Chapter 17: The Hundred-Level Revelation

A sharp intake of breath. What was this?

The moment Allyrose stepped onto the main stage, a flicker of genuine panic seized Vivian’s heart. How could she possibly dare to ascend?

This diverged completely from Vivian’s original expectations. Indeed, it seemed to catch everyone off guard.

Initially, everyone within the Holy See had assumed Allyrose would undoubtedly retreat like a coward. While refusing a challenge might make her appear foolish, it was surely preferable to publicly confirming her inferiority to the true Saintess before the test stone.

That would be tantamount to a public execution. Could she truly dare to face such humiliation?

Yet, Vivian swiftly regained her composure. Moments later, as Allyrose slowly approached the test stone, Vivian, from the sidelines, allowed a smug sneer to grace her lips. Then, affecting an air of magnanimity, she began waving her hand, offering words of encouragement to Allyrose:

“You can do it, Sister Allyrose! Even though Sister Allyrose might not possess the inherent talent of a Saintess, she has always been incredibly diligent. I’m sure she’ll perform wonderfully!”

Humph, humph.

Though the words were sweet, Vivian was, in truth, thoroughly prepared to witness Allyrose’s utter humiliation.

Vivian was well aware of her opponent’s true capabilities. Before this scheme even began, both the Holy See and Allyrose’s fiancé, Jason, had made it abundantly clear: the girl was, at best, a Level 20 practitioner.

How could such a person possibly triumph over Vivian, a Level 45 Saintess?

‘Could it be that she intended to use her performance to highlight Vivian’s own brilliance, thereby signifying her submission? Hah, that truly is… far from enough, Sister Allyrose.’

Therefore…

‘Before me, fade into obscurity! Make a fool of yourself, make a fool of yourself, make a fool of yourself!’

As Vivian silently enacted her fervent wishes, Allyrose finally, slowly, placed her hand upon the test stone.

Initially, however, the test stone remained utterly inert. Witnessing this, Vivian, from the side, couldn’t help but wear a triumphant expression, instantly letting out a sigh of relief.

‘What is this… As expected, she’s merely here to invite humiliation. Feigning such confidence, I actually thought she might have achieved some unexpected breakthrough. But… she can’t even activate the test stone? Pfft, does this truly reflect a Level 20 ability? This…’

‘Eh?!’

Moments later, an intense burst of white light erupted suddenly before the secretly delighted Vivian, instantly blinding everyone within the auditorium.

This… This was…

A few moments passed before the crowd slowly blinked their eyes open. Then, one by one, their eyes widened involuntarily.

They saw that the test stone Allyrose had touched was now radiating a mysterious three-colored light—white, purple, and gray—a sight they had never witnessed before. Initially, the light was purely white, a mere projection of raw power, much like the reaction when Vivian had touched it.

Soon, however, that blinding white light began to stabilize… No, ‘stabilize’ wasn’t quite right. It was more akin to a profound transformation. The pure, intense light abruptly shifted into an ethereal energy, which then drifted aloft, permeating the entire school auditorium and imbuing everyone present with an indescribable sensation.

It was a sensation beyond words, an invisible, sacred power manifesting before them. Their minds gradually succumbed to a state of profound purity and emptiness, unable to process any other thoughts, drawn only by this force, enveloped by its presence, and embraced within its embrace.

A silent, undeniable consensus began to ripple through the assembly. This was a level far more formidable, far more terrifying, than Level 45. This was the absolute, unbridled projection of Holy Light energy, capable of reshaping reality itself.

Then, after what felt like an eternity—a full two minutes of suspended reality—Allyrose slowly withdrew her hand. Only at that precise moment did the test stone finally reveal its astonishing result:

[Holy Light Level: LV100]

One… One hundred levels?!!!! The assembled crowd stared, utterly dumbfounded, at the digits displayed on the test stone. Several individuals even found themselves swaying unsteadily, their legs threatening to give out.

This… What did this even signify? No one had ever achieved Holy Light Level 100, had they? This… Could this truly be accomplished by anyone other than a goddess descended to the mortal realm?

She… she… Vivian gazed at the placid-faced girl before her, her own emotions a tumultuous storm. First, came fear. Then, an overwhelming disbelief. And finally, an unprecedented surge of fury!

Her lips trembled uncontrollably as her fists clenched into tight knots. For a fleeting moment, she was consumed by an almost irresistible urge to charge forward and confront Allyrose in a brawl.

‘She, how could she possibly be Level 100?! How could she attain such a level? No… it’s impossible! I am the Saintess, the true Saintess! By what right do I lose to *her*?’

‘Oh?’

Snapping back to reality, Allyrose blinked. It seemed even she hadn’t quite anticipated… ‘The test result is actually Level 100? This…’

‘This is far more exaggerated than I’d imagined, tsk… I genuinely tried to control the Holy Light energy I poured into the test stone, but it still seems I overdid it a bit!’

‘Cough, cough… Well, there’s nothing to be done about it, I suppose.’

Allyrose subtly curved her lips into a cat-like smirk. ‘From the very beginning, I was destined to win. After all, I… I absorbed so much Holy Light energy from the Holy Light Scepter, didn’t I?’

Thus, a moment later, seizing the opportune moment while Vivian was still fuming and Kitav remained utterly stunned, Allyrose decisively retrieved the microphone from the principal’s hand. She then turned to face the entire student body and faculty, and began to speak:

“Cough, cough… Well, it seems I’m expected to say a few words, as per tradition. My apologies for presuming, everyone~ There’s no need to envy me; with diligent practice, all of you can achieve similar feats! Our little sister Vivian is a prime example, isn’t she~ Keep up the good work!”

Having delivered her speech, the young woman then turned her head, offering Vivian a playful wink.

At this, the ‘True Saintess’ was truly trembling with unbridled rage.

Were it not for her desperate need to maintain her image before the student body, Vivian would have gladly rushed forward to physically assault Allyrose on the spot.

However, cough, cough… Realizing she had successfully orchestrated an immensely awkward situation, Allyrose saw no need to prolong the encounter. The dark-haired girl, having placed the microphone down, promptly made her escape, stepping off the stage.

She then signaled to the white-haired individual before swiftly departing the auditorium.

Behind her, the murmurs of a bustling crowd began to rise.

“My heavens, what just happened? The True Saintess… was actually outshone by the so-called ‘False Saintess’?”

“This is utterly mortifying, oh… this is just…”

“Could the Holy See genuinely have made a mistake? Senior Allyrose must be the true Saintess, surely? After all, that was Level 100…”

“Precisely! I’m truly beginning to question everything as well…”

“Shh, quiet down! Don’t let anyone from the Holy See overhear us. To speak ill of the Holy See is a grave offense!”

“Hey, look! Miss Vivian is still on stage… why is her face so incredibly red?”