In Hilia’s impression, Phil Pharos, just like her, had black hair and black eyes.

Although they’d hardly had any contact and rarely saw each other, since they were rivals, Hilia still knew a bit about the others.

However, after not seeing her for so long, the current Phil really surprised her.

Rose’s affirmation made her even more suspicious.

"Why would Phil be so deeply corrupted by the pollution?"

As a Holy Court Saintess, even if just a candidate, this was truly outrageous.

Hilia thought that even if she ventured deep into the demon’s lair—like at that Deep Sea Mutual Aid Association base last time—faced with such intense pollution, even without Rose, she could still walk around twice completely unharmed.

Even if she let the pollution invade her body, she could quickly purify it once she left.

The Sea Successor white whale—as a demon from the Abyss—the pollution must be intense, right?

Even so, after eating a little of its fin, she managed to expel all the pollution from her body in just one day—of course, that was only after eating a small amount.

No matter how much she thought about it, Hilia just couldn’t figure out why Phil would be so polluted.

Unfortunately, they were a little too far apart, so she couldn’t sense Phil’s state of pollution up close.

After considering, Hilia decided to ask Rose for help.

"Lord Rose, do you know why Phil’s pollution is so severe? Did she dig up the white whale you dealt with and eat it?"

"Good idea. If that’s the case, I’d have to give her a thumbs up."

Rose observed Phil’s condition carefully, fell silent for a moment, and then said, "Her situation looks serious, but it hasn’t affected her actions, nor has it caused a major decline in her Spiritual Power... interesting, it’s as if she let the pollution in on purpose."

"She let the pollution in on purpose?" Hilia frowned, not understanding.

"To know for sure, you’ll have to approach her personally. If you’re curious, wait until after she’s done and set up a meeting with her."

"As the future Holy Daughter, I can’t just stand by while someone is polluted and do nothing."

Hilia steeled her resolve.

At this moment, she heard a familiar voice in her ear.

"Phil Pharos, daughter of Mr. Pharos, was once described by the Holy Master as the kindest child when chosen as the candidate Holy Daughter."

Hilia turned her head, seeing Benovia walk up beside her.

Benovia also turned, meeting Hilia’s gaze. "During her first trial, she was already preparing for the Priest assessment. Now, she’s passed and become a Holy Priest."

"She actually became a Holy Priest?" Hilia was surprised.

"She’s highly compatible with the light element, her Holy Word Skill training far exceeds ours, and with her personality, it’s no surprise she became a Holy Priest."

Hilia nodded, then asked back, "Why are you telling me this?"

"I’m letting you know what your competitors are like. My guess is, you only know a little about the other candidates."

Hilia: "...I do know a bit, actually!"

"Your ’bit’ really is just a bit. Even though I’m not that interested in becoming the Holy Daughter, I still do my homework," Benovia said.

"Then you must know me very well?" Hilia asked curiously.

"Not really, only on the surface. I only know you’re very talented with runes, and that you seem to have wiped out several Heretic Bases—you’re basically a natural nemesis for the sects."

As she spoke, Benovia also sighed. "If the Holy Court wanted to get rid of all the sects, picking you as the Holy Daughter would definitely work."

Hilia rolled her eyes. "The way you say it, it’s as if the Holy Court doesn’t want the sects gone."

"Who knows,"

Benovia neither agreed nor disagreed, looking toward the stage.

"Phil’s hair and eyes have changed, mostly due to pollution. She once independently purified a deep-level pollution event, and the target was just ordinary civilians—the ones most likely to die. But I can say for sure, she wasn’t corrupted during that healing."

Right now, Phil on stage had already launched attacks at the instructor’s magic puppet.

As the battle unfolded, Hilia and Benovia among the audience felt the aura of pollution from her even more clearly.

Only those students who had yet to properly learn the Holy Word Skill didn’t notice that heavy pollution, and even exclaimed in admiration.

"Phil is so pretty. I heard she used to have black hair and eyes, but after something happened, she changed like this. But she’s really beautiful now!"

"She looks kind of sick, her skin pale as snow. On others that’d be scary, but with her I just want to care for her."

"She doesn’t need your care. She’s using Tier Two light magic, Holy Light Strike—upgrading the Tier One, only-dazzles-the-eyes Holy Light Skill to an attack that does real damage. Only Tier Two Mages can pull that off."

"So strong! I heard she’s the legendary candidate Holy Daughter—are all the candidates Tier Two?"

"Tier Two is the basic requirement for candidate Holy Daughters. How do you not know that?"

"Watching Tier Two Mage battles is a real treat."

"..."

Listening to the voices around her, Hilia watched Phil’s battle while replying to Benovia: "She might be intentionally inviting pollution in—look at her, even though she appears so sickly, she fights without any weakness. That means her Spiritual Power hasn’t been affected by the pollution."

Benovia nodded. "Seems that’s the case. Even after being polluted, her combat ability is still strong, though not as strong as Hilia’s."

Hilia: "?"

Why’d you use me to put her down?

But then again—

Just judging by combat, based on Phil’s performance, Hilia assessed inwardly that she really was stronger than the other girl.

Mage’s Hand would finish her instantly.

Could probably win even without using Mage’s Hand.

Still, Hilia wouldn’t look down on her because of that, because—

"She’s a Priest, not good at fighting by default—not someone to compare to Miss Benovia."

Benovia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If we’re comparing, it should be you and me, but I can’t beat you. Among the candidate Holy Daughters, Hilia, your fighting strength tops all of us combined, right?"

"Where did you get that nonsensical conclusion?" Hilia looked back, that meme-worthy confused expression: "You should be stronger than me."

Benovia smiled. "Just a guess. But me not being able to beat you—that’s a fact, not a guess."

Hilia thought Benovia was buttering her up to set her up.

Although being praised like this felt good, Hilia also grew cautious. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Trying to flatter me into a fall? No way!

"Oh right, the next match is Encore’s. Miss Hilia, want to watch together?"

"Definitely,"

Hilia agreed eagerly.

Encore and Phil, the most low-key candidates. Phil ended up like this. How will Encore turn out?

Hilia was very curious.

In fact, Benovia might be the most low-key, but because of the Hiro Association, Hilia ended up knowing a lot more about her.

Plus, with Rose saying she lives near the school, so he sees her often.

Benovia’s sense of mystery faded a lot with Rose’s occasional mentions.

Hilia felt Lord Rose seemed quite interested in Benovia, now and then sharing her status with her.

This made Hilia happy.

She’d learned more about her rivals.