Damn Academy - Chapter 132

[Episode 132] The Phantom of the Guardian Tree (11)

In the Rigved central plaza, in front of a grandiose ducal mansion owned by the principality, knights heavily clad in armor stood in an ominous formation. This place warranted the tightest security in all of Rigved, as it housed the heir to the principality, Lady Vivi Gainax.

As the afternoon drizzle set in, a carriage pulled to a stop before the estate. Upon its arrival, the line of awaiting knights collectively took a knee.

One servant scurried with a parasol to the carriage while another placed a step stool at its door. From within emerged a gorgeous lady with a wide-brimmed hat, her arrival as graceful as it was refined—it was none other than Lady Vivi Gainax.
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Her aide, Gerald, followed closely by her side.

“How was the party, Lady?”
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“…”

“Just the usual ball.”

Lady Gainax answered indifferently before striding into the mansion. Gerald dismissed the guards and servants with a wave of his hand as they walked through the corridor; there were sensitive matters at hand, and he intended to spare the innocent from potential backlash.

“News has arrived from the capital.”

“Speak.”

“There’s been a dire calamity in the capital, prompting a command to reinforce the entire principality’s security measures. Consequently, a larger detachment will accompany your return, Lady.”

“Is that so.”

“And… the principality has requested aid from the Order and Lady Silveryn for the calamity’s investigation.”

Lady Gainax came to a sudden halt as she traversed the Great Hall, but she remained facing away, showing her back to the aide.

Gerald clenched his eyes shut. He was all too aware of Vivi’s anger and feelings of inferiority towards Silveryn. For Vivi, who had inherited some imperial aspects from her father, Silveryn’s overwhelming authority was intolerable, even abhorrent.

After a brief pause, Lady Gainax questioned,

“Who made that request?”

“The Archduke directly petitioned the Holy City, Lady. Silveryn will be traveling straight to our principality after her duties at the Continental Congress.”

“…”

Without a word of acknowledgment, Lady Gainax moved towards the end of the hall and conjured a fire in the great fireplace with magic.

Before her was a long dining table, laden with food almost bending its legs under the weight. It was prepared for her delayed luncheon.

“Such an elaborate meal isn’t necessary.”

“Forgive me. Tomorrow’s post-party arrangement will be made far simpler.”

Lady Gainax took a bottle of wine and seated herself.
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Gerald made a motion to call a servant, but she stopped him.

“That’s enough. What about the matter I requested earlier?”

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“The guard duty assignment for Damian, the Archmage’s apprentice, was declined.”

At this, a dangerous glint flickered in the drinking Lady’s eyes.

“…”

“Given the orders to reinforce the security force, the placement will be focused more on senior students who are available for immediate deployment…”

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And as he spoke, plates from the table crashed down with a loud clatter. Lady Gainax’s unrestrained magical energy was the cause, randomly bursting forth from her in a fit of emotion.

“That’s not what I asked for.”

Gerald quickly kneeled, apologizing profusely.

“Lady…”
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Vivi spoke in a cold, almost warning tone.

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“I need that boy. Bring him here.”

Her resolution seemed unyielding.

***

Tomorrow there was a combat class scheduled. This meant showcasing my skills in whatever form in front of everyone. The frighteningly powerful magic sword and the sharpest wooden swords were not allowed in the class, to say nothing of Gryphon potions. Hence, familiarizing myself with more rudimentary techniques was necessary.

During the training week, Plantaras are released in Grace Mountain just like during the entrance examination. I planned to catch them today and improve my sensitivity to a basic sword.

With my robe and sword in tow, I made my way to the Grace Mountain entrance lawn, where during the entrance exam we had all gathered. There stood training Plantaras, resolute even amidst the downpour.

I had expected solitude given the weather but found to my surprise someone else was there – Lilith.

She was fully concentrated on her training, her hair drenched and sodden, appearing as if she came here straight after art class.

She was engaged with two Plantaras at once, as if in genuine battle, her incantations for magic echoing amidst the rainfall.

She seemed not to notice my arrival.

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Even as the Plantaras’ clubs threatened her, she showed no sign of fear. True, Plantaras were merely for training and thus couldn’t inflict fatal blows, but even the weight of their hits was enough to send her tumbling to the ground. Every time, she’d shake it off and stand to fight again.

After watching for a while, I enticed nearby Plantaras, keeping my distance from Lilith as I began my training.

My aim was not to catch them, so I focused on dodging attacks and gauging my strikes.

I recalled Sion’s movements during our bout in the Circulatory class. Her glare, her steps, everything was vivid. Lacking in basics, I had to make use of all the recollections I could muster.

The pair of Plantaras encircled me, swinging wildly.

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The clang of blades joined Lilith’s chants of casting as I read their movements, avoiding blows, and seeking vulnerabilities. Still, my combat display was undeniably crude.

I extended the fight to four Plantaras against one, their misaimed swings excavating puddles around us.

Midway, I felt a gaze on the back of my head.

After felling the Plantaras with cuts to their knees, immobilizing all four, I looked to source the stare.

Lilith was watching from afar, soaked to the bone, her glare intent. Wondering how she managed, even the Planatras beside her stood staring.

“…”

“…”

Upon our eyes meeting, she quickly turned away to re-engage the Plantaras in battle.

***

Lilith departed first, having paled from intense training, leaving me to continue alone. I timed myself to arrive at the Magic Department building as Trisha finished her class.

“Damian!”

Through the throng exiting the lecture hall, Trisha spotted me and bounced forward. Witnessing her approach felt like greeting a child returning from school.

She commented on my rain-soaked condition,

“You look like a lost puppy!”

“Let’s go. I’m cold.”

“Wait up. I just learned a new spell that should warm us up quick. It’ll work wonders.”

Trisha recited an incantation and gestured a spell, but nothing happened.

“It’s cold. Let’s go.”

“Ey, why didn’t it work…”

“It’s really cold. Let’s go.”

Her face fell again promptly. It wasn’t only I who needed relentless effort. How had she passed the Master’s Class evaluation?

“Hold on, I’ll give you my clothes!”

Trisha began unbuttoning her garment amidst everyone. Surely, she had something on underneath, but it was distasteful for a young lady to undress in such a public place.

“Enough. Your clothes are too small.”

I grabbed her fumbling hands and led her away.

We left the lecture hall and headed towards the entrance of the labyrinth, out of others’ sight.

Just then, a stray Stitch circled aimlessly before flying towards me.

Recognizing it as possibly Silveryn’s, I snatched it hastily, knowing the initials could lead to misunderstandings.

“What’s that?” Trisha’s eyes sparked with curiosity.

“It looks darker, luckily not Silveryn’s but Cecil’s.”

“There’s a note to come to pick up a consignment at the Philaion Magic Research Institute.”

It held a brief message advising a visit to the institute shortly. Apparently, the results of my crystal appraisal were ready.

I handed Trisha the umbrella,

“Go to the dorm first.”

***

With my face masked, I approached the Philaion Magic Research Institute. Peering through the window, the first thing to greet me was a piercing scream.

“Hey! Calm down!”

“Ahhhh! Back off!”

“Where is the anesthetic? Where?!”

There was the sound of breaking glass and smashing furniture, as though someone was causing havoc inside. One girl rushed out the entrance, sobbing past me.

“I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.”

It seemed to be no dire crisis, given the reactions; not so much danger as an overwhelmingly disgusted confrontation.

Entering the building, I stealthily peeked through a crack into the noisy lab, unable to discern the full situation from such a narrow view.
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A glimpse revealed the lengthy, furry leg of some creature.

Soon, a girl emerged from the lab, stretching, pushing the door with her entire body—it was Cecil.

Our eyes met.

“Oh, candy? You’re here already?”

Despite the ongoing chaos inside, Cecil’s face was the picture of tranquility.

“The Magic Department is always so lively.”

Cecil chuckled somewhat awkwardly,

“Oh, you heard? I was helping with combat class prep. Wanna have a look?”

She swung the door wide, granting me a view inside.

Then, cages came into sight, housing an enormous spider large enough to devour a bull. Its fangs, the size of a human hand, and a good eight eyes, adorned its face.

Teaching assistants and a few students were removing some of its legs, sawing away at something.

“Definitely not suited as an ornamental pet.”

Cecil laughed wryly,

“It’s a fiend for combat practice. The freshmen have to deal with it tomorrow?”

“…That thing?”

“Yes. Thank goodness the Magic Department is only assisting. How could one fight such a creature? I made the right choice not joining the Combat Department.”

“Someone’s bound to get killed during practice.”

“Of course, we’ll remove its claws, fangs, and stingers. That’s what this trouble is all about.”

“….”

Amid the chaos, Cecil noticed my drenched appearance and commented with faux concern,

“But Candy, why are you so wet? Did you get rejected or something?”

“Just happened that way.”

“Oh dear, your face is really pale. You might catch a cold.”

Look at her, acting like she can see through my mask with such cheek.

Cecil feigned drying me off, slyly threading her fingers inside my mask.

I politely lowered Cecil’s arm to stop her.

Then, playfully, she replied,

“Come on, let me touch your cheek just once and I’ll give you some interesting info related to the practice.”