Damn Academy - Chapter 222

Chapter 222

Four Swords (3)

As the sun set in the early evening, I finished my tasks and headed to the location specified in the note.

The Forbidden Forest, connected to the maze, was shrouded in mist and devoid of sunlight, but it didn’t require a torch. The soil and grass, imbued with the earth’s magical power, emitted an emerald glow wherever I stepped.

There was only one place that came to mind when I thought of a gravesite.

I once saw a woman with elf ears near the gravestone placed there.

As I approached the gravestone again, the old man from yesterday was standing there.

He stared quietly at the gravestone, then sensed my presence and spoke.

“I gave you something better, but you don’t seem to like it.”

He said this because I had brought the wooden sword.

“This fits my hand better.”

He hadn’t specified which sword to bring. If he needed the Magic Sword, he would have mentioned it.

“Have you tried talking to Priscilla?”

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“Who is that?”

“Your new Magic Sword. Her name is Priscilla.”

“I haven’t spoken to it yet. Is there a woman’s soul trapped in that sword?”

Calios paused for a moment, lost in thought.

“No, the Magic Sword’s consciousness is different from a human soul. It awakened on its own.”

How could it have a female persona if it awakened on its own? It was hard for me to understand.

Calios didn’t elaborate and cut to the point.

“Just believe it to be so. Have you tried communicating?”

“…No.”

“A Magic Sword that can’t communicate is a bomb that can kill its own allies. As I said, you must treat a Magic Sword like a lover. Constantly talk to it, cherish it, and keep it with you when you eat and sleep.”

“…”

He reached out his hand to me.

“Throw me your wooden sword.”

I tossed the wooden sword to him, and he caught it effortlessly, swinging it a few times with a swooshing sound.

He examined the blade closely and said,

“This is a sword no one would want.”

“…”

It was a cold and brutal assessment. I had an inkling of it, but hearing it from someone else didn’t feel good. Perhaps it hurt more because I cherished and used this sword often.

“The power it manifests is too little for the effort it consumes. Why do you favor this inefficient sword?”

“Because I can handle it. And I like it.”

This wooden sword had completely subdued Priscilla, the Magic Sword, this morning. It was no ordinary sword.

“Well, if you try hard enough, you might grow together.”

He tossed the wooden sword back to me.

I caught it and sheathed it. Then the old man asked for something else.

“Give me the other sword.”

“This is all I have.”

“You have one more.”

“I can’t show it to just anyone.”

“Do you think I’ll steal it from you?”

“…”

He scrutinized me and then said,

“Ah, let me introduce myself briefly. I’m Calios. I used to serve as a royal advisor.”

“Then, the Empire will know about my sword?”

“No, quite the opposite. I’m the only one who can prevent your information from leaking to the royal family. And I was also the one who judged your Master’s Class examination.”

“…”

There was no reason to be wary.

When I summoned the Magic Sword, a glow gathered in my hand. I threw the summoned Magic Sword into the ground.

Calios’s eyes were filled with curiosity.

He reached for the handle of the Magic Sword. But his fingers passed right through it.

He waved his hand back and forth with a confused expression. He still couldn’t touch my Magic Sword.

“Strange.”

“What do you think?”

“I’ve seen countless Magic Swords in my life… but this is beyond me. I can’t understand why such a thing exists.”

“…”

“Where did you say it was from?”

“Weisel.”

“I’m not asking about your fake background.”

“…I’m from Haman. I worked in metalcraft.”

“Did you learn swordsmanship there for survival?”

“No. I hadn’t learned swordsmanship until I met my master.”

“Hmm.”

“…?”

“Then, can you tell me how you obtained the sword?”

I shook my head. If I told that part of the story, it would lead to more questions and eventually connect to Liza.

Sensing my reluctance, he didn’t press further.

“Alright. Haman, Haman.”

He looked up at the sky and sighed, muttering my hometown’s name.

“…?”

“You can put away your sword.”

As he finished speaking, my Magic Sword vanished.

“Why did you call me?”

“To guide you.”

“Are you teaching a swordsmanship class?”
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“I’ll teach you how to be a knight.”

“I’m ready.”

“No, go back today.”

“…What?”

“Go back and take care of Priscilla. Keep her close, even when you eat, bathe, and sleep, so that you become one. Then come here tomorrow and report to me.”

Calios disappeared into the mist without a farewell after giving me my assignment.

Is getting used to the Magic Sword more important than learning other skills?

***

Following Calios’s instructions, I kept the new Magic Sword, Priscilla, with me while bathing and sleeping.

The next day, I encountered an unexpected problem.

Early in the morning, Trisha came down the stairs, rubbing her eyes, and stared at me.

“What are you doing?”

I was shaking the sapling, but it didn’t respond.

“The wooden sword won’t listen.”

To prevent any accidents, I had isolated the wooden sword outside the door before sleeping. When I tried to put it back in its sheath in the morning, it hadn’t changed from its sapling form.

It wasn’t even absorbing my magic. This had never happened before.

“…I knew it.”

“What?”

“It’s sulking.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been bathing and sleeping with the new sword, pampering it!”

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“Stop saying weird things.”

“Damian, you’re an expert at making friends feel left out.”

Trisha said her piece and scurried back to her room.

“…”

The wooden sword still showed no signs of changing.

Is it really upset, as Trisha said? Could it be?

It wouldn’t be so frustrating if there had been some progress with the Magic Sword, Priscilla. But now my well-used sword was acting up, giving me a headache.

Is there no such thing as a Magic Sword interpreter? I really want to ask why it’s behaving this way.

***

Putting the wooden sword issue aside, I set out early for school.

And just like yesterday, I met Luna in front of the Guardian Tree.

She waved awkwardly, just like before.
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“Luna?”

“Damian…!”

She naturally joined me and walked alongside.

“Are you escorting me again today?”

“Yes.”

Luna rummaged through her bag and handed me a small, paper-wrapped item.

“Do you want… to eat this?”

“What is it?”

“I made it yesterday. There’s a bit left…”

I untied the string and opened it to find cookies with a buttery aroma.
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I put one in my mouth, and the rich, sweet taste of butter spread through my mouth. It was quite a mood-lifting flavor.

“It’s delicious. Were you always good at making these?”

Luna’s lips curved into a small smile.

“I learned it recently.”

“I didn’t know you had such a hobby.”

“I’ve been able to taste things better lately. Since then… I’ve been learning one thing at a time.”

“Are you taking some good herbs or something?”
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Luna shook her head.

“I can also hear music better. At some point… melodies and harmonies became clearer to me. And… I can smell flowers more vividly.”

“…”

“I have more things I want to do now.”

There was strength in her voice. It was a rare bright side of Luna. Is this what it feels like to see a daughter grow up? I haven’t done anything, but seeing her open up and become brighter makes me feel fulfilled in some way.

“When did you start changing?”
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Luna reached out to me. Though she couldn’t bring herself to hold my hand, she clasped her fingers tightly.

“…It’s a secret.”

Then, just like yesterday, she led the way. Although we were heading to the same Art Club Greenhouse, the route was different today.

“This is a different path.”

“A new… path isn’t bad.”

***

Just as the Art Club Greenhouse came into view, Luna suddenly stopped.

“…”

She kept staring at one spot.
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Following her gaze, I saw Cecil standing with her arms crossed in front of the greenhouse door. She noticed us and waved with a grin.

Luna’s grip on my hand tightened slightly.

“Luna, what’s wrong?”

“…”

As we approached the greenhouse, Cecil greeted us.

“Hello, Damian! And… hello, Luna.”

“…Hello.”

“What brings you here?”

“I was waiting to get some materials from the greenhouse for an errand. And I was looking for you too, Damian. It’s perfect!”

“Looking for me?”

Cecil, with a bright smile, glanced sideways at Luna.

“Yes. You haven’t been around, so I thought you were avoiding me on purpose.”

Luna returned Cecil’s gaze with an innocent look, as if she didn’t understand.

Cecil spoke.

“Luna, why are you here? The Drama Club isn’t welcomed in the Art Club.”

“Damian welcomes me. And I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Is that so? I needed to talk to Damian alone, so could you leave us for a moment?”

“…Don’t mind me. Feel free to talk.”

Luna responded calmly to Cecil’s words.
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“It’s something we need to discuss privately. We had plans to hang out together.”

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Luna’s grip on my fingers tightened again.

“…”

Luna pursed her lips for a moment, then turned to me and asked,

“Our promise… it’s real?”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll go in. Talk.”

Even after saying that, Luna hesitated for a moment before finally leaving.

Cecil watched her go and muttered.

“Something feels off, as I thought…”

“What is?”

“Nothing, just…”

“…”

“And why didn’t you contact me? You could at least tell me you’re fine or not. I was worried all day.”

“It wasn’t a serious injury.”

“Just… let me know. I even gave you a stitch. Even if it’s a mosquito bite or a small scratch, just let me know.”

She then tilted her body and glanced at the direction Luna had left.

“She’s still watching us. It’s annoying.”

End of Chapter