Chapter 369

Chapter 369: The Light-Tracking Wind

Lolan Hill lifted her skirt and ascended the stairs. The steps leading up to the church weren’t particularly long, but they weren’t short either, totaling twelve in number. Standing on the steps were students singing in chorus, all dressed uniformly in white priestly robes, standing neatly and solemnly in rows with a trapezoidal space left open in the middle. Right at the center of the empty steps was the grand and elegant door of the church, adorned with patterns of angels, the sun, the moon, and stars.

As the silver-haired veiled maiden placed her foot on the first step, a feeling different from usual arose in her heart. It felt as though her body had become lighter, and her mind clearer. With each step she took, this sensation deepened, and after climbing the twelve steps, it felt as if she had traversed a vast expanse of time, as if the mundane world had been stripped away from her.

When she turned back to look behind her, those who had followed the caravan stood still not far away, just tens of meters away. Yet, the distance between them felt like a river of time, distant and ethereal.

In such a highly anticipated gathering, Lolan Hill couldn’t suddenly stop to investigate; instead, she slowly entered the interior of the church.

Inside the tall and spacious hall, there was no one present, and it was very quiet. Entering here felt like stepping into another world, far from the clamor of the outside world. The vast hall was bathed in a bright, soft light, yet Lolan Hill could not see the source of this light. There were indeed candle stands within the hall, but such a white and clear light was not something that could be produced by mere candles.

After a closer look, she realized that these sources of light were actually countless tiny particles floating in the air. Because they were too small and ubiquitous throughout the hall, they were hard to notice.

Now enveloped by these gentle light particles, Lolan Hill felt quite comfortable. However, these light particles also created an effect similar to a domain, leaving no trace of other sequences’ magic or mana within the environment.

If she were to use skills or spells related to the Angel Sequence here, their effects would likely be greatly enhanced, the girl thought. But she didn’t notice that a faint golden symbol on her forehead flickered intermittently, resembling a sun, with rays of light spreading out like wings.

Just as she was puzzled about why no one came to greet her or tell her how to proceed with the event, a side door opened, and Ingrid walked in, clad in knight armor of white and silver. She held a winged staff horizontally with both hands, the staff itself being white, with decorative wings transitioning from light green to pure white, entwined with golden leaves, and surrounded by a hazy aura.

【Light-Tracking Wind】(Evaluation: Rare Crystal Tier): A rare artifact with extraordinary properties, capable of greatly enhancing skills and spells related to wind and light, forming a special domain that suppresses the use of other sequence magics within the domain.

Upon seeing Lolan Hill, Ingrid’s eyes flashed with surprise and delight, then she bowed slightly and presented the staff to her.

“What is this?” the girl asked curiously, not daring to take it immediately.

“This is a prop for the ceremony. Lohil, you can hold it,” Ingrid explained.

Although she sensed no malice from Ingrid, Lolan Hill wasn’t naive. Such a valuable prop, rated as Crystal Tier, was equivalent to a Sequence 8 item. Besides sacred relics with special powers, such creations were considered the pinnacle of human craftsmanship.

“This is too precious,” she softly said, placing her hands at her sides and not accepting it.

“It’s complicated to explain, but this is indeed a prop for the ceremony. I’m not lying, Lohil. If you find it too precious, you can return it later,” Ingrid tried every possible way to convince her.

“Alright.”

It wasn’t the right moment to argue further. Everyone outside was waiting. Lolan Hill accepted the staff. As soon as she grasped it, a comforting sensation washed over her, as if her body had expanded, revealing something previously hidden, breathing in fresh air. This made the girl feel as though one of her talents had grown stronger. If before she was a caller of the wind, now she was a master of it.

This staff was no ordinary item; perhaps its value far exceeded the Crystal Tier rating, she thought. Following Ingrid, she slowly left the church, and the light particles inside gradually dissipated, everything returning to its normal appearance.

When she stepped out of the church again, she faced a grand yet silent crowd. Students in black clothes and white robes, living and dead, candles and ghostly flames, formed a scene like an ocean in front of the church. Countless people and gazes turned toward the silver-haired veiled maiden, watching her walk out with the staff in hand, as if an angel had descended upon the mortal world.

“Please say ‘I forgive,'” Ingrid reminded Lohil beside her.

The girl softly spoke, “I forgive.”

The Bright Wind of the Academy rose, so delicate it could penetrate walls and bodies, soothing fragile and endangered souls. As the Bright Wind blew, everyone’s hearts relaxed, their consciousness becoming clearer and more peaceful. The minor wounds in their souls gradually healed, a refreshing coolness spread through their bodies, invigorating their spirits.

Thus, thunderous cheers erupted. Regardless of who they were, everyone marveled at this heavenly miracle and unexpected joy.

Among the crowd below, Sisena gently adjusted her hat, leaning against the side door of the carriage, a content smile playing on her lips.

“I didn’t miss it after all.”

And Elro, after witnessing the grand ceremony, did not join the rush towards the central church. Instead, he whistled and slowly left, pressing a package under his robe.

“Old man, you really didn’t miss it,” the youth whispered to the ancient soul in the bottle as he walked home.

“That girl is truly a reincarnated angel.”

“Huh, you didn’t believe me before. Now you have nothing to say,” came a muffled response from the package.

“The priests of the Church truly spared no expense setting up this ‘angel descent’ ceremony.”

“Though it’s only a half-finished product and cannot truly summon an angel, it briefly communicated with the celestial realm and confirmed several things.”

“They probably didn’t expect that anyone outside would recognize this ancient ritual. Ha, it gave me a chance to observe it closely.”

The ancient spirit in the package seemed quite proud, continuing to boast.

“This girl isn’t a purified soul artificially created during the late period of the Dynasty, but naturally so. Moreover, the celestial realm seems to acknowledge her existence and confirms her deep connection with the angels.”

Elro quietly asked, “Old man, didn’t you say that the three Archangels back then couldn’t make it? One fell, one turned into a statue, and one returned to the celestial realm incomplete. How can there still be someone like her?”

“And besides, she doesn’t seem like those rigid low-ranking angels. Such a high-ranking and intelligent angel, with no records, is quite strange.”

“Young man, you’re too presumptuous. The world is vast, and not everything has been recorded. Besides, what makes you so sure there are only three Archangels?”

The soul in the bottle murmured softly.

(End of Chapter)