‘Oh, perfect timing.’
Is this a script? Or a singularity in a novel?
Whatever it is, I found this situation quite fascinating. It was more intriguing than unpleasant, so I didn’t feel much emotion.
“You really fit the part, Illyana.”
“Well… this appearance does shine even when wet.”
Isn’t this the body of Illyana Glaine? Even if she were soaked in paint, her beauty wouldn’t fade.
Moreover, doesn’t every step and movement exude elegance? Early education is indeed the best.
“That’s not what I meant… Are you pretending to be dumb? Or are you just dumb?”
Simeon’s voice, with a soft smile, carried a tone of feigned curiosity.
I stroked my chin for a moment and then smiled.
I think I might have chuckled. Simeon’s expression slightly hardened.
“You don’t really want to become a priest, do you?”
“No, I do want to become a priest.”
“Then it’s not that you really want it, but you’re interested.”
He hit the nail on the head. I thought I was acting my best, but I wondered if it was that obvious, so I looked at Simeon meaningfully, and he gritted his teeth as if frustrated.
“I really dislike people like you. Don’t pretend to be virtuous just because you’re a noble. This is not a world where dirty nobles can enter.”
“And you’re so noble and pure.”
Well, if he listens to theology classes with sparkling eyes, he must be a devout person.
And with someone as unmotivated as me involved, it’s understandable that he would be upset. I can’t say I don’t understand.
At my words, Simeon’s dark face seemed to turn pale.
Watching him open his mouth in shock, I tilted my head.
Isn’t he noble and pure?
Was that an insult? I pondered the meaning of my words for a moment and sighed softly.
‘…It might have sounded a bit sarcastic.’
What can I do about Illyana Glaine’s lack of diverse expressions? Sometimes I get startled looking in the mirror myself.
It’s my face, but sometimes it looks like Illyana Glaine is glaring at me.
I thought I was smiling, but it often felt like a sneer.
Since my default expression is blank, it doesn’t change much from there.
Come to think of it, in the novel’s description, Illyana Glaine only smiled in front of Magnus.
The terms used to describe her were mostly ‘expressionless,’ ’emotionless,’ and ‘indifferent.’
But whenever that broke, it was always in front of Magnus.
There were expressions like she smiled or looked happy, and once there was even a description of a bitter expression.
Her changed emotions were only described when she was with Magnus.
‘What kind of expression am I making now?’
What kind of expression am I making that Simeon looks like he’s been insulted by the world?
Come to think of it, I think Shulia handles me quite well.
Maybe the conversation we had early on earned me some good points.
If I told Simeon that I was glad to be in the same room with him, it would surely lead to a strange misunderstanding, so I just kept my mouth shut.
“It wasn’t meant to be sarcastic, so don’t take it the wrong way.”
At my words, Simeon’s face twisted even more. Is he going through puberty or something? He’s really difficult and tiring to deal with.
“Do you have anything more to say? As you can see, I’m in this state, so I’d like to leave.”
“Don’t… insult us.”
When did I ever insult you?
I let out a hollow laugh and was about to say something when Simeon abruptly turned and walked away.
I stood there in disbelief for a moment before continuing to walk back to my room.
‘But it’s a good day.’
Wasn’t it the day Magnus ran away? There couldn’t be a happier day in the world.
Yes, what does it matter if I get splashed with water? My heart is at peace.
“Let’s just pass the priest exam.”
If I naturalize at the temple, neither the Emperor nor the Marquis could touch me.
And I wouldn’t have to mingle with nobles or attend social gatherings, so it was a win-win.
‘Ah, I feel alive.’
It finally felt like I was shedding a heavy burden.
*** *** *** *** ***
1 year and 8 months later
Who said that once you get used to something, time flies by?
Before I knew it, it had been almost 2 years since I came to the village of Kotan.
I wondered how I would survive in a world without cell phones, laptops, the internet, or TV, but surprisingly, humans are truly adaptable creatures.
After learning games like Trump cards and chess, this life was quite alright in its own way.
Of course, that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss my original world. I still wanted to return to my world and grab the author by the collar and pierce their head with a cross.
The only saving grace was that Kotan’s village’s advantage and disadvantage was the complete isolation of information.
Of course, official priests or villagers would hear various stories, but for someone like me, a priest candidate who couldn’t leave the training center without permission, information was completely blocked.
I thought it might be to sever ties with the secular world.
Other believers grumbled and expressed dissatisfaction, but honestly, I liked it.
I could live without knowing what happened to Magnus, what had happened in the world, unless I ordered someone to find out.
“Illyana, do you want to go to the library together? Stern is coming too.”
“Oh, Maria. Yes, of course.”
In just over a year and a half, a lot had happened.
After the day I got splashed with water, Simeon really worked hard to harass me under the surface.
Still, he wasn’t as inherently bad as Illyana Glaine, so his harassment mostly involved damaging or hiding my belongings or not conveying information about classes.
It seemed there was some subtle pressure on Shulia as well, as she started to avoid me from a certain day.
It was natural to distance oneself from people when being bullied, so I didn’t feel much and didn’t say anything to her as she drifted away.
Still, Shulia seemed to feel guilty and hovered around me a few times, occasionally talking to me, but when I responded indifferently, she soon stopped talking to me.
Somehow, the room assignment changed soon after, and I was able to use a single room.
I found it much more comfortable to be alone, so it wasn’t bad.
However, there were times when I couldn’t attend sudden classes.
While living alone, I met Maria and Stern about a year ago.
Priest candidates were mostly young people in their early to mid-20s, but the two were a bit different.
Stern was in his late 30s, and Maria was in her early 30s.
Being older, they were thoughtful and calm, and not very close to other candidates.
Perhaps they were concerned about me always being alone, so they took care of me quite warmly.
Since they were older, Simeon couldn’t do anything to them, so I decided to stick with them.
“The exam is finally a week away. Illyana, you decided to take the priest exam, right? Do you have a preferred place to work?”
“Yes, I want to go to the capital. Or a city a little away from the capital. Come to think of it, Stern and Maria said you weren’t taking the exam, right?”
“Yes. I barely managed to leave my husband behind, so it’s difficult to transition to being a priest. Stern is running a merchant group.”
I was a bit surprised to find out that there were people who didn’t take the priest exam even after attending these classes.
Actually, I was very surprised. It meant they went through all this trouble voluntarily, which I couldn’t understand.
“Please let me know your address when you return. I’ll send you a letter.”
“Of course, Maria.”
I said it sincerely for once. The two had been very accommodating and always kept a proper distance in conversations, so I had no discomfort for nearly a year.
“Everyone is so late.”
A kind man with deep laugh lines stood leaning against the wall, holding a pile of documents in his arms, and straightened up.
The man, wearing the white clothes given to priest candidates, spoke with a smile on his face, expressing dissatisfaction.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No, I haven’t been here long.”
“My goodness, Stern. What are those documents…?”
“My brother sent me all the recent transaction details and reports of the merchant group, telling me to get a grasp of the situation as it’s time to return.”
Stern smiled bitterly. The documents and scrolls seemed to number in the hundreds.
I glanced at them and took a third from him. Maria quickly followed my lead.
“I’m a very happy person to have such kind colleagues. I wish this training would be extended for just one more year.”
“Indeed, it was so nice.”
“Living peacefully and then jumping back into management, I already feel overwhelmed.”
Stern and Maria talked to each other, expressing their regret.
I couldn’t add that if they told me to stay here for another year, I might overturn everything, so I just smiled quietly.
“The exam is in three days. Are you well prepared, Illyana?”
“Yes, of course.”
I answered Maria’s question without difficulty.
I survived an exam called the college entrance exam.
There was no way I couldn’t memorize the two subjects of the history and doctrine of theology. Moreover, they were all memorization subjects, so it was even easier.
“It seems there have been quite a few events outside recently.”
“Oh my, events? Well, since coming here, I haven’t heard much about the world except for exchanging letters with my husband.”
My ears perked up at that story. Although I would soon find out whether I wanted to or not, the conversation piqued my interest.
Leave a Reply