Damn Academy - Chapter 193

[Episode 193] Backstage Maneuvers (9)

Someone opens the door and enters the mini theater.

Students, scattered and resting in the dimly lit auditorium, were aware of the calm visitor but didn’t openly react.

Damian stood in the aisle, looking around.

Luna rose from her seat silently. Her bright blonde hair made her easily noticeable.

All eyes were on her to see how she would act.

Luna approached Damian and spoke in a hushed tone that couldn’t be heard.

Then, quietly, she led him toward the props room—a space that was occasionally used for entertaining guests.

As Luna and Damian disappeared, the students who had been watching them started to whisper.

“Is that really Luna?”

“It looked like they exchanged at least twenty words?”

“A new record.”

Luna was known for minimal conversation with female students and hardly ever more than a few words with males.

Her mysterious abilities and appearance had created an aura around her, almost like that of a ward.

So, when she showed an unusual demeanor towards Damian, some male students couldn’t help but express their surprise.

“All she ever said to me was ‘move aside’. What’s going on?”

“Must be because of the duel assessment.”

“The duel, that makes sense?”

***

Luna seated me on a small wooden chair, typical of a theater’s props, and warmed water in a kettle with magic.

She silently took out teacups, placed one in front of me, and poured the tea.

“There’s no need for this. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Still… you’re my first guest.”

Luna sat across from me. The area was cluttered with various props, but our surroundings were arranged to accommodate guests, giving a sense of a break space.

“Seems like you’re doing well in the theater club. I’ve been seeing that wolf friend of yours around… any trouble?”

Luna abruptly cut me off.

“…It’s not my doing.”

“…What?”

Luna spoke decisively, then looked away slightly and took a sip from her cup. Was it my imagination, or was there a hint of evasion in her demeanor?

Luna watched my reaction and continued.
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“No, nothing. Anyway… what brings you here?”

“Just thought I’d drop by, catch up a bit.”

She nodded twice, seemingly pleased.

“Good… can I visit the art club too…?”
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Her response was unexpectedly proactive.
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I pictured how Jenia and Haley would react to a theater club member visiting. It should be fine, but Haley was a bit sensitive with the ball coming up, so caution was warranted.

“Yeah, the art club seniors don’t exactly welcome us, so come by when there aren’t many people around.”

“I saw those art club seniors in the infirmary before.”

Luna covered her mouth with one hand, laughing silently as if recalling an amusing incident.

“Vibrant people, indeed. The art club is all about solidarity, but that also makes them kind of hostile towards other clubs.”

“Sounds about right…”

“How about you? Do you get along with other club members?”

“Yes…”

“…You and Trisha are in the same club, right? Do you two get along?”

Luna looked at me, blinking, then after a moment of contemplation, slowly shook her head.

“…”

An honest response.

“I guessed as much. They’re too different; it’s bound to cause friction.”

She nodded silently, seemingly agreeing that their personalities were too divergent.

“I was just thinking it would be nice if my few friends got along, considering we might have to do group evaluations like we did in the circulation system.”

Luna’s gaze dropped slightly. Had I struck a nerve? Just as I was about to change the subject, she spoke up.

“That… we can handle it ourselves.”

“…”

“In terms of ability, that is.”

It wasn’t the wrong thing to say. Luna and I did achieve top grades in the circulation system practical evaluation.

I hesitated because I wondered if Trisha was such a bothersome presence to her.

Luna might have put Trisha’s name on the list of unpleasant people on her adaptation assessment. They were polar opposites.

Curious, I asked about Trisha directly.

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“How’s Trisha managing in the theater club?”

Luna pondered for a moment before replying calmly.

“She gets along with everyone. Energetic… committed to her role and diligent.”

Luna, usually quick to compliment, seemed troubled by something, her expression darkening.

Sensing something was off, I probed deeper.

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“…Is there something wrong with Trisha?”

My main reason for coming to the theater club was to find out about this issue.

Luna hesitated but eventually nodded.

“…Yes.”

“Will you tell me?”

Luna nodded again.

“There’s someone bullying Trisha.”

A surge of anger rushed through me. I fought to keep my composure and asked.

“Do you know who?”

“Yes… but it’s not just one person.”

***

Luna shared more about Trisha’s situation.

“Trisha could have talked to the club president herself… but it seems she doesn’t want to.”

Luna had a clear view of those who resented Trisha, thanks to her spirits.

There were three people in the theater club maliciously tormenting Trisha.

Luna hadn’t reported their bullying behavior directly because Trisha didn’t want her to.

Fuming, yet unable to act rashly, I realized this could lead to a factional fight among the girls.

The visible hatred was from only three, but there could be others who tacitly agreed with the bullying under the surface. In such conflicts, there are no winners—only those who are hurt. There could be more people involved than Luna mentioned, and my intervention might not solve the issue.

If a professor or someone from another department were to take sides, it could worsen the situation.

I had seen a similar case in the past at Acates Temple. It was a conflict between Liza and other girls where Liza was the apparent victim, but despite being on the right side, she couldn’t win.

The other girls simply despised Liza. At that place, she was unique in her abilities and noble heritage. Noticeably beautiful, she was full of ambition and envy.

So she was hated by everyone, and a happy ending for all was nonexistent.

When I supported Liza, the others cast me out as well.

Trisha’s case might follow a similar pattern.

After finishing the conversation with Luna, I stepped out of the mini theater. She escorted me to the front of the theater.

“Thanks for the talk. Go on back inside.”

Luna hesitated in front of me, as if she had more to say.

“Damian…”

“Yes?”

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“Have you… decided on a partner for the ball?”

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“Not yet.”

“I haven’t… decided either.”

With that, Luna turned and hurried back into the mini theater.

“…?”

It felt like there was more she wanted to say, but she had cut the conversation short.

Still, it was clear enough what Luna was trying to communicate.

If Luna attended the ball, it seemed there would be no one else but me to be her partner.

Gratitude for her openness mixed with a feeling of pressure weighed on me.

A tightness settled in my chest as I stood there and sighed.

Some will get what they want, and others will end up disappointed.

Is a happy ending for everyone even possible?

***

We practiced dancing on a small open space tucked away on the Eternia campus.

“The greatest fear for women at the ball is to become a wax flower.”
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In response to my question, Lilith patted down my thigh, correcting my steps with the authority of a strict teacher.

“Wax flower?”

Lilith entrusted her movements to mine again, finding the rhythm once more.

“It refers to the women who wait for an invitation from their desired partner, only to end up receiving none and spending the ball sitting idle. They’re called wax flowers because they sit still until the very end.”

“That’s sad.”

“Not really, most of it is self-inflicted. There are cases where no one invites them, but mostly it’s because they set their sights too high and reject all invitations, waiting for the right man until they’re left alone.”

“What happens to these wax flowers afterwards?”

“What else? They go home and cry their eyes out.”

“Have you had that experience?”

“You might not think so, but I’ve always been a wax flower in Eternia.”

Surprisingly, that confession was unexpected.

“You waited for someone outstanding.”

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“The opposite. I waited for someone insignificant. I have no desire to climb the ranks through a man. To rise from my station here in Eternia, there’s practically no one but royalty.”

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“You have an open heart.”

“Yes, I’m open like this, but that man never even asked me to be together, not a single word. While he chattered away with others, he completely ignored me.”

“How did you feel, being made a wax flower and watching that?”

Lilith matched her steps slowly, lifting her head to look up at me with piercing eyes.

“I wanted to kill him. I really wanted to kill him.”

Her words were chilling, coming from such an innocent-looking face.

“…”

Hearing Lilith’s story, I couldn’t help but think of Cecil and Luna, who had left me subtle hints.

What would become of them if they were to become wax flowers? Luna, having opened her heart for the first time, would be greatly disappointed… And Cecil might completely sever ties with Candy.