The Church of the Goddess, naturally, emphasizes purity and chastity.
Why?
Because that way, the world will be filled with untouched maidens for them to take.
Without any intention of raising such avatars themselves over twenty years, angels instead embedded social norms that would automatically produce such beings.
Even the reason they left unicorns among the remaining magical and fantasy beasts on the surface—was to use the unicorn’s traits to paint any woman who couldn’t ride one as impure, unclean, and filthy. It’s an extension of that same scheme.
So, does being more devout to the Church of the Goddess prevent the development of mana?
Not exactly.
However, it is true that approaching the very things the Church warns against can accelerate the development of mana.
Because doing so reduces the chance for angelic power to take hold.
The moment a person begins to contemplate love between men and women and focuses on the prosperity of their species, angelic power gives up on dwelling in that person’s body and seeks out someone more chaste.
Therefore, humans—especially women in this world—are faced with two choices.
First.
Through a ‘yuri-class transition’, one can risk possession by an angel, and awaken [Divine] attribute power—an angelic force with 99% resistance to elemental magic, overwhelming all other mages.
Second.
By engaging in relationships with men, one gradually cultivates mana by refining and refining it to near non-attribute purity—through awareness of maternal instincts and love inherent to humanity—preventing angelic power from settling in.
If the former is the celestial-style growth path, the latter could be temporarily called the demonic-style growth path.
Of course, humans are unaware of this.
Abstinence feels like the right thing, and socially, it seems like promiscuity is a bad thing. Saying “keep your chastity” sounds like proper religious teaching.
But such ideas only apply shortly after reaching puberty or early adulthood.
After becoming a full adult, then what?
Some people live celibate lives, sure, but from a universal human perspective, love, happiness, and reproduction through man and woman is generally seen as positive.
At least in the worldview of Esdinas, that holds true.
When applied to mana development in women, this leads to the following conclusion.
“Phoenix.”
“Yes, Instructor.”
“So the more lewd and lustful you are, the stronger you become?”
“That’s half true and half false, I’d say.”
Not “the lewder you are, the stronger you get”—
Correction.
“The more you follow your natural human instincts, the more likely you are to grow as a human being.”
“To speak plainly and honestly?”
“The more a woman loves and desires a man, the more pure mana she gains.”
“Like how the undergraduates in the Old School Building are putting up a solid fight against that S-rank continuous-type monster?”
“Exactly.”
Ahead.
“Lewd thoughts usually involve… you know, things with guys, right?”
In the field where even the illusion warriors conjured by Shuri Commissioner were fighting
“The world cherishes and loves those who spend more time thinking about the prosperity of mankind. That’s the law of the world created by the one who shaped this reality, and the blessing of mana.”
Kyaooohhh!!
A magical beast like a dragon carved from rock let out a roar, launching boulders.
The boulders soared high and crashed down like stalactites across the battlefield, but the undergraduates from the Old School Building dodged or deflected them without much trouble.
“You can’t really say these things before someone reaches adulthood. But puberty often begins around 13, doesn’t it? Isn’t it strange? If you’re only supposed to start all this after becoming an adult, shouldn’t curiosity only arise around age 20?”
“Isn’t 20 a little late?”
“Yes. It is. By then, the children have already started learning on their own—how to balance instinct and reason, how to control their desires. And… when to let those instincts be free.”
Even if the path to adulthood is filled with hardships, as long as you learn when and how to release your desires along the way, you’ll eventually form a healthy and happy relationship.
“Not all of Esdinas Academy’s rules are bad. The same virtues should be applied to the Old School Building too.”
“If they weren’t… the Old School might have—sigh.”
“It’s not just the Old School. The whole world might’ve collapsed. In any case… it’s thanks to this delicate balance that they’ve become so strong.”
I pointed to Yunia, who had raised her staff to create a barrier against the falling stones.
“I won’t speculate on what Miss Yunia is thinking, but it’s clear that her firm beliefs and vision for ‘life after graduation’ are making her even stronger.”
“…”
“Of course she would’ve grown regardless, through intellectual curiosity in magical theory. But what gave that growth wings… yeah, that.”
“What a shame.”
Instructor Esta clicked her tongue.
“If I’d known that theory ten years ago, maybe I’d be stronger today.”
“It’s not too late even now, is it? You could surpass the undergraduates faster—because when you discover a truth the world kept hidden for so long, sometimes all your mental walls come crashing down like a dam bursting.”
You know what people say: “The more lewd your thoughts, the faster your hair grows.”
It’s a similar principle.
The more you think those thoughts, the more mana your heart gains. Doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman—your inner power grows.
“Should I ask Kadisha to write a paper on it? On the correlation between reproduction and growth.”
“Wouldn’t hurt.”
Reproduction.
It might sound strange, but in this world, it’s the root of human growth—and the key to avoiding the Apocalypse.
It’s not about being lewd.
* * *
Kuu-ung!
The 5th floor boss finally fell to the combined assault of the students from the Old School Building.
Even though the tower’s current floors required at least an average S-rank to be reasonably tackled, the undergraduates were clearing the levels faster than expected.
Why?
“Phoenix. You’re going to give us massages later too, right?”
“Of course.”
“M-me too…?”
“Of course, Miss Shuri. No one gets left out.”
“Yay—!”
Just like Evangeline and Shuri, everyone was delighted—because they had recently mastered a new technique.
“To think you can unleash stronger attacks just by having those kinds of thoughts. I wonder what the world would think if they found out.”
“So you’re gonna turn it into a business, Sister?”
“…Not right away, but we should lay the groundwork.”
As Yurha and Seia talked, it was clear that anything tied to reproduction could be profitable.
Just because something is part of the underground economy doesn’t mean it doesn’t make money. In fact, it may see more money flow through it.
But when such businesses become public, they can be problematic—hence the secrecy.
“Instructor Esta. Sorry to ask, but would you be willing to give it a try first?”
“Try what?”
“We’re still underage by the official standards, but you’re already of age, Instructor.”
“…That’s a pretty rude way to put it, but I know what you mean, so I’ll let it slide, Yurha.”
Instructor Esta let out a long sigh at Yurha’s sly remark.
“Are you asking me to commit a crime?”
“A crime? If no one finds out, maybe it’s not one?”
“Impossible. Physically.”
“Huh?”
“Do you think Phoenix would be caught just because I try to catch him?”
“…So it’s not possible? Wait, have you already tried?”
“No, I haven’t. But there are some things you can tell without having to try.”
The students’ ears perked up.
They were taking a break after the boss fight, but were listening to Instructor Esta now more intently than ever.
“Phoenix isn’t someone you can obtain through force. Especially not through brute force.”
“Maybe don’t call it brute force, and say… a bit of well-placed illusion magic?”
“Illusion magic, huh… Not wrong.”
“What exactly happened between the two of you?”
Yunia stepped forward and asked.
“When you and Fenrir were deactivating that gimmick together—don’t tell me, during the spare time you two…?”
“We fought so fiercely, our bodies were burning up. We were drenched in sweat from head to toe.”
“Ah. So nothing lewd, then.”
Instructor Esta shrugged, playing it off, but Yunia quickly saw through the act.
“Still, it does sound like you did something… special.”
“Yunia. There’s something even more special than a massage. Want to hear about it?”
“…What is it?”
“Sleep therapy.”
“…!”
“This is a method that combines hypnosis and sleep…”
Everyone twitched at the word “sleep.”
Especially those already aware of what sleeping deeply near me in the Old School Building could do to the body, licked their lips anxiously.
“While you sleep, you’ll have a very happy dream.”
For example, a dream about reproduction, perhaps.
“To the one who contributes most in the next boss fight—”
Ta-ang!
“S-Seia!?”
Seia shot forward like a bullet.
“Wait, had you two already talked about this?”
“Not exactly, but… it’s not a problem, is it? Hahaha.”
If that’s what she truly wants, then there’s only one thing to do: help her have that dream.
The dream of graduation.
