Chapter 34: The First Letter (34)
Chapter 34: The First Letter (34)
The forest at dawn was silent.
Unlike the forest located to the south of the Academy, this one was smaller in scale. Because it was situated near the dormitories, many students frequented the area.
Their purposes varied.
The camping club chose this place as their campsite, and it was also a training ground for students who preferred to stay out of the public eye. From those taking simple strolls to lovers whispering secret vows, the possibilities of what one could do in the forest were endless.
My purpose for visiting the forest today was no different. Right now, I was heading toward a clearing in the woods to practice swordsmanship with Seria.
Slipping through the gaps of white, civilized architecture to walk amidst nature provided a romantic sensation—even if that nature had been tamed by countless visitors. I walked along the well-maintained trail that wound through the trees.
The first breath of the day filled my lungs with a fresh scent. That slightly damp sensation tickled my throat. I had a good feeling about today.
Come to think of it, I’d had too much on my plate lately.
I had suddenly lost a week’s worth of memories, a duel had been scheduled with the top student of the second year, a friend I knew had been attacked by a demonic beast, and I’d even ended up hunting that beast during a lecture.
After that, immediately upon being discharged from the infirmary, I had been running around trying to resolve Seria’s bullying situation. I felt like I deserved a period of peaceful daily life now.
However, one problem remained unresolved. I still didn't know who had spearheaded the bullying against Seria.
But now that the rumor of me crushing Teahn had spread, it would be impossible for anyone to openly harass Seria again. Inflicting one-sided violence might be enjoyable, but the story changes once you realize that violence might be returned in kind.
Therefore, it could be said that only one problem remained for me.
The 'Hunting Festival.' It was one of the Academy's biggest festivals, now only two weeks away.
The Academy held festivals every quarter, each symbolizing spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The Hunting Festival was the one representing summer.
Before the glorious season of harvest arrived, students would form teams of four to hunt demonic beasts, offering their blood to pray for a bountiful crop.
It was a festival said to be particularly loved by Idalos, the legendary Conqueror Emperor of the Empire and the man responsible for adding the title 'Imperial' to the Academy’s name.
Naturally, the event held special significance for both the Empire and the Academy. Who could have imagined that a terrifying demonic beast would be lurking in the very place where such an important festival was held?
If his schedule allowed, it was a day the Emperor himself would personally come to spectate. If such a disaster occurred then, not only the Empire’s pride but also the Academy’s authority would be at risk of collapsing.
Above all, I felt terrible for the students who would fall victim to the beast.
I had to stop it. There must be no more victims like Emma. While hardening my resolve, I prayed that no other problems would arise.
The burden I was already carrying was heavy enough. The appearance of a named-class demonic beast... just thinking about it made my knees weak.
Lost in these thoughts, I stepped into the clearing in the forest, our destination.
The chilly sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, acting like a spotlight. There, sitting on a rock, was a woman quietly meditating.
Her dark gray hair reflected the sunlight, shimmering with an ashen luster. Her skin was so translucent her veins almost showed, and her body traced alluring curves.
She was a beautiful woman. Even though the sun was just beginning to rise, looking at her always made me think of the moon.
A moon that emitted a soft glow, yet on some days, seemed to sway sorrowfully in the wind when I looked up.
Fearing I might disturb her meditation, I walked while suppressing my presence. Even so, I couldn't deceive Seria’s keen Qi sense.
Her eyes slowly opened. In those aquamarine-like eyes, life gradually returned to her vacant gaze.
And the moment I was reflected in her pupils...
"S-S-Senior Ia— Ugh... Senior Ian!"
Startled, Seria sprang to her feet as if she’d been launched. It was a reaction far too grand for someone who was merely the second son of a rural viscount.
Even though it had only been two days since we last saw each other, Seria seemed incredibly happy to see me. A faint flush of color returned to her usually stoic, expressionless face.
I suppose it meant she followed me that well.
We had become quite close in various ways, and any senior would find a junior who followed them well to be cute.
I let out a small chuckle at her reaction and offered a greeting.
"Have you been doing well?"
"No, because you weren't here, Senior..."
Seria started to answer with a dark expression without thinking, but then, as if realizing something, she shook her head in surprise.
A blush crept onto her cheeks. Seria was unusually expressive today.
"...Of course, I have been doing well even in your absence. And you, Senior Ian?"
Seeing her fidgeting with her fingers and acting shy for some reason, I felt a sense of doubt but quickly brushed it aside.
There was no need to pry into Seria’s private embarrassments. She must have been heartbroken recently due to the bullying; I felt I should at least be kind to her.
I replied in a nonchalant voice to reassure her.
"I've been doing great. Don't worry too much."
I added that last part because I assumed she had heard the rumors.
No matter how few people Seria had around her, this was a matter concerning her. I hadn't heard the details of how Teahn responded, but I could tell just by the whispers I heard when people saw me.
He had handled things quite well.
Even so, he was a man who had bullied Seria and created numerous other victims. I didn't really want to acknowledge him. However, I did think he wasn't a stupid man.
He didn't bring the conflict with me to the surface and moved according to my intentions, while still maintaining some level of prestige for his gang.
It was a way of handling things befitting someone from the Southern Kingdoms, a place full of jungles and swamps. I had heard it was a place where the logic of survival of the fittest and 'winner takes all' was prevalent.
And the fact that Teahn 'handled things well' meant that the fact he had been crushed by me had spread far and wide. Specifically, for the reason that he had messed with Seria.
There was no way Seria hadn't heard. She let out a small gasp and bowed her head slightly.
Her cheeks flushed once more. She fidgeted, tapping her index fingers together, and spoke to me.
"Th-Tha-Thank..."
"No need for that."
But I cut her off before she could continue.
Flustered, Seria clamped her mouth shut, as she always did. If she had better social skills, she would have insisted on thanking me anyway, but Seria didn't have that kind of ability.
That was exactly what I was aiming for.
To be honest, it was something worth being thanked for, but I had done too much for Seria lately.
Seria was already unfamiliar with human relationships. She was the type of person to hand over a fortune just because we became 'friends'; if this sense of indebtedness kept piling up, what would happen later?
Just imagining it was frightening. For the sake of a healthy relationship between us, it was better to reduce that sense of obligation.
"I told you, I did it because I couldn't stand it. If you think about it, it just looks like you're hiding behind me for no reason. You don't need to thank me for something I did out of my own stubbornness."
"B-But still..."
However, it seemed even Seria had enough judgment to want to express her gratitude again.
So, I decided to apply a technique I had learned from Reto. He told me that if a woman wouldn't listen to me, I should do this.
My hand gripped Seria’s forearm. Startled, Seria looked up at me. Her eyes were wide and round, staring only at me.
Seria’s breath hitched. I spoke to her in a firm voice.
"Seria, you trust me, right?"
"...Y-Yes."
With a face so red it looked like it might explode, Seria nodded as if she were under a spell.
I finally let go of her, satisfied. Reto’s advice was effective today as well.
Perhaps because he was from the Magic Department, I decided to keep listening to the clever Reto’s advice in the future. I said in a pleased voice:
"And we're friends. Of course we should help each other when we're in trouble."
It was a cliché. A standard greeting to confirm our friendship, as usual.
However, Seria’s reaction was a bit strange.
"...Because we're 'friends,' Senior Ian is helping me."
With her head bowed, Seria repeated those words, her eyes looking a bit glazed. Her muttering continued.
"If I'm in trouble... if I get into trouble..."
The way Seria kept repeating similar words reminded me of a priest reciting scripture. No, it felt heavier than that—more obsessive.
In that voice, I could even sense a faint hint of madness.
I couldn't help but feel flustered.