### Chapter 434: I Got It!
“Calamity?” Wales rested his chin in his hand. “I think I’ve heard of that before.”
“Well, hearing about it is even better. They say the physical manifestation of the calamity looks a lot like the divine being itself.”
“How do you know that?”
“I’m not sure. It’s just a rumor, after all. But it can’t be completely unfounded, can it?” Yuliya flashed a sly smile and tossed the question back to Wales.
After all, Wales belonged to a race with gods, and as the top student of the Theology Academy, he was bound to do some investigating.
Wales fell silent once again.
In just a few short rounds of dialogue, he had already gone quiet many times.
At first, he viewed everything Yuliya said through a debating lens.
But here’s the kicker: for a debate to work, one must fully understand the other’s point, and tell it from that perspective.
If you entirely disregard the other’s words and only ramble on about your own views, that’s not a debate; that’s just an argument.
So, Wales listened intently.
And then he was struck with deep shock.
What a bold notion of “humans can overcome the heavens”!
While he was stunned, he began to savor the idea, realizing that the logic behind this theory was entirely coherent, making it hard to find flaws.
Sure, he felt a bit stuck on the ultimate questions, but that’s unavoidable. Any doctrine has its issues. After all, it’s a theory; proving it completely is tough.
As for whether Yuliya was lying, Wales shook his head.
He had checked many things himself and had some understanding.
For instance, blessings and calamities.
All things considered, she certainly had a point.
“Junior Riya, what you just said might shake the very foundations of our Theology Academy…”
However, Yuliya continued to shake her head. “No, no, senior. You’ve fallen into a misunderstanding.”
“The theory of the divine and the notion of ‘humans can overcome the heavens’ are unified in opposition. They share many similarities; it’s just their views on the ‘divine being’ that differ. Both ultimate pursuits and their processes are consistent.”
“So, you can easily take what I just said as a supplement. Adding a new perspective and combining both might yield better results.”
“For example, if you want to gain power, you need rituals, faith, and blessings. So, wouldn’t it be simpler to make yourselves the object of worship and the bestower of blessings?”
Yuliya looked at Wales, then at the members behind him. “As for what to do specifically and how to achieve it, that’s your research topic now.”
Her words hit Wales like a bolt of lightning, opening the door to a new world.
Suddenly, it clicked for him, and he slapped his forehead. “I see! I see! Hahaha! I finally get it!”
The others watched Wales laughing like a maniac, unsure of what to do.
Someone hesitantly called out, “President, are you okay?”
“Did junior just say something stupid?”
“Shut up!” Wales abruptly scolded. “You’re also top students of the Theology Academy. Take a moment to digest everything junior just said. Think about it seriously.”
“Better write it down and read it a few times every day! You’ll definitely understand how I feel.”
“Huh?”
“What…”
Wales’s voice turned stern. “Got it?”
““Yes! Understood!””
“Uh? No…” Yuliya waved her hand frantically. “It’s really not necessary. I… I was just speaking off the cuff.”
It suddenly hit her that she might have gotten a bit carried away.
It was just that facing this topic sparked her interest, leading her to say more than she intended.
If they had been from any other church, it would have been like playing a piano to a cow, and it would have ended in curses.
“No, that wasn’t just random talk. Junior Riya…” As he started addressing her, Wales stopped mid-sentence. He turned to look at Inif, then at Kaise.
Suddenly, he slapped his forehead again and continued, “What Lady Riya just said is pure truth, tightly logical, based on sound reasoning, and in no way inferior to anything in the Theology Academy’s textbooks.”
Yuliya quickly interrupted, “Wait! What did you just call me?!”
“Lady Riya! Oh, don’t call me senior. I can’t handle that; just call me by name, or little Wales will do.”
“No, no, no… that’s not appropriate, senior, really not appropriate.”
“Lady Riya is too humble. You’re making me feel ashamed.”
Out of nowhere, one of the contemplative members of the study group suddenly looked up, as if having an epiphany. “So that’s how it is… Lady Riya, you’re simply incredible!”
Oh my goodness! Isn’t this just a bit over the top?
And hey, are you deliberately mocking me?
After this one, two more people had their realizations as well.
At this point, the rest didn’t care about anything else and started the chorus.
““Lady Riya!””
Yuliya: Oh no…
Inif and Kaise, who had been quietly observing Yuliya’s performance, exchanged glances and simultaneously gave her a thumbs up.
““Lady Riya is just too amazing!!!””
Kaise was not a human and hadn’t had much exposure to theology, and Inif was also indifferent about these matters.
So, they hadn’t actually understood much of the argument earlier, but that didn’t stop them from shouting their praises.
A simple closed study session managed to turn the entire group along with the president upside down.
Now that’s some serious skill.
Seeing the two prominent thumbs up beside her, Yuliya just sat down, leaning back.
Forget it! Whatever happens, happens!
“Lady Riya, if I may ask…”
Wales leaned in a bit. “You mentioned not using the divine but making oneself the object of faith. However, our race has strict rules against that, and it would be greatly disrespectful. So, I was wondering, could I switch that to you?”
“Huh? Don’t you think that would be disrespectful to me as well?”
“Would it?” Wales tilted his head. “Didn’t you say that, in your view, there’s no essential difference between humans and the divine?”
“I…”
I actually did say that.
So, whatever!
“Suit yourself; I won’t respond, anyway.”
“Thank you, Lady Riya.” Wales stepped back with a delighted look on his face.
“Lady Riya, me too, I want to join.”
“Lady Riya, so do I.”
“Lady Riya, I’m in too!”
Yuliya waved her hands dismissively. “Do as you please; I’m fine with whatever.”
“Yay!”
Suddenly, Wales leaned in again. “Oh, by the way, I just remembered—the original purpose was to invite you to join our study group, so think about it, Lady Riya.”
Yuliya finally recalled that her initial intention for coming here was to find a club to mingle in.
She looked around the club and at all the members.
Given how they were acting, she could probably just blend in freely now.
“Well then, I’ll join! I actually think the atmosphere of this study group is pretty great. What do you all think?”
Yuliya looked at Kaise and Inif.
“Wherever Lady Riya goes, I’ll go.”
“I’m easygoing.”
“Well, it’s settled then—let’s all join the closed study group!”
