Damn Academy - Chapter 170

[Episode 170] Homecoming (5)

T hi s w a s c opie d f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
“Kiss.”

Is this really okay? A fear creeps into a corner of my mind that this might cause a rift between Silveryn and me. If there’ll be no repercussions to our relationship, I’d proceed without hesitation. But if not, I’d prefer to be as cautious as possible.

“Kiss!”

Silveryn insisted, as if my opinion didn’t matter at all.

The grip around my waist tightened. This was not a force I could easily break away from. She was stronger than me.

“Please, turn your head slightly.”

Silveryn smiled faintly and shook her head, then fixed her gaze straight ahead. She implied a kiss on the lips. This is serious.

“Teacher, that’s…”

“Hurry.”

She seemed unyielding. Could we continue as teacher and student after such a gesture?

No, maybe I’m overthinking it. It could just be a token of closeness.

Silveryn’s body is warm. The air grows heated and rises from the ground. Is it magic? She doesn’t seem angry; in fact, she looks quite pleased.

This felt like an unspoken message: disappoint her, and there will be consequences.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Silveryn puckered her lips slightly.

I steeled my nerves and slowly raised my head, then brought my lips close to Silveryn’s.

Peck.

It was a light kiss, but my head spun as if all the blood had rushed to my vessels. Our faces were so close I didn’t know where to look.

“…Once more.”

The corners of Silveryn’s mouth lifted as she watched me.

“…”

“It’s a joke.”

She stroked the back of my head while holding me tight.
Th i s w as c op i e d f r om k i n g m t l.o r g

“Write often.”

“I won’t forget now.”

T hi s w a s c op i e d f r om ki n gm t l . o r g
With that, I said farewell to Silveryn. She pulled her robe over her head and disappeared into the horizon.

After her departure, a hollow feeling settled in one corner of my heart. And I worried. After all, she always seeks out danger.

It took a while to return to Eternia, even with hurried travel and changing horses on the way.

Ten days later, I was back in Eternia.

***

T h i s w a s co pi e d f ro m k i ngm tl . o r g
“There’s been no public acknowledgment from the Duchy regarding the Suppression of the Summoned Beasts?”

“That’s right. They’ve chosen to remain silent on the matter.”

Th i s w a s c o p i ed f r om k i n g m tl .or g
“Well, you’ve done well. Finish your detailed report on the Summoned Beasts tomorrow, and for now, go rest.”

“Yes, and about my request…”

“Cecil, right? I’ve taken care of it, so don’t worry. Should any issues arise, report to me.”

It would have raised suspicions if Candy, who was absent during my absence, suddenly reappeared along with my return. I had previously asked Professor Candinella to handle this matter.

How had she managed to dispel the doubts? Had she manipulated memories?

After completing my return procedures, I left Professor Candinella’s office.

Nearly a month had passed since I last attended classes due to my mission for the Duchy, for which I received top marks. Although the absence from class was compensated, it felt like I had become an outsider. The bustling atmosphere of the semester’s start was gone, and everyone seemed more deeply integrated into Eternia’s rhythm.

After finalizing the paperwork, I stood before the Thorny Garden dormitory of the Labyrinth for the first time in a long while. I wondered how Trisha had fared during this time.

From outside, I could see light streaming from Trisha’s room window; she was apparently inside.

I almost knocked but then remembered it was also my dormitory—no need for such formalities.

I opened the door and stepped inside, calling out cautiously in the hall.

“…Trisha?”

Thinking she might be asleep, I called out again.

“Trisha, you there?”

Suddenly, there was a loud thud from the second floor, followed by the sound of pounding footsteps. Then Trisha burst out, leaning precariously over the banister and yelling.

“Why are you only coming now?!”

“I’ve been incredibly busy.”

“Lies. You were just playing hooky from class!”

“I’m hurt by that assumption.”
Th is wa s c op i ed f r om k in g m t l . o r g

Despite appearances, I had nearly met death.

Trisha then hurried down the stairs. One of her pigtails was half-undone, a bare foot and pajama attire showed how rushed she had been.

“What were you really up to coming back now?”

Tears welled in Trisha’s eyes. She seemed happy to see me, but upon closer inspection, blood was oozing from her shin. It appeared the noise earlier was related to this injury.

“Is your shin okay?”

“It doesn’t hurt!”

“…”

Trisha snatched my bag and started rifling through it.

“What are you doing?”

I watched her antics with skepticism. Was she looking for food? There were only some simple clothes and equipment inside. After some rummaging, Trisha exclaimed.

“…It’s not here.”

“What’s not?”

“The shield! There were rumors that you got one from Lady Vivi. Guess it was just a rumor after all!”

“Why do you care if I received a shield?”

“The school’s been abuzz with rumors about you! About you getting engaged to the lady and all sorts of nonsense! Do you know how much I’ve been bothered by that? I’ve had a tough time settling things down!”

“…I left the platinum shield by the door because it was too heavy.”

Trisha turned to me with wide eyes.

“Lies!”

“Go see for yourself.”

She bolted outside, and moments later, let out a scream.

“Ah!”

“…?”

T hi s w as c o p ie d f r o m k i n g m t l .or g
Trisha stood frozen as if in shock. Was the shield really that astonishing?

“Why are you so shocked?”

“Does this mean… you’re marrying the lady?”

“No, it’s unrelated. The engagement is just a rumor.”

“Then what’s your relationship with the lady?”

How exaggerated were the rumors that even Trisha reacted this way?

“…We’ve gotten closer. I promised to visit during the break.”

“No! You were supposed to come to my house for the break!”

“Right, I’ll bring you along.”

Trisha looked up at me, pouting.

Th i s wa s c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m t l . o r g
“…Just how close have you gotten to the lady?”

“…?”

“Are you closer to her than to me? Is she more important than your promise to me?”

Trisha’s expression was filled with genuine irritation.

What should I say? My bond with Vivi may have deepened due to dramatic events, but it still hadn’t reached the level of closeness I had with Trisha.

“That’s…”

“Is it worth pondering?”

“Well…”

As I hesitated, Trisha cut me off, raising her voice.

“Of course you’re closer to me!”

“…Right. I’m closer to you.”

Thinking it would shorten the trip, I considered bringing Trisha along to meet Vivi, but now it seemed like a bad decision.

***

Truth be told, my thoughts were still with Vivi. During my journey back, I pondered over her illness. First thing upon arrival, I headed straight to the library to seek any clues about the curse known as “Goddess’ Blood.”

T h is w a s c o p ie d f ro m ki n gm t l . o r g
Half driven by curiosity, the other half by sympathy for the lady.

After a disorienting first class back, I returned to the library.

I searched for information about the Elves’ Archive but found nothing substantial. Around lunchtime, as I was perusing the shelves in the third repository, I heard a noise.

The third repository, devoted to the unpopular subject of alchemy, had seen no one else but me until now. It was just me and an unnamed individual in this vast space.

Deeming the presence of another person inconsequential, I continued my research. After an hour of sifting through books, I caught sight of someone through the gap in the shelves.

“…?”

Surprised by the brief eye contact through the slim opening, the person quickly walked away.

Even from the glimpse of just a fraction of their features, I recognized who it was.

“…Luna?”

The sound of retreating footsteps halted abruptly.

Then, she returned to the opposite side of the shelf where I had been.

I pulled out a couple more books to widen the gap and get a better view. She cautiously revealed her face.

It was indeed Luna.

T h is wa s cop i e d fr o m k i n g m t l. or g
However, she avoided eye contact.

“What are the odds of meeting here, such a strange coincidence.”

“Right… such an… incredible… coincidence.”

“Are you looking for alchemy books?”

“Yeah… I like alchemy.”

But was it a resurgence of her aversion to men? She seemed uncomfortable, keeping her head down. After all, it had been over a month since our last contact, so it was possible she felt uneasy again.

“Is it alright if we talk?”

“Yes…”

“I wanted to thank you for the amulet.”

“I’m glad you returned safely.”

“Wait, is there anyone nearby?”

Luna’s aversion to men was well known, and only Candy was considered a close male friend of hers. If someone saw us chatting casually, it could raise suspicions, so we had to be cautious.

“Yes…”

I lowered my voice.

“It’s good timing. Remember the dinner invitation I promised you?”

I had invited Luna to my residence to offer her a meal after a Transmutation class.

But Luna seemed to have forgotten.

“Did we…?”

It appeared not to have been a significant event for her. Perhaps she was feigning forgetfulness, not wanting to visit a man’s home. Or perhaps it would be better to consider the invitation void.

“No, if you don’t remember, never mind. Let it be as if it never happened…”

Suddenly, Luna spoke urgently.

“I remember.”

“…?”

“I was invited for dinner… I remember clearly.”

“Really? How about I invite you for this weekend’s holiday? What do you say?”

Luna pondered for a moment before responding.

“…I’d like that.”

“What do you enjoy, Luna? You’re not fond of cooking, are you?”

From what I recalled accompanying her in the Transmutation class, Luna was not particularly skilled at cooking. She once almost turned an entire piece of meat into charcoal.

Contrary to expectation, Luna shook her head.

“I do like it. I’m good at cooking… I’ll help out.”

“Alright, we’ll set the exact date next time we meet… I just realized we don’t have many places to meet in private.”

I hadn’t had many opportunities to interact with Luna without wearing a mask. We had to pretend indifference to each other.

“…This place isn’t bad.”

“Then let’s meet right here in repository three, exactly at this spot. It seems like a good place for a quiet meeting.”

I picked up one of the books in front of me.

“I’ll be at ‘Solving Domestic Discontent through Alchemy.’ And you, Luna?”

She grabbed a book in front of her.

“Homicidal Potions.”

“Alright, tomorrow at this time, let’s meet here again.”