Damn Academy - Chapter 191

[Episode 191] Backstage Maneuvers (7)

Olivia watched Lilith’s retreating figure, chuckling knowingly.

“I knew she would do that.”

“Why do you say that?”

“She kept saying no, right? But then she agreed as soon as she saw you.”

“…You were expecting her to keep refusing?”

“I knew she’d agree eventually. You’re not exactly the easiest person to get close to in Eternia. Just recently, a few of my peers were pestering me about how they can get to know you.”

“It seems my face has become somewhat known since the duel assessment.”

“Yeah, I thought you’d at least have spoken since you’re in the same art club, but it’s surprising you’re not close.”

“It’s not just Lilith; I don’t have much rapport with most others.”

“Lilith is sociable, so she’ll be fine. You know she’s popular, right? Haven’t you seen boys from Marigold Hall hanging around her just to catch a glimpse?”

“I was unaware.”

I had seen boys loitering around Marigold Hall, but I thought they were just waiting for friends, not that they had other motives. They were lingering to see Lilith? I had my suspicions.

“Well, anyway, when it comes to dance, there’s hardly anyone better than Lilith. She was raised strictly in a family where nothing is lacking.”

That aside, I wondered why Lilith had accepted the request to teach me to dance. It didn’t seem like it was just because we were art club peers. Perhaps she thought she could gain something from me.

If I considered it just an act of kindness…that would be naive. But I was willing to pay the price for the education she was offering.

I would likely have to attend social gatherings in the future, regardless of my will, so it made sense to learn the etiquette and rules of that world.

“First of all, thank you for introducing me to someone.”

Olivia waved her hand dismissively.

“Nah, compared to what you’ve done for me, this is nothing. Off I go! Now that you’ve met, try to get along!”

With those final words, she left for her next class.

Left alone by the clock tower, something approached me.

I turned to see Luna’s spirit, who had quietly taken a spot next to me, sticking out its tongue as usual.

“…?”

When did it get so close? And why did it keep hovering around me?

The spirit simply watched Olivia leave, seemingly deep in thought.

***

A second-year member of the theater club and playwright, Pontana, descended from the stage after rehearsal and headed towards the audience. Halfway up the aisles, she noticed Luna, engrossed in reading something intently under the light of a little sparrow spirit perched on her shoulder.

“Luna!”

Startled by the call, Luna hastily folded the letter.

“…Senior.”

“What were you doing?”

“I was…reading a letter. It’s from the family…”

“Your family? You mean the Semela household?”

“Yes.”

The Semela household was one of the most distinguished noble houses in the empire. Luna’s ancestors’ achievements were so legendary that they were often mentioned in ballads and fairy tales about the Spirit King.
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“How peculiar. To think a junior helping me create a play is a daughter of the Semela family.”
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“…No feelings.”

“Right, it’s all too familiar to you, like it’s nothing. But what did the letter say? You looked so serious.”

“…They were asking if I did well in the duel assessment.”

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“Is that all? You looked so upset, I thought they told you to quit school.”

“No serious words…just that.”

“Then why such a face?”

Luna remained silent, closing her mouth tight. Pontana, as if understanding her inner thoughts, nodded her head.

“Oh, I see, it’s about the ball. They told you not to dance with any men, right?”

Luna hesitated, then reluctantly nodded in agreement.

“How did you know?”
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“It’s obvious. Families that are a bit strict try to control you like their own limbs, even from afar. Adults know all too well how dancing can bring people closer. How can you not meet eyes when exchanging the language of the body with your partner? Alas, there are many like you, hindered by their families from dancing. Hang in there.”

“….”

“While the literary club was quite free last year, the theater club seems to have many troubled by their families. Oh! Maybe you had someone in mind?”

“…No.”

Though it was a regrettable situation, Pontana seemed almost amused by the inquiry. Feeling uncomfortable, Luna requested some space.

“May I have a moment to think alone?”

Pontana immediately stepped back as Luna turned cold.

“Yeah, you must be feeling pretty bad. I’ll just pop over to the dressing room. Finish up your things here.”

“Okay.”

Once Pontana left, Luna picked up her aunt’s letter again. This correspondence from her relatives was filled with content different from what she had told Pontana.

Luna sighed, feeling troubled.

The pressure to avoid men’s company was less burdensome than what the letter imposed.

[Luna, I’ve heard you’ve made many friends in Eternia. Now that spring is blossoming…Eternia will soon be having its ball. How splendid it would be if you could find a young man to your liking… I’m really curious about what choice you will make. We will gladly accept and support whoever you choose.]

The letter encouraged her to actively partake in the ball. And one line kept catching her eye.

[We would love to invite the young man who becomes your partner to the Semela family estate.]

Her relatives knew well the wounds in Luna’s heart, and because of that, they were even more attentive to her partner’s identity.

But for Luna, the ball, the dance, the invitation—each one was a daunting task.

And most importantly, she couldn’t be sure of the feelings of the person she wished to partner with.

She wanted to share positive news, but she couldn’t just follow her heart. After all, it was up to the men to ask for a dance.

***

After dinner, as the dusk settled, I made my way to the clock tower.

A chill wind blew, hinting at the oncoming night. With the hour late enough for everyone to have returned to their dormitories, the area around the clock tower was deserted.

After about ten minutes standing alone, a figure with long hair approached.

Lilith arrived, wearing a simple sleeveless dress, walking calmly towards me. She stopped five paces away and scrutinized me intently.

“…”

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“…”

Without a greeting or breaking the stand-off, she clenched her jaw shut.

Since it was me who requested her presence, I broke the silence.

“Why did you ask to meet here by the clock tower?”

“…I like the clock tower. It lets me know exactly when someone is late.”

From her preference for the clock tower, it seemed she might be like Cecil. When I had accompanied her before, she didn’t seem like the type.

“This doesn’t seem like the right place to dance.”

Lilith nodded as if it was obvious.

“Yes.”

An awkward silence followed. I decided to ask her outright about her intentions.

“But, why did you agree to Olivia’s request?”

“There’s no grand reason. I thought owing you a favor could come in handy. After all, you’re somewhat famous. Just know it’s not purely out of goodwill. I don’t mind if you see me as materialistic.”

My vague memory of Lilith became clearer.

She didn’t play games and spoke her mind directly. Was this always her personality, or had it changed since admission? Either way, her straightforwardness was more comfortable for me. If she had acted like that grey-haired girl I used to know, it would have been irritating.

As long as she taught me properly, I was willing to pay whatever price was necessary.

“So, where will the lessons take place?”

Lilith looked at me, somewhat puzzled, as if I had asked the wrong question.

“…How should I know? Don’t you have a place in mind?”

“A place away from prying eyes would be ideal.”

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She shook her head.

“No, it needs to have a suitable floor for dance shoes. I don’t want to dirty my dress in the woods or a grass field. Moreover, we need music.”

“Isn’t keeping time with our voices sufficient?”

Lilith avoided my gaze, running a hand through her hair as she spoke.

“How can you move your body to the rhythm without knowing the music? We might not need it right away, but if you want to learn properly, it’s essential.”

“…”
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Dance seemed to require more precise conditions than I had considered. Would I need to hire a musician?
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“It appears you had no plan. Well, for the basics, we can make do with keeping time vocally.”

She stepped closer and continued.

“Take me somewhere quiet where we won’t be seen. Anywhere you like.”

Then she extended her hand my way, as if asking to be escorted.

Whatever the case, the front of the clock tower was not the place.

***

As the evening deepened and the sun fully set, Luna paced behind the Witthrush Hall dormitory. A cool breeze from the forest behind the dormitory brushed through her hair.

Sensing something in the wind, Luna turned around.
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A few steps away, a majestic beast with a snow-white coat and luminous blue eyes approached with heavy, thudding steps.

The creature sat down obediently in front of Luna, incongruous with its large frame.

Listening to the spirit’s report, Luna’s eyes widened in understanding, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded slightly.

“It’s okay, it’s okay… He’s an art club junior… It’s understandable. Was there anything else?”

As Luna listened to the spirit’s message, her expression began to harden.

“Damian… He waves at you every time, and today, he even rubbed your belly?”

“Woof woof!”

The wolf spirit barked proudly.

In that instant, Luna felt her strength drain away, and she crouched to the ground. Heat flushed across her face, and, not knowing what else to do, she pulled at her hair to cover her face. With a weak voice, she murmured,

“What am I supposed to do now? I told him not to stand out…”