Damn Academy - Chapter 196

[Episode 196] Backstage Maneuvers (12)

Thanks to the Swordmaster’s letter, Sion agreed to accompany me more readily than I had expected. If the hidden content of the letter had something to do with the ball, I’d have to take Sion along and use the substantial gold coins to procure the necessary attire. Even if that wasn’t the case, having Sion with me would make deciphering the content easier.

Sion sat diagonally across from me, resting her chin on her hand and gazing out the window.

Thump, thump.

Suddenly, a cracked Stitch, which had broken into pieces once before, tapped on my side of the carriage window. It was Silveryn’s.

I quickly snatched it before Sion could see the distorted heart carved on the Stitch.

Not soon after, Sion showed interest.

“What’s that?”

“A letter.”

“From whom?”

Did she think it was from her own master? Unfortunately, no, this was from mine.

“From my master.”

I cautiously unfolded the letter.

Silveryn had written that it might be a good choice to skip the ball if I was not up for it, and she wanted me to send back a list of potential partners for the event. There was nothing else.

“You and your master exchange letters often.”

There was a hint of envy in her voice.

“Just occasional updates.”

“Is your master also a Swordmaster?”

“No.”

“I thought as much.”

“…”

“You don’t seem to have been trained properly.”

“What’s different if you’re trained by a Swordmaster?”

Sion answered my naive question with dry sarcasm.

“It’s different.”

“How different can a Swordmaster be?”

Sion suddenly turned her head and looked at me with astonishment.

Such an ignorant question from someone at a prestigious academy on the continent…

“What do you want to hear?”

“I haven’t encountered one myself. It may be commonplace for you, but ordinary people don’t have that chance.”

After a moment’s thought, Sion conceded to my point and responded to my inquiry.

“We couldn’t win against one, not together.”

“Can’t you describe it more vividly?”

“Do you know about the Royal Guard?”

I shook my head.

“They’re the Imperial household’s elite forces, chosen from the best trainees through even stricter standards than Eternia and only those who endure the toughest training become Royal Guards.”

“Hmm.”

T h i s w as c opie d f r om k i ng m t l .o r g
“Reluctantly, I must admit, as my master says, there are many with greater talents than mine. Most in those ranks don’t survive the brutal training.”

It’s hard to believe that Eternia, renowned for its talents, would be filled with people superior to Sion. Perhaps her master exaggerated to keep her humble.

“…”

“There’s no force within the Empire that can rival the Royal Guard. As executors directly under the Imperial household, they carry out their orders at all costs. Ask anyone from the Empire; they’ll go pale at the mere mention of the Royal Guard.”

“What exactly do they do?”

“It’s simple. They execute traitors – not individuals, but entire households. Not a single noble house has survived an encounter with just twenty or so Royal Guards.”

“Hm.”

“It’s rumored that training ten of them costs more than the taxes of an entire city. They’re so overwhelmingly powerful that even the Imperial family once feared them. There have been times when they acted more ruthlessly than the Emperor’s orders and instances when they went out of control, causing unfortunate history.”
T h i s w a s c o p i e d f rom k i n gm t l . o r g

“What’s that got to do with Swordmasters?”

Are Royal Guards equivalent to a Swordmaster?

“There was just one instance where a Swordmaster had a direct conflict with the Royal Guard.”

“…”
Thi s w as c o pi e d fr om k i ng m t l . o r g

“Fifty years ago, a Swordmaster named Laurent Blanc went to the Imperial palace and demanded an audience with the Emperor. Though he had a few significant achievements, he had retired from the front lines for a long time and was only just holding on to the lowest tier among the ten renowned Swordmasters.”

“And?”

“Laurent Blanc had heard that a princess from a small kingdom, with whom he was close, had been captured by the Empire. He went to rescue her.”

“Did the Emperor heed the Swordmaster’s request?”
T h i s w a s co p ie d fro m kin g m t l . o rg

“No. The Emperor used Laurent Blanc as a cleaner to deal with the Empire’s nuisances in exchange for the princess’ freedom. After using him thoroughly and once all tasks were completed, the Emperor sent the Royal Guard to dispose of him. They assumed even a Swordmaster couldn’t handle the elite forces alone.”

“So what happened?”

“Laurent Blanc realized a peaceful resolution was impossible and killed the Royal Guard sent to assassinate him. He tore them apart with a common, rusted sword.”

“Then he stormed into the palace, drew out the remaining Royal Guard, and tore them limb from limb. After that, he walked into the prison on his own two feet, rescued the princess, and left.”

“…”

“And it wasn’t just weaklings among the Royal Guard. There were legends among them, spoken of even today: Pianis of the Twin Blades, Noah of the Mad Blade, Barunia who killed the great beast of Norton Island… They all died pitifully, torn apart effortlessly. Such is a Swordmaster – unmatched unless by another of similar skill, able to kill anyone in this world if they wish, and protect loved ones from any threat.”

The tale left a significant impression even from just a brief telling.

“Such a remarkable story should have spread far and wide, shouldn’t it?”
T h is w a s c o p i e d fr o m ki n g m tl . o r g

“The Empire considers it a shameful history, so it’s naturally not well-known. I heard it directly from my master. Besides, if you’re doubtful, you can check the records in Sankrotis yourself.”

Sankrotis, famous for its apple pies, is now part of the Empire. Laurent Blanc saved the princess, but it seems he had no concern for the fate of her country.

“Is that swordsman still alive?”

“No. He died of old age.”

Sion turned back to the window, murmuring to herself.

“I heard… among Eternia’s alumni is Laurent Blanc’s last disciple…”

“Who?”

“…”

“Kedwen. I wish I could visit Eternia again.”

Sion’s expression soured. Perhaps she regretted never having the chance to spar with him.

With that, she closed up.

Kedwen. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t recall exactly where I had heard it.

***

“Thirty gold coins…?”

I repeated myself to the herbalist before me.

Sion urged me, hesitant to pay without certainty.

“The scent is real. And thirty gold coins is actually cheap.”

Sion seemed unconcerned.

I spent half of the Swordmaster’s gold coins to buy the shadowgrass powder. It wasn’t originally my money, but the sum equaling several months of my living expenses still made me sensitive.

After the purchase, as we stepped outside, Sion said,

“Just soak the letter in water mixed with dye and shadowgrass powder for a day. I’ve helped you as much as I can, so pass on any news from your master to me.”

She then stretched, her clothes riding up enough to reveal her belly button.

I didn’t want to see it, but I noticed a hole big enough for a thumb on the side of her training outfit.

When I peeked earlier, there were only outfits like her training ones. Surely she wouldn’t wear something like that to the ball.

Since I had plenty of gold coins left and it felt wrong not to do something about her attire… It was certain she’d turn up without giving her appearance a second thought.

When Sion started to walk off on her own, I quickly followed and caught up with her.

“Not yet.”

“…What?”

“We have another place to go.”
T h i s w as c o p ie d f r o m k i n g mt l . o r g

It was to the bespoke tailors that lined Rigved’s central district.

***

As the evening neared and the sun was almost set, I returned to Eternia campus after finishing the day’s errands with Sion. Having managed to coax her into the tailor shop to get measured, Sion bolted for the dormitory as soon as we got back. I went to the art department’s greenhouse to get the dye, as Sion’s advice suggested.

Someone was still there, despite the late hour.

The light from the greenhouse was visible from afar due to its glass walls and ceiling.

Since it wasn’t class time, the person inside was likely painting.

T h is w a s c o p i ed fr o m k in gm t l . or g
I approached the greenhouse to check who it was. Inside, Jenia was working alone, her left foot wrapped in bandages.

As I entered, she turned her head, sensing my presence.

“What’s up, newbie?”

“Still working at this hour?”

“Yeah, just feeling restless.”

I brought a chair over and sat beside her.

Jenia’s canvas was filled with indistinct shapes, as if she had filled it with underpainting alone.

“What are you painting?”

“I’m expressing my complicated emotions. How is it, can you feel my troubles?”

“I can’t tell.”

“Why can’t you? People with many worries would empathize with my painting.”

“I have plenty of worries… but I just can’t grasp your painting.”

“Never mind. Then you express it. What’s troubling you, newbie?”

My concern… I had one. But it was sensitive, delicate. Should I even discuss it?

“About the ball…”

As I hesitated, Jenia urged me on.

“Go on, keep talking.”

“Well… Is it possible to choose two people?”

Jenia’s painting hand stopped mid-stroke, and she looked at me sternly.

Th i s was c o p ie d fr o m k i n g mtl . o r g
“Newbie.”

“Yes?”

“Are you trash?”

“…”

“It’s funny. You want to be my partner at the ball and yet… you’re eyeing Haley too?”

“…?”

“You really want to get your bells rung, huh?”

“…”

“I’m joking, newbie.”

“It was a bit chilling.”

“Hmm, about the two people… the ball is divided into two parts, so it’s not impossible. Even if the banquet hall is huge, it’s impossible for all the students to dance at once.”

“So theoretically, it’s possible.”

“Yes. Morally questionable, though. It would deeply hurt your partners to see that. Especially if it’s their first ball.”

“Could you elaborate?”
T h i s w a s co p ie d fr o m kin gm t l .org

“Let’s say I accepted your invitation thinking there’s more to us, but you chose me just to have a good time before switching to someone else… It would be a shock.”

“I see.”

“Every year, there are always some sneaking around with others.”

“How would you feel if your partner did that?”

“I’d be furious, but I guess if my partner is popular, I’d have to accept it to some extent. As long as they treat me as a priority… and don’t choose a close friend of mine, I could tolerate it.”

“…”

So, not getting caught was the priority, but if I did, showing camaraderie might mitigate the situation.

I felt rather contemptible for even considering it, but I had no choice. Cecil could cut ties at any moment, and Luna’s slowly opening heart might shut again. My only escape was this sordid backstage maneuvering.

“Thanks for the advice, senior. Not that I’m saying I’ll dance with two.”

Jenia teased in a playful tone.

“You better not. I’ll be watching.”

T h i s w a s copi ed f r om kin gm t l . o r g
With the masquerade ball as additional leverage… it might be easier than I thought.

So, whom should I invite first?