Chapter 369: Dark Demon and the Origin of Easter (4k)
Metia sat next to Dark, squinting as she read a clearly fabricated news article in the corner of the newspaper.
She said earnestly, “What do you think about this news?”
Dark was not particularly concerned: “It’s a clever plan, but it’s a bad move.”
Metia: “Hmm?”
Dark continued, “Theories are shallow until one experiences them firsthand. It’s just a product of someone’s momentary excitement. But from the Big Princess’s standpoint, one could investigate who wanted to pass on this strategy to the Crown Prince. After all, even though this bad move is ineffective, it can still annoy people.”
Metia looked at him with added curiosity: “I didn’t expect you to have such insights in your first year. I wonder how the rumors about you got around.”
Dark felt slightly awkward: “I was young and ignorant.” Metia smiled and did not press further.
She turned her attention back to her plate, cutting the bacon into small pieces and chewing slowly.
After a while, she looked up again and said, “Easter is coming soon.”
Easter?
Isn’t today White Day?
Discussing Easter on White Day?
Professor, that’s quite a leap.
Dark thought to himself, but did not say it out loud: “This year, Easter seems to be on the same day as April Fools’ Day?”
Professor Metia said, “Fooling oneself is self-deception. Do you know the origins of Easter?”
Dark shook his head honestly: “No.”
In his previous life, Easter was a Christian holiday commemorating Jesus rising from the dead three days after being crucified.
Also known as the Resurrection of Christ, the Feast of the Resurrection, or the Easter Vigil in Catholicism.
But in this life, the origins of Easter were something he had never encountered.
Professor Metia only smiled: “I suggest you look it up yourself; it will leave a deeper impression.”
Then she picked up her tray and walked away!
…
Dark watched her retreating figure, surprised by its audacity.
Originally, even if Professor Metia had crossed over from White Day and casually mentioned Easter, there wouldn’t have been much of a problem.
After all, a senior woman like Professor Metia would likely deliberately ignore things like Valentine’s Day.
But her role as a prophet always cast a mysterious veil over her words.
Making one wonder if she was doing it intentionally.
…
“Easter? What does she really know? And why bring it up with me?”
Dark’s thoughts swirled, and he quickly finished his meal, hurrying out of the cafeteria.
Even though it was still early, he went straight to the classroom for his first class.
Today happened to be Wednesday, with two classes in the morning and none in the afternoon. There was also Professor Metia’s astronomy class in the evening—this might be why she was in the cafeteria.
Although Dark had brought chocolate bars in his backpack, he felt it inappropriate to give them out in the classroom, so he planned to wait until after class.
During the break between potion-making and summoning classes, students quietly discussed topics related to Valentine’s Day.
As the male student who received the most chocolates on Valentine’s Day, Dark naturally drew more attention and discussion.
However, he remained steadfast in his seat, causing both male and female students who expected a show to feel disappointed.
By the end of the morning, a couple did indeed form.
But it was rumored that those two from the Fool’s Academy were childhood friends!
Moreover, their homes were right next door to each other.
People who started ahead like that were simply enviable.
Students sighed and lamented, secretly hoping they could find a compatible partner in a few years.
“Ring ring!”
Amidst various thoughts, the bell rang for the second class of the morning.
Professor Shylph glanced at the clock, quickly assigned homework, and left the classroom.
Students began packing up their bags and leaving.
For them, every Wednesday afternoon was a mini-holiday, and the astronomy class in the evening was more about cultivating interest.
Now, they could rest properly after class.
Dark remembered Professor Metia’s words and prepared to go to the library to research information about Easter.
But when he packed his books and took his bag out of the drawer, he noticed that Diana and Rose were still sitting calmly in front of him.
Usually, Diana would already be holding her bag and waiting by the side.
A slight smile crept across Dark’s lips.
He wasn’t in a hurry and walked out of the classroom, taking two steps.
Seeing Diana’s posture was restless, he stepped back two steps.
Then he sat down again, smiling at the front.
Most of the people in the classroom either left or walked away, leaving only a few behind.
Dark’s gaze passed over Diana’s shoulder and saw Yudora Envi, who was sitting ahead looking somewhat nervous.
Yudora stood up, ears pricked, listening intently to any sounds from behind.
Last night, she had observed the stars and noticed a bright star, predicting good fortune for the day.
So, since morning, she had secretly paid attention to Dark.
Finally, she sensed good fortune was about to come.
“Is it… coming?”
Suddenly, she heard someone stand up at the back, making her even more excited.
…
Dark did indeed stand up, but he did not leave his seat.
Instead, he took out a chocolate gift box from his bag, raised his hand, leaned forward, and lowered the box slowly over Diana’s head.
Diana suddenly noticed something blocking the light above, so she looked up and saw the chocolate box.
Her eyes widened, and she quickly raised her hands, trying to catch the box!
“Whoosh!”
But the box rose slightly instead.
Her attempt missed!
In an instant, Diana’s eyes flashed with light: “Two consecutive slaps!”
“Slap!”
The sound echoed clearly in the empty classroom.
Dark had prepared in advance, so how could he be caught?
“Slap!”
Another three attempts missed.
“Hmph,” Diana finally puffed up her cheeks, displeased.
Dark hurriedly put the chocolate box down and handed it to her.
Diana closed her fingers tightly, grabbing it, her mouth curling up in a smile.
“Ha ha.”
Rose half-turned, covering her mouth and giggling.
Dark then took out her share and handed it over.
When their gazes met, Rose blushed, quickly snatched the chocolate, and turned back.
The two girls secretly made a V sign under the table.
Clearly, their purpose for staying in the classroom was achieved.
After sending the chocolates, Dark took out Yudora’s box, walked calmly to her desk, and placed it on the table, pushing it toward her.
When Yudora turned to look, he said, “Gratitude.”
…
Even though it was just gratitude, Yudora was already very moved.
She tilted her head to look at Dark, then quickly lowered it, reaching out to grab the chocolate box tightly.
Dark sighed inwardly, then withdrew his hand.
“I hope Yudora will focus more on her studies, especially astrology, after seeing the card. It’s crucial for her own growth.”
…
The remaining few in the classroom witnessed Dark’s actions but couldn’t sense any “scoundrel” vibes.
Only a chubby boy whispered in shock: “How scary, is this what they call the ‘Sea King’?”
Then he was nudged by his classmate, letting out a short cry.
…
After returning to his seat, Dark invited Diana and Rose: “Want to have lunch together?”
The two girls suppressed their urge to open the chocolate boxes immediately and stuffed them into their bags.
Diana seemed to come alive, laughing: “Let’s go, let’s go, my stomach is flat.”
Rose added, “They say there’s chestnut cake today, we’ll miss it if we’re late…”
The three of them walked towards the cafeteria as usual.
Walking through the ancient castle’s corridors, it felt like time was slipping away on both sides.
It felt like in an instant, it would become a memory.
…
After lunch, Dark bid farewell to the two and headed to Professor Lily’s office.
“Come in.”
Dark knocked and entered, seeing Professor Lily struggling with grading assignments.
He quickly placed the chocolate box on the table and said, “Professor Lily, I put the thing here.”
“Okay, um…”
Professor Lily suddenly looked up, seeing Dark half-exiting the office, and quickly called, “Dark, don’t go!”
“Bang!”
Dark decisively closed the door and silently wiped his sweat.
“Lucky I reacted fast, or I’d be done for today!”
He adjusted his backpack and walked toward the library.
Professor Lily clearly didn’t care about White Day at all, which suited her just fine.
…
At the library, Dark noticed that Senior Pandora was not at the counter, so he quickly registered his class and name, entering the library.
He would deliver the last chocolate bar when she came on duty.
Dark hadn’t forgotten his other purpose for coming to the library.
He found the area marked “festivals” on the library map and quickly walked over.
After spending the time equivalent to a cup of coffee, he finally found a book detailing Easter-related matters.
The bookshelves were filled with numerous books on customs, rituals, and heroes associated with Easter. Essentially, everything related to Easter could be found here.
Dark browsed for a while and eventually pulled out a book titled “Easter: Revelation.”
In this world where gods truly existed, the significance of each festival far exceeded ordinary imagination.
Whether it was Halloween, Christmas, or now Easter, they were all deeply meaningful.
Their origins were far more complex than what was commonly believed.
Dark leaned against the bookshelf and flipped through the pages carefully for a while before heading to the reading room to continue his research.
The author of “Easter: Revelation” was “The Church of the Saints,” suggesting it was likely a collaborative effort by their team. It was also possible that “The Church of the Saints” had suppressed the true author’s name.
Thus, the content was inclined toward “The Church of the Saints'” doctrine.
Just as they claimed that Christmas was the birth of the “Saint,” Easter was referred to as the “resurrection” of the “Saint.”
But unlike the story of Jesus’ resurrection, no one could ever nail the “Saint” to a cross!
That was impossible and forbidden.
The “Saint,” as one of the oldest deities described in “The Church of the Saints'” scriptures, was the first “person.” He was not allowed to “die.”
Since there was no “death,” there was no “resurrection.”
So, how did Easter come about?
Dark continued to flip through the pages.
The faint sound of pages turning echoed softly.
The “Saint” was the first person.
He was both “god” and “human.”
Before His arrival, there were no “people” in the world.
After His arrival, the world saw its first “person,” which was Him.
He was the beginning and source of all humans!
He had never “died” and still “exists.”
The so-called “resurrection” was not a return from death, but rather a concept of “resurrection.”
…
To protect humanity through the long river of time, the “Saint” had once “sacrificed.”
This was a significant point in the promotion of the “Saint.”
But He could not truly “sacrifice.”
So, He did not die but split into three parts.
This might be borrowing from the legend of “Laozi transforming into three purities.”
After the “sacrifice,” the “Saint” divided into three fetuses.
These three fetuses thrived under the guidance of fate, one becoming an unparalleled hero, another an omniscient sage, and the last a majestic emperor.
When these three avatars led humanity to glory and reached the pinnacle of their era,
the hero, the sage, and the emperor simultaneously arrived at the site of the “Saint’s” sacrifice.
In the midst of their gaze meeting, they suddenly regained their memories, exchanged smiles, and fused into one.
The “Saint,” who had disappeared for decades, thus “resurrected.”
…
And that day was Easter.
…
“Why do I always feel a strange sense of déjà vu?”
Dark closed the book, his expression peculiar.
“Did Professor Metia specifically ask me to find the origin of Easter because she wants to tell me that the seven-part魔王, if it exists, plans to fuse back together during the upcoming Easter? Is she treating it like the Diamond Seven Brothers?”
Dark tapped the desk with his pen, then immediately dismissed the thought.
“It’s impossible, I’m only in my first year!”
“Besides, there’s no news of any魔王 escaping from imprisonment.”
“And who knows if it’s really split into seven parts like Voldemort in Harry Potter.”
…
“What are you looking at?”
A sudden voice snapped Dark back to reality.
He instinctively turned his head and saw Senior Pandora leaning forward, hands clasped behind her back, smiling brightly at him.
