Chapter 41: Assessment of the Pope’s Successors

“It’s fine, it’s fine—no one should notice…”

Duoluosa touched the mirror, murmuring to herself: “I trust Liang Lai, even if I don’t quite trust those twins… But, but it should be okay.”

Though she said as much, Duoluosa had already steeled herself: if they got caught, she’d shoulder every blame, absolve Liang Lai entirely, bear it all alone—and get tossed back into the under-sanctum.

“Little Xi, Little Ya—you two be good at home~ I’ll take Little Duo and Little Te for the assessment, then we’ll be right back—with treats for you~”

Before heading out, Liang Lai ruffled the heads of Delucia and Iluci, left behind.

As for why not call Asteris “Little Si”… well, those syllables just sounded off—practically a slur.

Liang Lai took one hand each of Duoluosa and Asteris, leading them from the Immaculate Courtyard.

Delucia and Iluci pressed to the windowsill, watching Liang Lai and the other two fade into the distance.

Iluci pulled her gaze back first, staring at her own hand—as if imagining the softness of Liang Lai’s grip.

“In… two months, I’ll have my assessment too—then the saintess will see me off.”

She murmured it so low, barely a breath.

But Delucia caught it; she turned, eyeing the quiet, reticent child.

“You’d better step it up, then~” Suddenly seized by mischief, Delucia leaned to her ear: “Mom doesn’t like kids without talent—if you flop, she’ll hate you~”

Just a mean-spirited tease; Delucia thought nothing of it.

But as she leaned back smugly, she clocked Iluci’s face gone ashen white.

The girl had taken it straight to heart.

“Hah?”

Delucia arched a brow.

“Hey, you didn’t actually…”

Before she could finish, Iluci bolted—straight for the practice room—leaving Delucia rooted, hand outstretched in classic Erkang pose.

“No way…?”

Delucia scratched her head. “She really bought it? Zero sense of humor? Doesn’t track…”

What a weird one.

Delucia thought it; so did Iluci.

She dashed into the practice room alone, slamming the door shut.

The sprint had been too frantic; she slumped against the wall, gulping air.

“What a weirdo… But, but what she said… probably true?”

Unsure, but Iluci resolved to drill her crystallization hard.

“I absolutely can’t disappoint the saintess! G-Gotta make her see me as the best kid…”

All four children harbored that very thought—each dead set on it.

Meanwhile, Liang Lai led Asteris and Duoluosa to the Crystal Vault Cathedral—a vast training ground, venue for all exams and trials.

Beyond their trio, two other saintesses arrived with their adoptees for assessment—seven kids total, three saintesses.

The fifth saintess, Epri, and eleventh, Genevieve, kept their distance from this lately odd third saintess.

After all, Liang Lai’s quirks aside, she’d crossed first saintess Margaret and second, Yolanda, just two months back.

Liang Lai, though, played it casual—greeting the pair like nothing amiss.

“You here for the assessment too?” she tossed out lightly.

Epri and Genevieve froze a beat, then nodded curtly—no reply.

Liang Lai’s bubbly hellos threw them; they’d grown too frosted for it.

Liang Lai shrugged it off.

Church folk were like that—each in their bubble, only stirring from apathy when someone broke the “laws.”

And that stir… leaned more thrilled, expectant—Liang Lai couldn’t place why…

She guessed: all that bottled emotion, twisted psyches from the repression—turning them punitive voyeurs, juiced by others’ comeuppance.

The proctor for this trial: blue-robed inquisitor Cedric.

Assistants: gray-robed priests Eric and Dunn.

Cedric stood central, hands clasped behind, squinting at the kids nearby.

Liang Lai felt the nerves creep in—mostly dreading Pope Alphonse VII spotting Duoluosa.

Even masked in human skin, she didn’t want him laying eyes; the man was pope—sharp as a tack.

But the assessment kicked off, and still no Alphonse; Liang Lai exhaled.

By rights, he’d peek in—but timing and stay were wild cards.

She just wanted him late, quick in-and-out.

Fair play this round: no priority for the higher-ranked third saintess’s adoptees.

They drew lots instead.

Seven kids total; Duoluosa pulled five, Asteris three.

Liang Lai herded Duoluosa and Asteris to seats, watching Epri’s charge go first.

She had to admit: nerves jangling.

Never got why parents obsessed over grades before—now, a glimmer.

But truth be told, scores didn’t faze her much.

Liang Lai’s take: “Ace it? Great, lights up my day, face-saver. Flop? Eh, other paths—plenty of trees, no need hanging from one.”

Her brain buzzed chaos, but as the first kid performed… long breath out.

Nowhere near Duoluosa or Asteris.

Liang Lai’s posture snapped ramrod; she shot the pair a “go get ’em” V-sign.

Duoluosa and Asteris eased up too—no more pre-stage jitters.

Asteris brimmed instant confidence; her steps to the floor rang firmer than on arrival.

Her showing? Flawless.

Soon, Duoluosa’s turn.

But as she rose—a white figure materialized at the field’s edge.

Alphonse VII.