Chapter 1.1 – The Beginning

Dania Lancaster, a senior in the Theology Department at the Holy Academy, recently found herself burdened with a few secrets. 

The first was a fatal flaw that might disqualify her from becoming a priestess. The second was that her mind had become filled with indecent fantasies. And the third? Well, it all started a few days ago when her childhood friend, Luel Marchento, performed an unspeakable act on her.

Yes, she had crossed the line with her childhood friend—Luel Marchento, whose striking pink hair, vivid and radiant, drew everyone’s attention from afar.

‘Ah.’

Dania quickly ducked behind the shrubs in the courtyard, hoping Luel’s piercing blue eyes hadn’t caught sight of her. Surely, he didn’t see her. Surely not.

Praying that the group of noble friends always surrounding him had blocked his view, Dania crouched down and tiptoed away. Even though they had spent the last five years together at the academy, she now avoided even the slightest eye contact with him. Ever since “that day,” Dania had been meticulously, perfectly, and actively avoiding any encounters with Luel.

‘Oh, Holy Spirit… Why have You given me such trials?’

Wiping away the metaphorical tears in her heart, Dania hurried toward the library. In her arms were thick theology textbooks she needed to study for her upcoming graduation exam retake.

Yes, retake.

The root of all her problems lay in the cursed results of her graduation exam.

Or perhaps it was her dim-witted brain that failed her?

Dania had never doubted that she would become a priestess. As the daughter of the bishop of the Marchento County Diocese, she had grown up in a family that had served the Earl of Marchento and his people as apostles of the Holy Spirit for generations. Her grandfather was a bishop in another diocese, and her uncles, brother, and aunts all served the Holy Spirit across the continent.

It was only natural for Dania, raised in such a devout household, to dream of becoming a priestess from a young age. If she allowed herself to be a little ambitious, she hoped to inherit her father’s Marchento Diocese in place of her brother Peter, who was currently serving as a missionary.

Thus, five years ago, Dania enrolled in the Holy Academy of the Holy Kingdom to pursue her dream. After completing the five-year Theology program, passing the graduation exam, and earning her degree, she would undergo six years of apprenticeship in the Holy Kingdom before being ordained as a priestess. It was the same path her father, grandfather, brother, uncles, and aunts had all walked.

The problem lay in the phrase “passing the graduation exam.”

If she claimed she hadn’t seen it coming, that would be a lie. Ever since she received her first semester grades—exactly 3.0 out of 5.0—five years ago, an ominous feeling had lingered in her mind. 

Despite her devout faith and exemplary altruism, which earned her the favor of many professors, Dania had always feared she would eventually fail the graduation exam.

***

Graduation Exam Results:

Theology (67/100)

History of the Holy Spirit Church (79/100)

Advanced Sacred Language (91/100)

Holy Spirit Church and Ancient Philosophy (63/100)

(…)

Average: 71.5/100

Pass/Fail: Fail

The cold, unfeeling numbers on the sheet of paper crumpled in Dania’s trembling hands. Some of the inked letters had already blurred, soaked by her tears.

“I… I must really be hopelessly stupid.”

Sniff, sniff. On the evening the graduation results were announced, Dania slumped over the bar table of a tavern near the academy’s back gate, her head resting sideways as she sobbed.

“All I needed was a 75 average, but I couldn’t even manage that… I almost failed Theology entirely. How am I supposed to pass the retake? I need to score at least 80 this time, and there are only two weeks left. I… I just want to die. I want to die…”

Thud. Thud. Thud. Dania’s head began to rhythmically bang against the wooden table. The dull thuds were loud enough to draw attention, though the tavern’s lively chatter fortunately masked the sound. Her honey-colored bangs, tousled by her self-inflicted punishment, swayed with each movement.

“Dania Lancaster. Idiot. Fool. A disgrace to the Lancasters.”

“Hey, hey.”

“Holy Spirit, forgive me… Father, I’m sorry. Grandfather, Uncle Rex, Aunt Nora—I’m sorry.”

“Stop it already.”

Clicking his tongue, a firm hand suddenly pressed against the spot where Dania’s forehead had been meeting the table. Her head, which had been crashing down with every self-deprecating word, now rested against the palm of that hand.

Perhaps it was the interruption of her physical self-punishment or the thought that the warmth of the hand might dull her misery, but Dania turned sharply to glare at the hand’s owner. Through her tear-blurred glasses, her emerald-green eyes glistened with frustration.

“Can’t I, huh? Can’t I even reflect on my failures in peace?”

“You’re drunk.”

“What do you know, huh? Just buy me drinks and stay out of it. Who asked you to interfere?”

“When my dear childhood friend’s rock-solid head is about to turn into an actual rock, do you think I’d ignore it?”

“Shut up!”

Dania growled, baring her teeth as she downed her ale in one gulp.

“See? This is why I said you’re developing bad drinking habits.”

“What? I don’t drink all the time like you. On a day like this, even the Holy Spirit would understand!”

As she spoke, tears welled up in Dania’s eyes again. Sniff, sniff. 

“Oh, Holy Spirit… Why have You given me such trials? I only wish to live as Your apostle, yet why did You make me so stupid?”

Clutching her ale mug with both hands, Dania pressed its rim to her lips and began to sob once more.

Oh, let’s not even get started. Watching her, Luel Marchento shook his head, his soft pink curls swaying gently. As he sipped his ale, the sound of his drinking blended with Dania’s whining and the lively noise of the tavern.

For 21 years, Luel Marchento had been a reliable companion in moments like these. He had the money, knew all the entertainment spots near the academy’s back gate, and always took care of Dania when she got drunk.

Unlike Dania, Luel hadn’t enrolled in the Holy Academy out of a passion for Theology. As the heir to the Marchento Earldom, he had simply wanted to gain some meaningful experience before taking on the responsibilities of managing his estate. So, when his childhood friend Dania decided to study abroad in the Holy Kingdom, he had eagerly followed her.

The Holy Academy was full of students like Luel—young nobles from wealthy families who came to the neutral Holy Kingdom to forge international friendships and enjoy their youth. Under the guise of dormitory life, they could experience a level of freedom unimaginable back in their home countries. This culture had emerged as the academy, originally founded to train theologians, began attracting nobles from across the continent with the lure of generous donations.

Considering the situation, it was only natural that Dania and Luel, who had entered the Holy Academy together, ended up walking different paths. Dania focused solely on her studies, while Luel spent his time socializing and enjoying himself with others like him. According to rumors, people like Luel often attended scandalously wild parties, and Luel himself was frequently invited to such gatherings, where he partied all night.

It was ironic, given that these events occurred among students of the Holy Academy in the Holy Kingdom, but that was the reality.

Since they associated with different groups, it was easier to maintain some distance on campus. Over the past five years, the emotional distance between them had also grown somewhat. However, on a day like today, Luel was the perfect companion for Dania.

After all, he had even canceled a party to come running in response to Dania’s distress signal.

“Make sure you eat something with your drink.”

“I don’t deserve to take care of myself… Ugh.”

“Tastes good, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah, really good.”

Dania nodded enthusiastically as she chewed on the pickled tomato Luel had popped into her mouth. The exaggerated motion hinted at her tipsiness.

“Try this too.”

From Luel’s hand to Dania’s mouth went canapés with dried apricots and cheese, skewers of smoked cheese and pickled olives, and other such treats. There wasn’t a single snack Luel offered that didn’t suit Dania’s taste.

“No more ale until you finish all of this.”

“…Hmph.”

Even as she pouted, Dania dutifully pushed the finger foods in front of her into her mouth one by one. It was so like her to be diligent, even while drunk. Luel rested his chin on his hand, propped against the table, and gazed down at the crown of Dania’s round head.

Her lifelong dream was to become a proper priestess and return to the bishop’s residence in her hometown of Marchento. It was only natural for her to feel upset. The Dania Lancaster he knew had never imagined any other kind of life.

Perhaps it was this thought that caused Luel to frown slightly as he took another sip from his glass.

“…Sniff.”

Dania’s sniffles started up again, and Luel’s lips twitched reflexively.

By now, they were on their third round, and Luel had already witnessed Dania’s cycle of self-loathing, anger, and crying at least seven times tonight.

“What’s wrong now?”

“Do I even deserve to eat something so delicious? I came all the way here to study abroad…”

“Hey, wasn’t your tuition covered by the Marchento family?”

“I’m sorry, Louis…”

She briefly lifted her head to look at Luel with teary eyes before letting it droop again. Dark stains began to spread across the indigo linen of her skirt as her tears fell, one by one, soaking into the fabric.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I’m sorry for being so stupid…” 

Her murmured apologies sounded almost like a song. Then, as her upper body swayed unsteadily, she suddenly toppled forward.

“Ah, Dania Lancaster!”

“I’m sorry, Louis… I’m sorry for not even being able to sit properly on a chair…”

Good grief. Catching her just in time, Luel tossed a gold coin to the bar’s attendant and helped her out of the tavern.

Of course, Dania’s antics didn’t end there.

“I’m a hopeless idiot abandoned by the Holy Spirit!”

“Keep it down! This is embarrassing, damn it.”

“Embarrassing? Are you embarrassed because I’m stupid? Because I’m a drunk? Then just leave me behind!”

“Would you shut up already? At least say something that makes sense.”

There was no way Luel could take such a spectacle back to the dormitory, especially with curfew looming. Fortunately, noble students like Luel often rented private apartments separate from the dorms, so it was only natural for him to take Dania to his place.

Though they maintained their distance on campus, Dania had occasionally visited Luel’s apartment to hang out. In fact, she had fully intended to get drunk tonight and sleep over at Luel’s, so she had already braced herself for this outcome.