Volume 1: Path – [Academy Arc]
Chapter 26: Church
The Leym Absorption class was scheduled for two hours, and Caelus had stayed in the chamber for every last second. When he finally stepped out, his face looked gaunt, the skin stretched thin as if the vitality had been drained right out of him.
'Fuck, that took way more out of me than I expected,' he thought, staggering slightly. 'If I just had more stamina, I could've at least reached halfway to the small stage. But every person's stamina has a limit… I'm just sixteen. I've never been into sports, and I don't have the strength yet due to only being half-awakened. If only I had fully awakened...'
His tired eyes swept forward as he stepped into the hall. The chamber door hissed shut behind him, and to his left, five more students exited their respective rooms, the identical layout hinting that there were five more chambers in line with his own.
Without pausing, he turned right toward Aiv's chamber, and beyond that, the exit leading outside.
The moment Caelus's blurry vision cleared, he saw Aiv already standing in the open air, waiting for him.
Aiv looked at Caelus with a soft smile,"Looks like you made quite a bit of progress," he said, folding his arms casually.
Caelus blinked, surprised. He rubbed the back of his neck and frowned.
"Yeah? How can you tell that?"
His brow furrowed in thought. From what he remembered, only someone at Rank 3 or above could sense Leym energy in others. And Aiv had only recently awakened as he had claimed.
Aiv chuckled lightly, tapping under his right eye.
"That's because I've got a unique eye. It lets me perceive the subtle differences in auras people give off. It's not precise enough to tell species apart like human or beast but it can pick up on aura fluctuations within a being."
Caelus's eyes widened with wonder, a spark of envy lighting up his voice.
"That's so cool… ah, I wish I had something like that," he said with a tired grin, his shoulders slumping while his expression remained bright.
"It's alright. You can get these eyes once you reach Rank 3, though I got them a bit early, hehe," Aiv said with a teasing grin.
"Lucky you," Caelus muttered with a small smirk.
As they chatted, they made their way to Cafeteria-1. The descent from the mountain where the Leym absorption chambers were located was much easier than the climb, and thankfully, the cafeteria had been built nearby due to everyone's synchronized class schedule.
When they arrived, the place was already bustling with students. Caelus and Aiv joined the queue, ten students ahead of them.
Dozens of their peers had already filled their trays and found seats at long stone tables beneath hanging crystal lanterns.
Caelus, when it was his turn, chose a warm plate of spiced flameleaf rice, seasoned goldroot vegetables, and a bowl of miso-stewed vekla sprouts, an aromatic vegetarian meal native to the eastern edge of the continent.
Aiv, however, went for a heavier plate of herbed voran meat layered over soft-baked crustling bread and glazed with searing dusky berry sauce, paired with a side of ember-roasted greenfang tubers, which is a more classic Western-style dish from the far northwestern ranges.
Both trays glowed slightly under the cafeteria lights. They sat down at one of the empty stone tables near the corner, placing their trays carefully.
Caelus picked up his spoon slowly, his hands still trembling from the exertion earlier. He took a bite of the flameleaf rice the moment he did the warmth and subtle spice immediately coating his tongue and spreading down his throat like a soft ember, comforting and grounding. He exhaled softly through his nose, shoulders finally relaxing. The goldroot vegetables added a faint bitterness that balanced the sweetness of the vekla sprouts, which melted in his mouth with an earthy tang.
He chewed slowly, savoring the food. Each bite felt like it replenished more than just energy as it also soothed his strained nerves. For a moment, it was like he wasn't at some elite academy of pressure and power. He was just a tired student enjoying a good meal.
"Did they add something extra in this?" Caelus asked, pausing mid-bite, eyebrows raised in surprise.
Aiv gave a small, knowing grin. "Oh? You noticed."
Caelus set his spoon down, frowning slightly. "Yeah, it's kind of shocking. My body's regaining stamina and energy way too fast. Even after a good meal, that's not normal. And... my Leym energy is replenishing too."
Aiv nodded, his tone casual. "Yeah, they added a unique material to the lunch meals something that boosts recovery from exhaustion. Whether it's physical fatigue, mental drain, or Leym depletion, it helps restore balance. It's not permanent or anything. Just works when you eat food infused with it."
Caelus leaned forward slightly, curious. "Huh... I didn't notice anything like that this morning."
"That's because they only add it to the lunch meals," Aiv replied, stabbing a chunk of voran meat with his fork. "By this point, most students are already exhausted after both the Leym Foundation class and the Absorption session. Morning classes aren't that draining. Plus, there might be other reasons too... my master didn't tell me everything."
As Aiv spoke, he took another bite, calm and practiced, his face barely reacting to the rich flavor. Caelus, meanwhile, watched him for a moment before returning to his own food. He didn't rush as he slowly savored the warmth of the dish, the restoration it gave, and somehow, it made everything taste better.
After a few minutes, they finished savoring their food and stepped out of the cafeteria, Caelus with 9 merits and Aiv with 10.
"Hmm," Aiv said, glancing at the screen on Caelus's wristband. "Why do you have only 9 merits? It should've been 10 after buying lunch, right?"
Caelus scratched his cheek awkwardly. "It's because I fell into a trap set by the academy. I clicked the temperature change button on the tray... it cost me one merit."
Aiv burst out laughing. "Hahaha! You fell for that cheap trick?"
"Hey, don't laugh at me," Caelus protested, cheeks puffed slightly in mock annoyance. "I just wanted to give it a try."
Aiv waved his hand dismissively, still chuckling. "Okay, okay, my bad."
They strolled along the stone walkway as they talked, heading toward their next class: World Structures & Church Doctrine.
As they walked for a few minutes, they came upon a grand cathedral-like structure positioned at the very heart of the academy. It has tall, arched windows lining its outer walls, crafted from stained crystal that shimmered subtly in the daylight. Smooth white stone pillars supported a high vaulted ceiling, and a large circular emblem embedded above the main doors depicted abstract wings surrounding a glowing core, the symbol of balance and divine order.
As Caelus looked at it and went inside together with Aiv into the church, the atmosphere inside exuded solemnity and clarity. Rows of polished stone pews stretched down the center aisle beneath chandeliers made of suspended crystals that gave off a soft golden light. The interior walls bore minimalist murals, symbols representing different world structures, elemental doctrines, and divine pantheons, all painted in clean monochrome tones. Despite its vastness, the atmosphere within felt quiet and intimate, almost sacred, making it a fitting setting for a class steeped in philosophical and theological depth.
'In my whole life, I didn't think I would step into a church yet again.'
Caelus had lost his belief in God when the deity he once prayed to did nothing as his parents died before his eyes. He still couldn't bring himself to accept the possibility that he had killed them, that he, a child, could have caused such devastation. Who would believe something so absurd? It felt more like the monster that haunted him was playing twisted games with his memories and emotions, casting doubt on the truth he once held.
Looking at Aiv, whose face seemed off from his usual cheerful demeanor, Caelus tilted his head slightly and called out, "Aiv, are you good?"
Aiv responded curtly, "Yeah."
Caelus narrowed his eyes. "Why do you look like that?"
"Look like what?" Aiv snapped, his tone edged with irritation.
"You've got an angry face. Did something happen?" Caelus asked, concern creeping into his voice.
There were rows of seats arranged symmetrically on both sides of the central aisle, and students were quietly entering the church hall, taking their seats wherever they pleased. In this sacred place, there was no concept of status or hierarchy. Whether noble or commoner, all were treated equally within these walls. The Church upheld a solemn rule: all are equal, no matter their birth or rank; they are all human in the end.
'I don't understand these church philosophies. If they truly believe everyone is equal, then why not just distribute wealth and nobility equally? Wouldn't that end wars and eliminate beggars from the streets?'
[End Of Chapter 26]