Damn Academy - Chapter 161

[Episode 161] Recompense (5)

Vivi was pressed against the carriage window, watching Damian intently.

In Barvisia, Damian rarely showed signs of nervousness, but now he seemed hesitant, like he was about to confront a lover he had quarreled with. Vivi clenched her lips with tension, not knowing what might unfold.

And as he approached Silveryn’s carriage, he was quickly pulled inside by a pale hand. It was swift and sudden, like a crocodile snatching its prey from under the water.

T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r o m k i n g m t l .o r g
“What on earth…!”

The scene alone allowed Vivi to guess the nature of Damian and Silveryn’s relationship.

It seemed Silveryn had a firm grip on their dynamic, wielding power unilaterally over Damian. He might be formidable, but he was still a student, and Silveryn held the upper hand. The thought irked Vivi.

What bothered her most was the idea of Damian and a woman like Silveryn alone together in a confined space, even if they were teacher and student.

Considering their relationship, she hoped nothing inappropriate would happen, but Vivi couldn’t shake an uncomfortable feeling.

“I must go!”

As Vivi attempted to storm out, the knights in front of her blocked her path in unison.

“You mustn’t!”

“Lady, if you go out there, the crowd will be unbearable!”

Forced to retreat back into the carriage, Vivi sat down, furiously gripping the hem of her dress.

The carriage that had swallowed Damian resumed its march as if nothing had happened.

***

I struggled to maintain proper posture, not quite sitting nor standing, but rather awkwardly bound.
T h i s w as c op i e d fr o m k i n g m t l .o r g

Fragrant hair tickled my face as if I were restrained by someone, legs and arms flailing helplessly. It felt as though I had become a giant teddy bear, clutched tightly by a young girl seated in the carriage.

The carriage was dark inside, curtains drawn like a darkroom.

I felt around with my arms. The delicate waist that seemed it could break with a touch, the long hair, and then the surprising strength from such a feminine form.

It had to be Silveryn.

She slowly released me from her embrace. Trying to adjust in the cramped space, I ended up kneeling on the carriage floor, met with her glare, full of solid anger.

Her hand reached up, pinching my cheek with a grip strong enough to tear flesh.

“…”

“…”

She just glared at me, silent and upset, as if demanding an explanation. With every exchange of looks, my heart felt more compressed.

“Teacher.”

“…”

The grip on my cheek tightened. Oh no, does she get angry every time I speak? Yes, I know. She invested so much time, fed me, dressed me, cared for me, enrolled me at the academy, and yet how could I let my letters be so infrequent?

I blurted out everything that came to mind to appease her disappointment.

“I’m relieved to see you’re in good health.”

“…”

“I had planned to visit you in the cathedral city.”

“…”

“Teacher?”

“Do you have any idea how worried I was?”

“…”

“Wondering what you might have done this time, what reckless actions you’ve taken. It kept me up at night. Eventually, I thought it would be better to kill you myself than to see someone else do it.”

“That’s a frightening joke.”

Silveryn’s expression was indecipherable, lying somewhere between anger and sorrow. She leaned in close and pressed her lips firmly against my forehead before saying,

“It’s not a joke.”

“As you can see, I’m healthy. My skills have improved, I can take care of myself, and I haven’t been seriously hurt.”

“Don’t make up strange excuses, just hold me. Hurry.”

“…”

T h i s wa s c o pi e d f ro m k in g m tl. o r g
Without protest, I pulled her close and embraced her. What more was there to say? Her arms were one of the few sanctuaries in my life.

She hugged me back, patting my back and said,

“Oh, I’ve lost so much of my temper. I had planned to scold you immensely upon arrival.”

“…”

“And… it seems you’ve engaged in quite some dangerous exploits in my absence.”

Before a spark could reignite the unsettled peace, I quickly responded.

“I can explain that.”

“Since coming to the Duchy, I’ve heard your name quite often.”

“My name?”

Th is wa s c op i ed f r o m k in gm tl . o r g
“Yes, not only here but in other cities, in squares, taverns, markets. Can’t decide whether to be pleased or angry.”
T h i s w a s c op ie d f r o m ki n g m t l . o r g

“I haven’t been here long enough to know.”

Technically, I was exhausted in Barvisia and woke up transported.

“What happened? Did you cause trouble for the lady?”

“May I sit properly to talk? This posture looks rather awkward.”

“No, stay just like this, holding me.”

“…Alright.”

She patted my back.

“Good boy.”

Her anger seemed to have subsided. The fact that she didn’t bring up underground prisons or Weisel… was definitely a good sign.

Then, while feeling around my body, she paused with a hint of curiosity.

“But… you’ve brought back something strange. What have you been up to?”

“Strange?”

“There’s something parasitic on you. Do you know?”

“Parasitic…?”

“Yes. It seems to be a clear and pure energy, not harmful… Did you make a contract with a spirit beast?”

She must be referring to the blue stag that had guided us in Barvisia. But was it not acting independently but parasitically within me?

“I didn’t make a contract, but… it was a great help.”

“Then… we’ll just observe for now and deal with it later.”

“It hasn’t caused any harm… it should be fine.”

“Good. And… there’s one more thing. Sit down.”

Silveryn released the embrace and tapped the seat beside her, signaling for me to sit. Once I settled into the seat, she slid the curtain back on the rear window and said,

“You’ve picked up something else strange. Your friend?”

A carriage was trailing uncomfortably close behind us. It was Lady Vivi’s carriage.

“…That is Lady Vivi’s carriage.”

Silveryn grimaced as if she had bitten into an eggshell.

“So, she’s the one who helped you gain such fame. What happened?”

***

Throughout the journey, I told Silveryn about the incident with Vivi’s escort. Silveryn listened without much emotion, then looked at me with a significant expression.

“Did your foretelling dream help you again?”

I nodded.

Her response was unexpectedly negative.

T h is w a s c op i e d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
“You knew it was dangerous and still went. You really don’t keep any promises with your teacher.”

“I thought I could take the risk. It turned out to be a bigger issue than expected once I faced it.”

“You don’t have to follow every premonition. Maybe they’re meant to warn you of dangers so you can avoid them completely.”

“Then Lady Vivi…?”

“Since when have you worried about the wellbeing of someone you’ve never met?”

“…”

“I wish you would only tackle problems that don’t require risking your life.”

Her advice was harsh but not wrong.

“…I’ll do that.”

Though I said so, I doubted I would keep that promise when the time came.

Silveryn relaxed her grip on my cheek and gently caressed it.

T h i s w a s c o p ied f r o m king m tl . o r g
“Still, to think you planned to come find me… I’m impressed.”

As we continued to chat, the carriage stopped briefly on the main road crowded with embassies. Silveryn had an appointment with Grand Duke Gainax, so I had to disembark here.

“We’ll continue our conversation this evening.”

“Yes. I’ll be waiting.”

She blew a kiss and waved goodbye from the street, then glanced shiftingly at Vivi’s following carriage and drew the curtains.
T h i s w as c op i e d f r o m k i ng mtl . o r g

What was Silveryn thinking about Lady Vivi? Given her lack of greetings or friendly words, it seemed she held no warm feelings towards her.

The carriage left. My heart, which had been pounding, gradually calmed down. Fortunately, no decisions had been made about a trip to Weisel, nor were there any clashes with Vivi.

Soon after, Vivi stepped out of her carriage, her frilled skirt fluttering as she approached me. After a moment’s pondering, she started to speak.

“…You had quite a long conversation.”

“You could’ve left first; there was no need to wait.”

“I did it because I needed to. Don’t worry about it… What’s that on your forehead?”

Vivi stepped closer, reaching out to touch my forehead. I realized that it was where Silveryn’s lips had been. There must be a mark left behind.

I stopped Vivi’s hand. I had been careless. This was exactly the kind of thing that could spur odd rumors.

T h is w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n gm t l . o rg
Although Vivi’s hands were restrained, she didn’t stop. She brought her nose close to my neck and inhaled.

“The scent… it’s changed. I know your scent. You originally smelled of herbs… and now suddenly there’s a strange scent mixed in.”

“It’s because I’ve been in an enclosed space for a while.”

Vivi tightened her grip on my arm, determined.

“How strange. Let, let go. I think I need to see that mark on your forehead.”

“…Just let it be.”

T h i s wa s c o pied f r o m k i ngm t l . o r g
Stuck in an awkward tussle on the roadside, the knights behind us looking on, we continued our struggle for some time.