PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

“When trying to define the existence of humanity, the recognized elements. The Lord’s creative gifts. All of them are spirituality.”

Professor Antorelli’s words came to an end. Chloe stared at him vacantly.

It was the law of the world. An absolute condition that applies universally to all things. Something that transcends the level of spiritual interference, applicable anywhere, anytime.

The moment the concept of the word ‘spirituality’ entered her mind, she gained an insight.

Something mysterious that had not yet blossomed her potential hidden within. She peeled away a layer of the solid shell that encased it.

“I can’t explain it in detail, but I recognize it nevertheless…”

Yes. It cannot be explained in human language or communication. Therefore, trying to define it with a single word or phrase is nonsensical.

The students, including Chloe, undoubtedly realized what spirituality was.

However, if asked to explain it in words, the students would be unable to respond. This transcends mere verbal explanation.

Then, it becomes understanding.

Spirituality.

True to its name, it is the resonance that dwelled in the soul before the body was created.

A holy whisper from the Lord towards a minuscule fragment of the soul.

Insignificantly small humans find such whispers from the Lord perplexing. Thus, rather than observing and interpreting it from a functional perspective, they should delve into it from a spiritual standpoint.

Yes. It is the communion of souls. An understanding that flashes in the mind. A thought that elevates the brain’s activity of the geniuses gathered from across the Empire to the extreme; thinking beyond thought. A super-awareness beyond recognition.

A shiver ran down her spine. A thrilling sensation, as if flowing through her spine from her brain, penetrated Chloe’s entire body.

And, it was not just Chloe.

An extraordinary refreshing feeling, incomparably difficult to find in this world, struck the classroom. As if being hit head-on by crashing waves, the students could feel a sudden shock that made their insides feel wide open.

“Accept the Lord’s gift, the sparkle of the soul derived from being the children of man. That precious shard…. Just, accept it.”

“Oh, oh….”

Several theology students clasped their hands together. Their trembling, fern-like hands came together to form a massive pillar of faith.

Yes, a sturdy pillar of faith sustained them.

“We are human. However, because we are human, we can finally attain such spiritual enlightenment.”

This class was extraordinary. No matter how many times it was repeated, this demonstrated results that were more than just a simple class.

“And that realization cannot be achieved simply by being human. Those who can attain enlightenment….”

Human free will. And the spiritual belief that makes one trust in existence even when it does not truly exist.

“Only those who possess these two conditions can finally achieve that enlightenment.”

The element that Professor Antorelli wanted to teach them since the beginning of the semester: human free will.

Just having attended that class was enough to satisfy the students. They believed that there would be no further teachings beyond this, and they could not gain any deeper realizations than this.

So, yes. There is no enlightenment left to gain from it. It was already a well that had run dry after everyone had drawn from it. No one doubted this.

However, it was an ever-flowing well. Professor Antorelli was personally proving that fact.

“And surprisingly, it seems that you adequately fulfill those two conditions.”

Therefore, you are beautiful. Professor Antorelli spread his arms wide.

“The beautiful Milky Way that lights up the night sky, the shining stars within that galaxy, the whispers of birds and insects, the fresh dawn sunlight of late spring….”

Something sparkled in the students’ eyes. It was the source of brilliance rising from their souls.

“Like the stars that light up the night sky, you who shine the brightest at this moment.”

Emotions have a total quantity. Once it exceeds that quantity, a human being considers that overflow as something beyond emotion and cannot control it.

“All of this exists under the Lord’s grace. That itself is spirituality.”

The sound of the theology students fervently mumbling prayers slowly filled the classroom. More and more students began to join in that movement.

It felt like breath was being taken away. She bit her trembling lips tightly.

Professor Antorelli opened the Bible. His hand gently turned the pages and eventually stopped at a certain place.

“See. Listen. Taste. If these three are not fulfilled, simply believe.”

If I were to return to the earth and unite with the Lord, then it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

But I live in the flesh, because the Lord who formed my soul loves me and grants light to my soul.

To this the Lord says, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with me.

“Pure and undefiled religion is this, that your soul understands my words…. From the book of James, chapter 6, verses 3 to 5.”

The students looked at Professor Antorelli with expressions that could not be put into words. Facing his indescribable expression, Professor Antorelli spoke.

“Today, you have experienced enlightenment arising from the spiritual realm.”

At that moment, Chloe realized something swirling within her heart.

A single flash that is drawn up from deep within a person. It was something warm like fire, yet clear with a touch of blueness.

“Ah….”

Within Chloe, a flower bloomed.

—

Deng— deng—.

The sweet silence was broken by the merciless farewell of class. The students, unaware, glared at the clock.

11:30 AM. The exact time the class ended. On top of their grim expressions, a sense of regret was painted over.

“Class ends here for today.”

Gathering up theology books and teaching materials, Professor Antorelli exited the classroom with the same confident stride as when the class had begun.

The students, who had been gazing at him blankly, slowly began to rise from their seats.

“Shall we go…?”

“…Yeah. Let’s go.”

“What about lunch? Shall we go to the cafeteria?”

“I’m good with lunch. More than that, I’ll just stop by the library for a bit.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Me too!”

The sight of students running off to the library, cutting past other students heading to the cafeteria, was peculiar. These were students who typically wore bored expressions with no motivation whatsoever when attending classes from other departments.

“Chloe. What do you want to do?”

“…Huh?”

At Elin’s call, Chloe looked at her with vacant eyes. In those eyes was a sparkle that hadn’t been there before.

“About lunch. You’re going to eat at the cafeteria, right?”

“…Yeah. I guess so, yeah.”

“Chloe. Are you okay?”

“I’m perfectly fine. No? There hasn’t been a time better than now.”

Saying that, Chloe held Elin’s hand and left the classroom. She was eager to quickly grab a hasty lunch at the campus cafeteria and then rush to the training ground.

“……”

As Chloe strides out of the classroom, Laura von Adelheit, who remained inside, gazed at her intently.

‘…That girl.’

A student from the Department of Magic she had met a few weeks ago near the Seminary Main Chapel.

Aside from the experiment conducted with Professor Antorelli regarding divine power, she had not given an impression of being particularly distinctive or remarkable.

Yes, it must have been like that….

‘Something has changed.’

There was a raging warmth that she felt emanating from her. Laura, endowed with a genius talent in magic, recognized it.

The green, hot, and unrestrained peculiar feeling. It was natural for Laura to harbor some caution.

‘I thought it would be nothing special…’

Perhaps, she thinks it might be good to feel a bit tense for this year’s Grade-by-Grade Duel.

With such thoughts, Laura slowly left the classroom.

—

I continued walking, trying to steady my drooping body.

I always feel it, but teaching a single class completely drains me.

It was due to the highly skilled students of Caldera Imperial Academy. Being responsible for the top A-class students among the freshmen, conducting a class that could satisfy these geniuses was a strenuous task.

“Head Priest, are you okay?”

Sofia Sub-priest approached, scratching her cheek. I shrugged as I took the box in her hand.

“I’m fine.”

“You look particularly tired today. Of course, you always do….”

“…I just lost a little sleep. It’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”

“Is that so….”

Sofia Sub-priest and I walked in silence. I intended to drop off the teaching materials used today in my Professor’s Office, then grab a meal with Professor Esther.

“…Hmm?”

As we walked, someone slowly approached us.

“Oh my. Professor Antorelli. We meet in a place like this? What a pleasure.”

The striking woman with bright red hair reminiscent of a blazing flame was Professor Scarlet Underwood.

I glanced at the thick book tucked under her arm. Like me, she seemed to be returning from class as well.

“Yes. It’s nice to see you too.”

Though I responded this way, I had no particular desire to form a friendship with Underwood. It wouldn’t be bad if such a relationship developed, but I didn’t feel the urge to put in the effort to become close.

Was it because she seemed to be pulling me into her faction, being a candidate for next chancellor? Or perhaps it was because her well-exposed front seemed burdensome?

It didn’t really matter. I simply didn’t like the way she and Professor Armstrong routinely disparaged each other. After all, she wasn’t even appointed as the next chancellor yet.

As if sensing my thoughts, Underwood suddenly bowed her head and offered me an apology.

“I was really rude last time, wasn’t I? I apologize.”

“Oh, well… It’s fine. But could you raise your head…?”

“I’m really sorry. I’m usually not like this, but I must have been too excited that time.”

“…It’s genuinely okay.”

To be honest, it was quite burdensome to see her bent over like that. With students walking by, I couldn’t just stare at her. I subtly averted my gaze.

When Underwood lifted her head again, she smiled with her characteristic enchanting smile.

“If you ever need my help, don’t hesitate to come to me. I’ve often heard about your reputation from the A-class freshmen…. I think it would be mutually beneficial.”

“Yeah. I’ll visit you later.”

“Alright. Ah, by the way… I need to go to my lab now, so I’ll take my leave. Hehe…”

I silently watched her recede from us.

“…Head Priest, you’re quite the pervert.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Why do you stare so shamelessly at a woman’s chest? What good is something so large?”

“I haven’t seen anything.”

We resumed our previously halted steps. As we walked toward the Professor’s Office, I chose to dismiss Underwood’s words as trivial.

No matter how I thought about it, I didn’t think I would be in need of Professor Underwood’s help.

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