Damn Academy - Chapter 230

Chapter 230

Black Footprints (5)

“Close your eyes again.”

As Calios instructed, I closed my eyes again. Before I could even stabilize my breathing, Calios threw a stone.

Whoosh—

The sound of it cutting through the air made my facial muscles twitch involuntarily.

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Calios muttered in a low voice.

“I’ll have to block your eyes and ears. Having sensitive senses isn’t bad, but it’s a hindrance to your training right now.”

…

Then something rustled in the nearby bushes, not us.

It was the first time something had approached to disrupt our training, so my attention was drawn immediately to the sound.

As I reached for the sapling sword, Calios signaled me to stay put.

The Forbidden Forest we were in was an area devoid of monsters. This meant it was likely related to the labyrinth. Otherwise…

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“Oh, there you are!”

Emerging from the bushes was Trisha.

“Huh.”

“Oh, Grandpa?”

“Isn’t it the Calamity Collector, Azelis!”

“Kya! Grandpa!”

Trisha leaped forward and greeted Calios cheerfully. What? They knew each other?
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“Hoho, the little lady has grown so much.”

“Grandpa, can you give me a ride on the seagull?”

“No. Now that you’re a lady, you must learn to play more calmly.”

“Oh, that’s right. I’m a complete lady now!”

“Anyway, what brings the young lady here?”

“I came to see my friend! That fool over there!”

Calios glanced at me and then turned back to Trisha.

Trisha had come without disguise, her long white hair trailing behind her. It’s my first time seeing an outsider who knows her real name and appearance. Trisha seems to have known Calios since childhood, but they don’t seem related by blood. Perhaps he was one of her many teachers.

With Trisha here, it was impossible to focus. I was sure of at least one thing: she was definitely a distraction to my meditation. What if she made a mistake or caused trouble? It made me anxious.

It felt like leaving a child near a cliff.

“Little lady, come here for a moment.”

Calios and Trisha moved away from me and began chatting merrily. Calios would say something, and Trisha would giggle. I thought I heard my name in their conversation. What are they talking about?

“Grandpa, I’m leaving now! Please take care of my friend!”

Trisha left just minutes after arriving. Why did she even come here?

Calios returned and unexpectedly began to chide me.

“You fool!”

“…Did you say something bad about me?”

“No, that little girl only said good things about you. Are you always so doubtful?”

“Then why are you like this?”

“Have you looked into that child’s eyes recently?”

What is he trying to say about Trisha, whom I see every day?

“What do you mean?”
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“Doesn’t she like you? How oblivious can you be to make her come all this way? Look at this fool.”

She likes me? You can tell just by looking into her eyes? Is he some kind of mind reader? His sudden announcement hit me like a slap at the back of the head.

“…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“How closed off must your heart be to not realize something so pure? Do you not know how precious a pure heart is?”

…

“Today’s training ends here. Go back.”

“But how can I leave so soon?”

“Tomorrow, go on a date with that little girl.”

“What is this…”

“Is this training? Yes, it’s part of your training. Go on the date and satisfy the little girl. I’m not joking. Listen seriously. If I find out she wasn’t satisfied, I’ll send you until she is.”

What kind of nonsense is this? Ordering a date out of the blue.

“But isn’t a magician supposed to…”

“Did she say she loves you when she said she likes you? Besides, that girl is not just a magician. She’s beyond that.”

…

What could be beyond a magician? An archmage? A god? In my view, Trisha is lacking much to be called by such grand titles.

“Did I tell you to get engaged? It’s just one date, so don’t get worked up. Oh, and properly ask her out on a date. If you say I made you, it doesn’t count.”

The swordsmanship I wanted to learn has never been taught, and the path has gone in an unforeseen direction.
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I’ve learned one lesson from my time as an apprentice in the workshop: when learning, you must put your ego aside.

Questioning and doubting slows growth and can lead you astray. Accept it first.

***

“Alright, class is over. Those who want to draw more can stay. Oh, Lilith, could you help water the plants?”

“Yes.”

With Professor Georgia’s words, the class ended.

I stayed behind in the greenhouse to further enhance my painting.

Most seniors and classmates left for their next class.

While painting, I racked my brain about how to ask Trisha out on a date, causing a headache.

After a couple of hours, the art club leader, Haley, entered the greenhouse.

“Still at it, newbie?”

“You’re back?”

Haley came up behind me, resting her chin on my head, and looked at the painting on the easel.

“What are you painting? It looks familiar.”

“I was doing a study of Rotulek’s painting.”

“Your paintings are getting better. By the way, are you ready to go to Claridyum? The schedule will be out soon.”

“Isn’t it just about going with my body?”

“No, if you want to have fun properly, you’ll need a lot of money. You need to think about how to entertain your favorite seniors, and when you return, there’s the final assessment straight away, and after that, the preliminary rounds for the exchange competition, so it will be a busy semester end.”

Regarding the final assessment, there wasn’t much to worry about. The combat department focused on basic physical skills or beast studies, which weren’t particularly difficult; and the liberal arts courses like alchemy and material studies, which I attended separately, were already thoroughly understood.

“Have you prepared everything, Senior?”

“Yes. Oh, right, your friend, the blonde from the drama club.”

“Yes. Are you talking about Luna?”
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“Yeah. The less pretty blonde than I am.”

…

Haley pinched my cheek.

“Say ‘Yes.'”

“Yes.”

“She was hovering around the greenhouse with a basket. Did you call her?”

“No. Is she still there?”
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“I just saw her.”

“…I’ll be back for a moment.”

I left the greenhouse and walked around the area. Sure enough, I found Luna leaning against the building wall, her head bowed with a basket in hand.

I approached her.

“Luna?”

She immediately responded and looked up. Her eyes were red, and she sniffled slightly. It seemed she was on the brink of tears.

“What’s wrong?”

As I approached, she stepped back as if we had reverted to the days when she feared me.

Her reaction was shocking. Since defeating the black spirit, we had only grown closer and never drifted apart.

“Luna, is something wrong?”

…

What on earth had happened to make her like this?

She looked at me with eyes full of sorrow. It seemed one touch would make her burst into tears. Without a word, Luna set down the basket and turned to run away.

I checked the contents of the basket.

Inside were the outer clothes and underwear Cecil had worn yesterday. I had no idea how Luna got hold of them, but she was clearly misunderstanding something.

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She wouldn’t be disappointed with Cecil staying overnight at my place. If it were an issue, she wouldn’t have allowed me to live in the same building as Trisha in the first place.

Haley slowly approached me, having followed me.

“Hey, newbie, I happened to see you two together.”

…

“Did you two fight?”

“No… Honestly, I have no idea why. This isn’t like her.”

“Sometimes it happens. Women have periods of heightened sensitivity. Emotions flare up, appetites surge, and abilities drop.”

…

“Just support her silently until the storm passes, then talk it out after.”

“Senior…”

“If you had devoted this much effort to Jenia instead of that blonde, you’d be married by now.”

…

I need to clear things up with Luna, but the problem is that I have a date with Trisha scheduled for the afternoon.

I worry that unresolved misunderstandings might deepen the rift.

***
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“Hmmm~”

In the carriage, Trisha hummed happily.

Given the attention in Eternia, I took Trisha outside the campus.

Trisha, excited as always to go out, accepted my proposal without much emotional wrestling.

“Damian!”

“Yeah.”

“What’s gotten into you to act so sweet all of a sudden? Have you finally decided?”

“Decided what?”

“To serve me!”

“No, not yet.”

“This chance doesn’t come often! When I become someone important, it’ll be too late even if you beg!”

“I’ll think about it then.”

“Tch.”

Trisha blew out a breath and turned her gaze to the window. She continued to hum alone, staring outside, before speaking again.

“Damian, do you control anything besides Peep?”

“No? Why?”

“There are so many white crows outside. They’ve been following our carriage the whole time. I thought they might be friends of ours.”

“Really?”

I checked outside as well.

But I couldn’t see any white crows that Trisha mentioned.

“I don’t see them.”

“They’re right there, totally visible.”

Trisha pointed with her hand. But in that direction, there was nothing but the blue sky.

“I still can’t see them.”

If I can’t see them but Trisha can, they might be spirits.

Trisha’s eyes went wide as she looked outside again.

“They’ve multiplied. Why are there so many? Must be dozens!”

End of Chapter
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