I Was Mistaken for a Saint in a Dark Fantasy

I shall build an infirmary that transcends Sects.

That declaration thrown by The Black Saint was already circulating like a famous Proverb among the Healers.

The New Students of the Department of Healing Arts also knew the story well, having heard it often.

As well as the fact that the moment they Graduated from here, they could undergo Training at the Meyer Infirmary regardless of their Sect.

However, this noble Intention of the Saint was received slightly differently by the Healers.

— So, you mean after receiving all my Training at the Meyer Infirmary, I just have to pick my Sect from there?

The Idea that the boundaries of Sects themselves would become meaningless was too distant and big of a picture for the students to draw.

Young ladies and young masters follow their parents’ work from the age of 16.

Likewise, Seminary students also often do Observation at the infirmary from their time as Theology Students.

Therefore, their Sect was practically half-decided since their Seminary days.For them, the boundaries between Sects were as natural as breathing.

Just as Nobles tightly hid their Secret Techniques for their Vested interests.

Though not bound by Bloodline, the Healers of a Sect were a family bound by faith and Teachings.

Perhaps that was why.

”That child named Gwen, wasn’t she from the Mencia Sect?”

Among the students who should be the most lively, there were many who had already pledged their Loyalty to their Sects,

and they were assigning meaning to every action with an impure gaze.

Of course, if Gwen had been a Seminary student of another Sect, or at the very least a commoner not belonging to any Sect, the interpretation would have been different.

— Aha! She is truly feeling grateful for the fact that her Mother was treated!

The Topic of conversation would have flowed smoothly along those lines.

However, Gwen was from the Mencia Sect of all places.

The Sect that had rapidly fallen after getting on The Black Saint’s bad side over the past few years.

Of course, whether The Black Saint actually hated them had not been confirmed.

But the Mencia Sect was the only one showing Backlash against The Black Saint, and now that even their specialty of Plague treatment had been caught up to by the Adamberta Sect,

it was natural for the Mencia Sect to be ostracized among Healers.

”She sure is diligent.”

”It’s not her Fault.”

”That is true.”

”...Still, you know.”

”Or is she clinging to the Saintess because no other Sect will accept her?”

Countless students began to Murmur at Gwen in unison.

At the center of it, Gwen dropped her head.

The students considered it to be out of Shame.

The end of an arrogant Believer who dared to try and use the Saintess.

They had Facial expressions that did not doubt that belief.

However, that sight appeared quite differently in Ayla’s eyes.

’My Teacher declared that he would accept everyone regardless of their Sect...’

If The Revered One had seen this sight, he wouldn’t have been able to hold back his lamentation.

Ayla wordlessly stared at Gwen’s Crown of the head for a while.

Soon, Gwen spoke to Ayla as if squeezing it out.

”I am sorry, Saintess...”

”Oh? You were from the Mencia Sect too, Sister.”

Ayla’s bright Voice cut those words off.

The murmuring Auditorium froze in place.

While everyone was looking at the two without knowing how to react,

The Saintess of the Lamp firmly held both of Gwen’s hands.

”As it happens, my roots also started in the Mencia Sect.”

”...Yes?”

”Even though I am currently studying under the Saint, before the Saint took me as his Disciple, I was also of the Mencia Sect.”

There was not a single lie in Ayla’s words.

Before earnestly building up her experience at Director Schun’s Clinic.

She learned the Basics for using Heal from her Mother.

And Ayla’s Birth mother was, coincidentally, a Priest of the Mencia Sect.

”I also grew up watching my Mother treat those suffering from Fever. Therefore, you could say that the Hometown of my heart is the Mencia Sect.”

”...Ah.”

At those words from Ayla, Gwen blankly stared at her for a long time.

As if showing Consideration for such a Gwen, The Saintess of the Lamp softly smiled beyond her Veil and opened her mouth once more.

”Sister Gwen, you must have also started dreaming of the Mencia Sect for the same reason as me, right?”

”I... I...”

Gwen’s Voice trembled thinly.

”Yes. I heard that the Sect where I could learn knowledge most similar to the knowledge that treated my Mother was the Mencia Sect. So...”

”That’s a similar reason to mine. I think we can become good friends, don’t you?”

At the Saintess’s words, the students’ Murmur grew even louder.

Everyone present there knew that her invitation was the Saintess’s Consideration.

— ”Could it be, she genuinely intends to tear down the walls between Sects?”

Even the students who hadn’t believed the Saint’s declaration, thinking there was no way that could be true, were starting to think so.

A single line of shadow was cast long over the two’s heads.

When they raised their heads, a gentleman in Formal wear with a Fedora pressed down low was looking down at the two sitting in their seats.

To be a Professor of the Department of Healing Arts, his clothes were too black and he wasn’t wearing a Healer’s Robe.

And yet, to call him a Student, he wasn’t wearing a School uniform.

It was the moment the students were vaguely trying to guess the gentleman’s identity.

”...Director?”

At Ayla’s muttering, the students’ guesses turned into certainty.

The gentleman looking down at Ayla— Director Schun’s Lower face formed a pleased smile.

”As expected, I only have you, Ayla. The only person in this place who has fully accepted my Intention is Ayla.”

With those words, Director Schun took a seat right next to Ayla.

Inside the Veil.

Ayla’s two cheeks flushed red.

To the point where she was relieved by the fact that no one could see because she was inside the Cotton Cloth.

With her two hands neatly gathered on her lap, she gave a small bow beyond the Veil.

***

The Entrance Ceremony ended in great success.

The New Students in white Priest’s Robes poured out of the Auditorium along with the sound of the bell.

While the faint Afternoon Sunlight fell at an angle on the Corridor east of the Main Building,

each of the students who had finished the Entrance Ceremony began assigning their own Priorities in their heads.

While ordinary tasks like organizing the Dormitory, picking up Textbooks, and greeting their Roommates were taking their turn one by one,

Ayla also moved busily for her next Schedule within that flow.

”Um, Saintess. I should head to the Dormitory...”

”Sister Gwen. Wait a moment.”

Ayla turned to look at her with her two hands neatly gathered.

”It’s not too late to organize your room in the evening. Before that, would you like to go somewhere with me?”

”...Where?”

Beyond the Veil, Ayla gave a small smile.

”To earn some Allowance.”

”...Yes?”

An extremely secular and realistic statement, hard to believe it came from the Saintess’s mouth.

But Ayla also had a reason for bringing this up out of nowhere.

”I was told that attending a place like the Academy unexpectedly costs a lot of money.”

According to her older sister, Valeria.

It was difficult to enjoy a ’happy’ Academy life with just the Allowance given by the Academy.

The meals were as terrible as Army supplies,

and the Heating cost and Cooling Cost also all had to be covered by the Allowance.

The Secret Manuals that were said to be secretly passed down throughout the Academy could also be obtained with an Allowance,

and trying out various Equipment to find one’s Aptitude was also a path that led to growth.

Because Ayla had deeply engraved that advice from her sister, she planned to earn as much Allowance as possible from the beginning of the semester.

”Textbook costs, Practical Training Tool Fee, Laundry Fee for Priest’s Robes... Plus, the Prices in the Academy Territory are expensive, you know.”

”I also briefly heard that from a Senior I know, but...”

”That’s why we, the students of the Department of Healing Arts, can go to an infirmary After School and earn an Allowance by helping out and receiving an Hourly Wage. As an Apprentice, that is.”

Gwen nodded, saying she knew.

Students of the Department of Healing Arts were famous for being able to earn an Allowance easily.

Just by visiting other clinics or infirmaries After School and lightly lending their Divine Power, they could earn an Allowance equivalent to what students from other departments would earn by rolling around for hours.

Therefore, Ayla’s reaction was hard to understand.

Because there was no reason to rush this much.

As if guessing that reason, Ayla spoke with a slightly excited Voice.

”The infirmary where we will work will probably be highly competitive. So you should register as soon as possible too, Sister Gwen.”

”Yes?”

As if refusing to accept any objections, Ayla put Gwen in the carriage.

The carriage carrying the two left the East Building and headed towards the west of the Academy.

Over there, a massive infirmary that had just recently been built was waiting for them.

”H-Here is...”

”Come on. Sister Gwen, you should register here too and work with me After School.”

”D-Do I dare to do that?”

”Of course. My Teacher said it would be great if you could work with us too, Gwen.”

It was exactly as she said.

While the Entrance Ceremony was underway, Director Schun showed curiosity toward Gwen.

It wasn’t because there was another reason.

The seat right next to where Ayla was sitting, where Gwen sat, was the seat for the Second in Class.

For Director Schun, who wanted to fill the Meyer Infirmary with talented individuals as soon as possible, she was a Connection he never wanted to miss out on.

”Hurry!”

Unaware of such Circumstances, Gwen was dragged to the infirmary, led by Ayla’s hand.

The Meyer Infirmary they were dragged to, the Emergency Ward Entrance.

In front of the Emergency Ward’s Front door, paved with white Marble, New Students and current students were already lined up in a long queue.

Some were waiting for their turn while smoothing the collars of their Priest’s Robes with their hands,

while others were supporting an Envelope containing a Letter of Recommendation from their Seminary neatly with both hands.

Most of them were students of the Department of Healing Arts.

A sigh leaked out of Gwen’s mouth without her realizing.

”This many, people...”

”Didn’t I tell you? That the competition would be fierce?”

Ayla calmly added an explanation.

”They say the Hourly Wage is about twice as high as other infirmaries. And even if we don’t formally Train at the Meyer Infirmary, just working as an Apprentice like this might become a business card that works at whatever Sect we go to, you know.”

There was another reason too.

Generally, in order for a Student to work at an infirmary, they have to belong to that Sect.

Furthermore, unlike formal Training, there were many Techniques that they didn’t show to students.

However, the Meyer Infirmary was different.

Over the past week, this place provided Teachings to all Healers regardless of their Sect, just as declared upon its establishment.

There was even a declaration that they would provide Teachings to students of the Department of Healing Arts who came strictly to earn an Allowance, not for Training.

There was no reason for students thirsty for Teachings to turn down this Opportunity.

”I heard that all the Senior Graduates from last year will also Train here... So I think they want to see this place in advance.”

The color drained from Gwen’s face.

Did she dare to come to a place like this?

She was so apologetic that she couldn’t bring herself to raise her head.

It was then.

From the middle of the line, a cheerful Voice approached from afar.

”Oh? Our Saintess has arrived!”

The gazes of the murmuring students all focused in that direction.

A female student was seen approaching, her calf-high boots clicking, without having fully buttoned her white Priest’s Robes.

Short brown hair that wasn’t braided, and a face where the corners of her mouth always seemed to be slightly raised on one side.

That female student was Joelle.

Following behind her, Ayla’s three Best Friends approached.

From The Spring of Those Who Could Not Return Incident until now, they were friends Ayla remained close with regardless of their Status.

”Joelle!”

Beyond the Veil, Ayla waved her hand, smiling brightly in a manner uncharacteristic of her.

”What are you all doing here?”

”We’re matriculating students too. The Saint told us to bring any friends we wanted to recommend, so we were each bringing some students along.”

Joelle lightly tapped Ayla’s Veil once.

If another Student had done that, it would have been an impious act that would have resulted in a Heresy Inquisitor glaring from Ayla’s side paying them a visit at night.

However, since Joelle was one of the few friends Ayla opened her heart to, the Escort Holy Knight also pretended not to see it.

”Who is this... Ah. It’s that friend from the Entrance Ceremony? No wonder the front row was so noisy.”

”Did you not see, Joelle?”

”I’m not exactly as good at studying as you are. Hehe. So I was in the back seats.”

An Era where everything is determined by Skill.

The Department of Healing Arts also had no Exceptions.

The distance between Ayla, who matriculated with grades close to Top of the Class, and Joelle, who matriculated with grades close to the bottom, was as far apart as end to end.

”Our Saintess can rarely pass by a pitiful person. Well, thanks to that I’ve also achieved this Success.”

Joelle smiled brightly and offered a Handshake to Gwen.

”Hi. I’m Joelle. You don’t have to feel pressured. We’re close with each other without caring about Sects and things like that. Even I’m from the Adamberta Sect, you see? So you don’t have to feel pressured.”

”I... I’m from the Mencia Sect...”

”Ah... Ah... Sorry...”

Joelle awkwardly averted her gaze.

This was because after the Antibiotic was discovered, the Adamberta Sect and the Mencia Sect had become slightly awkward with each other.

”Ahem. So, are you planning to work here every day After School now too, Gwen?”

”Yes. Were you planning to introduce a friend too, Joelle?”

”Hmm... Not a friend, but a Senior. It’s almost time for them to arrive...”

Saying so, Joelle stared intently at the Emergency Ward Entrance.

A few minutes after that.

A Student walked over from the direction Joelle pointed at.

A woman wearing a Blue Tie, which signified a Second Year in the Department of Healing Arts, approached Joelle with hurried steps.

”Over here! Senior Jenny!”

”Senior Jenny?”

At the name she had heard somewhere before, Ayla tilted her head.

At that, Gwen, who had been cowering in the corner until just now, shouted in excitement.

”Jenny?! Senior Jenny?”

”Oh? Do you know her, Sister Gwen?”

”Of course!”

Gwen poured out information that hadn’t even been asked for like rapid fire.

”She is currently the most famous Senior in the Department of Healing Arts!”

”Really? Is her Skill that outstanding?”

”No?”

”?”

”She is the Author of the , famous not only across the Academy Territory but in the Imperial Capital right now!”

”...Ah. I see.”

At Gwen’s words, Joelle also spoke excitedly.

”Oh, you read that too, Gwen?”

”Of course! I’ve been reading it not just in books but since her Newspaper (physical copy) Submission days, so I even saved those Newspaper (physical copy)s separately as a Clipping!”

”Wow! Aren’t those impossible to get now? Can you show me too?”

”Of course! My parents don’t know how precious they are, so I’m glad to find someone who recognizes their value!”

”Then do you want to come to our Dormitory later? I even have a Board Game made from it, you know?”

”Really!?”

Joelle and Gwen, and even the other three friends.

They were all showing enthusiasm for something called the Cheryl Series.

Ayla, who hadn’t had Time to read such things while doing the homework and studying assigned by Director Schun, felt an inexplicable sense of alienation.

Meanwhile, Jenny, who had been running over from afar, joined the Party.

”Hi, Juniors.”

”You’re here, Senior?”

”Junior Joelle. Thank you for introducing me to a place like this. I don’t know if this will serve as a Reward, but...”

Rustle, rustle.

Jenny pulled a Book out of her Bag.

It was a new volume of the Cheryl Series that hadn’t been released yet.

”Would this do as a Reward?”

”Of course!”

Joelle rejoiced as if she could jump.

It was a sight that Director Schun would have lamented, saying that if the Kim Young-ran Act existed in this world, this would have been prime Newsworthy Material.

”Let’s head in, Senior.”

The Party, now joined by Jenny as well, stepped inside the Emergency Ward where Director Schun would be waiting.

A few hours after that.

”Senior! How was it? Doesn’t Director Schun seem just like Cheryl?”

”...Hmm. Do you Juniors find this amazing?”

”Huh? Don’t you find it amazing, Senior? The Saint guessed the illness in an instant. Someone on Saint Schun’s level would put up a good fight against Cheryl, wouldn’t he?”

”Hmm... Is it that great?”

While Director Schun was resting in the Lounge after treating a Patient.

Gwen spoke to Jenny.

”With this much, couldn’t you introduce him using Saint Schun as a model?”

To this, Jenny said to her Juniors.

”Ah, you Juniors might not know this well yet, but there’s an even more incredible Professor and Student.”

”...?”

”Compared to those people, Director Schun... Still, I think his Deduction Skill might be lacking...”

That single statement from Jenny.

From that single statement, Ayla could be certain.

”I cannot agree with that.”

That she would never be able to become close friends with Jenny.