A towering 50-ter statue stood proudly in the academy courtyard, its golden surface encrusted with gemstones, shining brilliantly under the sun. It was a symbol of holiness and compassion.
Eden tilted his head slightly, gazing up at the statue with satisfaction.
"Majestic, with just a hint of benevolence, showcasing the Savior's valor. Truly worthy of reverence..."
Indeed, the statue depicted none other than himself—Saint Eden.
Its full title was the "Emperor-Appointed Sole Savior, the Great and rciful Saint Eden."
Faith thrived on two essential pillars: a compelling image and ceremonial gravitas.
A vivid, awe-inspiring image etched itself into people's minds, while intricate rituals disciplined their thoughts and actions, eventually becoming instinctual.
Together, these elents cented belief.
This was why the Imperium built monuntal wonders, erected statues, and devised elaborate ceremonies—to fortify the correct faith and prevent minds from wandering toward the unthinkable.
More importantly, such practices preserved control.
Now that Urth had entered a stable period, spreading faith in the Emperor-Appointed Savior had beco a top priority.
Rallying behind the Emperor's banner was an unassailable claim to legitimacy.
If Eden didn't seize this moral high ground, others would—and with it, they'd feed him explosive rounds from above.
Thus, Eden ensured he held both righteousness and might, enabling Urth to thrive in the grim galaxy.
Yet, one delicate issue remained: balancing faith in the Emperor with faith in Eden as the Savior.
After nurous trials, Eden found a solution.
The Emperor's image would remain supre but abstract, devoid of specific form.
For example, atop Eden's statue was a radiant Holy Sun, symbolizing the Emperor.
The Emperor guided the Savior to his divine path, uniting their purpose yet maintaining distinction.
Across Urth, outside of churches and select areas, it was Eden's statues—not the Emperor's—that adorned the landscape.
According to the Ecclesiastical Codex, wherever Eden's statue appeared, the Holy Sun must accompany it, symbolizing their inseparable unity.
This dual-faith model addressed the complexities of faith propagation.
Of course, such a doctrine risked conflict with Terra's Ecclesiarchy and other Imperial cults.
But ideological clashes were inevitable. The Ecclesiarchy itself was riddled with schisms, often resolved through "physical debates" that left the opposing side... nonfunctional.
Ultimately, survival depended on cunning and strength.
Eden trusted Bishop Doni to handle these disputes, especially since the fiery old man seed eager to confront the Ecclesiarchal establishnt.
As the hovercar approached the statue, Eden was greeted by Baruch, the Loyalist Academy's vice-principal and son of Bayev.
Bayev, as principal, had devoted himself to internal administration after helping establish the academy. Day-to-day operations were left to Baruch.
Baruch stood respectfully, his deanor cautious.
"Governor, welco to the academy!"
Eden stepped out of the car, glancing at Baruch. The man's hairline had receded significantly since their last eting, a testant to his challenges.
Surveying the statue and surroundings, Eden nodded approvingly.
"Not bad. You've done well."
Eden's leadership philosophy was simple: praise liberally unless there were mistakes.
Baruch's face lit up with pride, and he gestured toward an academy sightseeing vehicle.
"Allow to show you around, Governor."
Eden's visit had no particular agenda; he simply wanted to inspect the academy's progress.
The Loyalist Academy's status had grown considerably, now serving as Urth's premier talent incubator.
Starting from childhood, it trained students to beco elites across various fields.
The academy occupied a fifth of the upper hive's land, an area equivalent to a massive city.
Considering the world's multi-layered architecture, the actual usable space rivaled that of a small nation.
While still expanding, the academy had already established its foundational structure.
Unlike its Imperial counterpart, Urth's Loyalist Academy was independent.
In the Imperium, such academies were under the Ecclesiarchy, adopting orphans and subjecting them to harsh training.
Urth's academy, however, accepted not only orphans but also the children of nobles, officials, and gifted individuals. It was a comprehensive educational hub—a planetary flagship institution.
Under the academy's banner operated dozens of specialized schools, hosting tens of millions of staff and students.
Prominent schools included:
Adeptus Astartes Academy
Army Academy
Navy Academy
Sisterhood Academy
Administrative Academy
chanicus Construction Academy
Biogenetics Academy
Psychic Network Programming Academy
Each school offered specialized training to produce targeted talent.
The academy consud roughly 10% of Urth's total resources, reflecting its significance.
It maintained strong ties with major institutions, often inviting top officials and leaders to teach.
Graduates were guaranteed placents in related organizations, eliminating the risk of unemploynt.
Exceptional students earned citizen status even before graduation, with the most gifted entering Urth's inner circle of power.
The academy's rigorous elimination system ensured only the best succeeded.
To minimize casualties, Eden implented a regulation capping training-related fatalities at 5%.
Dismissed students faced societal sha for wasting such a golden opportunity, with repercussions extending to their families.
As the sightseeing vehicle toured the expansive academy, Eden marveled at its scale.
"This could be the setting for a classic academy novel," he mused.
In such a story, the protagonist—an underdog brimming with talent—would pass the academy's trials, shock peers, and excel in tournants.
The grand finale would feature a grueling graduation assessnt in the lower hive, monitored by the elites.
Our protagonist would erge victorious, wowing spectators and securing a heroic future.
Eden chuckled at the thought.
After surveying key academy buildings, Eden requested to observe a class.
Soon, he arrived at a classroom where a Sister of Battle was teaching a lesson titled "Loyalty and Virtue."
(End of Chapter)
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