The ordeal hadn't lasted particularly long—maybe just a few minutes—but it had drained over half of Alistair's stamina.
"Phew... Good thing I had the Horse Talisman's power from the start. Otherwise, I feel like my body wouldn't last even a few days in this world."
Alistair rolled off Sister Anna and lay on the floor, breathing heavily. As he felt his strength slowly returning, he let out a sincere sigh of relief.
"Well, whatever. This was an unexpected windfall. All my abilities are restored, and I've even made some progress. I'll be better prepared for whatever comes next."
Alistair propped himself up, straightened his trousers, and tucked away his "Main Cannon" which had been enjoying the free breeze.
Right, Sister Anna. Better help her tidy up too.
Alistair summoned [The World], intending to use his Stand to help her up. Now that his powers were fully restored, his control over [The World] was much more precise; there was no risk of him accidentally using too much force and hurting her.
Clap!
"Huh?!"
To Alistair's surprise, Sister Anna was quite conscious. Furthermore, she seemed able to perceive [The World]. She reached out and placed her hand directly on the Stand's armored forearm, using it as a brace to pull herself up.
"Is this one of your abilities? I can feel a tremendously powerful force hidden within it... and it seems to possess some rather peculiar properties."
Anna tapped on [The World]'s golden armor, producing a metallic clink.
"You don't seem surprised at all. Aren't you afraid I'll have him beat you to death to keep my secret?" Alistair asked, eyeing her. If not for the lingering flushed glow on her cheeks from her recent "ascent," he really would have suspected she was a literal robot.
"Why should I be afraid? A student made a mistake, and the teacher gave a punishment—that is only natural. Besides, I am not without the means to protect myself. However, you seem very afraid of exposing your powers. Why is that?"
Anna reached down to adjust her lace panties, stemming the flow of "ammunition" that continued to seep out. She then smoothed back her slightly disheveled pale blonde hair. Finally, she gripped the bright gold crucifix hanging at her chest. A stream of white light, like flowing water, erupted from the cross and washed over her entire body.
Alistair watched with curiosity. He knew some basics from what Shima had told him, but real-world applications were always more complex.
After the white light washed over her several times, it began to fade. As the glow dissipated, a "new" Sister Anna appeared before him.
"That's it? That ability is great for daily chores, but it seems a bit useless for anything else," Alistair remarked, clicking his tongue.
Anna looked exactly as she had when he first met her—the "Complete Version." A moment ago, she was the "Battle-Damaged Version," with torn clothes and disheveled hair. Now, her habit was pristine and she looked completely refreshed.
"Just a minor trick. All the students know about my abilities. Why are you so terrified of revealing yours?"
Anna's current appearance felt entirely different. If before she had an aura that made Alistair want to destroy her calm, she now radiated genuine sanctity and peace.
"Clothes really do make the woman... Anyway, back to the point. I'm afraid of being targeted. I have quite a few abilities, and I'm completely different from normal people these days. People like you have organizations backing you. I don't have a big patron. If someone decides to make trouble for me or my family, it would be hard to handle."
Alistair shrugged helplessly.
"Actually, you needn't worry. As long as you don't use massive, over-the-top powers in plain sight, basically no one will bother you. There are plenty of people with abilities exceeding their official records. From what I can see, you've already begun your 'Transcendence,' haven't you?"
Anna glanced at Alistair and began walking toward the inner part of the cathedral, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Wait, is it that obvious?" Alistair stiffened. Was his so-called "secret evolution" actually happening in broad daylight?
"No matter how much 'Mystery' a person has, it shouldn't exceed a certain threshold. And you, Alistair... your techniques for hiding yourself are quite amateurish. To many who are self-taught, they might work. But to a Transcendent like me, you are as conspicuous as a massive incandescent bulb in a dark crowd."
Anna stopped and looked back at him over her shoulder.
"Why are you telling me all this?" Alistair frowned. People in this world were rarely this helpful for no reason. In a world where hidden strength was king, why help a stranger?
"I am your teacher; it is my duty to guide you. Furthermore, as a nun, I must lead you onto the right path. Do you know what the role of a 'nun' was originally created for?"
Anna suddenly appeared directly in front of Alistair as if she had teleported. Her expression seemed to shift slightly, but it remained largely cold and indifferent.
"Uh... for... 'work'?" Alistair guessed randomly.
"Correct. Originally, the role of a nun was to select beautiful women to serve as vessels for a Priest's release. Over time, things changed into what you see now. However, as a nun, one still maintains a form of loyalty—one can only have one Priest as their 'exclusive superior.'"
Anna reached out with a soft palm and gently stroked Alistair's cheek.
"But I'm not a Priest," Alistair said, completely bewildered.
"That is why I need to guide you to become my Priest. According to my 'Divine Inspiration,' with your talent, you could even become the Pope if you so desired..."
Anna pressed her body firmly against his, and a seductive smile finally broke across her normally stone-cold face.
A Priest? With my 'cultivation' methods? She even wants me to be the Pope? Good grief, is she asking me to be a double agent? Once I'm Pope, I'll just raise the banner of Lust and turn this place into a demonic empire.
Alistair looked at Anna, momentarily speechless.