Sweeping Operation (5)
On the way back to the dorm.
Today, too, I'd used the founding emperor's escape route to return to the academy. Along the way, I wiped away the stench clinging to my body with a Clean spell.
"Aw, my whole body aches."
Using the family swordsmanship had left my entire frame creaking. I'd moved too much, too intensely for too long. I'd been fine right up until I unleashed my sword arts.
"Gotta rest up."
The silver lining was that tomorrow was the weekend—no lectures. Sure, I had my part-time job and volunteer work, but I could just adjust the timing for those.
"Still, glad it all worked out."
When I'd run into Elraim, I'd thought the plan was doomed. No knight was as rigid as her. You could tell just from how she shadowed me without fail, every single day. If I'd been a girl, she'd have followed me right into the bathroom.
"But what exactly went down between those two?"
That was the curiosity bubbling up now. Judging from the body's reactions and Elraim's responses, there had to be some backstory between them I didn't know about.
Of course, the Arden family was a key element in Akacheonma, so I could guess at some of it. Elraim had joined the family at age 12, when Veil was 5. With no other kids around, they'd grown up like siblings. That's why Veil called her "nuna" in private even now.
And I'd probably gotten tangled up in it too. Elraim, me, Veil—we three, all around the same age, must've lived like family.
But that was as far as my knowledge went. Elraim was a supporting character who aided the protagonist. I was an extra who died a month into the novel. So there was no way any past events between us would've come up.
"Hard to just ask, though."
From her reactions alone, it seemed we'd been close enough for me to call her "nuna." But beyond that? No clue.
There were no side stories in the webtoon revealing it, and no diary-style info dumps in the game. Plus, our current relationship didn't look great. Just look at how she'd reacted on my first day here—the damage was already done. Lately, she'd warmed up because I'd been acting different.
"Definitely something romantic..."
Thinking back, the body's reactions to Elraim were totally different from those toward the princess, my father, or Veil. What was it... no emotions at all? Unlike with the others, there was no jealousy, inferiority, envy, or hatred. Nothing like that.
Come to think of it, my behavior and speech around Elraim had been noticeably different from with others. I'd loosen up, feel more at ease.
"What the hell kind of relationship was it? Ugh... frustrating."
Maybe I just had too little info. No conclusions, just going in circles. Couldn't even make a simple guess.
"Anyway, later for that."
Elraim wasn't priority one. Kantia, which I'd just crushed, was.
"Next week should be quiet."
Next week was the hunting field trip. That was the date when Kyle died to the protagonist in the story. But it was just an episode to bond Kyle closer with Veil—nothing major. No need to worry.
"Didn't seem like their relationship was bad anyway."
During the dorm ghost incident last time, they'd looked friendly. Probably thanks to me as the connection. I'd accidentally done more than enough for an extra's worth.
"Bellum meeting the protagonist is a year out, so plenty of time to prep."
The broad strokes of Akacheonma's story split into three acts. First year: conflicts and events at the academy. Second year: venturing out into external incidents. Third year: tying up loose ends.
The protagonist Evan's clash with the crime syndicate Kantia happened in the second year. So I just had to manage Bellum loosely until then and let them duke it out.
"That's... everything, I think."
Thoughts sorted. Done.
"Yaaawn~ So sleepy..."
A yawn hit, drowsiness crashing in. I rubbed my eyes, splashed water on my face—useless. The sleep debt from the past few days was hitting all at once.
"Gotta get back quick..."
But the moment I spotted someone ahead, sleep vanished. My slouched body went rigid.
"Hey, senpai~"
She waved lazily, greeting me. Her red hair fluttered in the dawn breeze, stealing my gaze; her bewitching red eyes forcibly shattered my focus. If my nerves weren't still frayed from the Bellum fight, I'd have fallen right in.
"Out late somewhere?"
"...What are you doing out at this hour, Cloi."
I called her name sternly. No idea why this girl was here, at this time, in this spot.
Cloi reacted differently, covering her mouth in mock surprise.
"Oh? You remember my name?"
"...What nonsense is that."
"Nooo~ I thought you hated me since you glared last time."
"......"
Damn. That's what got her attention? No way I'd foreseen that reaction leading here.
"So. Answer."
"Ah, just out for a walk."
"Fine. Then head back to the dorm."
I turned to put distance between us.
"Aww, senpai, don't be like that—walk with me~"
Cloi hooked her arm in mine, grabbing me before I could bolt.
"Let go."
"Nope!"
"Let. Go."
I put force into my voice. She finally released me. But the playfulness didn't stop.
"Just kidding, kidding. Why get mad? Smile instead. C'mon, smiiiile~"
She grinned, urging me to copy her. No chance. Instead, I asked,
"...Why the hell are you doing this to me."
"Aww, 'cause I'm happy to see you. C'mon, let's walk a bit."
"...Sigh. Fine."
I sighed deeply. If I didn't, she'd keep it up. We walked side by side.
Weekend dawn in the central district: dead quiet. Student Council Hall dark, barely any students out strolling. Serene. Beautiful scenery. It stirred the senses.
Seemed to affect her too.
"Senpai. Isn't the academy at dawn just so atmospheric?"
"Yeah."
Short answer. She didn't mind, caressing a flowerbed bloom.
"Tianis really is a great place."
"Is it."
"Yeah. Flowers and trees so well-kept, the scenery is perfect..."
She pulled her hand away, looking around.
"Safe enough to wander at dawn. Is there any other place like this in the world?"
"Imperial Palace, maybe."
"Haha, could be."
Cloi burst out laughing, smile spreading across her face.
"And one more thing."
"What."
"How kind they are to students. First time I saw it—people smiling so brightly, without any malice."
Not wrong. Tianis Academy catered to students' convenience, fostering a friendly vibe. Nowhere else let you focus on studies so peacefully. Just look at Holy Academy or the Magic Tower—schemes everywhere daily. Tianis alone overflowed with respite.
"That's why I love this place."
"...Good for you."
Cloi gazed at me intently, smiling with her eyes.
"What about you, senpai? Do you like it here? Tianis Academy?"
"......"
Her words carried weight. I stayed silent; she continued.
"Heard from Veil, rumors too. What kind of guy you are, what you've done... all of it."
She took my hand. Locked eyes with those ruby-red irises. That crimson gaze bored into me. I tried to pull away—couldn't.
Cloi drew closer. Slow, sticky seduction. Energy-draining. She pressed to my ear, whispering softly,
"Senpai. Don't you hate Tianis Academy? This place that tormented you... don't you want to destroy it?"
That voice pierced my ear straight to my brain. Stirring my mind. Shaking my heart. Dragging some deep darkness buried in Kyle Arden's body to the surface.
Rage boiled. Hostility toward the princess, hatred for the academy—it surged.
But.
'You think this cheap trick works on me?'
Unfortunately, my mental fortitude wasn't that fragile. My body froze, though. Her presence was tuned for enchantment. Without restraint, turning men into slaves was effortless. Post-battle, resisting was tough.
Luckily, my mouth worked. I forced out,
"Sorry, but... I like Tianis."
"Huh? Really?"
Surprised look. The coercive force eased.
"Thought you hated it..."
"Must've heard some weird crap."
"Guess so. My mistake."
Cloi smiled with her eyes. Seemed to accept it—but obviously not.
We'd reached the central district's edge. Outer areas from here.
"If you're not tailing me to my dorm, we're done."
"Yeah. Nothing out here, right?"
"Magic Department dorms that way."
I pointed.
"I know~"
Cloi grinned slyly. I hurried off—but her voice stopped me.
"Oh, right—know this?"
Turned; she was already in front of me. Reached out, straightened my clothes, whispered,
"Senpai... you smell a bit."
"What smell."
"Blood and grudging spirits. Kill someone?"
"...Dunno."
"Hmmm~ Got it."
Cloi hummed teasingly.
"There, all good now."
She patted my coat front, stepped back.
"Senpai. Nice seeing you. Later~"
Waved like when we met, then headed to her dorm.
"Phew, thought I was done for."
I sighed in relief. Tension melted as she vanished. Nearly collapsed right there. Drowsiness rushed back. Eyes drooping.
"Sleep... sleep first."
Gonna pass out on the street. Cloi later—rushed to the dorm.
Cloi halted on her way to the dorm. Held out her hand.
Black energy swirled in her palm. Listening closely, horrific shrieks leaked out.
-Kyle Ardeeeen! That wastrel bastard—kill him, kill him!!
A bloodcurdling, tearing voice. It tried to rampage out of control.
"A mere ghost acting up?"
Cold voice. Cloi clenched her fist. The grudge spirit screamed.
-Pleeease! Stop...!
The soul wailed in agony. She didn't stop until it quieted.
-Please... I was wrong, wrong....
Once its spirit broke, she released her grip. Cloi glanced toward the soul's origin.
"Gotta hide this stuff better~"
It had been haunting around senpai. Freshness suggested death about 30 minutes ago. Reactions implied torture-death.
"What a fun senpai."
Her voice dripped intrigue as she released the soul.
From day one: faint hostility. Iron will shrugging off seduction. Blood and ghost smells. Impossible not to get interested.
Especially.
"He reeks of villain."
Darkness oozing from body and soul deep within—it tantalized her. She'd tried drawing it out.
But.
"His mental strength is too solid."
Solid to a fault. Even full-on mind-manip magic barely worked. And his wariness—he'd bolt first.
Just that reaction showed he wasn't easy.
"Sigh... I want him."
Still, senpai Kyle was too tempting. Wanted him by her side forever.
"What to do~"
Black butterflies bloomed from her fingertips. They multiplied, swarming her arm, then body—vanishing her form.
As she perfectly concealed herself from the world.
"Mess with his close ones, maybe a crack forms~"
Only a faint whisper echoed in the air.