Chapter 86 - Shadow (9)

I entrusted my letter for Silveryn to Professor Ella and left the labyrinth.

I killed time by walking around the student plaza until art class.

Though my first class at Eternia was approaching, I felt no expectation or excitement; my mind was filled only with questions about Luna.

Silveryn had once said that Luna disliked men.

I remembered how Luna had been when we met. It was closer to fear than hatred.

That was beyond simple preference, reaching a pathological level.

What lies beneath that?

Though missing an entire semester was problematic, even if she completely escaped from the “Black Spirit”, it would be difficult for her to enjoy a smooth daily life. She would have to live while avoiding half of Eternia's students.

I couldn't be Luna's prince on a white horse. People became unhappy for their own complex reasons. And it was arrogant to believe one could intervene in their complicated lives to heal their trauma and save them.

I, too, was still someone with many holes in my heart.

Putting thoughts of Luna aside, I headed to the Alchemy Department greenhouse for art class.

***

"Magic Department's second seat?"

"Yeah, though it's not confirmed yet, since Lilith and I are close friends, I can definitely bring her in."

When Lilith was mentioned, the boy named Morris finally showed an interested expression.

Matias found that change in expression strangely unpleasant. Was it because of the rumors about Lilith's appearance? He suspected Morris might have ulterior motives beyond “cooperation”.

Morris threw out a probing question, "Is Lilith quite famous?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Come on, you know."

"Just say give it to me straight."

"Well, you know, they say she has tons of guys following her around. Even male seniors knew about her before enrollment?"

"So are you saying you dislike that or like it?"

Morris furrowed his brows suspiciously.

"I like it. Why would I refuse to work with someone pretty and talented? But what I really want to know is if you can really bring Lilith in."

With so many competitors, would that be possible? Being the second seat in the Magic Department, there would be fierce competition to recruit her.

Matias nodded as if it were obvious.

It was possible. Even if it wasn't, he had to make it possible.

"Lilith and I are from the same hometown and close enough to exchange letters when apart. Don't worry about that. If you want, I can show you proof."

Morris quietly accepted Matias's words and nodded.

"Alright, good. I'll join your group for the joint class."

Success. Having recruited a spirit summoner, Matias inwardly rejoiced.

"Good. Then I'll contact you again later. Ah, which dormitory were you in again?"

"Calluna, Building 2"

Matias took out his notebook and made a note.

"Right. Let's wrap up here for now."

After finishing their conversation in Marigold Hall's central hall, he sent Morris back.

Matias took out his notebook again and reviewed what he had recorded.

[Morris. Magic Department. Can freely handle low-level spirits. 17 years old.]

Though it was somewhat disappointing that he belonged to Calluna Hall, a middle-tier dormitory, Morris had enough value as a team member thanks to his special position as a “spirit summoner”.

He rechecked his future plans while compiling information obtained from seniors.

Joint class for all departments.

Group tasks would be given with a one-week deadline, and teams could have up to four members.

And since these tasks were deeply connected to “fantastical beasts”, having team members with good spirit affinity would make things much easier.

Since people skilled in spirit arts were few, securing them in advance would give them an advantageous position.

He bit his lip while looking at the list of spirit summoners written in his notebook.

Now he had to move to the next phase. Sorry to Morris, but he was just insurance. Now it was time to seriously recruit skilled spirit summoners.

There were spirit summoners in the upper-tier Marigold Hall and Witdruff Hall too.

Naias, Martha, Brisel.

Naias had the unique background of being the only first-year majoring in weather magic alongside spirit arts.

Martha was likely already decided since she was in the same group as Cecil, who ranked first in the Magic Engineering Department.

The only ones with a possibility of joining his group were Brisel and Naias.

Though Luna Reilis was overwhelmingly superior in spirit arts to the point where even upperclassmen were amazed, she was beyond his reach.

Top and second seat students from the same department never formed a group. With Lilith in his plans, there was no chance Luna would come to his side.

Moreover, Luna had surely already been approached by formidable competitors working behind the scenes to get her in their groups.

People like Victor, Gail, Sion, and Iris were focused on competing for top ranks.

Matias put his notebook in his pocket and climbed the dormitory stairs.

He walked down the corridor with half-running steps and stopped in front of Lilith's room.

Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.

"Lilith, are you there?"

As expected, there was no answer.

After the entrance ceremony, Lilith had been... almost desperate, to say she was filled with determination would be an understatement.

She spent most of her daily routine intensively practicing magic at the training ground, and when she returned to the dormitory, she shut herself in her room. She hadn't even chosen her special activity yet.

And she had grown cold toward Matias. Their relationship seemed to have regressed to how awkward it was years ago.

Having watched her at the entrance ceremony, Matias knew it was because of a wound inflicted by a man.

Wounds caused by people could be healed by people. Matias believed that he could soothe Lilith's wounds.

"Lilith, I have something to tell you. It doesn't have to be right now. I'll be waiting... come find me."

***

Recently, more people had been blocking her path when walking around campus.

Group proposals for the upcoming joint class.

And club membership proposals.

Though she had deflected several appropriately, there seemed to be no end in sight.

When even upperclassmen who had nothing to do with her started blocking her path, her anger began to rise.

"Nice to meet you. You must be the famous Sion. I'm Deimov, a third-year from the Alchemy Department. Have you heard of Galihar Potion? My grandfather created the recipe."

Deimov, with his toad-like features, proudly stood before Sion and spoke.

"..."

"Ahem, seems you don't know. Well... have you finished recruiting group members for the joint class?"

Sion suppressed her anger and spoke in a polite tone, "That's none of your business."

"You should find them quickly. Even being first overall doesn't mean you can do everything."

Sion spoke with irritation seeping into her voice, "So what do you want?"

Rumors about Sion had already spread widely. Even upperclassmen couldn't win against her presence. This was especially true for students from departments far from Combat Department such as the Alchemy Department.

Deimov forced a smile and tried to act calm.

"Just like they say about your personality. Know what the Combat Department students call you? Hellhound. They say once you target prey, you definitely tear its neck out."

Sion's expression grew increasingly fierce. Deimov quickly continued, "Well, yes, let's put aside pointless talk. I came to you because of that nickname. Hellhound, since you never let go of what you target."

"..."

"By my intuition, you'll get the highest score in the joint class."

What did that have to do with him?

"Why is a third-year concerned with damn first-year business?"

Deimov frowned and shook his head.

"I'm not concerned with your business. My goal is the 'reward' given to students who complete the task in the joint class."

"..."

"I'll cut to the chase. If you get it, hand it over to me. I'll pay double what others offer."

They were all the same. The upperclassmen who sought out Sion all had the same purpose.

Hand over that “reward”. They would pay handsomely.

But they wouldn't tell her what the “reward” actually was. As if they were worried that their greed would transfer to Sion if they revealed the item's identity.

Why did they all come with faces hungry with desire? Just how amazing is this item?

Sion knew little about this “reward”.

Supposedly, it would be given for bringing a fanastical beast's horn.

And that the “reward” was a rare potion containing the essence of alchemy.

Since that class was established, only two people had ever brought a fantastical beast's horn. Even though it had been less than 6 years since its establishment, this was an extremely small number.

Sion had no special strategy. She thought she could just break through quickly and behead the fantastical beast. Having been thoroughly trained by her master in tracking magic creatures, she could do it better than anyone.

In terms of speed, only one person could compete with Sion.

Moreover, the fantastical beast itself wasn't even that important to her.

If it went similarly to the entrance exam, the most important thing was that she might meet “that bastard” again at the final gate.

She didn't care about rewards. Sion only cared about reuniting with that bastard.

"Not interested. If you're done, I'll be going."

Sion pushed past Deimov's shoulder and continued forward.

***

Reaching the class location, I encountered a familiar face.

The Art Club advisor, Professor Georgia, was pacing in front of the greenhouse and greeted me when she saw me.

"Ah, Damian. Come here."

As I approached Georgia, she patted my shoulder encouragingly and said, "I was waiting. Your seniors are inside. They'll all be happy to have a ma—I mean, new member after so long."

"...Pardon?"

...What? Do they have some sort of expectations? Are they expecting some amazing artistic sense from a new member?

"The kids might be a little mischievous. It's just like an initiation ceremony for new members, so don't be scared. Let's go in."

"Ah, Professor. Don't I need any other supplies? Like paint or brushes..."

Professor Georgia shook her head.

"None of that's needed. We make our own materials. Now, come on in."

She pushed my back forward and we entered the greenhouse together.

Past corridors dense with plants, a circular open space appeared.

Just over forty people sat gathered, each with their own easel.

There were only five men among them. The rest were all female students.

As we entered, they stopped their brushwork and looked toward where I stood.

It was very uncomfortable how they raised their eyebrows and stared at me.

Georgia clapped her hands and said, "Alright, stop what you're doing. We have a new friend joining our Art Club. The new member you've all been looking for."

Then, she patted my shoulder again.

"He's not yet familiar with art activities. He doesn't know how to use brushes or charcoal, so guide him well so he doesn't lose interest. Go ahead, introduce yourself."

I bowed my head once and said, "First-year Combat Department, I'm Damian. I'm from Wiesel. Please take care of me."

Even after my greeting, they just stared blankly at my face. Occasionally they just sat whispering to each other. There was no sign of welcome.

Georgia cleared her throat once and said, "Ahem, we need someone to teach Damian the basics, any volunteers?"

The members just blinked their round eyes. There was no response. Silence fell as if I had committed some crime.

What is this, is this normal?

Georgia sighed and whispered in my ear, "They're all nobles with strong pride. These girls think it's a sin for a lady to approach first. You'll need to be friendly first."

"..."

I hope that's really the only reason.

Georgia turned and asked a student sitting in the front.

"Is anyone absent today?"

"...No?"

"Really? Then what's that empty seat? Someone brought an easel and chair. This works out well. Damian, you can take that seat. Fabella! Since you're next to him, please look after Damian."

Georgia pointed to an empty seat at the diagonal end.

As I crossed through the students toward my seat, the uncomfortable stares still didn't subside. It felt like walking through a thorny path.

And in the seat next to mine was a familiar face.

It was the blue-haired senior who had helped me find Liria when she was lost at Eternia.

As I sat down, that senior spoke while focusing on her brushwork without sparing me a glance.