Hardcore Priest

"It seems like everyone is here. Let's begin our ritual." said the old priest standing in the center of the hall room.

When the old priest had spoken, everyone turned their attention back to him. The old priest is Father Darren, the priest mentioned by the young man who knocked on Michael's door. He is a remarkable priest and respected within the community. He is also Michael's adoptive father.

When Michael was a baby, he was left in front of the church, which was managed by Father Darren. That is why Michael has been receiving education related to being a priest since childhood. 

But for now, Michael knows nothing about being a priest. He only learns about this information when he reads the earlier pages of the diary.

When Michael arrived at the scene, he didn't spot anyone acting weird or surprised. He gave up on spotting the murderer for now.

Weirdly, no one seems to be surprised that I'm still alive….. Is the murderer not here today?

Michael and Kaiden then gave their bows and entered the line. While in the line, Michael stared at the ritual circle.

So, this is the ritual circle that would help us awaken power. If Kaiden had not informed me, I would assume this is some cultist ritual.

Suddenly, Michael thought of something crazy.

Wait, what if this church is a cult in disguise, and everyone is the murderer? My transmigration was also part of their plan, so they weren't surprised I was still alive. Did the original Michael also notice it, so that is why he was killed and offered as a sacrifice for my transmigration?

This could be real since, back in my place, all of those cults always do something about sacrificing someone to reincarnate or revive someone. 

Michael suddenly wants to run away from this place. But he knows that even if he tries to run, he will still outnumber everyone here if all of them are involved in this together.

As Michael brainstormed and let his imagination go wild, Father Darren started to speak.

"Ahem.. Alright, the first candidate that will start the ritual will be….."

"Michael Rivera."

When Michael heard his name, his heart skipped a beat.

What!? WHY AM I THE FIRST!!!! SO THEY REALLY TARGETTING ME!!!!

Michael froze in place. He didn't dare move, but the longer he stayed in place, the more everyone's attention slowly turned to him.

"Michael Rivera, please step out here." said Father Darren. He wonders why Michael didn't immediately step out when his name was called. He then turned his gaze to where Michael stood. "Michael, please step into the circle immediately."

Sh*t, I guess there is no point in running now…

Michael steps out of the line slowly and walks toward the ritual circle. Then, he stood in the middle of the circle.

As Michael was in place, Father Darren walked toward him and gave him what seemed to be an elixir bottle. Inside, it had a white liquid, and weirdly, Michael noticed the liquid was glowing.

What the f*ck is this? Why did it glow? Is this a poison? Did they use this poison on Michael to kill him? I have so many questions, but I think I won't be able to ask them anymore.

Michael just stares at the potion while holding it.

Father Darren, seeing him, didn't take any action on drinking the potion. He then spoke.

"Ahem, are you not going to drink it, Michael?"

"....Can I not drink it?" Michael said it very carefully.

But when he said it, every other young priest, including Father Darren, was shocked by his response. Origin Michael had spent all his life working harder than other priests for today's ritual, and everyone knew that. But suddenly, today, he said he didn't want to drink the potion, meaning all of his hard work would go to waste, and it didn't seem like the choice Michael would make.

"What are you even talking about? If you didn't drink the potion we can't continue the ritual."

Michael noticed that everyone started discussing his actions when he said he didn't want to drink the potion. Seeing no choice for him, he decided to drink it.

F*ck it! Either choice, I'm going to be dead anyway. Hope to drink this potion would just send me back to my old world, but I highly doubt that.

He takes a huge gulp of the potion. Then, he felt a warmth in his body, and all his blood seemed to flow quicker than usual. 

Slowly, he felt his chest starting to heat up. Michael had a hard time breathing, and the sudden heat made it harder.

Huph…Huph… Is this how I will be ended…..

Michael's whole body kneeling on the floor while Father Darren began his incantation for the ritual.

"O Eternal Flame, keeper of the hidden truths,

Through this circle, let the veil be lifted.

Bind the body, awaken the soul,

Reveal the spark within, the essence untold.

By the light of the ancient covenant,

Let the chosen resonate with the divine,

Claim the power that sleeps in shadow,

And rise anew, forged by the sacred design."

As Father chanted his incantation, the ritual circle started to glow with a golden sparkle. Everyone remained silent as this happened.

What the hell is this old man blabbering him about….. I'm suffering over her, and he is saying some nonsense. I guess I was indeed transmigrated into a cult.

Michael's vision started to become blurry and, within a second, fully dark. But weirdly, he could still maintain his consciousness. 

Where am I?

Within the darkness, he saw a gold fire lighting.

What's that thing over there?

His curiosity got over him. He slowly approached the flame. When he was finally near it, he didn't even touch it; the flame just suddenly spread toward him and flamed his whole body.

Michael was shocked by this incident. He quickly got away from it, but it was useless as the flame spread around him.

"What the actual hell!? Was suffocating me wasn't enough and now they trying to burn me to death!?"

But after a while, he noticed the flame wasn't hot at all. Instead, the flame was very warm, and he could feel his body become stronger and lighter. He felt like all of the toxication in his body had been wiped out.

"Huh? Why do I feel like I'm getting healthier than just now?"

After Michael felt his body reach its limit to get any stronger.

The flame then stops spreading and starts to bulk together, seeming to form into something. The flame slowly forms into what seems to be the shape of a glove.

"What is it doing now?"

Slowly, Michael's vision started to come back. He looked at the floor and saw so much sweat on it. In front of him were brass knuckles gloves.

When Michael finally got back to reality, Father Darren's book that he was holding had a sigil carved into it. The sigil was a sword with three wings on both sides, carved beside the book's name.

The name was Michael Rivera.

"Congratulations on your awakening, Michael! You had awakened the role of The Knight of God."

"What…..?" Michael was still in confusion after the experience of all of that.

Father Darren sees Michael in a state of confusion and continues explaining to him.

"It means you are now the official member of the Chaplain. In the future, you will work as God's sword and eliminate those evil entities in this world."

Chaplain? Evil Entities?

Where exactly did I transmigrate to!?