The World I Sponsored Is Real

"Yes. This time, His Majesty the Emperor has decided to appoint new members of the Royal Knights based on the results of the academy's graduation exam."

The professor's words were as follows:

This time, they would recruit the valedictorian of the Louprantia Academy directly into the Royal Knights without any further tests, should they wish to join.

There had been some grumbling about whether such a benefit could be extended to Louprantia Academy, which wasn't high in the overall rankings despite its prowess in swordsmanship.

However, since the academy's headmaster had close ties with the royal family, the complaints quickly subsided.

If it was the Royal Knights, it was fine, but if they had said they would select magicians for the Mage Tower, the backlash would have been much worse.

Regardless of the background, for Luka, this was an opportunity. If she secured the top spot in the upcoming graduation exam, she could immediately become a member of the Royal Knights, an opportunity worth its weight in gold!

It was truly an event-driven recommendation. And what luck, it aligned perfectly with Luka's graduation!

If this wasn't God watching over her, how could one explain such good fortune?

"That's not all. Besides recruiting the valedictorian into the Royal Knights, they'll also grant the runner-up a special qualification to become a Holy Knight."

"A Holy Knight?"

"Yes. Though a Saintess hasn't appeared yet... if one were to be born in this era, it might even be a better privilege than joining the Royal Knights!"

Unlike her childhood, Luka was now an adult who knew the ins and outs.

The qualification to become a Holy Knight was, in reality, nothing more than an empty honor.

To select Holy Knights, a Saintess was absolutely necessary, and no Saintess had appeared for nearly 200 years.

Expecting a Saintess to suddenly appear was foolish.

Nevertheless, being able to join the Royal Knights without a test was still an incredible privilege.

"If it's the valedictorian..."

"Only one person can do it."

One person.

Only one could join the Royal Knights.

Her friend Irina, who had been with her for three years, smiled at Luka upon hearing the news.

It was that confident smile of someone who had never known defeat.

Luka quite liked that smile.

"Luka, let's have a match! No hard feelings, no matter who wins between you and me!"

"That's exactly what I wanted to say, Irina."

A few months later, on the day of the graduation exam.

The winner of the one-on-one combat-style graduation exam was decided without any surprises.

Luka Hevnesian, who rarely missed being the top of her grade, defeated her close friend Irina, who had made it to the finals, to become the valedictorian.

'I won...!'

At that moment, Luka thought her time had finally come.

This was the result of God, who had always watched over her, showing mercy.

She never lost her integrity no matter what she did. Even if it was something small, if it wasn't right, she wouldn't even glance at it.

She wouldn't do anything dishonest, even if no one was watching and no one would be hurt by it.

If she joined the Royal Knights, she could finally earn a proper amount of money.

What came to Luka's mind was the orphanage. The children waiting for her, the headmaster, and the nuns.

Had Amon and Freya grown much? They should be around 15 by now, shedding their childishness to become young men and women. She wanted to see their growth soon.

But.

"Sniff..."

"Irina..."

"Congratulations, Luka... You didn't even look at me... If you had, I would have been really mad..."

"I'm genuinely happy... Thank you for doing your best... Congratulations on joining the Royal Knights...! I, I'll follow soon... soon..."

For the first time, Irina's unyielding heart was broken.

They were friends, yet rivals, and although Luka had never lost in swordsmanship, Irina always said with a smile:

"I'll win next time."

It never happened, but that promise was never empty.

Without Irina pushing her, Luka wouldn't have reached her current level either.

'...'

Why was it?

Instead of the joyful faces of the headmaster and the orphanage siblings, it was her father's image that came to mind.

Her father, pointing at the sky at the harbor at sunset, with clear eyes like a child, saying:

— God is watching over us.

"Irina."

Always, no matter what you do.

From above, always watching you.

"I'll give you the valedictorian spot."

The spirit of her father, etched in her body, propelled Luka forward.

"Really, is this okay...? I, I, I..."

"Becoming a Royal Knight was your dream, wasn't it? I was only interested because it pays well."

"Luka..."

"We can just take the entry exam separately, right? We're graduating soon anyway."

After discussing with the professors, it was agreed that since Irina's skills were on par with Luka's, if both wanted, they could switch their awards.

For Luka, there was no need for further hesitation. There was a significant gap between Irina, for whom the Royal Knights were the sole goal and dream, and herself, who just wanted to live a stable life.

"And don't forget the runner-up's benefit? The church said they'd grant you the qualification to become a Holy Knight."

"But that depends on the Saintess appearing..."

"And actually, I'd rather be a Holy Knight than join the Royal Knights. After all, God is always watching over us, right?"

"Thinking about it, Luka always used to say that..."

Luka didn't regret giving up her spot to Irina.

She was confident in her own abilities.

Even without this privilege, she was sure she could enter the Royal Knights through the regular route.

It might take some time, but wouldn't God always be watching over her?

Thus, by choosing to aim for the Holy Knight instead of entering the Royal Knights, the graduation exam concluded...

And time passed, another year went by.

It was graduation day at the academy.

Although she finished as the runner-up in the graduation exam, Luka was chosen to deliver the valedictory speech due to her overall excellent performance.

Everything seemed perfect up to this point. It felt like her life would be a bed of roses from then on.

"...huh?"

Until she returned to her hometown and saw the scene.

The sunset had already faded, but her house—her Hevnesian Adelia—was still burning bright red.

'What... what is this?! What's happening?!'

Without time to assess the situation, she ran towards the burning orphanage.

'!!!!'

Some children... were lying down bleeding.

She also saw the nuns collapsed.

At that moment:

"Luka...!"

"Head... Headmaster?!"

She ran towards where the voice came from.

Thump, thump.

"God is watching over us," her father's voice echoed in her ears, thump, thump.

Before her, the headmaster, covered in blood, looked up at Luka with a worried expression.

"I, I'm sorry... for it to turn out like this... I should explain..."

"Just wait! I'll quickly call for help—!"

"They've already gone to call for help... it'll be resolved soon... soon..."

"What the hell happened here? What happened?!"

Instead of explaining, the headmaster smiled.

A smile of one who realized the time God had given him was up.

"Luka... congratulations on graduating..."

"Headmaster...?"

At that moment, Luka's world stopped.

No sound could be heard.

She screamed until her throat hurt. She knew people were rushing from behind, but she couldn't hear them.

Instead, she heard her father's voice.

God is watching over us, he said.

Watching over, always.

God.

No matter what happens.

Good [bad] things [upon], all [all].

He watches over.

God

is

watching

over

you.

If

if that's true,

is this... God's response...?

The conclusion was that a plague had spread in the area, leading to an increase in bandit raids.

All the bandits were captured, with more than half dying during the beatings.

The leader was beheaded.

All those deeply involved in the crime were dead.

'...'

What did Luka do? Nothing.

The academy's headmaster, worried about her, provided her with a place to stay, making survival possible, but her eyes were no longer those of someone full of life.

She lived simply, consuming the bare minimum of food and water.

Spending more than half her day lying in bed, her concern was singular.

If God was always watching over, was this His answer?

She had faced many misfortunes, yet she persevered without breaking. It was fine. Because He was watching.

She had never done anything shameful. So why?

Why... why?

She didn't seek recognition. She just didn't want to lose what was precious!

"Luka."

The dean's voice came from beyond the door.

Luka didn't respond, but the dean didn't pressure, understanding.

"I have something to tell you. You can listen from there."

—A Saintess has appeared.

"Luka, this means you've been granted the qualification to become a Holy Knight. I'll submit your application. So—"

"I know you've been through hardship, but I hope this can be a stepping stone for your recovery."

After saying this, the sound of footsteps walking away.

Thump, thump, her father's voice.

God is always watching from above.

The dean didn't tell Luka the truth.

This was just an opportunity given without expecting a Saintess to appear. The likelihood of Luka becoming a Holy Knight was virtually zero.

Ophelia Translante, Linea von Einsberg.

The chances of a mere runner-up from Louprantia Academy defeating these two renowned figures were zero.

Even if God chose the Saintess, humans chose the Holy Knights.

He just wanted her to regain her spirit.

If she showed any motivation, he was ready to support her fully. Luka had too much talent to be broken here.

After the dean left, Luka buried her head in her pillow.

Normally, she would have been shocked by the news of a Saintess appearing. But she wasn't surprised.

Luka's spirit was broken. Having lost her second family, instead of moving forward, she stood still, whispering in her heart:

God.

So... were you really 'Iggokden'? I'm sorry. I'm just used to calling you 'God', please forgive me.

Are you there?

Are you always watching?

If so, is this another trial I must overcome?

Will good things come like when I got into the academy if I endure and move forward?

Like now, with the Saintess appearing, giving me a chance to become a Holy Knight?

But... but.

'Family...'

Having lost her family twice now.

Would becoming a Holy Knight even matter?

Is all of this God's will?

She asked questions that would never be answered.

Asking, and asking, and asking again...

Her father—or something bearing her father's name—whispered to her.

God is watching over you.

God is watching over you.

God is watching over you... like a broken record, click, clack.

***

Click, click.

Realizing there was no more scroll to pull down, I put on the sternest, most dignified, and serious expression in the world.

Hmm. I was expecting something, but it's just melodrama, isn't it?

People are so predictable. Those with less discernment would be heavily swayed by this kind of melodrama. The idea is so crude, it's laughable.

And then—

"Wah... hic... boo-hoo-hoo-hoo...!!!!"

Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

I was the epitome of the predictable

"lowbrow person"

I was criticizing, drawn in caricature.

"Sniff... sniff... Luka...!!! Luka...!!! You've worked so hard...!"

You didn't break under misfortune and kept pushing forward! You're amazing...!

And even with all that happening at the end, instead of blaming God, you're asking about His will...!!!

You're right!

God is watching over you!

He saw you never do anything wrong, even for a moment, and how you gave up your spot in the Royal Knights!

Truthfully, I haven't been watching all along. I'm sorry. But...

But now.

I!

I'm watching you!

"Sniff... sniff..."

Tears ran down my cheeks, hot, onto my knees.

I just feel so sorry for Luka.

She would have gone unnoticed if I hadn't checked, poor thing.

I wish Luka could be a Holy Knight, at least once...

[ Iggokden: Auuuuthor ]

[ Iggokden: Whyyy showwnnww mwwe this lattttme? ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: 'Why did you show me this late?' Is that what you meant to say? ]

[ Iggokden: Yeah... ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: Well... Luka's fate is so tangled up that fixing it isn't straightforward. ]

[ Iggokden: What does that mean? ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: If you're asking what that means, the power of sponsorship is indeed like 'God's power' that can do anything... ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: But you know each issue acts independently, right? ]

I think I understood what he was getting at.

Like removing a rock for 3,000 won or increasing Erin's chest size for 7,000 won. Something like that.

[ Iggokden: Yeah ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: That's why I didn't show you. Even if you are as generous as the sea, Iggokden... ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: We can't burden the one and only being looking after this world... ]

Oh? He's aiming for a big donation here?

Alright then. How much?

How much!!!!

[ Iggokden: Just tell me, how much? ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: 150,000 won. ]

[ GiveMeMoneyPlease: That's the minimum amount needed to turn the wheel of her miserable fate and appoint her as a Holy Knight. And that's not all. Also... ]

150,000 won?

I entered the numbers before he could finish his sentence.

[ Iggokden: (Sponsorship / 300,000 won / Shut up!!! Take the money!!!)]

[ Iggokden: Eeegoogoo!!! Bring on the next ep!!! BANG BANG BANG!! kyaaa kyaah!!asdfghkk lol]

Show me the next chapter!

Hurry up!!!!