Chapter 122
Chapter 122: The Meaning of Iris
***
I looked up at the sound and saw the graceful and elegant Sister Theresa, standing at the doorway of the stone building not far away, her azure eyes sweeping across the classroom for a moment.
"17... that's 3 more than the previous year, excellent~"
She seemed to be in a good mood, the corners of her mouth curved into a pleasant arc as she walked into the classroom with light steps.
"Wow— it's Sister Theresa..."
"The teacher for Abyss Studies is actually her..."
"So unexpected..."
"But why doesn't she teach Theology..."
The students began whispering to each other, and then I heard Sarah let out a soft cry beside me.
"Teacher Theresa—!"
Her clear voice was filled with delight. Seeing Theresa look over in surprise, Sarah excitedly waved her right hand at her.
"It's you two." After recognizing us, Theresa seemed surprised, probably not expecting us to appear here, but then she smiled warmly, "Miss Sarah, and... ah, that..."
She opened her mouth but couldn't remember my name.
So I said to her: "Peylo."
"I'm sorry." Theresa immediately apologized, pressing her palm against her smooth cheek and bowing her head slightly to me with embarrassment, "Miss Peylo, your name is a bit difficult for me to pronounce..."
I shook my head to show understanding: "It's alright."
She must meet all kinds of people every day, so it's perfectly normal not to remember the name of a student she's only met once.
"Teacher Theresa, are you here to teach us Abyss Studies?" a student asked excitedly.
"Yes." Theresa nodded at him.
"Why though?"
...That was quite a question to ask.
"Why..." Theresa found it somewhat amusing.
She raised the book 《Abyss and Mire》 she had been holding in her hand, teasingly turning her head toward the male student who asked: "Why can't I teach this?"
"Teacher Theresa has assisted the Pontifical Knights twice in slaying those monsters!" said a student who knew about it.
"Yes, yes! I know, Teacher's Holy Spear of Punishment can even pierce through iron blocks, so eliminating those monsters is naturally no problem!"
"Teacher~ I'm of the Water Order, can I become as strong as you?"
Theresa seemed rather helpless.
"Alright, alright, everyone quiet down, let me say a few words first." She clapped her hands, and after everyone fell silent, continued: "First of all, I'm very happy to meet you all. I believe that those of you who chose Abyss Studies must all have ideals in your hearts. From your eyes, I can see those lofty ambitions, and honestly, I'm gratified. In fact, most of the academy's past Pontifical Knights have also walked out of this classroom."
"Your taking this step to study this subject that most people consider 'useless' is remarkable, but I need to say something upfront. Although I haven't been teaching this course for very long, I have indeed had two experiences directly facing the Abyss, and I've witnessed their terror that reaches deep into the soul."
At this point, Sister Theresa paused and shifted her gaze toward Sarah and me.
"There are also some girls who chose Abyss Studies this year... If you're sitting here out of interest or curiosity, then I want to say, please continue to maintain that, and treat what I teach in the future as stories to listen to..."
"Teacher, I want to become a knight." Sarah interjected, "My father is a knight, and so is my grandfather."
"...Miss Sarah, do you understand a knight's responsibilities?"
"I do."
The girl's eyes were very determined. Seeing this, Theresa smiled gently.
"Very well, then I hope you'll listen carefully to what I'm about to say next and engrave it in your heart."
Theresa opened the first page of 《Abyss and Mire》 in her hand, holding the book above her head to let everyone see the black monster drawn on it.
The monster was emitting thick smoke all over its body, its face unclear, but one could vaguely observe it had a human-like form.
"Tell me, what is this?"
She asked, and immediately someone answered eagerly: "It's a monster from the Abyss!"
Then we saw Theresa gently shake her head.
"No, this is just a painting, it's dried ink."
She turned and walked up to the stone platform.
"Ink doesn't devour life, doesn't kill humans at will, and won't make those powerful heroes fight to the death. And I think, even the person who drew this picture, they probably don't know what the Abyss actually looks like either. Most of those who have truly seen them are already dead, turned to ash, not even bones remaining."
"When I become a Pontifical Knight, I'll definitely beat those monsters until they're running for their lives!"
Someone behind me made this childish boast, causing Theresa to let out an imperceptible chuckle.
She suddenly raised her hand, fumbling around in her wide nun's habit for a moment, then pulled out a gleaming golden badge with a pattern on it... huh? It's an iris...
"A Pontifical Knight badge!"
"Wow, this is my first time seeing one!"
"Teacher, can we touch it?"
The students immediately erupted, and Theresa had to raise her hand again to signal for quiet.
"Of course you can touch it, but this badge isn't mine. Its owner was a very close friend of mine, and you must have heard her name, she's called Amber Eye, Martina Rafael."
Amber Eye?
That name did sound familiar... ah, I remember.
That was when we were at Shanter Castle, Mother had mentioned her to me more than once. She was said to be a somewhat reckless yet earnest woman. But if I remember correctly, she's now already...
"That's right, she was a Pontifical Knight who died in battle during the Valen Disaster 2 years ago."
"She was a genius of the Earth Order, capable of making soft soil harder than rock. You all know she was powerful, but so what?"
When Theresa spoke these words, her expression was unusually calm.
But I detected from her slightly trembling pupils the emotions she had deeply buried in her heart.
No one spoke anymore, the atmosphere became heavy.
All I could hear was Theresa's voice, desolate like a clear spring in a secluded valley.
She continued: "The Abyss devoured her body along with the power she took pride in, leaving nothing behind. She grew up in the Cataloma orphanage since childhood, her relatives had long died in the chaos of war, and this badge is the only thing I received from her possessions."
Theresa raised her hand, pointing at the magnificent flower engraved on the badge.
"This is an iris, it's a symbol of heroes, as you all know, but do you know why it's an iris?"
No one answered, and Theresa continued on her own: "This flower represents that knight who once stood at the mountain peak, Iris Angelica Bosh."
"In the year 845 of the Common Era, when the first Destruction Abyss appeared in Cartergalin, no one knew what it was. That terrible monster took only half a month to raze all of Cartergalin to the ground. Even now, that place is still a dead land filled with rolling Abyssal mire. Hundreds of years have passed, and even the Church is helpless about it... But you all know who killed it, right?"
"Relying on her powerful Thunder-Fire Order, and borrowing the might of the Divine Relics 'Boswell' and 'Ancient Divine Oracle,' Angelica led 10,000 Church knights through many hardships before finally killing it. She was the first Pontifical Knight in history, the strongest warrior humanity had ever known at the time. And yet, in the end, she still died at the hands of an even stronger monster. So can you all understand?"
"The meaning of the iris is not what you imagine, heroic honor, bringing glory to your family and such. It is painted with blood, it is a memorial for those who have turned to ash, for the souls of those knights."