As for the second ability Elise obtained, it was also her Strega ability. It could be described with just two words—yet it had a place across many worlds.
Purification.
A famed power in countless settings, this ability came with various interpretations.
In some works, it appeared as the power to eliminate evil, often associated with the divine. In others, it cleansed abnormal states and removed harmful effects.
Elise's version leaned more toward the latter.
Purification (Non-offensive. Can remove all abnormal statuses and harmful effects, bringing calm to the target.)
In a world overflowing with high-damage skills, an ability with no offensive power was dismissed by many as useless.
There was once an Orga Lux at Rewolf Black Institute called Tsuutensoku. Because it lacked offensive capability and only had the ability of "midair redirection," it was ultimately handed over to Jie Long, becoming Zhao Hufeng's weapon.
But Elise believed there were no inherently weak powers—only users who didn't know how to use them.
Upon gaining Purification, Elise had the sense that it might be more powerful than most would realize.
Time flew by, and several months passed.
During that time, Elise rigorously honed her use of Prana, continuously testing the potential of her Purification skill.
And she discovered—this skill was far from ordinary.
It didn't just cleanse the physical. It offered full-spectrum purification—even emotional disturbances could be soothed!
In multiple tests, it proved capable of purifying nearly everything. This gave Elise a host of new possibilities.
At that moment, Elise couldn't help recalling the golden orb again. Its story had been compelling, though Elise found herself unable to empathize.
What interested her more was the orb's "friend"—the purple orb that had been turned into an Orga Lux. Not many Orga Lux radiated violet light in the original story, but Elise knew of one that matched the golden orb's description quite well.
She was bound to meet it in the future. But that encounter—she would leave it for when the time came.
...
Floating City: Suijou Gakuen Toshi Rikka.
Commonly known as Asterisk—or the Hexagram.
Students walked the path to their academies, chatting and laughing, the air full of energy. Today marked the entrance ceremony for both high school and middle school students.
Normally, campus life would proceed quietly. But today was different—far noisier than usual.
Saint Galahadworth Academy was especially chaotic. Typically, the school known for its strict code would never be this loud, but today was an exception.
A high-profile new student was enrolling, and it had sent shockwaves throughout the entire floating city.
The Church's Saintess—Elise Holiness!
Countless students from Saint Galahadworth had gathered at the gates, and even students from other academies crowded the roads leading to the campus. All of them eager for a glimpse of the Saintess.
But did they really think Elise would let herself be mobbed so easily? The answer was obvious.
...
Saint Galahadworth Academy, Student Council.
"Never expected the great Saintess herself to pick our school. Don't you have anything to say about that, Ernest?"
Laetitia—the vice president and rank two student of the academy, also known as Gloriara—was reviewing Elise's profile as she spoke.
"Isn't it obvious, Laetitia? What's there to say?" replied the blond young man in the chair with a sigh. "Ever since the Church started collaborating with EP last year, I knew she'd end up here."
That man was none other than Ernest—the student council president, known as Pendragon.
He wielded Lei-Glems, one of the legendary Four-Colored Magic Swords, and his swordsmanship was second to none—hailed as the strongest swordsman among the current Six-Stars.
"What I didn't expect was how much of a stir her arrival would cause. Looks like our workload just went up," said Ernest.
"That's just how it is. After all, we're talking about the Saintess herself!" Laetitia smiled slightly, then emphasized, "And it's not our workload—it's your workload, Ernest."
"Sigh..." the student council president groaned.
"By the way, did you send her the stuff? If she's being blocked by that many people, she won't be able to enter the academy at all. And the commotion would just continue."
"I sent it ages ago," Laetitia glanced at the time. "Right about now, the Saintess should be entering through the side path."
"In that case, I'll leave it to you to greet her, Laetitia. She is the Church's Saintess—make sure all formalities are observed," Ernest reminded her. "If needed, I could go too... or maybe we should both go."
Given the Church's cooperation with EP, Elise essentially represented the entire Church. She held the authority to speak on its behalf.
But EP was different—it was made up of countless great families and nobles. A single heir couldn't hope to stand on equal footing with Elise.
"Leave it to me," Laetitia said as she walked behind Ernest, placing her hands lightly on his shoulders and pressing him back into the president's chair. "I've met Elise a few times before. We had quite a pleasant conversation—I'd even say we're friends."
"Just focus on your work here, President!"
Ernest had never interacted with Elise directly. Though rumors described the Saintess as a warm and gentle person who didn't care much for formalities, rumors were just that—rumors. He remained cautiously skeptical.
"Very well. I'll leave Holiness to you, Laetitia."
Since Laetitia had volunteered, Ernest had no reason to object. In fact, it was probably for the best. Having a "friend" welcome Elise was far more fitting than a formal reception by the student council.
...
"Everyone's certainly enthusiastic! But sorry, I'll have to disappoint you all."
Even a saintess was allowed to show a playful side once in a while—and Elise had just tricked everyone with ease.
Wearing the white uniform of Saint Galahadworth, Elise strolled alone through a shaded path lined with trees. This was a secret route the student council had provided, allowing her to bypass the crowds and enter the academy undetected.
"Hmm, the path goes this way next... Still, the scenery here really is beautiful." Elise crouched beside a flowerbed and gently stroked one of the blossoms, a warm smile blooming on her face.
"Isn't that right, Laetitia?"
Behind her stood a girl with golden curls, the vice president of the student council, who looked positively radiant with the joy of reunion.
"It's been a while, Elise!"
"Welcome to Saint Galahadworth Academy!"