Chapter XXXII: My Birthday

The day of my birthday has finally arrived. I will be turning 26 years old. Interestingly, it's a rather strange fact... My birthday in the 15th century is the same as in the 21st century, May 28th. How fascinating, I must say.

I woke up early in the morning and after washing up and changing into comfortable clothes, I went downstairs for breakfast. As I expected, no one seemed interested that today is my birthday. I decided to skip the morning Mass and instead hold one in the evening at the Cathedral, informing the people that I'm turning 26 and asking them to pray for me. Anyway, it's not like anyone cares about it...

"Marcus, you seem preoccupied... Is something bothering you?"

"N-No, it's nothing important. Anyway, you have two trials right after breakfast. One at 9:00 and the other at 10:00."

"Marcus, didn't I tell you I wanted to have the day off today? They can wait until tomorrow..."

"Hah, the great judge isn't in the mood for trials? How inconvenient," Cesare said ironically.

I-It's my birthday... Once a year I spend my birthday, and they give me work right now. They are despicable... Even if Benjamin was busy, he always made time and we celebrated my birthday together. Hmm, maybe Julius knows something. Well, for 6 years, we spent my birthday in his house with our friends...

After breakfast, I headed to the courthouse, where two trials were already awaiting resolution. Quite serious ones, I must say... One priest was convicted of rape, and another priest was convicted of theft. Seriously? Is this really that important?

I used hypnosis again, and it turned out to be true. Without the right to object, I ordered them to be flogged and sent to a solitary monastery outside the capital for a year. Of course, blood was shed, and on my birthday, I was extremely selfish and didn't share it with anyone.

After the two trials, at 11:00, I went to the house of Julius and his family, which had become my own family. I opened the gate and was greeted by the family's butler, who informed me that the family had gone to a certain festival. I used my power of hypnosis again, and it seemed he was right. Everyone abandoned me on my birthday... Including my own family.

Anyway, it's not like there won't be other opportunities to celebrate my birthday, right? I went to the seminary in Targoviste, the place where I studied, to speak with my former professors and reminisce about the old times together.

The seminary was very close to the cathedral, so it wasn't too tiring to get there. Silence. Too quiet. I entered the main hall, recalling the wonderful things that happened to me over those 6 years. Normally, a student would be at the entrance to greet guests. Oh, it seems there is one.

"Father Antonio, what brings you to our seminary?"

"Well, I decided to pay a short visit and reminisce about the days I spent here with my fellow students..."

"Um, yes... Well, everyone, including the priests, is away at a festival and they can't come to greet you..."

However, various noises were coming from upstairs. Hmm, could I go and take a look? It seems not...

"Father, I don't think you'll be able to go upstairs because there are some workers up there fixing certain things that have broken down..."

"Such as?"

"The chandeliers... Although they're quite old, they were working until last week..."

"Hmm, interesting. Then, how about being my discussion partner for a while?"

"Um, of course, if it doesn't bother you..."

"Alright. Before we start our discussion, how about introducing yourself?"

"Well, um... My name is Benjamin, I'm 21 years old, and I'm in my third year of studies... I'm in the first year of theological studies and was just admitted to the holy orders this fall..."

"Wait... Did you say your name is Benjamin?"

"Y-Yes... Why do you ask?"

"N-No reason..."

It can't be... He looks exactly like Benjamin when he was in his third year of studies... Well, I was in my first year of studies when he was in his third, so I remember him perfectly. Plus, I can never forget what Benjamin looks like because he resembles Bright Vachirawit Chivaree, the Thai actor who also appeared in the series 2gether... It's not a sin for priests to watch TV series, okay?

"So, it seems you'll be starting your study of canon law this year, right?"

"Y-Yes... With Father Michael. He's about your age, but you don't look anything alike. He's very strict with the students, and if we don't repeat exactly what he says in class, he deducts points from our grade..."

"Wait... Is this Michael blond with green eyes and about 1.70m tall?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Does he happen to be 27 years old?"

"Y-Yes..."

Damn it, Michael... I can't believe the person I helped "have fun" with the class president has become a professor of canon law... And the worst of all, on top of that...

"Well, how are you doing with canon law?"

"I-I'm not doing very well... Last semester, I got a 7, and this semester is even harder..."

"Don't be discouraged by that... The important thing is to pass the exam, right?"

"Y-Yes... It's just that... I would have liked it if you were our professor..."

"And I would have liked that too, but I have much more important matters than teaching at the seminary. You know, trials and other things, plus I'm now the leader of the Church in place of Ignatius, so..."

"That's understandable... I'm just saying that-"

"Hmm... Quite interesting... I think I could come one day and be the examiner instead of Michael, don't you think?"

"Oh, yes... When do you plan to come?"

"I'm not sure... When do you have the exam?"

"On June 13th, why do you ask?"

"Hmm, it seems I'll be free then... Alright, let's meet on June 13th for the exam. Make sure to study well, okay?"

"Y-Yes... I'll study so that I don't disappoint you."

"Good... See you... Oh, today is my birthday, and so far, no one has said 'Happy birthday!' or anything... Anyway-"

"Happy birthday, Father Antonio... Even if no one has done it until now, the important thing is that they still have time to do it, right?"

Why does he resemble Benjamin so much? I want to... No, I can't. He's a student, and I... Anyway, I hope he doesn't resent me for this...

"F-Father, what are you doing?" Benjamin said, embarrassed and amazed.

"I patted your head as a gesture of gratitude... You reminded me of a former classmate of mine... Anyway, see you later..."

"S-Sure, Father... Happy birthday again..."

He's such a sweet boy. He reminds me of Benjamin, my classmate from the 21st century... It's my first birthday without him... For 7 years, I spent my birthday with him, and now...

Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore. I'm going home for lunch, then I'll rest until 5:00 p.m. when I have to celebrate a Mass in the Cathedral. All that matters is that at least I can rest after two trials... At least on my birthday...

I've arrived at the Episcopal palace. Complete silence. Did these people all leave for a festival on my birthday? Damn, everyone. They should have been by my side at least on my birthday. Why is this happening to me so suddenly? I hate this... I hate being alone on my birthday... Just like I used to before I met Julius or Benjamin in my world...

Well, anyway, what matters is that I have to spend my birthday in a way that I don't fall into any depression, right? Although I don't know how I'll be able to do that, to be honest. Anyway, it doesn't matter. This day will pass just like any other, and on May 30th, I'll go to the king's party, and maybe I'll spend my birthday there too. Well thought out.

I made a 5-egg omelet and a salad with some vegetables I found in the kitchen and ate them. After finishing my meal alone in the kitchen, I headed to the bedroom where I took off my cassock and other clothes and fell asleep feeling sad and alone.

In my dream, something amazing was happening. I was in a huge building with walls made of gold and a crystal floor, and I couldn't see the roof. In front of me was a tall empty throne. On either side of this throne, several smaller thrones were guarding the king who sat on that throne, also empty.

Thousands of people were in that hall, which at one point seemed to resemble a cathedral. No, it resembled a palace... No, it resembled something I had never seen before.

After a few moments, as I walked alongside one of the golden walls, trumpets, and other musical instruments were heard. Upon hearing them, the thousands of people knelt, not daring to look at the procession. Everything frightened me... I thought it was reality, not just a dream. I tried to pinch my cheek, but I couldn't wake up... Actually, it hurt.

As soon as the song and procession ended, the people stood up, just as I did.

Now, the thrones were occupied by extremely wealthy individuals. I say this because all the people were dressed in very expensive red clothing. Only the person sitting on the throne was not dressed in red but in white. A white that turned into gold, thanks to the gold from which the clothes were made.

"After testing him for so long, it's time to reward him, don't you think?" said the king on the throne.

The whole crowd started applauding, and I did the same, of course, not wanting to do anything that would upset the king...

"Now, Father Antonio will be rewarded for the trials he has gone through. Come, Father, come..."

Wait, what? The person on the throne is inviting me? I am astonished and extremely embarrassed to stand in front of such an important person.

The person on the throne was... Like in the biblical vision of the prophet Ezekiel... Oh no... Is it God?!

The person on the throne looked like a young man with hair as white as milk and eyes as blue as the clear sky. I also noticed that he was sitting on a floor different from the others, which resembled the sky itself. I knelt, and the person on the throne stroked my head, telling me that my mistakes had been forgiven and that my previous gifts, including the stigmata, would be restored. Other gifts were also promised to me...

"Antonio, I have a plan for you... Only you can make this plan come to a successful end..."

"I don't understand..."

"I will send you throughout the world to convince the leaders of nations to unite in a single alliance, accepting me as the One God, of course..."

"I don't think I can... You know, if it were about 2 or 3 countries, it would be different, but..."

"Why do you think I gave you this body? Do you think you deserve it? I gave it to you to assist you and to persuade kings and nobles to fulfill my plan!"

"But..."

"I don't want to hear anything else... Do as I commanded, or you can choose to reject me..."

"No... It's just that, I was thinking that in the 21st century-"

"Do you want to have the same body in the 21st century? Very well... After you unite the whole world under My and the Church's rule, you will be able to return. You should be grateful that you are immortal, shouldn't you?"

"Yes... I agree with this plan. Anyway, I should thank you for making me so charismatic, right?"

"Well, know that it was my first gift to you, exactly 26 years ago today... Anyway, today is your birthday, isn't it? Consider this meeting as a birthday gift..."

"I don't know what to say..."

"Then don't say anything, just wake up..."

I woke up from my sleep, back in Targoviste. It seems that Divinity really has a plan for me, doesn't it? I went downstairs to see what was happening, and to my surprise, Marcus was talking to the seminary rector.

"Marcus, did something happen?"

"The rector invites you to celebrate the evening Mass in the seminary chapel..."

"I agree, but only if Benjamin will be the server, okay?"

"How do you know Benjamin?" the rector asked.

"I saw him at the entrance and had a conversation with him... Anyway, it seems that he cares more about me than all of you..."

"Why do you think that?" Marcus asked me.

"Hm, because... It doesn't matter..."

"Fine... Benjamin will be the altar boy, so... Are you coming?"