IHDOE Ch 34
[Teacher] "A method you know, Miss Stella?"
[Teacher] "If you have a good idea, please teach us!"
Satina drew a picture on the dirt ground with a twig as she explained.
[Stella] "What if we make flashcards? Like this—combining pictures with the letters instead of using plain text. What do you think?"
The teachers nodded in agreement.
[Teacher] "That's a fantastic idea! The illustrations will definitely catch the children's interest."
[Teacher] "I'm going to try this in my very next class! How did you come up with this? It's brilliant!"
[Stella] "Ah, I saw children being taught this way before."
[Teacher] "Ah... right! You mentioned working as a maid in a noble household, didn't you?"
Satina offered a smile without denying it. Strictly speaking, that place had been Korea—a country known as cram school heaven, but there was no need to elaborate.
The teacher pointed at a picture card.
[Teacher] "So, what letter is this?"
[Crowd] "'Wi'!"
[Teacher] "Right! Correct! Shall we end today's class here, then?"
Finishing her lesson, the teacher ran into a colleague stepping out of the room across the hall.
[Teacher] "Don't you feel the children are following along remarkably well lately?"
[Teacher] "It's all thanks to Miss Stella. Using those flashcards the way she taught us has boosted their focus tremendously!"
[Teacher] "It's so much better than forcing them to sit down and copy letters over and over. At this rate, the director will be thoroughly pleased."
[Teacher] "The next time I see Miss Stella, I must gift her some cookies."
The two teachers chatted as they walked down the hallway.
A third teacher, walking from the opposite direction, called out to them.
[Sophia] "Are both of your classes finished for the day?"
Wearing a modest dress with her hair neatly pinned in a bun, Sophia could be somewhat fastidious, but she was diligent and possessed impeccable manners.
[Teacher] "Yes. What about you, Miss Sophia?"
[Sophia] "I just finished as well. Which reminds me—how is the reading instruction going? I know you were worried about it."
The two teachers' faces brightened at her question.
[Teacher] "Ah, that's already taken care of!"
[Teacher] "The flashcards Miss Stella suggested were an absolute lifesaver!"
[Sophia] "Flashcards?"
[Teacher] "Ah, Miss Sophia, you must not know yet. You see..."
Eagerly, the two teachers explained the technique Satina had taught them.
[Teacher] "What do you think? Isn't it brilliant?"
Sophia narrowed her eyes slightly.
[Sophia] "Well, I'm not so sure. To me, it seems like nothing more than a cheap shortcut."
[Teacher] "Oh... really?"
[Sophia] "Yes. Wouldn't making them diligently copy letters be far better for their future? Those children will eventually have to sit at a desk and learn to study earnestly. We can't rely on gimmicks to teach them forever."
[Teacher] "Ah..."
Noticing her colleagues staring back with uncomfortable expressions, Sophia paused.
[Teacher] "Ah, well, yes! You might see it that way, Miss Sophia! Still, it might be best to keep such thoughts to yourself."
[Teacher] "Indeed. Miss Stella was only trying to help when she saw us struggling..."
[Teacher] "We just remembered something we need to attend to. We'll be going now."
With that, they hurried past Sophia to make a swift departure.
Left alone, Sophia clenched her fists.
If you work at an orphanage run by the temple, shouldn't you naturally possess a sense of duty and dedicate yourself to the children?
Yet here they were, foolishly gloating over discovering a single gimmick.
Everyone is being deceived by that woman's face.
When Satina first arrived at the orphanage, everyone spent the entire day gossiping about her.
[Teacher] "My goodness, I've never seen anyone so beautiful. How can someone's skin be so flawless?"
[Teacher] "They say she used to be a maid in a noble household. Maybe that's why her demeanor is so refined—she practically radiates elegance, doesn't she?"
[Teacher] "She's a bit reserved, but she works exceptionally hard."
Hardworking, my foot. She's just doing the exact same chores as everyone else. What's so diligent about that?
She isn't shy—she's playing coy and pretending to be noble. I bet she's mocking us on the inside!
According to temple doctrine, what mattered was inner character, not an exquisitely adorned exterior. Yet despite claiming to believe in God, they were all bewitched by that vixen's appearance, swooning like fools!
Fine, it doesn't matter. I already know they're all foolish and lack even a grain of true piety.
What could anyone expect from people who worked without a sense of calling?
Besides, Lord Serpens will recognize the truth.
Serpens Santorel. Who was he? Was he not the man who had attained the status of High Priest at a young age through unwavering faith and exceptional ability?
With pristine silver hair and green eyes, he exuded a holy, immaculate aura that seemed capable of cleansing all the world's evil with a single glance.
[Serpens] "Are you the one managing this chapel? It must be difficult to maintain it alone—you are quite impressive."
Sophia recalled his face as he had smiled at her. Unlike the mindless crowd, he possessed the sight to discern a person's true character.
Therefore, he would surely see through Stella, realizing how malicious and pretentious she truly was. Perhaps he would even cast her out, declaring that someone with such impure motives had no right to work at the orphanage.
Which was precisely why Sophia couldn't believe the sight unfolding beyond her window.
Stella? And... Lord Serpens?
Serpens approached Stella as she hung laundry alone. When she looked up, noticing his presence, he offered a warm smile and spoke to her.
A warm smile is nothing special. Lord Serpens is naturally kind to everyone.
Before long, Serpens began helping Stella gather the laundry.
Is that woman insane? How dare she make a busy man like him perform such menial labor?
Stella was cunning. When she waved her hands as if declining his help, Serpens only worked harder to assist her.
She's doing that on purpose, knowing Lord Serpens is too kind-hearted to leave her alone even if she refuses!
A fierce gust of wind blew, sending Stella's long hair fluttering. Finding it troublesome, she tied her long tresses back into a ponytail, exposing the slender white curve of her nape.
Sophia didn't miss the brief moment Serpens' gaze lingered on Stella's neck.
Ha! She's pulling out all the stops to seduce him!
Sophia trembled with fury. In her eyes, Stella was no different from a demon attempting to seduce and corrupt the High Priest.
I have to separate them first. Even if I demand that the director kick her out, he won't listen... What should I do?
As she pondered, a scheme crossed her mind.
Perfect—I'll have her teach that troublemaker! If she's saddled with that unruly brat, she'll run away in sheer terror! I'm the only one who can handle that monster anyway.
Heh, I really am brilliant. That way, I can pull her away from Lord Serpens and force her to leave the orphanage of her own accord.
[Stella] "So at the director's request, starting tomorrow. I'll be teaching the children instead of doing the laundry."
Helping her with her work, Serpens replied smoothly.
[Serpens] "Ah, I heard you made flashcards recently that proved immensely helpful in teaching the children. It seems the director heard about it as well."
[Stella] "Yes. Though I didn't realize you knew about it too, High Priest."
[Serpens] "I am interested in the children's progress. More than that, I was impressed the moment I heard about your method—teaching them effectively while keeping them engaged."
Satina appeared flustered and timid at his praise.
Serpens couldn't help but wonder what kind of life she had lived to be so visibly unaccustomed to—yet overjoyed by—such modest praise.
[Serpens] "You are remarkable, Miss Stella. Without you, the children wouldn't have learned to read so quickly."
[Stella] "That's..."
[Serpens] "I have rarely met anyone as clever as you."
Her cheeks flushed crimson at his heartfelt praise.
Listening to her softly murmur her gratitude, Serpens found himself smiling naturally.
[Serpens] "If you ever require assistance while teaching the children, please let me know. I will help you in any way I can."
[Stella] "You are always trying to help me, Lord Serpens."
[Serpens] "Yet you always refuse my assistance, Miss Stella."
[Stella] "I really am fine. I appreciate the offer. Are all priests this kind?"
[Serpens] "...Yes, of course."
Is that really true?
A faint doubt stirred in his heart. Even as a High Priest, he didn't follow just anyone around to offer aid.
No, that's not it. This woman is different.
She was more pitiful than others and far more devout. Therefore, as a servant of God, offering aid to a woman desperately seeking the divine was only natural.
Yes, that must be why.
What emotion could a servant of God harbor other than benevolence and compassion?
He fought to suppress the budding thoughts.
[Serpens] "Which reminds me... who is the child you'll be teaching?"
He shifted the topic hastily. He couldn't afford to dwell on this feeling. The moment he acknowledged it, he felt he would never be able to return to who he once was.
[Stella] "Ah, a child named Blin."
[Serpens] "Ah, that child..."
No wonder Serpens looked at me with such pitiful eyes that day.
Satina looked at the girl slouched before her with a defiant posture. She appeared to be around fifteen years old. Unkempt clothing and a bandage slapped over her cheek from some recent scuffle practically screamed "troublemaker."
[Blin] "What? Study? Why the hell should I do that?"
She could easily give up on this girl, of course, but...
Quest: Enroll Blin in the Imperial Academy.
Reward: Entry Pass to the Golden Room.
I must obtain that pass at all costs.
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