Yugo’s eyes flew wide as he choked back a gasp at Dogma’s words.
Standing at the very back of the hall, no one noticed his sudden distress, but his reaction was visibly rattled.
A foreign object that must not exist in this world has slipped in... While most in the crowd couldn't grasp the implications of Dogma's statement, Yugo—who knew exactly what she was referring to—understood only too well what she meant.
As the confused students murmured, Dogma began to elaborate, her explanation mirroring Yugo's own grim suspicions.
"...I realize this is not a story easily believed. However, every word I speak is the truth. In this world, there are humans who have come from another world... individuals known as Reincarnators."
The students reacted in a dozen different ways. Some wore skeptical smirks, dismissing it as a joke, while others looked on in stunned disbelief. A few simply stood there with blank expressions, unable to process a concept so far removed from their reality.
Yet, as Yugo listened, his heart hammered against his ribs like a frantic bell. His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails bit into his palms.
Reincarnators...! She definitely said it. Do they... do they know I'm here!?
Yugo was reeling. He had never expected his identity to be exposed so abruptly, and the sheer suddenness of the revelation left him drowning in confusion.
Judging by Dogma’s claim that Reincarnators were "objects that must not exist" and the overall thrust of her speech, he gathered that these people were somehow tied to the appearance of the craters. However, a specific detail caught his attention.
Wait... she said 'humans,' plural. Does that mean there’s more than one of us?
Dogma had explicitly used the phrase "humans who have come from another world."
It meant that Yugo wasn't the only Reincarnator in this world.
When he searched for candidates, the Masterminds—Lost and his associates—immediately came to mind. Yugo was already certain they were Reincarnators like himself, but Dogma’s tone suggested that the Church's targets might be separate from that group.
If that was the case, then who? As Yugo fell into a silent, internal panic, Dogma continued her lecture.
"These Reincarnators are foreign objects that disrupt the very fate of this world. Just as the biological balance of the natural world is destroyed when an invasive species is introduced to an environment... their mere presence throws the balance of our world into chaos. God has revealed that the frequent Crater damage is a sign of this disruption. Our world has lost its equilibrium and is beginning to collapse."
Cries of astonishment rippled through the hall at the mention of the world's destruction.
Yugo felt a heavy wave of shock. Is my presence here really causing all this...?
Dogma continued, unperturbed.
"Furthermore, God has delivered an Oracle stating that these Reincarnators are hiding here, within Luminous Academy. The Central Church took note of the craters marching steadily toward this institution and concluded the Oracle’s reliability was high. We have resolved to act now to prevent the world’s collapse."
"P-Please, wait a moment!"
Professor Castle, his face pale and agitated, spoke up from the crowd.
"You said the Reincarnators disrupt the world's balance simply by existing. If stopping the collapse means 'excluding' them from this world, then that means—!?"
Castle had connected the dots. If Dogma meant to save the world by removing the Reincarnators, she was talking about execution.
Dogma met his frantic gaze with a quiet, composed expression.
"...That is still under deliberation. Matters of life and death cannot be decided in haste. However, we must first determine who the Reincarnators are and take them into custody. Without that, we cannot hope to resolve this crisis."
"Which means... you have a way to identify them!?"
Dogma gave a slow, solemn nod.
She clapped her hands, and several masked Monks stepped forward. They carried strangely shaped lanterns, each fitted with handles on both the top and sides.
"This is the Magic Item the Central Church developed to identify Reincarnators: the Flame of Judgment. Professor Castle, please, come forward and take it in your hands."
"Y-Yes..."
The professor climbed onto the stage and accepted the lantern-shaped item. As he gripped the side handles, Dogma gestured for him to continue.
"Now, look directly at the flame. Concentrate. Stare into it steadily."
"I... alright."
Confused but compliant, Professor Castle stared into the red flame burning within the lantern. He held his gaze for nearly twenty seconds, and then, the fire shifted.
"The flame... it's turning green?"
"Rest easy, Professor Castle. This is the correct reaction. It is Proof from God that you are a genuine human of this world."
Dogma smiled warmly as she answered.
She then raised the lantern, showing the students the Emerald Flame burning within.
"This fire reflects the Color of the Soul of the one who gazes into it. If the person holding the lantern is a native of this world, the fire will turn into a Green Flame. If they are not, it will turn into a Black Flame."
"Then, if it turns black...!?" Professor Castle whispered.
Dogma nodded, her eyes sweeping over the student body once more. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet but possessed a weight that reached every corner of the hall.
"Then that individual is not a human of this world... they are a Reincarnator from another world."