Bella

Reaper's Acolyte

Overview

She is the preeminent instructor at the Sanctgard Empire's Imperial Magic Academy and a part of the rare dwarven cleric. Haunted by her past, she has developed a mantra to guide her life: "The more I learn, the more I ponder, the fewer my errors, and the less harm I inflict on others".

Chapter One

(12965–13001, Era of Frost Veil) Bella was born in Lyrsmoor, Eude, as her family's only daughter.
Bella's mother was from a famous smithing family before Eude's founding, and she was strict. But young Bella was fearless, like her father.
Bella and her father often teamed up to deal with her mother, though their alliance could waver. Bella's cries often echoed through town, as her father was better at winning her mother's forgiveness.
Bella, in her peculiar mindset, blamed her problems on being an only child. She thought if she had siblings, her mother would be too busy to be strict, and being the older, smarter one, she could easily shift the blame.
By the time her siblings learned to shift blame, Bella would already be self-sufficient. How perfect would that be?
With these thoughts, little Bella did something shocking. She sneaked into the church, taking the sheltered orphans to her home to play house.
Children missing from the church was a serious issue, potentially indicating a monster invasion. The local bishop quickly imposed a citywide lockdown and posted notices urging people to stay indoors. Even mining operations were temporarily disrupted.
Bella realized she was in big trouble, but her mother didn't punish her as usual. Instead, she took Bella and the orphans to the church to seek forgiveness.
Bella's mother, a devout Delfin Church follower, saw the abduction as a grave breach of church law. Bella was deeply shocked to see her usually powerful mother quietly kneeling outside the church.
Though she stubbornly refused to kneel, she justified her actions by blaming her mother's strictness. Then, she heard her mother's words.
"Great God of Fertility, I, a Morins descendant and your faithful follower, blinded by desire, have defiled my spirit and violated church teachings. Please send an oracle to punish and purify my tainted soul."
Bella's mother didn't lecture her about responsibility. Instead, she deceived her deity to protect her daughter from punishment.
Because the Morins were a noble dwarf family, the incident ended with Bella's mother being whipped 25 times and expelled from the church permanently.
Bella's mother's back was bloody and mangled from the whipping, but everyone knew that for a Delfin believer, being expelled from the church was a far greater torment than any physical pain.
People often grow after major setbacks. Though the cost was high, Bella finally learned to follow the rules.

Chapter Two

In 12976, the Era of Frost Veil, Bella, like many Dwarves, decided to join the imperial religion known as the April Church.
After three years of training, Bella received her ministerial name and, recommended by the hierarchy, became the bishop of Termia.
Though hesitant to leave home, Bella eagerly anticipated life in Termia, hoping to escape her mother's strict upbringing.
The day of departure finally came. Despite her annoyance at her mother's nagging, Bella felt emotional seeing her mother's graying hair.
Bella quickly turned away to hide her tears from her father. With a loud farewell, she left home, though she secretly wondered if her mother was watching her go.
Although there are always some difficulties on the road, Bella eventually arrived at her destination safely.
The April Church in Termia was nothing like Bella had imagined; it was less grand than she expected and had a small clergy.
Bella felt misled by the old bishop, who claimed the south was prosperous near the royal capital and not like the harsh northwest. "You'll see when you get there," he had told her.
Bella now understands that while the south is prosperous, it has nothing to do with her, a broke bishop.
Termia sits in the conflict zone between the Delfin and Gabriel Churches, both fighting for centuries. Forces are entrenched, and all resources are scarce.
The rundown Epria Church was a significant concession to the Emperor, and proper etiquette dictates a welcome banquet for the new bishop from the city's nobles.
But when it comes time to discuss repairing the church, the gentlemen are all eager to change the topic.
"A Dwarf, and a Sugeth one at that! If it weren't for an imperial edict, he wouldn't serve the Anyas. And church repairs? If the Clarks contribute a penny, I'll eat my hat!"
Later, Bella joined the enigmatic Wish Association. With the Holy Mother's aid, the Clarks and all the city's nobles generously contributed.
The daring Dwarf bishop faked a monster attack to dismantle the Church of Gabriel, leaving no trace behind. It seemed well-rehearsed.
The national religion took root in the southern stronghold, pleasing Emperor Webris. Bella, with her noble Dwarf heritage, became a key asset for the Emperor's vision of racial integration.
In 12983, the Era of Frost Veil, 18-year-old Bella entered the Imperial Magic Academy as its youngest instructor, poised for a bright future.
Bella's greatest desire was to go home and demonstrate to her mother that she was more than a weak girl, wanting to recount her achievements without coming across as arrogant.
After all, she had been honored by the Emperor and the Holy Shepherd—privileges not often granted, even to the illustrious Morins.
Yet, even in the center of the empire's power, not every desire could be easily fulfilled.

Chapter Three

Bella was born into a distinguished family and became a bishop at a young age, gaining recognition as a rising star at the Imperial Magic Academy. However, she remained unaware of her own prominence.
The academy president continually complained to the Holy Shepherd, insisting that Bella should be removed from the institution, claiming that traditional Yagol students couldn't coexist with the "crude" Dwarf. He argued that the future of the Empire was at stake, and the Holy See should not allow Bella to act recklessly.
Thanks to the Holy Shepherd's backing, Bella remained at the academy, where her laid-back demeanor made her popular among students.
Her class, "Golden Photos," won the academy championship, establishing her as a leading instructor.
Despite her success, Bella often thought of returning home but felt trapped by various obligations. She considered bringing her parents to Eon, but the stark contrast in living conditions and her family's needs made it seem daunting.
Just as Bella fantasized about her triumphant return, the Holy Shepherd who had supported her was accused of treason. The resulting political turmoil engulfed her like a collapsing mansion.
In 12987, during the Era of Frost Veil, the Forest Witch and the Emperor falsely accused Natalie, the Holy Shepherd of April Church. Natalie fled after facing the accusations.
As a trusted aide to Natalie, Bella lost her position and was summoned to court.
As rebellions erupted throughout the Sanctgard Empire and indifferent nobles ignored the chaos, the Emperor became too preoccupied to notice a Dwarf teacher.
With assistance from the Morins, Bella returned home, where the local children were mostly unaware of her past as a prominent instructor.
Reunited with her parents, Bella found joy in the simplicity of life away from the empire's hustle and bustle, appreciating the peace she had longed for.
She had witnessed both the empire's prosperity and its turmoil, ultimately realizing that her life was richer than most.
Change is the only constant in life. Although she had distanced herself from her past, Bella felt sympathy for the Holy See and wished to repay them one day.
Perhaps that was her only regret in life: wondering how her former students were faring.

Historical Notes

Eude Kingdom:
The Eude Kingdom (11933–17250, Era of Frost Veil) formed from the union of the Duchy of Wargum and Girot, resulting from the reconciliation of the Sugeths and Ezagels. This merger significantly advanced Mirren civilization through their distinct forging techniques.

Lyrsmoor:
Lyrsmoor is a small trading district in the northwest, renowned for its abundant rune stones inscribed with magical runes by dwarves. Named after Dorine Owen (2595–2609, Era of Firstlight), the progenitor of magic and forging, Lyrsmoor's rune stones were fundamental to Dwarf civilization. The Ezagel Dwarves excelled in forging, while the Sugeth Dwarves mastered rune energy through trade with the Elves, achieving extraordinary technological feats during the Golden Age.

The Empire:
The Sanctgard Empire (4529–13004, Era of Rebirth) was ruled by the Davies dynasty. Though nominally under the Ciaran overlord, Emperor Webris Davies maintained relative independence, including in the Kingdom of Eude, where Bella resided.

Eon:
Founded by Orccodros during the Pact of Jancis, Eon City evolved into a bustling metropolis and the capital of the Sanctgard Empire, symbolizing contemporary productivity.

Wish Association:
The Wish Association, established by "Holy Mother" Natalie (12905–13047, Era of Frost Veil), involved members consuming a concoction made from Bluetus leaves to commune with the divine.

Sacred Name:
Bella's sacred name was Aisha, derived from her mother's noble surname, and was rarely used directly. Officially, her name was Aisha Bella Morin. Sacred names, unique to the April Church, are bestowed upon members who achieve significant accomplishments, granting them considerable enhancements.

Epria:
"Eon's Blessing" Epria (2456–Present, Era of Firstlight) is one of the oldest angels, born at the dawn of human civilization. Discreet in her ways, unlike more involved angels such as Sinkou or Sarah, Epria serves as a fundamental guiding force within Mirren. Though venerated as a deity by the Sanctgard Empire, she has never manifested in the mortal realm, understanding that Mirren's fate relies on a select few.

Anya:
Anya, meaning "source of orthodoxy," was a term used by some Yagols, now mostly obsolete and retained only in certain southern regions. Historically, it denoted nobility during the Glorious Dynasty of the Ancient Wars but later became associated with extreme racialists.