BXBX NOVEL Chapter 10 – The Headmaster’s Idle Thoughts
Chapter 10 – The Headmaster’s Idle Thoughts
“What’s wrong, Dian? Didn’t you need a Holy Priest?”
Lormane tilted her head in confusion as I held onto the little priest, Maya.
“That’s true, but thirty bishops is overkill. Just a few priests proficient in holy power will suffice.”
“Oh, is that so? In that case…”
Seeing the determined look in Lormane’s eyes, I shook my head seriously.
“I’d rather take a squad of bishops than the Chief Administrator. Instead, please recommend me just one good priest.”
“Will one be enough?”
“More than enough.”
As long as they can use holy power, any serious injuries can be treated. So, there’s no need for old bishops; a couple of young, passionate priests would be perfect.
“Alright. Then take Maya.”
“By Maya, you mean that kid, no, that priest?”
I looked at Maya, who had escaped my grasp and was now standing next to Lormane. She looked even younger than Olysia—wasn’t she just an apprentice priest?
“You might find it surprising, but Maya is a Divine Oracle Priest.”
“What? Really?”
A Divine Oracle Priest is said to be one whose destiny as a clergyman is directly appointed by the gods. Whether that’s true or not, they possess significantly superior holy power.
Lormane himself was a Divine Oracle Priest, famous for instinctively healing her mother’s torn body with holy power at birth.
“Although she’s still young, I’m teaching her until she comes of age due to her nature as a Divine Oracle Priest. So you can trust her.”
I see. If that kid alone stays at our academy, I can train the students without much worry.
“If you say so, I believe it. But is it really okay? Divine Oracle Priests are valuable assets to the Church. Is it alright to send her to the academy so easily?”
“Don’t worry, Dian. I’m the Chief Administrator, one of the few who can have a private audience with His Holiness. I will take care of it.”
“Really? Alright. Then, what does Maya think?”
“I will do as the Chief Administrator says.”
The Priest Maya, who had been standing still like a wax figure, answered calmly. She seemed incredibly composed for her age, quite unlike Olysia.
“Maya, pack your things. You need to head to the academy right away.”
“Yes, Chief Administrator.”
As Maya quickly walked out, I turned to Lormane.
“Is it really alright? Can she manage on her own?”
“Our priests live communally and know how to handle daily tasks by themselves. But if you’re worried, you can let her stay where you live.”
“Alright. There’s a two-story house with a maid around her age, so it shouldn’t be a problem. But about her dispatch fee…”
“You don’t need to pay. Consider it volunteer work.”
“Really? Is that okay?”
“Of course. I, Lormane, am very happy to be able to provide great help to Dian.”
Lormane then grabbed my hand again.
“Now that you’re close by, let’s meet often. I’ve really missed you for the past ten years.”
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
“There is a lot that has accumulated, and there are a lot of things that Dian needs to help me resolve.”
What is this about? Of course, it’s not what I suspect, but this doesn’t sound like something a high-ranking priest would say.
After holding my hand and hugging me several times, Lormane finally let me go.
Maya, who had brought a large bag, watched Lormane’s repeated gestures quietly.
“Goodbye, Dian! Come visit me again!”
“Thank you, Rene. Let’s meet often.”
Finally free from Lormane, I left the Church Headquarters with Priest Maya.
“Shall I carry your bag, Priest Maya?”
“I will carry it.”
Maya declined as she clutched the bag with both hands. Maybe she’s just shy.
# # # # # #
The news that I had brought a Holy Priest from the Church spread quickly, and the Combat Department professors flocked to the infirmary.
“Is it true, Head Professor?! A Holy Priest was dispatched?!”
“This is unbelievable. How did you manage it?”
“What’s going on with the arrogant Church? Is the Demon King resurrecting tomorrow, or something?”
The reaction from the Combat Department professors was intense. Was this really that big of a deal?
“Everyone, meet Priest Maya, who will support our Combat Department.”
Since they were all gathered, I introduced Priest Maya.
“Umm… isn’t she just a kid?”
Seeing the small and slender Maya, the professors showed clear disappointment.
“Kyaaah?! She’s so cute!”
Infiltration Professor Lina was beaming as she patted Maya’s head, but Maya lightly slapped her hand away, leaving Lina embarrassed.
“Lina, show some respect to the priest. Don’t treat her like a child.”
Psychological Warfare Professor Felimia adjusted her glasses and reprimanded Lina for her mistake.
“But she’s so young… She’s about the size of a foal…”
Combat Riding Professor Anna mumbled to herself, glancing at Maya, while Unarmed Combat Professor Orc Brogg scratched his chin.
Weaponry Combat Professor Geneb was expressionless, silently demanding an explanation, and Comprehensive Combat Professor Morton was already walking away, dissatisfied.
“Hmm, but she’s a priest, so she can at least handle basic first aid, right?”
“Of course. That’s better than nothing.”
Ever-optimistic Survival Professor Waber and Magic Response Professor Orendi emphasized the positive.
“Hey, Head Professor! Do you think this is enough for proper training?”
Combat Equipment Professor Kazador complained, touching the handle of the hammer at his waist.
“What’s the point of bringing an apprentice priest who can’t even use holy power properly? Huh?”
“I’m not an apprentice priest.”
Maya, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
“Huh? What did you say?”
“I’m not an apprentice priest.”
Then Maya raised her hand, glowing with golden light. Suddenly, golden rain began to pour from the sky.
“Whoa!”
“What is this?!”
As the holy rain fell, the wilting plants in the infirmary’s garden perked up instantly.
This was the Rain of Healing, an ability to randomly heal everything within a certain range, something ordinary priests wouldn’t dare attempt.
Though I had seen Lormane use it occasionally, for Maya, who wasn’t even an adult yet, to do this—it was truly astounding.
Lormane had assured me that Maya, as a Divine Oracle Priest, was exceptional, but I hadn’t expected this level of power.
I formally reintroduced Maya to the professors.
“I didn’t mention it earlier, but she’s a Divine Oracle Priest. As you know, they have innate holy power…”
“Nice to meet you, Priest!”
The professors pushed me aside, quickly surrounding and greeting Maya. Ha, these absurd fellows.
“Wh-what’s going on here?!”
At that moment, Headmaster Kirrin leaned out of a window from the main building, gasping.
“Huh? Rain of Healing?!”
“Headmaster, over here.”
I waved, and Kirrin looked at me and then at Maya, shouting.
“What’s happening here?!”
“I brought a Holy Priest from the Church to strengthen the infirmary.”
“The Church… sent a priest…?”
“And she’s here as a volunteer, so no need to worry about the fee!”
“V-Volunteer?!”
As Kirrin stood there, bewildered, I thought to myself.
I’ll nail you to that position, so just follow my orders, I mean, my suggestions.
# # # # # #
Watching the commotion outside the infirmary window, Headmaster Kirrin was at a loss.
She knew Dian had gone to the Church Headquarters to bring a priest. Given Dian’s plans to improve the Combat Department’s training, the infirmary’s role was crucial, so it was understandable.
Kirrin sending back the priest from the church was not due to any bad intentions.
In her effort to prevent accidents, she’d reduced the combat courses, which naturally decreased the infirmary’s usage. Thus, cutting costs by eliminating expensive priests was a logical decision.
Holy Priests are incredibly costly. The expense of one Holy Priest could hire ten doctors. It was an enormous amount of money.
But bringing one as a volunteer? What kind of magic did Dian work?
Kirrin was well aware she was appointed as the academy’s headmaster due to her father, the head of the clan, betraying the other Dark Elves to save the Emperor, resulting in her overqualified position.
She also knew that the post-war powers, including the Second Princess, wanted to remove her but were restrained by the Emperor’s orders.
Thus, they had nominated the hero, Linus, who slew the Demon King, as her successor, hoping she’d step down willingly.
So Kirrin had tried to avoid any mistakes, knowing even a minor slip could be exploited by the powers in the Imperial Palace.
Her father was so resourceful that he had predicted the defeat of the Demon King’s army and joined the humans’ side in advance, but like the Dark Elves, he was an extremely cool-headed person.
Kirrin feared her father, and given her position and the honor of her family, she had no choice.
Though the combat courses were significantly reduced, she’d bolstered the theory courses and saved a substantial budget.
In her situation, Kirrin was walking a tightrope. Anyone else in her position would have done the same.
Yet part of her wished someone would show up and help her, either by improving the situation or freeing her from it.
And then, like a miracle, Dian appeared.
‘At this rate, as soon as the first batch of graduates is out, the Palace will oust you immediately. Seeing the students’ terrible state, even the Emperor won’t defend you.’
‘Then what should I do…?’
‘You need to revive the Combat Department. With a balanced curriculum of theory and combat, the Palace might hold off on drastic measures.’
‘Ha, that’s true, but…’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll handle it. Just approve this report.’
So Kirrin approved the report, and Dian began pushing forward as promised.
But she never imagined Dian could bring such an incredible Holy Priest, capable of summoning the Rain of Healing. This was more shocking than hearing her father had betrayed the Dark Elves to join the humans.
As much as she believed Dian would make a better headmaster, she couldn’t bring herself to return to the Dark Elf forest.
She lacked the courage and confidence to face her father and her past.
Kirrin glanced at the training plan on her desk. It was the plan for the ‘Assassination and Kidnapping’ course she was currently teaching.
No matter how skilled the professors were, none could match a Dark Elf in this field, so Kirrin had taken on the role herself.
Staring at the plan, Kirrin had a thought.
What if Dian becomes the Headmaster and she steps down to become the Assassination and Kidnapping Professor?
The Palace would get what they want, and it would relieve her of pressure and stress. Her father might be somewhat satisfied with his daughter being a professor at a prestigious academy. Dian would also move up, making everyone happy.
A solution where no one loses. Wasn’t this a good plan…?