Chapter 26: The First Letter (26)
Chapter 26: The First Letter (26)
In the library at midday, countless students were reading books with lethargic expressions.
Final exams were still a long way off, but the Academy’s finals were not something that could be overcome with mere cramming. Without consistent study, maintaining one’s grades was impossible.
However, it was just after lunch, and a major festival like the Hunting Festival was approaching. There was no way the contents of the books were actually sinking in.
That was why the majority of the students sitting in the library were yawning out of boredom.
Of course, there were students studying hard among them, but they were likely the outliers who had never found studying boring in the first place. They were the strange kind of humans one could only see because this was the Academy.
Unfortunately, I belonged to the former group rather than the latter. While I was staying in the temple’s concentrated healing room, the liberal arts lectures I was taking had progressed quite a bit. I had visited the library specifically to make up for that lost ground, and I was currently spending a miserable time doing so.
If there was one consolation, it was that I didn’t have to shoulder this pain alone. Sitting across from me was Reto, looking hollow-eyed.
While I had only a single book in front of me, a tower of books with various colorful covers was stacked beside him. It was a workload befitting a student of the Magic Department, who prioritized theory and hypothesis.
Compared to him, how happy a man was I? I indulged in that pitiful mental victory while sipping the tea I had brought in my canteen.
The tea had a refreshing scent that helped clear the mind. It was safe to say that there wasn't an Academy student who didn't use this tea during exam periods.
Including Reto, of course. He tilted his canteen back to drain the last of it, only to scowl when he realized his portion was empty.
He gave me a light kick with his toe. I, who had been forcing myself to read while clutching my throbbing head, looked at Reto with a questioning gaze.
Reto signaled with his eyes. It was a sign that meant:
‘Let’s step out for a bit.’
I had been looking for any excuse to escape this book-filled hell. There was no reason to refuse Reto’s suggestion.
I closed my book with excitement. I didn't forget my bookmark, as I still had about half the material left to read.
I did wonder what on earth a swordsman would use ‘Topology’ for, though. Since the Academy required everyone—whether in the humanities or the martial arts track—to take at least one literature and one science course per semester, it was unavoidable.
Still, math was better. Usually, if I asked Reto, I’d get an answer. I had already jotted down a few things to ask him later.
However, the topic of our conversation ended up focusing on an unexpected subject. It started when Reto, on his way out of the library, picked up one of the newspapers published by the campus clubs displayed at the entrance.
Reto ordered tea at the student union building located right across from the library and flipped through the paper. His tired eyes scanned the pages until they suddenly sparkled, having found something interesting.
He burst into a chuckle and shoved the newspaper toward me as if to say, look at this. Reto tapped a specific section repeatedly.
There, a short headline was written.
‘Southern Forest Demonic Beast Massacre Incident’
I, who had just ordered a new tea and was finishing the last of the drink in my canteen, nearly spat it out.
I quickly snatched the newspaper. There, a somewhat sensationally processed rumor was written as if it were objective fact.
*
[‘Southern Forest Demonic Beast Massacre Incident’]
[Ian Percus (23), a third-year student at this Academy, has become a topic of conversation after subjugating a large number of demonic beasts in the forest south of the Academy grounds on the 15th. The number of demonic beasts Percus subjugated alone that day reached about ten, including high-ranking demonic beasts. This is an unprecedented achievement, even considering he is an upperclassman.]
[On the other hand, Seria Yurdina (22), a second-year student, is becoming a target of criticism for fleeing and leaving her comrade in danger, despite her excellent grades as the top student of the Swordsmanship Department. Regarding the mass outbreak of demonic beasts in the Southern Forest, the Office of Academic Affairs released an explanation stating, ‘It happened because we allowed the demonic beasts to breed in preparation for the Hunting Festival’...]
[Meanwhile, Ian Percus is also the protagonist of the so-called ‘The Yurdina Near-Death Incident,’ causing further controversy. This is because he, who was merely a low-mid rank hero in terms of grades despite being a third-year, has recently been showing unexpected skill. As a rare individual from the Empire’s lower nobility among the people of interest, many are watching to see how far he can go...]
*
The more I read the text, the more my expression hardened. After finishing the article down to the last line, I spoke with a frown.
“What is this?”
“What do you mean, what is it? It’s a newspaper article. About you, no less.”
Reto chuckled as if it were someone else’s business, but I didn't feel comfortable. There were too many points in the article that bothered me.
My voice rose with irritation.
“No, why is the content like this? I only killed one high-ranking demonic beast that day, but this makes it sound like there were several... and Seria fled while leaving her comrade in danger? She went to get Professor Derek! And why are they emphasizing my background?”
“Because that’s what sells.”
To my complaints, Reto replied as if stating an obvious truth.
“The public tends to be more attracted to the facts they want to believe, rather than the facts as they are. That arrogant Yurdina brat ran away, while a low-mid rank student from the Empire’s lower nobility slaughtered multiple high-ranking demonic beasts? Ha! The story writes itself.”
“Even so...”
Inwardly, I thought Reto was right, but I couldn't stop grumbling.
At this rate, I felt too sorry for Seria. I had already heard news that she had been suffering from bullying recently.
It felt like I was enjoying fame at the expense of making Seria a sacrifice, which made my heart ache even more. No matter how much Seria claimed not to care about others, she was still human.
Her heart was surely made of flesh and muscle too. Knowing that she was being hurt by her social relationships, even if she didn't show it, I couldn't just stand by and watch this situation unfold.
I had left a warning for that gang of thugs talking in the back alley a while ago, but if distorted information continued to circulate like this, it would be like pouring water into a bottomless pot.
Finally, as if I had made up my mind, I nodded to myself and said, “...I can't let this go. I have to at least go and complain to the place that published this paper.”
However, Reto’s reaction to my firm resolve was incredibly dull. He gave a short laugh and stretched, soaking in the sunlight. Perhaps because an interesting topic had come up, his haggard expression had brightened slightly.
“Don't bother. A celebrity from the fourth year is the head of that club. There’s no way she’ll listen to you.”
“Who’s the head?”
“The Princess of the Ball.”
“Ah, that commoner-born...”
Hearing Reto’s words, I wiped my face with my hands. If it was that senior, there was a high possibility she wouldn't even pretend to listen. She was famous for being inscrutable, especially since her social capital was so vast.
Seeing me look particularly troubled today, Reto glanced at me and asked a question. It was a simple but probing question that got to the heart of the matter.
“Why? Did something happen?”
I hesitated at his words. I was reluctant to mention that Seria was being ostracized and that it had recently escalated to bullying.
It was Seria’s personal matter. Informing others of such problems might actually hurt her more.
However, it was also true that I couldn't think of a proper solution. I couldn't go around warning every single person who badmouthed Seria.
In the end, I sighed and had no choice but to tell Reto the general situation regarding Seria that I had heard yesterday.
The fact that negative public opinion about Seria had been spreading recently, the fact that distorted information about the demonic beast subjugation was playing a part in that process, and the fact that the bullying was becoming more and more excessive.
Reto listened with a face that showed neither interest nor boredom, then spoke in a nonchalant voice.
“Those thugs you said you met yesterday.”
“Yeah?”
I could only respond with a question to Reto’s sudden inquiry.
The thugs I met yesterday? The ones badmouthing Seria in that alley?
I had already 'persuaded' them well using appropriate means. At the very least, they wouldn't be able to do anything stupid to Seria openly in the future.
Since I hadn't given them a second thought after that, I found it a bit random that Reto was focusing on them.
However, Reto seemed to have a slightly different perspective than mine.
“What color were their capes?”
“They called me ‘Senior,’ so... right, they were brown.”
Second years. The same year as Seria and Celine.
At my answer, Reto put a hand to his forehead and sighed as if he had expected it. A troubled look finally settled on his face as well.
He pressed his temples as if his head were throbbing. A hint of irritation began to seep into his voice.
“First of all, it does seem like it’s your fault...”
Is it really? My gaze naturally dropped. It seemed I had indeed provided the catalyst for the public opinion that was already unfavorable toward Seria.
It was a decision made to save Seria’s life, but because I wasn't thoughtful enough, it resulted in hurting her.
She still had two more years to spend at the Academy after this year. If this kind of public opinion continued, she would inevitably face difficulties in the upper years, where collective action became important.
But Reto wasn't finished yet. He threw a cryptic remark at me.
“...But it’s also not just your fault.”
I frowned at that subtle nuance. What did that mean? It was my fault, but also not just my fault?
It was an ambiguous statement. A counter-question immediately popped out of my mouth.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Who knows.”
Contrary to my serious reaction, Reto only gave a half-hearted response. Just as I thought I should press him for a proper answer...
Reto shook his head as if he had no choice. Finally, a piece of advice mixed with a sigh flowed from his lips.
“I’ll tell you this much. Ostracism like this always has a group leading it. People who shape public opinion and actively participate in the bullying.”
“That... Teahn’s Gang?”
At my words, Reto’s green eyes flickered toward me before avoiding my gaze. A groaning sound escaped his mouth.
“Well, they’re probably part of it... but think logically. If they alone could create this kind of atmosphere, wouldn't they have done it long ago?”
“...Are you saying a new group has joined in?”
Reto shrugged. He didn't answer, but his lack of denial was enough to gauge his suspicion.
I crossed my arms and fell into thought for a moment. A new group joined in? But why?
It was impossible to know for now. However, the solution was simple.
“Then, I just need to crush those two groups, right?”
“I mean, well... yeah, I guess. But can you do it?”
I wore a bitter smile at Reto’s skeptical look. Nevertheless, my voice in response was plain yet confident.
“I have to. Somehow.”
Since it was my responsibility, I hoped Seria wouldn't be hurt any further because of me.
Though, Reto just snorted at my determined answer and teased me.
“Your resolve is great. Why don't you try to do something about Topology with that same determination?”
Stung by his words, I blurted out a protest. It was one of the very fundamental questions I had been harboring lately.
“No, hey... why does a swordsman have to study that stuff in the first place? It makes no sense!”
“Tsk, tsk. Don't you know that interdisciplinary convergence is the trend these days? Try applying that Topology to your swordsmanship somehow.”
Reto clicked his tongue and left me with that answer, but it was a story that didn't even warrant a hollow laugh from me.
“Are you crazy?”
Apply Topology to swordsmanship?
Swordsmanship is a battle of moments. There was a limit to understanding and calculating with the mind. Each sword strike had to rely solely on intuition and experience.
Reto, who had thrown out those words, just waved his hand and laughed as if it were a joke. And since I wasn't so idle as to get overly invested in a joke, I decided not to argue about it any further.
However, only one problem remained in my head.
The group bullying Seria.
I couldn't come up with an answer on what to do just yet. I would have to think more carefully.
At least, that’s what I thought until I saw Seria’s state the next day.