1.
By the time she finished her first year, she had an astonishingly high number of absences. Naturally, all the tests she had missed due to those absences were marked with zero, yet she somehow advanced to the second year without being held back. This raised the question, “What kind of high-ranking parents does that student have?”
But the twist? The student herself was a high-ranking figure.
To clarify, she wasn’t just someone called a goddess for her beauty; she was literally a goddess who had descended from the realm of the divine, possessing true powers.
Thus, whether that goddess’ average grades were dragging on the floor or whether she couldn’t manage to complete the required attendance, people didn’t really give a damn. The reasons for her poor grades or her lack of school attendance were all strictly related to fulfilling her duties as a goddess. If any human decided to whine about not receiving any leniency, it wouldn’t be surprising for them to hear, “So does that mean the goddess doesn’t owe you any preference either?”
If there were people who could grasp how incredibly privileged it was for a deity to descend and work among humans, they would naturally not worry about what that goddess was up to. Instead, they would just hope that whatever she was doing, she would enjoy it thoroughly.
In fact, there was absolutely no reason for the goddess to attend school.
She had probably already come down with all the knowledge from above, so why bother learning more at a school in this world? Even if the goddess had poor grades, wouldn’t that simply mean she was showing consideration for the other students? It’s not strange to think she, being a merciful soul, simply came to enjoy herself and didn’t want to disadvantage others.
Is it even reasonable to strictly apply human rules to such a being?
…or so those who looked upon the goddess with warm eyes thought.
Simultaneously, they couldn’t help but consider this thought.
Then, how about those who had grades lower than that goddess?
The fact that the goddess managed to maintain at least minimal grades while showing special consideration for the students was perhaps indicating the bare minimum standard that students ought to meet?
Moreover, it felt quite plausible to think that this standard was appropriately set. The goddess truly was merciful to everyone.
Hence, the students worked hard to surpass her grades. As time went on, while the goddess’ grades steadily rose, the students who diligently studied and built their foundations also saw their grades improve. Outside the academy, cautiously evaluating the situation, many began to wonder if thanks to Goddess Clara, some of the best talents in the academy’s history might be emerging.
Of course, not all students within the academy agreed with that sentiment. The students who had been able to observe Goddess Clara from relatively close quarters could see her struggling and suffering in real-time while studying.
“Why, why do the scores go up, but my grades don’t!”
“Well, your score goes up, meaning the other students’ scores go up too.”
When Selena, who was always beside Clara helping her study, responded like that, Clara buried her head on the desk.
And muttered with her head still down, “So then, why aren’t the other students’ grades budging…”
“Well, I’m sure they don’t want their grades to dip either.”
“…”
Clara had no response.
Naturally, the A-class students who were watching this unfold in real-time would think, “Is she purposely keeping her grades low despite all this?”
However, all the students’ parents and guardians were all figures from outside the academy. Even after hearing such talk from the students, many thought it was simply the goddess’ mercy to prevent any feelings of guilt among them.
‘…Is showing such a tortured expression to alleviate guilt? Not to instill it instead…?’
A few students had thoughts along those lines, but the students, not wanting to argue with clueless adults, just nodded quietly.
As a result, A-Class at St. Ariel Academy could very well be A-Class until graduation.
Of course, other classes closely followed behind A-Class, and that situation continued until graduation.
…And naturally, the goddess’ grades always ranked at the very bottom.
2.
Graduating at the very bottom of the class wasn’t particularly pleasant.
I wasn’t an exceptional student back in the world I lived in, but I had never been at the very bottom before. I mostly fluctuated around average.
Then again, when I think about it, I was just barely maintaining an average in a regular high school. Was it too much to expect similar grades in an academy that gathered only top elites?
…Even if I thought this way, seeing my report card made me feel despair. Ah, indeed, the world is ruled by those who excel. For every talented individual who works hard, there’s someone struggling without flair who can’t keep up. What an unfair world this is.
“…Isn’t it a bit rich for you to say that? Setting aside the fact that you’re a goddess, you’re the only one wielding the strongest powers in the world. With a single word, you can wipe mountains off the face of the earth.”
“No matter how you put it, I can’t really wipe out mountains…”
The reason I trailed off was because of the past where two gods were summoned to this world despite being unable to appear in their divine forms. While it wasn’t solely my doing, it wasn’t something anyone could do lightly either. So, I thought maybe I could obliterate a mountain if I wanted to.
“Seeing you trail off like that, I guess you can.”
Taking the opportunity, Selena teased me. Her face was slightly flushed.
While it was indeed a bit flushed, it wasn’t an erotic situation by any means. To be precise, it couldn’t turn erotic at all because there was only one guy here.
That guy seemed to be edging towards a point where it’s truly questionable if he’s still a male or not.
Or maybe he’s a true saint. Whatever the case.
So, even though boys and girls were mixing together, and alcohol was being poured into our mouths, I didn’t think it would slant into any unusual direction.
If someone asked why freshly graduated high school kids were drinking, I would promptly clarify that we hadn’t bought any alcohol. I’m living a pretty law-abiding life, showing this facade both in that world and this one.
In this world that seemed highly influenced by my own thoughts—if that were the case—selling alcohol to minors was illegal, but it wasn’t illegal for minors to drink.
Besides, if that alcohol was some several-year-old stuff pulled from the cathedral’s storeroom in the 21st District, it was even less illegal. Technically, it was bootlegged, but if I drank it and got rid of it, no one would notice, right?
Well.
Why.
What.
I had been waiting for three years, so it’s about time I indulge, right?
Anyway, I managed to get a few bottles from that alcohol sitting in the church storage, and accidentally got caught by Linea who found the bottles I had been hiding under my bed. Somehow, that led to me opening the bottles in the company of the kids visiting the church reception room.
They say that alcohol can become undrinkable if its intended aging period is exceeded, but this alcohol turned out rather fine.
Well, I couldn’t express much about alcohol, so I can’t really say. But according to Father Nguyen who tasted it first, this alcohol might have been affected by the holy water stored nearby or maybe the divine powers I occasionally let loose. He was pondering whether to auction off a few bottles for charity.
If the Central Church found out, I’d be buried in the relic storage without a word.
Surprisingly, among the members of the dueling club, there wasn’t a single person who disagreed with drinking this alcohol.
Everyone was around the age where they just started wondering, “Aren’t I an adult now?” Their leading teacher, Seo-A, had always been the kind who enjoyed drinks.
Thanks to that, even if it was quite strong alcohol for someone trying it for the first time, everyone managed to have at least one drink—
“I feel like I’m going to puke…”
“…If you’re going to throw up, please stand up. It’s dangerous.”
I said decisively to Aurora, who was lying with her head on my lap and making creepy sounds. Luckily, Aurora said some more mumbling that made no sense a few times and then fell asleep with drool on my thigh.
Eventually, a few people became so drunk they couldn’t stay upright like Aurora, prompting someone to fetch a floor mat from the storage. I, Linea, and Selena sat on the mat, while Aurora lay on it. It was still a bit chilly, but bearable enough to survive. If we slept there, we’d definitely wake up in a bad shape though.
“To be honest,”
Linea said with a slightly flushed face. In fact, not only her face was red, but her breathing had become a little shallow, creating a somewhat erotic atmosphere.
“I really don’t get why we’re drinking this… I’ve seen Director Andrea drink it sometimes.”
“Well, this is way stronger than usual alcohol.”
“Even if it’s less potent, it’s not something you’d drink for the taste, is it?”
Her strangely childlike words made me smile unconsciously. Linea shot me a glance for that.
“Hehe… But doesn’t it have a pretty nice flavor?”
Suddenly, a changed persona of Erica looked at the alcohol in her glass with the light shimmering through it. The faint, golden liquid sure looked beautiful.
Alcohol soaked in holy power—what in the world was the creator’s idea? Someone must have thought about storing it in the depot. Could it be the previous priest?
It gave me a slight sense of admiration.
“Sure enough, the flavor is excellent. Even elves wouldn’t be able to brew something like this.”
“You’re speaking as if you’ve already tasted it.”
“Of course, I’ve tasted it. Elves drink from childhood, even younger than humans.”
…So that’s why there was that obnoxious little brat?
I thought of Ramihi’s younger sibling.
Yeah, surely they wouldn’t start drinking at that young age.
On the other hand, Satsuki, who had elven blood in her, took a single sip and immediately started coughing.
“My dad said we have to adhere to human rules in human territory.”
Well, I couldn’t refute that.
“How many more bottles are there? I’d like to take some with me.”
“Even if I look like this, it still belongs to the church, so no way. Why are you making such bold requests?”
I exclaimed in shock, and Seo-A slumped her shoulders.
“Can’t it be a graduation gift?”
“Nope, you’re not the graduates; we are.”
As I shook my head in response, Linea spoke up.
“Then is it okay if I take one? I’m a saintess, after all, the head of the church.”
Apparently, this succubus was particularly fond of it.
“Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be the head of the church?”
“What can I do if I don’t want it? It’s best to gather what I have to, if I’m going to be going up, right?”
“…”
If she was going that far, I had no argument.
After all, I was the one who enabled her rise that far.
Should I aim for the Pope at this point?
“Alright, is that settled? Then I’m taking one bottle?”
As I sighed deeply, Linea beamed and pulled one bottle aside. Seo-A gazed at this scene with envy.
“…You seem fine?”
As everyone’s faces began to slightly flush, I commented on Jian, who looked completely fine, and he shrugged his shoulders.
“Hmm. I can’t quite tell if it’s good or bad, but I can at least tell that this alcohol is strong, so do I look that sober?”
“Not just sober, you look as if you haven’t touched a drink at all.”
Of course, Jian had drunk too. Quite a bit, in fact. Also, the ancient label showed this alcohol definitely had an alcohol content of about 40 degrees.
“You’re the same. You drank more than I did, right?”
“Did I?”
I touched my face. It didn’t feel too different from usual.
“It’s probably the favor of the divine.”
Linea, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, chimed in.
“Me, you, and him have the protection that blocks physical pain, so we’ll be fine.”
“Still, that only alleviates pain to some degree, it’s not healing powers.”
“Is that so?”
Lineas shrugged, showing she wasn’t particularly interested, then focused back on savoring the alcohol. She really seemed to love it. Probably due to being a demon?
…Well, it was a bit disappointing not to feel drunk. It would be more enjoyable if I could at least feel a little tipsy.
“Unfair!”
“Eek!”
Suddenly, a loud shout from beside me startled me. Thanks to that, Aurora, resting her head on my lap, stirred but didn’t wake up.
“W-What’s wrong?”
The person who shouted was Selena. It seemed she had downed a lot by herself and was now pleasantly drunk, her eyes slightly glazed over.
“Why can’t Saintesses get married?!”
“Pardon?”
“Why can’t Saintesses get married?!”
Why on earth would she ask ME that…? Ah, I guess I’m qualified since I’m a goddess.
“Indeed! It’s unfair!”
Suddenly, Aurora, who was resting her head on my knees, opened her eyes wide and shouted. She raised her fist as though holding a protest.
“Saintesses need romance too!”
“…”
Oh? Do any candidates exist for romance?
I nearly let that thought slip out but managed to hold it back.
Thinking about it, it did seem a bit unreasonable.
Not only saintesses, but nuns can’t get married either. Monks and priests can’t either. Why can’t religious figures marry?
Well, I suppose there must be philosophical reasons behind it.
But I can bet, it’s likely influenced more by past religions, particularly from Catholicism.
In modern society, it’s now practically the only surviving faith. Nuns and monks eventually leave over time, and part of the reason is that they can’t marry.
“Right? It’s kind of strange.”
As I murmured this, suddenly the reception room fell silent. A peculiar tension hung in the air.
“…Huh?”
Selena looked at me with a suddenly sober expression.
Aurora blinked at me, looking up.
I rested my chin on my hand and muttered softly.
“They say giving purity to the gods is important, but it doesn’t mean they become their spouses, nor do Ariel or Baal desire that… neither do I.”
If they can’t ascertain the existence of deities, it’s a different story, but can’t they directly ask the gods themselves?
“Isn’t Selena’s continuous refusal of sainthood partly due to her marriage problems?”
“Uh? …Yeah.”
Selena glanced over at Jian slightly. Jian, on the other hand, seemed clueless about it.
…Is she doing this on purpose? Should I strike her?
While seriously considering, I tilted my head.
“If the saintess could get married, would you accept sainthood?”
“Uh… if there’s a secure guarantee…? Probably…?”
“Right?”
I furrowed my brow.
“It’d be a major loss for the church if those who could become its top talents decided to turn away due to those archaic notions. Wouldn’t it be better to fix what could be fixed?”
After I said that, everyone exchanged silent glances.
“…So.”
After a prolonged silence, Linea opened her mouth.
“You just suggested the grandest church reform in history at a mere graduation after-party, while secretly popping open bottles?”
“Uh…”
It only just hit me what kind of impact my words might unleash.
“…Am I tipsy?”
“…”
As I muttered, everyone’s expressions turned blank.
3.
The call from Selena came after everyone was sent home, the cleanup was done, and I had completed my shower.
Aurora sprawled out on the bed while Linea was still in the shower.
While drying my hair, I found myself seriously contemplating the issue of priestly marriages when suddenly my phone rang.
“Selena?”
[Oh, hey.]
Upon picking up, Selena hesitated a little before speaking up.
[Um, I have something I’m curious about because of what you said earlier.]
“Sure, ask away.”
[Uh, so… if what you said were true, then, if I become the saintess, I could also get married, right?]
“That’s right.”
[And during official duties, you would wear the saintess robe.]
“Exactly.”
[You might also wear it in everyday life?]
“Well, that could happen.]
Was I missing something? I concentrated to decipher the underlying meaning behind Selena’s words.
But there was no need for me to overthink. Because in the next moment, Selena directly spilled it out.
[So, if I wore the saintess robe while seducing someone, would that be considered blasphemy?]
“……”
I silently rubbed my face.
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