Volume 1: Path – [Academy Arc]
Chapter 27: The Goddess
Caelus and Aiv sat at the far-left end of the seat rows. Caelus simply followed Aiv since he didn't care much about where to sit. From what Caelus observed, Aiv didn't seem to have a good relationship with the church. He remembered Aiv once saying, 'This is exactly why I hate churches and don't believe in gods.' At the time, Aiv's face didn't show anger cause who in their right mind would not get angry when someone said 'I hate churches', but now, the moment they entered the church, his expression had shifted, and Caelus could sense the tension in his features.
'I don't think my theory is right, but it's just my assumption. Maybe he got really angry after seeing a certain person... who knows? Well, whatever.'
Caelus shook off the thought and looked toward the front, where an old woman stood.
Behind the old woman stood a massive statue, with multicolored light pouring in from a stained-glass window above, casting vibrant hues across the hall.
The statue was of a woman and stood approximately 10 meters tall from base to crown. 'I can guess that because I live on the second floor of an apartment building. I used to spend a lot of time bored when Uriel wasn't around, so I trained my eyes to measure and calculate heights. It might be a useless skill in combat or jobs, but at least it's something I'm good at.'
The statue had no color on its surface; it was made entirely of stone. Caelus couldn't identify the specific type, even though he had studied many kinds of stones during his free time. He had plenty of time, after all, having dropped out of school following his parents' death. He considered school unnecessary, especially since his parents left him an apartment that he rented out for passive income. That gave him time to learn things online like measurements, stones, plants, locations, and more. He had avoided chemistry, physics, and most science topics except biology, which he studied more than the others.
He disliked science in general but enjoyed math and was pretty good at it. He also managed to learn five different languages, not all, but still impressive, considering the world had over ten commonly spoken tongues.
A monumental stone effigy of an androgynous, hooded figure known as the Goddess of Patience, Goddess Thalos, sat cross-legged upon a wide circular plinth. The folds of her robe, sculpted with masterful precision, cascaded down her form in swirling patterns that seemed to mimic the spirals of galaxies or the steady ticking of time. Carved into the fabric were intricate motifs, such as the spirals, constellations, and subtle gearwork, emphasizing a harmony between the organic flow of nature and the mechanical rhythm of time.
Her hands rested on her knees, palms open and slightly raised, fingers relaxed yet deliberate, an inviting gesture that radiated stillness and serenity. Despite the statue's motionless form, it exuded latent momentum, as if it might rise at any moment. The hood concealed the face entirely, creating a void where features should have been, an intentional omission that demanded contemplation.
Encircling the base of the statue were eight smaller figures, each kneeling in reverent symmetry, their heads bowed and robes simpler in design. These companions gave the impression of worshippers or lesser deities, reinforcing the statue's central importance. Around the pedestal, carved medallions of seated silhouettes repeated in orderly bas-reliefs, adding layers of ritual and continuity.
Behind the entire structure, a vaulted apse of ribbed stone columns framed a large stained-glass rose window. The glass, shaped into the image of a clock with Roman numerals, radiated hues of amber, amethyst, sapphire, and emerald, casting a prismatic glow across the figure. The hood of the goddess caught the golden light, creating a halo-like glow that drew every eye.
The contrast between the muted, weathered gray of the stone and the brilliant colors of the glass created a visual rhythm of stillness and movement, permanence and change. The entire arrangement spoke not just of time, but of the balance between fate and choice, order and chaos.
'That's just what I think. I'm not a philosopher or an archaeologist to know all the deeper meanings, but I've picked up a bit of knowledge from these things. It's a really beautiful view to look at, but why the fuck would someone name the Goddess something like Thalos? Sounds more like a male name to me than a female one.'
Caelus looked at the old woman standing beneath the statue of the goddess. She appeared to be around 50 to 60 years old, with long, snow-white hair tied neatly into a low bun. Her eyes were closed in calm focus, hiding them from view, and faint wrinkles marked her aged but composed face, hinting at decades of wisdom. She wore a traditional bishop-style robe long and flowing, adorned with subtle threadwork of celestial symbols and time motifs in muted silver and indigo. The high collar and layered vestments gave her an air of quiet authority, matching the sanctity of the space she stood in.
'She's incredible… standing so still with her eyes closed, especially at her age. Is this the effect of the Leym core in someone's body? I've seen her a few times on TV, but seeing her in person is a whole different experience. She's the highest-ranking Bishop, some even call her the Closest One to the Goddess, or the Goddess's Envoy.'
'But like hell I'd believe that. These people love creating systems with fancy titles and phrases just to convince others that gods are real. Religion is just a tool to control people through rules. I might've followed the church's ways too... if my parents were still alive. They were my only fuel. After they died, that fire went out. Uriel became my new spark a few months later.'
'Just like me, many people live because of a certain fuel. We're like cars without gas, stuck until someone or something pushes us forward again. I know this because I saw many people behaving like that. Haa... I wish this class would end already.'
Within a minute, everyone had taken their seats, over 200 students filling the hall.
He looked at some familiar students he saw in the first block and the second block.
'So, all the first years are here, that means...'
Caelus caught sight of Uriel seated in the row directly in front, with Aeren beside her.
Neither of them spoke a word, implying they weren't talking to each other. 'Why the hell are you concerned about that, you idiot? She's not her anymore, so just stay alive and enjoy life just like she wanted me to live,' he scolded himself mentally, shutting down his distracting thoughts.
'It's insane to think that awakening can give someone enough control to manage their thoughts to this extent. Normally, it would take a human years of intense concentration training. But awakening evolves the body from the inside out it even heightens the brain. That's probably why I can use inner sense too.'
'Now that I think about it, I can analyze things much more clearly than I ever could as a normal human. Back in that freezing chamber, surrounded by distractions and fear, I wouldn't have been able to think straight if not for this change.'
Caelus is analyzing the situations and everything that happened today from morning until now, in order to reflect on how amazing this fantasy world he has entered is.
'Truly amazing.'
The old woman opened her eyes, revealing golden pupils shaped like perfect circles, like a round clock. A thin vertical line cut through the center of each pupil, resembling the hand of a timepiece. 'Is that... a clock in her eyes? That's insane. I never imagined something like this even existed. If normal humans saw that, they'd probably mock her, unless they found out it gave her some kind of power. Then they'd worship her or leave her alone entirely.'
Many students were mesmerized by the sight of the strange, clock-like pupils glowing in her eyes. A quiet awe passed over the hall as faces turned still, reverent.
Then, without a single word spoken, the old woman raised both her hands and pressed them flat against her chest with the palms touching over her heart, fingers extended. One by one, the students followed.
She then slowly moved her right hand outward in a wide, deliberate spiral, tracing a clockwise motion in the air. This spiral represented time itself beginning from the heart and reaching outward toward the future. At the end of the motion, she froze, her right palm facing upward. They all held the position for three deep breaths, in silent recognition of the Past, Present, and Future.
Finally, both hands came together again, fingers forming a circle as thumbs and index fingers touched like the face of a clock. That circle was gently pressed to their foreheads, a symbol of patience and temporal awareness.
A soft whisper echoed through the room, carried by the voice of all students and the old woman.
"O Thalos, Keeper of Stillness, Weaver of Time,
Let your silence flow through me.
In waiting, may I find strength.
In delay, may I find wisdom.
May your endless hours guide my fleeting life."
[End Of Chapter 27]