There were two kinds of ranks within the Church.
The first was clerical staff.
As long as one devoutly believed in the Lord and held a defined duty within the Church, they could obtain this title. Most of them were ordinary priests without any Imprint.
They were required not only to complete tasks assigned by the Church, but also, at regular intervals, to assist exorcists in carrying out exorcism commissions.
In the current shortage of manpower, ordinary clergy facing evil spirits and demons were undeniably exposed to great danger. This was the primary reason why the casualty rate among clerical staff remained so high.
The second category was ordained clergy.
Within the Church, this group was known as the Seven Ranks of Ordination, corresponding to a priest's path of advancent. In the minds of most people, only ordained clergy were considered true mbers of the Church.
Beyond their authority to mobilize Church resources, ordained clergy were also respected in the secular world. Many governnt officials and wealthy elites hired them as consultants to help deal with supernatural incidents.
After receiving the token of his new status, Hall bowed deeply in excitent and then departed through a dedicated passage.
Roland's eyes were filled with envy.
Jolan, however, spoke calmly:
"Fa and profit are rely stumbling blocks on the path of cultivation. Only by holding fast to the Lord's faith can one reach Heaven."
Wouldn't going to Heaven an dying? Gideon couldn't help thinking in a very different direction.
"Theological cultivation can indeed extend one's lifespan to a certain extent," Jolan continued, as if answering implicitly, "but for the later stages, that amount of ti is far from sufficient."
He looked at the two before him.
"With every stage you advance, the amount of holy power required multiplies. Many reach death without ever accumulating enough to break through."
Roland nodded solemnly. "I will rember your teachings."
Gideon also traced a cross over his chest.
He had never liked drawing too much attention to himself. Keeping a low profile was safer—after all, the world's resources were limited, and resentnt often bred in those who failed. If such people happened to encounter you, you could easily beco their outlet for hatred.
"Your Grace," Roland asked hesitantly, "since theological cultivation is so difficult, has anyone truly reached the end—reaching Heaven and seeing the Lord?"
"The number of Holy Imprints does affect a priest's ultimate ceiling," Jolan said with a faint smile.
"But upon reaching the Spirit or Origin stages, there is still a chance to obtain new Imprints."
Both Gideon and Roland reacted instantly—one raising an eyebrow, the other lighting up with excitent.
"The cultivation of holy power," Jolan continued, "is the process of using Imprints to gradually build a bridge between the body and Heaven."
He extended his hand, and a vortex of holy power ford in his palm. The energy drifted upward, as though connected to sothing unseen.
"At the Spirit Bridge stage, a bridge forged entirely from holy power must be constructed—this is the road prepared for the soul body to ascend to Heaven."
He clenched his fist, and the vortex vanished.
"Because the human world cannot directly connect to Heaven, the path must pass through the Unknowable Space."
Gideon thought for a mont. "So this is a second chance."
"Correct," Jolan replied. "But not everyone chooses to take it."
"In that space, the Imprints carved into a priest's body are like beacons in the darkness. Before you find new Imprints, evil and madness may corrupt you first."
Roland recalled the nun from earlier and shuddered visibly.
"And upon reaching the Origin stage," Jolan went on, "one must condense a Sacred Heart. That will be the final opportunity to enter that place."
Gideon frowned.
Even without fully understanding every stage, he could tell how unimaginably difficult this path was. Otherwise, the Church would not be so desperately short of manpower.
"Of course," Jolan added, "if your luck is exceptional, you may not need so many Imprints."
Both Gideon and Roland listened intently.
"There is another kind of Imprint beyond the Holy Imprints," Jolan said, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
"This is only a legend—one I learned about in the Vatican archives."
According to the legend, after the Lord created the world, angels were appointed to govern Heaven, and believers were entrusted with managing the mortal realm. During this era, they all left traces of their power within the Unknowable Space—even the Lord Himself.
After countless ages, these traces were assimilated by that space and eventually ford Divine Imprints.
They were divided into three tiers: Primordial Spirit, Angel, and… God.
Compared to ordinary Imprints, Divine Imprints granted an absurd rate of holy power cultivation—so great that even possessing seven Holy Imprints could not compare.
Each tier of Divine Imprints contained only three Imprints in existence, but legend claid that even a single one was enough to cultivate all the way to the Origin stage.
Roland stood there with his mouth agape.
Gideon, however, frowned slightly.
Just a legend—yet recorded in such detail… he thought.
Given the Vatican's status within the Church, it was entirely possible that soone had truly obtained a Divine Imprint before.
Wait… Father Haggai.
Gideon suddenly recalled the Vatican priest. There had always been sothing distinctly off about him.
No… it wasn't Haggai.
Seeming to have guessed what Gideon was thinking, Jolan spoke up.
"We've investigated many tis, but no imprint traces were ever found."
The archbishop did not elaborate on what exactly had been examined. Gideon suspected this touched upon confidential matters of the Church.
"Your Grace, Archbishop Borha, thank you for your guidance. I've learned a great deal from witnessing today's proceedings," Roland said, bowing deeply.
Jolan nodded. "Go accompany Rich. He should be willing to see you now."
Roland looked confused, clearly not understanding the aning behind the archbishop's words.
Gideon, however, understood imdiately—this was a form of compensation, offered in return for Rich's injuries today.
Could this kid be soone's illegitimate son…?
He couldn't help but give Roland another glance.
After Roland left, Jolan turned his attention to Gideon.
"The selection for the Holy Clerical Order will begin in three months. At that ti, you will serve as team leader and guide the other holy officials."
Gideon froze.
"Th-that might not be appropriate."
"My abilities are limited, and I can be careless at tis. Soone more capable should take on such responsibility."
Jolan shot him a look. "There's no need to put on an act in front of ."
"If we're talking about caution, you'd rank near the top of the entire Church."
"When the ti cos, you'll lead as an instructor. Those theology students will be your responsibility."
Hearing his status was about to rise again, Gideon stood there stunned.
"You have concerns?" Jolan asked.
Of course!
You valuing this much is exactly what worries most!
Naturally, Gideon didn't say that aloud. Instead, he hesitated before replying carefully:
"I'm young and lack background. Being entrusted with such responsibility so suddenly may be hard for others to accept. I'm not making excuses…"
He wore a suitably "anxious" expression.
"If any of our fellow clergy were to misunderstand this and allow resentnt to fester, it might harm unity."
Jolan snorted.
"If soone lacks even that much judgnt, they don't belong in the Clerical Order."
He then patted Gideon on the shoulder.
"Your talent is obvious. By now, you should be able to sense those subtle energy traces, correct?"
Gideon opened his mouth, frantically searching for a response.
But Jolan continued before he could speak.
"There's no need to tell . A holy imprint is a cleric's most important secret—it should never be disclosed lightly."
"I only want you to understand this: among all imprint manifestations, ocular manifestation is the most highly regarded."
"It allows for extrely rapid early cultivation, enabling one to beco a pillar of the Church in a short ti."
His tone grew earnest.
"You know my style. I dislike empty formalities. Results speak for everything."
"I look forward to your performance in the Clerical Order."
"These cultists are becoming increasingly restless. Relying on myself alone is no longer enough."
Such words would have inspired unwavering loyalty in any other holy official.
But Gideon narrowed his eyes.
Given the Church's deep foundations, it was impossible for matters to truly spiral out of control.
Which ant—
He had once thought Jolan a radical man of action. Now he realized the archbishop was equally adept at winning hearts.
"Your Grace, I will do my utmost," Gideon said, bowing deeply.
Jolan nodded in satisfaction.
"Go submit your commission. There's nothing else worth watching today."
Gideon imdiately agreed.
"Oh, one more thing."
Jolan called out just as he had taken a few steps.
"Holy power is not easy to cultivate. Be more frugal in the future—make fewer holy artifacts."
"Only those who believe they have no hope of advancent waste holy power for fa and profit."
"If you need resources, you may draw directly from the Church. Otherwise, even four imprints won't sustain you."
Gideon nodded thoughtfully. "I'll rember your guidance."
Jolan waved him off.
---
On the way to the commission office, Gideon reflected:
So he thinks I possess four holy imprints.
That would explain why a Vatican archbishop personally invited .
But…
He scratched his chin.
He genuinely had no idea how many imprints he possessed.
From what he'd learned, imprints were like extensions of the body—one should be able to sense them with a single thought.
Yet aside from the system interface, he felt nothing at all.
Could my imprint be the interface itself?
He quickly dismissed the idea.
If that were the case, the Church would surely have records of sothing similar.
Then he rembered how rapidly he advanced.
Don't tell it's divine…
The thought was bold—too bold. With no evidence, he set it aside.
Perhaps I'll only know once I reach the corresponding stage.
Lost in thought, Gideon arrived at the commission office.
Flora had just returned from assisting with the awakening ceremony.
He completed the mission handover and reported the abnormalities in the forest involving the mountainfolk.
The female knight's involvent was omitted—after all, he'd claid a "trophy" himself.
"Thank you for your hard work, Professor Gideon," Flora said, returning his professor's insignia.
"The reward points for this commission have already been credited to your account."
Gideon accepted it with a smile.
If not for the "Demon Heart" he'd acquired, this job would have been a total loss.
As for what the points could buy—
He only knew that a bottle of five-year holy water cost three thousand points.
A "Danger-grade" commission earned two hundred.
Of course, such missions usually ca with generous private paynts.
But—
That penniless Jack didn't pay the Church a single cent!
Gideon forced a polite smile and resolved to screen clients carefully in the future.
"Oh, Professor Gideon," Flora suddenly said, "are you free lately? The theology academy may need your help with sothing."
"Just call Gideon," he replied gently. "What can I help with?"
"All right—Gideon."
Flora smiled, dimples appearing as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
It seed she had finally moved on from the incident.
"Archbishop Borha ntioned that you've reached the first ocular stage—Holy Sight."
"We've recently received a batch of evil spirits and monsters."
"As you know, many holy officials extract source energy from such creatures to convert into holy power."
"But doing so risks contamination. Only Holy Sight can locate those impurities and cleanse them."
"Otherwise, excessive extraction can corrupt the cleric as well."
"Unfortunately, few instructors at the academy specialize in this manifestation."
"So very few are capable of purifying contaminated sources…"
---
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