บท 10: 010 - Angel...?
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Madam Ophelia, the Supervisor of the freshman dormitory, is a gentle person in many ways.
She always has a warm smile and doesn't get angry, maintaining a lovely squint.
She is also a beauty with rich blonde hair, which made her all the more popular among the students.
However, the fact that she received the title of 'Madam' shows that she's not just an easy person, and a regular Knight on active duty.
It is almost a heavenly feat for green horns who have just entered the academy.
Being a regular Knight is an enviable job that requires one to be a talent of at least the 5th Rank, which is the minimum standard to even be considered.
"Is everyone here-?"
Of course, that isn't really apparent right now, especially with her being so soft spoken.
With a wry smile, I followed Lady Ophelia, who is leading the freshmen from the front. The atmosphere is reminiscent of that of a mother duck leading her little ducklings behind.
We're currently in the highest hill in Elfante Academy, the Grande Hill, where you could see all the nearby facilities.
It is the best place to introduce new students to the overall structure of the academy.
"That's the dormitory. I think everyone is familiar with where it is, right? The facilities used by each department are different —over there is a physical training room mainly used by the School of Knights, while over there is the magic training hall used by the School of Magic…"
As for me, these explanations were just a repeat of what I already know.
Elfante's curriculum is divided into five Schools, with each representing a field.
Knight, Magic, Utility, Crafting, Theology.
This is not just exclusive to Elfante, the Tribal Union and Holy Land also follow the same system.
Starting from the welcome party that will be held in a few days, the freshmen will choose their majors and minors, and the same goes for the main character.
'… Actually, the Schools here are different.'
They may be called 'Schools' but looking at the 'facilities' and their size, it is not an exaggeration to say that each is a small city of their own.
True to its reputation as one of the best educational institution on the continent, the amount of land and budget allocated to each School is staggering.
The same applies to the Holy Land and Tribal Union.
Elfante Academy, Great Temple, Fighting Furnace.
These neighboring educational institutions are the best of the continent.
They are called the Golden Triangle.
'And, that's that.'
I checked the items I brought, while listening to Madam Ophelia's explanation with one ear.
In my bag was an incense burner and various materials to light the incense.
I also brought some extra… 'offerings' to use.
This field trip event, which follows immediately after the entrance exam, is like a tutorial that introduces the world and functions of the academy to the player. And there are some things that can only be done at this time.
"Uhm, is that the famous Void Zone over there?"
Yes, that's a good question.
When one of the students asked such a question, Madam Ophelia looked troubled.
Then her squinted eyes turned to the huge gray orb that the student was pointing at.
Despite being far away, the insidiousness and ominousness can be clearly felt even from such a distance.
"That is true, but- that is a restricted area - you'll be in big trouble if you go there-"
A dome-shaped sphere of enormous size embedded in the center of the three educational institutions forming a triangle. And a huge tower-shaped building looming inward.
Madam Ophelia's comment was not an overreaction. In fact, the words 'restricted area' are even too mild.
Void Zone, the product of the Great God-Devil War, which went down in history as the worst war.
[T/N: Not sure on the name since 신마 (Shinma) has no one-to-one translation. But based on the novel's setting, I used God-Devil; Shin=Deity/God & Ma=Devil]
This is the place where the messenger of God and the hero who inherited his power fought the final bloodbath against the devil and sealed it.
Hundreds of years have passed since its discovery, but the clash between the demonic and divine power lingering around it showed no signs of subsiding.
There's a 100% chance of dying if you were to get close to it. Even someone powerful won't experience any better.
'In the first place…'
This was the reason why the three academies, the Golden Triangle, are close to each other.
The "Great Treaty," created after the Great God-Devil War, between the three continental powers— the Empire, the Holy Land and the Tribal Union, had a clause that required each power to send a certain number of manpower to help manage the Void Zone.
The Treaty is still valid today, hundreds of years after the devil last appeared.
The devil has been sealed thanks to the sacrifice of the warriors of the past. But if it is freed, that place will definitely be the starting point.
The reason why there are so many high-quality staff among the academy faculty is because their main job is monitoring and guarding the Void Zone. And as to not waste manpower, they also serve as teachers on the side.
"…"
However, considering the main scenario, it is not so unlikely that the real devil will be released.
I feel dirty.
"Isn't it a famous place passed down even in myths? Can we go closer and take a look?"
"Uh-um-"
Seeing several students, whose eyes were burning with passion for learning, Madam Ophelia pursed her lips and scratched her cheek.
Seeing this, I calmly kept my backpack.
Part of the reason why Madam Ophelia is called 'Mommy' by players is because she wouldn't reject a request from the students. What will follow is already obvious…
"Then, shall we only go as far as Seraph-nim's protection allows-? It's safe as long as we're inside-"
Right.
●
Another name for the messenger of God revealed in mythology is an angel.
As an existence that appeared together when the devil awakened and began to plunge the world into chaos, the angel delivered various blessings and knowledge to humans.
It is said that an angel's power could boil the sea and overturn mountains.
A Seraph is a name given only to special beings among the angels.
It can be said that they have a status that is almost equivalent to that of a demigod by wordly standards.
"Then we'll have lunch around here-"
And such an existence had set up a protective barrier with enough stability that people could have a leisurely meal near the Void Zone.
In the first place, the reason why the academy is able to exist near here is because of this barrier.
The sight of bright white light clusters floating around is a spectacle, which naturally garnered the admiration of the students.
After settling down and taking out their lunchbox, one of the students asked Madam Ophelia another question.
"Oh, I heard that priests often visit this area. This is one of the few pieces of evidence that we can use to study the power of angels, right?"
"That's right-?"
"Then, have you ever seen an angel in person?"
The student continued to ask with sparkling eyes.
It was a reasonably curious question. Legend has it that angels, who normally dwell in another plane of existence, would descend to the human world and bestow mortals 'blessings' or 'gifts.'
Each one is extremely powerful, and it is said that the blessings and gifts would go down in history.
The stakes for theologians or priests seeing an angel is high.
As far as I know, it's a legend based on facts.
Of course, there's naturally some conditions.
"Well, I've seen numerous fancy ceremonies and rituals performed while I'm on duty, but there was never a case where an angel appeared-"
The student who asked Madam Ophelia the question nodded in understanding at her answer.
After all, it's an angel we're talking about here. Can such an existence just be summoned at will?
However.
'…It's actually easier than what everyone thinks.'
I approached Madam Ophelia while thinking to myself.
"Excuse me, can I eat a little further away?"
"Hmm-?"
Madam Ophelia tilted her head, her expression asking, 'why?'
"I feel a little uncomfortable eating here."
"…Ahh-"
However, after hearing my words and looking around, she nodded her head.
I had defeated Elijah with one punch and was also in the scene of the crime during the attempted assassination of Princess Tristan. My reputation naturally skyrocketed after such events.
Of course, most of the gazes on me don't look so pleased. In fact, there is a high possibility that they are on the bad side.
Further, me subduing Hasmed during the entrance exam and simply letting him go could lead to a lot of problems. That's why Elijah and Elnore, who witnessed it, also remained silent.
In other words, the public's perception of me is that I'm a freeloader who did nothing while Princess Tristan was being assassinated and a fraud that cheated to defeat the next hero candidate.
Rumors tend to be blown out of the proportion. However, those who follow and believe such gossip without a second thought are people who don't like me in the first place.
A nameless noble from an unknown no-root baron family is undeserving of the spotlight.
"Try not to go too far, okay—? It's dangerous-"
"Yes."
Of course, what they say or think is none of my concerns.
On the contrary, I am grateful for such opposition as it made Madam Ophelia agree to my request to leave.
'Let's see…'
I walked somewhere far enough where I wouldn't be bothered by anyone.
There's nothing good about showing others what I'm going to be doing.
Uh.
Primarily in a theological sense.
"Alright."
I began setting up the things I brought in my bag.
The Divine's Ultima and the materials needed to light it.
I put the unicorn horn powder into the incense burner and lit a fire with the phoenix feather.
After adjusting the flames intensity using the coral fan, smoke began to spread.
The smoke soon reached a light cluster floating nearby, and promptly started to mix and clump together.
The Divine's Ultima's function is simple. Like how I compared it to a phone before, it allows me to contact beings that I would never normally be able to communicate with.
To materialize beings from another plane of existence into the human world. This is what the Divine's Ultima is capable of.
'If you think about it…'
Theologians and priests are not wrong for making all sorts of fuss here.
The angelic presence is particularly evident around here more than anywhere else. After all, the barrier was set up by a Seraph.
The problem was that they misunderstood the nature of angels.
In myths, they are often described as noble and divine existences.
Dignified and virtuous beings revered by many.
However.
That's not true.
Like really.
-…..
The light-smoke mix gradually took shape, and soon several burly men appeared.
Behind them were pure white wings and golden halos floated above their heads.
No matter how you look at it, they are your cliché angels.
But.
"How did these f*cking kids do the pre-work? Where are those bas†ards from Jinji's construction cooperation unit this quarter?"
"Um, Lord Angel-nim. They're probably Gary's."
"Those sons of bi†ches think they're slick, huh? Do you really want me to knock some sense on your guys' heads? Hey, call up those f*ckers. If Seraph-nim sees this, we're all done for, got it?"
No matter which angle you look at, this conversation is neither noble or virtuous.
In the first place, carrying rough items like a hammer or a military shovel isn't exactly what you can call elegant.
"…"
These angels look more like… the 'military'.
An extreme male-dominated society. A thorough rank system. A top-down hierarchy. A rigid and violent atmosphere.
Basically, if a Seraph created or ordered something, those under him maintain or do it.
"We don't have enough holy water compound to plug the gap in the barrier! Can I borrow some?"
"You can't do one thing right, can you as$hole? Give me the brush, I'll do it myself. Zoomers these days can't do anything right. Back in my day-"
"…"
Listening to their conversation, I'm glad I came alone.
If devout believers saw this scene, they would have passed out foaming on their mouths.
"Um, by the way Squad Leader. You know that human over there?"
"Yeah, who's he?"
"You mean the one that's been staring at us since earlier?"
"It probably just a coincidence. Still, it's nice that he's quiet. Those annoying bas†ards spawn out of nowhere and cause ruckus…"
Alright, let's think about this.
What meaning would a grand ceremony or ritual really hold in front of such people?
They're dragged out for manual labor that they didn't want to do. They roll around like dogs, feeling like shi† and wanted to die. They're in a sensitive state where they want to kiII someone constantly trying to talk to them.
What would happen if dozens or hundreds of people flock to them and recite Buddhist scriptures or Bible verses over and over, and over again?
There is a reason why angels do not show themselves. All the above is just annoying to them.
People are lucky a disaster hasn't befallen them.
On the contrary, what they want is something very simple and primitive.
I sighed and took out the 'offerings' I brought from my bag.
Generic alcohol with high alcohol content and lacking subtlety, but with a strong and distinct taste. There's also meat I bought at a reasonable price at the market.
These are simple and rough taste that commoners enjoy, but there's nothing like it.
It's a kind of special set for construction workers.
This is probably the best way to rejuvenate from doing intense labor.
Pyeonyuk (sliced meat) with a glass of makgeolli (rice wine) after a serious sweat sesh.
What more can you want?
"…The guy got good taste. Did he pick what we like?"
"Should I ask for a little…"
"We cannot descend to the material world without the acknowledgement of the human who called us. The conditions aren't met, so what's the point of asking…"
"Ajusshis."
When I said this, the chattering angels around me suddenly quieted down.
They realized that I am aware of their presence.
With a smile, I continued.
"If you just work and don't eat, you'll eventually wear your bodies out."
The angels' eyes turned upside down.
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