classmates to brilliantly overcome that threat.
─ The key point here is that to avoid chaos, they solve it all by themselves, without the adults knowing, without anyone else knowing! Because they are the greatest talents! As it happens, the Golar Empire is in the middle of a succession war, and the Goddess Church is in a chaotic political situation because the elderly The Pope is about to retire and it's time to select a new The Pope!
─ It's like a school mystery-battle genre. If they fended off the threat coming to the academy in Part 1, then in Part 2, the protagonists go out to the continent to root out the source of that threat...
─ Wow, shit. Seriously.
─ Why? Are you moved because the setting is so great?
─ No, it's just fucking cliché.
─ ...
...
..
.
No matter how much I chew on it, my brother didn't seem to have any particular talent for creative writing.
In a market flooded with those amazing novels from my past life, how did he think he would succeed with such bland and cliché content?
It was truly a tragic waste of talent.
Anyway, as my brother explained, the Sepenteria Continental General Academy is the best, bar none, and a place where all the notable talents and noble bloodlines of the world gather.
As such, it is a place where various shining raw gems, the best professors to teach them, and the best security personnel to protect them like shadows reside.
Above all, it is called the 'Sacred Hall of Education' that no one can touch.
And the original content of the novel was about students blocking the threats that secretly approached this place.
There are two protagonists, but the story would probably proceed from the male protagonist's perspective.
The protagonist, who realizes that an unknown threat is emerging in this peaceful academy, would tenaciously search for the cause.
And eventually, he would find out that the root cause and target of it all is none other than The Saint-nim.
That is how the two protagonists and their companions join forces to fight against the threats approaching the academy.
Without the help of adults, only among themselves, secretly.
This is the key point of this novel, but...
Hmm.
I had a strong premonition that it wouldn't flow according to the original novel.
No, I'm certain it can't flow according to the original, to begin with.
Aren't I currently the dedicated escort of The Saint-nim, stuck right by her side?
The 'threat' that the students are supposed to find would eventually be the attacks of the Heretics, and as the Chief Inquisitor, I can't just pretend not to see it when I'm right there.
Furthermore, my main job is escorting.
According to the original setting, the escort would have been Lesha, and with Lesha's strength, the students' activities might have been necessary, but it's different now.
─ Lesha, in my opinion, is a powerhouse who is around 200th in the church. Lesha will always be right by my side, so Chief Inquisitor-nim, you don't need to worry too much. So, close protection isn't really...
─ I'm afraid that will be difficult. My role is to escort The Saint-nim safely from whatever threat it may be.
She says she's around 200th, but that's just the subjective opinion of a young The Saint-nim who cherishes her friend.
In my view, she wouldn't even make it into the top 1000.
Actual combat isn't done with mere figures like the total amount of divine power or the level of elegant swordsmanship.
To someone who hasn't experienced bloody, real-life combat, divine power and skill levels mean nothing.
They would just get their throat slit in a split second and end up rolling on the floor.
Whether it's a The Saint-nim or a knight, the body is just a weak human body, after all.
Anyway, that's why I have to fulfill my duty, and in that process, the fresh mystery-battle genre that boys and girls unfold won't happen.
Because the threats from Heretics targeting The Saint-nim will be blocked by me entirely.
...
Then, in what direction will the story of this novel twist and flow?
Hmm.
I don't know.
Anyway, I just need to silently do the job I'm assigned.
The very fact that I have to do that job is a very painful thing for me.
It means I don't have the capacity to think about other things.
"..."
While I was lost in such random thoughts.
"Teria!... Ah, ah The Saint-nim! Look over there! You can see the Sepenteria Continental General Academy!"
"Oh! You're right! Wow~ It's so cool. It's so big and flashy! Ah~ I'm already excited!"
Before I knew it, we had arrived at the territory of the Sepenteria Continental General Academy.
The majestic panoramic view of the academy unfolded beyond the window of the carriage pulled by the White Dragon.
Honestly, I could understand, just a little bit, the excited hearts of girls who were so thrilled.
It was certainly large and cool, and it made a corner of my heart flutter strangely.
Borrowing memories from my past life, I wondered if this is how it would feel to be admitted to Seoul National University, the top university in South Korea.
Well, I did feel a slight sense of guilt, wondering if someone with blood-stained hands like me should be setting foot in such a sacred place.
As I said before, I just need to do my job perfectly.
Like this.
"The Saint-nim, you must not stand up from your seat until the White Dragon has completely landed. Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened. Lesha, what are you doing, getting excited along with her and failing to look after her safety when you are supposed to be attending to The Saint-nim?"
"Yes? Ah... yes, y-yes. Chief Inquisitor-nim..."
"I, I will be careful! Chief Inquisitor-nim!"
In an instant, dark clouds like shadows fell upon the faces of the two girls who had been beaming.
I felt a little sorry, but I couldn't help it.
This is my job and my main profession.
Soon, the giant White Dragon landed lightly on the exclusive landing pad prepared in the center of the academy.
There wasn't a single ant to be seen on the landing pad, except for the agents helping with guidance in their designated positions.
Originally, a grand welcoming crowd would have flocked to The Saint-nim's arrival, but a completely different scene unfolded here.
It must be a very unfamiliar and strange sight for The Saint-nim, who has always lived surrounded by numerous security personnel and flashy welcoming greetings, but this was due to the academy's strict educational philosophy.
'Under the Hall of Education, everyone is equal.'
Because everyone must be equal, special hospitality or excessive protocol, even for The Saint-nim of the Goddess Church, is something that cannot be seen here, not even a shadow of it.
"Wow... it's fascinating. No one came out to greet me even though I arrived! It's been so long since this happened that it feels like I'm experiencing it for the first time!"
The Saint-nim got off the carriage and moved with light steps, looking around the desolate surroundings as if she found it fascinating.
Beside her, Lesha smiled brightly again and guided her to the 'Hall of Beginnings' where the entrance ceremony would be held.
I followed, watching the movements of the two people like a shadow from one step behind, as always.
With my hand resting lightly on the holy artifact 'Halo' attached to my waist belt, scanning for any signs in the surroundings.
But that was when it happened.
"Ah! That's right!"
The Saint-nim smiled brightly and suddenly turned around to look at me.
I tilted my head, wondering if some emergency had occurred, and then she pointed at my clothes with her finger and said energetically.
"The white vestments of an inquisitor looked good on you, but the black suit of the escort unit also looks really good on you, Chief Inquisitor-nim Lu Niginna! You look cool!"
"... Haha, thank you."
A purely pure and warm compliment, without any thorny intent or hidden agenda.
In that bright appearance, I could feel deep in my heart once again.
Why this child is revered as The Saint-nim of the Goddess Church.
I hesitated for a moment, then bowed my head slightly and answered calmly.
"It is embarrassing to hear such words in the line of duty, but thank you for your kind compliment, The Saint-nim."
In fact, this is the first time I have worn such neat black clothes since joining the Goddess Church.
Perhaps that is why every moment right now felt very unfamiliar and alien to me.
The clothes I am wearing, the new escort duty I have taken on, and this strange place.
Above all, even facing such pure warmth without any price.
That is why this peaceful place felt like a world so far removed from me.
Even while standing in the middle of this academy right now.
...
But let's keep in mind.
The work I have to do has not changed.
Even amidst this warm and cozy environment, flashy place, and smiling people.
I will have to immerse myself in blood and screams once again.