“Karina…”
“I’m okay. I can manage…”
Taking her seat with the students’ guidance, Karina forced a smile as she pulled out her textbook. It was thick enough that it seemed like a decent pillow.
Seriously, how long are these brats going to stare? Even a celebrity wouldn’t get this much attention. I glared to drive away their overwhelming gazes, but my fierce look seemed to fall short against their unwavering faith, barely more effective than a stray cat’s intimidating glare.
All I could realistically achieve was keeping everyone at least three meters away. Even that was only possible thanks to my desperate aura of intimidation.
I couldn’t do anything about the little pests stuck to the window either. What kind of weirdos hang around a window that’s at least two floors up? Are they priests or some kind of ninja? Is that creepy dude with his face plastered against the glass even a real seminarian?
I just hoped this lecture would be over soon.
The issue wasn’t just that this was the only theology lecture either. Once basic theology wrapped up, there were the History of Kalon Church and Understanding of Kalon Church lined up, a trilogy of theology courses waiting for me.
In other words, I had to endure this hellish experience three more times before I could escape this dungeon.
“Look at that hair, oh my…”
“Karina noticed me!”
“I-I’m okay to die now, no regrets…”
“Heal! Heal! Heal! Heal! That’s already the fourth time! My heart’s stopping!”
…If Karina starts singing, it’ll definitely turn into a dirge.
Every student in this classroom would undoubtedly clutch their hearts and collapse. Who knows, even a single sigh might do it. Protecting Karina among such people was exhausting.
I’d rather face Hydra one more time.
Actually, twice would be fine too.
“Hahaha…”
Karina let out a laugh that seemed half-crazed. Just hearing it made my sanity fray, so I couldn’t even bring myself to place a hand on her shoulder, quietly whispering from behind.
“Karina. Steady your heart. The lecture hasn’t even started yet.”
Surprisingly, it was five minutes before the lecture started.
We sat in the back of the classroom about five minutes ago. Now, it felt like an eternity had passed in these infinitely long five minutes, and there were still five more to go. This was practically torture disguised as a break.
But surely things would get better once the professor teaching basic theology arrived? They’re kind of their higher-ups, so they’d have to have some control over this, right? I clung to my futile hopes and stared eagerly at the entrance of the classroom. The door began to creak open amidst the bustling atmosphere.
Creaaak…
“Gah, Gasp, Karina…!”
The shiny-headed old professor locked eyes with Karina before clutching his heart and collapsing. Several students reacted the exact same way. It was downright bizarre how happy their faces looked despite it all.
Anyone would think it was natural causes.
“The professor has fainted!”
I facepalmed at the sight of the professor sprawled out at the entrance.
Ugh, my head hurts.
I just want to take Karina back to Yeomyeong-gwan like this.
“Use your healing magic quickly!”
“Let’s ask the saint for help!”
“Are you out of your mind!? How can you even think of asking the saint for help!?”
The students scrambling to the professor resembled a sitcom, but to us, it was more like a thriller disguised as a comedy. They seemed concerned about the professor, yet the focus shifted back to Karina.
Saint, saint, saint, saint.
If it’s enough to give me neurosis just from hearing it, how must Karina feel?
“Heal! Heal! Heal! Heal!”
A pure white light shone in front of the professor. It was a healing spell Karina had used before. Compared to Karina’s healing magic, it was barely the brightness of a firefly, but healing magic is still healing magic. The professor opened his eyes again and sat up.
“Th-thank you, Taylor.”
“I was just doing what I had to.”
“Then let’s resume class… Gasp.”
“Professor!”
“Johann… I’m feeling dizzy.”
“So am I.”
This is a den of madness.
There’s one thing I’m sure of.
——————————–
“I’m so worn out…”
After finishing all the schedules for the Theology Department, Karina looked even more haggard than when she was cursed, even more than when she first woke up on the deserted island. Considering that she has to deal with this every day, it’s not surprising to have such thoughts.
Even someone notoriously driven by ambition would forget their desires upon witnessing such a scene.
“Hang in there. Yeomyeong-gwan is just around the corner.”
“Am I going to have to live like this every day?”
The students couldn’t even approach her, nearly fainting just from watching.
The professor wasn’t even brave enough to question her, fearing that the other students might turn against him.
It almost felt reminiscent of some high-ranking official observing the proceedings rather than a regular student.
Even I, merely watching from the back, felt like I was sitting on pins and needles; how must it feel for Karina?
Of course, she’d be exhausted.
And thinking she’d have to do this every day only made Karina’s waning face more understandable. But it was hard to tear my eyes away from how her fading expression was still that of a stunning beauty.
“I think… I should just eat dinner and rest well today.”
If this were any other day, she would’ve had a review session, but Karina looked utterly drained of energy. I even doubted if she could manage dinner. Maybe she’d end up just collapsing. Or honestly, feigning illness wouldn’t even seem odd at this level.
If I were her, I would’ve pretended to be sick from some decent poison.
But kind-hearted Karina wouldn’t even consider such things, so the most I could do was guide her comfortably to her room.
[Ugh, gross, those creeps are staring at us…]
Are the seminarians even stalking us now?
I suppressed the urge to look around at Rue’s words and opened the huge door to Yeomyeong-gwan. From here on out, we’d be free from the people’s gazes thanks to the walls around us.
“…Living as a saint must be a truly exhausting job.”
“…Heh, I can’t deny it. Today was really tough…”
“You did well, Karina.”
“Thank you, Johann.”
A powerless smile formed on Karina’s face.
It was a clear look of someone who was out of energy but still a withering flower of beauty.
Seeing that smile, I felt a deep-seated sense of crisis like never before.
At this rate, she might just collapse from stress instead of the curse.
I needed to find a solution soon. Preferably something solid.
“Karina. I’ll find a way.”
“But…”
“I know it won’t be easy.”
But I couldn’t let Karina continue suffering like this. She was my comrade.
Or maybe, my friend?
…I’ll think about that later. For now, it’s time to find a solution.
“Johann?”
“Oh, Millia. You were here first.”
“Yeah! I only had two classes this afternoon! But what’s wrong with Karina?”
“Hi… Millia. How was your day…?”
“Should I call a doctor?!”
“Let’s just lay her down in her room for now.”
“Got it! Let’s go!”
We hurried down the corridor of Yeomyeong-gwan and laid her on the bed in her room. By the time I gently placed her down, she was half-asleep. She must’ve been really exhausted.
“Millia. Keep an eye on Karina’s condition.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to discuss this issue with Renny.”
With the way things were going, she could really end up killing someone.
————–
“You’re telling me that happened…”
Renny lifted her tired eyes in annoyance and glared at the desk when I finished explaining. She looked as if she wanted to sleep right then but was desperately fighting it out of concern for Karina.
“If things keep going like this, she won’t be able to attend proper classes. She’ll be in a worse situation than self-studying on the Yeomyeong-gwan bed.”
“Ugh. The mountains just keep getting higher. I’ve heard that stuff like this didn’t happen during the last saint’s time…”
“Last saint?”
“About 100 years ago, when Saint Cassandra entered the academy, there was no talk of such things. While the church has grown significantly in that time, I didn’t expect this kind of situation at all…”
“Was that a part of the setting…?”
“What?”
“It’s nothing.”
I must’ve had a slip of the tongue. With all the stress I’d been under today, it seemed like it was hard to rein in my thoughts.
“So, can you guard her for a day?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m thinking of coming up with a solution.”
“What are you planning to make?”
“I’ve got a few ideas after coming this far, so I plan to create something out of that.”
At my words, Renny frowned for a moment, then nodded with a face that suggested she had no choice.
“…I’m fine with that, but this better be something that gets solved in one day, right?”
“Trust me.”
“…Okay. I’ll take good care of the saint, so hurry up and do your thing.”
“Of course.”
Looks like I’ll have to call Sif after a long while.
I exited the office with a plan forming in my mind.
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