A Church's hierarchy instills absolute law inside everyone's brains, as long as they believe in it, which they must. If they go against those laws or seek retribution against the church's will, it will ultimately result in death.
But can that really be all there is to it? Is a clean death by a simple persecutor the only thing that awaits someone who shares different beliefs from the church's Hierarchy?
Can protestors really be dealt with by using simple and polite words? In a place ruled by vigorous moral dilemma, well, that's something Alex hasn't been able to experience yet, even as a second-degree noble, where they receive special treatment.
But not once, never has Alex ever trusted in this rigid belief, because he doesn't really believe anything, not after that one event that happened when he was a young kid, a young aristocrat failure.
"We shall," Alex responded, smiling gently, "After you, ladies."
They were completely in the clear; none of her guards were around.
The cathedral district was different than any other.
Wide white stone roads stretched outward in perfect symmetry, leading toward a towering structure that dominated the skyline. Pilgrims, priests, and some extras quietly moved along the massive plaza, their voices hushed as if the building itself demanded such silence.
Cassie and Rachel stepped inside, and Alex followed in from behind, with a curious expression.
"Why do I feel like you're hesitating?" Victor asked. The voice came from within.
Alex stopped walking for a second, "I'm not, but I've never trusted this rigid hierarchy."
This beautiful cathedral rose high into the clouds, its spires piercing the clouds like spears of marble and gold. Enormous stained-glass windows shimmered with divine figures of every animal deity, reflecting sunlight across the vast courtyard.
Stone statues of those deities lined the steps, silently watching over everyone who approached.
"But for now, it's time we sign up."
As all three of them entered through the massive doors, the loud noise of the city disappeared completely.
The interior was simple but vast. A long, straight stone path stretched forward from the entrance, leading directly to a raised platform at the far end where the priests and acolytes stood. On both sides of the path were long rows of wooden benches where believers could sit and pray.
Towering pillars held up the high ceiling, and carved into the walls and columns were statues of every known deity, watching over the hall silently.
Alex looked around, 'I've never been to this cathedral yet, because aristocrats don't usually associate much in these parts.'
The stone figures of every deity line the cathedral from entrance to altar, giving the entire place a quiet, sacred presence.
Only a few people were scattered on both sides, along with three other figures who were clearly there to sign up for the academy trials.
Those three individuals were bowed down, eyes closed, and a sinister sneer ran across all their faces.
Both the acolytes and the priests wore identical clothing, full white robes along with small white sheets that covered their faces. Each of them had a golden crest implanted in the middle of their robes, no labelling, just a simple image of all deities sprawling out from every direction.
"Just wait for them," Rachel whispered, regarding the three individuals who bent over, "Once their sign-up is complete, we'll go forward, but be very quiet."
Loud but beautiful hums resounded around everyone's ears, as the alocytes continued to chant, the priest stood in front of them, looking down.
"No problem," Alex added, "But how long does it usually take?"
"Just five minutes," Cassie joined in, "And then it's our turn."
'So they must've come just before us, because it's already been about three of those five minutes.' Alex thought, adjusting his posture.
"Is absolutely anyone allowed to tryout, even individuals who hadn't awakened a mana core?" Alex asked, curious, because he was one of those.
"Yeah, but usually no one below C-Rank ever goes on trial, because there's never a chance for them, is what my older sister told me," Rachel responded, crossing her arms abruptly.
Alex didn't know much about the academy, but he knew about the cathedral itself. They bestow a blessing that automatically signs up everyone who attends the academy, organizing each candidate with ease.
"We're pretty early, explains why there aren't many people around." Cassie whispered, "The due date to sign up is in about two weeks, given that the trials begin on January 4th, a couple of days after the new year."
"Next!" Two guards yelled commandingly. They stood across from one another, watching closely as the priest finished his blessings. "Next up!"
"Let's go," Rachel looked behind her, "Time's wasting, I don't have that."
Those three figures stood up and started walking back the same way they came from, and that's when Alex noticed something.
"Damn you," he sneered, "Miro Crowe."
For some reason, Cassie didn't look surprised, not even after the incident that just took place.
'Wait, why…'
Alex's thought paused, Miro and his other two hooligans walked over towards Alex and his group maliciously, all three of them with sneers.
'Why…'
Miro and the two others now stood before Rachel, Alex, and Cassie.
Rachel stepped in, "Do you want something from us, Miro?"
"I see you still harbour those same feelings for a failure like him," he giggled quietly, "But let me introduce myself to this other girl over here."
Miro stared Cassie down, both of them looked at each other, and the look Cassie gave him was a stare of ease and calmness, as if she had never met him before.
'But I placed an effect! Why is my effect not working?!'
For some reason, [Absolute Obedience] wasn't functioning properly, or maybe the effects had gotten cancelled somehow. The thought of the ability itself failing wouldn't make any sense, because he used it properly, and the interface even showcased that.
"Hello, Cassie," Miro whispered, bringing his hand out, "My name's Miro, Miro Crowe, and I come from a first-degree aristocratic family. How are you?"
Then, Cassie looked up at Alex, "Is this a friend of yours?"
Victor remained silent.
Somehow, and someway, Cassie completely forgot about Miro, or what happened at that time.
'HOW HAS SHE FORGOT ABOUT HIS EXISTENCE?!'