Chapter 25

It has been a week since the re-measurement of magic power.

During that time, while Mikka appeared to spend her days quietly, her heart was far from calm.

If she were to be judged as a "college escapee" and punished, the repercussions would also affect Amalia.

Kifurodo assured her, saying, "Don't worry, leave it to me," but Mikka couldn't shake off her anxiety.

Mikka hadn't told her family about the re-measurement.

She didn't want to cause any more trouble in the Noisheim household, which had just regained its peace.

Even if it was only temporary.

Today, as usual, Mikka spent her time at the church, learning the contents of the holy scriptures from Rady.

Mikka wasn't particularly interested in the holy scriptures, but when Rady said with a sparkling smile, "Mikka, you should know more about the gods," it was hard to refuse.

She had been causing Rady nothing but trouble and worry, and she was treated to lunch every day.

Most importantly, Rady was her savior.

Mikka understood that Rady was suggesting she study for her own good, so she couldn't bring herself to refuse.

Despite starting the study of the holy scriptures out of necessity, she found it more enjoyable than expected.

Comparing it to the religions of her original world, she found herself intrigued by the similarities and differences.

"…So, the names of the gods are not known at all? Not even one?"

"That's not the case. However, they are only recorded in the original texts, and only the Pope of the Grunow Empire, which inherits the original texts, knows them."

In the Light God religion, there are six main gods, but their names are not known to the public.

It is considered too reverent to speak their names, and they are only referred to in the holy scriptures as "God of Light" or "God of Darkness," and no one except the Pope knows their names.

The Pope resides in the holy land of the Grunow Empire, which is considered the headquarters of the Light God religion.

The Grunow Empire and the Ecktreum Kingdom, which had a war over fifty years ago, have almost no communication now.

This is because, at the beginning of the war, the Pope declared that "destroying the Ecktreum Kingdom is the will of the gods."

Due to this divine proclamation, the Light God religion in both countries is now in a state of estrangement.

Since the majority of the citizens in both countries are followers of the Light God religion, it is difficult to repair the relationship.

(In the original world, there were cases where a country of heretics was to be destroyed, but to destroy a country of the same religion… It wasn't even a different sect. Was the Pope out of his mind?)

However, even if the Pope was out of his mind, his words had a tremendous influence, and the current Pope, who succeeded him, also supports this divine proclamation.

This seems to be the reason why, even more than fifty years after the war, the relationship between the two countries has not been repaired.

Currently, the cathedral in the capital of the Ecktreum Kingdom is considered the holy site for the Light God religion in the Ecktreum Kingdom.

They have their own Pope and accuse the Pope of the Grunow Empire of spreading false teachings.

"Heretic who defies the divine proclamation"

"Leader of the heretical sect that pretends to be a divine proclamation"

They insult each other in this manner.

(Personally, I think everyone should be free to choose their own faith… But this is a perfect example of the worst side of religion.)

While understanding that this is just one aspect, religion can be very troublesome if mishandled.

Everyone has both good and evil sides, but it is rare for one to be extremely dominant.

People unconsciously apply a brake to both sides to some extent.

However, religion removes this restriction.

Moreover, it even numbs the judgment of right and wrong.

A good person can kill many people because they are "heretics" or "of a different sect," and even boast about it as a great deed.

The Crusades, which were proclaimed to reclaim the holy land and subdue heretics, repeatedly committed atrocities such as plunder, rape, and massacres.

During the Age of Exploration, missionaries were sent as the vanguard of state invasions.

Persecution and oppression of heretics and heretical sects, such as witch hunts.

The list of cruel acts committed in the name of justice is endless.

There were parts where the rulers were used, but the church also used the rulers for evangelism.

(…I really don't like fanatics.)

During his school days, Mikka had a classmate whose family was deeply involved in a new religion.

He was so persistent in his proselytizing that Mikka got angry and retorted, but no matter how logically he explained, the classmate wouldn't listen.

After all, the classmate thought he was doing it out of kindness.

He assumed that Mikka was angry because she had a guilty conscience, lacked peace of mind, and was a lowly person who couldn't understand kindness.

Until then, Mikka had been somewhat optimistic, thinking that "anyone can understand if they talk."

But since then, he learned that "there are people with whom it's impossible to have a conversation."

If there's no way to have a conversation, mutual understanding is impossible.

It was a valuable life lesson.

To Mikka, Rady also seemed quite dangerous.

However, Rady, perhaps due to his personality, didn't push too hard.

Or maybe Rady thought Mikka was also a follower of the Light God religion.

Due to the upbringing by Amalia and Loreta, Mikka participated in the pre-meal prayers without complaint.

At the church, she followed the prayers in form, even if she found them troublesome.

(If I shout, "I don't believe in any gods!" it won't do me any good.)

With a Japanese "go with the flow" mentality, it wasn't painful to conform.

If he had another faith, it might have been difficult to accept, but for Mikka, who couldn't find any deeper meaning beyond the form and aesthetics, it was manageable.

While listening to Rady's lecture, Mikka asked questions about things she was curious about.

"There are many attendant gods besides the main gods, but are there no evil gods?"

"Are there gods that are evil?"

In this world, it seems that gods are considered to be inherently good.

There are no so-called "evil gods," and even if they are powerful, they are not considered gods but "beings of the demonic realm."

The God of Darkness and his attendant gods govern mischief and jealousy, but they are treated as aspects of the human heart that everyone possesses.

There is no absolute evil, and it is not considered a god.

(It's a bit unusual for a polytheistic religion to have no evil gods or heretical gods… Maybe I just don't know enough.)

In polytheistic religions, while good gods are often the center of worship, it is common to place evil gods as opposing forces.

It is also common to make enemies of monsters and demons, but I have never heard of a religion without any opposing evil gods.

(Japanese mythology also has few evil gods, but they do exist.)

Many good gods have a dual nature and can act like evil gods.

Rough gods can behave like evil gods.

However, in the Light God religion, the multifaceted and diverse nature of the gods is not treated as "evil."

(Well, they don't even treat "false gods" as evil gods. Maybe they didn't need an opposing axis of "gods." It's a concept closer to monotheism.)

In monotheistic religions, the god who governs absolute good is the only one, and all opponents are demons.

There is a devil, but he is not a god-like being.

(Well, I'm not a religious scholar. There might be plenty of examples in indigenous beliefs.)

Originally, not all religions have "gods" as their objects of worship.

There are examples worldwide where people see mysticism in the sun, moon, mountains, seas, rivers, and the earth, and worship them.

What is worshiped and what is considered evil changes with the times.

It's impossible to understand just from surface-level information.

(…Rady's Light God religion lectures were more enjoyable than I thought. Stories about gods and devils always tickle my otaku heart.)

In games and novels, the conflict between gods and devils is a favorite setting.

He used to buy setting books and read them obsessively.

As Mikka was thinking about this, it was getting close to noon.

Just as he was about to start preparing for lunch, the village chief came to the church.

"Sister, where is the priest?"

"Hello. I think Father Kifurodo is in his room… Should I call him?"

"Please."

Rady went to the back of the church to call Kifurodo, leaving Mikka and the village chief in the room.

(…Awkward.)

The village chief, looking somewhat tense, waited for Kifurodo.

If Mikka left, it would be obvious that he was avoiding the village chief.

(But this level of awkwardness is nothing for an adult!)

When he worked at a company, there was a time when he was left alone in a meeting room with a board member he never interacted with.

He pretended to prepare for the meeting to pass the time, but he couldn't help wishing, "Please, someone come quickly."

Of course, the meeting preparation was just a pretense; he had already finished it long ago.

As they waited quietly, Rady soon returned with Kifurodo.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, village chief. What's the matter?"

"…I received a message from the lord."

"What does it say?"

"Tomorrow at 10 AM, I am to call Mikka and Amalia to my house."

The village chief glanced at Mikka and handed a piece of paper to Kifurodo.

Kifurodo scanned the paper and made a difficult face.

"…This doesn't say what for."

"That's right. It doesn't mention anything about the 'college escape.'"

It seems the message only said, "Wait at the village chief's house."

"Have you told Amalia yet? If not, I can do it."

"No, it's my duty. But it would be helpful if you could be there."

"Of course. It will be a shock to hear this, especially now that things have settled down. It's better if we're there."

Kifurodo looked at Rady, who nodded firmly.

"I'll come to pick up Mikka in the evening. If possible, I'd like to tell her then…"

"I understand. …If I tell her now, she won't be able to work in the afternoon."

The village chief seemed to understand what Kifurodo meant.

Hearing such news would make it impossible to work in the afternoon.

"I'll come back in the evening. If I arrive earlier, please have her wait."

"Understood."

When the village chief left, Kifurodo placed his hand on Mikka's head.

"…It's been a week since then. It's probably as we expected, but don't tell Amalia. The shock would be too great if we're wrong."

Mikka nodded silently.

Optimism is good, but the shock of being wrong would be immeasurable.

It would be cruel, but better to give her time to prepare for the worst.

The outcome is still uncertain.

Mikka and the others have a good idea, but it's still just a guess.

There's a chance it could be wrong.

If it is, Kifurodo will take steps to avoid the worst outcome.

"Let's settle this quickly and free Amalia…"

Kifurodo stroked Mikka's head as he muttered.

* * * * * * * *

The next day, Mikka and the others went to the village chief's house.

When the village chief told Amalia the news as she came to pick up Mikka, Amalia collapsed on the spot.

With encouragement from Kifurodo and Rady, she managed to pull herself together.

She didn't sulk at home, but at night, she hugged Mikka and cried.

Seeing this, Mikka almost told her about the events of a week ago, but he held back, thinking of the shock if they were wrong.

Thinking about Amalia's feelings, Mikka couldn't sleep for the rest of the night.

Morning came, and when Loreta insisted on going, it was rejected.

The lord's instructions only mentioned bringing a parent as an escort, with no other instructions.

The logic that "if it's not written, it's safe" didn't apply in this case.

Doing anything unnecessary could worsen the situation, not improve it.

Persuaded by Kifurodo and Rady, Loreta stayed at the church.

The only exception was a clergy member, who was allowed to accompany in important situations.

Rady intended to go but stayed at the church to keep Loreta company.

The lord's messenger didn't arrive on time.

Mikka, Amalia, and Kifurodo waited in the living room of the village chief's house.

The village chief waited at the entrance to greet the messenger.

After a while, the sound of a carriage was heard, and Amalia, who had been waiting, looked pale, making everyone worry she might faint.

When they stood to greet the lord's messenger, the door opened.

First, an elderly man entered, followed by the village chief.

The elderly man was probably a bit younger than Kifurodo.

He was dressed in fine clothes and carried a large bag.

His white hair and mustache were distinctive, but his receding hairline was also noticeable.

His demeanor was gentle, a stark contrast to the lord's messenger from the other day.

"I'm a bit late. Let's get this over with first."

The man placed his bag on a chair, took out a piece of paper, straightened his posture, and held it up solemnly, extending his arm straight at eye level.

Mikka and the others also straightened their postures and listened attentively.

"…Mikka Noisheim. You are ordered to attend the magic academy from next year. This is the order from Baron Linpehl."

The man handed the paper to the village chief, who looked bewildered but took it without reading it.

"Village chief, please confirm it properly."

When Kifurodo called out, the village chief hurriedly checked the contents of the paper.

"Ah, and there's a message from the baron. …'I grant this with special favor. Normally, even if it was unintentional, the facility is unavoidable, but I will allow you to attend the magic academy as a special case.' It seems there was some trouble, but this is just a formality."

The man crumpled the paper with the baron's message and put it in his bag.

Kifurodo quickly took the order from the village chief and confirmed it.

Then he looked at Mikka and Amalia and nodded firmly.

"It's correct. The 'college escape' issue is settled."

"Great!"

Mikka made a fist pump, but Amalia didn't react at all.

She seemed to be in a daze.

"Mom, it's okay now. The lord has allowed it."

When Mikka pulled her hand and told her, Amalia slowly looked at him and then slumped to the floor.

"Mikka… Mikka…!"

She hugged Mikka tightly, crying and calling his name repeatedly.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. It's okay now."

When Mikka hugged her back, Amalia nodded repeatedly.

"You did a great job. It's okay now, you did a great job."

Kifurodo repeatedly told Amalia, "You did a great job."

Seeing this, the man shrugged.

"…It seems difficult to continue the conversation. Let's wait until she calms down. …Ah, village chief, could I have a glass of water? It's still quite hot, even though it's cooled down a bit."

When the man spoke, the village chief hurriedly left the room.

* * * * * * * *

After waiting for Amalia to calm down, the conversation resumed.

Kifurodo had already returned to the church to inform Loreta and Rady of the result.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Baathoff, in charge of magic academy affairs in the Reutain Dukedom."

The man was an official of the Reutain Dukedom.

In this world, they are called officials, not bureaucrats.

"I'm visiting to explain to the students who are scheduled to attend the magic academy next year. This is the first time I've had to explain in such an unusual season. …Well, it seems there were some issues, but now that the decision to attend is made, it doesn't matter. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. It might be difficult to confirm later."

Baathoff handed over some materials.

About ten sheets of paper, slightly smaller than A4 size.

"The details are written here, but let me give a brief overview."

Mikka and the others listened while looking at the materials.

"The magic academy is for training future mages. Mages are those who can use [Miracles of the Gods], but they are distinct from the church's healers."

In other words, Rady is classified as a healer, not a mage.

"There are actually more detailed classifications, but that's enough for now. The state is putting a lot of effort into training mages, and the lords support this talent by operating magic academies in various regions."

Baathoff explained the general overview of the magic academy and mages.

"In the Hailhoard region, the magic academy is in the Reutain Dukedom, where everyone gathers to study."

Baathoff smiled at Mikka.

"How many students are there?"

Mikka asked, curious about the number.

He didn't know how large the Hailhoard region was, but it seemed there should be a considerable number of students.

"There are six students scheduled to attend next year. You, Mikka, will be the seventh."

(That's so few!)

Gathering all the students from one region and having only seven was surprising.

He didn't know how many there were nationwide, but it seemed the training would be intensive.

As the explanation continued, they learned that the academy was divided into four departments: Junior, Elementary, Middle, and Senior, with each department lasting two years.

The dukedom's magic academy was for two years, and the capital's magic academy for six years.

So, the dukedom's magic academy was the Junior department, and the capital's magic academy covered the Elementary, Middle, and Senior departments.

For now, they just needed to go to the dukedom's magic academy by the specified date.

They only needed to bring a change of clothes; everything else was provided.

They would live in a dormitory and receive three meals a day.

Saturdays were half-days, and Sundays were off.

It reminded Mikka of old school days, with Saturday mornings off and Sunday as a full day off.

For younger people, who grew up with a two-day weekend, this