Sorry for the delay. I will write consistently and drop new content every day. I am trying to do that because I am new to writing. I am organizing some things, and due to going on the trip, I forgot the lore I had memorized. Now I have made my plans, and I can drop chapters easily.
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Volume 1: Path – [Academy Arc]
Chapter 28: History
Caelus, who sat in the back with Aiv, looked at the people who were praying and mimicked them slowly. He didn't do it because he was a believer of the Church, he just didn't have a choice. If the Bishop in front of him spotted him not praying, he was cooked as fuck.
The instructor himself had said he was a Rank 3 and could see people's auras. Then how much stronger would a Bishop be? Probably Rank 5. So how could she not sense others even while she was praying to the so-called 'Goddess' everyone else was bowing to?
After finishing the prayer, he glanced at Aiv, who had also completed the gesture. Caelus thought to himself, 'He's religious from the expression on his face, which is so peaceful and calm. It looks like he really saw someone who made him angry... but he let it go.'
Aiv looked at Caelus and gave him a gentle smile. Caelus returned it, then turned his gaze back to the front as the Bishop turned toward the statue and shouted, "Praise The Lady."
Everyone echoed in unison, including Caelus and Aiv.
As the prayer concluded, all the students closed their eyes. It looked like they were silently making their wishes to the Goddess.
Caelus closed his eyes as well but didn't make any wish. He felt it was pointless. He didn't believe in this crap about gods and goddesses. What difference does it make if someone makes a wish?
'I still don't get it. Why would people make wishes to a god when they want to succeed at something? It only gives them "hope" that they can succeed but hope is fragile. It shatters the moment things go wrong. And when that happens, some might stop believing altogether. But then there are idiots who say, "It's all God's plan." Like what the hell is he on? If failing is part of God's plan, then who's really in control of your own life? You, or the god?
And when people succeed is that God's accomplishment or your own? Because when they thank God, it makes it sound like He made the success happen. But what about your effort? Didn't you work hard and push through to make it? And yet, in the end, they hand the credit to God, like without Him, you're just a useless fool.'
'Hmm, wait…' Just as Caelus was about to follow another train of thought, he was interrupted by Aiv. Caelus glanced over and saw Aiv subtly raise his eyebrows, tilting his head ever so slightly with a flicker of concern in his eyes, a quiet, wordless signal that clearly asked, 'Are you good?'
Caelus gave a small nod in return. 'Did I miss something... I feel like I was just thinking about something,' he wondered, but the thought didn't come back to him. He shook it off and looked forward again.
The bishop opened her eyes once more. Her golden, clock-like pupils shone faintly, clearly visible to all. She stood up straight, hands resting on a table that reached her chest. Judging from this angle, she looked to be about 5'3".
The bishop spoke, her voice calm and clear, "Many of you may have seen me on television or the internet, but I am going to reintroduce again so that if any of you do not know about me. I am the Head Bishop of the Goddess Thalos Church. My name is Velan Rhime."
'She's just spreading her aura like who the fuck doesn't know her? Everyone who comes to this academy, which is connected to the Church of Thalos, should already know about her. All the people here are believers of the Goddess Thalos.' Caelus thought as he listened to her.
"This class you're all about to take will cover world history and Church doctrine. Learning the history of the world and the religious foundations directly from the Head Bishop is far better than what you'd get from normal schools."
'It's going to start…'
"As you all know, there are a total of seven Churches in this world. Each Church represents a different deity and occupies one of the seven continents. Within every continent, there are countless local Churches belonging to the seven, and many nations hold temples from more than one. The Church of Thalos spans across multiple regions, not limited to a single continent, and it is so that believers of our church should have access to go to churches in other continents too."
"All of you may have know about how the Earth we living split up seven different times, the split was called Continental Rift, and from what you guys have learned in schools it was due to tectonic plates and it is partially true but in the world you are right now it is called as seven great cataclysms, the great cataclysms are caused by the war of Demons and Humans"
"From the history that has been passed down for over 6,000 years, back when human civilizations had just begun forming, demons started emerging from the ground, the very land we now stand upon. No one knew how or why they came, but when they did, they began hunting all living beings, not just humans, but animals too. This led to widespread death and devastation across the Earth. Even animals were on the brink of extinction. In that desperate time, seven humans were chosen as apostles by the Seven Gods to protect all living creatures from the demons."
"And you all might be thinking, since the Gods commanded us to protect animals too, and they fall under living beings, isn't eating them a contradiction? Well, yes, but we raise and consume them responsibly. We're doing both sustaining life and utilizing it by ensuring no species goes extinct or even becomes endangered. With all kinds of magic at our disposal, we've developed methods to maintain ecological balance and prevent any species from dying out. With that in mind, we are not actually going against the Gods' command. If we were to defy their decisions, we would be as good as dead. It would be an unforgivable mistake for all of humanity, especially after the Gods helped us when we needed it most. That is why we must follow their commands."
'She's directing everyone to follow the Gods' commands by weaving it into a story. I can believe the part about demons and humans as I myself saw a huge monster with my own eyes. But just like me, maybe those first seven humans simply awakened on their own. She knows exactly how students respond to stories like this, and she's leaving no space for questions or doubts.
She's planting a seed straight into their minds. Even I might've believed it if I were not out of the box. But it might also be true, maybe those 'gods' are just humans who reached such a high rank that others started calling them divine. Yeah, that's how it is… I think.'
Caelus unknowingly drifted too deep into his own thoughts without knowing enough to draw conclusions.
"We are protectors of humanity and all living beings on this world. We hide the truth about demons and monsters because normal humans must remain normal so they can sleep peacefully, instead of living each day in fear."
'That is true too,' Caelus agreed silently with the Head Bishop's words. What she said made sense; humans would live in fear if they knew, and the best course of action was to conceal the truth about the existence of demons and monsters.
"So, your job as an Awakened is to protect normal humans. The Church doesn't care whether you're from a noble family or even a royal bloodline. Once you awaken, your duty is to safeguard the living beings of this world. After you graduate from this academy in three years, you will each be assigned to different regions of the world, and your mission will be to protect the people there with your life."
'So basically a slave, I am not doing this hell nah... I ain't got no time for your shit, I need to travel the world not stay in one place and guard it like a guard dog.'
"If anyone tries to escape the responsibility, they will be labeled as 'Demonic Humans' traitors who have sided with demons and are helping them. So be very careful with the choices you make." Her voice sharpened as she released her aura across the hall, causing a cold tension to settle in the air.
"Now then, that's enough history for today. It's the first day, and overloading your minds with too much information will only make things harder. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me now. The rest of the class will be free time. You may explore the church if you'd like, but avoid any area marked with a 'No Entry' board. Understood?"
"Yes,"
As the students said in fusion, everybody got out of their seats as they dispersed, with some going to the Head Bishop for questions and the other three exploring the Holy Church.
[End Of Chapter - 28]