Chapter 15: The First Letter (15)
Chapter 15: The First Letter (15)
Celine had been in a foul mood lately. To be more precise, it started the moment she heard I’d begun training with Seria.
Today was the day for our swordsmanship practical. Instead of the usual training grounds, we were instructed to gather in the forest south of the Academy.
Unlike the training grounds, the forest was quite a distance away, so Celine and I had met up halfway and were walking together. She let out a sharp huff and looked at me as if I were pathetic.
"Ian, are you an idiot?"
"...What now?"
She planted her left hand firmly on her hip. Her right hand fluttered dismissively, grating on my nerves. She looked utterly flabbergasted.
"I mean, really? After she beat the dust out of you on that rainy day, you’re helping her just because she asked? Are you a moron, or just a total pushover?"
"If you're going to put it like that, I beat Seria up too."
"That’s different!"
Celine bristled like an angry cat, practically growling. No matter how much she thought about it, she clearly couldn't stand Seria.
"A senior disciplining a junior for educational purposes is one thing, okay? But a junior beating up a senior? How is that the same?"
"What does seniority have to do with a duel? Does a senior’s blade get duller just because they’re facing a junior?"
The more I defended Seria, the more Celine’s irritation spiked. She huffed and puffed, trying to win me over to her side, but my mind was made up.
Having observed Seria for a few days, I realized she wasn't a bad person; there had just been some misunderstandings. If anything, I’d started to get the impression that she was actually quite fragile.
I hadn't thought much of it at first, but after spending a few days with her, I couldn't help but feel a bit concerned. I had this nagging sense of crisis—that if I left her like this, the Academy might end up unleashing a total social misfit onto the world.
At the very least, she should have a basic grasp of human relationships. It was only natural for a senior to feel that way.
It looked like I’d have to stick by her side and look after her for a while. Besides, I was curious about her connection to the Hunting Festival and 'Sepia.'
Come to think of it, today’s lecture was also related to that letter from the future.
A swordsmanship practical in the forest—this was clearly the same class where the letter mentioned a demonic beast attack.
The letter stated that thanks to a proper response, there were no casualties. Conversely, that meant if the response wasn't handled correctly, people could die.
I had to stop it. That was my primary goal in coming here today.
The problem was, I had no idea what kind of demonic beast it was.
Demonic beasts possessed vastly different traits depending on the original creature they were derived from.
Essentially, a demonic beast is born when the density of unrefined mana becomes too high, contaminating a nearby living organism. Naturally, the beast’s characteristics are dictated by the traits of that original organism.
Most demonic beasts were animals, but sometimes plants could turn as well. In cases of abnormally high mana density, even humans could become demonic beasts.
These creatures shared only one common trait: an extreme hostility toward other living things.
Everything else—their ecology, habits, and weaknesses—varied wildly. This was exactly what was giving me a headache.
In truth, I still wasn't entirely certain if the letter really was from the future.
After all, it claimed to be from seven years in the future.
If you grabbed a random passerby and asked if such a letter was real or just a prank, nine out of ten would choose the latter. It was only natural that I still had my doubts.
However, if the letter was real, an incident would occur during today’s lecture.
I calmed my mind and steeled my resolve.
But unlike me, who was dead serious, Celine was still chirping away beside me. She shot me a suspicious look.
"Ian, are you even listening to me?"
"...Uh, yeah? Yeah, I'm listening."
"Liar. It’s written all over your face."
I had been so lost in thought that I’d momentarily forgotten I was walking with Celine. If I kept this up, she’d only get angrier, so I decided to try the tactic Reto had taught me.
As she stepped closer, pointing a finger at me, I caught her scent—the same one I’d complimented before.
"Celine."
"Who? Me? Celine of the Haster family, the one you were just totally ignoring? What’s the occasion? Since when did you care—wait, I think I’m gonna cry..."
"You smell nice today, too."
Celine, who had been twisting her words mockingly, froze instantly at my comment. After a brief pause, she averted her eyes, her face flushing slightly. She cleared her throat and crossed her arms.
"O-oh, really?"
"It's that cleanser you used last time, right? It suits you."
At that, Celine looked a mix of smug and embarrassed. she let out a series of unnatural coughs as she found her voice.
"W-well... it’s not like I’m keeping it because you said you liked it or anything, okay? But, uh, I’m glad it suits me."
The pitch of her voice had risen noticeably, though she didn't seem to realize it herself.
I was just glad she seemed to be in a better mood. Sensing her anger had dissipated, I breathed a silent sigh of relief.
I felt like I owed Reto one. To think I finally had a way to handle a sulking Celine.
Deciding to keep this trick in my back pocket, I quickened my pace.
The forest was coming into view.
The dense woods, rarely frequented because of the demonic beasts dwelling within, gave off a somber, eerie atmosphere.
This was the place where Emma had been attacked by an unidentified demonic beast. People still dismissed it as a freak accident, but I wasn't so sure.
I wouldn't know what was truly lurking inside until I stepped in.
Most of the students were already gathered in a wide clearing a bit further into the forest. It seemed my leisurely conversation with Celine had made us a bit late.
Fortunately, we weren't actually tardy. Professor Derek gave a firm nod after confirming our attendance.
Then, as always, he commanded the students' attention with a booming voice. It was a spirited roar that defied his middle-aged years.
"Alright, eyes on me! Today, we’re conducting a special training session!"
As I shifted my gaze toward Professor Derek, my eyes briefly met Seria’s in the front row.
I gave a small nod of greeting, and Seria returned the gesture with a slight bow. It was proof that we had at least become close enough to acknowledge each other.
I remembered how, at first, she would practically bite her tongue trying to say hello, looking at me with trembling eyes as if she didn't know what to do. To an outsider, it probably looked like I was threatening her.
The fact that Seria was particularly formal with me was partly due to the 'Yurdina Near-Death Incident,' so the idea that I was a threat wasn't entirely baseless, which stung a bit.
What on earth had happened to my personality while I’d lost my memories?
It was still a mystery. But since the aftermath had mostly been dealt with, I decided not to dwell on it further.
If I ever lost my memories again, I’d have to think about it more seriously, but for now, I was too busy worrying about the contents of the letter from the future.
"As swordsmen, you all know how crucial the environment is. Among them, a dense forest is one of the most challenging terrains you'll face."
With that, Professor Derek stepped into the gaps between the nearby trees as if to demonstrate. The moment he drew his sword, it became glaringly obvious how narrow the space was.
Any student at the Academy could read an opponent's range to some extent. Within the range I calculated for him, there were at least three trees in the way.
And that was assuming he stayed stationary. Considering that actual combat requires fluid movement, there were countless trees that would obstruct Professor Derek’s swing.
This wasn't just a problem for the professor. It would be the same for me, Celine, and even Seria.
Unless one used a weapon specialized for thrusting, like a rapier, movement within the forest was bound to be restricted.
"Look. In a place where the trees are this close together, even a single swing becomes difficult. It’s fine if your enemy is mindless, but if you’re facing a Named-class demonic beast or another human, your sword path becomes restricted, making your attacks easy to read."
Furthermore, a demonic beast encountered in the forest was likely a native creature that had already adapted to the environment. That put a swordsman at an even greater disadvantage.
After reciting these common-sense points, Professor Derek began to manifest Aura from his blade.
The mana, which had been rising like a faint mist, soon coalesced into a brilliant, radiant light. That blood-red Aura was proof that Professor Derek had reached a level of mastery as a swordsman.
A Sword Expert—the stage where one can crystallize Aura. Even among experts, Professor Derek was considered high-ranking.
As a third-year student, I could manifest Aura, but coating my blade in such condensed energy was impossible for me. Among the students here, perhaps only Seria could manage something close to it.
Even then, she was only at the entry level of a Sword Expert. No student here could defeat a legendary hunter who had dedicated his life to subjugating demonic beasts in a test of pure skill.
"However, if you can crystallize your Aura, the story changes. Whether the path is blocked or not, whatever you swing at gets cut."
With that, Professor Derek swung his sword for all to see. It was a silent strike, devoid of any sound.
Not even the sound of cutting could be heard. Everything in the trajectory of his swing was severed—the trees, the air, and even the sound itself.
It was a surreal sight. It was as if I’d blinked and a thin line had been drawn across the world, like a 'spot the difference' puzzle. It was a feat only a Sword Expert could perform.
"But even for a Sword Expert, there are limits to ignoring the environment. See this tree?"
Professor Derek pointed to a tree that had been deeply gouged by his sword's path. He walked around to the side of it and gave it a simple kick.
It was a light impact, not particularly strong. Yet, with a thunderous crack, the massive tree began to topple in the direction of the gouge.
The gouge was, of course, in the direction of his swing. In other words, one could easily be crushed under that tree if they weren't careful.
Of course, a Sword Expert wouldn't die so easily, but it was undeniable that the surrounding environment was a significant hindrance.
And in the middle of combat? It went without saying. The students' expressions grew serious.
"As you can see, swordsmen have to fight a very disadvantageous battle in the forest. Ideally, you should avoid making the forest your battlefield, but during a subjugation, that’s not always an option. So, today’s practical will focus on utilizing your surroundings."
Professor Derek sheathed his sword. The blood-red Aura vanished without a trace.
"Especially since the Hunting Festival is coming up soon, right? The festival is basically about hunting demonic beasts in the forest, so getting familiar with the terrain today will be a big help. Though I don't know how many of you will actually participate!"
Professor Derek finished with a hearty laugh. He was about to wave his hand and tell the students to get to it, as he usually did, when he paused as if remembering something.
He nodded to himself and added one last thing.
"By the way, no swinging at thin air today. You’ll pair up in groups of two and spar freely while moving around. However, you must analyze the environment. Climb trees, hide in the bushes—do whatever you want. Just prepare for every possibility. I’ll be testing you later, so don't slack off."
Freely moving around, huh.
My eyes darkened at his words. This information was both an advantage and a disadvantage.
First, if we scattered in pairs, we risked being picked off one by one if the demonic beast attack actually happened. On the other hand, I couldn't exactly warn everyone of a massive attack without any evidence.
There was only one solution: notice the signs of an attack before the beasts struck and report it to Professor Derek.
I didn't know how strong the beasts lurking in the forest were, but Professor Derek was a man who had once subjugated countless famous monsters. There was no way he would lose, especially with nearly a hundred Academy students present.
The only problem was that I needed someone who would trust my words implicitly and follow my lead.
My gaze naturally drifted toward Celine. As if she’d been waiting, she brightened and approached me.
"So, Ian? He said groups of two. How about a little forest date, just the two of us, for old time's sake?"
"A date with swords in a place where demonic beasts might be hiding... how romantic."
Celine giggled at my sarcasm. She seemed quite excited about this unusual practical.
"They’re probably just low-level beasts anyway. Even if this is the outskirts, we’re still on Academy grounds."
That was the common consensus. No matter how much they allowed the beasts to breed, this was Academy property and the site of the annual Hunting Festival.
One only had to look at how people viewed the attack on Emma. The prevailing view was that an Alchemy student, unable to defend herself, had simply met with an unfortunate accident.
But what if that wasn't the case?
Because of that 'letter,' a whirlwind of emotions was stirring in my heart. Anxiety, urgency, a sense of duty, and guilt.
No one believed in this letter. Only I, operating on the premise that the letter was true, could prevent the casualties that were supposed to occur today.
It was a lonely, agonizing feeling. I bit my lip for a moment and was about to ask Celine to join me, as I usually did.
Celine would go along with my whims, and more importantly, she was someone I could trust with my back. But the words died in my throat when I felt someone’s gaze.
I glanced to the side. There, a pair of eyes like aquamarines were staring blankly at me.
They held a flicker of expectation before sinking back into gloom. There wasn't even disappointment.
Just a look of self-reproach, as if she’d expected this all along. Seeing that fading light in her eyes, I couldn't help but hesitate.
I agonized for a moment. But the hesitation was brief.
"...Celine, find someone else to pair up with today."
"Sure, sure. I knew you’d only want to be with—wait, what?"
Celine, who had been feeling smug, assuming she knew what I was going to say, immediately scowled and barked back at me.
I clarified my intention once more.
"I said, pair up with someone else today. You have plenty of other people to choose from anyway."
"W-well, that’s true, but... ah."
Celine, who had been flustered and stammering, followed my gaze and realized who I was looking at. Her voice turned ice-cold.
A chilling light flickered in her eyes.
"...You’re going to pair up with her?"
"She doesn't look like she has anyone else to pair up with."
Celine’s brow furrowed in irritation. She turned away from me with a sharp jerk.
"Fine, do whatever you want. I hope you two are very happy together."
She left me with those biting words. She seemed genuinely angry.
I’ll have to make it up to her later, I thought, letting out a low sigh. But since things had already turned out this way, I started walking toward Seria.
Standing alone amidst the groups of students already forming pairs, Seria looked exceptionally lonely. I felt like I was starting to understand her a bit now.
The fact that Seria didn't actually look down on anyone, and that she was surprisingly prone to loneliness.
I spoke to Seria, who was staring down at her toes.
"Seria."
"Ye-yehet?!"
Seria let out a cute little squeak and jumped, startled by the sudden call. She looked at me with bewildered eyes.
I gave her a simple proposal.
"Let's pair up."
"...Huh?"
Seria tilted her head as if she didn't quite understand. So, I had to say it one more time, more firmly.
"I’m saying, let's be partners."
Seria stared at me blankly for a moment.
She looked away, fidgeted, and then cleared her throat, regaining her usual haughty expression.
"...Ye-yeph."
She bit her tongue.
She was the same Seria as always.