Chapter 76: Vacation(2)
Chapter 76: Vacation(2)
Vacation is, above all else, a priceless time of rest for a student. It is the perfect opportunity to soothe a mind and body exhausted from constantly looking forward, or to plan for the future.
Even a period as short as a month is sufficient. While a month may seem fleeting at first glance, it can be spent quite productively if one manages their time well.
My plan for this vacation was to visit Mari’s mansion and then spend the rest of the time lounging around. My life at the Academy had been incredibly busy, and several incidents had left me feeling mentally and physically drained.
I had managed to pull myself together enough to live a relatively comfortable life now, but until I clearly realized my own value, I had spent every day on edge.
"Aren't you coming home, Nicole?"
"I’ll probably head back halfway through the break and stay for about a week. I have to spar with Father."
"Why only a week? Just stay the whole time. I’ll be bored."
"Oh, honestly. If you’re that bored, why don't you just stay at your girlfriend’s house the whole time? Besides, I have a lot to do at the Academy. I’m graduating soon, so I need to look into job placements."
For the record, staying in the Academy dorms during vacation isn't a problem. Halo Academy is practically a small city, and students can take part-time jobs to cover their living expenses.
In particular, those whose homes are too far away for a reasonable commute tend to stay at the Academy during breaks. Since vacation is only a month long until the second grade, it’s often the only practical choice.
"What about Adele? Is she staying at the Academy too?"
"Probably? Her home is extremely far away. Come to think of it, I don’t think she’s ever gone home during a break. Anyway, have a good vacation, and don't be a nuisance at your girlfriend’s house. Got it?"
"Yeah."
I finished my conversation with Nicole before the vacation officially began. I had spoken with other acquaintances before meeting her, and everyone seemed to have a busy break ahead of them.
First, Lina mentioned she planned to pursue the culprit of the manuscript theft until the very end, while Cecile didn't give me a straight answer. She simply gave a gentle smile and told me it was a secret.
Since she said it was a secret, I didn't pry further, but the look in her eyes was somewhat unusual. It was as if she were constantly watching for an opportunity. It might have been my imagination, but it felt like it had something to do with me.
Well, it’s not my concern.
I also asked Leona what she was doing for the break.
After checking to make sure no one was around, she answered in her characteristically cynical voice.
"Nothing much. I’m staying at the Academy. It’s a hassle to go back to my hometown, and living here is decent enough."
"Really? What about money?"
"I’ll have to do a part-time job or something. I figure it might be a good experience."
The image of Leona working a part-time job... It felt strangely fitting yet unfitting at the same time.
When I looked at her with that expression, Leona scowled slightly and spoke in a blunt tone.
"What? Is it that weird to think of me working a job?"
"No. I was just wondering what kind of job you’d get."
"Why do you need to know? What, are you going to come visit?"
"If I can."
Visiting a friend at their workplace didn't seem like a bad way to spend time.
Leona let out a short laugh at my answer and waved her hand dismissively.
"Forget it, just go. Isn't your female waiting for you?"
"Huh? Female? That sounds a bit weird."
"Ah, sorry. I’m still not used to the phrasing."
Seeing her touch her mouth as if she’d made a slip, it seemed it really was a mistake. She even looked at me warily to gauge my reaction.
I stared at Leona’s face for a moment before shrugging. Since we were different races, I could overlook a slip of the tongue like that. Leona herself seemed genuinely apologetic.
"Anyway, have a good break. Don't get caught in some weird way like I did."
"Hey. That was a total fluke. If I hadn't let my guard down, you never would have caught me."
"Right, right. I’m off then. Bye."
"Yeah. See ya, Red Penguin."
She’s still calling me a penguin.
Leona chuckled and waved regardless of my glare. It was lucky no one was around; since she was hiding her identity, seeing her laugh like that was a rare sight.
That’s everyone greeted...
Now it was time for my vacation to truly begin. I headed toward the meeting spot with a light step.
The meeting spot was just the Academy entrance, but my lovely girlfriend, Mari, would be waiting there.
There is nothing less charming than making your lover wait, so my pace naturally quickened.
And then...
"Isaac!"
As soon as I reached the Academy entrance, a familiar voice reached my ears.
Turning my head toward the sound, I saw Mari running toward me, her white hair fluttering in the wind. She was still wearing her school uniform rather than civilian clothes.
Even so, it couldn't hide Mari’s youthful charm. Unlike others, the uniform actually seemed to enhance her appeal.
I gave a bright smile as she approached and opened my arms wide. Mari naturally dove into my embrace.
"Mmm... why are you so late?"
While we were basking in each other's warmth, Mari looked up and asked. Her jewel-like blue eyes were filled with affection for me.
I gently stroked her cheek, the smile on my face showing no signs of fading.
"Sorry. I was late saying goodbye to everyone. How long have you been waiting?"
"Actually, I just got here too. I was late talking to my brother."
"Then why did you ask why I was late?"
"Because every second felt like an hour."
Though our relationship had started somewhat haphazardly, it wasn't like that anymore. Just looking at her face made me happy; there was no reason for me not to love her.
Above all, Mari was beautiful. Incredibly so.
No matter how annoyed I might be, the moment I saw Mari’s pretty face, my anger would melt away like snow in the sun. It was a form of healing.
Because of that, Mari’s presence in my life was growing larger and larger—to the point where I didn't care if passersby stared or whispered.
"Shall we get going?"
"Yes! Yes!"
And so, my first vacation began alongside my cute girlfriend.
*
While Isaac and Mari were beginning their vacation together, Cecile, the Princess of Helium, had already returned to her homeland, despite the break having started less than an hour ago.
Cecile was not only a member of the Demon race, who were second to none alongside Elves when it came to magic, but she also possessed outstanding magical skill as the designated successor to the Demon King.
Therefore, using Teleport to bypass all spatial constraints was no issue for her. Since she remembered the coordinates of the royal castle perfectly, she was able to arrive faster than anyone else.
However, since magic cannot be used inside the Academy, she had activated the spell from a short distance away.
"I'm back, Father."
"Welcome home."
As soon as she returned to the royal castle of Helium, Cecile met with the King of Helium, Descal. Having already heard the news of her return, Descal greeted her with a gentle smile.
As a princess of the realm, she could have had someone sent to escort her, but Cecile didn't care for such things. She disliked making subordinates suffer for her sake.
Descal knew Cecile’s personality well, so he wasn't surprised by her sudden return. In fact, he had been expecting it since she had sent a letter saying she would be back soon.
"So, how was life at the Academy? Was anyone bothering you?"
But the heart of a father is the same everywhere. Descal asked Cecile with a voice dripping with concern.
Though the prejudice had lessened now, the Demon race had been persecuted as devils until only a few years ago. Thus, as a father before a king, he couldn't help but worry.
Cecile gave a bright smile to ease Descal’s worries.
"It was very satisfying. I made many good friends. Thanks to the Xenon Biography, everyone treated me as a person rather than a devil."
"That is a relief."
"Ah. Of course, there were some people who harbored lustful thoughts after seeing my face and body."
"Which bastard was it?"
Descal’s relief was short-lived as his expression immediately turned fierce. As a father with an only daughter, this was something he could not overlook.
Especially when that daughter was more than just beautiful in the eyes of others. Naturally, he was ready to lose his temper. He wanted to find the culprit and tear them limb from limb right then and there.
Cecile let out a hearty laugh and waved her hand playfully. Her father remained consistent as ever.
"I’m joking. Just a joke. There are many beautiful people besides me, so I didn't get that many looks."
Of course, there had been one. Jackson, the son of a Count, whose eyes always drifted toward her chest whenever they spoke.
However, Jackson had started avoiding her after their group assignment. She had taken the opportunity of the assignment to prank him several times.
Furthermore, aside from Jackson, almost no one approached her. Even if a flower is beautiful, people hesitate to pluck it if it has thorns.
"...I see. Still, don't play such jokes. As a father, it’s not something I can just brush off."
"Yes, I understand. I’m sorry if I startled you."
"Well, seeing you like this, I’m relieved you’re doing well at the Academy. Truly, nothing else happened?"
"Hmm..."
Things had happened. In fact, something had happened that couldn't just be brushed off.
Cecile thought of a boy with striking red hair and smiled. Just thinking of him made her smile naturally and her heart flutter.
Even though there was someone already by his side, it didn't matter. If she couldn't attack from the outside, she just had to conquer from the inside.
Exchanging letters was part of that strategy. There is no method more effective for opening someone's heart than showing sincerity.
Even if it took a long time, it didn't matter to Cecile. She was a Demon, a long-lived species, and she had cultivated 'Restraint' since childhood, giving her immense patience.
An opportunity will come eventually.
Nothing in this world lasts forever. This applies to relationships between men and women as well; it is as natural as a roaring fire eventually dying down to embers.
Cecile spoke, hoping that moment would come one day. The image of the red-haired boy was still playing in her mind.
"Nothing much happened. Honestly, for me, just being at the Academy is an event in itself, isn't it?"
"Hmm. I suppose that’s true."
"By the way, Father. How is the investigation going?"
Cecile quickly changed the subject. Although Descal could be dense about certain things, he might become suspicious if he noticed anything.
If he became suspicious, his attention would naturally turn to Isaac, and the moment that happened, he might send people after him. Cecile wanted to prevent that at all costs.
Fortunately, Descal didn't seem to notice anything, just as she feared. He stroked his chin and answered quietly.
"The investigation into the manuscript theft is proceeding well. A letter was sent to the Minerva Empire, so a reply should arrive soon."
"Is that so? Who do you think stole the manuscript, Father?"
"The Empire’s investigation is struggling because not a single clue was found. But I believe that is the clue. If even the Empire couldn't find a trace, there is only one possibility left."
Descal then speculated on the suspect with a grave voice.
"An Elf. Specifically, a Dark Elf whose abilities to hide in the shadows are highly specialized."
"Why do you think that?"
"As I said, because there are no clues. If the culprit had even thought about it a little, they would have left some trace. The fact that absolutely nothing was found makes me lean more toward the Dark Elves."
Descal took the lack of evidence, despite the Empire's investigation, as evidence itself. Cecile nodded, finding his reasoning sound.
The Demon race and the Dark Elves hadn't had much contact until now. But as of today, a connection had been formed.
The manuscript theft was enough to incite the wrath of not just humans, but Demons as well. The Xenon Biography was a treasure among treasures that had fulfilled the long-standing wishes of the Demon race—in other words, it was no different from a 'Holy Relic.'
From the perspective of the Demons, they felt a sort of 'mission' to find the manuscript and return it to its owner. In fact, Helium’s hunter organization, 'Reaper,' had already begun to move.
We will definitely return it to you, benefactor. Please don't worry too much.
Cecile imagined Isaac’s face when he received the manuscript back.
The image of the cute and lovely boy, genuinely happy and thanking her.
Just imagining it made her so happy she didn't know what to do with herself.
"Haa..."
"...?"
Descal, completely unaware of Cecile’s inner thoughts, could only look on in confusion.