The initiation rite went on for a while, and I had to sign a couple of documents at the end. Shortly after, I was given my dorm key and was guided out of the Hall of Vows to the residential areas outside the 'Sanctua'.
The Academy spanned two to three square miles, and it was roughly the size of a small fortified city. It had outer walls that stretched nearly two and a half miles in diameter, enclosing training fields, living quarters, and administrative halls. These living quarters consisted of dorms, missionary cloisters, exorcist towers, and visiting barracks.
However, the structure that stood out the most in the entirety of the Academy was at its very heart— The Sanctua.
There was a towering white cathedral that stood within it, and it had gold-lined spires. Its central towers rose higher than the watchtowers, and it had a larger golden cross on its spire. It was the same cross that anyone in the Sanctum of Faith would see on a first visit, and it kissed the skies, reaching so high that I couldn't see its end.
The Hall of Vows, which I had just returned from, was located in the outer section of the Cathedral.
...
Sanctum of the Lightbearers, Crusader's Academy,
Two wardens—one male and one female walked through the empty hallways of the Academy. There were several small windows positioned on the right side of the hall, and they were opened towards the morning skies. A subtle, chilling wind poured into the space, blowing over everything.
"Apparently, Azrael got a passing student," Liam said.
Vivian seemed surprised. "There's no way."
But he meant his words.
"No kidding. Azrael bragged about it yesterday. He told me that Joshua made it as a crusader."
"That's quite the record," She remarked with an amused smile. "Joshua must be a persevering young man."
"You bet."
Liam's eyes wandered, but his steps remained steady.
"I kinda want to meet him. I've got to know how he did it."
"You speak as if he broke a record."
"Ha!" He exclaimed. "He might be the last one, you know?"
Father Azrael had about 8 examined students in his lifetime. 7 failed, and only one—Joshua, had passed. Any other teacher would simply see it as a nice achievement. But for him, it was a record.
"Maybe he's a genius or something." Liam wondered.
A mischievous glint appeared in Vivian's eyes. "We could visit the Sanctum of Faith."
"Oh?"
But that wasn't possible. They both had filled schedules throughout the next 2 months. Except….
"You think…?"
"Yup." Vivian nodded with a smirk. "We could escape on that event."
Liam ruffled his hair, his eyes drifting rapidly from left to right. "Doubting Thomas's gonna be mad though…"
"For that, I'll have you take the blame as always." She grinned.
"Cruel."
The Wardens had arrived at their destination. Before them was a large, wooden, double-door that was slightly open. In the gap, you could see two rows of wooden benches and three circular windows, having several depictions of Christ carved into them.
On the inside, it looked like a small church.
"I hope I'm not late, Father Thomas."
A warmer gust of wind hit his face as he walked into the church. Vivian walked behind him, her veil fluttering slightly.
Liam greeted his teacher and helped himself to a bench at the left row. Vivian was less hasty. Calmly, she moved towards a different bench and sat in the right row.
Before them was their teacher. He sat opposite to them on a tall wooden chair, and he was reading the bible.
Father Thomas was resting below the altar with his legs crossed. A bible rested on his laps, and his figure had a golden outline as he bathed in the sunlight.
He looked quite old. Liam believed he was at least 50 years old. There was more white than black hair on his head, and his wrists and brows were covered in wrinkles.
"You aren't late this time." He replied. "Lucky you."
Vivian chuckled and greeted. "Morning, Father."
"Morning."
Father Thomas raised his head and closed his bible. His cassock was black, signifying that he was a Warden.
"How did your assignments go?" he asked.
Liam raised a brow. "It went well, of course."
"Hmm..I'm not so sure."
"Huh?"
"Why did you ask?" Vivian interjected.
It had only been a few seconds since they started talking. But in her eyes, something was off.
Several times, they had been on significantly dangerous missions—and he never inquired about them.
She also read his countenance. What she saw was neither a soft appearance nor a jovial one.
On this fateful day, their teacher had an unusually stern expression.
"I got word from the missionaries." Father Thomas explained, his voice thicker than usual. "No demon was found on site."
Liam's jaw dropped, his eyes nearly popping out of his sockets. "How's that possible?"
"That's what I want to know."
Father Thomas shot his gaze at Liam. "Did you exorcise any more demons than you were instructed to?"
"Of course not!" He exclaimed. It was already a pain for him that he didn't get to vanquish what was left. He wasn't about to get blamed for something that he wasn't even privileged to do.
However, their teacher did not trust his words. His eyes, holding two black irises, rolled over and settled on Vivian.
"Is that true?"
Vivian smiled. "It is. I made sure he obeyed. I also set up a Holy Barrier, which is impossible for first-stage manifestations to escape from."
"Hmm…"
Father Thomas lowered his head slightly in thought. His eyes now lay focused at one point on the ground.
"If this is true.." he said. "Then we might have a long lived second-stage manifestation in our hands."
His eyes turned cold. "Or at most a third stage."
"…."
"But that's impossible!" Liam cut in. "I mean, it would be great if there's one. But the Missionaries couldn't be wrong with their intel, right?"
Vivian gazed solemnly at him. "Maybe we could assume an error was made. Either by them or us."
"Can't be us."
Vivian didn't say anything more. Instead, she refocused her eyes on her teacher.
"There's still a possibility. It could be a rare one." He suggested.
A rare second-stage manifestation…
It was no new thing that higher ranked demons could directly control or destroy lower ranked ones. There were even creepy cases where a demon ate another one.
"Well…" Liam stretched his arms, kicking the air with his legs. "It can't be that bad."
He was rather carefree about the entire matter. In fact, a part of him hoped to meet this potentially third-stage manifestation.
The lady came up with a thought. "Why don't we have other Wardens survey the area?"
"That has already been done." Father Thomas replied. "But it would be pointless if this second or third stage demon does have a unique ability."
"I haven't seen a unique demon even once." Liam argued. "Do they even exist?"
Vivian rolled her eyes. "They're called unique for a reason."
The teacher sighed. "What I'm worried about is not the demon."
"Then what is it?" The blonde guy blurted.
"I'm afraid the division leader intends to hold you responsible for disobedience."
"....."
For a moment, the whistling of the wind beyond the windows could be heard.
"WHY?"
As if the reason wasn't obvious…
Vivian slapped her forehead, feeling displeased. "Well this is a problem."
Liam, who had jolted to his feet in shock—with an agape mouth, was completely ignored by the two.
"You might have to visit the Hall of Reflections for a while." Their teacher continued. "Since an expedition would be cancelled because of this.."
Vivian's head fell backwards and an exasperated sigh escaped her mouth.
"And that was one chance to meet Joshua too…"
"That's what you're worried about?" Father Thomas was puzzled.
"Yeah.." she replied. "I just remembered that the new recruits from the Sanctum of Faith would be having their first mission there."
Father Thomas's eyes lit up in surprise. "Wait..that was true? Azrael got a passing student?"
"You wouldn't believe it."
Liam still stood there—frozen.
"Well that's nice honestly. You think he might get another one?"
"Hopefully." She answered. "I think this boy, Josh..is just a genius. Maybe not as bright as Azrael, but succeeding under his mentorship? That's something."
Liam finally snapped out of it and took a seat, seeing how the tension had dissolved so effortlessly.
Maybe being restricted for a month wasn't such a bad thing…
...
Sanctum of Faith, Crusader Academy, Training field
The sun was particularly harsh on this fateful day, and it made me wonder if I had woken up on the wrong side of bed.
The grass danced peacefully, as the wind drifted. The temperature heightened, as the clouds parted.
I was sweating bullets.
Sir, is this training necessary…?
But I couldn't dare to say that out loud.
For the first time this week, I was wearing casual clothing. Well if being shirtless counted as casual clothing—then yeah sure.
"Twe..nty…o..ne!"
"Keep going! Move faster!" He roared.
Father James stood before me, and he watched me closely like I was his favourite pet. He didn't blink even once, as if unwilling to lose any detail of my movement.
Wasn't Crusader's training all about improving spiritual attunement?
Why then am I doing push-ups?
"YOU'RE SLACKING!" He screamed.
But my arms were already shaking. I had done 4 sets of 30 push-ups already. Yet that didn't satisfy him.
"YOU'RE TOO SLOW!"
Sir…I beg you…Go to bed.
Please….
Please God help me!