The questions tailed one another in a long line.

'Why is that guy...'

The appearance of an unexpected person had thrown his mind into chaos.

'Why are you here?'

He was the one who stole his talent.

The one who taught him humility.

The one who dragged his successful life into the abyss.

-Griiiiip...

Luin thought that this special class was a result of Hans's scheme. Otherwise, it made no sense for that guy to be here.

If the guy who had joined hands with the heretics and fallen was here, what he had experienced would surely repeat itself.

'It was wrong from the start.'

The moment Luin's complex thoughts turned to suspicion about the authenticity of the class, Hans began to resolve Luin's anxiety with a bright smile.

"You must be confused, right?"

"..."

"If I, a former archbishop of the heretics, suddenly appeared before you and called myself a 'teacher', even I would find it strange."

He said kindly, while defending Ricardo.

"No matter how untrustworthy I may seem, I would appreciate it if you would stop your disrespectful thoughts about the Saint... no, Ricardo. It is thanks to him that I was able to leave the heretics."

"..."

"From now on, I would like you to think of me as the magic teacher assigned to teach you."

"..."

"I've quit my work with the heretics and am now living an honest life, so you can trust me. Whether you believe me or not is up to you, of course."

Luin shouted at Hans with a trembling voice. With a firm will that he would never accept it.

"Don't make me laugh!"

He expressed his anger towards his old friend.

"You want me to believe that...?"

"Believing or not is your choice...."

"You expect me to learn magic from the guy who stole my talent?"

He had resolved to send him back even if it meant a life-and-death struggle if they met again, but Luin felt hatred towards Hans, who was ridiculously claiming to have been reformed. He knew it was a futile resentment, but when he thought about all the hardships he had been through, his anger flared up.

-Isn't Luin-sunbae acting strange?

-I know... he can't even get the basic magic right.

-Isn't he kind of uncool? The way he shows off is also a bit... you know.

'Grit'

Luin's anger flared up whenever he thought about that time. The one who had given him the hardest moment of his life was right in front of him.

"Luin."

Hans let out a hollow laugh at Luin and said.

"The magic I took from you didn't suit me, so I never even used it."

"What?"

"In the first place... I didn't take your magic to use it."

-Grip...

"...Are you kidding me?"

Hans, looking at Luin who seemed ready to pounce at any moment, gave a faint smile and didn't provoke him any further. He had predicted this much of a reaction.

'I thought he'd at least grab me by the collar.... He seems to have realized something.'

Hans, who had expected a stronger reaction, smiled pleasantly at Luin's calmer-than-expected response and took a step back. If nothing had changed from back then, he would have tried to steal his magic again.

"Whether you believe me or not is up to the student. I'm standing here at Ricardo's request."

"..."

"I'm sure Chartia-sunbaenim feels the same way. And Schuen-hubaenim will feel the same way too. I think the other students feel the same way as well."

"I don't know what happened?"

"Haha... still, I'll be in your care. I am the teacher who will teach you...."

"Don't make me laugh!!!"

Luin clenched his fists, stood up from his seat, and strode towards him. The friend he had wanted to see so much was right in front of him.

"Tell me honestly what your scheme is."

He wanted to question him.

Why he did it.

If he hated him that much.

Having fallen into the abyss, he could somewhat understand Hans's feelings. The feeling of being compared. Watching a position he could never reach no matter how hard he tried.

And.

He could now also understand the ugliness of being willing to do anything to become stronger.

"Tell me!!"

The shouting Luin was looking down at Hans. Their relationship had always been like this.

He, who was taller, looking down at him, and Hans looking up at him.

The moment he realized anew that Hans was shorter than him, a cold voice began to ring in Luin's ears.

"Student Luin."

"You...."

"Stop looking down on me so arrogantly and sit down."

"..."

"I am currently in the position of a teacher teaching students."

"Don't change the subject and tell me. You must have some other scheme. Otherwise, you wouldn't...."

-Saaaaa...

The moment a brief silence passed.

-Crack...!

With a sharp pain, Luin's center of balance began to crumble.

"Ugh...!"

Luin, who had furrowed his brow, looked at his leg where he felt the extreme pain, but Hans's leg had already kicked his thigh.

"You son of a bitch...!"

Luin, whose legs had given out, lunged at Hans in anger to grab him by the collar, but because his center of gravity was off, he couldn't catch him.

Instead.

He slammed his face into the sand with a 'thud!'.

Luin, with his face buried in the sand, looked up at Hans with a furrowed brow and gritted his teeth.

"I'm going to stomp on you."

"..."

"I'm going to beat the crap out of you and bring you back to your senses...."

"I'm perfectly sane... though."

"..."

"Heave-ho."

Hans, who had squatted down in front of Luin, looked down at him and smiled slightly.

"Student Luin. Listen to me."

"..."

"Before I take everything you have left."

"...!!!"

Hans, who had stood up, smiled slightly and began to talk about the class.

"That's right. I'm not a trustworthy guy, just like the rumors say."

"I trust you?"

"Why is that?"

"Because a smart commoner hired you. I trust you."

"I think we'll get along well."

"Are you a noble?"

"I'm a commoner."

"How dare a commoner speak to a noble? Eeek!?"

Hans, who had burst out laughing, took a step back and continued to speak.

"So, I'm thinking of adding my own rule to make you all participate in the class passionately."

"..."

"Originally, I was going to explain it, but because of student Luin, you've all found out."

Hans gave a bright smile to the students who were filled with fear.

"That's right. I can use black magic that steals someone's talent. Luin's talent, 'Flame Script', and the 'Transmutation' magic that changes one's form into that of another are also magic I've stolen from someone."

"..."

"Of course, I don't use it 'often' now... but I do use it when necessary."

"..."

"So..."

Hans looked at them with cold eyes and said.

"That useless talent of an inferior student who can't keep up with the class...."

-Saaaaa...

"I'm thinking of putting it to good use."

Hans, who had watched the students' trembling expressions, drew a line in the sand and said.

"Now, we will begin the class."

"..."

"If you can't cross this line, you're disqualified."

"..."

"Understood? Student Luin."

Luin glared at Hans's confident expression, grabbed a handful of sand from the ground, and said.

"Alright... I'll cross that damn line."

·

·

·

"Damn it...!"

Luin, blocked by a transparent barrier, slammed his fist down in frustration.

"Why isn't it working...!"

It was just a line, but Luin, who was stuck in a predicament he couldn't cross or overcome, began to feel impatient.

He had worked himself to death, but it was frustrating to be blocked by such a measly line.

"The tea tastes good."

Luin said to Hans, who was leisurely drinking tea, with anger.

"Hey... Hans."

"Yes, student Luin."

"If I cross this line, you'd better tell me. Why you made that choice.... Why you betrayed the old man."

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to break this damn barrier."

Hans shook his head, retorting what he was talking about.

"If you want something, you have to offer a suitable condition. I have nothing to gain from you, so why should I have a conversation?"

"You bastard."

"And."

Hans pointed at the drawn barrier with his finger and smiled.

"This is the basics of the basics."

"..."

"Wouldn't it spoil you if I gave you a gift for solving a basic task? Even an orc can break a barrier like this. Or are you hoping for praise like a baby who has just learned to walk?"

"Don't look down on me..."

"Then shall we raise the intensity?"

Hans smiled brightly and began to put up barriers on all four sides.

"Until you get out of the barrier, you can't come out. Not to mention food and water. Only those who come out of the barrier can eat."

"..."

"Those who finish the class early will be given a break."

Hans, who was looking at the pale faces of the others, lightly crossed the line and said.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"..."

"You can't do something this easy?"

*

Inside the cathedral where no light entered.

Yuria, who had opened her eyes, raised her head and looked at the woman in front of her.

It was a familiar sight.

The back of a benevolent and beautiful priest.

The others who had woken up inside the cathedral were also looking at the woman kneeling in front of the altar. The woman in the white linen robe drew everyone's attention with her mere presence.

"Saint... thank you for giving us our daily bread today."

The woman, who had recited the prayer with a holy gesture, slowly straightened her knees and stood on the altar.

And the moment the woman's face was revealed, Yuria's eyes began to tremble greatly.

"Hello, everyone."

"Why... that person."

In this place, only Yuria knew the woman's identity. The person who had brainwashed the academy students and fought on par with the Empire's sword was a monster she could not erase from her memory.

The woman with the holy smile bowed her head and greeted them.

"I am the teacher who will teach you healing and the use of holy power..."

-Grin.

"My name is Elysia."

Elysia's eyes were smiling as she looked at Yuria's divine eye.

"I'll be in your care."

Elysia, standing before the students, looked at them with a benevolent smile.

"My teaching method will proceed by combining 'theory' and 'practice'."

"..."

"If you have any difficulties or parts you don't understand, please feel free to ask me anytime, and I will let you know."

"..."

"The study of divine power itself seems monotonous, but it is also difficult."

Yuria was scared.

The woman's kind voice.

The sacred appearance of the woman dressed in white linen.

It all felt like a contradiction.

The appearance she had shown that day was like a devil's, but her completely different demeanor made it impossible to concentrate on the class. It felt like she could change her expression and turn hostile at any moment.

Unlike Yuria's anxious heart, Elysia continued the class with a sacred smile.

"...The main purpose of divine power, as you all know, is used to heal the injured."

"..."

"It can be said to be the biggest difference between magic and divine power."

Elysia looked at Yuria and threw a question.

"Student Yuria."

"Yes...!"

"What do you think is the difference between a healer and a potion?"

"...What?"

Surprised by the unexpected question, Yuria looked at Elysia with a foolish gaze. Comparing 'potions' and 'healers' was a taboo in the Healing Department.

It was a kind of inferiority complex.

They didn't want to admit that they were replaceable personnel and wanted to have pride in the field they were learning.

"I... I..."

"You can speak comfortably. It's fine to say you don't feel much of a difference, or you can talk about the side effects of potions."

At the question that touched their pride, the other students also looked at Elysia with cold eyes and kept their words to themselves.

Yuria squeezed her trembling eyes shut and said lowly.

"I think a healer... is incomparable because they can provide a more certain healing than a potion. Potions are useful in emergency situations..."

"Wouldn't using an expensive potion solve the problem? A potion that costs over 100 gold has the effect of healing not only wounds but also basic illnesses."

"That's..."

"..."

"I'm sorry. I don't know."

The moment their awkward gazes met, Elysia smiled brightly as if nothing had happened and lightened the awkward atmosphere.

"Student Yuria is right."

"..."

"The difference between a healer and a potion is whether it enables a more certain healing."

"..."

"The touch of a healer is warmer than a tasteless potion, and the more competent a healer is, the more they can heal not only serious injuries but also illnesses."

"..."

"Yes."

Elysia smiled awkwardly and emphasized to the students.

"A 'competent healer' is more useful than a '100 gold' potion."

At Elysia's words, the students' gazes began to turn cold. It was a disadvantage of the Healing Department that even the professors didn't talk about.

Elysia, as if she had been waiting for the students' hardened expressions, smiled faintly and continued her explanation.

"...Now then, let's talk about the theory of divine power."

"..."

"The total amount of divine power is divided into two. The amount determined at birth like 'Student Yuria,' and the method of slowly increasing it by praying to God."

"..."

"The method of praying to God is first..."

The students, seeing Elysia continuing the class like a preacher giving a sermon, forgot their anger and felt bored.

"Regarding the relationship between sermons and divine power..."

They had heard the basic theory to the point of being sick of it at the academy. For students who had heard the same words countless times for as long as 3 years, being told to take the same class during vacation was like being told to run to the end of boredom.

"Hey... aren't you getting a little sleepy?"

"Yeah. They said she's a special professor, but there doesn't seem to be anything different."

"I think it would be better to have class with the director."

Elysia steadfastly continued the class despite the students' poor attitude.

"Hmm..."

Like someone waiting for a decisive moment.

"Wouldn't it sound cool just by hearing the name? The power that only those loved by God can use..."

"..."

"If you only look at these things, you are no different from truly chosen people. To the point where you don't envy the students who use magic."

Elysia, speaking as if testing the limits of drowsiness, spoke to the students with a questioning tone.

"May I tell you one interesting fact?"

"...It doesn't sound interesting."

"Hey... shh...! Your voice was too loud."

"I don't know... I'm sleepy."

"Do you think that people who serve gods other than the 'Goddess Sect,' the state religion of the empire, have divine power?"

"...Do you know?"

"I don't know. I don't want to know either."

"That's true."

"I will give one love to the person who gets it right."

"...That really gets me motivated."

"Pfft... don't make me laugh."

Yuria swallowed dryly as she watched the quietly chatting students. Because Elysia was watching them from time to time.

Yuria, feeling Elysia's gaze, clenched her fists and squeezed her eyes shut. Praying that nothing would happen.

"Does no one know?"

Elysia didn't drag out the answer and quickly gave it.

"The correct answer is 'You can have divine power even if you don't serve the same god.' Isn't that surprising? I've become unable to use divine power due to personal circumstances, but..."

"...Haaah."

The moment Elysia's impassioned speech continued, one student couldn't hold back their drowsiness and let out a yawn.

Laughter can be heard.

Giggling laughter.

"What are you doing...!"

"I don't know. I'm sleepy."

"How can you be so rude to the teacher..."

"You said it would be fun, but what is this?"

'Please...'

Yuria's hands began to grow cold. The moment she heard the yawn, Elysia's expression began to turn cold. Although it was a fleeting moment, Yuria, who saw Elysia's changed expression, looked at the student next to her with trembling eyes to scold them, but...

"...Are you sleepy?"

Elysia's benevolent smile was gone.

The white linen began to flutter.

It began to flutter beautifully with the sound of her coming down from the pulpit.

"The class must have been boring."

A mad laugh blooms.

A mad laugh blooming from a beautiful face. The moment Yuria, surprised by the apostle's expression she had seen before, turned around and shouted, it was already...

"...Everyone, be careful!"

...after the space had been changed.

"Where is this...?"

In the darkness where nothing could be seen, Elysia's voice began to be heard.

Sticky.

In a space where it was hard to breathe.

"Everyone."

Elysia said in the darkness.

"Besides prayer, what is an efficient way to increase the total amount of divine power?"

"..."

"It's simple."

In the suddenly changed space, the frightened voices of the students began to be heard. And as if to dismiss it, Elysia's voice began to spread coldly.

"It increases as you repeat healing."

-Thump.

-Thump.

-Thump.

The torches above lit up, and strange things began to be seen. Familiar monsters with white bodies.

"...No way."

Elysia said in a voice devoid of emotion.

"It's a skeleton army."

"..."

"10 hours."

"What did you say?"

"Survive for 10 hours in an army of 10,000 skeletons."

Yuria said to herself.

'Haa...'

It seems I've gotten myself into something bad.

----------------------------------------

In the mountain cabin deep in the mountains at night.

"I was right, wasn't I?"

I smiled and said to those sitting with haggard faces. I had said that we would be the first to arrive today.

"I'm the one who teaches the kindest."

"..."

"So, you must learn diligently."

The students' complexions were as if they wanted to sleep right away. Malik's expression was the same, and so was Hanna's face. Mikhail was no exception.

"...Haa. I really feel like I'm going to die."

"You can't say you feel like you're going to die already, Ms. Hanna."

"But... Butler!"

Hanna shuddered as she recalled what had happened throughout the day.

-Wake up.

-Pant... pant...

-How can you faint in front of an apostle?

-I've never fainted in front of an apostle...

-That's because the apostle wasn't using their full power.

-...That's not it.

I held Hanna's shoulder and smiled brightly.

"You just fainted all day, what's so hard about that?"

"...I feel like my mind is going to break."

"Haha! We're going to start using our bodies in earnest from tomorrow, so please don't be too disappointed."

"That's even scarier..."

Hanna's pupils began to tremble greatly.

I walked around the empty cabin and said to the students. That they could share a room with people they liked.

-I want to be with the butler...!

-I'm sorry. I have to go home.

-...

'Elysia-nim said she would make us a place to stay... I didn't know it would be this big.'

I thought that the moniker of 'moving fortress' wasn't given for nothing. Elysia's ability to transform a whole mountain was one of the abilities I envied no matter how many times I saw it.

'That aside...'

[20:21]

'They're coming in late.'

I thought I had come in quite late too, but seeing the empty cabin, it seemed the other students were still rolling around. I was planning to go easy since it was the first day, but if everyone was going to give it their all, I should have tried harder too.

'I'll probably be coming late from tomorrow too.'

I put aside my complicated thoughts for a moment and smiled lightly as I ran towards the students.

"Everyone, what would you like to eat? I'll cook... oh?"

I smiled as I looked at the male student sitting in a chair with a haggard expression. I thought his condition was strange since a while ago, but now it seemed like he was completely broken.

"Student Rohan."

"...Stop..."

"Student Rohan."

"Heok...!"

At my call, which tapped his shoulder, Rohan was startled and looked at me with trembling eyes. The aggressive appearance he had shown in the morning was gone, and his cat-like appearance with folded ears made me smile.

"What's wrong?"

"..."

"Didn't you say you could beat everyone? The knight commander of the empire and me."

"This is sorcery... sorcery to somehow make me faint."

At Rohan's words, which had seen through my intention, I smiled faintly and whispered lowly.

"That's right."

"...What?"

"It's difficult to make someone faint with just killing intent. It's even more impossible with a large number of people."

"You son of a bitch..."

"Haha... it was possible because there were only a few people. You'll know when you experience it later, but it was a really helpful class, you know?"

"There was a better way, wasn't there?"

"No. This was the most refined way."

I placed my finger on Rohan's forehead and said.

"This kind of method leaves trauma."

"What..."

"Death."

"Death... what are you talking about?"

The moment Rohan's words continued.

-Kuaaaaaaak!!!!

A loud man's scream began to be heard in my ear. The scream of a soldier who was on the verge of life and death.

"How is it?"

I smiled and asked Rohan, who had screamed. I had made him feel the illusion of his skull being crushed.

"How does it feel to experience death?"

"..."

"I only released killing intent. About half of the killing intent that an actual apostle releases."

"..."

"Can you not be scared?"

I patted Rohan's pale shoulder and smiled.

"Fainting is better, isn't it?"

Rohan silently nodded his head.

"Yes..."

'Crack' I stretched once and looked at the students again, asking. What they wanted to eat.

It seemed like it would be a while before the other students came back. I asked so I could prepare a meal in advance.

"I want fried chicken."

"Me too..."

"I want rice."

"Anything is fine with me."

"I want to cook."

After eating the meal Malik made, about an hour more passed.

"They're here."

Looking at the pale-faced people coming in through the window, I smiled brightly and said.

"Oh..."

It's not easy.