DOJL 14

Chapter 14

“Oh, right—Parvus, what’s your minor?”

“Me? I’m in the Spear Arts Department.”

As expected, Parvus was in the spear division.

But come to think of it, there was something odd about that.
Why did Parvus, unlike other people from the Kingdom of Ips who all majored in spear techniques, choose to major in firearms—a field almost no one touched?

“Then why didn’t you major in Spear Arts?”

“I did. In my first and second year, my major was Spear Arts and my minor was Political Science. But in my third year, the Firearms Division was founded, and I switched immediately. It was only possible for my class, though—starting from your year, you can’t change majors after enrolling.”

“So you’ve been shooting since then?”

“No. At first, I joined because I thought I had nothing more to learn in Spear Arts, but once I started, I realized firearms were an incredible weapon. That’s when I really got serious.”

He spoke with a faint smile that, strangely enough, carried a quiet sense of authority—and it reminded me all over again that he really was a prince.

“I’m sure of it. Within a few years, firearms will become the most powerful weapon. I intend to make them widespread in the Kingdom of Ips.”

“That’s such a prince-like statement.”

“What do you mean, Shua…?”

“I mean it sounds cool.”

After that, we continued chatting until the next class began.

“Lucy, did you decide on your minor yet?”

“I’m still thinking, but probably Economics. I wanted to minor in it even when I majored in Business.”

“Hmm… I’m still undecided.”

“Well, you didn’t even pick your major until after you entered the academy. You’ll figure it out—you’ll end up where you belong.”

Lucy had been patient with me back then, too, when I’d struggled to choose my major.

Even now, as I hesitated to pick a minor, she spoke kindly, making her warmth feel even more comforting.

“What about you, Haver? Have you decided?”

“Ah, yeah… I’m going for Business.”

“Then you two might end up taking classes together!”

“Yeah! Shua, you’ll decide soon too—I know it!”

Haver clenched his fist, smiling earnestly as he cheered me on.

While we talked, time flew by, and soon the afternoon classes began.

The afternoon session consisted of three hours—two for minors, and one for self-study.

‘For an academy, this place is way too relaxed.’

Before long, Instructor Riq entered the classroom and began handing out sheets of white paper.

“From now on, you’ll choose your minor. If you already have a department in mind, write it on the paper and hand it in. If you don’t, take a look at the list printed there and decide quickly.”

The sheet was filled with the names of many departments—but I didn’t even glance at the literary ones.

My brain simply wasn’t built for academics, so my eyes kept drifting toward the combat divisions.

“Shua, how about you? Found one yet?”

Haver leaned closer and whispered.

“Not yet… Maybe Archery?”

I glanced at his paper—it had the same black-ink writing as Lucy’s.

‘Yeah, Archery seems like the safest bet.’

“Did you decide?”

“Yeah. I’ll go with Archery. It’s kind of like shooting anyway…”

Once I submitted the form, there was no turning back.

From now until graduation, my minor was Archery.

“…I hope this is okay. Who else is in Archery? What if I’m just a nuisance?”

Lucy—now officially my best friend and emotional support—patted my shoulder like she always did.

“Don’t worry so much. You might actually be good at it, who knows?”

“Maybe… No, I shouldn’t get cocky.”

I started to smile but quickly shook my head.

Haver watched me, chin resting on his hand, as if something had just come to him.

“I think… Noah said he was applying to Archery too.”

“Noah? Who’s that? Are you close?”

“K-kind of…? But you’re way too close, Shua…”

I leaned in, curious, and Haver’s face instantly turned red.

‘Oh, right—he’s the shy type.’

“Sorry. So, who’s Noah?”

‘That name sounds like one of those typical romantic-fantasy male leads…’

“Can I tell you? He’s the second son of Count Dimode. His mother’s from the Kingdom of Ips, and his older sister’s majoring in Spear Arts. He and I got close through our Economics class.”

“Count Dimode, huh…”

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, and Lucy laughed.

“You look like you recognize the name, Shua?”

“Correct, Lucy.”

Count Dimode’s family didn’t appear in the original novel, but I did remember seeing the name among the old noble faction alongside the Four Dukedoms.

I just hadn’t memorized the children’s names yet.

“Count Dimode’s not famous for any achievements, so remembering all their kids’ names would be tough.”

“They’re part of the old noble faction, right?”

“Yeah.”

So I had seen them on that list.

“They’re also known as one of the most devoutly religious families among both the old and new noble factions.”

“Religious?”

In the Spes Empire, only one faith was officially recognized as the state religion.
If they were devout, that could only mean…

“Since the family was founded, not once have they stopped worshipping the god Marus. Some noble houses don’t even believe in any god, but Count Dimode’s family are said to be truly faithful.”

The God Marus.

“…A god, huh.”

As I made my way toward the Second Training Field, where the Archery Division practiced, my thoughts began to drift toward this so-called god and the Marus faith.

I’d been non-religious in my past life, and just like in most romance-fantasy worlds, I didn’t really believe in the gods here either.

Still, the Spes Empire—having been aided by the divine “dragons” during its founding—was far more religious than its neighbors.

The Church of Marus, the empire’s official faith, had several unique traits—
the most notable being the position of Grand Saintess.

Other nations didn’t have such a role, but the Spes Empire did.

Born with immense divine power, the Grand Saintess was treated as someone even more sacred than the Pope—and because of that divine energy, she lived far longer than ordinary people.

Each province had a temple, but only the Great Temple in the capital housed the Grand Saintess and the Ten Saintesses who served beneath her.

One Grand Saintess, and ten Saintesses below her. That was an unchanging law.

Whenever a Saintess died—whether by age or accident—a new one was born, always maintaining the number ten.

People called that phenomenon the Awakening of a Saintess.
Anyone who awakened such power was said to be blessed by God.

But if the Saintess came from a commoner background, all traces of her past life were erased.

Unlike nobles, who had too many public records and connections to hide, commoners often had few acquaintances—so once they entered the Great Temple, their old lives ended completely.

Even their names became top secret.

Once chosen, a Saintess’s original name ceased to exist the moment she entered the Great Temple.
The Grand Saintess would bestow a new name upon her, and from that moment on, she lived only as a Saintess.

‘Exactly ten at all times. Not more, not less. The god somehow knows—it’s honestly kind of creepy.’

Anyway, if Count Dimode’s family were such devout followers, I’d just chalk it up to eccentric piety.

And soon enough, I was standing in the Second Training Field—answering halfheartedly to one such eccentric believer beside me.

“Noah, then I guess your favorite subject is Theology?”

“Well, I did love it, but after taking Economics, I found I really enjoyed that too! Of course, I still study Theology diligently—Lord Marus is such a magnificent being!”

…Wow. I didn’t realize he was that devoted.

‘With that gray hair, he’s starting to look like a Saintess himself…’

“Lord Marus truly is gracious. Remember, He sent four dragons to aid the founding of the Spes Empire! Though, saying that in front of one of their descendants—you, Shua—feels a bit embarrassing, haha…”

When someone awakened as a Saintess, their hair turned completely white—usually within a month.

‘Wait a second… this guy isn’t just devout. He’s fanatic.’

“If I could gaze upon Lord Marus’s face even once, I could die happy! No—actually, someone as lowly as me would probably go blind just from seeing Him…”

“Uh-huh. Well, between you and me, I think me punching you might happen sooner than that…”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.”

‘He’s a Marus maniac. A total Marus-crazy.’

Noah kept rambling, oblivious to my unimpressed look.

Compared to him, the fangirling of maids like Sera seemed like child’s play.

Noah’s love for the god Marus was practically legendary.

“Now that I think about it, maybe I am leaning more toward Theology…”

“Noah! You’re up next!”

At the instructor’s call—Professor Tarium, who oversaw the Archery Division—Noah finally snapped out of his holy trance and stepped forward.

“This is just practice, so don’t worry if you miss.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll fire on your signal.”

“Shoot whenever you’re ready.”

Before the instructor even finished speaking, Noah’s arrow flew—
and struck dead center on the distant target.

Then another.
And another.
Three arrows, three perfect hits.

The instructor froze mid-sentence.
Every student waiting in formation.
Even the senior assistants collecting arrows on the far side.

Everyone just gawked, jaws hanging open.

I was surprised too—but not because of his skill.

‘Really? That’s impressive? Please. I’m from the land of Jumong’s descendants.’

“Ah, right. Next up—Shua Ner!”

“Yes, sir!”

Time to show them how a descendant of Jumong handles a bow!