The Celestial Maiden’s Young Master in Another World - Chapter 6

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 6. Debut Match
“So you see it the same way, Nagrim?”
“Yes, I do.”
“If your eyes tell you that, then we can say with near certainty that Lian is a Seer.”
Nagrim Hilorieven.
A prodigy of the ages who had risen to the rank of Archbishop in his youth through his transcendent Sacred Power and encyclopedic knowledge.
Of course, the position of Archbishop alone could not have been reached on genius alone. He possessed one thing more.
The eye to perceive others’ potential. That eye had a track record of countless instances where it had identified talented individuals before they received their Naming Ceremony or Baptism Ceremony.
This time, that eye had turned toward Lian.
Lian shone with a purity of power that surpassed any child Nagrim had ever encountered.
“You must have been troubled by all this fuss. Thank you for helping me so thoroughly.”
“Merely donning a common priest’s vestment hardly qualifies as an inconvenience, Cardinal. I am simply grateful to have been the first to identify the divine representative of the great God.”
“No, thanks to you I’ve gained certainty.”
“Do you believe a holy war will break out, senior?”
“Now that a Seer has appeared, it’s quite likely.”
Nagrim and Liliad’s connection stretched back to the days when they had worked together in the Heresy Inquisition—he as an inquisitor, she as an inspecting priest.
Even within the Church, the Heresy Inquisition handled particularly sensitive intelligence. Both had risen to rather high positions there, which was why they alone among the Church hierarchy harbored awareness of the Seer’s existence.
Liliad’s eyes grew quiet and still.
Five hundred years ago, or thereabouts.
The Demon Lord had coveted the world that Elysian had created. Leading demons, he had waged war upon the human realm, stealing countless lives—human and beast alike.
To counter the deluge of demons and guide humanity, God had sent forth a Seer, a rallying point and center of strength.
The Seer heard God’s word directly and led the people, and through the mysterious power granted by the divine, he defeated all the demons.
Unlike Saints, who heard God’s voice indirectly through dreams, a Seer was a being whose very appearance signified a profound connection to the divine.
“What is the probability that Cardinal Saber knows of the Seer’s existence?”
“Difficult to say. The Sacred Healing Ministry where he served had no authority to access such records, but given his imperial blood, we cannot rule out the possibility that he knows.”
“Do you both believe Cardinal Saber will become an obstacle?”
In response to Railaike’s question, both nodded silently.
“Whether he knows of the Seer or not, as Lian’s presence grows, Saber will increasingly move to obstruct us.”
“I agree with Liliad. His ambitions are far too vast.”
Cardinal Saber—uncle to the current Saint, and the man who manipulated him like a puppet.
Everyone whispered about it, but the current Saint had lost his connection to God.
And now, at this very moment, a Seer appeared to threaten the Saint’s position? There was no way Saber would sit idle.
“I believe it best to keep silent until the Seer’s mark becomes manifest. In the meantime, we should proceed with our preparations behind the scenes.”
Both Liliad and Railaike agreed with Nagrim’s assessment.
In any case, Lian’s safety was paramount.
***
Time flowed on.
Before long, the final day of my fifth year arrived. The Baptism Ceremony lay before me.
Unlike the Naming Ceremony that all those born in the Sacred Empire undergo, the Baptism Ceremony was restricted to prospective clergy.
Those capable of receiving the Baptism Ceremony at exactly five years old were, for the most part, those treading the elite path.
Born into clerical families, or blessed profoundly by Elysian from birth itself.
The Baptism Ceremony took place on the final day of the year, when all children born in the year five years prior were summoned for a public rite.
“Huaagh….”
“Oh my, Lian. Your yawn is adorable, but decorum demands you cover your mouth.”
“Yes, I understand. Mother.”
Born in the Sacred Empire of Elion and living as Lian Luderskc for five full years now.
By now, I had come to understand much about this place.
This fantasy world was far more absurd than I had anticipated.
‘Eli, is your wish coming true? You happy?’
—Totally happy! Lian’s having an idol debut for real!
‘Strictly speaking, it’s not really an idol debut.’
This nation supposedly devoted to serving God possessed a peculiar culture. Specifically: the extraordinary popularity of high-ranking clergy.
Certainly, clergy members who served the common people deserved popularity, but this went beyond all reasonable measure.
The Baptism Ceremony itself was conducted publicly where the entire nation could watch, their stories spread as gossip, and the Empire’s people consumed clerical competitions almost like a sport.
To the Empire’s citizens, everything the clergy did was entertainment.
Medieval fantasy though this world was, despite the existence of magic, the vast majority of ordinary people lived mundane lives tending farms or commerce.
The world itself, at its core, suffered from a shortage of thrilling diversions.
Elion’s clergy were heroes who protected the entire continent’s humanity from the threat of magical beasts and demons.
The exploits of these heroes provided a cathartic rush that delighted onlookers, and their periodic healing missions elevated their popularity to the heavens.
‘In the end, even back during my great-great-grandfather’s reign as emperor, the decision was made to formalize every activity and promotion procedure of the clergy into state spectacle. What madness.’
The purpose was to ignite the faith of the empire’s people and bring them joy. And it was a roaring success.
Among these events, the Baptism Ceremony was the official debut where people formally stepped into the public eye.
Those who garnered attention at this ceremony became imprinted in the public consciousness as “Rookies,” drawing ever-growing interest.
Popularity translated directly into personal wealth and honor, and naturally, the more striking one’s appearance, the greater the acclaim.
Compared to Earth, clergy here were entertainers, and popular clergy were top idols or A-list actors.
‘A Rookie was like a blockbuster rookie idol who made waves the moment they debuted?’
From the empire’s perspective, the Baptism Ceremony was akin to watching the first steps of the heroes who would protect them in years to come. Naturally, a culture of affection and support took root.
As public interest exploded, the empire could no longer ignore the popularity, and it eventually began to influence the clergy’s performance evaluations.
As a result.
The Grand Hall where today’s Baptism Ceremony—which I too would participate in—was being held was packed with spectators.
I turned my head slightly from where the ceremony was taking place and saw the gathered crowds.
‘People came all this way to watch this tedious event? What else could this be but fantasy-world idol culture?’
No matter how I thought about it, this world was absurd.
As a result, since early this morning on the day of the ceremony, I’d been subjected to every conceivable grooming and adornment—grueling beyond measure. It was far more than a five-year-old’s stamina could bear.
‘I’m exhausted. So tired.’
-Hey, our Lian is the best, the absolute best.
‘Anyone who heard that would call me spoiled.’
Still, I couldn’t blame Eli for her reaction.
My frame was lankier than an average five-year-old’s, and now, adorned like a peacock, I gleamed with an almost halo-like luminescence.
Platinum-blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight, eyes as blue as a mountain lake. Even I could see that my face was striking.
A pristine white silk Baptism Robe prepared for the ceremony, and atop my head, an intricate and beautiful patterned Lace Veil. And scattered across that veil, glittering powder.
‘They said it was ground Holy Stone.’
Whether it bore the attributes of Elysian, the deity of light, the Holy Stone gleamed with an iridescent radiance when struck by sunlight, shimmering with every hue of the spectrum.
Since Holy Stones exhausted of Sacred Power lost their luminescence and became mere pebbles, it was necessary to grind only those Holy Stones saturated with abundant Sacred Power.
The degree of radiance varied depending on the concentration of Sacred Power contained within.
Though my family had no need to worry about money, the fact that it was being scattered across my head felt somewhat….
‘Ugh, totally wasteful.’
-No way, it’s absolutely beautiful!
Beautiful it certainly was.
Since the clergy held integrity and righteousness as virtues and couldn’t be festooned with jewels, this method was what they’d chosen instead.
‘Isn’t this even more extravagant?’
As a result, I couldn’t cough or sneeze for fear of the powder scattering.
‘So inconvenient.’
-Beauty is always inconvenient.
‘I want to lie down.’
-True beauty requires physical discomfort!
‘Argh, seriously! Eli, are you teasing me?’
-Yep, I am.
Even after five years of living together, Eli remained utterly girlish. The way her cheeks flushed whenever she saw Father was exactly the same.
“Lian. You remember everything we studied about the Baptism Ceremony, yes?”
“Yes. I remember all of it.”
At my mother’s words from beside me, I straightened my posture.
The Baptism Ceremony was nothing special. We’d simply be gathered with children our age in the Grand Hall, lined up in order, and receive the baptism bestowed by the Holy Flame.
On Earth, baptism used water, but here it was fire. Other than that novelty, there was nothing particularly noteworthy.
I decided I’d simply manage my expression and zone out.
“Alright! We’re now beginning the Baptism Ceremony of Elysian Era 595!”
That was before one young-faced clergy member, newly promoted to archbishop, began the proceedings.
…?
‘What’s this sense of déjà vu?’
Why did this feel like when I’d appeared on a variety show back on Earth?
As the archbishop’s words continued, the image of what the Baptism Ceremony was supposed to be shattered completely.
“Now, I’m dying to know what kind of Rookies will shine at the Baptism Ceremony this time. Everyone, are you curious?!”
“”Yesss!!””
How many spectators were there, exactly?
“Let’s take a look at this year’s Baptism Ceremony candidates!”
Now I could see that a panel crafted from Sacred Power in mid-air was playing a recorded video.
‘They’re using Sacred Power for this…?’
These people—they’re taking the Baptism Ceremony seriously, far too seriously.
Brief clips of each child going about their daily lives passed across the screen.
“Mother. When were those recorded?”
There were videos of me that I had no memory of filming.
“Oho ho ho. The Baptism Ceremony typically has plenty of surprises in store. Just enjoy it.”
Hadn’t I said earlier that I knew a lot about this place?
No, actually. I still know very little about it.
“My, my face is up there…!”
“Oh no! I thought nobody would ever see that!”
The fortunate part was that the children around me reacted exactly the same way.
‘Thank goodness I only talked to Eli inside my head.’
-Right. You’d have looked like a frightening person talking to empty air.
‘When they taught us about the Baptism Ceremony, they only explained the procedure of receiving the baptism itself.’
-Deceived, Lian.
That was it. This was all a cunning plot by the adults!
The bewildered reactions of the children and their flustered expressions were being captured in real-time on the panels.
The moment my face appeared, I switched my expression with quick reflexes.
“Waaaaaah!”
‘This is what a professional does.’
-Oh, your old skills haven’t died yet, Lian.
With a decent face, extraordinary physical presence, and remarkable ability, I’d once been regarded as the broadcasting industry’s blue chip. This was child’s play.
Though I’d said to keep it brief, the sheer number of people gathered meant the introductions alone consumed considerable time.
Yet the late hour didn’t dampen the crowd’s fervor.
Buoyed by the audience’s eager cheers, the MC bishop’s excitement continued to climb.
“Well then! Shall we move on to the main event?”
The moment the bishop finished speaking, white sparks began popping into existence in the air above our heads.
“Wow…”
“It’s so pretty!”
Exclamations of wonder rose from the gathered children at the beautiful sight.
And I stood there, my brow slightly furrowed, gazing at the sparks.
‘They all look the same shape, but… their properties are different?’
-Oh! A spot-the-difference game?
‘Whether it’s spot-the-difference or find-the-odd-one-out, it seems to be some kind of game like that.’
The moment Eli and I picked up on the different properties of the sparks, we immediately understood the bishop’s intention. His explanation continued.
“Do you see the flames floating in the sky above your heads? These flames are Holy Flame.”
“But not all of them are real Holy Flame! Real Holy Flame and false Holy Flame created from Sacred Power are mixed together.”
“From now on, you must find the real Holy Flame among all these countless flames!”
The rules were straightforward.
Real Holy Flame: plus one point. False Holy Flame: minus two points.
Even if you collected two real Holy Flames, selecting a false one would render your entire haul worthless.
‘If you gathered only false Holy Flames, you’d score lower than a child who collected none at all.’
Within this simple game, I sensed the intent to evaluate multiple abilities—skill, judgment, strategy, and more.
‘Isn’t this a bit harsh for five-year-olds?’
-But children born with sensing ability wouldn’t find this particularly difficult, even if they’re not on Lian’s level.
‘How many children like that could there possibly be.’
All the children who would receive the Baptism Ceremony this year had gathered in the Grand Hall.
‘This is completely a survival game.’
While there was no actual elimination system, the structure itself was pure survival-game format.
And this was being broadcast live.
Perform well here and you’d rise swiftly as a Rookie, but if you stumble and get caught on camera?
It would likely leave a vivid impression that would dog your entire clerical career like a label.
Whether the children around me sensed what Lian felt, their faces had begun to harden imperceptibly.
Yes. This would be fierce.
I was moving to line up in the order assigned as we were guided when—
“Hey! You’re Lian, right?”
“I am. Who are you?”
Turning to the tap-tapping sensation beside me, I found a small child with bright brown hair.
‘For someone hoping to become a clergyman, that look in his eyes seems a little unruly.’
His gaze, sweeping from top to bottom, held a reckless quality.
“Huh, can’t you even recognize your own relative?”
“I just met you for the first time today. How would I know?”
“Huh, what?”
The small child responded as if dumbfounded.
No, we didn’t even exchange words before this. How would I know?
“Getting a little famous and already full of yourself, huh? Really, geez!”
What was this? Such a clichéd line.
Years of reading fantasy novels told me what was coming.
‘Could this be… a harbinger of the satisfying moment?’
-Ugh. Here we go again.
Every time I brought up anything related to fantasy, Eli gave me a similar reaction. This time too, I could see him shaking his head in disapproval.
As I stood there blankly, the little one launched into his introduction.
“Ahem, I’m Lumiel Ludersque. I’m your cousin. Just watch—I’ll rank higher than you today.”
“Sure, sure. Go for it.”
“Tch!”
I gave a half-hearted response, and he trembled indignantly before stomping his feet back to his seat.
A tiny, adorable villain, then.
Truth be told, he barely qualified as a villain. After all, what kind of villain is just a five-year-old kid?
Looking at him, he wasn’t the early-game extra villain cliché at all—something else entirely.
If I had to say…
‘The pushover cliché who gets dirt dug up on him and dragged around by the protagonist?’
Since he was family anyway, I might as well keep an eye on him.
I turned away from Lumiel as he retreated and looked out over the crowd gathered in the Grand Hall.
Roughly fifty to sixty people, I’d guess?
To participate in a Baptism Ceremony meant there would be this many future clergy members.
Only a handful of them would stand out from here.
Most would end up living ordinary lives, helping people from a small chapel in some village.
‘Really, it’s just like Earth’s idol industry.’
As I waited, small Cages were distributed one to each person.
Once I held the Cage, the MC bishop’s explanation began.
“Everyone should have received a Cage. This is a special Cage coated with converted Sacred Power through barrier properties.”
“You can collect Holy Flame in it! Now then, let us begin!”
The game had started.
For me, this was easier than drinking cold soup.
-Wow! There’s so much of that shimmering white flame here!
-It’s beautiful! Oh? Wait? Hey, they’re collecting it right now?
-Oh no! We found it first!
At least, until I saw the tiny beings chattering beside the Holy Flame.
Wait, what are those things?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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