Damn Academy - Chapter 167

[Episode 167] Homecoming (2)

The restraint was lifted, and I was back to my original position, still having not learned the name of the person who had passed Zeldan Hart’s test. The awkward journey with Vivi’s carriage continued all the way to the lodgings. Throughout the trip, Silveryn never shook off her displeased expression.

Leaning her chin on her hand, she spoke with a pout.

“It seems that lady will even follow us on the way back to Eternia.”

Though it seemed a bit much, I fully understood Vivi’s lingering sentiment. To her, I was one of the few reliable comrades, and without me, she would be lonely for a while.

“Are you also returning to Eternia with me, Teacher?”

She shook her head.

“Then is this where we part ways?”

“Yes. But I will accompany you for a while on your return journey. I wanted to see you off. And there’s a place I wanted to visit with you…”

“Alright.”

Now that my duties in the Duchy were concluded, it was time to return to Eternia. The semester was in session, and any delay meant missing valuable lessons.

And the fact that I wouldn’t be parting with Silveryn right away was somewhat comforting.

After entering the city, our carriage came to a halt.

As if on cue, Vivi’s carriage also stopped behind us.

Stepping out with Silveryn, we found Vivi alighting from her carriage as well. She was alone, looking lost and simply watching us, as if she’d followed us without any plan.

She seemed intimidated by Silveryn. Silveryn glanced back at Vivi, who was standing a distance away. Perhaps she sensed Silveryn’s hostility and hesitated to come closer.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

It was the first time I’d seen Vivi appear so lacking in confidence.

Silveryn spoke up, arms crossed and her voice icy.

“It seems she has something to say to you.”

“May I be excused for a moment?”

The cold air between Vivi and Silveryn was palpable. Whatever their history was, judging by the mood, it seemed best not to leave the two of them close for too long.

With a sigh, Silveryn conceded.

“Go ahead.”

As I approached Vivi, color returned to her face. She resembled a prisoner meeting with family.

She hurried over to me and grasped my wrists firmly.

“You look splendidly dressed. It’s as if you’ve become a different person.”

T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n g mt l .o r g
“Lady Vivi, you are also exceedingly beautiful.”

“I’ve grown tired of empty flattery, but coming from you, it feels different. I’ve come to deliver a message. Father wishes to see you.”

“He has more to say, it seems.”

“It appears so. Don’t feel too pressured; you’re not at fault for anything. And… when do you plan to depart?”
T h i s w a s co p i e d f r o m ki n g m tl . o r g

“I will leave without further delay, tomorrow.”

A fleeting look of sadness crossed Vivi’s face, but she didn’t make a show of it.

“…Understood. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you wish, and you’re now welcome anywhere in the Duchy, but you still have many duties to complete. Father will be arriving at the castle around dinner time. Be prepared. And…”

Vivi hesitated, as if reluctant to finish her sentence.

“Do you have more to share?”

Casting a resentful glance at Silveryn, she continued.

“I had thought we could spend time together before you left… my mistake. Could you spare some time for me before your departure? Even an hour would be enough.”

I nodded. While my departure was imminent, every minute wasn’t urgent.

T h i s w a s c o p i e d f r o m ki n g m t l . o r g
“I will meet you whenever you wish.”

Vivi smiled brightly, showing her teeth, and placed her palm against my cheek.

“That’ll do… Meet me under the western garden’s oak at six this evening. I’d like it to be just the two of us.”

Then she turned sharply and climbed back into her carriage.

I finished my business and returned to Silveryn, sensing her mood was far from calm.

She stood with her arms folded, fiery eyes fixed on Vivi’s carriage.

“…Teacher?”

***

Vivi took great care in dressing and grooming herself after the knighting ceremony at the Memorial Hall. Though she needed little preparation, her desire to stand out made her fuss over every detail.

Her objective was simply to be memorable. To linger in someone’s thoughts, to be missed, to plant seeds of recollection, so that one day the desire to visit the Duchy might sprout.

As she finished getting ready, a servant entered.

“The chef seems to have everything prepared.”

“Let’s go then.”

Vivi and her servant left the room and headed for the garden. There, a cook was waiting with a cart.

The aroma of savory bread tantalized the senses.

“Hasn’t it gone cold…?”

“It’s hot enough to scald the hand, so we’ll actually need some time to let it cool. And even if it cools, the taste won’t change.”

“That’s good enough then.”

Vivi hastened her steps. The evening was approaching, along with the time for her meeting with Damian.

The appointed western garden oak came into view, and someone was already sitting patiently underneath.

Vivi carried a plate in her hands, her heart filled with anticipation.

Then, spotting someone from afar, she paused.

Porcelain skin, auburn hair tousled by the wind…

The person sitting under the oak was none other than Silveryn.

“…”

Vivi felt a chill in her heart.

And there lay Damian, his head nestled in her lap. Silveryn, with an innocent smile, poked his face playfully.

Though the scene was picturesque and tranquil, Vivi couldn’t enjoy it peacefully.

Was she not even allowed an hour of his time? Despite her request, she felt utterly powerless.

Her spirit drained, Vivi stood motionless before slowly turning away.

“Let’s return.”

“Milady?”

She walked back the way she had come, dejected and lost in thought.

The servants watched with pity, for they had seen her efforts firsthand.

Vivi halted, then, with a sudden resolve, spun around and walked briskly toward Damian.

Despite Silveryn’s scathing gaze, she paid it no heed.

Her servants laid out a mat beside Damian, and Vivi took her place on it, opening the dish.

It was the San Crotis-style apple pie Damian had once mentioned he wanted to try.

Feeling someone’s presence, Damian finally sat up.

“You’ve arrived…”

T h i s wa s c op i e d f rom k i n g m t l .o r g
Seeing Vivi’s face, he looked embarrassed, as if he had been forced to keep the unwelcome company.

Nobody spoke, and a heavy silence weighed in the air.

Caught between two feuding women, Damian was sweating bullets.

Finally, Vivi, filled with venom, broke the silence.

“To think I wouldn’t even be granted time alone, you must be under strict instruction.”

It was a jab at Silveryn, a barb not easily thrown by the faint-hearted, but Vivi, with little time left, had no fear.

Moreover, intruding upon their private time was a clear breach of etiquette. It was enough to warrant her remark.

Silveryn responded calmly.

“Never know when the handcuffs will go back on the wrists of my disciple, so I can’t just hand him over.”

Damian seemed to be desperately thinking of a way to ease the tension, but no solution came to mind.

Vivi placed a slice of apple pie on a plate and offered it to Damian.

“I didn’t come here to trouble you, so be at ease.”

“Was there something you wanted to discuss?”

“I just wanted to spend a comfortable time with you. Plus… I hadn’t prepared anything special for you.”

Then, begrudgingly, she scooped up a piece of pie and pushed it towards Silveryn.

“Here, eat.”

And so they ate in silence, for a full hour.

***

After breakfast, I dressed neatly and put on my tunic. There was still a meeting with Archduke Gainax to attend.

Although we had met briefly the day before, I couldn’t help but feel nervous at the prospect of appearing before the ruler of an entire nation. Considering that just a few years ago I couldn’t even make eye contact with a noble, this was a tremendous occasion.
T hi s w as co pi e d f r o m kin g m tl . or g

I knocked on the door of the VIP room where Archduke Gainax was staying.

A servant soon opened the door from the inside.

T h i s w as cop i e d fr o m ki n g m t l . or g
There was Archduke Gainax, with his brawler-like demeanor, welcoming me from his chair.

“Ah, was waiting for you.”

“It’s a sincere honor to meet you again.”

“Enough with the pleasantries, let’s shake hands.”

His tone and demeanor were like those of an exam proctor — cold and emotionally restrained.

As we shook hands, I could feel his firm grip. Was he gauging my strength?

Archduke Gainax peered at me with his eagle-like eyes. Just enduring his gaze made me feel exposed.

“Good. That’s sufficient.”

Fortunately, it seemed I had met the Archduke’s standards.

“Take a seat. I’ve heard you’ve been accommodating Vivi’s temperament.”

“It was no trouble at all.”

“No need to deny it. I know Vivi’s character well. She lost her mother early on, so she lacks a gentle and feminine touch. Her stubbornness and possessiveness are intense, and her grudges are held with enough venom to last a lifetime.”

“The Lady Vivi I observed was firm and upright.”

“Your assessment is precisely what my daughter says about you.”

“…”

“Half the conversations my daughter has with me are about you. Most of what Vivi knows, I know too.”

“Such attention is more than I deserve.”

“No, you’ve earned it by slaying the beast. Vivi says you have a special power unlike others. Can you enlighten me on what it is?”

“…”

“Your cautious demeanor indicates it’s something not to be shared. Rest assured, I’ll keep that confidential.”

“Thank you for your discretion.”

“And you should also keep it to yourself that you had a ‘date’ with my daughter.”

“…?”

Had I enjoyed what now…?

“Ah, and there’s another reason I wanted to see you. You’ve accomplished a deed worthy of the Platinum Shield. And for such deeds, there must be fitting rewards.”
Th i s w a s c op ied f r o m k in g m tl. or g

“…”

He tapped his temple, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Name the land you desire.”

T hi s was c op i ed f r o m k i n g m t l.o rg
Could it be? He was offering me a fiefdom.

Becoming a landowner had been a childhood dream. However, I was unfamiliar with the geography of the Duchy and hadn’t given it thought. Even if I received land, I wouldn’t know how to manage it. Besides, since enrolling at Eternia, I had lost interest in being a landowner.

“…”

“Perhaps the question was too difficult.”

The land I’d want would be near Eternia, a place that required no management and was free from any issues if left alone. It would also need to be rich in hidden resources and not coveted by other nobles so as to avoid political disputes.

How could I know of such a perfect place? I was not versed in the geography of the Duchy…

Then, suddenly, a region flashed through my mind. There was one area in the Duchy I was most familiar with. Before the opportunity slipped away, I quickly responded.

“There is, in fact, a place I have taken note of.”

Archduke Gainax’s eyebrows raised in interest.

Th i s w a s co pi ed f r o m k i n gm t l .o r g
“Speak your mind.”

“I would like to request a portion of the Barvisia lands as my fief.”
T h i s w a s c o pi e d f r o m k in gm t l . o r g

Barvisia was pristine and undeveloped, meaning no one had claimed it. It was land nobody wanted.

He looked at me, nodding silently and repeatedly.

“Not just skilled with the sword, it seems.”