Chapter 76

#076 Observation Class (2)

No, this isn't right.

"I'm here to observe today, so I think it's best if you all proceed as usual."

I replied with a smile.

My primary purpose for coming here was to assess Sant's situation.

If I were to step forward and help him, I wouldn't be able to gauge the behavior of Prince Sedric and Kristel.

"......"

The prince then glared at Sant with a very displeased look.

It seemed he was demanding that Sant quickly produce the ether before turning him into a mace octopus.

Poor Sant hunched his round, bear-like body as much as possible and activated his sanctuary.

I thought my sanctuary was quite modest compared to Cardinal Boutier's, but Sant's was even smaller and dimmer.

The patterns were also very simple. It seemed to reflect the difference between a bishop and a priest.

Still, I shouldn't criticize someone based on this.

"Too slow."

The prince growled lowly. Sant flinched.

It seemed he wasn't satisfied with the flow of ether.

I wanted to say something to the prince but held back, instead looking at Kristel.

She was frowning at the prince, a face I found quite familiar.

Recalling where I had seen that expression, it was Jeon Eunseo.

When I took the young Eunseo to the dentist, she would often make that face after hearing the cries of the children who went in before her.

"I would like to hear your thoughts since you're here to observe."

A voice, higher than the prince's but lower than mine, spoke.

Turning my head, I saw Sir Johann Heins standing there, his silver hair tied in a single braid.

His mint-colored eyes held a faint curiosity.

He still hadn't shaved, and his hair stuck out in all directions, but he looked less tired than when I saw him on the pirate ship.

He seemed unconcerned that the priest he had brought along was being treated poorly.

"......Well."

I had some thoughts, but I was more inclined to point out the mistreatment of the three priests by the paladins.

"You can speak freely."

Interpreting my silence, Sir Heins said this and slowly opened his eyes after closing them.

The wind in the training ground suddenly stopped.

"Huh? Just now,"

"The air door is closed. Now only the four of us can hear the prince's voice."

I blinked.

The air-attribute paladin had blocked the medium of sound, creating a transparent, sealed room.

Bengjamin, Ganael, and Sant were together but couldn't hear our voices.

Ganael, sensing my gaze, smiled and said something, but I could only see his mouth move; no sound came out.

It was like he had pressed a mute button.

"The air attribute is impressive."

I couldn't help but exclaim. It was truly amazing. Sir Heins smiled softly.

His expression made him look much more lively.

"Prince, what did you think of the sparring?"

Kristel interjected naturally. Her gaze on Sir Heins was cold.

They didn't seem to be that close yet. I cautiously spoke up.

"Um, in my humble opinion...... Lady Sarnes' growth was remarkable. However, she seems inexperienced in handling ice. For example, when she landed on the ice steps after a mid-air spin, she could have thrown it to the opposite side to distract the duke. When the duke exploded the wave, if she had immediately frozen the steam, she wouldn't have lost momentum."

"Hmm. You're right. When turning water into ice, an additional process of changing ether is needed...... It makes the judgment a bit slower."

Kristel bit her lip. Sir Heins, with his arms crossed, responded.

"Special ether applications take time. You're doing well, so there's no need to rush. With consistent practice, you'll be able to do it even with your eyes closed."

"Really? I see."

Kristel's face brightened. I also agreed with Sir Heins.

She had used freezing abilities without any guidance during the 'Great Beast Purge.'

Duke Evelyn's book explained that the 'Blessing of the Sea' she absorbed was a divine artifact that bestowed blessings.

If that was true, the blessing not only possessed her but also turned an ordinary human into a paladin and gifted her with the intuition and talent to control ether.

In short, she had become a munchkin and would only continue to develop.

"And for the duke......"

I shifted my gaze to the prince. He raised an eyebrow slightly.

It felt like he was saying, "I'm not in the best condition now, but let's see what you can say."

"Though you excel in both magic and swordsmanship, you tend to consume too much ether in a single attack. I read that managing ether efficiently is key for paladins...... You should also consider situations where you can't use your holy sword."

Don't glare at me. It's written in the book your father wrote.

Besides, if you run out of ether...... It will be troublesome.

"You observed correctly. I was curious about what kind of person you are as a priest, and you have keen insight."

As Sir Heins spoke, I felt the surroundings open up.

A cool northern breeze swept across my forehead.

He had dissolved the sealed room and restored the flow of air. I laughed in surprise.

Ganael quickly moved closer to me.

"Prince, just now."

"Yeah, Sir Heins used his ability for a moment. We were just talking."

"Wow!"

The boy gaped in amazement.

Bengjamin, who had never experienced the power of an air-attribute paladin before, was also impressed.

After we finished our conversation and sat down, Bengjamin opened the picnic basket and started setting out snacks and drinks.

It was break time.

Only Sant, who hadn't finished replenishing the prince's ether, was struggling.

It's taking too long, but what can you do if he's just a priest?

"Up until now, the focus of the lessons has been on sparring to gauge what positions you two might hold when you officially become paladins."

Sir Heins said while sharing my licorice tea.

"Ordinary paladins start learning at a very young age and gradually rise from deacon to higher ranks. But in your case, it's different. From what I see...... You will become bishop-level paladins, and with good luck, archbishop-level."

"Good luck means......"

"Paladin appointments are at the discretion of the cardinals. At least, that's the case now that the pope is absent."

Sir Heins answered my question lightly.

Unlike priests, whose ranks are clearly defined by the evolution of their ether circles, it's difficult to clearly distinguish the abilities of paladins.

The differences in their attributes make it even more challenging.

The ranks can vary based on the cardinals' judgments.

"Of course, if you open the 'Holy Mark,' you can immediately become a cardinal. Unless you're a commoner."

Despite his drooping eyes, Sir Heins' gaze was very cold.

His sleepy, deep voice seemed to lack strength for some reason.

"How long does it take to open the Holy Mark?"

The prince asked.

The Holy Mark, to put it in game terms, is a paladin's unique skill and ultimate finishing move.

There are many theories about it, but I didn't read them thoroughly since it wasn't my concern.

Not all paladins can open the Holy Mark; it requires both personal effort and divine grace.

However, the prince seemed to act as if he already had it.

It wasn't entirely wrong, which made him a bit annoying.

"The youngest cardinal-level paladin in history is Her Highness Princess Elysia of the Penetian Theocracy. She opened her Holy Mark at twenty-six and was ordained as a priest at six."

The prince then stared at me intently. Princess Elysia was Prince Yeseo's older sister.

I knew she was a paladin, but I was a bit surprised to learn how remarkable she was.

Even if he glared at me, I had no information to give.

"Chime?"

"Chime? Yes, I have it."

The prince suddenly changed the subject. He always carried it with him.

I should thank him and ask about its exact use.

* * *

*Creak*

The door opened. A bright beam of sunlight streamed into the dim bedroom.

The intruder moved cautiously, careful not to wake the child.

A magic light, left on for the second princess who feared the dark, emitted a faint glow beside the bed.

The figure picked up the toys and dolls scattered on the floor leading to the bed.

The room wasn't tidied up at this hour not because the castle servants were lax, but because of her orders.

The second princess had packed and organized the youngest's toys into boxes until the day she left the castle.

The reason was simple.

By doing so, she could know what the youngest had played with that day, what she liked the most recently, and what she had grown tired of.

Now, Elysia Penetia was taking over this affectionate task.

No matter how busy and tired she was, she couldn't forget it.

She wanted the youngest to feel the absence of the second princess less.

"Your Highness, I will help."

A servant who had quietly followed the princess began to clean the messy room with her.

A familiar silence passed between them. After a while, the box was filled with various playthings.

Elysia sat quietly at the edge of the bed, looking at the pig figurine on top of the box.

It was a gift from Yeseo to Cornelia.

"Have you heard from Sir Heins?"

"No, but since there's no bad news, he must have delivered it safely."

The