The Church Ultimate Edition

Verse 7 : Beneath the surface

Nine Months Later

The once green fields surrounding the Western Church Branch had now turned into a sea of golden hues as summer descended upon Vesperia. It had been a while since Daniel's training had begun, and he had grown as a combatant.

"You need to focus on your footing, Daniel," Bishop Michael said as he demonstrated a swift footwork maneuver. "It's vital for balance and control."

"Got it," Daniel replied.

"Concentration, Daniel," Bishop Michael said again, striking him with a cutlery shockwave that knocked Daniel to the ground.

"I'm trying," Daniel grumbled as he got up.

"Remember," Bishop Michael said, "it's not about sheer strength; it's about precision and focus. Let the cutlery flow through you. Let your body move on its own. Feel every movement—the blade is an extension of yourself. Fill it with your will."

Daniel took a deep breath, centering himself.

He swung his wooden sword with more finesse this time, following the Bishop's advice. Slowly, he began to see improvement in his technique—until the wooden blade shattered.

"Ugh... again?! This is the 174th one I've used," Daniel complained.

"Patience, my young Daniel," Bishop Michael said. "The path of mastery is long and arduous."

"But I'm so close! I just need a few more tries," Daniel protested.

"I can feel it."

"Close is not enough," the Bishop replied. "You must hone your skills until they become second nature—until they flow effortlessly."

---

Meanwhile, Holly's training with Sir Arthur had progressed impressively.

With her dual guns, Alpha and Omega—coated in Vesperian cutlery—Bang! Bang! rang out through the training grounds.

"Yes, yes! I knew you had it in you!" Sir Arthur shouted, as Holly just set a new record for the fastest completion of the Sharp Shooter Course: 2.47 minutes.

"Eeeee! Thank you, Sir Arthur!" Holly screamed, rushing over to him.

"That was great—you beat my score," a blue-haired girl said, walking into the room.

"Thanks... Ahh..." Holly said, realizing she didn't recognize her.

"Oh, sorry! My name's Chelsea. I'm a nun-in-training."

"That's cool. You can call me Holly... but my friends call me Holls... uhm, scratch that—no one calls me that," Holly said, smacking her forehead.

"Okay, Holls, I'm impressed!" Chelsea laughed. "You beat my score in only eight months. It took me two years to get that fast."

"I had a really good teacher right here," Holly said, pointing dramatically at Sir Arthur.

"Like we practiced," Holly whispered, as Arthur struck a ridiculously over-the-top heroic pose.

"I see you and Sir Arthur are really close... I'm kinda jealous," Chelsea said, a little shyly.

Ring ring.

Sir Arthur's earpiece buzzed.

Bishop Michael was calling.

"Arthur, it's time," Michael said on the other end.

"Holly, my girl, I have to take my leave," Arthur said, kneeling dramatically. "But as soon as I’m done, I’ll be back to check your progress."

"Okay... I'll miss you, Sir Arthur. Hurry back!" Holly said, trying not to pout.

"Sure thing! You, my student, will surely be missed!" he called back as he left.

---

Outside the building, Bishop Michael, Sir Arthur, and the Head Nun, Sister Agnes, assembled.

"Bishop Michael, I'm carrying out an extermination on Berwick. The town is infested with Nightwalkers, and for eight months, you've done nothing about it," Agnes said, her voice sharp with frustration.

"I'm strongly opposed to that decision," Michael said, arms folded. "There's something suspicious about why Zephyrus was in Berwick."

"And what exactly do you mean? If you knew that, you should have killed him—or better yet, dealt with this yourself, Bishop!" she snapped.

"You know better than anyone else why I didn’t kill him, Agnes," Michael said, sighing heavily. "And I've had my hands full the last couple of months."

"I can't cancel the extermination over a hunch you have. Those people have suffered long enough, and I won't sit here doing nothing knowing damn well I can help them!" Agnes shouted, her frustration boiling over.

"I won't allow you to go! It's a suicide mission, Agnes! You aren't going anywhere until I return—am I clear?!" Michael thundered.

Agnes turned and stormed away, silent but furious.

"The right decisions are always the hardest," Arthur said quietly, resting a hand on Michael’s shoulder.

"So, Mikey... what's this about us being summoned to a summit back at the Vatican?" Arthur asked, changing the subject.

"I'm not sure about the details, but Primus said it’s serious," Michael replied as the two men walked off.

---

Daniel, meanwhile, had noticed Sister Agnes’s frustration and stubbornness.

She seemed dead-set on carrying out the extermination mission, despite Bishop Michael's warnings.

Later that evening, Daniel walked into the gym for his evening workout and noticed two guys hanging out near the weights.

"Hey, you're Daniel, right? The rookie that keeps shattering his blades?" a dark-haired, muscular guy in a tank top and shorts said, reaching out to greet him.

"I'm Shawn, and the grouchy one over there is Damien," Shawn said as he and Daniel shook hands.

"Okay... so how long have you guys been here?" Daniel asked.

"I've been here four years, and Damien, six," Shawn replied.

"What's his deal? Why doesn't he talk?" Daniel asked, pointing toward Damien.

"Well, he's still learning how to use his words," Shawn joked—just as a milk carton flew across the room and smacked him in the head.

"....Ouch! Damien, use your words!" Shawn yelled, rubbing the spot.

"Words are wasted on idiots like you, Shawn," Damien muttered.

"Well, forget him," Shawn said with a laugh. "What's your rank, Daniel?"

"Rank? Oh... that. I don't think I have one yet. What about you guys?"

"Damien's a III-ranked Laity—he’s on his way to becoming a Deacon—and I'm a proud V-ranked Laity," Shawn said, grinning.

"I'm out," Damien said suddenly. "Phobia's on, and I'm not missing another episode."

He grabbed his things and left, leaving Daniel and Shawn behind.