Chapter 1

The Pseudo-Academy of Clerics (001-360)_(2023_T)

Chapter 1

"A consecration ceremony is about to take place, so please have the seven representatives of the new students come up to the podium."

The voice of someone holding a microphone echoed throughout the auditorium.

Seven new student representatives, who had been waiting at the edge, ascended the podium and lined up.

Although there were only seven, their presence was so overwhelming that it seemed as if the podium was filled to the brim.

"A consecration ceremony by Archbishop Kim Chang-won, the chairman of the Florence Academy, will now take place. Please maintain silence, students."

The voice requested silence from the students. However, it was merely a formality, as there was no need to request silence in the first place.

As soon as the ceremony began, the students fell silent as if they had rehearsed it.

Florence Academy, commonly known as Florence.

A school that trains clerics to eliminate the demonic species and Satanists, as well as other heretics, that have been rampant in the world. Among many clerical academies, it boasts the highest reputation.

Given that only the carefully selected elites from across the country attend, all students diligently follow the etiquette of the Romanica Church.

Swish—

Soon, a clear sound flowed like a drop of water falling into a calm lake.

With the sound, a spotless white light burst from the Archbishop's hand. The light soon enveloped the bodies of the seven new student representatives.

Humility, Charity, Kindness, Patience, Purity, Temperance, Diligence.

The seven new student representatives, selected according to the names of the Seven Virtues, were now receiving a blessing ceremony.

As they received the light of blessing with their noble faces, most of the ordinary students, including myself, thought:

'How wonderful it would be if I were among them.'

Students who possess the seals of the Seven Virtues are qualified to become high-ranking clerics. High-ranking clerics wield wealth, honor, and power far beyond that of ordinary clerics.

Therefore, all students who enter Florence dream of becoming high-ranking clerics. The envy, admiration, and jealousy that students direct towards the seven new student representatives stem from this.

And I, too, want to become a high-ranking cleric.

If I could become a high-ranking cleric, I would be willing to cut off my right arm and offer it to the Vatican. I yearn for it so desperately.

Some seek honor.

Some seek money.

Some seek power.

Everyone has their own reasons, but my reason for aspiring to be a high-ranking cleric is a bit different from others.

* * *

"How much do you know about the Holy War?"

After the ceremony, a lecture began unexpectedly for the students gathered in the auditorium.

In response to the lecturer's sudden question, the students simply stared blankly at the air, offering no answer. A few seconds of silence filled the auditorium.

The lecturer smiled awkwardly at the students' cold response.

"Given that you are proud students of Florence, I doubt you don't know. The Holy War refers to the war that took place seven years ago between the Voodoo and the Romanica Church."

Snap!

As the lecturer snapped her fingers, the projector screen changed. A timeline summarizing the course of the Holy War was displayed on the screen.

The lecturer continued her explanation, moving the laser pointer around.

"The start of the Holy War was a protest by Voodoo followers. The rally, which began under the pretext of eliminating discrimination against Voodoo followers, escalated into violent terrorism. The Vatican sent holy knights to suppress them, but..."

What happened next was predictable.

One of the holy knights sent to suppress the situation was killed. The Voodoo followers continued their terrorism, undeterred by the knight's death. The Vatican had no choice but to gather the Pope's army and the Inquisitors to suppress them by force.

Thus, the 'Holy War' broke out.

"...As a result of the Holy War, numerous casualties occurred. It was all due to the Voodoo high priest and prophets, who used the power of 'Loa.'"

The lecturer's voice grew louder.

"The power wielded by 'Loa' was so strong that it could be called a demonic calamity. The Voodoo high priest and prophets used this power to drive many people to their deaths. However, we, the Romanica, resisted them until the end."

The lecturer's face turned red. She was sweating profusely as she passionately condemned the evil and misdeeds of the Voodoo.

I fell asleep at that moment. I had heard this story many times before and decided it was not worth listening to anymore. Besides, I hadn't slept well the night before, so I thought it was a good time to catch up on my sleep.

When I opened my eyes after a brief nap,

the lecturer, who had been giving an enthusiastic lecture on the podium, was now standing in front of me, smiling gently and staring intently at me.

"Student, what's your name?"

The lecturer brought a microphone to my mouth. All the students in the auditorium were looking at me. My stomach felt a bit queasy.

I managed to clear my throat and opened my mouth.

"My name is Do Seon-woo."

"Ah, Do Seon-woo! You were really sleeping well. Can you explain the outcome of the Holy War?"

The lecturer smiled and said. Laughter rippled through the students.

Ah, if I had known this would happen, I would have just endured the sleepiness. What's a little nap, anyway...

A brief regret flashed through my mind.

"After numerous sacrifices, the Romanica won the Holy War, and the second Voodoo high priest and prophets were executed. Voodoo became an official cult, and the Vatican has been searching for the third Voodoo high priest, who is hiding somewhere. Is that correct?"

At least I could answer the lecturer's question, which was a fortunate point.

The lecturer looked surprised, and a short gasp of admiration rippled through the students who had been giggling.

"Do Seon-woo gave an accurate explanation! There was a reason for your nap!"

The lecturer said with a mocking tone and returned to the podium.

"The third Voodoo high priest, who is hiding somewhere, is still plotting evil plans from behind the scenes. Therefore, the Vatican is..."

The lecturer rambled on about various things. About the third high priest, about the Vatican.

Before long, the lecture ended. The students yawned and got up from their seats, leaving the auditorium in a rush. The enrollment ceremony ended with the 'Holy War lecture for fostering a correct historical awareness.'

* * *

On the alleyway leading home.

At the base of a utility pole, a burst garbage bag was scattered, and the wall was covered with red graffiti. The desolate scene made my heart heavy.

I walked slowly, carefully observing the familiar yet disheartening scenery. I had to pass through this alley to get home.

As the sky, once blue, turned red with the setting sun, I saw a man sprawled out at the base of a garbage-filled utility pole. A tin can was placed in front of him. It was the same old beggar who always begged from the same spot.

I silently took a ten-thousand-won bill from my wallet and placed it in the tin can.

"Thank you very much..."

The old beggar bowed deeply, his forehead almost touching the ground. I waved my hand and quickly left.

I saw two large men walking towards me from a distance. Both were wearing white shirts with yellow crosses, indicating they were holy knights responsible for local security.

They quickened their pace as they spotted me and approached me.

"Student, do you often walk this way?"

The one with a large build and a fierce appearance asked me.

"Ah, yes."

"Is that so? Have you ever seen anyone posting flyers like this?"

The holy knight pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. It had a rainbow gradient background and strange, unreadable text.

It seemed to be a Voodoo promotional flyer, with phrases like "Get a tablet PC when you join Voodoo."

"No, I don't know."

"Is that so? Then, have you ever seen flyers like this before?"

"I'm seeing it for the first time today. Is Voodoo still around these days?"

I put on an innocent expression. The holy knight smiled kindly.

"Technically, it's not around these days. But seeing these flyers, it's hard to say it's completely gone."

"Ah, I see."

I nodded lightly. The holy knight stared at me intently with narrowed eyes.

"Are you a Florence student?"

"Yes, I'm a new student this year."

"Is that so? We might meet again, hahaha. Work hard."

"Thank you!"

I bowed to the holy knight. He smiled kindly and waved at me.

When the holy knight finally turned and disappeared from my sight, I took out a handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat from my temples.

I ignored the voice ringing in my head.

But the more I ignored it, the louder the voice became.

"..."

I walked silently.

I finally arrived home. The stairs, which made my spine shiver just by looking at them, were deep and dark, leading to our home.

I slowly descended the stairs, cutting through the darkness, and searched through my bag.

It should be around here somewhere.

"Ah, I know."

I found it. I took out a mask from my bag and dusted it off.

A faded skull mask.

The mask emitted a distinctive, pungent smell of a skull.

I put on the mask and checked if it was securely in place.

"The Voodoo high priest is dead, but the prophet is not. The prophet is imprisoned in the Vatican's underground prison."

I spoke the words he would say. Then I took off my school uniform and put it in my bag, changing into the clothes I had prepared in advance.

I walked down the stairs again. After a long descent through the darkness, I finally saw the end of the stairs.

At the end was a door, with a sliver of light seeping through the crack.

I opened the door and stepped through.

"Whaaaaa──!!"

At the same time, a cheer, almost a scream, erupted. The cheer was, of course, directed at me.

"The Voodoo high priest has just finished his schedule and is now on his way to the worship service!"

I received the microphone from the priest and cleared my throat lightly.

I held the microphone and spoke.

"Believers, have you been well? This is the high priest."

"Whaaaaa──!!!"

Another cheer erupted, a massive roar that seemed to shake the earth.

The voice in my head finally stopped.

I am the third high priest of Voodoo and, at the same time, the prophet of Loa.

I am the leader of those called cultists in this world.

(To be continued)