PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

What is that man saying right now?

Laura von Adelheit clutched her confused head. She could not comprehend the words of the man in front of her, Professor Lucio Antorelli.

So, right now.

Not as a priest, nor as a theology department student, but as an ordinary student of the magic department, Chloe.

“Oh, haha…”

He says he will enable her to use divine power?

As if she had come to her senses, Laura found herself standing up. However, she could not summon the confidence to remain seated calmly. The same went for the other students.

“Th-this is nonsense.”

“Is that… even possible?”

“Today’s lecture is insane…”

Confusion spread in their eyes, revealing an unbearable curiosity hidden within. All their eyes ignited with fervor.

“Oh, ah…! The Lord’s blessing is spreading! How right this is…!”

“If that truly happens, it would indeed be the Lord’s grace…!”

The theology students were almost on the verge of tears. They clasped their hands together and looked at Professor Antorelli with earnest and faithful eyes.

It was not just the theology students. Everyone stood up, eyes wide open, mouths agape as they stared at the podium. There was not a single exception.

Right now, Professor Antorelli was directly challenging common sense. It was akin to declaring a war to everyone in this classroom.

I will shatter your common sense. I will test the limits of your intellect, the walls you have been unable to cross.

The theology class had long been set aside. This lecture was going wild.

And then, Laura recalled something.

“Please submit a summary of around ten pages on the reasons why people other than priests cannot use divine power, and possible solutions to that issue.”

Professor Antorelli’s assignment. The reasons why those other than priests cannot use divine power. And a method by which they could use divine power as well.

Professor Antorelli was now attempting to reveal everything about the assignment. This was akin to handing over a spear that would pierce through the unbreakable shield he had presented.

It would be the height of folly to just sit there and stare vacantly. Laura von Adelheit hurriedly grabbed her pen. Then she opened her notebook.

From this moment on, I will write down everything I see, hear, and feel. I will not miss a single moment.

With Laura’s eyes burning with intensity as she opened her notebook, all the students in the lecture hall prepared to take notes in a flurry.

“I-I’m doing it too…!”

“Hey…! Just tear one sheet for me! No, five sheets!”

“Does anyone have an extra pen?! A pen that writes well!”

The classroom became chaotic. The students struggled to position themselves in a place where they could see the podium the best.

Some students even threw aside their appearances and dignity to plop down in the middle of the aisle running through the lecture room. The noise-filled classroom.

Swish.

With a single hand raised by Professor Antorelli, silence was swiftly restored. The students fixed their stony gazes on him.

“Everyone. This is a class right now. Please do not cause a disturbance.”

With those words, the students quickly regained order. Students with insufficient space to write naturally received paper from their friends, and those with empty ink borrowed spare pens.

The orderly scene astonished Laura. Professor Antorelli was now commanding all the students in the lecture hall.

With just a single phrase stating that he would make Chloe use divine power.

Once the classroom had quieted down to a degree, Professor Antorelli began to move.

“The manifestation of divine power. The claim that it is a power permitted only to priests who have received baptism has been raised for a long time.”

The students quietly listened to his words. Professor Antorelli continued.

“The Lord’s grace, which can only be used by priests. The miracles of God. These are truly old prejudices. There were times in the past when this was misused.”

The expressions of the theology department students grew somewhat rigid. For them, that period was akin to a dark history, so it was understandable.

“As I mentioned earlier, Saint Peter used divine power with the Lord’s help to defeat demons. But isn’t it strange?”

The question posed by Professor Antorelli. Why do people say it is permitted only for priests?

“Saint Peter, the eighth apostle of the Lord, had not yet received baptism at that time.”

“……!”

The entire classroom buzzed. The wave created by the students’ shoulders heaved and swayed.

They hurriedly flipped through their Bibles. The speed at which the students turned the pages of the Bible became frantic.

Seeing the students, Professor Antorelli said with an indifferent expression.

“However, listen. You, Peter. You, who came here to Samadan in a rush wanting my baptism, it is still too early for me to wash away your sins and command you to repent.”

“…1 Peter, chapter 1, verse 8….”

One theology student mumbled blankly. And the students realized.

“When Saint Peter defeated Satan and evil spirits with divine power, he had not yet been baptized.”

Professor Antorelli nailed it down. The common sense of the students, which had gradually been cracking and splitting, began to shatter like a broken window.

The Saint Peter from the Bible used divine power without receiving baptism.

Then when did Saint Peter receive baptism?

As if to resolve that question, Professor Antorelli’s words immediately followed.

“Immediately after Saint Peter defeated the demons, then the Lord permitted baptism.”

Professor Antorelli opened the Bible. The rustling pages stopped, and his solemn voice filled the classroom.

“When Peter, kneeling before the crystal palace and shedding tears, finally realized my blessed Lord’s grace. Then the Lord shone a light and pointed to the waters of Samadan, saying.”

“If you seek, you shall find, for your faith has reached me.

You, Peter. It is now the time for you to repent.”

“1 Peter, chapter 12, verse 27.”

A shiver ran through the bodies of the students who were following along with Professor Antorelli’s reading of the Bible.

The students of the theology department were already kneeling on the floor. Those making the sign of the cross and kissing rosaries were those who had gained realizations they never expected.

“Is that… how it was…!”

“Oh, Lord! Today again I am moved by your grace! The kingdom of the Father is coming!”

The realization of the theology students dazzled them. Professor Antorelli, the source of that revelation, scanned the classroom and spoke.

“The introduction has been long, but it seems some students have already grasped half of what I am trying to convey.”

Most of the theology students nodded their heads in agreement. All of them were in tears, sniffling, their faces overflowing with emotion.

“While that is truly fortunate, it seems you do not fully comprehend yet… I will now show you.”

Professor Antorelli turned to look at Chloe. The upper bodies of the students strained over their desks as they leaned forward.

“Now, now it begins….”

“This is crazy. This is really insane…!”

Students gripping pens and notebooks. What kind of enlightenment would be given to them? The students were focused, eagerly anticipating it.

Some would envision the spectacle to unfold. Students from the art department leading the way.

Some would describe, analyze, and seek answers about that spectacle. That would be the responsibility of both the theology department and the magic department students.

And, truly lucky Laura von Adelheit, sitting in the front row of the classroom.

Her hand holding the notebook began to tremble slightly. Laura struggled to swallow her dry saliva.

Swallow—

Professor Antorelli locked eyes with Chloe. Amidst her pink hair, her eyes filled with reverence sparkled.

“Student Chloe.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Please close your eyes.”

Chloe closed her eyes. The indifferent face of Professor Antorelli, which had filled her vision, vanished, and a thick darkness invaded the space.

In the darkness, Professor Antorelli’s blunt baritone voice echoed.

“First, think of the one you love the most, Student Chloe.”

Chloe thought of her parents in the darkness. Her kind and warm mother, and her stoic yet secretly caring father emerged hazily.

“Have you thought of them?”

“Yes….”

“Now, please think of the ones you cherish most. Choose someone different from your previous thoughts.”

Chloe started to think of various beings. The cute cat she had at home, the many friends she had met so far, and even her best friend, Elin.

Though Chloe had her eyes closed, there was no longer only darkness before her. Many precious people she cherished began to vividly appear.

“Have you finished?”

“Um…. Yes.”

“Now, this is the last one.”

Swallow. Chloe swallowed.

Just one more step, and she thought she would be able to use divine power, making her heart tremble.

Toward her, Professor Antorelli quietly spoke.

“Now, think of the thing you fear the most.”

The thing I fear the most…?

“Anything is fine. A person, an object, an animal, or even an abstract concept. Recall what scares you most, Student Chloe. The source of your greatest fear.”

Chloe instinctively squeezed her eyes shut. The precious beings she had previously thought of faded like mist, and once again, the pitch-black darkness returned.

‘…Head Priest Giovanni?’

And emerging from the darkness was the blood-soaked ghost she had previously seen. The ghost of Giovanni, the first head priest.

Sweat began to form on Chloe’s palms. Within her view, hidden by the darkness, was a figure dripping with blood, with its gouged-out eyes shoved back into the sockets, its blood-drenched face now displaying scarlet eyes.

That figure, terrifying enough to have kept Chloe awake at night recently, the appearance of Head Priest Giovanni fully surfaced in her mind.

“Ugh…”

Chloe, filled with tension, unconsciously clenched her hands tightly.

“Student Chloe.”

“Yes, yes.”

“The fearful figure you’ve just recalled. And everyone else you thought of before. What is the difference between the two?”

The difference. The difference, you ask…?

“…The ones I thought of before are… people I love and cherish. The one I just recalled… is not like that.”

“Exactly.”

Chloe didn’t understand the meaning of those words. Lifting her head with her eyes still closed, Professor Antorelli continued.

“All those beings are the Lord’s grace.”

“…Huh?”

“Student Chloe. The probability of being born into this world to meet your precious connections is a mere 1 in 300 million.”

You were born overcoming that terrible probability, receiving the blessings of all.

Chloe stood frozen. No word came from her mouth, which was left agape in disbelief.

“Born into this world by the Lord’s love, meeting those you adore by the Lord’s grace, thanks to that, Student Chloe, you have so many precious people surrounding you.”

Professor Antorelli’s words tickled Chloe’s heart.

“Student Chloe. Please recall once more the people you cherish the most.”

The ones she loved. The dear ones. Family. Friends. Even the kind neighbors.

Before she knew it, the ghost of Head Priest Giovanni had long disappeared. In its place, the precious individuals that she held dear emerged even larger and clearer than before.

“Deeply hold onto the ones that come to mind now. Those you would never want to lose, whom you would treat with unwavering love and faith. Swear it deep in your heart. And now, please repeat after me.”

“Yes.”

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and from there, the primordial divinity blossomed.”

“…The Lord said, ‘Let there be light,’ and from there, the primordial divinity blossomed.”

Whoosh—

Suddenly, light appeared from the darkness. Chloe stared dazedly at the glow.

She was certainly still keeping her eyes closed. Yet, light had emerged.

It was faint and small, perhaps unremarkable at first glance. However, that light was warm. It was kind. Sufficient to illuminate this darkness.

Chloe suddenly felt a remarkable sense of comfort. Her heart felt warm and teary.

“Student Chloe.”

A soft and pleasant bass resonated in Chloe’s ears as she felt comforted and cozy.

“Now, please open your eyes.”

Chloe opened her eyes. And she stared blankly at Professor Antorelli.

Professor Antorelli smiled slightly and said.

“Student Chloe. Look down.”

“…Huh?”

It is… it is. Yes, it is….

It is light.

The most beautifully crafted golden light in the world. It is the most serene, smallest yet warmest light.

The beginning of faith, the beginning of everything. The primordial principle and the essence of everything, the culmination of all rules and principles.

The most fundamental miracle crafted by divine power. A very small golden sphere.

Was resting on Chloe’s hand.

She stared at it blankly. And it was not just her.

Countless students had already rushed forward, gathered right in front of the podium. To witness this unbelievable situation up close. To engrave in their minds that a miracle had indeed occurred here.

A scene where a minuscule amount of divine power was faintly illuminating the podium. Yet, it was no trivial matter.

This place was a scene of enlightenment. A situation that surpassed limits. An unbelievable outcome.

Everything converged to create a single miracle.

As Professor Antorelli looked at the students gathered like clouds, he quietly murmured, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Blessed, truly blessed.”

The Lord’s love is this blessed.

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