PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

Professor Antorelli is always on point, with no room for error.

Esther Professor has never seen him look dazed or relaxed. Since she has never witnessed him in a state devoid of his mysterious tension, it’s naturally hard for her to even imagine it.

Therefore, it was only natural that she would think, as she observed Professor Antorelli: “Isn’t he tired from constantly keeping his nerves so tightly strung?”

However, recently, her thoughts might have started to change.

“So… Professor?”

“…”

“Professor Lucio? Are you asleep?”

“…Ah. My apologies. Where were we?”

This way, he had displayed a rare absent-minded, distracted demeanor.

People always carry concerns and are often faced with issues that require deep thought. There’s no rule that Professor Antorelli shouldn’t be the same.

Still, it was somewhat worrying to see someone who normally doesn’t act this way suddenly so absorbed in thought.

These days… why is he acting like this? There hasn’t exactly been anything troubling happening…

It’s only regrettable that Esther Professor is not in the same department as Professor Antorelli. With a small sigh, Esther Professor glanced at Professor Antorelli, who was still deeply immersed in thought as he walked on.

“Though he seems no different on the surface…”

She knew—it wasn’t as if anyone else spends more time with Professor Antorelli in the Academy than her, except perhaps when he’s handling private matters in his office.

Of course, the person who spends the most time with him would be Sub-priest Sofia.

“Speaking of which… Professor Lucio, where has Sub-priest Sofia gone?”

“…Sub-priest Sofia? She’s likely at the Main Chapel, probably sorting out some separate matters.”

“Ah, I see.”

Ironically, her absence at this crucial moment turned out to be a great stroke of luck. Esther Professor couldn’t help but smile slyly, clenching her fists tightly.

“It’s settled… a rare opportunity.”

Even Esther Professor herself struggled to fully understand the nature of her thoughts, but she was acutely aware that a slimy and dark desire was creeping out within her.

However, recalling that day made even those dark feelings disappear.

That day, while proceeding to the school cafeteria for lunch with Professor Antorelli and Sub-priest Sofia, as they continued their usually peaceful lunch break…

Esther Professor saw… she couldn’t help but see.

Sofia Sub-priest, narrowing the distance between herself and the quietly eating Professor Antorelli, smiled slyly, as if mocking someone.

That look was filled with a sense of superiority, a desire unworthy of any cleric.

And then, the first fruit of that greed. It was the few red flowers blooming on the side of Professor Antorelli’s neck.

Looking back, it was truly an audacious act of provocation. Especially given that the day before was a weekend, and this sight on a Monday morning was nothing short of shocking.

While it’s true that Sundays at the Academy often involve conducting worship services at the Main Chapel, everyone knew that Professor Antorelli rarely got a restful Sunday. After the service, it was common knowledge that he would usually clean the chapel with Sofia Sub-priest or go shopping.

“Cleaning the Main Chapel… just the two of them…?”

Unpleasant thoughts continued to dominate Esther Professor’s mind, born partly out of her own ambitions.

“Professor Esther? Professor Esther!”

“Huh… Huh?”

“I had to resort to a bit of a rough approach because you weren’t responding. My apologies.”

“No, it’s fine. But…”

If it’s hard to control your desires, perhaps releasing it through a more positive channel would be better. Esther Professor carefully teased Professor Antorelli’s fingertip.

“So, I heard that Director Charlotte from the Administration Department…”

His tone, actions, and expression—all were perfectly normal. Too perfectly normal, perhaps?

Esther Professor instantly realized her bold move wasn’t working. Despite her determination to not care, her lips betrayed a hint of disappointment.

Of course, unless someone is truly starved, mere skin contact—or even drawing little hearts on the palm with a fingernail—couldn’t possibly make them lose control.

“I heard the delivery of food supplies has been delayed. Most likely, everything unloaded at the Annex Building will go straight to the cafeteria. Also…”

“Are the tuna sandwiches okay?”

“…Yes, they should be fine.”

“Thank goodness…”

“…Are you truly relieved?”

Not being entirely sure about something is tantamount to conceding to one’s destiny. That’s how it felt to Esther Professor.

She checked her wristwatch discreetly, trying not to be too obvious. Checking the time mid-conversation could easily invite criticism.

Naturally, Professor Antorelli effortlessly overlooked that issue, if he noticed it at all. Faintly knitting his brows, he turned towards his office.

“In that case, I’ll head back to my office.”

“Ah…”

“…Ah?”

“No, nothing. Well done. Please rest for a bit once you get inside.”

“Thank you for your consideration. Then…”

Once the door to his professor’s office closed behind Professor Antorelli, Esther Professor let her mind wander.

Professor Antorelli’s defenses were clearly as solid as a steel wall. But, if she reached out just a little further…

Might he finally look back at what truly matters?

“Or, regardless of all that…”

More importantly, she had no clue what Professor Antorelli might be thinking about, causing these distractions. In such a situation, it was hard to sway him. Not that there was anyone trying to stop him.

“Shall I watch for a while longer?”

Esther Professor decided to observe a little more. She still had plenty of time, and it only made sense that she would.

Spotting Sofia Sub-priest walking down the hallway towards the Main Building, Esther Professor quickly turned to head back to her office.

“Still, what exactly has happened?”

A question loomed large in her mind as she headed back to her office. But she didn’t realize…

It was definitely more than mere curiosity.

***

Meanwhile, Chloe was enjoying her studies.

Not the dull and tedious act of reading books, but something much more dynamic—she was deeply immersed in magical research.

No musty rooms or dusty tomes for her. Chloe preferred a more hands-on approach, rolling around herself to achieve her goals rather than sticking her nose into ancient books.

And today, once again,

– BOOM!

“Kyaaah!”

A substantial explosion rocked the room, and Chloe was thrown to the side. Luckily, she suffered no direct harm, but the heat from just moments ago still felt like it could melt her.

Breathing heavily, Chloe found her best friend Elin shaking her head and muttering quietly.

“It’s far too unstable.”

“Y-you see that? That’s not just me going crazy, right?!”

“Try to be quiet for a moment.”

“Okay!”

Chloe clamped her mouth shut with an exaggerated gesture, prompting Elin to involuntarily smile at her friend.

“Hmm…”

Regardless, they had a problem right now to resolve. While Chloe tried to think through her tangled thoughts, Elin analyzed the situation carefully.

Clearly, even an outsider could easily tell the difference between these two’s approaches.

“Huff… Elin! What is wrong? Am I simply hopeless at this?”

“It’s not that at all. There’s clearly something not right here.”

During last year’s Grade-by-Grade Duel, Chloe nearly cornered Laura von Adelheit with her secret technique, and she’d been diligently honing it ever since.

Whether at the Academy’s training hall, the practice field for duels, or the meditation room, Chloe never stopped practicing. And while her busy life kept her on her toes, her dedication to studying magical theories didn’t falter either. While she might come across as a bit quirky, Chloe wasn’t dull or uneducated.

But everything has its limits.

Though books may hold wisdom from the sages of yore, no record or clue could be found about Chloe’s talent, the “blue flame.”

Even when she risked retrieving forbidden books from the Academy’s library, there was no change.

Recently, despite having managed to create a mighty blue flame vortex during her duel with Laura, Chloe found herself seemingly drained like an entirely different person.

Her flame was now so weak that it easily broke through Elin’s elemental barriers.

Magic is intricate but not meant to break easily. Just like a complicated machine that ceases to function without one small part.

“…I’m doing all I can to help you.”

“Hmph… I’m sorry, Elin, but you’re already a prodigy.”

That wasn’t necessarily true. Just at the present moment, Elin’s strength suited them well.

“You’ve still broken Elin’s barriers. That’s no small feat.”

“I don’t need encouragement.”

“It is true, Chloe. Honest. Sheesh…”

“…”

“Anyway, don’t give up just yet. There’s not much time before the Grade-by-Grade Duel, but still…”

In a rare moment, Elin flashed a smile, saying one thing to Chloe, who was looking deflated.

“You can do it.”

Her words struck a chord with Chloe, who immediately stood up and raised her wand. Elin would stay still, manipulating the elements.

As Chloe’s wand extended, her incantation followed, and just as her spell reached its conclusion,

– Psshiiiik…

The tiny blue flame that emerged from Chloe’s wand fizzled out once again, just like before.

“How…?”

“…Well, but Chloe.”

“Uh-huh?”

Elin’s serious gaze on Chloe tightened her nerves.

“Don’t push yourself too hard just because you feel time slipping away.”

“…”

“Trust yourself sometimes.”

“If I don’t believe in myself, no one else in this world will.”

Elin’s words caused Chloe to close her eyes. The heat that had slowly faded was the reflection of the passions she held earlier.

“…I’ll try again.”

Chloe gripped her wand tightly.

This training would undoubtedly serve as the stepping stone for her journey forward.

---