PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

“Hah…”

Laura von Adelheit stepped out of the bathtub, finishing her bath. As she exited the bathroom, steam began to rise from her body.

Whooshing—

The wind blew in through the open window, brushing against Laura’s wet skin. She shivered from the cold.

“Brr, it’s cold…”

Laura quickly put on her robe and closed the window. As it was getting chilly in the evening, if she didn’t hurry and dry off, she would catch a cold.

Whirring—

She dried her hair.

“……”

Changed into her pajamas.

“Yawn…”

By the time she lay down on her bed, there was only one thought in Laura’s mind.

“He smiled. Not just anyone, but only for me….”

Professor Antorelli’s face, subtly smiling. Although it was a light smile that was hardly noticeable, for some reason, that image lingered in her mind all day long.

– I dare say, among the assignments we reviewed today, the one submitted by student Adelheit….

“Ugh…. Hehehe….”

– Without a doubt, it is the best.

“Eek—!”

Thud! Thud!

Laura began to hit her innocent pillow. She could feel her face burning up.

Sitting up in bed, Laura desperately fanned herself with her hands. Nevertheless, the heat wouldn’t subside, so she even opened the window she had closed.

Just the fact that she had received recognition from that man made her this happy. It was truly an incomprehensible thing.

Always calm, collected, and expressionless. On the first day of class, she had been a bit impolite, and he had handed down a ten-point demerit like a cold-blooded person. Thus, until yesterday, Laura had thought that he was someone stingy with praise.

But that was not the case.

‘Best….’

You are the best.

As someone who had considerable talent in magic, Laura had heard that phrase countless times in her life. However, when the one who spoke those words was Professor Antorelli, it transformed from a mere compliment into something deeper.

It was an acknowledgment of Laura, Laura von Adelheit herself.

In addition to uplifting her to the next level, it was a refreshing recognition of her abilities.

It was the kind of praise that Laura, who had been stuck at a wall of growth for the past three years, desperately needed.

“Sigh…. I should sleep now….”

Laura closed her eyes again once more in bed.

Tomorrow is the weekend. As many people use the training grounds on weekends, she needed to wake up early to reserve her spot. Having broken through the wall today, she also had a strong desire to quickly proceed with her research on magic.

‘There will be inter-grade duels in the summer….’

To prepare for that, she needed to keep training.

But….

‘Ugh…!’

That smile kept rising in her mind and wouldn’t go away. Laura propped herself up again.

It was a remarkably weak smile. At a glance, it might have looked expressionless—a very tiny smile. It might not have even looked like a smile to other students.

But, for Laura, who saw Professor Antorelli up close, it was only visible to her.

With messy hair and an unkempt appearance, while his glasses on his nose gave an intellectual impression, it was just that.

Yes. It should have been just that.

‘If I dress up a bit, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.’

The foundation wasn’t bad, so if she just dressed up a bit, it should possibly improve….

“…I think I’m going crazy.”

Laura mumbled absentmindedly. Just from one barely noticeable smile, how could her evaluation of a person change so much? It was hard to believe.

Even just a slight raising of the corners of her mouth—it was like magic, changing how a person looked. It was indeed magic.

“Ah, really…!”

Suddenly, Laura glanced at the clock on her desk. Looking at the hands of the clock nearing twelve, she felt a sense of urgency.

“I need to wake up by seven….”

She closed her eyes again in order to sleep. And she began to breathe evenly.

“…….”

By the time Laura finally fell asleep, it was three in the morning.

* * * * *

Friday’s classes were successfully concluded. Not just a success, but a daring success that I could cautiously label as a great success.

The students had grown a level higher. Not only the protagonist but also Laura von Adelheit, the prodigy with exceptional talent in magic, seemed to have gained a significant realization. I was immensely pleased by that fact.

The students I taught had grown, and this was due to the class that unfolded as I had intended. What educator wouldn’t be happy about such a thing?

However, what truly brought me joy was something else.

“Laura von Adelheit….”

The assignment Laura submitted. The unexpected answer contained within it.

It was certainly a topic I had not covered in class. Laura had learned something on her own that I had not taught.

This was not just a step of growth; it was growth that had jumped over two steps.

“Not everyone can use divine power. Isn’t that so….”

It was a conclusion I was fond of. I didn’t even need time to ponder and accept that sentence; it had already settled deeply in my mind, and that was precisely what Laura had mentioned.

Everyone desires salvation. I had too, and in the battlefield, that desire shone even brighter.

However, there was no salvation to be found anywhere. Salvation was a vain hope. The kind of salvation I desired back then was simply the hope for the war to end right now.

Do you know when people become the ugliest?

It isn’t when they are greedy for wealth, or when they succumb to gluttony, or when their lust boils over.

It is when a human stands on the brink of death.

When humanity is continuously eroded and eventually faces its limit, reaching out in desperation for hollow and empty miracles and salvation.

That is when humans become their most hideous.

And I had experienced the exact moment when humanity manifests its ugliest form. I wished for the impossible, thus gradually distancing myself from reality, ultimately leading to catastrophic outcomes.

After the end of the war. When the youth of this country, the seeds of the future, were mercilessly torn apart, while worthless old men, doing nothing in a safe place, signed a few sheets of paper.

That was when I realized it.

Not everyone can become good. Such a paradise does not exist, at least not in this insignificant world where these worthless humans live.

It was a belated realization, but at the same time, an early experience. After all, I was still just in my twenties.

Where there is light, there are shadows. The two are inseparable.

I couldn’t dare to cover this fact in class. If I were to cover it, it would have to wait until the next semester.

However, Laura found her own answer despite that. She had explored on her own and gained realization, even though I hadn’t taught it.

It was something I truly longed for. After reading Laura’s assignment, I thought.

How arduous must her efforts have been? How desperately did she search for the answer?

Her hard work was visible before my eyes, how could I not praise it?

That is why I told her.

That she was the best, a compliment that could easily become commonplace for Laura.

“Head Priest!”

I snapped out of my reverie. Sofia Sub-priest was tilting her head in front of me.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I was recalling the class we had on Friday.”

“Ah…. That class?”

Sofia nodded and then gave a thumbs up.

“That class was really the best. We haven’t seen such a class at our Seminary.”

“Isn’t it just a boring theoretical class over there?”

“I didn’t expect you to say that, Head Priest. Don’t you think theory is the most important?”

I slowly shook my head and spoke to Sofia, who was right in front of me.

“Theory is indeed important. However, having the ability to interpret that theory is even more crucial.”

“Ah, I understand now. I see….”

“By the way, what was the reaction to last week’s Sunday service?”

“Hmm….”

I thought the Sunday service that took place last week, that is to say, yesterday, was wrapped up rather successfully. For some reason, even more students than usual had gathered.

Since most of them were first-year A class students, I thought maybe my class had an impact on them.

Sofia pondered for a moment, then snapped her fingers and said.

“Everyone said it was good…. Ah! A lot of opinions mentioned that the Head Priest conducting the service should be a bit more formal.”

“…….”

“Head Priest?”

“It’s nothing.”

Still, I remembered that I had tried to look somewhat presentable. It seemed that those in attendance didn’t see it that way. I nodded heavily.

“Is that so? A bit more formal… What do you think, Sofia?”

“Me? Me?”

“Yes. It’s perfectly fine to speak candidly.”

“Um….”

Sofia, who had been squinting at me for a moment, eventually smiled brightly and said.

“It seems a bit of tidying up is needed!”

“…I suppose I should get a haircut this weekend.”

“Shall I go with you?”

Sofia Sparks with excitement and came closer to me. I looked at her with a somewhat puzzled expression.

“Are you sure? Isn’t weekends meant for rest…?”

“Oh, come on…! You must attend this Sunday’s service looking great! I will help you!”

“…Then, I’ll be indebted to you.”

Sofia beamed with joy for some reason, nodding her head with a big smile. I took out my wristwatch.

The current time was 9:10 AM. It had already been about thirty minutes since we started waiting at the academy’s main gate.

“Hmm. They should be about to arrive soon.”

“Yeah… I’m starting to feel a bit sore in my legs….”

Even as the weekend passed and Monday arrived, the reason why we were here and not in the professor’s office wasn’t because we were trying to skip work.

Sofia and I were currently standing at the academy’s main gate, waiting for someone.

“Wasn’t the cleaning of the Main Chapel wrapped up neatly?”

“Yes. We cleaned together all day yesterday, remember?”

“That is true….”

Although I was a bit tense. I absolutely despised greeting guests.

“Isn’t that them?”

At that moment, Sofia pointed to somewhere with her hand. I turned my gaze that way.

A middle-aged man in priestly robes and a young woman with a somewhat sharp expression were walking this way. I stared closely at their faces.

“Sofia, is that Priest Peter?”

“Uh… Yes, that scary Priest Peter is indeed him. Hah… I guess I’ll have to rely on the authority of the Head Priest now.”

“…….”

Before I knew it, the two priests had walked up to us and were slowly approaching.

It was a nerve-wracking first meeting.

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