Magic Academy Bans Harem

Chapter 400 This World Needs Miriam

"how do you feel?"

When Eileen woke up again, it was a month later.

Eileen's mind was as murky and sticky as a quagmire, and she just stared blankly at the unfamiliar scene before her.

The nun who seemed to have been by her side all along was overjoyed when she realized that Eileen had woken up, and she went to the bedside and took Eileen's hand.

".Milliam."

"?"

Hearing the name following the nun's caring words, Eileen didn't quite react for a moment.

Even though Eileen and Miriam once looked very similar, that was only when they were very young. And they never mischievously played any games like switching identities. Therefore, under normal circumstances, Eileen would never believe that "Miriam" was calling her.

With difficulty, she turned her head to see if there was someone else lying on the other side of the hospital bed. Was that person, her closest and most important, who had been asleep like her all along?

However, the other end of the hospital bed was empty.

"Oh, are you worried about Eileen?"

The understanding nun clearly misunderstood what Eileen was looking for.

"Her words are a blessing in disguise. During the attack on the temple, she demonstrated the talent of a 'priest.' As a result, she was selected as a priest candidate and went to the church's 'monastery' to train priests."

The nun tried to speak with a kind smile, but a hint of worry still appeared on her face.

While it's true, as she said, that it would be a good thing for Eileen to become a priestess of the Holy King's Church, the fact that the church only made a few casual remarks before taking Eileen away without further explanation, and that she hasn't been able to see her since, inevitably raises suspicions.

"what?"

In a barely audible voice, Eileen said in disbelief.

If "Eileen" is taken away, she will become a priest candidate.

Then who is she herself?
Afterwards, Eileen didn't know whether her weakened state upon waking up was a blessing or a curse.

Because she lacked the strength to speak much, and her mental state was deemed unstable, the nun clearly didn't take what she said to heart, even though it sounded rather "strange."

Once her physical and mental condition stabilized, Eileen faced the reality that she seemed to have become "Miriam".

For a few days, Eileen even began to doubt whether there was something wrong with her.

She is actually Miriam, but due to some unknown reason, her memories and consciousness are confused, and she has some kind of illness that makes her mistakenly believe that she was once "Eileen".

After all, the "real Eileen" has already become a priestess candidate, and in a few years she may start touring the territory.

Or perhaps, for some reason, she and Miriam switched bodies. At this moment, Miriam's consciousness, inside her body, was equally confused and bewildered.

It wasn't until Eileen finally noticed that she had a pendant left behind by Miriam on her body.

Now, when the pendant is opened, only a miniature full moon flies out. But when Eileen first opened it, a message left by Miriam appeared inside.

Perhaps because text doesn't require "real-time" communication, the intermittent, halting quality of Miriam's voice that I experienced when I first met him in the Holy Land is no longer present.

In this final letter, Miriam first expressed his apologies to Irene at length. Then, in concise language, he explained to Irene how to use the "Miniature Moon." Finally, he wrote his request at the very end.

He didn't explicitly state the reason for Miriam's disappearance. He only said that whenever he appeared before others, he brought misfortune and destruction to everyone. Furthermore, he had some real things that needed to be investigated and things that truly needed to be done.

But because of his existence, "Mirion" cannot completely disappear.

Therefore, he hoped that Eileen could take his place and become Miriam in the future.

He believed that Eileen, who had been his soulmate since childhood and was like two sides of a mirror, could perfectly replace him and become the Miriam that everyone hoped for.

If Eileen fulfills his request well and doesn't reveal it to anyone, then one day they will be able to reunite.

At the end of the letter, Miriam reiterated this point.

"This world needs 'Miriam'—"

Within the ruins of the saintess.

After revealing all the secrets she had been holding in her heart, Eileen let out a long sigh of relief.

Does the world need Miriam?

After hearing the general outline of events from Eileen, Ritas repeated the phrase thoughtfully.

Others may not know the meaning of this statement, but Ritas and the goddess of the bath do.

If the "Star Pattern" game continues as it is, the person who will save the world in a few years will indeed be Miriam.

However, is the meaning of Miriam's words the same as their understanding?
If it weren't for the existence of "Estria", Ritas wouldn't believe that anyone could have a similar perspective on the world as the goddess of the bath.

But what he experienced during this period has overturned many of his previous perceptions.

Although it is difficult to put into specifics, Ritas is quite certain that the world he lives in is "problematic".

Just as one cannot see the mountain from the mountain's perspective, it is probably difficult to truly understand the problems of this world from the viewpoint of a member of this world.

Therefore, some truths can only be truly uncovered through a perspective that transcends this world.
However, before these complex things,
"What an arrogant and presumptuous statement. Not just 'Mirion'."

"The world needs 'Eileen' too."

Even knowing the importance of "Miriam," Ritas still gave Miriam, who had given everything to Irene, a harsh review.

"."

Hearing Ritas's words, Eileen pursed her lips tightly.

She knew perfectly well that Ritas wasn't speaking up for her; he was simply making a fair judgment. And she also knew that it was precisely because he was in such a high position, looking down on everyone equally, that Ritas could say such things, and that he had the right to say such things.

Even so, this is still the sentence that Eileen has wanted to hear the most for a long time.

Over the years, she has faithfully played the role of Miriam. On one hand, it was to fulfill a promise to reunite with her loved ones. On the other hand, it was also out of fear and a sense of powerlessness.

The Church of the Holy King, which she once believed she could dedicate her life to, is now, in her eyes, a terrifying place filled with deception and lies.

Eileen still doesn't know exactly what happened that night. But one thing is certain: the Holy King Church was not attacked. And the "Eileen" who strives to become a priest within the church simply doesn't exist. The Holy King Church does value her, but that's because she's "Miriam," and because the church needs to use Miriam to achieve some ulterior motives.

She could neither loudly protest against it nor resist it.

Even though she had distanced herself to some extent from the Church of the Holy King and arrived in Ers, Eileen still subconsciously felt that she could not truly rely on the people around her, and that no one could truly help her.

Because everyone is looking at "Miriam", not "Eileen".

While Miriam's existence is certainly important, isn't Irene equally important?

Perhaps, the many things she experienced later proved that, from a broader perspective, Miriam was indeed far more important and valuable than Erin.

However, as Eileen herself, she simply could not admit or accept this!
Now, after years of suppression, Eileen has finally met someone. Someone who can see beyond the false facade of "Miriam," clearly understand her, and still say, "The world needs Eileen too."

“However, is it alright for you to confide your secrets to me like this? Since Miriam’s condition is very unusual, the fact that your secrets cannot be exposed may be related to some ‘rules’.”

A short while later, Ritas and Eileen began to discuss matters concerning Miriam.

Eileen confided in Ritas not simply to vent her frustrations. She hoped Professor Ritas could uncover some hidden truths about the incident from a perspective she hadn't considered. Given Eileen's sincerity, Ritas was naturally willing to assist her.

"it does not matter!"

As Eileen spoke, she realized that she seemed to be getting a little agitated, so she immediately tried to calm herself down.

I don't know if it's because of the changes in my body, but Eileen always feels that her current state is strange. Her emotions are more easily touched and affected, and the warmth that was always concentrated on her face seemed to be slowly spreading to her whole body.

Hmm. I shouldn't say "I don't know," it definitely has an impact!

If even the state of the soul is altered, how could there be no real impact?

Convincing herself of this, Eileen continued.
"Even though I've been keeping the secret and playing the role of Miriam all along, his so-called reunion was nothing more than what happened at the academy exchange meeting!"

Recalling the bandaged man who appeared in front of her at the academy exchange meeting, Eileen felt a surge of anger.

Objectively speaking, her situation was quite dangerous at the time. The bandaged man saved her and even gave her the holy sword Kaum for protection.

But this is a time to vent emotions! We shouldn't be trying to reason with people!
"So, I no longer want to passively wait for him to come to me. I want to continue improving myself, making friends, and exploring the secrets of this world in my own way, and finally catch that guy who doesn't know how to talk properly!"

After saying these words, Eileen felt much better.

Now, she has a real sense that she has "taken a step forward".

At the same time, she realized that her particular dislike for the hesitant and evasive Little Ritas in the fairy tale world stemmed, in a way, from comparing them to Miriam, the riddle-maker.

"Also, although it's just a feeling, I think that right now, even if we say a few things about Miriam, it won't have a big impact on the overall situation."

After venting her emotions, Eileen unconsciously scratched her cheek and, with a rationality that was not exactly "mage-like," said something quite reasonable.

"Hmm, your feeling might not be wrong. Now, looking back at Miriam's situation, don't you think it's similar to some of the people we've met before?"

Ritas patiently guided him.

After thinking for a moment, Eileen nodded.

"It's somewhat similar to the 'original' things the professor mentioned."

Eileen had grown somewhat accustomed to Ritas's way of speaking, which encouraged students to find the answers themselves.

Miriam's situation is indeed remarkably similar to that of the original. Both had to hide their existence in the world, fearing that their secrets would be exposed.

“Besides the original situation, there are actually similarities with the situation of ‘Estria’. I actually met Estria before. How should I describe her at that time? It was as if she was bound by heavy chains, with many things she wanted to say but could not say. Even if she did speak, a mysterious force would erase her voice.”

"Such a thing really happens?"

Eileen said strangely.

Although the goddess of bathing also said something similar, describing the situations she and Ritas encountered Estria twice.

But the goddess of bathing, those who know, know.

"So, perhaps they were all afraid of the same being. A being that has its hands around the entire world and manipulates it."

Hearing Ritas's words, Eileen, recalling the scene of the setting sun, swallowed hard.

"However, with the confirmed existence of that unexplained 'weakening,' the various restrictions in the world have also become somewhat relaxed. Therefore, Estria seems much more normal. As for the matter concerning Miriam, although it is still not appropriate to publicize it widely, if only one other person—no, two people—knows it, it probably won't have a significant impact."

"I see."

Eileen softly agreed, feeling somewhat relieved.

Although she was prepared for the terrible consequences that might occur once Miriam's affair was no longer a secret between the two of them, she would naturally prefer nothing to happen.

"Two people? Oh. Professor, are you including Sister Yu in the count?"

Eileen, who no longer needed to hide her identity, began using the name she had grown accustomed to using over the past few months.

"Indeed. It's hard to keep these things from her. So, including her, there should be three of us. Anyway, stop eavesdropping there and come out openly."

"Eh?"

Ritas's words elicited Eileen's astonishment.

A book flew out of Ritas's waist pocket and opened on its own on the ground. Then, many black-haired girls, now "united" within it, slowly crawled out.

"Miss Wayne!"

Eileen, who had completely forgotten that such a person even existed, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

After regaining her footing, Wayne gently lifted the hem of her skirt and the two elegant figures greeted each other, then looked at Eileen with interest.

"Originally, I thought she was just a candidate for my brother's 'disciple'. I didn't expect that she would actually be a candidate for 'older sister'. Hehe, please take care of me in the future."

"Wei Yin said with a smile."

"She can't be your older sister; you're at least a generation older than her."

Meanwhile, Ritas, whether he failed to grasp the hidden meaning in Wayne's words or simply wasn't buying it, spoke indifferently with a stern face.

(End of this chapter)