Chapter 62
Though there wasn't much luggage, the long path from the entrance to my dormitory room caused some delay.
During my several trips carrying luggage, Silveryn's movement in the bed had quieted.
The middle of the bed was bulging like a burial mound. Judging by her steady breathing, she seemed to have fallen asleep.
I stacked the boxes away from the bed and unpacked as quietly as possible.
Originally, I had planned to just leave the boxes, but since things turned out this way, I decided to finish organizing everything.
Thirty minutes quickly passed as I put books on the shelves and roughly organized the clothes.
I checked the bed again. Silveryn remained unchanged, seemingly in deep sleep.
I wondered if it was alright to be this leisurely. There seemed to be a Masters Class-related schedule too.
I slowly approached the bed to check on Silveryn's condition.
"Teacher?"
No response.
I very slowly lifted the blanket near her head. Her crown was visible, and I could hear her soft breathing.
But something under the bed caught my eye.
I bent down to check what it was. The dress Silveryn had been wearing lay discarded under the bed like a snake's shed skin.
All thought processes stopped.
Did she just casually undress as if it were her own bed?
Sometimes she seemed my age, other times like a professor with years of experience. I couldn't figure her out.
"..."
I covered Silveryn back up with the blanket.
Then, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My head was spinning with troubling thoughts.
I left Silveryn as she was and went down to the first-floor lounge.
I killed time sitting at a table arranged like a tea house in front of the fireplace.
***
When I returned to the room about thirty minutes later, Silveryn greeted me, sitting wrapped in the blanket.
She spoke with a slightly hoarse voice, "Where did you go..."
"I brought something to drink."
I handed her the steaming herb tea I'd gotten from the lounge.
"...How did you know I was thirsty? How thoughtful."
"We haven't just lived together for a day or two."
She blew on the herb tea, took a sip, and continued, "You organized the room neatly too. And even brought my favorite drink... You would have made a great maid."
"..."
Serving wasn't difficult. Before learning metalworking, I had seriously considered becoming a servant in a noble household.
But why specifically a maid?
I wasn't sure what she meant by that.
Silveryn put her teacup on the side table and reached under the bed for her clothes.
When her bare shoulder line and armpit became visible above the blanket, I quickly turned away and moved to the bay window.
While I admired the view of the residential area's garden outside, Silveryn finished dressing and walked over to my side.
Holding her teacup, she admired the outside view and said, "They assigned you a nice room. Other dormitories face the adjacent building, so you can't get this view. This is the best scenic location."
"Do you like it?"
"Yes."
"Why don't you move into the dormitory too, Teacher?"
She smiled at my idle comment and said,
"Disciple, unfortunately, I was blacklisted from the dormitory long ago."
"...Blacklist? They seem to treat you quite respectfully though."
"That's because I'm a professor now."
"What does one have to do to get blacklisted?"
"Do bad things. Very, very bad things."
Very bad things. It didn't sound like she meant theft or fighting.
"What happened?"
"You'll naturally find out even if I don't tell you."
"..."
"Teacher... seems to have many secrets."
Silveryn took a sip of tea and changed the subject, "Eternia's dormitory has a tradition of playing pranks as a freshman initiation."
"Are there such things?"
"Yes."
"What kind of pranks?"
"I'm not sure about now, but in my time, they would burn all your underwear or spray monster fluid that smelled terrible in your room."
"Hmm... they break in without permission?"
"Yes, your seniors spent two years in Northern Village before moving to Southern Village. Breaking into their old place would be easy as pie."
I definitely shouldn't keep anything important here.
By the way, there seemed to be a strange connection between Silveryn's “very bad things” and freshman initiation, but maybe that was just my imagination?
"I thought Eternia would have a more dignified atmosphere. This is unexpected."
"Actually, dignified people are worse. They usually leave Witdruff Hall alone though. Still, better to know in advance."
"I understand."
Silveryn stopped talking and crouched down. She balanced her teacup on her knees and took small sips.
Her gaze remained fixed on the scenery outside. I couldn't tell if she was still half-asleep or lost in old memories.
After a minute of silence, I spoke first, "By the way, are we done with everything for today?"
"...No, there's one more thing."
She pointed to somewhere outside the window.
"Can you see that?"
A huge tree with completely white leaves jutted out from the northern forest adjacent to the residential area.
"Yes. I was just wondering what that was."
Though quite far away, it was exactly in the center of the view from my room, drawing particular attention.
"Now I see why they assigned you this room. This is probably the best view of Eternia's Guardian Tree on campus."
"What does the Guardian Tree have to do with me?"
"It doesn't have a direct connection to you. It's more like a hint that Eternia is giving you."
"A hint...?"
Silveryn put her teacup aside and stretched both arms toward me, saying, "Yes, help me up."
I grabbed her hands and pulled her up.
Using my strength to stand, she continued, "Now it's time to go to your real dormitory."
***
One area of the forest had been leveled and cleared solely for the Guardian Tree.
Every time leaves fell, it looked like falling snow.
Eternia's Guardian Tree appeared to be two or three hundred years old.
Its white leaves sparkling in the sunlight were beautiful enough to entrance one momentarily.
According to Silveryn, Eternia had several layers of protective barriers, and this Guardian Tree maintained the strongest and most powerful barrier among them.
The barrier spread by the Guardian Tree used powerful divine power to protect Eternia from dark magic and chaotic energies.
"It's beautiful."
Silveryn lightly placed her hand on the Guardian Tree and said,
"It's an indispensable part of Eternia. It has shared Eternia's history. If you're curious about anything, ask the tree. There's a unique legend."
"Does the tree talk? Is it enchanted?"
"It does have magic. Very powerful ancient magic. There's a legend that a priestess transformed herself into the Guardian Tree to protect Eternia from disaster. So they say if you earnestly pray for something, the priestess inside sometimes responds."
"Have you heard it, Teacher?"
"No, but every year, there are ghost stories about people hearing voices."
"Later... when I can't remember test answers, I should come pray here."
"Such a modest request. If this tree could really talk, the academy would be turned upside down. This has been a place of confession for a long time. Many secrets are buried beneath this tree."
I hesitated before saying, "Then does this tree know about your 'very bad things' too?"
A faint smile played at the corners of Silveryn's eyes.
"Ask the tree about that yourself later."
From the hints, it seems something definitely happened. I should visit sometime.
Just then, we sensed people approaching from the forest.
Silveryn turned toward the sound and said to me, "Seems our chat ends here."
Soon after, five people emerged from the forest.
They all wore masks similar to those of the Masters Class examiners.
They bowed slightly to Silveryn and said, "We're pleased to meet you again at Eternia. We'll guide the child from here."
Silveryn slowly nodded and looked at me. It meant they had come for me.
"By rule, I can't follow. Take care."
"...I understand."
"Wait."
Silveryn spread her arms and said,
"Give me a hug before you go, my disciple."
The people who came for me stared intently. Their gazes were very uncomfortable.
"...I'll be back."
Silveryn pouted and stamped her feet in protest.
I reluctantly entered her embrace.
Silveryn hugged me contentedly and patted my back.
"Where will you be while I'm gone, Teacher?"
"I'll wait by the fountain in the residential area."
Then she slowly released me and gently pushed me toward the masked figures.
***
Damian followed the masked Masters Class attendants along the forest path.
Silveryn watched silently until Damian disappeared from view.
Watching her disciple prepare to stand alone, she was caught in complex emotions.
Proud, yet anxious.
Damian was good at doing things alone, and there were many experiences needed for growth.
She couldn't keep holding on forever.
Silveryn quietly suppressed her selfish desires in the silence.
Then, moments later, heavy footsteps sounded behind her.
Silveryn turned around.
Holy knights in full plate armor were approaching her with heavy steps.
She hadn't summoned them.
Silveryn's face turned cold.
Holy Knights showing up unexpectedly was never good.
They always brought ominous news.
Ten holy knights approached Silveryn, knelt on one knee, and bowed their heads.
"We come seeking Archmage Silveryn under orders from the Holy City."
"...”