Chapter 125
Chapter 125: The Elusive Truth
***
As for why I possess three abilities... after a few seconds of thought, I figured it out.
"Death Smoke" and "Black Fire" these two are abilities belonging to the Abyss, the power of that cyan-colored, terrifying body.
As for the third one that appeared, it should be this body's Frost Order... a power I already had when I was still human.
This understanding shouldn't be wrong.
But... why only me?
Why am I the only one who can transform into a human? Why am I the only one who possesses three abilities? If it's just as Teacher Theresa said, that the Abyss is evolving... then does that mean I'm the so-called "evolved" new form?
This idea was immediately rejected as soon as it emerged, because one thing doesn't add up.
If that were really the case, that the Abyss "evolved" into a human body.
Then why would this body be a girl who originally existed in this world? And a girl who had already died? Could it be that the Abyss, or the "will" that created the Abyss, at some point in time saw me — or rather, saw Peylo — and then years later created the current me based on her appearance...
...That doesn't make sense.
Not only do I possess the ability of Frost Order, I even have memories from three years ago. Although up until now, the memories are still just fragmented pieces, it's enough to prove that there must be some more important connection that humans don't know about, and that connection must be related to the deceased Peylo.
"Something" turned Peylo into an Abyss, into the current me... I'm more inclined toward this fact.
It seems that to know the truth, I must first figure out what exactly happened after I fell off the cliff, but...
The location of the fall has already been destroyed. Edward, who I thought might know something, turned out to be a complete fool, being used by others without realizing it, immersed in his emperor dreams all day long. And the only one who might have known something, Valarr, died before I could ask him anything.
All the leads are broken, to the point where I don't even know where to begin investigating. The half-truths from the Church can't be trusted at all. The only thing I can think of is to face the Abyss again.
And then converse with them.
So until the next Abyss invasion, all I can do is look through books and manuscripts to see if I can find any clues, but...
There is a question I want to ask right now.
"Alright, that's all for this class. Next time, I'll give you a detailed explanation about the abilities and habits of the Abyss... See you all."
Theresa smiled at us and bowed, then quickly walked toward the door. Seeing this, I hurriedly stood up.
"Peylo, you just said..."
Sarah looked like she wanted to continue the topic we hadn't finished earlier, but my mind was no longer there. So I told her I had something to ask the teacher and to go back first. Seeing that Teacher Theresa had already walked out of the stone building, I quickly grabbed my books and ran after her.
"Teacher Theresa, wait for me!"
My clear, ringing call made Sister Theresa in the stone corridor glance back. Upon seeing it was me, she playfully blinked, then smiled beautifully.
Though she's a woman in her thirties, making such girlish expressions didn't seem unnatural at all. Instead, it was pleasing to the eye and made one naturally develop good feelings toward her.
I was no exception. A bright smile appeared on my face as I jogged to catch up with her, walking alongside her.
Breathing in the rich jasmine fragrance from her body, I spoke softly.
"Teacher, I want to... talk with you."
"Sure, about what?" Theresa said. "If you want to talk about manly men, you've got the wrong person."
Her slightly teasing joke didn't make me feel annoyed.
Just a bit embarrassed.
"Um... no, at that time, we were talking about... knights..."
"Alright, alright~ No need to explain, I know."
Teacher Theresa looked like she understood everything.
But what do you know... Forget it, I feel like the more I explain, the worse it gets. Let me change the topic and get to the main point.
"Teacher, may I ask... um... that..."
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I suddenly hesitated, not knowing how to say it. I wasn't sure if what I was about to ask would involve someone's privacy or perhaps touch upon some taboo... After all, I don't understand faith, and Teacher Theresa and I aren't exactly friends.
I don't want her to dislike me.
I suddenly felt a bit regretful about rushing over so impulsively without thinking it through... I quietly lifted my eyes and saw Theresa looking at me with a confused expression.
"What's wrong? Why are you stammering... Is it some difficult topic?"
"No..."
"Then what is it? Just say it, it's fine... Oh, but if it's about manly men, let's not. I'm not good at that."
"Oh, it's not that!" I got a bit annoyed and stopped caring, "Teacher, I just want to ask you... because I heard before that you were supposed to be the next Saint..."
At this point, I sneaked another glance at her and found that Teacher Theresa's expression hadn't changed at all, still maintaining that gentle appearance. Only then did I relax and continue.
"So, I want to ask you. Has the Saint... ever seen the gods?"
Theresa showed a moment of astonishment.
Just for an instant, she suddenly revealed a complex expression that was hard to describe, completely unlike any she would normally make. In that moment, many emotions flashed through those azure eyes, and among them, the only one I could understand was sorrow.
Then she returned to calm. This moment passed so quickly that I almost thought it was just an illusion.
Maybe it was just an illusion.
She remained the same as before, with a pleasant smile at the corners of her mouth, gently shaking her head at me.
"I'm hardly a Saint. The current Saint is Lady Margaret... She's a very strong girl, and someone I respect from the bottom of my heart."
"But..."
"There's no but." Theresa smiled and interrupted me. "I can only say that my devotion is still far from sufficient. I didn't become a Saint, so... I haven't seen the gods either."
"Oh... even you haven't seen them..."
"That's right."
What can I say?
An expected answer, I suppose.
Even Sister Theresa, who has such high prestige among the people, hasn't seen the gods...
Then I'll just have to wait until the next time I see Engel to ask him. That blonde definitely knows, it's just a matter of whether he's willing to tell me.
Given his personality... it probably won't be that easy.
After leaving the academic building, twilight light poured down from above.
Two tall and short beautiful figures strolled along a winding path lined with blooming flowers on both sides.
"Teacher..." I spoke up. "Want to have dinner together?"
"I need to go back to Cataloma," Theresa said with her hands clasped together, her voice gentle. "A new batch of supplies will arrive soon, all things for the children. I need to arrange people to receive them as soon as possible, so... sorry about that."
"It's okay."
New supplies... will there be guguo grass mixed in?
Thinking of this, I added: "Teacher, on my next day off, I'll go to the orphanage."
"Are you looking for Elle? You're welcome~"
"Mm-hmm." I nodded. "But I also have something to discuss with you."
"With me?"
"Yes, there are some things I want to say."
"Can't you say them here?"
"No."
I turned my gaze aside, looking into her somewhat puzzled eyes, and said seriously: "It's about guguo grass and The Gate of Truth."
This time, the astonishment on Theresa's face could no longer be concealed.