PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

After the entrance ceremony, the new first-year students headed toward the classroom where their first lesson would be held.

Second-year and third-year students were in the same situation, but there wouldn’t be any classes today.

First-year freshmen, like last year’s first-year students, were trying to adapt just a bit more to their first day at the academy.

Second-year students were promoting their respective club activities and trying to attract new freshmen.

Third-year students were honing their skills in preparation for their imminent entry into the world, reviewing consulting and recruitment offers from various companies and institutions under the imperial authority.

Caldera Imperial Academy is prestigious. No matter what anyone says, if asked to name the highest-level academy in this empire, everyone would certainly choose Caldera Imperial Academy.

Being such an esteemed educational institution, third-year students on the verge of graduation and last year’s third-year graduates, who graduated a month ago, were well-prepared talents. Companies and various government institutions, even the military, were scrambling to recruit them.

“The student council president went to the Imperial Knight Order, right?”

“Are you talking about Student Raymond? Yes, I heard that.”

Raymond, who was the student council president until last year, graduated from the academy as a trainee of the Imperial Knight Order.

He was skilled with the sword and never missed being the top student in third year, and since excellent swordsmanship is essential to join the Imperial Knight Order, it might just fit him perfectly.

“Then, who will be the student council president this year?”

Professor Esther asked while taking a sip from the coffee cup she held. But, to be honest, I didn’t know everything about the students’ dynamics.

When I shrugged my shoulders as if I didn’t know, Esther nodded and seemed to savor the lingering taste of the coffee in her mouth.

“I’m worried about the new professors who just joined this year. They need to adapt well….”

“Well….”

As she said, the new professors who joined this time were all inexperienced. They were not appointed as professors from other academies or had not transferred here.

While I was in the same situation, at least I had spent time in a church teaching basic knowledge to children.

Thanks to frequently discussing theology with Helena, my theological knowledge became comparable to that of the academy professors. After all, the one who taught me theological teachings, Helena, was a theology professor at Caldera Imperial Academy.

However, these new professors would need time to adapt just like the freshmen. Whether adult or child, people need time to adjust to new environments.

“They’ll probably do fine.”

But basically, my attitude was ‘they’ll manage by themselves.’ I couldn’t offer advice on magic, combat, or the arts, even if it were theology.

Hearing my words, Professor Esther chuckled and nodded.

“That’s true. Still, they are adults….”

“They will all adapt well. We are already bogged down with keeping an eye on the second-year students, aren’t we?”

“Hahaha! That’s also true.”

Now that last year’s third-year students had graduated, a school election to elect a new student council president would soon be held.

It was a gathering of the empire’s finest talents. While students still had some innocence and wouldn’t be considered “bad students” in the sense that they were utterly corrupted, they would immediately draw their swords or wield their staffs if someone questioned their abilities.

Each of them had a strong sense of pride and confidence in their abilities, so they wouldn’t want someone unqualified to sit in the position of student council president.

Naturally, the student council president position would go to someone skilled, someone who combined both martial and literary talents.

The previous student council president, Raymond, was just such a student. He was unmatched in swordsmanship, constantly topped written exams, and was always ready to provide immediate assistance to those in need—a truly exemplary human being.

Given that he managed the academy well without causing significant issues, this year’s student council president candidate must feel a heavy burden. At the very least, they must know how to fulfill their role.

“Setting the student council aside, what will happen with the clubs?”

As I tossed my empty paper cup into the trash can, Professor Esther, having followed suit, replied.

“Well, we need to recruit new members starting with the freshmen. Laura is running for the next club president… but I’m not sure how that will turn out.”

The paper cup Esther threw missed the rim of the trash can and landed on the ground. She picked it up and placed it back in the trash can while asking.

“What about Professor Lucio?”

“…Are you referring to me?”

“Yes. What will happen with the Occult Research Club? Those kids have become third years now, so they might not easily participate in club activities….”

The “kids” Professor Esther referred to were probably Daniel and Vivian.

“…I’m not sure either. But….”

“But?”

“Perhaps we will move towards encouraging the freshmen to join our club. As for the club president….”

There was nothing I could do in the process of electing a club president.

Personally, I would prefer it if Elin, who was calm and didn’t tend to cause trouble, got appointed as the next chair of the Occult Research Club. However…

‘That might not happen.’

Daniel and Vivian were abnormal occult enthusiasts beyond my comprehension, so I couldn’t guarantee anything. Considering their personalities, they might find Chloe more suitable than Elin.

“Hmm… Is that so? Professor Lucio, you will likely have a headache more than you think.”

“Yes. That’s true.”

“By the way… Professor Lucio?”

Professor Esther suddenly closed the distance between us. The familiar scent of lavender, which I had known from before, rushed at me.

“…Professor Esther?”

“Professor Lucio. I want to ask you something….”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

Professor Esther’s lips flitted as if she was about to say something, then repeatedly shut her mouth. Meanwhile, she was steadily closing the distance between us.

Every step I took back was matched by a step she took forward. Eventually, I found myself with my back against the wall. There was no place left to retreat.

Standing right in front of me, Professor Esther said,

“…About Sub-priest Sofia.”

“…Are you referring to Sub-priest Sofia?”

Once again trailing off her words, she took a step back from me, smiling gently.

“It’s nothing. Thinking about it again, I don’t think I need to ask you.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. Well, if I’m really curious, I can find out for myself. Asking the person involved might be a bit rude.”

Professor Esther was piling up meaningless words and ultimately didn’t voice what she wanted to ask me.

It seemed she knew how to drive a person mad with her half-finished words.

‘Sofia Sub-priest…?’

I mulled over what Professor Esther seemed to want to ask me. Certainly, the name Sofia Sub-priest came out first…

…Could it be?

“Um, Professor Esther. Perhaps…”

-Deng—! Deng—!

It was then that the academy bell rang.

“Ah…. The students must be coming out now.”

There must have been something like a welcome meeting for the freshmen and an orientation for the second- and third-year students, disguised as classes. Professor Esther was well aware of this and took two steps away from me, saying.

“I must go and talk to the kids about the club. I’ll take my leave now.”

“…Ah, yes.”

I couldn’t stop Professor Esther from leaving first under the pretext of that. I watched her slowly walk away, her back adorned with a white shirt and a magician’s robe draped over her neck.

As I stared blankly at her retreating figure, I finally pulled away from the wall and brushed off the slight dust on my priest’s robe.

Just like Professor Esther, I was on my way to meet the students who had just finished their classes to discuss the future of the Occult Research Club.

Before that, searching for Sub-priest Sofia, who would probably be dozing off in the professor’s office, was on my mind, but what Professor Esther had wanted to ask me constantly tormented me.

‘Sofia Sub-priest…’

A question that started with the name of Sofia Sub-priest.

What could it have been that Professor Esther wanted to ask?

I had a rough idea, but I couldn’t ascertain it.

***

“The future of the Occult Research Club is looking bleak, Professor.”

In the dimly lit room, Chloe was the first to speak up.

The Occult Research Club room was still desolate and sinister. It was a peculiar place where more occult-related items piled up than actual space for people to move around.

I felt like throwing out the old, dusty boxes one by one, but… that wouldn’t be possible.

I first approached the window behind Chloe and opened the blackout curtains. The bright early spring sunshine poured in through the window and illuminated the room.

“Krak…! The sun, sunlight is not allowed…!”

Chloe flailed while shielding her eyes, but I didn’t want to hold a club meeting under such circumstances.

Dust particles illuminated by sunlight floated around in the Occult Research Club room. Just a single day of meetings in such a place would probably leave our airways begging for mercy.

“More importantly, extinguish that candle right now. Chloe.”

“Ugh…! This is the Demon-Dispelling candlestick that Senior Daniel handed down…! Even if you’re a professor…!”

“No, that candle doesn’t seem to have any exorcizing function at all.”

It wasn’t a relic. What kind of demon-dispelling candlestick could that old, rotten candlestick possibly be? While the blue flame was indeed intriguing, it looked like something that wouldn’t even be accepted at a junkyard.

With a sheepish look while scratching her head in response to my comment, Chloe finally extinguished the flame on the candlestick. The dim, sinister lair of the dark beings had now been sufficiently brightened up by the sunlight.

“Alright, then… Let’s get started.”

I stood in front of the lectern again and began. This room had basically been a lecture room in the past, so while it might be a bit worn, it still had functional desks and chairs, along with the lectern and blackboard.

“Are we having a meeting about the future of the Occult Research Club…?”

“That’s right, Sub-priest Sofia.”

“…Does it really matter what happens to such a farcical club?”

“Elin! How can you say something like that?”

“What does it matter? To be honest, it’s ridiculous.”

“Elin’s comment is correct.”

“Even you, Professor?!”

I didn’t bother denying what Elin had said. And rightly so…

“The Occult Research Club is currently on the brink of collapse.”

In fact, the existence of the club itself was being threatened.

---