The Heretic of Cleric Academy-Chapter 70

Whoosh!

When I poured divine power into it, the holy item caught fire. The name of the holy item was ’Fragment of Moses’ Burning Bush.’ When divine power is poured into it, wireless communication becomes possible with another person who has a fragment.

The sound quality was better than walkie-talkies or regular phone calls, so it was also a holy item that soldiers used during operations.

"Yeo Min-seo?"

Seong Ha-yeon spoke to Yeo Min-seo through it.

The flame of the fragment flickered precariously for a moment, then soon the flickering of the flame began to settle into a regular pattern. It meant a successful connection with the other party.

"Ah, ah. Can you hear me?"

"Yes, I can hear you. What should I do first?"

"Uh, yeah. I can hear you well. Wait a moment."

The sound came whenever the flame flickered. It looked as if Yeo Min-seo’s voice had become a melody, and the flame was dancing to follow that melody.

From beyond the flame came the rustling sound of Yeo Min-seo rummaging through something.

"Yeah, what you should do first is... You, can you locate Do Seon-woo’s position?"

"...Pardon?"

"If you can locate him, stick to him. Han Su-ryeon is going to stick to Gu Jun-hyeok, and I’m going to handle dropping the rest of the kids. You just need to stick to Do Seon-woo."

"Gu Jun-jung? Gu Jun-hyeok? I’ll stick to that person. How about Han Su-ryeon sticks to Do Seon-woo instead..."

"Then the movement routes get tangled, and more than anything it becomes troublesome. It’s just easier for you to stick to Do Seon-woo."

"Uh, um, I..."

Seong Ha-yeon made strange sounds as she moved her lips, unable to properly refuse or accept.

While it was efficient for the operation for Seong Ha-yeon to stick to Do Seon-woo, Seong Ha-yeon didn’t want to do that. The reason was simple: she disliked Do Seon-woo.

She didn’t know why she disliked him. From what she felt during the demon species subjugation practical, that man had something cold about him somewhere. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Those vacant and empty eyes where you couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and that dry voice that always seemed angry.

When she chewed over those memories, Seong Ha-yeon felt an unbearable unpleasantness. She shook her head back and forth and shuddered as she brushed away the memories.

"Uh, um, I, and what else? Anyway, stick to Do Seon-woo. That’s the most efficient."

"Ah..."

"Even if you don’t like it, just bear with it this once. I’ll definitely help you properly after it’s over."

"...Yes, I understand."

Seong Ha-yeon reluctantly nodded.

Yeo Min-seo had made a proposal to Seong Ha-yeon. In exchange for helping her in the Charity Holy Name re-election exam, she would give Seong Ha-yeon important information directly related to grades.

For Seong Ha-yeon, who had no choice but to be desperate about grades for various reasons, it was a proposal she absolutely could not refuse.

Crackle, crackle crackle...

Soon, the flame attached to the burning bush went out. It meant the connection with Yeo Min-seo had been severed. Along with that, rain began falling from the sky.

Seong Ha-yeon immediately took out the holy item she had prepared and poured divine power into it. The holy item spread out like an umbrella, blocking the falling raindrops.

"Haah."

Seong Ha-yeon let out a deep sigh with complicated feelings. Then she looked around searching for Do Seon-woo.

Whether it was good luck or bad luck, Do Seon-woo was close enough to be visible to the naked eye.

While other children had already started running toward the ark on the mountaintop, Do Seon-woo was just standing still. Somehow he had a dazed, vacant expression as if he had lost his mind.

Of all people, it has to be that person again.

Lately, it seemed like she kept getting entangled with this person called Do Seon-woo in unwanted matters. No, it seemed like the surroundings kept creating situations where she had no choice but to get entangled with him.

I dislike Do Seon-woo, but people around me keep telling me to stick to Do Seon-woo. Father does that, and Yeo Min-seo does that too.

"Tsk."

I don’t like it, but there’s no choice.

Seong Ha-yeon walked step by step through the rain toward Do Seon-woo.

* * *

Rain poured down. The raindrops were so thick that even calling it a torrential downpour would be insufficient. I received those raindrops with my whole body while looking at ’that thing’ visible on the mountaintop.

Though only a silhouette was visible due to the heavy rain, that was probably the ’ark.’

The goal of the first gateway was to climb that mountain within the time limit and enter the ark.

It wasn’t a very high mountain, so climbing it within 2 hours wouldn’t be difficult.

Of course, that was only assuming the weather was clear. Right now, it was raining so heavily that it was hard even to walk, let alone climb.

"Bosu."

I tried calling Bosu as a test.

[The pleased Bosu responds to the prophet’s call! Today is a day when my condition is very good.]

Bosu answered in a lively voice. Fortunately, it seemed possible to use the Loa’s power even inside the ark. Naturally, emitting divine power was also possible.

I thought it would probably also be possible to emit Voodoo magic power, but I didn’t test it in preparation for any unexpected dangers.

If I could use Bosu’s power, climbing in a torrential downpour wouldn’t be that difficult. I took steps and slowly advanced toward the mountain.

The raindrops falling from the sky were still fierce, and water had already risen to ankle level. With each step I took, there was a splash, splash sound.

"Excuse me."

Then, someone called me from behind. I turned my head slightly. There was an unexpected face there.

"...Who?"

It was truly an unexpected face. It was because it was a face I didn’t know. She tied up her hair that had drooped from being soaked by rain with a string, and showed me a bright smile.

"I’m Seo Ha-rin from the same class."

"Ah... same class."

"I was behind you guys earlier."

"Ah."

When she mentioned the back seat, I remembered. The voice of complaint that had been heard when Gu Jun-hyeok leaned back his chair must have been Seo Ha-rin’s.

Should I say sorry at times like this, or should I say nice to meet you...

As I maintained silence for quite a while having nothing else to say, Seo Ha-rin smiled awkwardly and opened her mouth.

"You probably don’t know me well. I’m not really a noticeable type."

"No, I think I might know the name. I just don’t remember the face well..."

"It’s okay. I’m used to it."

She said that while neatly tying up all her hair. Then her face, which had been hidden by wet hair, was revealed.

A plain, unremarkable face that seemed like I’d forget by tomorrow. If there was anything that could be called a characteristic, it was that there was a large mole under her lips.

"It would be faster to climb together than alone, right?"

She said while looking at the ark faintly visible on the mountaintop beyond the fierce raindrops.

Rather than climbing alone and solitary through the downpour, climbing with a companion would allow reaching the ark much faster and safer.

The reason she spoke to me also seemed to be to propose companionship.

"So you’re suggesting we go together?"

"Yeah."

Seo Ha-rin nodded while wearing a faint smile on her lips. I caught a glimpse of her eyes, but there wasn’t a trace of malice.

’Don’t go around alone. Be careful of your back.’

Suddenly, I recalled Baron Samedi’s prophecy. And I fell into contemplation.

Could I trust Seo Ha-rin?

There’s no malice visible in her eyes. Her smile is pure. A face that’s just endlessly innocent, as if she would never betray me.

However, perhaps that’s exactly why she’s suspicious. Thinking of Baron Samedi’s prophecy to not go around alone, it seems right to go together, but thinking of the prophecy to be careful of my back, it also seems wrong.

I glanced at the ring on my pinky finger.

"...Yeah. Going together would be faster and safer."

"That’s a relief. I was worried about what to do if you refused."

When I accepted the proposal, Seo Ha-rin seemed genuinely relieved as she patted her chest and laughed.

Is that sincere, or is it acting? I can’t read Seo Ha-rin’s true intentions. Perhaps, just before entering the ark, she might betray me.

But it doesn’t matter. I have father’s ring. I don’t trust Seo Ha-rin. However, I believed in the power of the sorcery contained in the ring.

And more than anything, that ’hypothesis’ that flashed through my mind. To prove the hypothesis, it was better to keep Seo Ha-rin by my side.

"What holy items did you bring?"

While heading toward the mountain through the raindrops, Seo Ha-rin asked.

"Just, whatever was at home."

"Come to think of it, that would be awkward to talk about. Sorry."

The holy item I brought was the ’Fourth Angel’s Trumpet.’ However, I had no intention of telling the truth.

When I gave a vague answer, Seo Ha-rin nodded understandingly and apologized. There wasn’t really anything to apologize for.

"The holy item I brought is... this."

Seo Ha-rin took out a holy item from her bosom. It was a golden candlestick with seven branches. It wasn’t real gold. There were traces of plating peeling off here and there.

When she poured divine power into the holy item, the candlestick lit up. The fire burned properly even when hit directly by the raindrops.

"...I didn’t know what the exam content would be, so I just brought anything. It’s really useless, right?"

Seo Ha-rin laughed helplessly. It was an empty smile. Her words carried habitual self-deprecation.

I tried to give words of comfort, but no other words came to mind, so I kept my mouth shut.

A candlestick that doesn’t go out even when hit by rain. If it had been a cave or underground, it would have been good to use instead of a flashlight, but in this kind of open meadow, the candlestick had no use.

"It’s always like this no matter what I do. I’m not good at anything."

"You don’t need to say that much..."

"It’s the truth though."

We had this meaningless conversation while walking toward the mountain.

By the time we arrived at the foot of the mountain, the risen water was touching our shins. When I glanced back, the meadow that had been faintly spread with flowers and grass was submerged in water, creating a grim atmosphere.

There were two paths up the mountain. The left path was very rough. The slope was so steep that if you stepped wrong, you’d fall and tumble down, and rocks and gravel obstructed the path.

On the other hand, the right path was very smooth. The slope was gentle and flat as if humans had artificially opened it. The water streams created by rain flowed to the edges without obstructing the path.

"...The right side would be better, right?"

Seo Ha-rin said in a seemingly frightened tone. I nodded. Common sense suggested that taking the right path would be more comfortable than the left path. I could see the backs of children who had chosen the right path and were climbing the mountain in the distance.

Just as we were about to move to the right path.

"Not that way."

A voice that made my spine crawl and my breath catch just from hearing it, an unpleasant voice, was heard. When I turned around, sure enough, there was Seong Ha-yeon.

She looked fluffy and dry without even a single strand of hair getting wet. It seemed to be thanks to borrowing a holy item’s power.

"If you go that way, you’ll be eliminated. Come to the side I’m guiding you to."

Seong Ha-yeon folded her arms and spoke to me. Her tone was like giving instructions, no, commands, infinitely arrogant. Perhaps because of her raised chin, her gaze seemed to be looking down at me.

I unconsciously frowned. Disgust washed over me.

As I stood there silently looking at Seong Ha-yeon, she twitched her eyebrows as if displeased and continued speaking.

"What are you doing? I said hurry up and follow me."

Even at her continued words, I couldn’t take a step. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground and my dry, parched heartbeat alternately echoed, roughly stirring up my head.

It was difficult to control my emotions. Always, whenever I stood in front of Seong Ha-yeon, it was difficult to control my emotions. It was because Saint Judas’s detestable face overlapped beyond those arrogant eyes.

"I’ll just go on my own."

I composed my breathing and barely managed to refuse Seong Ha-yeon’s proposal. It wasn’t just because I disliked her.

Baron Samedi’s prophecy to be careful of my back.

It might really mean to be careful of my literal back, but it was more likely to mean be careful of betrayal. When calculating probabilities, the person most likely to betray me was Seong Ha-yeon. At the beginning of the semester, during the demon species subjugation practical, she had also tried to betray me.

"If you go that way, you’ll be eliminated. Don’t you understand what I’m saying?"

"I understood, but what exactly should I believe to listen to your words?"

"What should you believe? Obviously because my words are true...!"

"So why are your words true?"

If Seo Ha-rin suddenly tried to betray me, it would be possible to escape from a tight spot through the sorcery contained in the ring.

But if Seong Ha-yeon tried to betray me?

Because Seong Ha-yeon has purification blood, sorcery doesn’t work on her. Even the sorcery contained in the ring couldn’t subdue Seong Ha-yeon.

In other words, trusting Seong Ha-yeon carried too much risk. So it was better not to trust Seong Ha-yeon from the beginning.

"And why would you tell me to take a detour when there’s a perfectly good path?"

"Because that path is a trap. I came to help you. I know a shortcut."

"Shortcut."

It seemed like a similar repertoire to the demon species subjugation practical. Saying she’d guide me on a shortcut and then betraying me. It’s Seong Ha-yeon’s specialty.

At this point, it became even more difficult to trust Seong Ha-yeon. And the real reason I couldn’t trust Seong Ha-yeon was separate.

"Why are you helping me? What benefit do you get from it?"

Seong Ha-yeon had no reason to help me. Because her intentions weren’t clear, I couldn’t trust her.

After hearing this, Seong Ha-yeon moved her lips or twitched her eyebrows as if slightly angry. Her face was a bit red. Blood must have rushed to her head from anger.

However, I was equally angry. I’m someone who feels nauseous just looking at Seong Ha-yeon’s face.

"Ha, when someone says they’ll help you, is it so hard to say one word of thanks?"

"Uh, don’t help me. I’m not grateful."

"Who do you think wants to help you? I also don’t want to talk to you either..."

"Oh, really?"

I cut off Seong Ha-yeon’s words. I didn’t want to hear any more of her words, and I didn’t want to talk to her anymore. I don’t want to face Seong Ha-yeon anymore.

"If you don’t want to help, then don’t help. Get lost."

"Hul..."

Seo Ha-rin, who was beside me, looked at me with a blank face and let out a strange exclamation.

Even if she really knew a shortcut and had approached me with the pure purpose of helping me, I had no intention of receiving her help. I’d rather be eliminated.

Leaving behind Seong Ha-yeon, who was staring at me blankly, I climbed the mountain with Seo Ha-rin. The path we chose was naturally the smooth path. The path was nicely paved, so there was no problem walking even in the downpour.

While climbing the mountain, Seo Ha-rin kept glancing at me.

"...Are you okay? Her father is a really amazing person."

"I’m okay."

The fact that Seong Ha-yeon’s father is Saint Judas is something everyone knows.

If Seong Ha-yeon reported this incident to Saint Judas, and Saint Judas came to school to harm me or gave me disadvantages.

That would actually be good.

Instead of me having to go, Saint Judas would come to me on his own feet.

In the first place, Seong Ha-yeon would never be able to report this incident to Saint Judas. I can be certain of it. I know Seong Ha-yeon and Saint Judas’s personalities better than anyone else.

"Um... excuse me? Excuse me?"

While we were climbing, Seo Ha-rin tapped my shoulder. I turned my head. Then Seo Ha-rin opened her eyes wide in surprise and stepped back.

"You, you startled me. Your expression right now is a bit, um. Your expression is a bit scary."

"...Really?"

I must have unconsciously frowned while thinking about Seong Ha-yeon and Saint Judas. I forcibly relaxed my expression. Only then did Seo Ha-rin show a reluctant smile and open her mouth.

"Is your goal to become the Charity Holy Name?"

It was a sudden question. The exam we’re currently taking is the ’Charity Holy Name’ re-election exam. It was natural that becoming the Charity Holy Name would be the goal.

I couldn’t guess what intention Seo Ha-rin had in throwing such a question. A strange question, as if her goal wasn’t to become the Charity Holy Name.

"Of course. Isn’t yours?"

"Yeah. Mine isn’t."

Seo Ha-rin continued speaking with an empty laugh.

"I just... I just did it thinking I should try something. All my practicals have failed so far, and I was wondering why I came to Florence. I felt like I had to do at least this."

"Ah, really?"

"It’s a bit incoherent. Out of the blue. Sorry."

When I shook my head, Seo Ha-rin smiled brightly. It seemed to mean thank you.

I didn’t know the detailed circumstances, but she seemed to have not applied for the exam originally to be selected as the Charity Holy Name. If the Charity Holy Name wasn’t the goal, why did she apply for the exam?

I briefly wondered, but everyone has different thoughts and different goals. Even if I couldn’t understand it, I decided to just accept it.

"But I wonder if the exam should be this easy."

She said while walking. I nodded. As she said, the exam was too easy.

Even though it’s called the first gateway, no matter what, I wondered if this wasn’t a mistake in difficulty adjustment.

"Oh, and..."

BOOM!!!

At that moment, an explosion occurred. Seo Ha-rin’s words scattered in the air. The explosion seemed to have come from near the mountaintop.

"Uh...?"

Seo Ha-rin let out a puzzled sigh and raised her head. I followed her gaze and looked up at the mountaintop. In the distance, water was falling from the mountaintop.

No, a waterfall was pouring down.

CRASH!!!

The waterfall roared as it approached us. Children who had been climbing the mountain ahead of us were swept away by the waterfall and fell helplessly. The waterfall was carrying soil and gravel, rocks, and trees uprooted from their roots.

It was a landslide.