Ti flies quickly when life becos repetitive.
This remained true even after I revealed my true identity.
Before I knew it, the weekend had arrived.
People are creatures of adaptation, and the attention directed at had sowhat beco a familiar circumstance.
Given my striking red hair and noticeable appearance, I’ve always attracted stares wherever I went.
Confessing my identity didn’t change that.
If anything, the only difference is that the gazes I receive now seem to hold a sense of wonder, as if people are seeing a celebrity in person.
Especially when I go out, it’s beco necessary to have Adelia and Kate accompany .
The two of them are striking beauties in their own right, and with added to the mix, it’s impossible not to draw attention.
What’s more, Kate is not only as well-known as I am, but she also exudes a sacred aura wherever she goes.
During the first week, we endured countless stares, but by the weekend, most people seed to accept it as normal.
However, this only applied to those who were already attending the academy. There were still people who ca specifically because of the rumors.
The fact that I, a student, am enrolled at Halo Academy has spread far and wide, and I don’t have plans to go anywhere until the holidays.
This has led to complications—not only from ordinary people but even from those of dubious identity showing up to see .
So have even attempted to climb over the academy walls, keeping the security guards exceptionally busy.
The Empire, concerned about this situation, has reportedly dispatched knights to assist.
Fortunately, the academy strictly requires proof of identity for entry.
If a student wishes to bring soone in, they must accompany them.
So far, there have been no reports of any dangerous individuals infiltrating the academy, but it’s never a bad idea to stay cautious.
After all, even a high-ranking mber of the demon-worshippers turned out to be a cardinal.
This ans the possibility exists that soone affiliated with the academy could be connected to demon-worshippers.
Currently, Kate and the Luminous Order are conducting a large-scale investigation, with the Mora Order providing covert support.
However, perhaps because only a week has passed—or maybe because there truly isn’t anything to find—nothing noteworthy has co up.
Occasionally, suspicious individuals are detained briefly for questioning, but most are simply curious onlookers trying to catch a glimpse of .
With the exception of Cherry, who seems to have an uncanny knack for avoiding detection.
‘It’s amazing she hasn’t been caught even once.’
Despite her conspicuous appearance, Cherry hasn’t been reported even once.
From the mont she trailed Hiriya, I couldn’t help but think she might truly have a gift for this sort of thing.
Ti flowed, and the weekend arrived with an abundance of leisure.
Normally, I’d either train with Adelia or go on dates with my companions, but I skipped all that this weekend.
You never know what could happen while we’re all together, so for now, we’ve decided to err on the side of caution.
Besides, it’s midterm season, and Cecily has been busy assisting Descal with managing national affairs, making it a challenging ti.
“Whoosh!”
“Ahh!”
“Adel must feel lucky. No need to worry about others since it’s just the two of us.”
I playfully teased Adelia, wrapping her in a back hug as she stood dressed in workout clothes.
She flinched noticeably at the unexpected ambush.
Even through her workout gear, I could feel her firm, well-toned muscles.
Adelia never lets her physique suffer, always training diligently after work.
“You startled ! And for the record, I’m working, not playing. There’s a difference.”
“But you don’t hate it, do you?”
“Well, no, I don’t.”
Though she initially tried to maintain a professional deanor, Adelia couldn’t entirely suppress her true feelings.
Watching her cheeks redden, I smiled softly.
She always presents a strong and dependable image, but monts like this reveal her endearing side.
Despite her words, she doesn’t strictly separate business and personal matters.
In the dormitory, the boundaries blur entirely, and whenever our eyes et, a subtle tension fills the air.
When the atmosphere becos more intimate, things quickly escalate.
When Mari and Cecily are around, we manage to restrain ourselves, but without them, there’s no one to stop us.
It feels like being a fox ruling the kingdom in the absence of lions and tigers.
Though in Adelia’s case, she’s more of a puppy than a fox.
“So, what’s the plan for today? We used to just train in the shared practice hall.”
“We can use the equipnt inside for strength training. The problem is cardio…”
Adelia, still caught in my back hug, appeared lost in thought.
She had likely grown used to my playful antics.
“We could just go for a run outside.”
“No way. I’d rather skip it entirely than do that.”
Adelia firmly rejected my suggestion.
Even after a week back at the academy, her cautious nature hadn’t wavered.
While her vigilance was comndable, it did make things a bit frustrating.
Most of the academy staff, as well as the Luminous Order from the Empire, have already conducted thorough investigations, and the Mora Order continues to investigate covertly.
Even with Helium’s resources, including Gartz’s personnel, aiding in the effort, the likelihood of any incident occurring within the academy is extrely low.
We’d only be out for about an hour for a run, so the chance of anything happening during that ti is practically nonexistent.
“Then how about asking Kate to join us?”
“Kate?”
“Yeah, we could train together with her.”
“…”
Adding Kate to the mix seed like a solid insurance policy, ensuring my safety.
Adelia pondered my suggestion, her expression conflicted.
Kate is a reliable shield for , much like Adelia.
Despite potential risks, her presence provides a strong sense of security.
“Do we really need to? She’d agree if you asked, but isn’t it unnecessary?”
Adelia’s question made sense—after all, it’s the weekend. Asking for Kate’s help could be an imposition on her personal ti.
While she’d undoubtedly agree if I requested, everyone deserves their own routine, and disrupting hers might cause irritation.
“I feel like it’s important to keep up with exercise for the future. Skipping even one day makes uneasy.”
“Uneasy?”
“Yeah. Opportunities like this to build stamina don’t co often, and soone once said it won’t be long before I’m shared as public property.”
“…”
Adelia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at my self-deprecating remark.
While it sounded like a joke, it wasn’t entirely untrue.
When everything settles down, it’s inevitable that I’ll beco the target of unrestrained attention.
First in line will be Cecily, who’s currently tied up with Helium’s state affairs alongside Descal.
What will happen when her work is done?
No doubt, she’ll rush to like an untad horse.
And Cecily isn’t the only one.
“There’s no harm in growing stronger. Holy power accelerates growth, you know? That’s why paladins can build their strength through prayer. The more holy power accumulates, the greater the potential for growth.”
“True.”
“And I need to keep converting my holy power into stamina whenever I get the chance. If I keep putting it off, it’ll be like pouring water into a bottomless jar.”
“Hmm…”
Although Adelia seed to understand my reasoning, it was clear she still found it hard to fully accept.
She understood it in theory but struggled to reconcile it emotionally.
She claid to be a follower of Luminous, but unlike a devoted priest, she wasn’t entirely faithful.
Instead, her focus had always been on martial arts.
It was natural that such things would be difficult for her to understand.
So, I explained it in simpler terms to make it clearer.
“I might wither away.”
“What?”
“I’m not lying; I really could wither away. I lack stamina. My strength is fine, but I absolutely need to increase my endurance.”
“Let’s go right now. Does Ms. Kate even have workout clothes?”
She was quickly convinced. Judging by the faint smile, though, she might have taken it as half a joke.
The problem is, it’s not a joke—it’s a future that Luminous personally revealed.
I can’t explain how flustered I was when silence was all I could manage in response.
Fortunately, thanks to The Chronicles of Xenon, my divine power isn’t running dry.
But the fact that even that might not be enough is astonishing.
‘Handling one person a day probably won’t cut it…’
I might have to handle more than one person daily.
After all, human desires differ from person to person.
Besides, unlike n, won’s desires often grow stronger with age.
All of this is an investnt for the future.
“Exercise?”
“Yes. Do you exercise, Ms. Kate?”
“No, not at all.”
“What?”
When I called Kate over, I discovered a surprising fact—Kate doesn’t exercise at all.
Her response was very much that of a devout believer: she’d rather spend ti praying to Luminous than exercising.
“Aren’t you a Grand Inquisitor, Ms. Kate?”
“Yes.”
“With that white armor and heavy mace I saw last ti…!”
“I go around punishing filthy demon worshipers.”
How? Naturally, my gaze and Adelia’s both shifted to Kate’s arms.
It was the weekend, and Kate had just left the dormitory in casual clothes, revealing her slender arms.
Her arms looked so fragile that it seed she had never lifted anything heavy in her life.
Her overall figure was far from muscular.
At a glance, she appeared similar to Mari in build.
Although divine power can enhance strength and stamina, it’s generally inefficient, so basic training is usually part of the routine.
“You’ve at least exercised at so point in your life, right?”
“Not entirely. I did receive so training while living in the Order. I think it was the sa training the Holy Knights undergo.”
“And after that?”
“I haven’t exercised at all. I didn’t feel the need to.”
What is with this person? How did she even rise to the position of Grand Inquisitor?
Finding Kate’s words hard to believe, I raised an eyebrow.
Oblivious to my thoughts, Kate stood there with a blank expression.
“Um… Cardinal Kate? Pardon , but may I examine your body?”
Adelia, sharing my skepticism, asked cautiously. Even though she had never sparred with Kate, this was too hard to believe.
Kate nodded in agreent, likely because it was Adelia who asked.
“Um… Cardinal Kate?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“This might be… a bit rude, but…”
Adelia seed reluctant, but she gently pressed Kate’s arm and confird what I suspected—her arms were surprisingly soft.
It was enough for Adelia to sincerely suggest:
“Cardinal Kate, it seems you should exercise on weekends. Even though you’ve received divine blessings, your body… needs work.”
This was clear proof that Kate’s divine power and its application were on an entirely different level.
A single application of strength enhancent was enough to make her far stronger than a Holy Knight with decades of training.
But what about when she can’t use divine power?
At that point, Kate is just an ordinary woman.
If such a situation were to arise, it could spell disaster.
Her position as Grand Inquisitor had blinded us to these facts.
Thankfully, we caught it now, or else there could have been dire consequences.
“Wouldn’t it be better to spend the ti praying instead of exercising?”
“That might work for you, Cardinal Kate. But focusing on just one thing isn’t a good strategy.
A clear strength can also beco a glaring weakness. If you can’t utilize that strength, you’ll be nothing more than a scarecrow.”
“…I see.”
Adelia’s advice was earnest, her tone serious.
Kate exchanged glances with her before turning to , as if leaving the final decision in my hands.
In the end, it wasn’t a bad idea.
I needed to exercise anyway, and Kate could improve her lacking physical abilities in the process.
“We might as well work out together. I’ll be acting as your escort anyway.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, by the way, Adelia will lend you workout clothes.”
I handed Kate so workout clothes I had prepared in advance.
They were a bit large for her since she was shorter than Adelia, but they would suffice.
Kate soon erged wearing black workout clothes.
We could buy proper shoes outside later.
Since she was always seen in her nun’s habit, the sight of Kate in athletic wear felt fresh and novel.
Her golden hair fell to her chest like ripened wheat, and her awkward blue eyes had an odd charm.
“How is it? Do the clothes fit?”
“They’re a bit loose, but manageable. The chest area feels tight, though.”
She ant no harm, but it was a comnt that could hurt a woman’s pride.
I glanced at Adelia instinctively.
She was smiling, but the corners of her mouth were twitching, and her shadowed face added to the effect.
For the record, Adelia is not small in that regard. In fact, she’s above average.
It’s just that Kate, blessed with divine power, happens to be more endowed.
Thinking about it, the won around all seem to have… noticeable figures.
‘Except for one.’
I won’t na nas—it feels unfair to compare.
Anyway, the weekend strength training began.
“Ms. Kate, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
To my surprise, Kate kept up with Adelia and my routine.
She seed to have a solid stamina base despite her appearance.
“Cardinal Kate, just to check—are you using divine power?”
“Isn’t that how this is supposed to be done?”
Not at all.
From the start, she had been relying entirely on divine power instead of her stamina.
Normally, you deplete stamina first and use divine power as a backup.
Whether she learned it wrong or found it more convenient, her approach was completely off.
So, we restricted her use of divine power, and then…
“Huff… Huff… Huff…”
“Ms. Kate, are you okay?”
“Yes… Huff… I’m fine…”
She didn’t look fine at all.
Within three minutes, Kate was completely drained.
Then, another discovery erged.
“Huff… Huff…”
“You suddenly seem fine again?”
“I recovered with divine power… Huff.”
“…”
Her stamina wasn’t exceptional—her regenerative ability was absurdly high.
‘It feels like raising a tiger cub.’
And thus, another uneventful weekend passed.
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