Damn Academy - Chapter 90

[Episode 90] The Shadow (13)

Upon inspection, it seemed that the second recipe was primarily a record of wandering the continent, exploring the alchemical traditions of various regions.

The language used varied with each date in the paragraph, likely recorded in the local language of the area where the author stayed during the travels.

The professional content required considerable effort to translate. What a relief that records of minor tribes’ traditional alchemy were written in the common tongue.

Damian doubted whether he could translate it accurately with his own language skills.

There was no other choice. For a while, he would have to live attached to dictionaries in the library.

For one or two lines of sentences, seeking help from others wouldn’t pose a risk, but finding a reliable language expert was another issue altogether.

***

The next morning, on the carriage to Eternia, I asked Trisha,

“Do you speak any languages other than the common tongue?”

Trisha replied confidently,

“No!”

“Well, never mind then.”

It would have been the best-case scenario if Trisha could translate. No such luck.

“Why? What do you want to learn that for?”

“There’s a book I want to read, but it’s in a language I don’t know. Do you know anyone, maybe a senior or classmate, who is proficient in languages?”

I thought about asking art club president Haley for help, but making such a request when I had barely finished introductions seemed too forward.

Visiting a professor was also on my mind. This recipe should be interpreted with my own abilities as much as possible. I couldn’t show the entire text to a professor and couldn’t follow them around all day just for help with a few sentences.

I needed someone like Liria, someone who wouldn’t get too involved but would certainly teach me the necessary parts.

And just in time, Trisha mentioned an appropriate name.

“Yeah, Cecil Sis is the smartest. She’s of mixed heritage, so her family is spread out here and there.”

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“…Cecil?”

“But she’s been really busy lately. It’s tough even for me to see her face. I doubt she’d associate with you. She’s not exactly close with you, right?”

“…Where does she usually hang out? Any idea which club she might belong to?”

“…I don’t know.”

“Do you have any idea where she might be?”

“Do you really have to see Cecil Sis?”

Cecil seemed like a very good option.

“Yes, she’s the person I need most right now.”

“…”

Trisha’s expression darkened slightly.

“What’s wrong? Did you have a fight with Cecil?”

She replied stiffly,
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“No.”

Then she turned her head away from me, as if she didn’t want to talk any further. Though she didn’t express it openly, it seemed like her mood had dipped somewhat.

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Not the usual way she blatantly shows she’s upset—it was as if she harbored feelings that couldn’t be put into words.

Why is this happening? Does she always get in a bad mood in the mornings?

For now, I set aside everything else and laid out a plan to find Cecil.

First… I’d stop by Witthrush Hall to pick up a few petal candies. Whether to wear the mask or not was something to consider.

***

Cecil was taking a break, sitting by the central fountain in front of the magic fountain at Eternia’s central library.

She took a certain amount of pride in her situation. She believed no one among Eternia’s first years could be as busy as she was.

These past few days, she had been shuttling between the library and the laboratories for her personal research.

She didn’t even have the time to think about her talent in the arts.

She was just going to let go and end up in whatever club she was assigned to.

The less popular departments were best. They were less time-consuming and were filled with less bothersome people.

As she smoked her cigarette with a vacant look, Cecil noticed that the gazes of passing students lingered on her for a moment, making her furrow her eyebrows.
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Being a mixed breed, she was accustomed to receiving attention for her beauty, but lately, those gazes subtly got on her nerves because of the increase in approaches due to joint lessons and such.

Cecil’s hunch proved correct.

Someone had their sights set on her and began to approach. Her eyes were weary from a night in the library, so she couldn’t make out who it was, but she had no intention of dealing with anyone at the moment, not even a prince.

She was fed up with it. What was this ‘reward’ that made everyone go to such lengths? Why such desperation?

She exhaled a long trail of smoke and loudly murmured as if she wanted everyone to hear,

“Ah, I wish everyone would just piss off. It’s putting me in a bad mood.”

What did she care how others might view her attitudes?

Hearing her remark, a few startled onlookers glanced around before turning and walking away.

Having finished her smoke, Cecil went back inside the library.

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Once in the reading room, she sat down at a square table she had previously occupied and opened her book again. She put on her round, research glasses and immersed herself back into reading.

During her reading, someone tapped the edge of her table with their fingertip, drawing her attention.

Cecil’s cousin, Bertang from the alchemy department’s first year, had silently taken a seat across from her.

Cecil sighed softly and turned her eyes back to her book.

Bertang spoke in a low voice,

“This isn’t the time to be doing this.”

To which, Cecil retorted sarcastically,

“Did the drama club interview go well?”

A flush of embarrassment crossed Bertang’s face, as if remembering a shameful incident.

“No, didn’t I tell you I failed at the third round? Why would you bring that up again?”

Cecil took off her research glasses and brushed back her long, lightly wavy hair.

“Why are you here? What is it you want to talk about?”
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“I found out what the joint class is about. It’s an alchemy class.”

Cecil furrowed her brows.

“The class is related to a familiar, so why is it an alchemy class?”

“Alchemy knowledge is essential in tracking the familiar. The class highlights both summoners and alchemists.”

“…”

“And I also learned what the reward is for bringing a horn of the familiar. Originally, only those who received that potion would know, but its effects are so remarkable that it seems the news has stealthily spread.”

“What’s the reward?”

“You’ll be surprised too. Instead of researching, you should be preparing for the joint class right away.”

Bertang looked around cautiously and slid a note out of his pocket toward Cecil.

With a skeptical look, she accepted it.

And as Cecil read what was written on the note, her eyes grew wider.

***

Following Bertang’s words, Cecil temporarily set aside her personal research. Understanding the nature of the reward made it clear why her seniors were so insistent and desperate.

Just the thought of what could be achieved with that potion was enough to invigorate her.

She, too, succumbed to greed and switched gears to preparing for the joint class.

Weaving through the long rows of bookshelves in the reading room, she picked up books that seemed potentially useful and piled them into a cart.

“Hmm…’Continent’s Familiars’ and ‘Tamer of Calamity’s Beasts’… what else…”

While pushing the cart, she stopped upon spotting a promising title, reaching up to the highest shelf.

The bookshelf was too tall for her reach. Not wanting the hassle of fetching a step stool, she stepped on the lower shelf to hoist herself up.

Shortly after, the bookshelf swayed, and books slid out like rain, pouring down.

“Kyaa!”
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The cascade of books sent her tumbling to the floor.

Fortunately, the bookshelf didn’t topple over entirely, averting a major disaster, but the chaos around her sparked a surge of irritation.

While she was sorting the scattered books, someone, drawn by the commotion, came beside her to help tidy up.

With the cart blocking her view, Cecil couldn’t see who it was. Between the gaps, all she could see was a muscled forearm, sleeves rolled up. She was too occupied to refuse the assistance.

She hastily scooped up an armful of books and placed them on the cart. Sorting the books could be left to the library’s Plantara.

After a rough tidy up, she stood up. The person who had helped also stood and offered her something.

It was precisely the book she had been reaching for.

Taking the book and looking up to see who it was, she was face to face with the red-haired man wearing a wooden mask.

It was Candy.
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The sudden reunion momentarily paralyzed her thoughts.

“You… why are you here?”

“I came to read a book.”

She stared blankly at Candy before suddenly realizing her own disheveled appearance and slightly bowed her head.

“Just, wait a moment.”

And as if asking him not to come closer, she stretched out a hand and shielded her face with the book.

She hadn’t anticipated this surprise visit. It was a sneak attack. She had been up all night, her hair was a mess, and she hadn’t even washed her face that morning. Unprepared for the encounter, she couldn’t help feeling flustered.

“What’s this? Showing up out of nowhere without saying anything.”

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He playfully bantered back,

“…Do you need a mask too?”

“Be quiet. You, stay right here. I’ll be right back. If you run away, I’ll turn you into an ice confection.”

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“Alright. Off you go.”

Cecil quickly turned and walked briskly out of the reading room. She knew Candy wouldn’t follow, but she couldn’t lift her head due to a peculiar sense of shame.

Only when she reached the lounge with the large mirror did she relax her guard.

Looking into the mirror, her appearance wasn’t great. Her hair was disheveled, and her lips were pale pink, drained of color from fatigue. She tidied her hair with her hands and applied some color to her lips.

Then she loosened one of the top buttons of her white blouse to reveal her collarbone.

Cecil was about to head back to the reading room but stopped in front of the mirror, feeling something was missing.

After biting her lip in thought for a while, she ultimately decided to unbutton two more buttons.