As the classes ended, Callius left the classroom without wasting any more time. For him, socializing with others was neither a priority nor a thing he could have done in this situation.
However, of course, the moment he left the classroom, the students who were waiting for him to leave finally opened their mouths.
"He finally left…."
"Yeah… I really can't feel relaxed when I am around him at all."
"I now feel bad for Arden, that had challenged him yesterday. He looked like a nice guy."
"He was. He just helped me get rid of a flirty bastard yesterday."
"I guess we won't see him anymore."
"It is a shame, really."
The hushed voices carried a mix of curiosity, sympathy, and unease. The accusation against Callius had tainted the perception of those around him, and the incident involving Arden's challenge only added fuel to the fire. Whispers and speculations spread throughout the corridors, casting a shadow over Callius and leaving uncertainty in their wake.
Of course, the same things were happening all around the academy. No matter what he was or how his past was, Arden was someone that belonged to the Church of Celestia, a Paladin Candidate. Therefore, the moment Callius defeated him in a life-and-death duel and took his life without an ounce of hesitation, there were those whose ears would get hurt by this fact.
In a chamber adorned with intricate white engravings and adorned with golden symbols reflecting the divine essence. At the center stood a magnificent statue of a young woman, her right hand reaching towards the heavens, her golden tresses cascading down to her waist—a representation of the revered Goddess Celestia herself.
A young man could be seen kneeling before the statue. "So, you're telling me that he killed a member of our sacred church?" A serious and solemn voice resonated within the room as the young man kneeling spoke.
He had a ceremonial robe over his body as he faced the statue. The expression on his face was unknown, as his face was covered with a veil.
"Yes, Revered Master." Devoted disciples of the church who wore the pristine uniform of a first-year acolyte knelt humbly behind him, their eyes fixed upon the majestic statue of the Goddess Celestia. Their voice resonated with reverence as they recounted the recent events. "I was present during the unfolding of the fateful duel. Arden, as you may already know, embodied the fervor of righteousness. His heart burned with a passion for justice, constantly striving to elevate himself in the pursuit of nobility. And when he learned of Callius Augustride's actions that surrounded the academy..."
The young acolyte paused, collecting their thoughts before continuing, "He saw it as an opportunity to bring righteousness and restore balance as his blood boiled once more. But alas, it ended in tragedy. Callius, a figure shrouded in controversy and uncertainty, proved to be a formidable adversary. He was able to extinguish the valiant spirit of Arden, shattering his noble aspirations." Finishing his words, the aide bringing the news lowered his head as his eyes were filled with sorrow.
As the aide behind him whispered those words, the young man kneeling on the ground stood up. "We, faithful followers of Celestia, mourn the loss of one of our own." He spoke as he addressed the audience behind him. His voice filled with slight sadness this time. "But in the face of adversity, we shall remain steadfast in our devotion, for it is through our unwavering faith that we shall find solace and strive for redemption." Turning his face to the audience, this time with his words filled with determination, he finished his words.
He raised his hands with a brief stop. "Alas, there are times when our unwavering faith alone won't be enough to spread the sacredness of our beliefs." As his voice turned serious, the young man looked into the hearts of his audience. "Sometimes, we need to use different methods to purify the world from evil, from the demons in human skin that pollute it."
He paced slowly across the sacred chamber, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the gathered faithful. "Callius Augustride, a figure enshrouded in controversy and accused of vile transgressions, stands before us as a testament to the corruption that threatens to undermine our sacred mission. We cannot stand idle and allow the impurity to fester within our midst."
Pausing dramatically, he raised his hands once more, his voice resonating with fervor. "Brothers and sisters, it is not enough to mourn the loss of Arden and merely offer prayers for his soul. We must channel our grief into righteous action, wielding the strength of our convictions to purge our community of those who defile the teachings of our beloved goddess."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the audience, their emotions stirred by the young man's persuasive words. Whispers of agreement and determination mingled with the solemn air of the chamber. He had successfully ignited a fire within their hearts, an unwavering resolve to rid themselves of the perceived darkness embodied by Callius.
The young man's voice boomed through the sacred chamber, resonating with unwavering conviction. His gaze shifted from the audience to the radiant statue of the goddess, its golden glow casting an ethereal light upon the scene.
"MY BROTHERS! MY SISTERS!" he called out, his voice filled with fervor and determination. "WILL WE, DEVOTED DISCIPLES OF GODDESS CELESTIA, COWER IN THE FACE OF THOSE WHO DARE TO DESPISE OUR SACRED BELIEFS?"
A resounding chorus of "NO!" reverberated through the chamber, their voices harmonizing with a shared resolve.
"WE SHALL RISE ABOVE, LIKE THE PHOENIX FROM THE ASHES!" His voice soared, commanding attention and kindling a fiery determination within each listener. "OUR FAITH SHALL BE OUR SWORD, OUR UNWAVERING UNITY OUR SHIELD! TOGETHER, WE SHALL STRIKE DOWN THE BLASPHEMERS WHO SEEK TO TAINT OUR HOLY SANCTUM!"
The crowd erupted into fervent applause, their fervor reaching a crescendo. Eyes glinted with an unwavering zeal as they were fueled by the young man's impassioned words.
"FOR WE ARE THE BEARERS OF THE LIGHT!" he proclaimed, raising his hands towards the statue, his voice quivering with the weight of conviction. "AND IT IS OUR DUTY, OUR SACRED OBLIGATION, TO UPHOLD THE PURITY OF OUR FAITH! IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA, WE SHALL EXTINGUISH THE DARKNESS AND RESTORE THE HOLINESS THAT HAS BEEN PROFANED!"
Cheers and cries of devotion filled the chamber, their fervent energy reverberating off the stone walls. The young man had rallied his fellow disciples, igniting a fire within their hearts that would not be quelled. Their faith had been fortified, their resolve unwavering, as they prepared to embark on their mission, united under the banner of Goddess Celestia.
As those who belonged to the Church of Celestia left the room one by one and left the young man alone, he finally lowered his head as the veil covering his face disappeared.
Only to reveal a face filled with a smirk…..
-----------------------------A/N-----------------------------
This chapter is very important to show how strong of a weapon can one's beliefs be if utilized by a good manipulator and appealing speaker.
Different from other academies and those academy novels, I am trying to picture the students that belonged to Peak in terms of their talents. Hope you liked the chapter.
Callius will have quite a headache in this aspect.
