Following the road to Maralto, a luxurious carriage advanced slowly, escorted by several guards in formation. Inside, the new, and future, Saint traveled, about to enter the Royal Academy of Noctis, where she would study alongside the elite and learn more about the world.
In truth, all this only happened because the previous Saint decided to retire: she grew tired of the life of a sacred symbol and chose to get married. The church then had to find a successor in a hurry. Since there wasn't another one ready, they chose a talented novice and sent her urgently to assume the title.
Fortunately (or unfortunately), the chosen one was already old enough for high school; so, after a final official presentation as Saint, she could finally go to school.
If it weren't for this turn of events, I would now be at peace in the church, training as a future priestess, without having to parade from city to city under curious stares.
— Having to be like this… all made up, with this perfect hairstyle and this suffocating dress… — I grumbled.
They put a mirror next to me just to ensure I was impeccable every time I stepped out of the carriage. Staring at my reflection, I realized how the church had made a point of molding me into an almost divine ideal, an exaggeration where I sometimes didn't even recognize myself.
— I may not understand why the previous Saint wanted to get married, but I understand why she wanted to retire… — I thought.
It's not that I don't like to help others or be respected, but being a Saint is far more exhausting than I imagined. I have to travel non-stop, smile at crowds, inspire hope… and, in the middle of it all, use my magic to heal and protect.
— Well, let's look on the bright side… this is the last city. After this, it's three years of school and the only worry will be studying! — I tried to cheer myself up.
— Please, Saint, avoid moving so much. If the dress wrinkles, the people might interpret it as carelessness. — my advisor said, seriously.
She was sitting beside me: impeccable posture, a severe look, and the formal robes of a high-ranking priestess.
— But this is so uncomfortable to wear… why does the Saint need to dress up so much? — I complained.
— It's quite the opposite, Saint. Before you were chosen, you simply didn't dress well enough. — she replied, without softening her tone.
— …
I couldn't argue much, as I really didn't care much about my appearance. My focus had always been on studying, becoming a good priestess, and serving the church. These trivial concerns never crossed my mind.
— I heard that many talented students will be entering the school this year. — I tried to make conversation.
— Without a doubt. This year seems to exceed expectations, with many talented children… but only if they can maintain their talent until the end. — she warned, in a serious manner. — The Academy is meritocratic, so many can't handle the pressure and give up. Others believe so much in their gifts that they stop practicing and end up being surpassed… Sometimes there are even attempts at crime.
— So that's how it is…
— As long as the Saint practices correctly, you will certainly be one of the most talented. — she affirmed confidently.
— I see… — I replied, feeling the weight of the expectations.
I still haven't gotten used to the idea of being the Saint. Deep down, I feel like a novice who should be training and helping in the church, not traveling as a walking symbol.
Sometimes I even feel like running away.
— We're arriving. Please, prepare yourself. — said the advisor.
Through the window, I saw the last city of the journey: a port where various races, mainly aquatic and human, lived together.
— Let's just get this over with. — I murmured, taking a deep breath.
A few minutes later, we stopped in front of a cathedral decorated with flowers for my presentation. Normally, I would walk to the center of the church, say a prayer with everyone, give a blessing, and return to the carriage. So, I tried to repeat this path exactly.
— Look, it's the Saint!
— So that's the new Saint? Her appearance is divine!
— Saint, give me your autograph!
— Hey, she's a Saint, she doesn't give autographs… Saint, give me a blessing!
I was already used to these strange calls after all I had been through, so I slowly stepped out of the carriage towards the cathedral, without reacting. In the center of the church, there was a circle of white flowers where I was supposed to pray. I didn't quite understand the symbolism of the flowers, but I followed the protocol I had been repeating since the first city.
I knelt down slowly, opened my arms, and positioned my hands as if offering something. After a moment of silence, I began to recite:
— Here, in this church, I come to ask—
— AAHH!
— EEEEEEEK!
I let out one of the biggest screams of my life; the shock made my blood pressure drop and my body tremble uncontrollably. I looked around for the source, but I didn't find anyone nearby, just the faithful, who were now watching me with expressions of astonishment.
— W-what w-was that? — I murmured, my hands shaking.
— Saint, what happened? Are you alright? — my advisor asked, visibly worried.
— D-Didn't you hear that scream?! — I insisted, dazed.
— A scream? I only heard yours. — she replied, confused.
— O-Only mine? — I felt my face burning; everyone was staring at me, and I felt even more embarrassed, although my heart was still racing from the fright.
— Saint, it must be travel fatigue. This is the last one, okay? — she tried to calm me down.
— Y-yes… as I w-was saying… — I stammered, and despite the stumbles, I finished the prayer, granted the blessing to everyone, and returned to the carriage.
Exhausted, I leaned against the window; sleep took me almost immediately.
— That voice… I must really be tired… — I thought.
That day, I didn't hear it again, so I let it go… without imagining that it would return.
Some time later, I'm locked in my room, sitting on the bed, hugging my knees so tightly that my nails are almost digging into my skin. My whole body is trembling non-stop; I feel a cold sweat running down the back of my neck, while my eyes scan every corner of the room, as if something might emerge from the shadows at any moment.
I don't know how long I've gone without sleeping properly, but my dark circles are getting worse every day.
— Saint, school starts soon! We have to go! Come out of that room! — I heard a voice from outside, firm, but worried.
— N-no! — my voice came out shaky and broken. — He's here… he's following me! H-he's watching me! — my eyes widened, fixed on nothing, as if the presence were right behind me.
— What are you talking about?! There's no one here but you and me! — the advisor insisted, almost pleading. — Liar! — I screamed, my voice failing. — So whose voice is this?! Who is l-laughing at me?! Is it a g-g-gh-ghost?! — tears were already starting to stream down my face.
— What voice? I don't hear anything! — she replied, confused.
— It's because I'm the target! He only talks to me! Call an exorcist now! — I begged, almost sobbing.
— But… you're the exorcist! — she exclaimed, not knowing what to do.
— Then bring someone better than me! — I yelled, my hands trembling uncontrollably as I cast my exorcism magic one more time.
The magic's light illuminated the room for an instant, but when it dissipated, the silence became even more oppressive. I don't know if it worked.
I've already lost count of how many times I've used this magic. I can't stop. Whenever I have enough magical energy, my body acts on impulse and casts it, as if it were the only barrier between me and that sound. At this point, my magic must be at an absurd level… maybe I'm already one of the best exorcists in the world, but none of it matters, because the whisper is still here.
— The only one who could be better is the Pope… — the advisor murmured, almost without hope.
— Then bring her! — I screamed, my voice hoarse and desperate. My hands still glowed faintly with remnants of the magic, but I could no longer distinguish if I was trembling from fear or exhaustion.
The following days dragged on as I refused to leave, keeping the curtains closed, and even the slightest noise made my heart race. I started sleeping while hugging my Bible, as if it were my last shield. The room became my cell, and even so, I feel like I'm not alone inside.
I don't go out. I don't dare. Not for a second.
[To be continued…]
[???]:
— When she finds out the truth… Won't she go crazy?