Chapter 21: Strange Days and Sudden Proposals
A Week of Weirdness
Something’s off.
“Hmm, your formation’s improved since last time, but the saintess’s abilities are so inconsistent it’s hard to judge. Still, you pass.”
Something’s off.
“I get a headache just thinking about afternoon history class… Saintess Isidora, you never doze off. What’s your secret?”
Something’s off.
“Phew… Feels refreshing. Huh? Isidora, reading that book again? You haven’t turned a page in days.”
“Lately, my lifestyle’s changed so much that even a bit of reading tires me out, and I fall asleep.”
‘Why am I living like a recruit again?’
It’s been a week since we took down that beast in our first class.
Feels like 6.7 seconds.
Wake up, eat, train in the morning, eat, attend afternoon classes, eat, shower, and by evening, my body’s optimized for sleep.
I tried reading a book I borrowed from the library, but every time I sit and open it, I pass out like I’ve been hit with a sleep spell.
It’s been days of this.
I’m like an academy-attending robot.
Is this book enchanted or something?
[The God of Dreams says there’s no magic on the book.]
“Oh, God…”
‘You bastard.’
Can’t I just have my mental victory? Did you have to confirm that?
Fine, no magic means it’s all my weak willpower.
I flipped open the black leather cover.
Preface
Yup.
I haven’t even gotten past the first page.
Some might say skip to the main text, but the preface is the author’s summary or guideline.
Who skips the abstract when reading a paper?
‘I’d probably just read the abstract.’
I boldly started reading, determined to get past the preface today and reach the main text.
This study examines how divine powers and restrictions are defined and function in clerical society, based on interviews with saints and saintesses from fifteen temples. The focus is threefold: first, the types and contents of divine powers; second, the forms of restrictions related to these powers; and third, the analysis of significant correlations between powers and restrictions. Using Aquinas’s (1181) classification of divine powers, the primary form identified is persistent…
Fifirel’s Observation
“She’s out again.”
I looked at Isidora, face buried in her book, fast asleep.
No idea what fun dream she’s having, but her little giggles are pretty cute.
Not my place to say, but she’s a weird one.
Peeking at people changing, pestering me to go to the bathhouse, staring at every girl’s chest.
At first, I thought Isidora swung that way.
Some in my tribe were like that, so it wasn’t shocking, but it felt uneasy.
Though, seeing her with Orphe lately, that theory’s nonsense.
‘Something was up since that first lunch.’
After a week of eating together, them sitting side by side feels normal.
Patricia and Monica, who were flustered at first, now accept it.
Orphe’s occasional whispers still startle others, but it’s become routine.
They make a fine pair, a handsome guy and a lovely girl.
I walked over and gently lifted the sleeping Isidora.
“Mnya… Orphe…”
“Oh my.”
Calling for Orphe in her sleep? She must really like him.
Can saintesses even marry?
No clue.
I carefully laid her on the bed.
‘Well, they’ll figure it out.’
I blew out the nearby candle.
A Disturbing Dream
“How could this happen…?”
‘Fck, again?’
That weird dream from the Temple of Dreams.
Me and Orphe, uh, doing this and that—disgusting nonsense!
I’d forgotten it for a while, but it came back like a pesky peddler, ruining my sleep.
[The God of Dreams asks if you had a nice dream.]
This jerk knows he can read my thoughts and still asks to mess with me.
I’m gonna switch all my offerings at the Pantheon.
Pickled radish, seaweed stems, fried croaker, zucchini mushroom stir-fry.
Maybe a prosecutor’s office worth of dishes will shut him up.
“You’re up. Sleep well?”
“Yes, did you have a good dream?”
‘Didn’t sleep, you jerk.’
I smiled and greeted Fifirel, half-ready to leave.
Since coming here, I’ve noticed no one wakes up later than me.
With my restrictions, sleeping in isn’t easy, but waking up earlier than me?
Orphe and Fifirel both do it.
Small sample size, but it’s wild that anyone beats my restrictions.
Maybe the gods’ idea of “early” is just lax.
They set the restrictions, after all.
[The God of Hunting says waking at 7 a.m. is early enough.]
Fair point.
Guess they’re just weirdos.
As I got ready, I spotted the book on the desk.
“Without learning, a person is empty, yet why is the path so arduous…?”
‘Fell asleep at the preface again. Am I an idiot?’
I’ve been stuck on the preface for days.
After class today, I’ll read the main text, no matter what.
I swore to myself.
Training Ground Tensions
“Staring again, you pervert.”
Patricia grumbled.
I smiled back.
“Lady Arkis, watching a spar from outside the training ground isn’t staring, is it?”
‘Nobles always have thick skulls!’
“Saintess Isidora, look at those creepy eyes, glaring like you’re about to devour someone!”
I glanced outside at her words.
…It’s just Orphe, same as always.
What’s different?
My thoughts were cut off by Monica’s shout.
“A-Arkis!”
“Won’t let it pass!”
Clang!
Patricia deftly blocked the beast’s charge.
It flew past her and me, aiming for Monica.
“ᚦᚻᛚ (Thon Hagle Eiar)!”
“Yelp!”
The vine trap around Monica welcomed its first guest.
Over days of sparring, we’d developed a combo, and it wasn’t half bad.
If the enemy didn’t charge right away, I’d use my powers to draw aggro or finish it.
Patricia kept tabs on Monica, our main damage dealer, closing gaps quickly.
Compared to our first spar, our teamwork and skills had visibly improved.
“Great job, Monica. That combo was pretty satisfying.”
“T-Thanks… But it’s not M-Monica, it’s Monica… I’ve said it so many times…”
Didn’t even get to act today.
Kinda miss spinning the power gacha.
Pulling trash powers pisses me off, but not pulling feels empty.
[The God of Entertainment says they prepared a ton of powers for you and are disappointed.]
…Relying only on powers might be a bad habit.
Maybe I’ll skip prayers next time and swing a mace as frontline support.
[The God of Entertainment begs you to listen.]
After cleaning up the beast, I locked eyes with Orphe again on my way out.
His gaze isn’t pervy—it’s like a scouter.
Yeah, like a GM eyeing a prospect about to break out, ready to sign them cheap for five years with a three-year extension, squeezing every drop.
I know that look from drooling over high-potential players in Football Manager.
Patricia leaned close, whispering.
“Saintess Isidora, didn’t you feel it? That guy’s sticky gaze—”
“Saintess.”
“Eek!”
Orphe cut in before Patricia finished her gossip, startling her.
She fled to the other side, grabbing my shoulders and glaring at him.
“Yes, Orphe? What’s up?”
‘What’s with you, jerk?’
That morning’s bad dream made my words less friendly, but the filter would cover it.
“I heard morning classes switch to outdoor training starting tomorrow.”
“Oh, really? We hadn’t heard…”
‘Already?’
In the novel your eight gods sent, it took a month before leaving the academy.
Events are moving faster than the story.
Does that mean the demons show up sooner too?
Ugh, what a headache.
“It’s just something I heard from a staff member, so it’s not certain. The instructor might mention it after class.”
“I see. Thanks for the heads-up. Is that all?”
‘If you’re done, get lost.’
Orphe started to speak, paused, and looked around.
What’s he looking for?
Then he dropped a bombshell.
“Join my team.”
“What?”
‘Huh?’
Fck.
I should’ve known from that bad morning dream.