Chapter 76

The children blinked in unison.

‘Here we go again.’

Only I wrinkled my nose ever so slightly in secret.

“What’s wrong, Nemesia?”

“Are you feeling sick?”

Whispers came from both sides—none other than Flora and Emmet.

As usual, the two had taken up spots on either side of me during class.

Flora was expected, but Emmet choosing to sit next to me again after I rejected him last time was… suspicious.

‘Feels like his Guardian made him do it…’

Like he was ordered to sit here by his handler spy.

I started thinking about Daddy and the other Guardians I’d see if I just turned my head.

Then, I gave a firm shake of my head.

“…It’s nothing.”

Emmet frowned slightly, while Flora gave a knowing smile like she’d figured something out.

A few days ago—

“So Nemesia was only pretending to be timid because you needed to be! You just don’t like drawing attention?”

“Mm… mkay. Can you keep it a secret?”

“Of course! Then we’re… ‘secret friends’ now, right?”

On our way back from the Central Committee building, Flora had sparkled like a gemstone.

Bright eyes and a bubbly smile—the kind of radiant energy that made her super popular with players in the game.

Honestly, if the Flora fandom—infamously called the “Order of Dark Flora”—had seen that moment, they might’ve just collapsed from cardiac arrest.

Game Category [Post][Casual Chat]

Title: Drew Flora!

(A fanart of holy Flora in a snow-white costume_JPG)

Comment:
The devs better release Flora’s divine outfit. Release it!!
My girl’s always drenched in blood!!!!

👤 Savior 1
Look at that quality…

👤 Savior 2
But like, she’s a battle maniac. Can’t really avoid the blood flying everywhere?

└ Sayver 3 Hey! Watch it! Lady Flora strikes down evil for justice!

└ Sayver 4 222 You wanna get your skull cracked or what

└ Sayver 2 Y’all Flora stans are no different from actual cultists, tbh.

Anyway, Flora had promised to keep the “secret.”

She called it a ‘secret friendship,’ which… honestly could be interpreted in a bunch of ways.

But she seemed happy, so I let it go.

“Hoho, it seems none of our candidates are unfamiliar with the rules of tag. Details and locations will be provided a day prior.”

Professor Ahn gave a polite nod and took his place at the lectern.

“Well then, let’s begin today’s class.”

With a gesture, the front doors he’d entered through opened again, and Seeds entered carrying something large.

It was a giant table.

Among the Seeds lifting it, to my surprise, was Bennett.

As he lowered the table and our eyes met, he beamed.

“Ah, Nemesia…! That boy just smiled at Nemesia. I think he likes her.”

“For real. Barely dried the blood off his scalp.”

I could let Flora’s comment slide, but Emmet’s left me speechless.

Like he’s got dry blood on his head?

Even Emmet seemed embarrassed by his own words—he avoided my eyes.

When I vaguely admitted I knew Bennett, Flora started peppering me with questions. I dodged with a clumsy answer.

“…He just… th-thought I was cute, I guess.”

“Oh, definitely. Nemesia’s so pretty and cute!”

Meanwhile, the Seeds finished setting up and stepped away. Professor Ahn began pointing at each item as he explained.

“Today, we’ll move past the introductory chapter of ‘Basics of Divine Power’ and begin hands-on practice.”

On the table were items I recognized instantly.

‘Weird seeing them like this.’

“Divine power is a blessing bestowed by God, a profound force embedded within each of you.”

Professor Ahn pointed at the objects.

“The temple holds tools that can amplify divine power to manifest actual ‘phenomena.’ These, right here!”

The children, still just kids after all, sparkled with wide eyes at the fascinating tools.

“Wow, Nemesia… what’s that stick thingy over there? Do you bash bad guys with it?”

…Our dear Flora. Why are you always so intense? Okay, I knew that about you, but maybe chill a bit?

“I’ll explain in order.”

Professor Ahn went on to explain:

▶ Oathwood Staff
– A staff made of white wood that reacts to divine power. Can track or seal creations of the Evil God (single-use).

▶ Lamp of Manifest
– A glass lamp imbued with divine power. Reveals the true form of evil by illuminating darkness.

▶ Knot of Revelation
– A pendant that senses nearby curses or paranormal events.

▶ Thread of Sanctity
– A sacred thread that can seal or suppress creations of the Evil God or paranormal anomalies. Single-use item.

Each was simple: a white stick, a lantern-shaped lamp, a pendant, and a tightly wound short cord.

I already knew all of them.

After a full explanation including real-world usage cases, Professor Ahn began calling us forward one by one.

“We will now begin our practical session. Oh, and before I forget—this exercise is also graded as part of your performance evaluation. So please approach it with focus and care.”

A few excited kids visibly drooped or tensed up.

‘Seriously? Even this affects our grades…? It’s just like the Korean exam system.’

I clicked my tongue in my mind and shook my head.

Still, most kids were too fascinated by the tools to be intimidated. They treated them more like toys.

“It’s a bummer you can only seal stuff! Would be cooler if you could smash! Like, bam! Really teach ’em a lesson!”

Flora flailed her arms and laughed.

“That kind of effect would be more like a sword or a mace, right?”

Emmet replied with all seriousness.

“I heard the next exercise involves more dangerous tools. Could get risky.”

“Oh my, really? How exciting!”

Can you two please not talk about this kind of thing right next to me?

We’re already drawing attention just by having the top 3 test scorers sitting together.

The timid kids can’t even come near us…

‘Not to mention, I need to talk to someone before the second exam.’

I glanced discreetly.

Professor Ahn had assigned students evenly across the tools so everyone got practice.

At the very end of the row stood a girl with jet-black hair.

Her head hung low, hiding her face.

“Woooow!!”

Just as I tried to look closer, someone shouted in awe in front of me. I turned and saw a familiar face.

Gideme.

That little punk who picked a fight with me and only survived the Dog-Headed Judge because of me.

Gideme held the Oathwood Staff. At his feet, a fairly large divine magic circle had already spread.

Power rippled in the air.

In front of him stood a black scarecrow—one of those pre-prepared dummies that responded to presence, simulating monsters or fanatics in paranormal incidents.

It was tightly bound by divine power.

Without hesitation, Gideme raised his other hand, which held a divine power-formed sword, and swung.

‘Oh, so that’s his trait.’

Being able to manifest a sword with divine power. Definitely fits the holy knight path.

‘In a world headed for ruin, the more talent, the better.’

The clean technique earned admiring gasps from the kids.

“Oho! Such steady skill! I’ll award bonus points for calm execution and powerful offense. Well done, Gideme.”

Blushing, Gideme smiled sheepishly, clearly pleased.

And then—

‘…Why’s he looking at me? That smugly?’

I blinked and clapped lazily.

Gideme’s face turned redder, and he abruptly looked away. Like he was sulking.

‘Can’t even take a compliment, huh.’

After that, some kids revealed evils with the Lamp of Manifest, others successfully tied down scarecrows with the Thread of Sanctity.

The outcomes were pretty similar overall.

Then it was my turn.

“Candidate Nemesia, here you go.”

The first tool given to me was the Lamp of Manifest.

I held the small lantern-like item.

As I instinctively drew up my divine power—

[Unexpected Situation Detected!]

[Your divine power is surging out of control!]

…Eh? Hold on!

[“Status Effect” triggered!]
 

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Translator: Japchae