The Church

Mell: I'll be on my way, then.

Priest: Oh? You usually stay for longer.

Mell: Yes, I have an errand to run today.

Mell: Thank you for your time, as always. Would you like the book back some time next week?

Priest: Next week, or the week after. Hold onto it as long as you'd like.

Mell: But surely there are others who want to use it?

Priest: None as sharp as you, Mell. Put yourself in my shoes, and you'll understand I want to give you any advantage you can get.

Mell: Ahaha...

Priest: Oh, do you not believe me?

Mell: No, I believe you, Father. And I mean to do whatever I can not to disappoint you...

Priest: That's the spirit. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm proud to have you as my pupil.

Priest: Ah yes, and Mell—do consider what we were talking about.

Mell: Going to university?

Priest: Indeed. If you do, I can introduce you to some accomplished instructors.

Priest: There is very little left for me to teach you, and I believe you would make a fine priest.

Mell: I…

Priest: It's an honorable thing, Mell, to devote yourself to the service of our Lord.

Mell: ……..

Mell: …I'll give it some thought.

Mell: If you'll excuse me, then. I'll see you again.

Priest: Our doors are always open.

Mell: Farewell.

(Mell leaves the Church.)

Mell: …….

Mell: (Whether it's in the service of God... or the service of the Church... it is an honorable profession.)

Mell: (But theology...)

Mell: (I wouldn't mind attending university, but I'm not sure... I'd kind of like to do something different... something more befitting of the times.)

Mell: As for what, though, I'm stumped.

Mell: (But I need to make up my mind soon...)

Mell: (If I drag my feet for too long, even my father is liable to grow impatient.)

Mell: Mercy me...

Beggar: Young sire... Blessed young sire, alms... Alms for the poor...

Mell: ...Ah.

Mell: (This beggar... If I'm not mistaken... he's been outside the church since last week?)

Beggar: Alms...

Mell: (The way he shakes his head...)

Mell: (...I can get a glimpse of his forehead under his hood.)

Mell: (He's completely bald...)

Mell: ……

Mell: Buy yourself some bread with this.

Beggar: Aaah...

Beggar: Thank you. Thank you very much. May the Lord bless your soul.

Mell: ...Thanks.

Mell: (The Lord...)

Mell: .........

Mell: Oh no!

Mell: Nellie's going to be cross if I don't hurry home...

Mell: Curses, and it looks like it's going to rain.

Master. Master? Oh thank goodness. You appear to have a firm grasp on your consciousness.

I was afraid you had accidentally let go of my hand. Hehehe.

Now, Master, this is the period of time I truly wished to show you. The boy reading in the rose garden was now a fine young man.

Nonetheless, he still bore the same gentle eyes as before, and he would from time to time show remnants of that innocent young boy.

He was, in his own mind, still making the transition into adulthood, I suspect.

Mell frequently visited the church—on Sundays to participate in Mass, of course, but more often to be tutored by the priest.

In addition, he also attended a private school run by an eminent marquis.

Though it was not a "school" where students had desks and sat in rows.

They studied at the marquis's estate. Secondary and higher education was not the same as it is today.

And Mell was considering university.

The priest wanted to recruit him to the Church, but Mell was having difficulty deciding what he should do.

That he had such a choice is envious, is it not?