**Chapter 125: The Elusive Truth**
As for why I have three abilities… After a few seconds of brain gymnastics, I think I finally figured it out.
“Dead Smoke” and “Black Fire” are abilities belonging to the Abyss, powers from that eerie, blue-hued body.
Now, the extra third ability? That’s probably the Frost Order of my current body… a power I’ve had since I was still human.
Seems like that makes sense.
But… why is it only me?
Why can I turn into a human? Why do I have three abilities? If it’s just like Sister Teresa said, and the Abyss is evolving… does that mean I’m some sort of “post-evolution” prototype?
I quickly dismissed that idea because one thing didn’t add up.
If that’s the case, the Abyss “evolved” a human body.
Then why does this body belong to a girl that already existed in this world? A girl who’s long gone? Does it mean the Abyss—or the “will” that created the Abyss—once saw me or Peilo and thought, “Hey, let’s make a copy of her years later…”
…Makes no sense.
Not only do I have the powers of the Frost Order, but I also retain memories from three years ago! Though so far, those memories are just a fragmented jigsaw puzzle, they clearly point to something much more significant, something humans don’t understand, and it probably relates to the deceased Peilo.
There’s something that transformed Peilo into the Abyss, into me… I lean towards that being the case.
Looks like to uncover the truth, I need to figure out what happened after I fell off that cliff. But…
The cliff’s location has been obliterated. I thought Edward would know something, but turns out he’s just a complete buffoon, completely oblivious to being used while dreaming about his emperor fantasies. And the only one who could have known something, Valar, was already gone before I could even ask him anything.
I’m grasping at straws here, and I don’t even know where to start. Those church stories? Totally unbelievable! The only thing that comes to mind is confronting the Abyss again.
And then, talking to it.
So, while waiting for the Abyss to attack again, the only thing I can do is sift through some books and manuscripts to see if I can find a clue, but…
I do have a question I want to ask.
“Alright, that’ll be all for today’s lesson. Next time, I’ll give you a detailed explanation of the abilities and behaviors of the Abysses… See you!”
Sister Teresa smiled and bowed to us, then quickly walked toward the door. Seeing her, I shot up in a hurry.
“Peilo, you just said…”
Sarah looked like she wanted to delve back into the topic we hadn’t finished, but my mind was already elsewhere, so I told her I needed to find the teacher. I noticed Sister Teresa had already stepped outside the Stone House, and I quickly grabbed my books and ran after her.
“Sister Teresa, wait for me!”
The sound echoed in the corridor of the Stone House, causing Sister Teresa to glance back. Upon seeing me, she playfully winked and flashed a charming smile.
Even though she’s in her thirties, she pulled off that cute girl demeanor without a hitch, which was strangely delightful and made my heart swoon a bit.
I was no exception to this; a bright smile spread across my face as I quickened my pace to walk alongside her.
Inhaling the rich jasmine scent wafting from her, I gently spoke up.
“Teacher. I’d like to talk to you.”
“Sure, what about?” Sister Teresa replied. “If it’s about buff dudes, you’re definitely talking to the wrong person!”
Her teasing didn’t come off as annoying at all.
Just a tad embarrassing.
“Well… no, it’s not that! Back then, we were talking about… knights…”
“Okay, okay~ No need to explain, I know.”
Sister Teresa had that “I-get-it” look.
But what do you actually know? Never mind, it’s best to switch topics and get to the point.
“Teacher, may I ask… umm… that…”
The words hovered on my lips, suddenly hesitant. I wasn’t sure if my next question would infringe on someone’s privacy or cross some sacred line… After all, I didn’t understand faith, and I couldn’t exactly call Sister Teresa a friend.
I didn’t want her to dislike me.
Suddenly regretting my reckless approach, I nervously glanced up and saw Sister Teresa looking at me, her face full of confusion.
“What’s wrong? Stuttering… is it a topic that’s hard to bite your tongue over?”
“N-no…”
“Then what is it? Feel free to spill… oh, and let’s skip the buff dude talk; that’s really not my area of expertise.”
“Ugh, no! That’s not it!” I blurted out, no longer caring. “Teacher, I just want to ask you… because before, I heard that you were… well, the next Saint…”
As I said this, I sneaked another glance at her. Luckily, her expression hadn’t changed; she still wore that gentle demeanor. I felt a bit relieved and continued.
“So, I want to know. Have you seen a Deity?”
For a brief moment, Sister Teresa looked taken aback.
Just a fleeting second, but she suddenly wore a complex expression that seemed entirely uncharacteristic. In that instant, her bright blue eyes flashed with a myriad of emotions, one of which I could only read as sorrow.
Then, calm returned. That moment passed so quickly that I almost thought it was just my imagination.
Maybe it was just a trick of the mind.
She still had that lovely smile on her face, gently shaking her head at me.
“Me? I’m no Saint. The current Saint is Lady Margaret… she’s a really strong girl, someone I respect from the bottom of my heart.”
“But…”
“No buts.” Sister Teresa interrupted my attempt. “I can only say my training is far from enough; I didn’t become a Saint, so… I’ve never seen the Deity.”
“Oh… even you haven’t seen…”
“Yes.”
What to say?
A predictable answer, I suppose.
Even Sister Teresa, who holds such high esteem among the people, hasn’t seen a Deity…
Looks like I’ll have to wait until I see Angel again to ask him. That blondie probably knows—just depends on whether he’s willing to spill the beans.
Given his nature… it might not be that easy.
As I stepped out of the classroom, the twilight glow draped over us.
Two striking figures, one tall and one short, strolled along the flower-laden narrow path.
“Teacher…” I started, “Want to grab dinner together?”
“I’m heading back to Cataloma,” Sister Teresa replied, her hands clasped in front of her, softly stating, “A new shipment of supplies is arriving soon, all for the kids. I need to arrange for people to receive it, so… sorry!”
“That’s okay.”
New supplies… maybe there’ll be some lotus seed grass in there?
Thinking about it, I said, “Teacher. I’ll visit the orphanage next Rest Zone.”
“Looking for Aili? You’re welcome anytime!”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “But I also have something to discuss with you.”
“About me?”
“Yeah, there’s something I want to say.”
“Can’t it be said here?”
“Not really.”
I turned my gaze towards her puzzled eyes, seriously declaring, “It’s about the lotus seed grass and The Gate of Truth.”
This time, the shock on Sister Teresa’s face was impossible to hide.
