Chapter 239

Everyone has a certain vibe about them. Especially in human relationships, there are times when you can feel a strange atmosphere.

When friends are close, they might not notice, but awkward relationships can feel pretty stiff.

Moreover, if a specific person dislikes someone, that vibe tends to reveal itself.

No matter how much you want to hide it, you just can’t. It’s easier to think of it as people’s feelings being expressed through the atmosphere.

In that sense, Rize really doesn’t like Erica. I might be sensitive, but it feels that way.

“Rize dislikes Erica?”

“N-no, that’s not it.”

She shook her head, denying it in response to my blunt question. But I could definitely feel otherwise.

Rize doesn’t outright hate Erica, but there are no good feelings there either. Even though she got chosen by Chaos.

Grace, Jane, and Eli have all shown at least some friendliness.

Of course, since they haven’t harmed me, that could be a reason. But still, it really feels like they’re all laying it on thick.

‘I think it’s safe to say she dislikes her… If I had to think of why…’

There was that time they trained together during vacation. Erica probably did a ton of toxic stuff back then.

Even in the Soul World, Erica tends to act out a lot before she matures mentally.

No matter how much of a saint she is, she probably couldn’t stand that. Plus, you can’t really say Erica gives off a good first impression.

Her looks are somewhat tolerable, but her beliefs ruin it all. I can understand it from that perspective.

“Rize.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“What did Erica do during vacation? Is that why you dislike her?”

“……”

At that, Rize stared at Erica with a nearly expressionless gaze.

Erica, unable to meet her eyes, turned her head elsewhere.

She seems to know perfectly well what she did. Just as I expected.

Rize stared at Erica for a long moment before letting out a deep sigh. Then, she placed her hand atop Erica’s head and said,

“She just… did a lot of things that deserved a beating.”

“Just as I thought.”

“I-I was reflecting on it back then… Ugh?!”

Suddenly, Erica screamed while grabbing her head. More specifically, she was gripping Rize’s hand that was resting atop her head.

It seems Rize is applying pressure to Erica’s skull with her tiny hand. I wonder how strong that little hand is.

Anyway, I realized something. Rize dislikes Erica because she has witnessed her toxic behavior.

Given that Erica already had tons of haters, it makes sense. This is the result after some correction, even.

‘I bet she truly wanted to beat her up.’

They say that not even a dog would bother you while you’re eating.

Yet, Erica has a knack for annoying people every mealtime.

Doesn’t she feel sorry for the lives? Does she really have to harm life to survive?

Though she seems different now, a person’s nature doesn’t change easily—stubbornness still prevails.

“Well… then I guess I’ll hold off on expelling her from the Academy. Instead, I’ll stay here and observe.”

“Until when?”

“I plan to return before the year-end. After all, it’s my birthday.”

Her birthday is basically Gaia’s birth date, which is similar to Christmas on Earth.

And on that day, demons invade the Academy. That’s also why Rize can’t come to the Academy.

If the saint were to be absent on Gaia’s birth date, she would attract a lot of bad attention. It’s got to be something she can’t ignore.

‘Even having a good relationship is a problem.’

Gaia, Gulrak, and Chaos are gods widely known to the public.

Their followers are also quite famous for getting along well. Unless it’s blasphemous jokes, they usually let things slide.

Maybe that’s why there’s a culture of different followers looking out for each other on anniversaries. It’s very healthy, so Rize can’t just ignore it.

‘It’s common for factions to go to war, though.’

You can tell that simply by looking at Earth, especially in the Middle Ages, when religious influence was strong.

Choosing one holy site led to a century-long war, and the witch hunts were justified under the guise of divine will.

In light of those things, the religions of this world are pretty gentle. Gods might be bastards, but their followers are kind.

‘Perhaps that’s why they can unite against a common enemy.’

Imagine if aliens invaded Earth. All countries would band together.

Religions would be no different. While they’re quick to point fingers at each other as heretics, if a real demon appears, they unite.

So, it’s no wonder they’d get along. However, given how much time has passed, it’s hard to say what it has become.

“If Gaia’s anniversary is at year-end… when is Chaos’s anniversary?”

Luna, who had been quiet until now, asked. It seems she’s curious about Chaos since we’re talking about anniversaries.

“Chaos’s anniversary is February 29th.”

“Oh, I see… wait? February only has…”

“Yes, only 28 days, but every four years, there’s a 29th.”

“……”

Luna looked a bit confused. Truly, a chaotic god’s anniversary.

Meanwhile, Gulrak’s anniversary is also somewhat peculiar. It’s not on a specific date but on the third Thursday of August.

I don’t know the reason. I’ve heard it’s because that’s the day he descended.

In other words, Gulrak’s anniversary is coming up soon.

‘Which means…’

It means I’ll get to see Kara’s dancer outfit. I know it’s a little sneaky, but I can’t help it.

She looked stunning back then. While I always thought she was sexy, that moment left me dumbstruck.

Besides, Gulrak’s followers are few in the Academy, so others won’t be able to see her outfit.

‘But then I’ll probably get struck by lightning, right?’

With Gulrak, there’s a strong chance of that happening. But it’s worth the risk.

I can’t wait for that day. I maintained a neutral expression while plotting away.

In the meantime, Luna was asking what they do for Chaos’s anniversary, and Rize answered her.

“There’s nothing in particular to do on the anniversary. Just do what we usually do.”

“Huh… Really? No offering or prayers or anything?”

“If that’s the case, it would be better to dive into a frozen lake.”

“……”

Now that’s a classic Chaos-style anniversary celebration. That might actually boost their faith, too.

Anyway, overlooking the fact that each religion has its own way of celebrating anniversaries, Erica’s treatment has also been roughly settled.

All that’s left now is to wait for the person Gaia’s faction will send out. I just hope they’re not a fanatic.

“You don’t need to worry too much. This will probably resolve smoothly.”

Seemingly sensing my worries, Rize quietly reassured me.

With Rize around, even high-ranking priests would have a tough time applying pressure blatantly.

After all, Gaia’s faction is likely just making a round to confirm things.

“Yet somehow, whenever you say that, something bad happens…”

But our Luna seems to always stir things up. If you’re going to speak softly, at least do it quietly.

And that eerie feeling always turns out to be right on the mark.

“It’s you, isn’t it? The main character of this situation.”

“……”

“Do you believe in God?”

The last person I wanted to meet—an absolute fanatic—had come to visit.