Chapter 143: Favoritism Hurts A Bit


    Underwater breathing was unbeatable.


    And underwater fetio was divine.


    But unfortunately, due to ack of time, I couldnt make it to the main part and had to get dressed.


    Thus, with my hair still damp, I unnecessarily crossed the vast academy grounds.


    There had been various incidentstely, but with the exams approaching, the atmosphere seemed a bit calmer.


    After all, if the social activities and screenings had already ended, those not scared enough to drop out should focus on their school life.


    The academys exams werent midterms or finals, but a semester evaluation that urred once per semester.


    However, one couldnt ignore this since next years ss assignments were based on these evaluations.


    Achieving high scores could even result in changing sses in the second semester.


    Being in a lower ss wasnt a disadvantage, but being assigned to a higher ss improved the quality of life significantly.


    For instance, having a personal training room in Dorm A or getting to go to the dungeon practice one more time.


    After graduation, job cements also heavily consider which ss you graduated from.


    Formoners or achievers aspiring for social climbing, every exam bes a matter of desperation.


    While watching students bury their heads in books or arrange sparring sessions after ss, Ca, seemingly pleased that I had caught on to the essence of resonance, gently tugged at my pinky finger.


    Master, Master. You said youd meet Priestess Helena before going to ss, right?


    Yeah. I nned to take a quick bath and catch some sleep for an hour or two but I ended up not doing either. Ill ask for some fatigue recovery and brag about clearing another dungeon.


    Brag?


    Even though our firepower is strong, if we meet stronger enemies, the bnce of the party bes crucial. In that sense, Priestess Helena has the perfect role.


    A tank that deals and heals? This is what you call a perfectbination.


    So, Helena must have a penalty as a warrior of light.


    As I was thinking about variousbinations, Ca and Elisha began whispering to me with serious expressions.


    Master. Dont tell me Priestess Helena is also destined to fall?


    Maybe the entire Church of Righteous Radiance will copse, Ca.


    That makes it sound like I only recruit those who have fallen.


    A bitter voice escaped me, but what returned was an even more intense surprise.


    What? Wasnt that the case? Fayes family situation sounded almost like she was dependent on you.


    When I asked her toe under me, she refused so much, but when I became a ve, she immediately rushed to buy me. So, I thought this time would be simr


    Karma?


    No. This was all because of the Boiling Silence.


    It was because the followers of the Boiling Silence Church tried to bring down anyone with potential.


    Anyway, it was all of those cultists fault!


    Well, its true that the Church of Righteous Radiance is falling apart if left alone.


    See!


    I knew it!


    Despite sharing shocking news, instead of being surprised, they high-fived each other with triumph.


    What did they see me as?


    Shaking my head, Ca and Elishas expressions hardened as they btedly realized the gravity of the situation.


    Uh If the Church of Righteous Radiance copses, doesnt that almost halve the power of the United Divine Orders?


    Given the nature of priests, as long as they can prove their divine power, they can clear most usations. If it still falls corruption of the entire order? Or the absence of their god Either way, its a serious issue.


    They looked up at me with worried expressions.


    I patted their backs and smirked.


    Dont worry. You think Id bring this up for no reason? Theres a way, so dont fret.


    Since there was no need to keep it hidden any longer, I roughlyid out the n.


    Well, what I was going to talk about wasnt exactly grand enough to be called a n.


    First, we would build a rapport with the Church of Righteous Radiance and join them on secret missions that outsiders couldnt participate in.


    Not all of them, just a few missions that the cultists set as traps.


    Pretending to embark on a mission, whether we actually go or not, or even if we turn the traps against them, the goal was to return with our forces intact as much as possible.


    Then, we head straight to the headquarters of the Church of Righteous Radiance and hit the cultist alliance in the back of the head while theyre hitting us in the back.


    Simple, wasnt it?


    It doesnt sound simple at all.


    The cultist alliance? Those unnecessarily prideful fools are uniting?


    Theyre loosely united even now. They pretend not to get along due to differing doctrines on the surface.


    Shrugging my shoulders, Ca and Elishas expressions turned pale.


    With a bitter smile, I added,


    Oh, by the way, if we dont participate in the trap missions at all, theyll include the personnel they had ced there ande at us head-on. Its a n the cultists have been preparing for a long time. They wont give up over a few variables.


    At least, it was impossible to find out during the H&A y.


    Not me, nor even the yers who really got criticized. None of us could avoid the event of the Church of Righteous Radiance being attacked.


    As I finished talking, a strange determination seemed to rise on the slightly pale faces of the two.


    Despite the solemn atmosphere they were giving off and the nces from around


    Thanks to themotion wed already caused, other students just ignored us and went on their way.


    This allowed us to arrive at the Divine Studies ssroom a bit morefortably.


    <hr>


    Pardon? You came to me because youre tired, brother?


    Yes. But its not just tiredness; its fatigue from clearing a dungeon in just one day yesterday.


    Helena looked incredulous until I showed her a bottle containing thest bit of the Blessing of the Sea and how, even buried in paperwork, I could breathe just fine. Then she believed me.


    Hmm. You mustve been quite tired! Come here! Ill give you a blessing as well, brother!


    Helena reached out her hand and gently touched my forehead, mumbling a prayer.


    Then, a white light enveloped my body, and the heaviness and haziness quickly returned to normal.


    No, it felt lighter than usual, as if the blessing wasnt just talk.


    Ah, these two went to the dungeon with me as well


    Hmm Then I must do the same for them.


    Helena, who had been kind to me but dismissive towards Ca and Elisha due to their involvement with cultists and summoning spirits, upon hearing that they also contributed to the dungeon, she quickly recited a prayer for recovery and blessing.


    After thanking her for the noticeably morefortable feeling, I was about to head to the Magic Studies ssroom when


    Ah, brother? Could you wait a moment?


    Yes? What is it, Helena?


    Helena grabbed my wrist.


    Is it about thest nuns habit that I asked for before?


    Its not done yet! But the dungeon-rted matter you mentioned has been concluded.


    Saying so, she handed me something.


    A silver medallion in the shape of a lion.


    It was the symbol of the Church of Righteous Radiance.


    Weve found a dungeon in the caves of the Kiklop Mountains. After exploring, it seems to be a raid-type dungeon, so weve decided to rmend it to Brother Yandel after preparing thoroughly Would that be okay?


    Oh


    A raid-type dungeon, unlike a general dungeon designed to hold many monsters, contained a particrly strong single monster.


    A raid dungeon in the caves of the Kiklop Mountains would mean a Twin Head Ogre.


    Indeed, a formidable foe.


    To take down even a regr ogre required a well-bnced party consisting of aura users or mid-level magicians.


    But a Twin Head Ogre?


    Either the number of people needs to triple, or there needs to be at least one aura expert or high-level magician added to the group.


    Of course, either way, for the battle-crazed Church of Righteous Radiance, it was a manageable level.


    That must be why they were calling us to such a dangerous dungeon.


    Should I think of it as a form of self-promotion or evangelism?


    If you believe in the Righteous Radiance, you can fight this well! So, how about attending a service with us today?


    Something like that.


    Even if not, raid dungeons had fewer variables, and you could run away if necessary.


    Leaving the clear rate aside, it might also be because these dungeons had the highest survival probability.


    Looking at the medallion in my hand, I smiled broadly and put it into my inventory.


    Sure! But would it be okay to bring a few more people with me?


    Huh? It bes difficult to protect everyone if there are too many people


    Theyll follow orders well, so dont worry about that part. Plus, everyone will pull their weight.


    If thats the case Okay, Ill let the order know.


    Thank you, Priestess Helena.


    No matter how far the dungeon was, it wouldnt take all the vacation to get there and back.


    On the way back, we could also take care of the cultists branch by the sea, and have some fun there.


    With a perfect vacation n in mind, I smiled and wished Helena well on her exams before heading to the Magic Studies ssroom.


    <hr>


    <em>Rolling.</em>


    Iona has entered!


    Today, as always, Iona rolled three times and struck a victory pose.


    In that stance, she waved one arm and began to announce todays lesson schedule.


    Hello, hello! Did everyone have a good weekend? The professors have been wondering what kind of exams to give for the semester evaluation!


    Groans could be heard from all around.


    It seemed like the sighing at the mention of exams was universal, here or on Earth.


    But Ive already decided what well do for the magicbat ss, so Ill let you know in advance! Drumroll


    Iona stomped her feet and made drum noises with her mouth before spinning in ce and striking a strange pose to continue.


    Ta-da! The semester evaluation for the 1st-semester 1st-year magicbat ss will be a league-style duel!


    A league match, huh?


    For therger sses, like B or C, they used a tournament style where only the winners advanced, and scores were assigned based on ranking.


    There was a losers revival, but luck in matchups was important too.


    However, the smaller ss A had a league format where everyone got to duel at least once.


    I was confident I could win against anyone, so I didnt need to worry about


    Ah, but Yandel is an exception!


    Iona made a beep-beep sound and crossed her arms above her head to form an X.


    Why is that?!


    Well, after seeing the duelst time, the others dont stand a chance against you, right? Theres no need for a duel if the oue is obvious.


    Huh.


    It made sense, so I was about to nod in agreement when suddenly


    So, Yandels exam will be a duel with me! For the same reason, youll duel with me in future sses, too!


    What?


    A practicalbat duel with Iona?


    As bewildered as I was, Iona just grinned, showing off her sharp fangs.


    How about that? A one-on-one date with none other than Professor Iona! Nice, right? Yeah, of course, its nice! No need for thanks!


    Ionas usually lively voice somehow sounded annoying today.


    A duel It was going to hurt a lot, wasnt it?