Damn Academy - Chapter 192

[Episode 192] Backstage Maneuvers (8)

Lilith, with the composure of nobility, asked as she walked beside me.

“What’s your reason for wanting to dance?”

The wall of awkwardness between us still stood firm, making the conversation less than smooth.

“Reason?”

“Yes. Reason.”

“There are many occasions, like the ball, where it will be useful.”

“Very practical of you. Have you chosen a partner?”

“Not yet.”

“So, there must be someone you have in mind for learning to dance, right? Isn’t that it?”

“That’s not incorrect.”

“Have you ever considered why women dance?”

“Because they like their partner?”

“That’s a secondary concern. Women dance for social advancement.”

“…”
T hi s wa s c op i e d f ro m k i ngmtl.or g

“Sounds materialistic, right? It’s true, most are materialists. There are hardly any who come to the ball simply because they enjoy dancing. They go to seize the opportunity to be chosen by a noble from a higher class and become a lady.”

Lilith’s words made me feel as if cold water had been poured over me before the Eternia ball had even begun.

“…”

“Does it dampen your spirits? The Eternia ball might have less of that tendency, but most other balls operate that way.”

“Fascinating.”

“Think of dance as a tool. A tool to win the favor of a naive opposite sex.”

“…”

“If you see it that way, you can do it without shaking. Forget about any noble adages about the harmony of soul and body. Dance is something that even a child, a drunkard on the streets, or a merchant in the market can do. Don’t give it too much importance. Otherwise, your body will stiffen, and your steps will become tangled.”

It was advice rich with experience.

Lilith suddenly stopped mid-stride, turned to face me, and grabbed me.

“This is a good spot. Let’s do it here today.”

We were in the middle of an ordinary Eternia path. Even though it was dark, there was a chance someone could pass by and see us dancing.

“Shouldn’t we at least avoid being seen by others?”

“Look, there’s no one around. Let’s do it here. I don’t like going far.”

“…”

“Take your position.”

Lilith tried to adjust my posture so that I was right up against her.

“…”

“Place your hand on my waist.”

When I actually tried, the correct posture didn’t come naturally. Lilith, seeming frustrated, took my arm and placed it firmly against her waist.

“A woman’s acceptance to dance means she’s entrusting her body to the man. So think of a woman who has thrown everything into your hands, and hold her firmly and lead strongly. Women are sensitive; they can tell just by matching steps. This man is unstable. This man doesn’t have the guts to handle me, he’s weak. You can feel it. It’s revealed in the gestures. Then you end up as a trivial man, and the next song will never be played.”

Her advice was laden with truth. It reminded me of when I danced with Silveryn, and it stung a bit.

“Hold my hand and waist and move. One, two, three, one, two.”
Th is w a s co p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l. o r g

And with that, the lesson began.

“Don’t look anywhere else. Look into my eyes.”
Th is w as co p ie d f r o m ki ng m t l . o r g

Lilith was firm in correcting my mistakes. I fixed my gaze directly into her eyes.

Lilith was an expert in this area, if nothing else.

Except for one thing.

I didn’t shake, but contrary to her advice, Lilith’s body trembled slightly, like a frightened baby bird.

I could feel it, but I didn’t know why.

***

It was decided that the dance lessons would continue daily until the ball. Despite the effort involved, Lilith seemed unbothered. After all, she would claim her dues from me later.

That late night, as I returned to the Thorn Garden dormitory, I found Trisha half-asleep on my bed. She rubbed her eyes and sat up at my arrival.

“Why are you coming back so late…?”

Before changing, I tidied my desk, which Trisha had ransacked. From Ironstone to alchemical books, she’d perused everything and left it disorganized.

“What happened here?”

Trisha, groggily sitting on the edge of the bed, said,

“I was going to clean it up…!”

The audacity.

I had anticipated she might rummage through my things, so I had already secured important items like Silveryn and the letters from the lady elsewhere.

“You go up and sleep. I’ll take care of this.”

“No, I’ve been waiting up to talk to you…!”

“What is it?”

“I’ve started to really dislike that blonde-haired girl!”

“…What?”

I stopped organizing my desk to look at Trisha. Had she ever openly expressed dislike toward anyone like this before?

Her expression told me she wasn’t joking.

“Recently, I’ve become friends with a senior who writes scripts. Whenever she’s around, that girl keeps giving me dirty looks.”

“Which blonde are you talking about?”

“That one! The one who follows you around!”

It couldn’t be Haley she was talking about. It sounded like Luna from the theater club, but if Trisha wasn’t even using her name, it seemed she really didn’t want to be friends.

“Are you talking about Luna?”

“Yeah. Her.”

“Did Luna do something to you?”

“No, but why does she keep looking at me? When I go ask her, she doesn’t answer and just ignores me.”

“Why don’t you try calling her by name, more friendly-like? Maybe then she’ll respond.”

“…I don’t want to.”

“Why?”

“Because she doesn’t like me either. Damian, could you talk to her for me? It’s not polite to be jealous!”

Trisha’s cheeks puffed up slightly in annoyance.

I didn’t suspect Luna harbored any ill feelings towards Trisha, but Luna’s spirit hovering around lately was also on my mind… It seemed I would need to visit the theater club soon.

“I’ll talk to her tomorrow.”

***

It was while I was tidying up after an early morning art club lecture.

“Newbie!”

The familiar voice called out as I moved towards the storage with a wooden easel on my shoulder.

“Newbie!”
This w a s c o p i e d f rom ki n g m t l . o rg

It was a voice I recognized, belonging only to Jenia or Haley. But unlike usual, it was soft and cautious.

Looking around, I saw Jenia peeking out from the storage, gesturing for me to come over.

“Come here, newbie!”
Th i s w a s co p i e d fr o m k i n g mtl . or g

I glanced around quickly and then silently walked into the storage she was in. She ushered me in and closed the door.

The cramped space could barely fit three people hunched over. It was filled with various odds and ends, blocking the light and smelling of mold from old wood.

T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr om ki ng m t l . o r g
And there was Haley, crouched and eagerly stuffing something into her mouth.

Jenia forcibly sat me down in front of her.

“Sit down, sit down.”

Haley, in the midst of her snack, greeted me warmly.

“Oh, the newbie’s here? Try some of this.”

She pulled something from her pocket and thrust it into my mouth.

“Mmmph!”

“Right, chew. Chew!”

A sweet fruit aroma wafted up. I had a mouthful of dried fruits.

What were these girls doing here?

I swallowed the dried fruits and opened my mouth to speak.

“Seniors, what exactly are you…?”

“Shh!”

Jenia suddenly signaled for silence.

Footsteps hurried down the corridor, followed by a servant’s voice echoing.

“Miss Haley! Miss Haley! Where have you gone?”

After the servant’s voice faded, Haley spoke up.

“They try to make me dance with men, and for the ball, they demand decorum and bring me a corset one size too small, then starve me.”

So she had been hiding and gorging on snacks.

“You have my sympathy, senior.”

“Thanks. Try this too.”

She fumbled around and stuffed something else into my mouth. I managed to chew and swallow before speaking again.

“Senior, are you busy by any chance?”

“Why?”

“I just met you, and I wanted to talk about a problem.”

“What is it?”

“Two of my friends are in the same club, but they don’t get along at all. I need a way to make them become friends.”

“Are both of them girls?”

“…Yes.”

Upon hearing my answer, Jenia shook her head decisively.

“No can do. Just leave it.”
Th i s w a s co p i ed f r o m k i n g mtl . o r g

T h is w a s c o pi e d f r om k i n g m t l . or g
Haley nodded in agreement.

“Give up. Whatever you do, they won’t become friends.”

They concluded firmly without seeking context, leaving me at a loss for words.

“…Is there really no way?”

“It’s not completely impossible. If they had a common enemy, they might get along. Like during the joint exercise season, even enemies band together.”

“A common enemy…?”
Th i s w a s c op ie d fr o m ki n g mt l. or g

“Yes. But that’s not something you can make happen; you just have to let it be.”

“…Understood.”

Their words seemed right. I had to think about it. It didn’t seem like anything I did would make Luna and Trisha become friends. Maybe the best I could do was mediate between them if conflicts arose.

***

The theater club’s rehearsals occurred early in the morning or after the day’s work was done. Since the club members had different majors and class schedules, gathering during the day was nearly impossible.

However, when they had free periods during the day, members would come to the mini theater to memorize their lines and practice monologues.

Luna, too, had made it a habit to visit the mini theater during her free periods.

On a drowsy afternoon, just after lunchtime, several students were quietly reading their scripts in the mini theater. Luna was also there, spending her time in silence.

Suddenly, a female student rushed out from the center aisle of the audience and yelled.

“Hey, hey, get the ropes ready!”

“…?”
T h i s w as c o p ie d f r om k i n gm t l . o r g

As the others rubbed their sleepy eyes and looked at her, she continued.

“Hey, it looks like today’s the day. Damian’s asking if he can come into the mini theater, right? Bring the ropes and torture devices. Just promise him entry into the theater club, and then you can release him. With him around, selling our tickets will be…!”

The playful commotion was met with jeers from one side.

“Crazy girl, you think that will work?”

“I’m too scared of the art club seniors to do that.”

The girl then toned down her antics and called to Luna in a calmer voice.

“Ah, that’s right? You all look sleepy, so I was just making a joke. Anyway, Luna, that friend Damian wants to see you.”

The atmosphere in the mini theater suddenly grew heavy. Everyone perked up their ears at the mention of a man looking for Luna, curious how she would react.

She hardly ever spoke to any man, be it a peer or a senior.

And now, the notorious Damian was looking for Luna.

The male students who had been scattered around reading their scripts paused to glance over at Luna.

Luna closed her book and spoke calmly.

“Can I… invite him here?”