Academy’s PTSD Chaplain - Academy’s PTSD Chaplain chapter 38

38 – 38. Beasts (3)

Satan. Ghosts. Spirits. Demons.

Or, demons.

“In the history of mankind, they have been called by countless names.”

Professor Antonelli’s figure slowly traversed the platform. Sophia, holding a shining sphere, followed him. Thanks to her, the students could not miss the professor’s appearance.

Step by step.

Was it because the lecture hall was dim? In the students’ ears, his footsteps sounded more resonant than usual.

“In fact, the term ‘Satan’ refers to the leader of the demons in hell… Nevertheless, this malicious entity has many names. So, here, we cannot avoid asking one question.”

Why does it have so many names?

The question of ‘why.’ It was the crucial key to solving Professor Antonelli’s past assignment, allowing the students to raise questions first. Naturally, the students began to immerse themselves in profound contemplation.

Addressing those students, Professor Antonelli spoke.

“Since the Lord created the world, everything in this world has been called by countless names.”

Since the dawn of light, numerous plants and animals appeared and disappeared. They were called by various names, and this would continue.

“The existence of demons, likewise, has accompanied humanity throughout its long history. Here, we must pose another question.”

Things that have already disappeared into the past, despite being called by many names, managed to conceal their appearances.

“So, what does it mean that those many names for demons from the past still linger…?”

Students opened their mouths and sighed. The answer to that question was the worst that anyone could imagine.

“Because demons have not yet disappeared…”

“Correct.”

Silence spread among the students. Most of them had never deeply pondered about demons, but they still had a rough idea of what these entities were.

“For an exceedingly long time, they have rooted themselves in this land. And even now, they live below in the dark and hot sulfur flames of hell.”

Demons still exist. In their land of original sin named hell.

Gulp—

Dry saliva passed through the students’ throats. In the face of their unimaginable wickedness, not even a proper breath could escape. Professor Antonelli continued speaking.

“Fortunately, demons cannot come up to the surface and reveal themselves directly.”

Students tilted their heads in confusion. Demons cannot appear on the surface? Then how were the depictions of demons in that painting captured?

As if to resolve such doubts, Professor Antonelli’s words immediately followed.

“However, the story is different for those who directly summon them or for the saints recorded in the Bible.”

Demon summoners. The students naturally thought of the demon worshippers who were said to have existed on this land long ago.

Witches, or groups of heretics. In human history, there have been countless demon worshippers.

“The ones who summon demons. They are not limited to just demon worshippers.”

The expressions of the students became subtle. Are there authors who summon those demons, other than the demon worshippers?

Professor Antonelli spoke.

“Those who have longed for revenge. Those who love what cannot be fulfilled. Those who are greedy for wealth…. They whisper in the ears of all desperate individuals in this world.”

Summon me. Call my name.

If you want to commit a sin, just cover your eyes, block your ears, and seal your mouth.

Then, I will grant your wish.

“……”

The students closed their mouths quietly. Some theology students held rosaries in their hands.

“The cunning and audacity of these beings are truly remarkable. They cling to the desperate hearts of humans and act as if they were saviors who can offer help, making them the most arrogant beings in the world.”

The name ‘savior’ only holds meaning under the will of the Lord.

However, because of that, demons dare to call themselves saviors and tempt humans, testing their faith.

“Those who have been cast aside from heaven, once friends and family to angels, even rejected by the Lord. That is the true nature of demons.”

Some students shivered. The fact that wicked demons actually exist seemed to be the cause of many students losing sleep for a while.

As if trying to comfort those students, Priest Antonelli spoke again.

“Unless it is an extremely rare situation where someone summons them for their own benefit, demons no longer ascend to the surface.”

With these words, more questions arose in the students’ minds.

If demons cannot ascend to the surface, shouldn’t this land already be free from the clutches of demons?

In the first place, why can’t demons ascend to the surface?

Priest Antonelli seemed to understand those students’ doubts and spoke.

“To be precise, it would be correct to say they no longer ascend to the surface. It means they do not want to show their despicable true forms to humans on the surface.”

The students’ gaze turned to a drawing. The head of a cow, the body of a chicken, the head of a snake, the head of a lion, the body of a dog… A grotesque figure mixed with various beasts.

The students pondered. Is it because of their repulsive appearance that they cannot come to humans?

However, it seemed unlikely that those wicked demons would hesitate to appear before people simply because their appearance is ugly.

Professor Antonelli spoke.

“As I mentioned in the previous class, there is a verse in the Bible where Saint Peter uses divine power to cast out demons to hell. Do you remember?”

The students nodded respectfully. It was a verse that said Saint Peter defeated demons using divine power even before receiving baptism.

As a result, a passage appears that says the disciples who followed St. Peter began to believe in the Lord with sincere hearts.

Professor Antonelli flipped through the pages of the Bible once again. His low voice filled the lecture hall.

“The disciples of Peter fell to their knees and prayed, and indeed, the vile Satan and demons revealed their true form, according to the words of the Lord. How could we doubt the Lord any longer? This means that the Lord has triumphed over the world.”

“…Impossible.”

One of the theology students trembled, his lips quivering. He immediately closed his eyes and clenched rosary beads, clasping his hands neatly in front of his chest.

“When they revealed their true form in front of St. Peter and his disciples, the demons noticed it.”

Father Antonelli, who had closed the covered Bible with a thud, spoke softly.

“When they reveal their true form, it makes humans believe in the existence of the Lord.”

It sent shivers down the students’ spines, causing their whole bodies to tremble.

It was a wicked realization. The fact that humans would unquestionably believe in the existence of the Lord, and therefore the evil entity, the reason why they did not reveal their true form on the Earth.

“That is why the demons cannot directly come up to the Earth.”

Intentions filled with profound wickedness. Some theology students who realized their intentions trembled on their lips. Professor Antonelli’s explanation continued.

“Then, how do the demons exert influence on Earth? The ones who worship demons have disappeared, and the method of summoning demons has been completely forgotten. So, how do their evil touch corrupt the world?”

Finding the answer to Professor Antonelli’s question. It was now a sacred duty given to the students in this lecture hall.

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“In about five minutes, I will listen to your opinions. Please raise your hands and speak without hesitation. Ah, except for the theology students. Only the remaining students, raise your hands.”

After receiving permission from Professor Antonelli, several students raised their hands. Professor Antonelli pointed at them one by one.

“Student Ellen.”

“Yes. So, um… Are there still devil worshippers somewhere in the world?”

“No. Next student.”

“Is there a gateway somewhere that connects to Hell?”

“Next.”

“The demons have teleportation abilities…”

“….”

“…I’m sorry!”

Aside from Ellen, the opinions that followed were all lacking in substance. Instead of reprimanding those students, Professor Antonelli simply stared at them in silence.

As the confident students who raised their hands sank into silence, the remaining students hesitated to answer. It was the moment when Professor Antonelli, without realizing it himself, was about to let out a sigh.

“May I speak?”

A confident and assertive female student, Laura von Adelheid, stood out.

Looking at Father Antonelli with a haughty expression, Laura raised her hand and soon received his permission to speak.

“If demons cannot appear directly, why don’t they exert influence in the form of humans?”

The theology students held their breath. Laura was speaking…

“…Bhuma.”

What is Bhuma? It is the existence of a devil, a concentrated presence of evil, that enters into the human body and carries out its intentions.

Professor Antonelli’s expression brightened a little.

“That’s correct. More specifically, it becomes a parasitic form within the bodies of humans. In theological terms, it is called Bhuma, and it is often used to refer to cases where individuals are possessed by evil spirits or ghosts.”

“Professor, when demons hide within the human body, what harm do they cause?”

One student raised their hand to ask a question. It was unusual for the students, who had only been taking notes so far, to ask a question so readily.

“That’s a good question. What impact does the presence of a demon in a Bhuma host have?”

The students opened their notebooks. There was a presumption that this part would contain crucial information. Professor Antonelli continued speaking.

“These entities are inherently negative beings. Therefore, having a demon inhabit the human body can only bring about great harm, both mentally and physically. Furthermore, once they enter the human body, their true form remains hidden, so it is impossible to expel them using holy power.”

In a typical diabolical fashion, Bhuma hosts have to endure immense suffering if they cannot prevent their parasitic entities.

“Then, what should we do when demons enter our bodies?”

A timid female student asked a question. Professor Antonelli held up a crucifix-shaped rosary.

“In those situations, a ritual called the Exorcism Rite is performed, but it is a complex concept, so I will explain it in detail later.”

“Yes…”

Professor Antonelli glanced at the clock on the wall. The clock’s hands were rushing towards 11:30 am, signaling the end of the class.

Professor Antonelli carefully gathered the items on the desk. The disappointed expressions on the students’ faces as they looked at the clock were heavy.

For the young students who still couldn’t fully grasp the existence of demons, it felt like they were just listening to a scary story.

Professor Antonelli wanted to give them a slight warning, so he spoke up.

“Before concluding the class, if I were to describe them in one word, it would be like this.”

Professor Antonelli stopped in his tracks. His destination was the front of the blackboard, where a picture depicting the appearance of demons was displayed.

“Humanity’s long-standing enemy.”

And when the students saw that picture…

Suddenly, a chilling fear engulfed their bodies, causing them to tremble uncontrollably.