This bitch just ordered me killed. She's such a fake. And why? Because her God is different? How do you change the world with a worldview that narrow?
Adam couldn't believe what had just happened. He connected the dots fast and was sure the whole summoning was total bullshit. He kept his composure, mostly, but his glare kept slipping to Angelina.
He pressed a hand to his chest where the spear had come out. The phantom wound throbbed. Angelina again offered everyone a trip to a low-rank dungeon.
Elias and the others stepped forward, eager to put their innate skills to work. Adam stayed with the rest.
"Elias, Janna! Don't go in! Come back!" Mr. Smith's voice rang out, but the students heading for the dungeon didn't hear him.
At the edge of the crowd, he hovered, jaw tight, counting heads and coming up short.
Adam hadn't heard him before either. He'd been too excited.
Right, you're here too, Mr. Smith.
It felt weird having a real adult around, but Adam didn't dwell on it. He figured he could help Elias and the others. They were like him.
He rushed up and grabbed Elias's shoulder. "Hey, don't go in."
"Adam? What do you want?" Elias turned.
This time, Adam hadn't revealed his bloodline, so Elias treated him as usual.
"Those people aren't good. They're abductors," Adam said. "We should learn about this world and our skills before throwing ourselves into any combat."
Elias smiled and shook his head. "You didn't tell anyone your innate talent, right? It's probably common. It's fine, Adam. You'll be safe here, and I'll be safe in the dungeon. I've got the phoenix bloodline. I can't die. And, man, I can't wait to cast some fireballs."
He bounced on his heels, eyes bright and a little hungry, heat plain in his grin.
Did I really... think and look like him?
Elias smirked, voice low. "And you see that pope? She's a smoking beauty. I might get a chance to bang her. Can't wait for that day. Hehe."
Adam grimaced and watched Elias and the others step through the portal. A cold premonition crawled up his spine. He looked to the top of the dais, where the pope stood. Angelina's gaze seemed warm, but he didn't doubt she now saw him as a nuisance.
He focused on his checkpoint. Reset. Back to start.
[Chronos' Checkpoint has been activated.]
The world blurred.
And then the familiar voice rolled out. "Welcome, citizens of the other star—"
✦ ✧ ✦
Students who didn't want to head straight to the dungeon were given rooms in the Golden Star Church's parish. On the walk to the dorms, Adam passed nuns and priestesses in gold-star-marked clothes. They smiled and welcomed them to the Church.
The parish sprawled around a square cloister of white stone and clean lines. Banners trimmed in gold bore the star emblem.
Sunlight poured through high windows onto polished floors, laying warm bars over benches and prayer mats. Nuns and priestesses moved between chapels with baskets and books, murmuring prayers under their breath.
Knights in light mail crossed the courtyard in pairs. Helmets at their sides, they paused to touch the star and bow toward the sun. The main hall held rows of simple pews. Incense hung light in the air, and the altar burned with a steady golden flame. People lingered on the steps to soak up the heat on their faces, palms raised to the symbol of Ra.
Once alone in his room, Adam dropped onto the bed, face-first into the pillow.
This is bad. I'm gonna rot here. I need to escape.
He rolled onto his back and opened his status.
Checkpoint costs 100 mana. I've used it twice already, so I need to be careful. Mana seems to regenerate on its own. Good. I've got three shots today.
Feeling the spark come back, Adam stood and crossed to the door. He marked the room with a fresh checkpoint, pulled the handle, and stepped into the hall.
First checkpoint's gone. Good. I don't want to hear that bitch again.
He wandered the parish, testing how far he could go before someone stopped him. A man in golden robes blinked into the hall. A hood hid his head and face, casting his features into shadow. He blocked the way. A thin gold chain with a star hung at his throat, and leather gloves showed under wide sleeves.
"Are you lost?" he asked.
"No. Thank you," Adam said.
The man clicked his tongue and sighed. "That's why I hate this job. Listen, you can't wander around here. Tell me what you want, and I'll help."
It's not like I can't tell you I want to leave this shithole... wait. I can.
Adam beamed. "All you believers of Ra stink, so I want to leave this place right now."
The man moved before Adam could react. Fingers clamped across his cheeks and jaw, thumbs digging under his eyes.
Something in his nose crunched. A hot flash burst behind his eyes. His knees sagged as air narrowed to a thread.
Through those fingers, he caught the glint of fever-bright eyes. The pupils were pinpricks. The man wasn't in control.
[Chronos' Checkpoint has been activated.]
Back in his room, Adam covered his face. The phantom ache throbbed along his cheekbones. He drew slow, heavy breaths.
...All these people are... fucking crazy. I need to confirm if the same man is watching me.
With pain still ringing in his head, he left the room and took a different route. Leaving the dorms, he passed an unfamiliar wing. The man in golden robes and hood appeared before him once more.
"Are you lost?" he asked.
"Believers of Ra stink as fuck."
Bang. The man's hand snapped up and closed on Adam's face. Thumbs pinned his cheekbones. Teeth clicked. White heat blanked the hall.
After confirming that the same man watched over him, Adam had no options left. He needed to recover his mana. An hour later, they called him to dinner. His classmates and Mr. Smith waited outside the dorms; they headed straight there. Elias and the other dungeon-goers hadn't returned yet, which clearly worried Mr. Smith.
Adam ate a bowl of Sunblessed Starbroth, the Church's golden soup of barley and sunroot in a saffron-bright stock, scented with starflower and a light licorice note. It tasted clean and slightly sweet at first, then left a slow pepper warmth that made his lips tingle.
He noticed his mana regenerating faster.
I see... I just need to eat more. Maybe I won't get fat. Maybe I'll turn it all into mana regen.
"How's everyone?" Mr. Smith asked.
No one answered.
Most had normal or uncommon talents. None of them wanted to risk combat; morale was shot. Going home was impossible, so the gloom made sense.
Adam didn't say anything, either.
Before he realized it, night had already fallen. When it was dark and cold, no nun, knight, or priest dared to walk outside. It was eerie, like everyone had evaporated. He looked out of his window at a full moon. It was strangely beautiful to him.
Then a woman's voice spoke from the moon.
"What?" Adam blurted out.
Huh?
Huh?
✦ ✧ ✦