Damn Academy - Chapter 182

[Episode 182] Suspicion (12)
T h i s wa s c o p i e d f r o m k in g mtl. or g

Cecil’s anger dissipated as quickly as it had surfaced, and she regained her composure.

“I know I haven’t seen wrong. I remember that chubby sparrow distinctly. A spirit can’t have two masters.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Peep doesn’t exactly listen to me. It wanders all around Eternia so much that even I have trouble finding it. There are plenty of people who unknowingly look after it, too. It seems you’ve mistaken its owner.”

“I’m not fooled.”

“…”

“When you were sent on a mission to the Duchy, someone I know disappeared at the same time. And they took everything they needed for combat, as if bracing for something crucial.”

“…”

“And then, you returned from Barvisia having saved the Lady’s life.”

“Have you always been this interested in me?”

“You fight the same way, too. There’s only one man who fights with such wild abandon, flinging his sword around.”

“…”

I evaded Cecil’s penetrating gaze.

She began her interrogation in earnest.

“You know Candy, right?”

My heart sank.

“Why do you ask?”

“Just confirming. There’s no harm in being thorough.”

“I don’t understand.”

Cecil took a step toward me, and I instinctively stepped back, furrowing my brows slightly.

She reached behind her, pulling out something.

It was a dagger.

Then she stepped forward again, ready to draw the dagger.

Cecil’s expression was like that of someone possessed.

“If you really are that person… I can’t forgive you.”

“…What?”

“I’ll kill you. I’ll bury you in the ground. Not only did you hide your identity and mess with this woman and that, but you also involved Trisha. Using her, using me…”

Cecil’s eyes began to well up with unshed tears, overwhelmed with emotion.

I was taken aback by her intense reaction. While I expected some sense of betrayal upon revealing my identity, this level of anger was excessive… had I gone too far?

I had never seen her like this before, which added to my confusion. What had I done to earn such a skewed perception from her?

Cecil grabbed my collar.

“There’s no need to prolong this. I know a sure way to confirm.”

“What are you doing?”

“You have a scar on your belly. If I check that…”

Cecil intended to rip open my shirt with her dagger to look for a scar identical to Candy’s. If she found it, there’d be no turning back.

I grabbed her wrists to stop her.

“Let go!”

She struggled with all her might, but couldn’t overpower me. We wrestled for a moment.

“You’ve got something wrong. I’m not who you think I am.”

“Then prove it. Take off your clothes. If not, admit it and I’ll leave you alone.”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“No! I’m more rational than anyone.”
T hi s wa s c o p i e d f r o m ki ng m t l. org

If Cecil actually saw the scar, it would be the end.

In the midst of no clear way out, a voice like a savior echoed from afar.

“Sister!!!”

Trisha’s voice had never been more welcome.

T h is w as c o p i e d f ro m ki ng mt l . o rg
She was running towards us from a distance, waving her hands.

“Sister! What are you doing here?!”

Sweating profusely as if she had run the whole way, Trisha barged between us, shouting.

“Sister! Why are you trying to kill my friend!”

“Cecil, not now. There’s something I must confirm.”

“Damian isn’t bad! And Candy, your friend, is on his way here!”

“…What?”

Cecil’s resistance halted at those words.

“Yeah! Candy is coming towards the Guardian Tree!”

Cecil’s eyes flickered with uncertainty.

“What are you talking about? Candy’s coming?”

I was just as perplexed. What was Trisha planning with such a claim?

Soon, rustling sounds came from the forest. Someone was approaching from the direction of the Guardian Tree.

Emerging from the shadows was… Candy. Undoubtedly, it was him—with crimson hair, a wooden mask, and even a wooden sword.

Caught off-guard, I was momentarily stunned, and so was Cecil.

The Candy with my face spoke nonchalantly.

“Cecil? What are you doing?”

His voice was a perfect match for Candy’s. To anyone, he was unmistakably Candy.

Our struggle ended abruptly.

Cecil, looking bewildered, sheathed her dagger.

“Did I… misunderstand?”

Trisha tried to quickly mend the situation.

“Right, Sister! Damian has been under my watch; how could he disguise himself!”

“It seemed right… definitely right…”

Cecil murmured to herself, as if she couldn’t reconcile something.

Candy, standing at a distance, spoke up.

“Cecil, I have something to discuss with you, if you don’t mind. May I take you with me?”
T h i s w as c o p i e d f ro m k i n g m t l.o r g

Trisha nodded.

“Yes! Go on, Sister!”
T h i s wa s c o p i ed f r o m ki n gm t l. or g

As if under a spell, Cecil walked towards Candy. We could only watch in silence as they disappeared from view.

After a few minutes, when it felt safe, Trisha spoke up.

“I don’t think I can do this again!”

The feeling was mutual.

“Did I see things? What just happened?”

“Cecil was being stubborn, so I asked the professor for help. Did I do good?”

I had to give credit where credit was due. Trisha had handled the situation exceptionally well.
Th is w a s cop i ed f r o m ki n gm t l. o rg

She wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.

“…Yeah, you did well.”

Trisha’s aid was not something new, was it?

“I owe you one!”

“But why does Cecil think I’m some sort of womanizer?”

T h i s w a s c op i e d f r o m k i n g m t l. o rg
Trisha hesitated for a moment, avoiding my gaze.

“Maybe… because you’re known for not being the most… faithful? It’s not a secret that you dabble with this and that woman!”
T his wa s c o pi e d f rom k i n g m t l . o r g

“Unless someone has been spreading malicious rumors on purpose.”

“That… could be it! What does it matter? The important thing is, Cecil won’t bother you anymore!”

“…”

If I were my usual self, revealing my identity to Cecil wouldn’t have been so bad. I couldn’t fathom why things had gotten so twisted.

Trisha was the most suspicious, but with only circumstantial evidence, I needed to investigate this further.

Clearing up this misunderstanding could lessen Cecil’s disappointment when I reveal my real identity. Something felt off.

If I came clean now, after all this, my relationship with Cecil would likely be damaged forever.

Trisha looked in the direction Cecil had gone.

“But… I didn’t expect the professor to create another Candy!”

“Neither did I imagine such a thing was possible.”

***

I headed back to the arena to watch the duel evaluations of my fellow Art Department senior, Pavela, and Luna.

The stands were as crowded as they had been for Sion’s evaluation.

Luna was the top of the Magic Department and a rare spirit summoner, her skills unmatched, which garnered high expectations.

Not just first-years, but even upperclassmen had gathered to witness Luna’s performance.

“Their family is blessed by the Spirit King.”

“There’s no way to harm a spirit, so how could she lose?”

“Should we approach Luna if she wins?”

“Didn’t you hear about the Drama Department? Just watch.”

Pavela was known for her mediocre magic skills, and despite being a senior, few expected her to win.

Even the Art Department seniors seemed to share this sentiment.

Sitting next to me, the Art Department vice president, Jenia, explained,

“The Raelis girl was famous even before coming to Eternia. Why, interested? Even if our rookie has some popularity, he can’t touch her.”

I feigned ignorance.

“Why not?”

“She doesn’t associate with men at all. It seems like all the weirdos are in the Drama Department, don’t you think? I’m glad our rookie hasn’t been tainted by them.”

“…”

Jenia never let any issue involving the rival Drama and Dance Departments slide easily.

“Ah, but Pavela is similar when it comes to not dealing with men. Birds of a feather, huh?”
T hi s w a s co p ie d f r om k i n gm t l. or g

“…Who do you think will win?”

“Pavela might not lose, right? I think it all hinges on how long she can withstand the spirit summoner’s assault.”

Even as a junior, Luna was overwhelming in her skills. That’s a relief. Having seen Luna bedridden and near death, I didn’t want her to get hurt again.

“Um… My ribs are aching, may I step out for a bit?”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, it seems I did get a hit during the duel, and it’s only just reacting.”

Jenia, half-closed eyes conveying disapproval, responded,

“No, take off your top. I’ll have a look.”

Suddenly, a handkerchief flew, striking Jenia on the back of the head.

The act was the work of Haley, the president who was sitting behind us.

She yelled at Jenia,

“Stop goofing around and just let him go!”

***

Thanks to Haley, I managed to slip out of the stands, though the rib ache was just a pretext.

I surveyed the area cautiously, making my way to the waiting tent where Luna was.

Without entering, I watched from the outside when her voice came from within.

“Damian?”

Luna’s voice.

I had forgotten. With her keen senses, Luna could detect my presence nearby.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed at being discovered, I replied,

“Yeah.”

“What… do you want?”

T h i s wa s co p i e d f r om k i n g mt l . o r g
“…To cheer you on.”

There was a brief silence. I couldn’t see her face from outside the tent to know her reactions.