Academy’s PTSD Chaplain

1 – 1. Entrance Ceremony (1)

“Um… Before we proceed with the entrance ceremony of our esteemed Chaldea Royal Academy, I would like to express my gratitude to all the distinguished guests who have graced this occasion today. First…”

The empty-headed speech of the academy president began. Cloe, with an excited heart, listened attentively, shining her eyes.

“Cloe, why are you listening so intently?”

“Well, he’s the president. You should listen too, even if you doze off a bit.”

“You only talk nonsense… why should I listen…”

“Hey, what kind of habit is that towards the president…!”

Elin, sitting next to her, shrugged her shoulders and said, “But isn’t it true? Look. Everyone is dozing off.”

“Gasp…”

Cloe made a shocked expression. Well, everyone here had turned into pigeons, nodding off in the air.

“When will it end…”

“Elin, look over there! Look!”

“Yeah?”

Cloé called Elin, tapping her shoulder without a response. Elin, who had her eyes half closed, followed Cloé’s finger with her gaze.

“It’s the daughter of the Adelheid family!”

“Wow. She got into the academy? Isn’t she just one year younger than us?”

“She’s been rumored to be a genius for a long time. Of course, she’s a member of the war hero Adelheid family…”

“…Adelheid is impressive.”

The Adelheid Duke. They were a noble family who had achieved great feats in the previous war and had taken the lead in post-war recovery efforts.

Cloé, who had received support from the Adelheid Duke in the past, now had eyes that seemed to be looking at a goddess. Elin shook her head helplessly, as if there was nothing she could do.

“Wow… She’s so beautiful. I want to talk to her at least once…”

“…Huh?”

Thanks to Cloé, Elin must have woken up. She saw a strange person with her eyes wandering around the auditorium.

His eyes were sharp, and he looked tired for some reason. His sharp eyes were looking at empty space, and his messy black hair seemed even messier due to his careless grooming.

However, thanks to the glasses that were placed around the middle of his nose, even his roughly maintained hair seemed intellectual, and he looked like a man exuding decadence.

“First, let’s ask for his name. Excuse me, may I ask your name? Like this. And…”

“Look at that person, Cloé.”

“…Huh?”

Elin poked Cloé’s side while calling her. Cloé’s gaze finally turned this way.

Cloé silently watched the direction Elin was pointing. In the place where Elin was pointing….

“…There’s no one there?”

“Huh? No, yeah?”

“Are you making fun of me right now? Just wait and see later…!”

“No, what?”

Elin glared at the spot where the man had been sitting. However, the man who had already disappeared did not reappear.

“The principal’s speech is over.”

Until the academy principal’s speech ended, the man did not appear.

* * * * *

Phew–

The water sprayed vigorously. I stared at that sight, dazed.

As I watched the waterfall-like stream, I felt the crowded thoughts in my head being washed away. So, I continued to gaze at the sight.

“…Where did I put the medicine?”

Oh right, I came here to take medicine. How silly of me.

After rummaging through my pockets, I finally found the medicine packet.

Gulp.

“Phew….”

The medicine, mixed with a slight narcotic component, provided definite relief for my mentally unstable state. As expected, there was nothing else that could compare to this medicine.

What? Bathing in a spring? Conversations with the toy shop owner? Praying in the cathedral?

“Puhaha….”

The absurd advice people gave me as I wandered around after the end of the war.

It was all nonsense. If I could be cured by such things, I wouldn’t have wished for anything else. I didn’t want to rely on this kind of medicine to live.

Especially the words of the old priest, who advised me to pray in the cathedral with a solemn expression, were the most outrageous.

As I, a soldier turn priest, sought salvation in the battlefield, that old man who locked himself in the cathedral and preached nonsensical sermons while collecting money. Accusing me of killing people, calling me a murderer. He always tried to force me into repentance.

“That damn old man.”

I ground my teeth. I felt my mind slipping away. It was because the effects of the medicine were still lingering.

“…That damn old man.”

The continuous stream of cold water that was now filling up the sink suddenly. Without hesitation, I submerged my face in the cold water.

Putting my face in the cold water made me feel clearer. I opened my eyes underwater. There, I saw the drain plug of the sink. A round drain plug.

I could hear something. From beyond the drain plug, there was a rumbling sound. The muffled sound echoing in the water.

I leaned in closer to listen. It was hard to hear underwater, but I focused as much as I could on the faint sound.

– Spare me…

– We’re all dead! Our lives are all over!

– Shoot! I said shoot!

– It’s an attack! The enemy is coming! Reinforce the barricade!

– Bang! Rat-tat-tat!

– You know, why are you the only one who survived?

Splash!

“Ugh! Ugh…! Ugh…!”

Damn it. It seems like the effects of the medicine are slowly wearing off. I took out another pill from the medicine bottle and swallowed it.

“Ugh…. Phew…. Damn it….”

This medicine has lasted quite a while. It must be because my body couldn’t easily adapt, and it was a strong medication. However, now I have to find another medicine.

…I’m tired. In a moment, without realizing it, I had such a thought.

No. That’s not right. I can’t give up here. I made a promise. Until I keep that promise, I cannot die.

I wiped my face roughly with a handkerchief. The ends of my hair were damp. I tried to wipe it off as much as possible and let it dry.

I didn’t like the wet ends of my hair that stuck together like a pig’s tail. Maybe I’ll tidy it up after this entrance ceremony.

– Well then. Congratulations to the new students of the 89th Academy.

The thunderous applause reached this place. It seemed like the president’s speech had ended. Then, it must be time to introduce the new professors.

Can I stand in front of all those students?

“… Let’s give it a try.”

I have to give it a try. Maybe. I wasn’t sure.

I vigorously shook my head, which was becoming hazy due to the effects of the medicine. But I still couldn’t calm down, so I had no choice but to use a blessing spell.

After doing that, I left for the restroom.

* * * * *

“As there were many applicants this year who applied to our academy, we had a lot of difficulty in selecting new professors. There were truly talented individuals, and the competition was fierce.”

The president of the academy pointed this way and waved enthusiastically. The area where I was seated was filled with newly appointed professors of the academy.

Some were appointed to fill the vacancies among the existing faculty, while others were assigned to newly established subjects.

I was one of the former. I was given the position of the vacant theology professor.

I wondered if I would be chosen. I was lucky. Did the academy view my military experience favorably? Perhaps there is someone at the academy who also participated in the Great War?

“I deeply regret not being able to assist other outstanding applicants… However! I can confidently say that the new professors have tremendous ability and skill, on behalf of the president of the academy, Damian Lindberg!”

If such a person exists, I want to ask them. How are they enduring this pain? How are they persevering while taking this damn medicine? And if they are, do they recommend any medicine at least?

“Introducing first, Professor Esther Garrett, who will be in charge of the Department of Fantasmagical Arts!”

Ah. I can’t do it. The sound of the president’s microphone echoed in my head, making me nauseous. I felt my fingertips turn cold.

Calm down. Let’s calm down. Stay composed… Hoo…

“Yes! Thank you! I will continue to teach our academy’s students well. Next… it’s a newly established subject! Professor Alfred of the Close Combat Department!”

I calmed down a bit. I had a strong urge to smash that damn microphone, but I could still manage to hold back.

The people who were sitting next to me one by one were decreasing. When I suddenly realized that fact, a really unpleasant thought came to mind.

It felt as if I was sending away the comrades who were by my side, one by one…

“No.”

The medicine had its effect. I endured the sense of loss and cleared my mind.

The negative thoughts scattered. Like the clouds that would disappear after the rain. I took a deep breath slowly.

“…Master? Professor?”

Someone tapped me on the back. Nervously turning around, I saw a student from the student council looking at me with a start.

“What’s going on?”

“Uh, well… It seems to be your turn to go out, professor.”

“Ah.”

Glancing around, I noticed that the chairs that had been tightly packed around me were now empty. I gave a wry smile, thanked the student, and stood up.

“Phew… Alright. Let’s do this.”

Now that I’ve come this far, I have no choice but to succeed.

“Now, let me introduce the last person. Professor Antonelli from the theology department!”

Clap, clap, clap—

Perhaps due to the considerable number of claps, the applause was a bit subdued. I moved my feet, trying to maintain a positive mindset.

* * * * *

Step. Step.

Sharp footsteps echoed through the lecture hall. The gaze of the students who saw the owner of the footsteps was filled with tension.

“Why is your complexion so pale? Are you not feeling well?”

“You look a bit intimidating….”

“You seem unwell….”

The silent hall was filled with the sound of footsteps, which soon came to a stop at the center of the platform. Silence returned.

On the spacious platform, the man standing in front of the lectern scanned the students. The eyes of numerous students were fixed on the man, and even the gaze of the professors on the platform and the president turned to him.

A moment of silence. Then the man opened his mouth.

“…Starting this semester, I will be in charge of theology, Father Lucio Antonelli. I have also been appointed as the head priest of the academy. Since theology is a required course, I hope all of you who are taking my class will do your best.”

A mundane introduction. However, there was a melancholy tone in his voice that seemed to make the listeners feel a sense of melancholy.

“That man… is a priest?”

“He’s quite unique.”

“Has something bad happened to him?”

As the murmurs began to grow louder, President Damian swiftly took the microphone and continued the introduction.

“Father Antonelli will be taking over the position of Professor Helena in charge of the theology department. Now, please give a big round of applause!”

Clap, clap, clap—

Thanks to President Damian’s energetic conclusion, the applause sounded more lively than before. The applause gradually grew louder, eventually filling the entire hall.

Even in the thunderous applause, Father Antonelli couldn’t muster a smile.