Sanctum of Faith, Crusader's Academy, Training field
There was a second barrier, similar to the one around the entire Sanctuary (and Sanctum) that ran around the grassy plains. There were several particles in it, having a cosmic allure that danced in a strange but soothing harmony. From inside, no one could see what transpired outside, and it was the same for an outsider.
The training field seemed detached from the rest of the Academy, as if it were in a different space of its own. Well, it actually was. But I did not know this.
Father James watched me.
Honestly, the muscular definition and the priestly cassock didn't correlate in my eyes. I just realised that he was at least 6 feet tall—probably more since I was bad at measurements and estimation.
It made more sense why he seemed so imposing now.
"Alright, that's enough!" He declared.
Finally…
I can only be grateful to God for keeping me alive till now. For a moment, I didn't think I was going to make it.
My arms gave way and my body collapsed. The impact should have hurt, but it seemed like my fatigue had numbed me. The intense heat and my desire for oxygen were my top priorities at the moment. With my face buried in the grass, and my arms laying limply by my sides, I panted like a suffocated dog.
"Ha…ha.."
When I tried to speak, I could only gasp.
It took me a while, but I managed to roll over. All four limbs were spread out at once. Whilst sweat trickled down the sides of my face, my chest rapidly rose and fell. My eyes were closed, but my mouth was wide open, huffing and puffing for air.
I opened my eyes—and got jumpscared.
Why was he suddenly so close?
The sunlight was blocked by the width of his head. However, rather than a complete blockage, there was an eerie, dark-brown glow that coated his appearance. In my currently unreliable eyes, his head was a celestial body. And he had just created an eclipse.
Fortunately, I was too tired to scream. Or, who knows…
I might have gotten smacked in the face. He looked like he could do it.
Father James stared down at me, now kneeling on a single leg. He observed me so closely, as if he was scrutinising every layer of my being. He was too close actually. It felt like a mountain was tilted in my direction.
And then, to my horror, this titan lifted his hands.
I screamed. Loudly.
…..
Oh…
He didn't hit me.
Why did I think he would?
Father James made a prayer. But his utterances were too short, and I was too absorbed in fear to get one word of it.
His hand rested on my solar plexus while he muttered his prayers. Then suddenly, a golden flash swept past my world.
It happened quickly—albeit too quickly. But I did feel its effect. That one came after.
In a second, all my fatigue was gone.
"...."
"Stand up," he commanded, getting to his feet.
I stood.
My breath was held taut—unknowingly in amazement. Father James stood a couple of inches away, staring at the kid who watched with his mouth open. In his eyes, I probably looked like someone with a broken jaw.
"You lost?"
Ah…
Finally, I stopped lagging.
"That was…."
"It was a prayer."
Yeah, obviously…
"A Psalm of Restoration," he added.
Eh?
There are even more Psalms?
Deploying all my willpower, I managed to hide my shock from his observation. But those eyes were too keen, and I feared that he would see through my facade.
I'm probably the only Crusader that doesn't know how many Psalms there are…
I should really read the book Matthew gave me.
Man, what was I doing during my early academy days….?
All these things were taught to us by several teachers. Father Azrael was only responsible for the practical aspect of it, which was exorcist work. But it appeared that all the concepts and fundamental theories had eluded me.
This is Father Azrael's fault I swear.
I knew him for years—long before he became my teacher. His easygoing, laissez-faire attitude had deceived me. After all, he passed so well at a young age. And just a few years later, he became a teacher.
So I took it easy as well…
Was he just a genius after all?
Ah.
Am I finished?
Father James suddenly spoke, slicing through my internal dilemma.
"Follow me."
Snapping out of my thoughts, I nodded and obeyed.
I was finally getting to know the fifth division.
...
...
It was…messy.
There were half-burnt candles, and a large amount of wax stuck to the brown table by the corner. On the windowsills, a boot stood, with a sock sticking out of it. I could see trousers—nearly everywhere. On the couch, the tables, what used to be a study desk, and even on the doorframe.
So that's where the odour came from.
I had no choice but to move further into the room, seeing as the blue trousers on the door stunk really badly.
"Welcome to the fifth division." Father James said.
No, thank you.
Why did I choose this division again?
There were a lot of people in the room—about eight men. Blocking the window—the only source of fresh air in this stale atmosphere, two men were hand-wrestling, their elbows resting on the run-down study desk.
Two other men stood by the competitors—one for each as they screamed words that I couldn't care less about. Another man stood between the four, acting as a moderator for the competition.
To the other side of the room, a group of three men were chatting excitedly about something. I listened just for a while, and I instantly knew the subject of discussion.
"I'm not kidding bro! The demon was literally pissing itself!"
"Bro, how can a demon piss itself?"
"You aren't making sense, man."
"Black piss. Believe me."
"Bro just stop."
I now regret listening to them…
Anyway, were we just going to stand and watch?
Father James wasn't even saying anything. He just watched the chaos like it was just another day.
"urmm…"
Suddenly, everyone looked at me.
"Hey yo!" Someone exclaimed. "It's Father Azrael's student!"
Eh?
"When did you get in bro?" Another asked.
"Urmm…"
"What's your name?"
"Urmm…"
"How old are you?"
"Urmm…"
The questions were asked too quickly by many people. I didn't have time to answer one when another came right at me.
Feeling overwhelmed and helpless, I turned to look at Father James, hoping he could help me with my predicament.
He didn't.
"Anyways.." he said. "Here's Joshua, our new member. Get to know each other."
And just like that, he turned and left.
The door slammed loudly behind him as if to make me understand that I was on my own. I could only stand there, feeling betrayed.
"How tall are you?" Someone asked.
"....."
"Why are you asking him that?" Someone else interjected. "Anyway, what's your weight?"
"Bro…your question is worse than mine."
"Are you single or married?"
"....."
What type of questions are these?
Judging by their looks and accents, every single one of them was an American.
I just hoped not everyone in the division was American. I would stick out like an oddball if that were the case.
One of the handwrestlers stood up, pushing the chair behind as he moved. The moment he did, I realised that he was even larger than Father James.
He had broad chests that were visible because he was shirtless—just like me. But my figure looked scrawny compared to his.
Everyone here seemed to have ridiculous muscles. It made me worry if I was in the right place.
The man who looked to be in his thirties walked over to me with a stoic expression. He had a straight face, a black crew cut, black irises, a chiselled jawline and a piercing gaze.
And he was probably 7 feet tall. I had to lift my chin to meet his eyes.
"Welcome." He said in an intense voice. "I'm Will."
I momentarily forgot to speak.
Will extended a handshake, and I accepted it. "I'm Joshua."
He smiled briefly. "Welcome to the fifth division. We are currently only 122 so we are the fewest. Most of us don't come here often, especially the ladies."
I can see why.
"So I'm the 123rd member?"
"Yup." He flashed another smile. "I can't have you knowing everyone but that guy…" he pointed at the second handwrestler. "..is Nathan. He's my twin."
"Oh.."
Nathan waved at me. However, he had a ragged breathing.
Why was he panting when he was only hand-wrestling?
Perhaps feeling obligated to, Nathan also stood up and walked towards me, standing by Will.
Just like his brother, he was towering over me.
They were identical twins. But Nathan appeared less muscular than Will. It was annoying that he was also shirtless though.
Not just that, he was breathing quite loudly. When he stood ahead of me, I could feel a warm wind blow on my hair.
He was sweaty too.
"Hello…*huff*..I'm..*huff*...Nathan. Nice to….*huff*...meet you.."
"Nice to meet you too."
Nathan copied his brother's actions. He extended a handshake, and I received it.
But I instantly regretted my actions.
His palm felt unusually warm and sticky. When I observed it, my palm was already laced in sweat. So much that it slipped through my fingers and dropped on the ground.
I felt violated.
"Ah.." Nathan smiled wryly. "Sorry..*huff*...about that…"
Yet he patted my shoulder with the same hand. My bare shoulder.
Seeing my discomfort, Will quickly intervened. "You should meet the assistant division leader soon."
"There's an assistant?"
"Yes." He nodded. "Although she hasn't been here in a while. Since you're a new recruit, she should meet up with you soon."
Oh, it's a woman.
I'm curious.