Damn Academy - Chapter 228
Chapter 228
Black Footprints (3)
Hubert’s voyage seemed smooth.
With just a few words, the girl with pigtails giggled, and the disdainful glances from the nearby noblewomen hinted at his success.
A little later, Hubert returned with a flushed face, the banter still fresh in his mind.
He held a stitch marker in his left hand, waving it proudly.
“Look, Captain Ahab has returned.”
“Surprising. I thought you’d come back with the girl.”
“We’re supposed to spend some time apart. You have to let it breathe. She needs time to miss my presence.”
I know his type. Hubert isn’t someone who would pass up the chance to play with women. There must have been something that made him come back.
“Is that really the reason?”
“Damn, of course not. She’s a walking bomb. Do you know why she brought an artist along? To capture all her lovely features. Not because of the art style but because he paints her with long legs and a sharp jawline. She’s so full of ego she’ll burst soon.”
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“Weren’t you into pigtails?”
Hubert feigned innocence.
“Who? Using two hair ties for something that one could fix? Isn’t that psycho?”
“…”
“Almus was wrong. Pigtails are just crazy.”
I cut his dramatic antics short.
“Alright. That’s enough.”
Realizing he’d gone overboard, he agreed.
“Ha, fine. Forget the bomb and focus on the next venture.”
Hubert picked up his glass and pocketed the silver coin inside. Then he suddenly thrust the empty glass under my nose.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s not over yet. Put one in. We need to keep up appearances.”
He gestured with his chin toward a direction. There were noblewomen watching us with fans covering their mouths.
Meeting their sticky gazes brought on an odd discomfort. It felt like they had been watching us all along, not just now. I pulled out a silver coin and placed it in the glass. Hubert did the same, fishing out another silver coin and placing it in while taking a deep breath and scanning the surroundings.
“Ha, let’s see. How about her?”
He pointed with his chin to the end of the ballroom where a girl was leaning against the railing. She was one of the empire group but seemed out of place at the party. Being lonely can be a good strategy to attract a man’s attention, but she had a slightly different vibe. With a pale face and her robe pulled over her head, she sidestepped when someone approached, as if sending a worldwide “stay away” signal.
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“Isn’t she just your type? Sickly and lonely-looking. Like that spirit summoner. At least she’s not a bomb. But she’s not easy either. I’ll bet not one, but five that you can’t woo her.”
He pulled out four more silver coins, placed them in the glass, and shook it.
Seeing her, I could roughly understand why he thought she was like Luna. There was a mix of curiosity about the new place and fear of strangers in her eyes as she looked around. Like a kitten stepping into the unknown for the first time.
“What are you doing?”
“What do you think? Trying to save you. Would you rather get caught by the snake-hearted noblewomen or play with a gentle, soft girl? Think it over. Once those harpies have you, they won’t let go. They’ll have their servants cook, clean, and raise their kids. They don’t even handle their own affairs. Their husbands turn their backs in bed every night. So what do they do with all that money and time? Hunt. Hunt.”
“You seem to enjoy it quite a bit.”
“Not necessarily. Up to ten years older is manageable, but beyond that… Damn, taking sponsorship at the start of the semester was a mistake. Just have to accept it.”
“…”
Hubert’s brows furrowed slightly. He leaned in and spoke confidentially.
“The worst part is, these duchesses and countesses, who command hundreds of servants, love to be talked down to like country girls by a young stud like me. Disgusting and vulgar. Does it sound like an insult? They like that too. Damn.”
“…”
While Hubert continued his explanation, the noblewomen, unaware they were being badmouthed, waved at us. Hubert returned their greetings with a businesslike smile.
“Maybe it makes them feel like they’re back to their youthful days. Funny thing is, young ladies want to be treated like duchesses. Speaking of which, if those vulgar women drag me to their chambers, save me like you did Cecil. Be the white-knight pervert mask, saving your friend from lust, obsession, and a suspicious husband.”
“Don’t drag me into this.”
He offered a fist bump, and when I didn’t respond, he sheepishly withdrew his hand.
Listening to his grumbling jokes made me ponder. Beneath his cheerfulness lay hidden hardships, making me feel a bit sorry for him. Well, he brought it on himself, but still.
“…I appreciate you trying to help, but I already have a partner, so I can’t. If Cecil finds out…”
He cupped a hand to his ear, pretending not to hear.
“What, what? Approaching for exchange competition analysis? That’s a great idea.”
“…”
“Time’s up, buddy. You have no choice.”
The noblewomen dispersed around the room began to converge on the scent of a partnerless man.
In the end, I took out four silver coins and placed them in the glass.
“Don’t keep it; preserve it well.”
“You’re too serious to woo her.”
I knew it was a blatant provocation, but hearing it from him stirred a competitive spirit. I had to get that stitch marker, even if only for analysis.
As the noblewomen gathered around Hubert, I quickly made my exit.
“Oh, where is he going?”
Hubert shrugged his shoulders with a feigned nonchalance.
“He said he couldn’t sit anymore because of boils on his butt.”
“Pfft, oh… not as perfect as he seems.”
“Why didn’t he ask for help? I always squeeze my husband’s for him.”
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I held back the urge to rush back and smack Hubert.
***
Misha stood by the railing, taking in the view of Rigved and the Eternia River below. Though she wanted to enjoy the party, her heart kept pounding, leaving her adrift alone.
She wasn’t self-conscious about her appearance, but seeing the striking appearance of the rival academy students introduced by Conte, she felt oddly self-doubting and pulled her robe tightly over her head.
In the empire, her long, cherry-blossom-pink hair was considered a symbol of luck, but here, it only embarrassed her.
Being part of the 12th Magic Tower and the Imperial Royal Academy earned her admiration back home, but here, she was just another student from another region.
Then a man stepped up beside her, a step away, mirroring her view of the scenery.
Startled, she let out a small exclamation and took a step to the side.
At the edge of the party venue, there was no one else around besides them.
Her view blocked, she lifted her robe slightly to sneak a glance. Brown hair. A bracelet that looked like an artifact. And an Eternia ring on his finger. He was a student from Eternia, briefly introduced by Conte. Even a side glance could leave a strong impression.
She returned her gaze to the Rigved vista, but a discomfort stirred inside, making it hard to focus as before.
The man spoke first.
“Do you smoke?”
“…Pardon?”
“Do you smoke?”
“Oh, no?”
“In an alchemy book, it explained the social utility of smoking. It said misfits should carry a cigarette to parties. If you’re alone, staring out the window at a grand party, people see you as a loser. But if you have a cigarette, you’re a solitary philosopher.”
Misha thought carefully before responding.
“Are you saying I’m a loser?”
The man emptied his pockets to show.
“I don’t smoke either. So I thought we could keep each other company as fellow misfits.”
“…Makes sense. Okay.”
Misha’s mother had inculcated one lesson in her since childhood.
‘Don’t be fooled by appearances.’
Her mother considered herself a victim of being deceived by appearances and hoped her daughter wouldn’t follow the same path.
Though her father wasn’t handsome when young or now, the reasons for her mother’s wounds were unclear.
The man before her seemed trustworthy and sincere, beyond his outward appearance, from his voice and manner of speaking.
He seemed different from the losers who approached with flattery to win her over.
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She extended her hand for a handshake.
“…I’m Misha. From the 12th Magic Tower and the Imperial Royal Academy.”
Due to lack of experience, her hand trembled. Extending a handshake wasn’t natural for her. It was drilled into her by a tutor for situations like this.
The man appeared to ponder for a moment.
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Why does he need to think just to exchange introductions? Misha wondered but waited patiently.
“Hubert. My name is Hubert.”
He accepted the handshake.
“Hu…bert?”
“Yes, Hu-bert.”
“Then the Damian I’ve heard of…”
He frowned as if facing a nonsensical rumor.
“He doesn’t come to these things and just trains at home. Who told you he was here?”
“Oh, I must have been mistaken.”
Her heart sank. A friend had insisted that Hubert was the most famous person in Eternia. Though, famously infamous. If her mother knew about this notorious person, she’d be horrified, and here he was, right in front of her, leaving her tense and frozen.
“I can’t see your face. Could you take off your robe?”
“Oh… okay.”
When she removed the robe, her loosely tied cherry blossom hair fell down her back.
“A symbol of luck.”
“…Yes.”
Though he was the first to recognize it here, the name Hubert made every word feel like a lecher’s ploy.
The man seemed puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
“Wasn’t the woman with you also from Eternia?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Well, I thought I was the prettiest in the world, but seeing her made me realize… the world is vast… I need to step up…”
The man tilted his head slightly.
“You thought you were the prettiest…”
“That’s right. I really did.”
“Now that I see it, pigtails would suit you very well.”
“Oh, re…ally?”
Pleased, she combed her hair without thinking. Then she caught herself, remembering to remain cautious. Compliments from a man required the utmost caution, her mother had advised.
“But I heard Hubert is quite the womanizer…”
The man nodded confidently.
“That’s right. I’m crazy about them.”
“Oh, you’re honest.”
“To be even more honest, I love all the women in the world. It’s like… every time I see one, a desire bubbles up from my gut.”
His words were strange, but with her limited experience talking to men, she couldn’t be sure of her impression.
She had heard that men were rough and straightforward. Maybe this was normal.
“Haha… you live quite an interesting life.”
Finally, her mind cleared.
He’s not in his right mind. His calm gaze suggested he was slightly mad.
His appearance and first impression had fooled her. Realizing Hubert was just as notorious as his reputation, her vision darkened.
She wanted to call for help from her friends, but they paid no attention to Misha and were too far away.
“Why the face?”
“Oh, you’re… quite something. Haha. You look like someone who enjoys drinking and… loving various things.”
“But just as I have a passion for women, I also love art.”
“Well… I can’t say I trust that.”
“How can I prove it?”
“Then call an artist from Claridyum here.”
“Hmm… I like Brack, but my favorite is Rotulek. His unfortunate life story makes his work more human. I’ve only seen his reproductions, and I’d love to see his work firsthand.”
“You know Rotulek?”
He wasn’t just bluffing. If he knew Rotulek and understood his work, he was deeply knowledgeable.
“Why?”
“My mother supported him for a long time… She supported many, but Rotulek was one of them.”
“Wait, was that famous story about you? Discovering the paralyzed genius painter everyone despised?”
As the topic of Rotulek came up, his calm demeanor showed a spark of enthusiasm. His interest in art was genuine.
“Oh, that’s right. You really do like him… but she’s stopped supporting him now.”
She suppressed any growing sense of closeness toward the man, recalling her mother’s teachings.
“Did something happen?”
“Yes, he recently refused support… went into seclusion… and his recent works have changed so much… I don’t know what to say.”
“Changed? Why change a perfected style?”
For a painter, developing their own style could take years, if not a lifetime. It’s rare for a successful artist to change their established style.
But Rotulek chose change, though even a patron who supported him for ten years didn’t know what led to it.
“I don’t know either. I’m not well-versed in art, but my mother said the soul vanished from his paintings, that he sold his artistic spirit for money, only creating works that pleased the market… She was furious.”
“Was it really about money?”
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“I don’t know. The mood seems different there. Whether it’s a new artistic trend… I don’t get it. Even the artists who moved to Rigved… They seemed disillusioned by their once-respected peers changing so swiftly. But there are still many who stayed.”
“…”
“Oh, my friends are calling me. I’ll go. You really like art. It was nice meeting someone who appreciates Rotulek.”
“It was nice to meet you too.”
“My mother used to say people who like Rotulek have pure souls… I guess there are exceptions. Heh.”
“Oh, before you go, could I get a stitch marker? I have more questions about Rotulek.”
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“Oh, okay?”
“And I might visit Claridyum soon, so I’ll pass on any news about Rotulek.”
“Oh, well…”
She bit her nails, pondering for a while. He seemed like a lecher, yet warm, and even a con artist. Knowing him wasn’t enough to grasp his personality.
Finally, she accepted the request. She wasn’t one to refuse easily.
She rummaged in her robe pocket and handed over a marker while speaking.
“…Alright. But don’t write anything strange in the letter.”
“Why not?”
“If my father finds out, he might send an assassin. He’s very strict about interactions with the opposite sex… I’m not exaggerating.”
“Don’t worry. Oh, could you write ‘Hubert’ on it? Letters might mix in the dorm.”
“Okay.”
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“Hubert. Now repeat after me. Hu-bert.”
“…?”
***
I approached Hubert only after he sent all the noblewomen away. I slapped the stitch marker onto the table with a clatter and spoke.
“Boils on the butt?”
“Calm down. I was protecting you. Who’d want a man with boils on his butt?”
“Alright. I raised your prestige, so we’re even.”
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“Even? What do you mean?”
“Anyway, I won the bet.”
As I reached for the money, he quickly snatched the glass filled with silver coins.
“No, no, it’s not over yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“I bet you couldn’t woo her, not that you couldn’t get a marker.”
“That’s just wordplay.”
“No, you should have read the contract carefully. ‘The devil is in the details.’ Haven’t you heard?”
“…”
“Now that you’ve got the marker, let’s proceed with the game.”
“….”
“Go on and woo the rest, then come find me. I’ll keep the money safe.”
***
As the party ended, I walked with Cecil through the foggy night streets of Rigved.
With all the alcohol she drank, Cecil’s footsteps were irregular.
She leaned on me, barely supporting herself.
“Is it okay to drink this much?”
“Usually, I wouldn’t drink this much… Hic! It’s because you’re here that I did.”
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“Looks like you enjoyed yourself.”
“Right. Let’s come again next time!”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, but… there’s something strange.”
“You mean Claridyum?”
“No. Hu-bert, hic! That guy. He’s a real rascal, but… he’s principled.”
“I didn’t know he had that side.”
“So… he never messes with a friend’s friend… or sticks to just one in a group.”
“Yeah.”
“But… there’s a rumor Hubert got stitch markers from two girls in one group this time.”
“…”
“It’s really odd…”
“As far as I remember, he was too drunk.”
“Was he? Didn’t seem like it.”
“That’s just how he is.”
“Hubert won’t live long. Because the empire folks aren’t pushovers. There’s a Swordmaster’s granddaughter… and an archmage’s disciple… none of them are easy.”
“And, hic! The people from the empire are strange too. A guy hitting on my friend hits on me too? And then she just watches and gives him a marker…? Girls hate that the most… Strange.”
“Empire folks have no loyalty.”
“Right.”
“I’m glad Damian is, um, my partner.”
The patrolling soldiers on the main street laughed and whistled at us.
“Why?”
“If my partner did that… I’d break my principles and take action.”
“What action?”
“I’d cut his tendons… so he can’t run away. Like a magic academy experimental subject.”
She’s becoming more incoherent.
“Are you okay?”
Cecil looked up at me with bleary eyes. Her head bobbed helplessly with her steps.
“And, and, take special action. My, my, hic! With that.”
“What’s that?”
“Hmm, I’m crazy about… don’t know, sleepy…”
Cecil’s eyelids began to droop.
End of Chapter
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