Chapter 132 - Spirit of the Guardian Tree (11)

Heavily armed knights stood in fierce formation before the grand mansion owned by the Principality in Rigbed's central plaza.

It had the tightest security in all of Rigbed, as the Duchess of Gainax, the Principality's heir, resided there.

In the drizzling afternoon, a carriage stopped before it.

The knights lined up in front of the mansion all knelt at once upon seeing it.

One servant carrying a parasol ran to the carriage while another laid down temporary steps.

From there, a beautiful woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat stepped down gracefully.

It was Duchess Bibi Gainax.

Her advisor Gerald attended at her side.

"How was the party, my lady?"

"..."

"Just another ordinary ball, I suppose," the Duchess answered indifferently, entering the mansion.

As they passed through the entrance and corridor, Gerald gestured to dismiss the guards and servants.

He did this to prevent innocent people from getting caught in the crossfire, as he carried matters the Duchess might find sensitive.

"News has arrived from the homeland."

"Tell me."

"Due to the unfortunate tragedy in the capital, strict orders have been given to strengthen the protection of the Principality's leadership. For this reason, more troops will be deployed for your return as well."

"I see."

"And... the Principality has requested help from the Order and Lady Silveryn to investigate the cause of the tragedy."

Duchess Gainax stopped abruptly while crossing the Great Hall. But she didn't turn around, showing only her back to the advisor.

Gerald squeezed his eyes shut. Bibi's anger and feelings of inferiority toward Silveryn were indescribable.

For Bibi, who had inherited some of her father's imperial traits, Silveryn's existence above her was absolutely unacceptable.

After stopping for several seconds, the Duchess spoke, "Who made such a request?"

"The Grand Duke himself requested it from the Holy City. Lady Silveryn will move directly to the Principality after finishing the Continental Conference in the Holy City."

"..."

Even without any particular action, Gerald could clearly sense what was boiling inside her.

Without even acknowledging his words, she moved to the end of the hall and magically lit the massive fireplace.

Then, she looked at the long dining table placed before it. An extravagant feast that could make the table legs bend was prepared. It was for the Duchess's late lunch.

"There's no need to prepare so lavishly."

"...My apologies. We'll prepare more simply the day after parties."

Duchess Gainax took a wine bottle and glass and sat at the table.

When Gerald moved to call a servant, the Duchess stopped him.

"Never mind that. How did my request go?"

"And... the escort request specifically naming Damian, the Archmage's disciple, was rejected."

The Duchess's eyes flickered dangerously as she drank her wine.

"..."

"With orders to reinforce escort personnel, they're prioritizing upper-class students who can be immediately deployed as combat power..."

Mid-sentence, plates on the table crashed down with a loud clatter.

It was caused by Bibi's mana being randomly released as she failed to control her emotions.

"That's not what I requested."

Gerald quickly lowered himself and expressed apology, "My lady..."

Bibi spoke in clipped tones, as if warning, "I need that boy, so bring him."

She showed no intention of backing down.

***

Tomorrow I had Combat Department class. This meant I had to demonstrate my skills in some form in front of everyone.

I couldn't use my terrifyingly powerful magic sword, my wooden sword sharper than steel, or even the Griffin Potion in that class. So I needed to get used to being ordinary.

During training week, they release Planteras on Mount Grace like during the entrance exam. Today, I planned to build my sense for ordinary swords while hunting them.

I stopped by the dormitory to get my robe and sword. I headed to the grassy area at the foot of Mount Grace where we gathered for the entrance exam. The training Planteras stood firm there even in the pouring rain.

Given the weather, I thought no one would be there, but unexpectedly there was one other person.

It was Lilith.

She was completely focused on training, her hair soaked and hanging like seaweed. She seemed to have come straight here after Art Club.

She was fully immersed in combat, leading two Planteras at once.

Lilith's magic incantations constantly rang out through the rain.

She hadn't noticed my arrival.

She showed no signs of panic even when the Planteras' clubs threatened her. Though the training Planteras wouldn't deliver fatal blows, they could still hurt quite a bit, but even when knocked down she'd shake it off and get back up to fight.

I watched for a while, then lured some nearby Planteras to maintain proper distance from Lilith and began training.

Since my goal wasn't to catch Planteras, I stayed at the level of dodging attacks and matching weapons.

I recalled crossing swords with Sion in the circulatory system. Her movements, gaze, steps—everything remained vivid. Lacking fundamentals, I needed to draw on at least those.

Two Planteras surrounded me, swinging their clubs wildly.

The sound of clashing swords joined Lilith's magic incantations.

Reading the opponent's movements, dodging attacks, and targeting weaknesses came naturally. But my "show" swordsmanship clearly had many rough spots.

I added more Planteras to continue training 4-on-1. Their missed club strikes dug holes in the ground here and there.

During training, I felt someone's gaze on the back of my head.

After disabling all the Planteras by cutting their knees, I checked the source of that gaze.

Lilith was staring at me intently from a distance, looking like a drowned rat. Somehow, even the Planteras beside her were standing still, staring at me.

"..."

"..."

When our eyes met, she quickly turned away and resumed fighting the Planteras.

***

After Lilith left, having trained until her face turned pale, I continued training alone.

Then headed to the Magic Department lecture building around when Trisha's class would end.

"Damian!"

Trisha hopped over when she saw me among the crowd streaming out of the lecture building. Seeing her made me feel like a parent picking up their child from school.

Seeing my rain-soaked appearance, she said, "You look like a lost puppy!"

"Let's go. It's cold."

"Wait a moment. I just learned a new spell that would work now. This will warm you up quickly."

Trisha chanted and cast the spell, but nothing happened.

"Cold. Let's go."

"Ugh, why isn't it working..."

"Really cold. Let's go."

Trisha's face quickly fell again. 

I'm not the only one who needs to work hard. How did she pass the Masters Class screening?

"Wait, I'll give you my clothes!"

Trisha started undoing her buttons in front of everyone. Though she surely had something underneath, it wasn't good for a girl to strip in such a place.

"No need. Your clothes are too small."

I grabbed Trisha's fidgeting hands and moved.

Leaving the lecture building, we headed toward the labyrinth entrance to avoid others' gazes.

As we were leaving, a lost Stitch spinning through the air flew in front of me.

Thinking it might be Silveryn's Stitch, I quickly snatched it. Those initials would surely cause misunderstandings.

Trisha asked with curious eyes, "What is it?"

Fortunately, judging by its deep color, it wasn't Silveryn's but Cecil's.

"A letter asking me to pick up something I left."

It contained a brief message asking me to come to the Magic Engineering Department research building. Seemed the crystal appraisal results were already in.

I handed the umbrella to Trisha.

"Go back to the dormitory first."

***

Donning my mask, I headed to the Magic Engineering Department research building. Piercing screams greeted me first through the windows.

"Hey! Calm down!"

"Kyaaaa! Get away!"

"Anesthetic! Where's the anesthetic!"

Along with someone seemingly causing a disturbance, sounds of breaking glass and furniture joined in.

A female student ran past me at the entrance, crying with a terrified face.

"I can't do it. I really can't."

Though it seemed serious, judging by the reactions, it didn't seem like anyone was badly hurt. Rather than dangerous, it felt like they were dealing with something extremely repulsive.

Entering the building, I peeked through the gap in the door at the research lab where the commotion was happening. The gap was too narrow to see the exact situation inside.

Through it, I could see the legs of some long, hairy creature.

Then a woman came out, pushing the door with her body while stretching. It was Cecil.

Our eyes met.

"Oh, Candy? You're here already?"

Though the commotion was still ongoing, Cecil who emerged from it looked completely composed.

"The Magic Engineering Department is quite lively."

Cecil smiled awkwardly and said, "Ah, you heard that? Just helping prepare for the Combat Department class. Want to see?"

Cecil opened the door wide to show the interior.

I saw the cages inside.

In the cages was an enormous spider big enough to eat a bull. Its venomous fangs were as big as human hands, and it seemed to have about eight eyes.

Teaching assistants and some students were removing the spider's legs and cutting something with saws.

"Definitely not suitable as a pet."

Cecil chuckled and said, "It's a magic beast for Combat Department practice. First-years have to face it tomorrow?"

"...That thing?"

"Yes. Thank goodness the Magic Engineering Department only assists. How could anyone fight that? Glad I didn't go to Combat Department."

"Someone's going to die during practice."

"Of course, we're removing all the claws, fangs, and poison stingers. That's why we're struggling so much."

"..."

Cecil looked at my appearance and said worriedly, "But Candy, why are you all wet? Did you get dumped?"

"Just happened."

"Oh my, your face is so pale. You'll catch a cold."

Look at her, acting like she can see everything even though I'm wearing a mask.

Cecil pretended to wipe off the water while sneakily trying to slip her fingers under my mask.

I politely lowered her arm to stop her.

Cecil playfully said, "Don't be like that. If you let me touch your cheek once, I'll tell you some interesting information about the practice."