Chapter 5: The Swordsmanship Prodigy Saintess

Martial Arts Tournament (1)

1.

Lately, Sister Bertina had been in a very good mood.

Was it because a generous donation had come into the convent for the first time in a while?

No.

Was it because the flowers in the garden she was tending had finally bloomed?

No.

Was it because her stubborn belly fat had finally flattened out?

Still no.

It was because of a certain miraculous change in one of the girls under her care.

Elia.

Lazy.

Playful.

Always trying to weasel her way out of things.

Sleeping during prayer? Daily routine.

Zoning out during class or skipping entirely? Also common.

But that Elia now…

“Good morning, Sister!”

Morning prayer.

Elia greeted Bertina with a bright smile.

The same girl who always showed up last and sat in the back row was now the first one to arrive, taking a seat right up front.

The first time Bertina saw it, she genuinely wondered if the sun had risen in the west.

‘Elia? Are you alright? Are you sick or something?’

She’d even touched Elia’s forehead to check.

They say when someone changes overnight, it’s a sign of death…

But Elia had kept this up for over two weeks, acting like the very model of a devoted student.

Had some major shift happened in her heart?

She didn’t know, but it was definitely a good change.

Finally, Elia was taking the path of becoming a nun seriously.

Bertina was genuinely moved.

“Yes. Good morning, Elia.”

Bertina sat beside her.

“You’re here early again today?”

She spoke casually, trying not to sound overly excited.

“Yes, I woke up early and came to offer my prayers.”

Elia pressed her hands together and smiled bashfully.

What a lovely child!

Bertina felt an overwhelming sense of joy.

It felt like all her efforts — the scoldings, the encouragement — were finally bearing fruit.

Maybe now…

Maybe it was finally time to ask.

“You’ve been so admirable lately, Elia. But I have to ask, what brought on this sudden change?”

Elia scratched her cheek, as if a bit embarrassed.

“I had a dream.”

“A dream?”

“I was flying through a clear blue sky, swimming through clouds. And then… I heard a voice.”

Bertina leaned in, utterly intrigued.

“I instinctively knew it was the voice of the Divine.”

“Oh my…”

“The celestial being said to me: ‘My daughter, I look kindly upon you. Spread my voice. Be the wind of purification. Be the light of salvation.’”

“My heavens…”

Bertina clasped her hands like she was in the middle of a prayer.

“And then I woke up, and I offered a prayer from my bed. My chest felt so warm. I was filled with joy.”

Elia placed her hands over her chest and closed her eyes as if recalling the sensation.

“Since then, I’ve decided to devote myself to God with all my heart.”

She opened her eyes and smiled softly.

The morning sun poured in from the window, resting gently on her cheek.

In that moment, the sight of Elia was so beautiful that Bertina wanted to capture it in a painting.

___

I didn’t know I was this good at acting.

I’d been putting on the good girl performance for two weeks now, just to win over Sister Bertina — and the other nuns too.

Sure, it was a little cringey at times…

But if that’s the price to enter the martial arts tournament, I could endure it.

I modeled my behavior after the Saintess I remembered: polite, graceful, humble.

Even borrowed some of her old stories to move the sisters to tears.

Thanks to that, I had successfully reinvented my image in just two weeks.

I figured… it’s probably time to bring it up.

After finishing my theology class, I went looking for Sister Bertina and found her polishing silverware in the back hall.

I walked over beside her.

“Sister, let me help you.”

“Oh my, thank you.”

I picked up a silver plate and began wiping it squeakily with a dry cloth.

After I’d finished about four plates, I eased into the real conversation.

“Sister Bertina.”

“Yes?”

“There’s… something I’d like to ask.”

At the word ask, her eyes narrowed just slightly.

That look said it all: ‘Aha. So this was your angle after all.’

“What is it?”

“I’d like to go on a volunteer trip.”

“...Volunteer?”

She blinked in complete surprise, as if that was the last thing she expected me to say.

“Yes.”

I nodded earnestly.

“I heard there’s going to be a martial arts tournament in Breezera Town next month. That’s the kind of thing where people compete to see who’s strongest, right?”

“That’s right.”

I tilted my head and asked with a pure, childlike innocence, befitting my age.

“Then… won’t there be people who get hurt?”

I added a little worried expression for good measure, as though I was already pained just imagining it.

Apparently, my acting worked.

Sister Bertina gave a warm smile and asked kindly:

“You’re worried about them?”

“Yes…”

If I just said “I want to go,” I’d sound pushy.

I needed to be specific about what I could do.

Back in the military, the kinds of people I liked working with weren’t those who just argue about what can and can't be done—

But the ones who could clearly explain what they can do and how they can help.

“I may not be an official nun yet, so I can’t use healing magic… but I can still help the sisters from the side. Like carry things, hold hands, comfort people, even blow on their boo-boos and say ‘There, there!’”

I made sure to keep my tone playfully childish, showing that my desire to help was totally pure — without any ulterior motives whatsoever.

Sister Bertina looked at me intently with eyes like she was looking at a cute kitten.

“I can’t say yes right away. I’ll need to speak with the Mother Superior and get her approval.”

I knew that.

Which is why I added a little sparkle in my eyes, as if to say: ‘Please put in a good word for me.’

“I’ll bring it up with her.”

“Thank you so much!”

She patted my head gently.

“Just like I said this morning, Elia… You’ve grown into such a wonderful girl. Watching you earnestly walk the path of a nun has truly moved me.”

I smiled sweetly.

You don't have to be so moved.

It’s all just to get into a martial arts tournament.

__

The next day.

Sister Bertina told me that she’d spoken with the Mother Superior, and I’d been granted permission.

“Really? Thank you so much!”

I screamed inwardly in triumph.

First hurdle, cleared.

Technically, I could drop the “good girl” act now that my goal was secured… but I decided to keep it up until the tournament was completely over.

People change their minds. I couldn’t risk that.

“The Mother Superior agreed and gave you special permission this time because she could see how kind and sincere you’ve been lately, Elia. So you’ll keep being this good, right?”

Oof. That one hit a little hard.

“Of course~”

I glossed over it with a practiced, innocent smile.

*

3.

The carriage rattled.

The ride was uncomfortable.

The road was bumpy, and the cushion was basically a brick.

Still, Elia, who was looking out the window, seemed to be in a good mood.

No, she actually was.

Her heart was racing.

Because she would be arriving in Breezera Town soon.

“This is your first time going to Breezera Town, right?”

“Yes.”

Bertina sat beside her, striking up small talk.

There were four people in the carriage, including Elia.

Her guardian, Bertina.

And two additional girls from the convent, who were joining them.

Since the church in Breezera Town already had a full staff of healers, they initially said they didn’t need volunteers.

But the Mother Superior had earnestly asked, and in the end, four of them were allowed to come and help.

“Breezera Town is a truly beautiful place,”

Bertina began describing it to stir up the excitement of young girls on their first real trip.

The City of Wind — Breezera.

A place where the colorful winds of all four seasons converge.

Twelve towering windmills stood around the city like magic towers.

Historically, it was known as a resting stop for adventurers, but over time it had blossomed into a hub of tourism and festivals.

This martial arts tournament was part of the city’s summer celebration.

The carriage rolled across a green field.

Endless plains stretched out before them.

Eventually, in the distance, the windmills came into view.

It’s been a long time…

Looking at the windmills, Elia fell into reminiscence.

A long time ago, she had brought the Hero here.

They’d come to investigate reports of a demon showing up—

But the Hero had gotten completely distracted by the food stalls lined up on the street.

‘Master! Look at that! That meat is huge!’

‘Whoa… did you see that? He just swallowed a sword!’

‘Master! Stop drinking already!’

She chuckled softly at the memory.

Coming from him, that was rich.

He’d done whatever he pleased, but when she had a couple beers, he threw a fit about it.

It was five pints, not even that much.

They passed by the windmills, and people began to appear in earnest.

Picnickers enjoying the breeze near the windmills.

Other carriages heading into town like Elia and her group.

The crowds were already bustling.

They entered the city.

““Wooow!””

The other girls gasped, eyes wide as saucers, staring out the window.

Their first festival.

Everything new and shiny.

Elia also joined in, gasping in awe right alongside them.

“Woooow~!”

That guy looks pretty strong?

Is he going to participate in the martial arts tournament too?

Hmm, a dual-wielding axe style? Interesting.

That’s a fun weapon to deal with.

Of course, her attention was on very different things.

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