PTSD Military Chaplain of the Academy

Satan. Ghosts. Evil spirits. Demons.

Or, devils.

“In human history, they have been called by countless names.”

Professor Antorelli’s body slowly crosses the platform. Sub-priest Sofia, holding a glowing orb, followed him. Thanks to her, the students couldn’t miss Professor Antorelli’s appearance.

Thud. Thud.

Was it because the classroom was dim? To the students, his footsteps sounded heavier than usual.

“Actually, ‘Satan’ is a name that refers to the leader of the evil spirits of hell… But regardless, this wicked being has a great many names. Therefore, here we cannot help but pose one question.”

Why does it have so many names?

The question of ‘why’ was the key to solving Professor Antorelli’s previous task, allowing the students to raise the question first. Naturally, they began to fall into deep contemplation.

To such students, Professor Antorelli spoke.

“Since the Lord created the world, everything that exists in this world has been called by numerous names.”

Since the light of the beginning was born, countless plants and animals have appeared and disappeared. They have been called by different names, and will continue to be.

“The existence of demons is no different; they have coexisted with humanity for such a long time. Here, we must ask yet another question.”

Those that have already disappeared into the past have been called by many names, yet their appearances have been hidden.

“Then, what does it mean that the many names by which demons were once called still remain…?”

The students gasped in realization. The answer to that question was the worst answer anyone could imagine.

“Demons have not yet disappeared…”

“Correct.”

Silence engulfed the students. Most of them had never thought deeply about demons, yet they all somewhat understood what the existence of demons implied.

“They have been rooted in this land for far too long. And still, they reside below in the dark and hot flames of hell.”

Demons still exist. In the land of their original sin, known as hell.

Gulp—.

The dry saliva slid down the students’ throats. The wickedness they could hardly imagine left them unable to breathe. Professor Antorelli continued speaking.

“Fortunately, for now, demons cannot rise to the surface and reveal themselves.”

The students tilted their heads in confusion. Demons cannot appear on the surface? Then how are the demons depicted in that painting drawn?

As if to resolve such questions, Professor Antorelli’s words immediately followed.

“However, for those who summon them directly or the saints recorded in the Bible, that is a different story.”

Demon summoners. The students naturally recalled the demon worshippers who supposedly existed long ago.

Witches, or cult groups, etc. Throughout human history, there have been many demon worshippers.

“Those who summon the demons are not limited to just demon worshippers.

The students’ expressions grew perplexed. If they are not demon worshippers, then are there crazy individuals who summon those demons?

Professor Antorelli continued.

“Those who have dreamed of long vengeance. Those who harbor impossible loves. Those who are greedy for wealth…. They whisper into the ears of every desperate soul in this world.”

Call upon me. Speak my name.

If you wish to sin, merely close your eyes, block your ears, and seal your lips.

Then, I shall grant your wish.

“…”

The students quietly closed their mouths. Some theology students grasped their rosaries in their hands.

“Their schemes are truly meticulous and audacious. They cling to the human heart’s desperate wishes, and enjoy posing as if they can be the savior who offers help; they are the most arrogant of beings in this world.”

The name of the savior is understood only under the Lord’s will.

But that is why demons dare to call themselves saviors, luring humans into temptation and testing their faith.

“Outcast from the heavenly courts, once long-time friends and family, angels pursuing them, and forsaken descendants who can’t even be loved by the Lord. That is the true nature of demons.”

Several students shuddered. The very fact that wicked demons exist would surely lead many students to lose sleep for some time.

As if to soothe such students, Priest Antorelli spoke again.

“Unless it is in a few extreme situations where someone summons them for their own gain, demons can no longer rise to the surface and reveal their true selves.”

If this is the case, students couldn’t help but find another question arise.

If demons cannot come to the surface, then this land should already be free from the demons’ grasp.

Why, in the first place, can demons not come to the surface?

Reading the students’ query, Priest Antorelli spoke.

“To be precise, it would be more accurate to say that they no longer come to the surface. They do not wish their vile true forms to be seen by humans on the surface.”

The students’ gazes turned towards the picture. A cow’s head, a chicken’s body, a serpent’s head, a lion’s head, a dog’s body… the ugly form mixed and blended with all kinds of beasts.

The students pondered. Could it be that they cannot come up due to their hideous appearances?

However, it didn’t seem that such wicked demons would shy away from appearing before people merely because of their appearances.

Professor Antorelli opened his mouth.

“As I mentioned in the last class, there is a passage in the Bible where Saint Peter uses divine power to cast demons into hell. Do you remember?”

The students nodded eagerly. It was the passage that detailed how Saint Peter defeated demons even before he was baptized.

“As a result of that incident, there is a passage that states that the disciples who followed Saint Peter began to have true faith in the Lord.”

Professor Antorelli turned the pages of the Bible again. His low voice filled the classroom.

“When Peter’s disciples prayed on their knees, truly vile Satan and demons revealed themselves; it was according to the Lord’s words. How could we doubt the Lord any longer? This is indeed the victory of the Lord in this world.”

“…No way.”

One theology student trembled his lips. He immediately closed his eyes tightly, grasped the rosary, and pressed his hands together at his chest.

“When they revealed themselves before Saint Peter and his disciples, the demons realized something.”

With a thud, Priest Antorelli set the closed Bible down and softly said.

“When they reveal themselves, humans will come to believe in the existence of the Lord.”

This sent chills down the spines of the students.

It was a wicked realization. The very reason they, as the embodiment of evil, no longer reveal their true forms on the surface is because humans do not doubt the existence of the Lord.

“Therefore, demons cannot directly come to the surface.”

The deep malice contained in the demons’ intentions. A few theology students who grasped this trembled their lips. Professor Antorelli’s explanation continued.

“Then, how do demons exert influence on the surface? With the worshippers of demons having vanished and the methods of summoning them thoroughly forgotten, how do their malicious hands defile the world?”

Finding answers to Professor Antorelli’s question was now a sacred duty bestowed upon the students in this classroom.

“For about five minutes, I would like to hear your opinions. Please raise your hand and speak freely. Ah, I will exclude the theology students. Only the students other than the theology students should raise their hands.”

As soon as Professor Antorelli granted permission, a few students raised their hands. He called on them in turn.

“Student Elin.”

“Yes. Well… I mean, um… there are still demon worshippers somewhere in the world?”

“No. Next student.”

“There’s a passage somewhere that leads to hell…”

“Next.”

“Demons have teleportation abilities…”

“……”

“…I’m sorry!”

Aside from Elin, all the opinions were of low quality. Instead of scolding such students, Professor Antorelli simply gazed at them silently.

As the students who had boldly raised their hands sank, the rest began to hesitate in providing answers. At this moment, Professor Antorelli inadvertently let out a sigh.

“May I speak?”

A confident girl with an impressive demeanor, Laura von Adelheit, raised her hand.

With an aloof expression, Laura looked at Priest Antorelli and, upon receiving his permission, began to speak.

“If demons cannot directly appear, then they could exert influence in human forms, couldn’t they?”

The theology students inhaled sharply. What Laura referred to was…

“…Possession.”

What is possession? It is when a wicked being, such as a demon, enters a human body tightly bound in evil to fulfill its purpose.

Professor Antorelli’s expression brightened slightly.

“That is correct. To be precise, they will exist in the form of parasites within human bodies. The theological term for that is possession, which is often referred to as being possessed by an evil spirit or a ghost in ordinary conversation.”

“Professor, what harm do demons inflict while hidden inside human bodies?”

A student raised their hand to ask. It was unusual for students who had only been taking notes until now to ask questions so boldly.

“That’s a good question. What effect does a demon have when entering the body of a possessed person?”

The students opened their notebooks. They had a hunch that this part would be the key content. Professor Antorelli continued.

“They are inherently negative beings. Thus, it can only bring great harm to the human body they inhabit, both mentally and physically. Moreover, once they enter a human body, their true forms remain hidden, so divine power cannot be used to expel them.”

As expected of the essence of evil, possessed individuals can expect to suffer tremendous pain if they cannot stop their parasitism.

“W-what should we do when demons enter our bodies?”

A timid-looking girl asked. Priest Antorelli held up a rosary shaped like a cross.

“At that time, a Grand Exorcism is performed, but that is a concept that is too difficult, so I will explain it in detail later.”

“Yes…”

Professor Antorelli glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. The hands of the clock were nearing 11:30, signaling the end of the class.

He slowly gathered the items on the teacher’s desk. The expressions of the students, who were also glancing at the clock, were filled with regret.

For the young students, who could not yet grasp the existence of demons, it felt like merely listening to a scary story.

Wanting to gently warn such students, Professor Antorelli opened his mouth.

“Before concluding the class, I can summarize this with one statement.”

Professor Antorelli paused. His destination was the drawing of the demons on the blackboard.

“Humanity’s age-old enemy.”

And as the students looked at that picture,

They felt a chilling fear suddenly traverse their bodies, causing them to tremble uncontrollably.

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