I'd slept soundly for the first time in ages.
Yawn. I stretched out with a massive yawn, my body still heavy and stiff, when a cluster of pure white light dropped from the ceiling right onto my lap.
"?"
I looked up at the ceiling. The plain white surface, utterly ordinary until now, was swirling with that light.
What the hell is this?
It was something I'd never seen before.
I brushed the light off my knee and chucked it into a corner, then threw on my priest robes in a hurry and stepped outside. Even the exterior was on another level from usual.
Every nook and cranny of the temple was radiating brilliant light, and the relics and statues I'd just left to gather dust had completely transformed.
"Didn't shine like this when I cleaned. How do you polish 'em to glow like that?"
✦ DIVINE ORACLE ✦
Don't spout nonsense. Come here, child.
Unlike her usual gentle tone, Arcana's voice boomed majestic and grand.
✦ DIVINE ORACLE ✦
My saint, hear me.
An oracle!
I hurried to the statue, dropped to one knee, and bowed my head. I'm usually the type to half-ass my respect to a god—a real firebrand filial son(?), you know—but even I kept it proper when an oracle came down.
Arcana's statue stirred. Now even the arms were moving! An arm wreathed in dazzling light reached out and patted my head.
✦ DIVINE ORACLE ✦
I have received an oracle from my father today.
An oracle from her father?
I instantly sensed this was way bigger than I'd imagined.
Arcana was a god. And a god's father?
The Main God.
The supreme deity who created this continent—the Creator himself.
Then something above an oracle... a revelation.
Was it that crap I said yesterday? I scowled unconsciously, replaying last night's chat.
Nah, no way. A revelation over something like the academy...
✦ DIVINE ORACLE ✦
My father has spoken: A 'Calamity' will soon descend upon the continent. To prepare, my apostle shall enroll this year in the continent's greatest academy and recruit the heroes destined to save the land.
...For real?!
No sooner had Arcana finished than the light filling the temple began to fade.
✦ DIVINE ORACLE ✦
Phew. That revelation caught me off guard.
The echoing reverb vanished from her voice. Back to her usual soft, gentle tone, Arcana continued.
[Anyway, you heard all that, right?]
"Yeah, I heard... So tl;dr, you're telling me to go to the academy?"
[Yep. Tons of heroes enrolling this year. But kids these days? Total punks. Nobles especially—puffed up with pride over their useless bloodlines... You fix 'em up. And hedge your bets by stopping any 'corruption.' ]
"Corruption?"
[Falling to the black mages' side. You've seen it in novels, yeah? Same deal.]
I pulled a face. Yeah, I got it. Straighten out the punk-ass kids with potential for the future.
But what did that have to do with me?
[You're my priest... Think you'd refuse?]
"Damn right. I wanna stay right here. Continent goes boom? Not my problem..."
If the world's ending anyway, better enjoy what time's left, right?
Selfish? Sure. But I just wanted a chill life. No stepping up.
Past life taught me: butt in, get shit on. Staying low was best. Revelation or not, I craved peace.
...Farming sucked, though.
[Obviously, commanding you feels like forcing it. I don't love that either.]
Creak—the statue shuffled closer. A stone hand ruffled my hair, radiating inexplicable warmth.
[But I got some juicy info?]
"?"
A blessing washed over me, unfolding a vivid scene before my eyes.
In a lavish mansion, a noble—barely 17, by the look—tormented his servant.
I stared blankly.
That noble's face... way too familiar.
[Recognize him?]
Grit!
My fist clenched on instinct. One of the schoolyard thugs who'd made my life hell.
My chill-life dreams evaporated. I wanted payback on the bastard who'd scarred my memories.
But first, a question hit me.
"...Why the hell's he here?"
[Not the kid you remember. Reincarnation ain't my turf, so can't say for sure. But he ain't a reincarnator like you.]
Just a lookalike? I squinted. Face similar, but build and body off.
Good? Nah.
Wish it was that prick.
Out of sight, fine. But a dead ringer right there? Rage and trauma boiled over.
[Plenty more like him.]
"?"
Whole packs of delinquents?
[And mixed in... heroes. Or candidates, technically.]
"!"
Memories flooded back sharp as ever: milk dumped on my head, food flying, cig-stink alleys, fists and bats pounding my body...
Those scumbags... heroes?
Not just rude. Straight-up murderers hiding behind a 'student' shield, swinging knives.
Those fucks saving the world?
Bullshit.
I'm no hero. No chosen one. Heart ain't pure either.
But trash like that thriving? That's wrong, right?
[That's why I need you. You're strong, qualified. My child. My only son—you can beat those bastards senseless.]
Arcana whispered low.
[So? Still hate the idea?]
"...Those assholes? I could handle that."
Mind made up.
Academy it was.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I packed right away. Arcana sidled up behind me.
[That professor from yesterday's still around. Track him down. You'll need his help.]
"For directions?"
[Nah. Gotta pay to enroll.]
"?"
[I'm broke.]
The fuck?
"No scholarships or some shit?"
[Sis offered... but their saintess and divine beast got weird vibes. Total drag. Plus, you gotta earn cash with your strength.]
Fuckin' hell.
But nah, didn't want their help. Weirdos = exhaustion.
Shoved clothes, holy water, herbs into a bundle.
And relics too.
[Whoa, hold up. Can't take those.]
Was gonna sneak one in natural-like. Pulled out the relic I'd slipped into the cloth.
Wanted a weapon for self-defense out there—shot down flat.
Tsked my tongue at Arcana.
"For real, not even one?"
[Nope.]
"I'm a saint too, y'know. Heading out bare-handed?"
She paused like she was thinking, then hesitant:
[...Nope.]
"Even for a saint?"
[Wanna, but can't. You handle it?]
Her statue pointed to the weapon.
Holy Spear Longinus.
Grab it, and it drains your divine power dry. Needed Master realm at least.
Senior handled it occasionally in his heyday—each swing hit like a dragon's breath.
Obviously, I couldn't.
"...Nah."
[Least handle that. And theft's a risk.]
"Relics get stolen? I'm the saint."
[Eh. You as saint, safe... Hmm, well...]
God-granted relics bind instantly—no theft unless the priest croaks.
Arcana pondered, then flat-out noped.
[Anyway, no!]
Such a cheat.
I pouted and packed the rest sans weapons.
Sending me out unarmed? Harsh.
Sulking through my bags, Arcana soothed me.
[Continent's littered with buried weapons.]
"Why no digs?"
[Fate. Gods don't hunt 'em. Lets new heroes rise.]
Fair. Plenty pulled a holy sword by chance and boom—hero. No stat reqs.
"Holy sword wielders out there?"
[Dunno. Hero candidates aplenty, true heroes rare. But possible. Not mine—heard Arcti's in some martial house.]
Gotcha. Light God's turf, unrelated. War God's relics mostly here anyway.
[Packed? Time to roll. Gonna miss ya long time.]
"Back on break."
[Damn right. This your home.]
She chuckled warmly, handed a tightly tied bundle.
[Wanna tag but god rules. Take this instead.]
"What's up?"
[Artifact blessed for emergency warp home if you're in deep shit. Not relic-level, but saves your ass once.]
I took it gingerly. Bulky for one artifact, but whatever.
Anyhow, Arcana's my god and mom-figure.
She smiled softly.
[Safe travels.]
"I'll return."
Slung the bundle like some anime hobo sack.
Heart racing.
Not like past-life school. Got a god-mom backing me.
And shot at reforming the thug-types who tormented me. End that vicious cycle—I could now.
Glanced back. Temple distant, rundown.
After payback out there... stack cash.
Big bucks for a swanky new temple.
Thrilled, I strode out—first time leaving of my own volition.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Eugene departed, and the barrier around the temple hummed as it sealed shut.
Temple locked now. Wouldn't open save for Eugene's return.
[Sent him off good?]
[Sis.]
A god approached Arcana.
Long, trailing radiant golden hair and eyes, pristine white dress dragging the floor.
Light God Arcti.
Even with her there, Arcana couldn't tear her gaze from her child vanishing into the distance.
[You spoiled him rotten. Not like you at all.]
Arcana nodded quietly.
[My hard-won boy.]
[Fair. After eons of waiting.]
Arcana kept watching. As her priest, she could track him anywhere.
No chatting, though.
Gonna be dull.
Sassing with half-respect, occasional cheek—her lovable rascal all the same.
Bright spot in her stimulus-free (bar war) existence. Now minimum six months till chit-chat? Brutal.
[Missing him bad already?]
[Hell yeah. Looks like he's scheming to rake in cash... that'll drag it out.]
[No helping it.]
Arcti patted her glum shoulder.
Arcana finally glanced away, griping.
[Just snag a regressor or possessor. Why my kid?]
[Both here already. One croaked. They're protags too. Yours just joined the roster.]
[One-man show simpler.]
[Naw.]
[Why?]
[Overdone trope.]
[??]
Main God's logic baffled even god Arcana. Other gods probably same.
More gripes.
[Can't get too OP—nixed the relic I planned. Weakened and gradual unseals fine.]
[Overpowered as hell. Kid's a prodigy; he'd breeze it. Trials needed. Growth essential. Wait—hey, what's that?]
Arcti followed Arcana's gaze to Eugene, eyes bulging.
Bundle tied tight, but Light God pierced it easy.
Not relic, but national-treasure artifact.
Arcana slyly looked away.
[...Beats me. Kid's got sneaky thief vibes, huh?]
[...]
Arcti, who'd seen her hand over the bundle herself, wore pure exasperation.