"You're affiliated with the church of Oracleus?"

I realized my mistake almost immediately. I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but the words

just flowed out of my mouth before I could even think properly.

"....Is that what it is? Alright, I will start—"

"Actually, it's not the case."

"Um?"

Lifting his gaze, the Professor looked at me.

"That's not the case?"

"Yes."

I nodded faintly while putting on a troubled look.

"...That's the church that my Household worships. In reality, I follow another god." "Oh!"

A look of realization flashed on the Professor's face.

"I understand. There's no need to worry. It happens quite often."

"Yes, I apologize."

"That's fine, that's fine."

The professor scratched off what he had written for me, and pressed the pen over the clipboard.

"Who is the god you follow then?"

"....Sithrus."

"Sithrus? I can see that."

Chuckling, the Professor wrote the relevant information on the paper and then dismissed me.

"You will receive an invitation in the next few days. You may leave now. Enjoy your day."

"Okay."

I didn't linger any longer and left shortly after that. Leon caught up to me not long after, looking at me with a frown.

"Which god did you select?"

"Sithrus."

Leon's steps came to a pause. Noticing the subtle shifts in his demeanor, I turned to look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"...."

Leon still didn't answer.

He wore a troubled frown on his face before shaking his head.

"Actually, that's fine."

"...?"

"The Evenus Household is affiliated with Mortum."

Mortum...?

Though I suspected it... It still came to me as a surprise. There weren't many hints that suggested for this to be the case.

"The Household has been following Mortum for quite a long time. For you to suddenly change god, it will look suspicious. However, it isn't strange for some family members to switch gods. It's just rare."

"You don't think it will cause me trouble, right?"

"Hmm."

Leon thought for a moment and then shook his head.

"Not for now. You just need to be careful."

"....I see."

I nodded faintly.

If it were up to me then I'd choose Oracleus in a heartbeat. I wanted to understand these churches and their followers further.

I already understood that the reason they worshipped the gods and knew of their existence was because of the blood.

....In that case, did they have more of the blood? And what would happen when one consumed the blood?

In Mortum's case, they'd heal again.

But what about in Oracleus's case?

'....I still have a little bit of the blood I collected from the Chalice. Maybe I can give it a try later.'

Linus, Julien's little brother did get served the blood before.

However, as far as I knew, he only had a small increase in strength. The same was true for

Julien.

But...

'Maybe there's more to it than I know.'

In particular, I thought back at a particular scene I had witnessed during the third leaf. It was during the time Julien detonated the explosives. In the moment when he did and ran away, I distinctively remembered seeing his body get covered in a strange black film.

I hadn't been able to think about it much considering the situation that I had found myself in,

but thinking about it now, it was strange...

Why did I not have such a skill myself?

It didn't feel like curse magic. It felt more like an...

Innate skill.

'Is it possible that the previous Julien had a different innate skill than what I had...?'

The thought pressed at my chest.

However, I quickly pushed it away as I noticed Leon's back moving further away from me.

"Hey, wait up. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Hm? Because we're late."

"For...?"

"Progression Analysis."

"Oh, shit."

I suddenly closed my eyes and groaned.

*

Every year the cadets would be tested twice to measure their rate of progress if a cadet failed

to meet the expected 'statistic' they would be held for a year or downright expelled.

It was a test I had already undertaken twice before and didn't exactly look forward to considering how it went the previous times.

....It was nonetheless compulsory and so I had no choice but to attend.

Karlson Hall.

"Gather up everyone."

There weren't any changes to the Professor in charge of the Analysis.

It was still Professor Kelson.

'...He's also here.'

The assistant professor who had given me a lot of trouble the years prior. The sight of him

didn't arouse many emotions in me, but seeing how he couldn't look me in the eyes did feel a

little pleasing.

In just a little over a year, I had managed to become stronger than him.

I'd also feel some shame had I been in his position.

"Most of you are already aware of how these tests work. We take your measurements to see your rate of progress in the following years. We can also determine what is your weakest areas and whatnot. In general, these are the tests that your professors use in order to guide you in

the right path."

The speech went on for a little over five minutes as she explained the entire situation.

This was mainly for the new students who weren't aware of how the system worked.

"Like usual, we will be dividing you into groups of three. The groups will be the same as in the

previous years but with new additions."

Names started to get called out.

"Ravenscroft Luxon, Ellert Leon, Megrail Aoife...

Alongside the names, she'd point out to a certain Assistant Professor.

"Evenus Julien."

I didn't need to be told where I nodded to go as I headed toward the familiar Assistant

Professor.

He continued to avoid my gaze as I walked up to him. I didn't make things difficult for him and simply stood in silence while the group started to fill.

It was when I was adjusting my mindset for the upcoming Progression Assessment that a

certain figure walked in our direction.

His presence was neither overbearing nor small.

Walking in steady steps, he headed toward the group in silence while his eyes appeared

completely still.

He didn't even glance at me once as he headed into the group.

Staring at him, I frowned.

'There's something off about him. He looks like a completely different person...'

He used to be the center of the attention.

...He thrived being the center of attention. He was also someone who would openly challenge

me, wearing a calm smile in every interaction that I had with him.

And yet, he was completely different now.

He didn't talk much.

He always wore the same expression.

...And he seemed like a completely different person.

'Surely it isn't because he lost to me, right?'

Even Leon wasn't that affected. Within the next day, he looked pretty much recovered.

I had to remind him multiple times in order to get him depressed.

....In Caius's case, I didn't need to remind him at all.

'What sort of...'

"Pay attention, we will be starting now."

The Assistant Professor's voice brought me out of my thoughts. He walked towards the first

testing area where three orbs appeared.

"This is the Mana Resonance Assessment."

His voice was low and husky.

"All you need to do is place your hand over the orb and channel your mana within. There we

will be able to assess your mana purity, control, and intensity. First up..."

The Assistant Professor turned his head to face my direction.

"....Julien."

***

"Your final score is 5.67. Congratulations."

Amell opened his eyes and relaxed his jaw. As the cuffs loosened from his wrists, he stood up

from the chair.

His legs spasmed a little but he was overall fine.

.....That should be a good score.'

He had just taken the mental score and he was currently the first ranked within his batch. The

closest one to him was a score of 4.02, an entire grade beneath his.

Amell was quite used to pain.

He had been relentlessly training since he was a child.

...He had spared no effort to become as strong as he was now. His mental strength was one of

his greatest aspects.

Especially since his 'Concept' relied heavily on it.

'I wonder how much he'll get.' Amell's gaze fell on Leon who stood not far from him.

Leon sported a frown as he looked at the machine used to examine the mental scores. Thinking that perhaps he was afraid of the pain, Amell walked up to him and tried to put on a

smile.

"It's not that bad. I'm sure you've taken the test before. The pain is only momentary."

"...Hm?"

As Leon turned his head, he blinked his eyes a couple of times.

Then, realizing what Amell had said, Leon shook his head.

"No, I know that. I was just thinking about something else."

"A way to beat your previous score?" "...No."

Leon shook his head.

Pursing his lips, he glanced away. Towards another team.

"I'm just thinking about a way to avoid him after he gets his score."

"He...?"

"Yeah."

Leon bitterly laughed.

"The first time he took the test, his score was 5.04."

"?"

"The second time he took the test, his score was 8.23."

"....!?"

Wait, wh-

"This is the third time.."

Leon held his head, his face wincing.

"...That monster. He's going to give me hell."

***

Bremmer.

The influence of the Seven Churches was far-reaching. Not only did they hold influence within the Nurs Ancifa Empire, but throughout all four main Empires and more. Massive churches, built in devotion to their gods, towered throughout the city. Each church held a fair number of devotees, with some churches being larger than others.

Amongst the seven churches, the Church of Oraclues was fairly popular. However, in terms of

power and devotees, they were by far the weakest.

Currently, within the Cathedral in Bremmer.

"It's almost time."

A thin light cast upon a man dressed in white as he stood before a small podium.

The church was silent as his voice echoed faintly throughout.

...The church was entirely empty, with one man other than the man in the white present

within the room.

Clad in matching white robes adorned with intricate golden embroidery, he was the current

Cardinal of the church.

Cardinal Ambrose.

"Preparations for the gathering have been made."

The Cardinal spoke, his voice low as he respectfully addressed the man in white.

"I, alongside our apostles will be leaving in the next few days."

"Mhmm."

The man in white answered with a thin nod, his gaze locked on the stained glass above him. In

particular, his gaze was fixed on the thin eye that looked back at him.

...The eye of the Seer.

"The program will follow the same one that we have given in previous times with the apostles

lectu-"

"I will be coming as well."

The Cardinal's face changed abruptly as the man in white cut him off. The Cardinal's eyes

widened as he tried to open his mouth.

However, he was promptly cut off before he could say his piece.

"This is non-negotiable. Please ready a carriage for me as well. I will be participating in this

year's Gathering."

"But-"

"Do not speak further."

Though faint, the man's voice carried through the entire church, shattering the Cardinal's

voice as his face paled.

Taking a few steps back, he raised his head before respectfully lowering it.

"Understood."

He left promptly after that.

The silence that took over shortly after his absence was shattered by the single sound of a

page-turning.

Flip-

A book appeared in front of the man in white.

It was an old book.

...One that appeared to have been passed down for centuries.

The man in white stopped before a certain page.

There, an illustration appeared. It depicted a young man with thick black hair, deep and

intense hazel eyes, and features that stood out at a glance. It was face vastly different from

those of the modern depicted version of 'his' face.

Beneath the illustrations were a few words.

[The second face of Oracleus - Depicted by the Ancient of Eryndor.

-The Ancients who claim to have met the god himself.]