PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

After meeting the Adelhaid Duke, I had to constantly reflect on his words.

The pressure exerted on Chancellor Damian regarding the Academy’s conscription agreement, and the subsequent results, had to come from some individual or unidentified group.

I wasn’t sure who they were, but it seemed that the Adelhaid Duke had a vague idea of their identity.

Otherwise, how was he supposed to resolve this unprecedented situation? If he didn’t know, that would be one thing, but now that he was aware, he would definitely take some form of action.

‘…Who could they be?’

Regardless of that, I was undeniably curious about the identity of those who orchestrated such an event. I sat at my desk, basking in the sunlight gently spilling over it, lost in thought.

‘Pressuring Chancellor Damian… Is that really an easy task?’

No amount of explanation could suffice in describing how much Chancellor Damian cherished his students. If my eyes weren’t clouded like that of Shim Bong-sa, the Chancellor I had seen was a quite diligent educator.

He made every effort to ensure that young students could freely pursue their dreams here at the Caldera Imperial Academy, diligently arranging countless opportunities and protecting each student’s autonomy while striving to minimize conflicts due to grades or class hierarchy.

Yet, for someone who cared for students so deeply and took pride in the Caldera Imperial Academy, did he really agree to such an outrageous matter so easily? There’s a limit to how far a joke can go, and this was no joke.

At this point, it was clear that someone applied pressure on Chancellor Damian. While it was a conclusion I could have reached without hearing the Adelhaid Duke’s words, the difference it made to hear them was substantial. I had become certain.

Excluding the royal family, the Adelhaid Duke was someone who could be said to be at the very top of the ruling class of this vast nation. The information he provided was likely gathered in contrast with data collected by the intelligence agency.

Given that, I had no doubts.

Chancellor Damian had been pressured or threatened by a powerful external force so strong that it could shatter his beliefs, leading him to agree that all Academy members could be conscripted in case of a similar situation occurring.

In such circumstances, there really wasn’t much I could do.

I was not part of the upper echelons of society. While the title of professor at the Caldera Imperial Academy might imply a position of some privilege, in reality, I possessed no power to instigate any significant change.

These were the kinds of individuals capable of trampling over the Chancellor, the head of Caldera Imperial Academy, which could be considered the best in the Empire.

To issue orders for conscription during wartime or similar situations would certainly involve high-ranking military figures.

The situation had grown complicated, but now it was out of my hands. From this point on, it would be a matter that required the Adelhaid Duke’s intervention.

However, I still needed to focus on what I could do.

‘Surely, he said he had arranged some necessary measures.’

A few days ago, the Adelhaid Duke had clearly mentioned that he had some means prepared for me. I didn’t know what it was, but I felt it wouldn’t hurt to at least familiarize myself with it.

If I were to ask what he had arranged, it would naturally be a way to prepare for the unfortunate event that would soon befall the Academy.

– So, what are those means you have arranged?

– …I can’t tell you right now. You must wait for the right moment.

However, the Adelhaid Duke didn’t elaborate on what he had arranged. While it was prudent to keep certain aces close to the chest, I still felt he could have at least informed me.

‘Well, I’m still not on the best of terms with him…’

Of course, I understood that my relationship with the Adelhaid Duke was not overly amicable, but this left me helpless.

In any case, since the Adelhaid Duke said it was premature, nothing was likely to happen imminently. Although that was merely a guess, it was backed by the solid reasoning of “the words left by the Adelhaid Duke.”

In the end, I had only one option granted to me.

I had to wait patiently. Until the right time arrived, and… until the situation became urgent enough for me to take action myself.

Frustrated, my mouth felt bitter. Despite experiencing one thing after another, I remained so powerless.

Eventually, as I snapped back to reality, I heard the sound of my fingers rustling the cigarette pack in my pocket.

Just as I contemplated lighting a cigarette, the thought vanished as I gazed at Sofia, the sub-priest sitting at the desk opposite, struggling under a heavy workload.

‘…Maybe I should cut back a little.’

Though I was already entangled with cigarettes to the point of it being difficult to extricate myself, life is about longevity. I wouldn’t have thought such things before.

Life was different now. I gazed intently at Sofia, who was groaning and clutching her pen.

“I need to send this to the administrative department… This is for the meeting… Where did I put the comprehensive survey for Class A?”

Her brightly shining blonde hair, the cute bob that fell to her shoulders, and even her slightly darker green eyes were all remarkably lovely to me.

And her eyes, resembling the night sky, along with her gently flowing indigo hair and her soft, warm voice…

…Esther. Professor Esther Garrett.

‘Damn it.’

Startled, I immediately rubbed my eyes with both hands. It couldn’t be sane to think of someone else when the one I cared for stood right before me.

“Head Priest?”

As if realizing my odd behavior, Sofia turned to look at me. A hint of concern now shimmered in her eyes.

Above all, I felt immensely guilty. As she offered her affection from afar and I reciprocated with a handful of love, I hated the thought of causing her any worry through my actions.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes. Just a bit of dust got in my eyes. I’m fine now.”

Thus, I lied. No dust had gotten into my eyes, but I was too thin-skinned to proudly say, “I was thinking of another woman while looking at you.”

Of course, one might wonder if hiding such facts while lying was any better.

“Hmmm… Is that so? There’s been a bit of dust floating around lately. I think we need to clean the professor’s office.”

“…Yes. I believe we should.”

“Ugh… Huh—!”

Sofia, having accepted my excuse lightly, stretched comfortably and began to rise for some simple exercise. While I blankly watched her stretching limbs, I fished out my wallet and stood up. Sofia, still stretching, turned to look at me.

“I think a bit of sugar will make the afternoon work easier.”

“That sounds like an excellent idea.”

Sofia immediately sprang up from her seat. Her eyes sparkled, and it seemed precarious not to procure a sweet strawberry-flavored soft serve ice cream from the vending machine for her right then and there.

“Let’s head to the vending machine. I brought my wallet.”

“Hmm… Let’s hurry. Ice cream often runs out in the afternoons.”

“We can take our time. The ice cream delivery was during lunch today.”

“…You know such details?”

“It’s not that I know, it’s just that receiving deliveries from that vendor is part of my responsibilities.”

“Being the top professor does have its advantages!”

Perhaps she was blissfully unaware that the title of “top professor” I wore came as a result of our increasing workloads.

Regardless, Sofia dashed over and clung closely to me. With an embrace that felt like it would crush my arm, she halted me from leaving the professor’s office.

“…Sofia?”

“Hmm…?”

When I turned to her, she was gazing up at me with a slightly flushed face. Her pouty lips were moist.

“Not just ‘sub-priest Sofia,’ but just ‘Sofia’… Please call me once, just once…”

A rush of heat surged through me, making me feel as if I were a live volcano. Hastily, I turned my eyes away and pressed my forehead. The warmth traveled from my palm.

“…Let’s go to the vending machine, Sofia.”

“…Yes! Hehe….”

Walking side by side with the arm-crossed Sofia, we made our way towards the vending machine in the campus cafeteria.

The sounds of spring birds and the fragrance of flowers softly lingered in the hallway, carried in by the wide-open doors of the main building.

It was an occasional occurrence, but sometimes, she displayed a bit of a mischievous side.

At that moment, I felt as if the problems I had been pondering just moments before had washed clean away.

“…Hahaha.”

“Is something good happening?”

“It’s nothing.”

I didn’t actually dislike that feeling at all.

* * * * *

Spring days in the city are overly bright and radiant.

This vast heart of humanity had no medium. Spring brought a dizzying array of vibrant colors, and in summer, the scorching heat would almost make one wither, while winter’s piercing cold would leave one trembling even while standing still.

“……”

In this scene, Chancellor Damian had observed life from his expansive office for decades.

Looking out the window, he saw the warm sunlight pouring in. Opening the window, a gentle wind caressed his wrinkled skin, a reminder of passing time, carrying with it the fragrance of flowers.

All of it was a vivid reminder of the joyous spring he had come to know well from this very Academy’s Chancellor’s office.

The distant sounds of students laughing were heartwarming. Their laughter continued to echo through the main building’s classrooms, the laboratories in the annex, the clubrooms, the gymnasium, and the auditorium… It brought life to every corner.

Chancellor Damian had gazed upon this for his entire life. If only he could protect it all, he would willingly pay a fortune to do so.

This place, the Caldera Imperial Academy, was something worth safeguarding.

Chancellor Damian let out a deep sigh. He exhaled smoothly without hesitation.

Having devoted his life to the Caldera Imperial Academy, he had laughed until his belly hurt, cried at times, and even gotten angry on occasion.

How could he ignore it? All those varied emotions were precious legacies born from experiences shared with the students.

Thus, he had no choice but to accept the sudden approach of farewell.

In the Chancellor’s office, the old shrub he had nurtured for years was removed. Because it was relocated to one of the most exposed flower beds of the Academy, it should be well taken care of by the Academy’s gardener.

What worried him was the frustrating future where he couldn’t protect the dreams of the students.

However, that light had now departed Chancellor Damian’s grasp.

There were over a thousand students currently enrolled at this Academy. They laughed, chatted, and sometimes fought, only to reconcile and grow, and witnessing that spectacle was truly…

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, he sensed a ruckus outside the window.

Turning his gaze, he saw Professor Antorelli and Sub-priest Sofia walking side by side toward the campus cafeteria.

Their banter was lively, and the smiles on their faces were markedly different from when he first saw them.

Their gazes were not solely fixed on the dark past but focused on a shining future as they moved forward together…

“…Beautiful.”

A bright future.

In that pursuit, those two would become steadfast stepping stones.

Chancellor Damian stood gazing out the window until twilight settled in the sky, lost in thought.

His lifelong routine, repeated for decades, seemed to be drawing to a close.

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