Chapter 5: Level 2 Part 2

“Oh Divine Empress, we thank you for your blessings on this wonderful day, and that you may, under the watchful guidance of your holy light, continue to keep us and our loved ones safe. By your will…”

“By your will…” the words echoed in the dining hall, and breakfast began.

The dining hall in the freshman dormitory were lined with long, exquisite tables that accommodated seven students on each side. Their morning feast consisted of bread, sausages and casserole made from hash potatoes and thinly sliced pork drowned in a creamy sauce that smelled of fresh herbs.

“No need to brood,” Chris said as he took a sip of his coffee. “We all have our own strength and weaknesses. I just happened to learn from the best, that’s all.”

“Look at you brag.” Raven raised an eyebrow. “Who taught you swordsmanship anyways?”

“…My father did.”

Alphonse N. Scheweizer. Though retired, there was no question that he, who has attained the title of Valiant Knight, was a strong swordsman in his prime. There was a point in his childhood where Chris dreamt of surpassing his father, but all of that admiration lost into obscurity.

“Ah.” Raven knowingly nodded his head. “Your Father, eh?”

“Indeed. However, I don’t want you to misunderstand. You have potential — one that could take you anywhere. I suggest looking for a martial arts instructor after we finish this assignment. Who knows? Perhaps a beautiful senior wouldn’t mind taking you in?”

“As sweet as that sounds, I highly doubt it'll be as easy as you say.”

“Better to dream than to give up entirely, right?”

“I suppose.”

Chris spent the remainder of his breakfast hours asking Raven about his mercenary days, what kind of beasts roam the deserts of his hometown, and his parents. He laughed after realizing they didn’t really have much in common, except for the single fact that their mothers were admirable women.

Born in a family where he wouldn’t have to worry about anything, much less his next meal, Chris couldn’t help but admire his friend’s optimism in life. For a moment, he wondered how he would fare if placed under the same circumstances.

If he hadn’t been born in his family, if he hadn’t gone to the knight’s academy, if he didn’t become an Exquisitor — would ‘she’ still be alive?

Chris mused these thoughts in his head, and by doing so, subconsciously drawn his mind to the past.

-I AM THE DEVIL…

The voice of death.

The transformation.

The heresy.

In his powerlessness, he lost the an important person in his life. But he refused to believe that all of it was for naught. He met her for a purpose, and he would not stop until he had proven his cause. He would show his family what it meant to follow his own justice. For that is what it means to be a Schweitzer.

“Go on without me, I’ll catch up to you later,” Chris said after finishing his meal.

“What about the girls? Didn’t we promised to meet up?” asked Raven.

“Yes, but there’s certain things that I want to look up first.” Chris stood up from his chair and picked up his silver tray.

“Where are you going?”

“To the library. Just let them know I said hi.”

Chris left the dining hall and headed straight for the obelisk.

* * *

Lucille was quietly fiddling on her chair; the usual smile she displayed replaced by a face of worry.

It all made sense now. How could a young man such as himself would have access to the royal library when only the Celestians, the direct descendants of the Goddess Marrieta herself, were allowed there?

Panic between other students concerned her the most. But if he was here under the orders of the Church, then the academy couldn’t just kick him out. After all, there is no authority higher than those in the Order themselves. If Rosetta is indeed under investigation, they have no choice but to submit.

The church had been meticulous in their investigations, so their academy housing heretics eluded her. Most students bearing demon blood in their veins had avoided pursuing the mastery of magic, as they knew very well what it meant to be the subject of a heresy investigation.

It meant DEATH.

Demons of lore, after all, were capable of voiceless incantations, and the Church feared that. They grew wary of their descendants who inherited their large surplus of mana and potential to use the most powerful spells in existence — Destruction magic.

But again, there wasn’t a demon capable of voiceless incantations for decades now, and the academy made sure to keep track of those numbers.

“How can little Gladius be so calm about this?” The green haired pixie dejectedly sighed.

“Excuse me, Ma’am,” a voice called out to her. Shifting her round spectacles, she instinctively arched back. The young man who busied her thoughts the whole night was now standing before her, showing a curious smile on his face. “Are you okay?” he asked again.

Surprised at the sudden intrusion, Lucille took a few moments to digest what was happening and blinked twice before murmuring a reply. “Ah! Yes… Sorry… I had trouble sleeping the night before. What can I help you with?”

“Nothing of importance. Could you please direct me to the section where I might find books recounting ancient history?”

‘Ancient history?’ Lucille repeated in her head.

“Of course. But don’t you have a labyrinth to explore?” she asked.

“I do,” was his straight up reply.

Her lips thinned in a formidable line. “And yet you remain here?”

“I simply want a glimpse of your treasury. I don’t believe there’s a written rule prohibiting me to visit the library on the first week of class? Or is there?” The student smiled.

Lucille pressed her chest and sighed once more. “I see.”

That attitude was certainly not like her. It didn’t seem like he came there for any particular motive. She could use this chance to observe him too.

“Please, follow me.”

“Thank you.” The student offered her a grateful bow.

She guided the curious student up on the third level and ushered him to a passage where bookshelves containing tomes and scriptures of old decorated the hall. The boy nodded at the sight before him, grabbed a random book from the shelf, and started skimming through the pages.

In his time of stillness, she heard him mumble the name, Grishna — the fallen God. She didn’t know why, but she felt an odd sense of foreboding from that word alone.

“Intriguing…” He shut the book in his hand and grabbed another. “Would it be okay if I borrow these two books here?”

“As long as you return them in the allotted time, you’re free to borrow up to three books at once.”

“Great.” Per her instructions, the student grabbed another book and followed her downstairs to have it registered.

* * *

“Would you like to drink this tea? I especially blended it myself.” Luana opened her inventory and enticed Raven to a health flask. “It alleviates fatigue, increases energy, and purifies your skin.”

They were on their way to the labyrinth, but stopped when Luana noticed his building fatigue.

“I don’t think that last part is for me,” said Raven with a laugh.

“Don’t mind the smaller details! Go ahead and give it a gulp,” Luana merrily said.

Raven looked at Tess for help, but she urged him to drink it too! With his escape route sealed, Raven had no choice but to comply.

However the stench of dried squid violated his nose the instant he opened it. “A-Are you sure this is safe for consumption?”

“How rude! Good medicine taste bitter to the tongue!” Luana pouted.

“If you say so.”

With reluctance, Raven pinched his nose and choked down a mouthful of the foul liquid.

The results?

“CHRISTOPHER!”