A Powerful Martial Artist Reincarnates as a Nun Knight

“Hah, despite anticipating her narrative’s general outlines, she truly represents an outrageously unrestrained young lady.”

Within Valencia Church’s dormitory parlor room as dawn approached, Sophia could not suppress her boisterous laughter punctuated by incredulous exclamations while recounting the events Marie divulged.
This petite yet audaciously spirited girl thoroughly impressed the mentor – projecting such boldly decisive courage without hesitation despite lacking innate powers herself. Such fortitudinous mental fortitude represented exceedingly rarified attributes.

“Her indomitable spirit arguably surpasses even Conra’s mettle.”
“Must you always undermine me like that, Master?”

Despite Conra’s narrow-eyed petulance prompting Sophia’s dismissive hair-ruffling, Maria found herself emotionally perplexed witnessing their carefree rapport as an outside observer unable comprehending her precise circumstances.

“I have one lingering curiosity, if I may…”
“Speak your mind – I shall address whatever queries perplex you.”

Perhaps discerning Maria’s inner turmoil, Sophia encouragingly granted permission once the young girl mustered her trepidations sufficiently for voicing that gnawing uncertainty:

“Why…did you come to my rescue?”

Throughout her harsh existence, selflessly assisting others represented an incomprehensible anomaly – everyone focused upon their own precarious survivals rather than indulging charitable luxuries without personal incentives.
By that pragmatic logic, Conra and Sophia’s interventions logically implied extracting some manner of tangible benefit from rescuing a worthless street urchin like herself.
Yet she could not fathom any prospective advantages associated with that deed beyond generating more enigmatic ambiguities.

This fundamental disconnect between altruistic benevolence without ulterior motivations and her own jaded experiences represented the crux fueling Maria’s lingering frustrations despite acknowledging her profound indebtedness.

Yet rather than directly addressing her query, Sophia’s response seemed utterly unrelated:

“Such questioning represents intrinsically meek perspectives.”
“Pardon…?”

Understandably perplexed by that non-sequitur retort, Maria soon found herself equally bemused alongside Conra’s rueful chuckle as he seamlessly interjected supplementary context:

Obsessively scrutinizing personal cost-benefit analyses represented deeply habitual mindsets inevitably cultivated within harsh poverty-stricken environments demanding constant pragmatic canniness for survival’s sake – perspectives inculcated throughout the downtrodden underclasses.
Conversely, those unburdened by existential deprivations their entire lives instinctively operated through purely subjective whims without requiring justificatory rationales – acting solely based upon present emotional impulses rather than speculative hypotheticals.
The truly empowered naturally gravitated toward autonomic decisiveness uninhibited by ancillary calculations perpetually plaguing the disadvantaged masses.

“I…see…”

Rendered momentarily speechless by that elucidation, Maria grudgingly conceded having never possessed opportunities experiencing life from such unfettered positions of personal sovereignty – Sophia’s perspicacity embodying practically alien dimensions beyond her comprehending.

“Understandably, transcending such habituated mindsets remains immensely challenging.”

Undeterred by those inherently dissonant psychological ingrained limitations, Sophia opted engaging them gradually rather than denigrating their universality outside elite altruists like herself – steadily molding and cultivating wherever possible while supplementing insufficiencies directly.
After all, Maria’s particular personal deficiency simply represented normative conditioning rather than innate defects necessitating rectification.

And Sophia already prioritized one pressing matter superseding peripheral philosophical digressions – issuing her proposition succinctly while dispensing any rhetorical pretenses:

“Young lady, have you considered becoming my second disciple alongside Conra here?”
“I…beg your pardon?”

Utterly flabbergasted by that contextually incongruous non-sequitur, Maria simply goggled speechlessly prompting an elaborating clarification:

“You comprehend my meaning perfectly. Just like Conra, I am offering you apprenticeship as both my academic pupil alongside serving as an appointed sacred vessel. In turn, I shall personally safeguard your wellbeing while imparting the mastered disciplines under my transcendental tutelage.”

Sophia’s proposal kindled blazing illuminations throughout Maria’s consciousness despite its abrupt non-linear broaching. Even lacking specific contextual details, the core implications remained profoundly self-evident and transparently alluring.
She had already discerned Sophia’s ecclesiastic eminence alongside witnessing glimpses of her preternatural capabilities firsthand. The opportunity studying under such an elevated personage seemed tantamount to incredible serendipity for any disadvantaged waif within her unenviable circumstances.

The sole conceivable detriment involved forsaking her Valencia residency for accompanying Sophia’s continuous sojourns – but Maria harbored zero nostalgic reservations whatsoever toward that particular municipality where nothing but sordid degradations and depravities proliferated throughout her formative destitutions.
If granted any alternatives facilitating departure, lingering represented unimaginable folly without the slightest compelling motivations whatsoever.

However, one lingering uncertainty required explicit confirmation beforehand:

“Does this invitation stem from mere pity alone…?”

If originating solely from condescending pity without substantive expectations, Maria resolved unhesitatingly repudiating that patronization despite comprehending the missed opportunity’s magnitudes.
Relationships necessitated mutual considerations – she equally refused endorsing one-sided entitlements despite benefactors’ charitable overtures without reciprocally contributing her own intrinsic worth as human beings deserving inherent dignity.

Thankfully, Sophia’s response dispelled any such misgivings decisively:

“Pity? How could such baseless emotionalism ever motivate accepting apprentices? Do you truly perceive me as someone indiscriminately bestowing discipleships out of frivolous whimsy?”

Sophia’s incredulously derisive reaction reassured Maria sufficiently – she could accept being recruited through discerning evaluations rather than compulsive emotionalism or passing caprices. In fact, that meritorious selection criteria alone practically demanded prostrating her eternal gratitude unhesitatingly.

“Very well. If that is your disposition, then I shall indeed become your disciple.”

Upon Maria’s acquiescent declaration resolving her indecision, Sophia responded with ebullient celebration:

“Hahaha, excellent! Then we shall immediately commence the formal induction rites. Conra, since this represents Maria’s maiden ceremony, assist her as an aider.”
“Yes, Master!”

Following Conra’s enthusiastic tutelage, Maria knelt before Sophia as the mentor officiated formal proceedings elevating her new apprentice alongside sacral vessel inductee – witnessed by Hildegard and Ezio alongside the spiritual entourage comprising Gabriel, Ariel, Saraswati, the sovereign spirit Esras-Hermes and two porting spirits Lykia-Coccunistis alongside Lugus-Artaios.

{Such succinct modern-day apprenticeship rituals…}
{Well, this transcends simple tutor-student relationships into more comprehensively vassal dynamics. Still, remarkably streamlined overall.}

Observing that understated formality prompted Lykia-Coccunistis’ bemused commentary alongside Lugus-Artaios’ follow-up concurrence before Sophia’s divine spirit Ariel interjected:

[……]
{Perhaps emphasizing intent over procedures prompted deliberately abbreviating these ceremonies? That young lady hardly seems the ceremonious type anyway.}

Ariel’s intuitive assessment prompted a sage nod of acknowledgment from Lykia-Coccunistis regarding their mentor’s judicious pragmatism under such circumstances.

+++++

Once that eventful night reached its eventual conclusion, Sophia departed the dormitories early next morning informing Maria she intended procuring supplemental travel provisions before temporarily entrusting her second apprentice under Conra’s stewardship.
Observing his mentor’s retreating silhouette, Conra turned inquisitively toward the newly-inducted Maria:

“Ahem, well…Sister Disciple, how did you intend passing the time until Master’s return?”

Referencing their newly-instituted status using that familial honorific prompted an inexplicable warmth flushing Conra’s cheeks – undoubtedly struggling adapting toward addressing Maria through such intimate consanguineous designations.
Diagnosed as simply requiring acclimating his own habitual circumlocutions, the youth resolved consciously vocalizing ‘Sister Disciple’ more frequently until achieving fluent articulation.

“By the way, Brother Disciple – how did you intend occupying yourself beforehand?”

Conra felt that same inexplicable warmth intensify while appreciating how pleasantly that particular honorific resonated from her lips, unconsciously beaming while responding cheerfully:

“Master instructed me remaining by your side throughout mornings at least. Ordinarily I would pass those hours immersed in training regimens – but if you would prefer some introductory demonstrations beforehand, perhaps I could provide an informal overview of what lies ahead in your future curriculum?”

Maria’s affirmative suggestion immediately brightened Conra’s expression – truthfully, he felt immensely gratified simply spending quality time alongside his new sister disciple regardless what particular activities they partook. Demonstrating those practices represented the ideal arrangement for sharing an activity bringing him personal fulfillment.

Witnessing that childlike exuberance illuminate his features prompted an internal sigh from Maria:

‘He may be physically mature, but mentally he remains utterly guileless…’

That dauntless intensity accompanying her midnight rescue disappeared completely, replaced by innocent ebullience completely antithetical toward those previously daunting heroics she witnessed firsthand.
Yet rather than repulsing her, Maria found this unabashedly ingenuous persona strangely compelling compared to his earlier sternness:

‘In fact, this open sincerity arguably suits him far better than any artificial pretenses toward maturity.’

Contemplating that striking dissonance between his resolute protectiveness barely hours earlier compared to this utterly disarming naivete prompted a fierce protectiveness stirring within the deepest recesses of her soul – an instinctive determination that this person must never experience profound sorrows befouling such profound childlike purity ever again.

+++++

“Hmm, whether serendipity or inevitability, one cannot deny fate’s unmistakable signatures.”

Scrutinizing an ornate plaque cradled within her palm, Sophia’s lips pursed pensively – that indented inscription bearing the unmistakable hallmarks of her newest disciple’s suspected true heritage.
Plundered from Adrien’s illicit possessions during their earlier raid upon Niu de Corb, that blackwood plaque bore an elaborately etched nameplate in lustrous silver inlays:

‘Maria Francesca Isabel Luisa de Gloria Juana Antonia de la Cruz y Ortas.’

“The missing Catalonian princess’s full regnal nomenclature – yet why does it manifest here of all places? Gabriel, what are your impressions regarding these uncanny coincidences?”

[……?]

“Indeed, all inevitably unfolds according to preordained inevitabilities beyond our mortal comprehensions. For now, we must maintain discretion regarding these potential implications. Coccunistis, I entrust your cooperation in preserving this sensitive information as well.”
{You need not worry – exercising discretion represents my forte, does it not?}

Even if Maria’s true heritage involved Catalonia’s royal lineages, recklessly revealing those particulars under their present circumstances proved unviable given that kingdom’s currently tumultuous instabilities.
This ‘Adrien’ undoubtedly intended exploiting her identity for accruing personal advantages by forcibly wedding himself as her consort before extracting concessions – a ludicrously delusional plot any impoverished slum kingpin lacked remotely feasible prospects succeeding beyond precipitating his own ruination.

Silently appraising that inscribed plaque momentarily, Sophia allowed a sardonic smirk creasing her lips before nonchalantly stowing it inside her leather satchel.
Regardless of whatever controversies may potentially arise, her newest disciple presently remained simply ‘Maria’ – neither a destitute orphan nor missing royalty, but Sophia de Chagelle’s second official apprentice.

‘For now, Maria shall remain under my personal tutelage until further notice.’

While regretting any disappointments perhaps awaiting those still desperately searching for their missing princess, Sophia intended safeguarding this particular young lady’s welfare for the foreseeable future – her amiable smile widening alongside that firmly self-reassuring internal resolution.