IBOSO 14

CHAPTER 14…………………………………….

It had been about a week since I learned how to contain my pheromones from Cassius.

Not only did he teach me the containment method, but we also talked a lot about other things. Through that, I learned a few things.

“Actually, for the past few years, I’ve been sending out holy knights to search for the Sanctuary of Healing.”

That was back when Cassius didn’t know about my ability to heal.

“You were searching for the Sanctuary of Healing? Why?”

“I thought there might be information there that could help cure Omega Fever.”

Only Omegas died from the fever, but many Alphas—who were their destined partners—died as well.

Things had calmed recently, but right after the outbreak, many Alphas also died from losing control of their abilities.

Cassius, who had been watching me, continued.

“Now that we have you, a healing priest, I thought it was time to accelerate the search.”

I wanted the Sanctuary to be found, but…

“Do you think it actually exists?”

The sanctuaries were extremely important structures that appeared frequently in sacred texts and legends.

Sanctuaries of the four elements were often mentioned, but I’d never even heard of one for healing.

“The chance is low, but worth attempting.”

Just as he said, I wasn’t expecting much, but if it were discovered, maybe I could awaken fully like the other attributes.

If that happened, I’d become far more useful.

“I really hope we find it.”

I meant it sincerely.

We talked about other things too.

Among the priests of the Holy Nation, not a single one was an Alpha.

Because of that, I didn’t have to worry about the priests, and I could practice containment freely.

Maybe because I trained hard, I started making progress with pheromone containment.

After finishing my daily practice, I went to Cassius for evaluation.

“It’s definitely weaker. But be careful indoors.”

He advised me that if I stayed in one place for too long, people would notice. Also, pheromones linger on items I touch for a long time.

I still have a long way to go.

But at least I no longer had to restrict myself to the outdoors.

I’m close… almost there.

I had gotten used to opening and containing pheromones.

The issue was that it felt like a faucet that didn’t fully shut—droplets kept leaking out.

I practiced whenever I had time, but made no further progress.

It felt like I was missing the final piece.

Should I try a different approach?

As Cassius said, perhaps I needed to find someone I truly liked.

I was thinking that as I picked up my breakfast after practice.

Soup, bread, and a glass of water—I gathered my tray and was just about to sit down.

Suddenly, a leg stretched out and hooked my foot.

Huh?

I staggered hard from the unexpected attack, and the plate flew out of my hand.

I barely kept myself from falling, but—

CRASH!

My food scattered all over the floor.

No! My breakfast! My score…!

Food, produced by the combined powers of water, fire, wind, and earth, was considered something touched by the hand of Magnus.

If a priest wasted or discarded food, it was considered blasphemy.

It wasn’t enough to get expelled, but plenty enough to be scolded—and to lose points.

“What on earth…?”

Why would someone trip me?

I was about to confront the culprit when the priest who tripped me suddenly splashed water on her own clothes.

“Kyaa! Wh-what are you doing! Sob, sob, ngh…”

Then she covered her face and started crying—as if I had done it.

I looked down at the self-victimizing girl.

Ugh… Leia.

Leia, daughter of the Marquis of Seprentus and a fellow apprentice priest.

We weren’t close, but she was so infamous that everyone knew her.

“What’s going on here?”

Hearing the commotion, Robert approached. As a wind priest with the ability to transmit voices over distance, he managed the dining hall.

He comforted the crying Leia.

“S–Sonia suddenly stumbled and spilled her food all over me…”

“Oh my! Are you alright?”

“Yes… but I was so shocked…”

“Your skirt is a mess. You must have been frightened.”

A mess? Only the hem was a little damp.

Leia cried as if I had dumped an entire bucket of water on her.

“Y-yes… It was so cold…”

Robert turned sharply toward me.

“You caused serious trouble and just stood there watching—I’ll have to deduct additional points.”

He gathered his wind attribute holy power.

“Sonia Theodore—100 points deducted for spilling food and splashing another priest with water while doing nothing to help.”

Green holy power drew a circle in the air and shot toward the Great Temple’s administration office.

Wind holy power could be used as a messenger.

The priests managing the scores all had wind attributes, and they sent points directly to the admin office each time.

Once sent, points could never be undone.

Minus 100 points. The maximum deduction.

Even if I plucked the beard off a passing cardinal, no more points could be deducted today.

One hundred points for spilling food? Seriously?

Even if I had actually splashed water on Leia and cursed at her, it wouldn’t be 100 points.

If I splashed water, slapped her, and pulled her hair—then maybe.

Leia sniffled dramatically.

“Th–this is terrible… Sonia Priestess was supposed to be promoted to the Holy Office…”

So now the runner-up—her—could become top and go instead?

The smile peeking through her fingers told me exactly what she was really thinking.

I realized immediately:

Ah. These two are working together.

I was furious, but when Robert appeared, I held it in.

There was no proof Leia tripped me.

If I shouted at a crying girl while insisting on my innocence, I would look worse—and lose more points.

It was best to swallow it, pretend to apologize, and minimize the damage.

But Robert didn’t even pretend to judge fairly.

Priests were human—bias happened—but this was blatant.

Robert spoke while checking Leia’s expression.

“Someone this rude could never join the Holy Office. Leia Priestess, rest assured.”

“My heart hurts for her… At this rate, she won’t even become a proper priest…”

Leia wiped her fake tears and smiled at me.

“Sonia Priestess, if you apologize sincerely now… I’ll write you a recommendation letter next year.”

I was so stunned by her audacity that I asked:

“A recommendation letter? From you?”

“Yes. You’re a noble lady of the Empire, aren’t you? It would be embarrassing to spend ten full years as an apprentice like commoners. I’ll help you. We nobles must stick together.”

“Promotion scores have nothing to do with noble titles. They’re based solely on ability.”

“Are you saying your ability was higher than mine?”

“Judging by our scores, yes.”

Leia’s gentle smile twitched slightly.

She bit her lower lip, then forced the smile back on.

“Showing no remorse even when offered mercy… You truly aren’t suited to be a priest.”

Robert chimed in.

“Leia Priestess is correct. Judging from your attitude, you won’t be promoted next year either.”

Drunk on her supposed victory, Leia rambled on.

“When you fail to become a priest, I suppose you’ll go crawling back to the Empire? Just so you know, I’ll be formally complaining to House Theodore about you ruining my clothes.”

Oh? Go ahead.

My family wouldn’t crumble over one damp skirt.

“There will be rumors across the social circles. That House Theodore failed to raise a well-mannered daughter. Oh dear… no one will want to marry you.”

I didn’t care if she insulted me.

But dragging my parents in?

That crossed a line.

“Leia Priestess.”

“Yes?”

I lifted the water pitcher from the table and poured it slowly over Leia’s head.

Leia, in mid-smug-smile, shrieked as cold water drenched her scalp.

She shook violently, like a wet dog.

“Kyaa! W-what are you doing!”

“What do you mean? I’m doing exactly what your penalty said—spilling water on you.”

Since I couldn’t lose more points today, there was no reason to tolerate insults toward my parents.

Honestly, I wanted to pick up the bread off the floor and throw it too, but I refrained.