The flowers bloom.
Even if it cannot become a bouquet of flowers, it has brought forth four flowers, blooming on the examination paper.
Though small in size compared to wildflowers, unable to form a bouquet that can be held in one’s arms, and destined to ultimately vanish before our eyes, it is none other than a flower that does not truly exist.
That flower, intricately carved from the most beautiful gold in the world, bloomed before everyone’s eyes.
Even if it cannot be grasped with hands, cannot be touched to feel its texture, and has no fragrance…
‘…A proof of faith.’
What does it matter? It is a token that has passed through the process of proving, a fruit borne from realization.
The process of proving sincerity has now manifested as a proof of faith.
There were not many students who proved their faith, but those who had not yet blossomed were simply a little behind in the blooming season. Eventually, if they had enough time, they would be able to bloom the fourth flower at any point…
‘This is a test.’
Unfortunately for them, this was a test.
Once you have been tested, one cannot treat the one tested kindly. I was aware that this was a test, and I recognized that the results would differ because of it.
Regrettably, that’s what another kind of test entails.
Not everyone was able to bloom the fourth primordial flower, but even three of them softly illuminated the auditorium. If there is light before me and it can chase away the darkness, we can be satisfied with just that. Excess is not sufficient.
‘But… you will not be one of them.’
I slowly scanned the faces of those who had managed to bloom the fourth primordial flower. From Laura to Chloe, Elin, Owen, Vivian’s younger sister, and…
‘Professor Marcello.’
On the thick stem of the primordial flower that bloomed before him, a small branch emerged, revealing the fourth primordial flower. Professor Marcello stared blankly at it, his tightly closed lips trembling.
He had called forth reason, proven goodness, and displayed sincerity… and ultimately, Professor Marcello had learned how to show faith.
‘We are almost there.’
Indeed, if he could take just one more step forward, using the proven steps he had taken until now as a foothold, he would reach the final proving process.
And if he succeeded in reaching out for it, finally, if the last primordial flower bloomed…
‘If that happens, he would ultimately understand.’
How fixed the concepts had been in the theology exams conducted at Caldera Imperial Academy.
How “that” which arises from faith can best melt into the hearts of people.
If Professor Marcello completes the final proof, he will understand.
‘It is enough for me to teach the A-class students.’
Not just the A-class students, but other students as well. If they wish, I can bestow teachings upon them.
‘But you are not one of them, Professor Marcello.’
No, not just Professor Marcello but also other theology professors sitting next to him are the same.
They may listen to my teachings closely, but they will not engrave it in their hearts. No, it would be more accurate to say they cannot.
People grow more stubborn as they age, and the life experiences they have lived solidify and do not easily break.
First-year theology professors, excluding me. They are the same.
They may blindly trust the words of the Lord, but if I intend to simply provide teachings, they will reject it from within. It was unavoidable, however.
‘If you do not change, the students will not change.’
Yes. If they do not change, ultimately… the other students, excluding the A-class students that I teach, will not change their way of thinking for a lifetime.
What should have been shaped while the mind was malleable is left untouched, hardening instead.
And as long as I am appointed as a professor at Caldera Imperial Academy, I cannot bear to see that happen.
‘So, I must prove it.’
Professor Marcello. If you prove it, the students who hear your teachings will bloom before long.
The third, fourth flowers… and the last flower that follows after that.
‘What I will present this time is the proof of faith. That is…’
I gently closed my eyes. Beyond my darkened eyelids, hundreds of primordial flowers softly radiated light. I recalled Priest Matthew, who must be somewhere far away in the Holy Empire.
‘The proof of faith.’
To understand theology…
Prove your faith.
Professor Marcello’s gaze was fixed on the exam paper.
No, to be precise…
– Whoosh—!
He was watching as the fourth problem etched on the exam paper birthed a golden-hued fourth flower bud.
‘I have proven my faith…’
Professor Marcello trembled. An overwhelming emotion of joy flooded his being, which he found hard to shake off.
‘O Lord, our Father in heaven…! Are you watching?’
Professor Marcello looked up at the ceiling, not realizing it. All he could see was the dark gloom obscured by the auditorium ceiling, but it felt as if he could see beyond it.
‘I have proven my faith…!’
What exists beyond it is perhaps the azure expanse of the sky. Beyond that sky, there is a palace of glass glimmering in sunlight, that…
‘I have proven….’
Professor Marcello’s head drooped. The other theology professors sitting around him also melted into tears after reaching the fourth proof.
‘Ah…’
At that moment, he suddenly felt an unbearable comfort. His eyes softly shut.
As if cradled in the embrace of a mother. The warmth that enveloped him graciously. Professor Marcello felt a lingering satisfaction that seemed everlasting.
‘This is enough.’
He had summoned reason, proven the goodness within, displayed sincerity, and even awakened actions needed to prove faith. Is there anything more needed than this?
– Fizz. Fizz.
A sound like a strict reprimand echoed in Professor Marcello’s ears as letters appeared on the exam paper.
“Ah…!”
Professor Marcello quickly lowered his head. It was just a brief moment, yet he felt embarrassed by the arrogant thoughts he had for even that short time.
‘What was I thinking….’
The test was not over yet.
As proof of that, look. Professor Antorelli is still standing in front of the lectern, isn’t he?
Professor Marcello hastily scanned his surroundings. Just below the fourth problem, where there was now hardly any space left, the fifth problem was already etched.
‘Faith is something that is never sufficient, no matter how much you pour it.’
Thus, at a level beyond mere faith… based on the four problems he has walked through until now, he must reach a higher plane.
‘So, hurry and show it…!’
The last form seen when an individual’s faith reaches its end. The singular direction pointed to by all the problems solved until now. Something located at the end of that pathway.
Professor Marcello was firmly convinced he would be able to witness that in this fifth problem.
And so, the fifth problem came into view.
[ Stand firm. Let faith be strong. As a son who believes in the Lord, act with dignity and strength. ]
As he read the first sentence, Professor Marcello repeated it blankly.
‘Stand firm.’
To prove something that progresses beyond faith, you must first stand firm.
‘Let faith be strong.’
For faith to reach its end, it must be stronger than anything in this world. It must not even have a scratch when battered by tools made of iron and must not be broken even if someone lashes harshly, and it should be so strong it does not waver even against the whispers of Satan and demons.
And if he can achieve that.
‘As a son who believes in the Lord, act with dignity and strength….’
The three virtues, the trinity combined.
When they blend together in harmony, it is finally…
‘…Faith.’
Professor Marcello’s eyes widened.
‘The end beyond faith… is faith…!’
Right now, the feeling he experiences.
The deep emotion arising from within. This intangible presence that feels more abundant than anything else.
Can he dare to articulate it? Can it even be explained?
‘Everything I have solved until now… is solely to prove faith. Only faith…’
The action through which the faith revealed after the fourth flower. After proving that, where does a person head towards?
It was faith. In the end, a person must prove faith.
Why faith? What must be proven after proving faith?
“…Nothing.”
There is no need to prove anything. The path of faith is endless.
It can be distant, may become a thorny path, and is a colorless road whose destination is unknown… because it is faith.
Even if one wanders down that road endlessly, there is no need to prove anything beyond that.
‘Is the question, there is nothing more?’
As Professor Marcello was being enveloped in that realization, he suddenly realized that what he had read was simply the text of the problem.
The golden hue that seeped from the fourth flower settled on the exam paper, and the fifth problem had already revealed itself.
[ We are always tested. ]
Unlike the previously presented problems, this time it did not simply end with one sentence.
[ Nothing happens as one wishes, it is a continuous trial, and even knowing the way ahead is a thorny path, we must move forward anyway. ]
And so, it appeared clearly before Professor Marcello’s eyes and finally…
[ What is the most difficult thing for you? ]
The fifth problem was fully revealed.
Professor Marcello did not hesitate. No, he had nothing to contemplate.
His hand, which had trembled for a moment, soon clenched into a fist. The trembling had ceased.
Picking up the pen, Professor Marcello began to think.
‘Always being tested, having nothing go as planned, and being in a sequence of trials… that is the hardest thing.’
[ Stand firm. Let faith be strong. As a son who believes in the Lord, act with dignity and strength. ]
At the same time, it is ultimately something that must be advanced forward.
While bravely facing countless adversities and hardships, one must stand firm, maintain unwavering faith, and act with dignity and strength.
At the same time, this is also the way to prove faith, and that is…
“Ah, ah…”
Professor Marcello’s pen moved.
And there, below the fifth problem, in the space for the answer, a single letter was placed.
[ Life. ]
It is life.
‘Come, O Lord…! I beseech you, with all of Marcello’s life!’
The method of proving faith.
‘Until the day of judgment in heaven, I will pursue only faith…!’
– Whoosh—!
“Please, grant it…”
The fifth flower is the method of proving faith.
The last flower. Among the four flowers that have bloomed until now, the biggest, brightest, and most beautiful flower is…
‘Life.’
