Concert (1)
Meanwhile.
As the students finished their school trip and returned to the Academy, a terrible scream echoed through a cathedral located on the outskirts of the Empire.
"Uh, guh, ugh, hack…!"
"Kyaaaah!!"
"God, God, God…!"
"Must… escape… cough."
Liszt.
A gathering of priests who protect the region. Originally composed of devout believers who protected their assigned cities, now they were submerged in a deep darkness that rendered their light meaningless.
Unconscious priests littered the wide hallway floor. All of them twitched, covered in blood.
"Ha, ha…!"
A woman ran, breathing heavily. She seemed to be running from something. The air was thick with a terrible stench. The woman moved her legs, her face filled with terror.
Faint music echoed in her ears.
"Ugh…!"
The enchanting melody clouded her consciousness. It felt like her brain was melting. The woman clutched the rosary in her bosom and regained her senses. Following the faintly emanating divine power, her blurred focus sharpened once more.
However, it was only temporary.
"Ugh, ha…!"
The woman groaned, but she didn't stop her exhausted legs. She had to get this news out.
Liszt had been annihilated.
Torn corpses littered the floor, crimson blood was everywhere, and a pitch-black darkness had descended upon the cathedral, obscuring everything.
The priests who had been exposed to the music had all changed strangely. Their white priestly robes had turned black, and then they had become monsters that devoured human flesh.
Now only one woman remained sane.
“I have to tell someone…!”
She ran, ears covered. Driven by the will to somehow warn others of the danger.
But despite her resolve, it wasn't long before the woman was forced to stop.
A shadow stood before her.
“Oh.”
Immediately after.
Hidden figures emerged one by one from the surrounding darkness.
Each wore a concealing robe.
Figures that seemed to have been waiting.
The woman involuntarily lost strength in her legs.
Thud-
“God…”
The woman knelt and collapsed. Her trembling hands grasped a rosary. Closing her eyes, she prayed.
Her final meditation.
“Please…deliver me from evil.”
The next moment.
A surging melody swallowed the woman whole.
***
The school trip had been eventful, to say the least.
Several days had passed since they returned from their rather boisterous vacation.
The students seemed to be preparing to return to their hectic daily routines.
-Time flies, huh?
-Tell me about it. Feels like the entrance ceremony was just yesterday… How is it already time for finals?
-I'm already dreading it. The scope they released is insane.
-I want to go back to the school trip…
Perhaps it was because the final exams were already a month away.
The library, the training grounds, the classrooms… the children were busily moving around the Academy, picking up their studies where they had left off.
I was no different.
Of course, I was confident in my grades, but academy life wasn't just about doing well on exams.
At the very least, I had to fulfill my duties in my given position.
While other students were studying, I spent my time in the research lab.
"Hmm."
Scratch, scratch.
A crisp sound echoed each time the nib of the pen grazed the paper.
Following the trajectory, I drew lines, and the black ink soon formed elegant handwriting.
I shifted the mountain of paperwork to the side.
"Professor? Here are the documents that need reviewing."
"Thank you, Judas."
I was helping Selena with her paperwork.
I sorted through the piles of documents, separating and organizing the unimportant ones.
It was a basic task for most chief assistants.
"If there are any other administrative tasks, please pass them on to me."
"I appreciate the help, but... you really don't have to do this."
"I'm fine with it."
Since we had reached an agreement last time, I wasn't obliged to be tied down by work, but I felt I should at least provide this minimal assistance.
It felt wrong to enjoy the power without any responsibility.
Furthermore, Selena had flawlessly filled in my 3-day absence during the school trip, so this was also a way of showing my gratitude.
'There should always be something given back for something received.'
That's how interactions between adults work.
I twirled the pen lightly.
As I continued writing, a sudden call came from beside me.
The voice was devoid of any discernible emotion.
"About the field trip last time. I've taken care of the records. I've reported that you were procuring research materials under my instruction, so if any other professors ask, you can tell them that."
"Thank you for your consideration, Master."
"It was nothing."
"Hmm... I thought you might ask why I was absent, but it seems you're less interested than I expected."
"Even if I'm curious, I won't ask. That was the agreement from the beginning."
Selena replied with an indifferent expression.
Her red eyes blinked.
As always, a bottle of liquor was in her hand.
The woman took a few sips of alcohol and then brushed back her shimmering violet hair.
Her red lips offered a word of advice.
"I don't intend to interfere. However, I would advise you not to play too dangerously."
"Thank you for your concern."
"You're my student, after all."
"You're very kind, Master."
"...That's all for the paperwork today. You can go now."
Selena's expression was ambiguous.
The woman tilted the bottle in silence, seemingly lost in thought.
The faint scent of alcohol lingered. I left it behind and stepped out of the lab.
Feeling the breeze against my skin, I mulled over her words.
'It seems it won't be easy to get close to her.'
Selena had consistently maintained a distance.
Considering the events to come, it would be easier if we were closer, but there hadn't been much progress yet.
“It’ll be fine… There’s still plenty of time.”
I shake off the distracting thoughts swirling in my head.
As I start walking, I see several people standing in front of the research building.
“Young Master…!”
“You finally came out.”
“Good work.”
Regia, Emilia, and Irene, in that order. The three of them, who had been waiting for me since the end of the workday, wave lightly as our eyes meet.
I smile and approach them.
“Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re 10 minutes late! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”
“W-Well, that’s because we left the library too early. We could have stayed longer, but the Lady kept insisting we leave…”
“Commoner! Don’t talk back!”
“Eek… S-Sorry.”
Regia shrinks back under Emilia's glare. After the villainess subdues the protagonist, the quiet fox slyly adds her own comment, her voice calm.
“Pinky’s right.”
“Miss Irene?”
“Bluey was the one who wanted to wait first. She even dragged us out.”
“Y-You be quiet too! You’re just a servant, don't speak out of turn! And I told you to use honorifics! I am the rightful heir to the great Vanity family—!”
“Yes, the rightful heir. I've heard it all day, so stop.”
“Eeeeeek!! That’s insubordination!”
Emilia reacts vehemently. I seem to have struck a nerve. Perhaps our time together since the school trip has strengthened our bond. It would be a stretch to call us close, but at least the awkward silence between us is gone.
I put on a satisfied smile and say,
“It’s good to see you all getting closer.”
“What are you talking about?!”
“...I don’t need that. You’re the only person I need in my life.”
“W-weren’t we getting along? If not, d-did I just imagine it…? Sob…”
A variety of responses came back.
The horrified Vanity.
The indifferent Fox.
The dejected pilot.
The air was truly boisterous.
We continued our conversation as we crossed the wide-open plaza.
A sudden call grabbed my sleeve.
“You… said you wouldn’t be going to the research lab from tomorrow, right?”
“Because the exams are coming up soon.”
“Then, how about studying together? I think I’ll probably see you and the commoner at the library.”
“Everyone is so diligent. Preparing for the exams so fiercely.”
“Hmm… I might be willing to let you join us.”
“Th-that’s right, Young Master! The Young Lady said she’d tutor us on the difficult parts!”
“Hmm.”
It was a tempting offer.
Since I already knew everything about the Academy’s curriculum, reviewing alone would only be boring.
It seemed like it would be fun to gather together like we usually did for assignments.
But there was one problem.
“I gladly accept your offer.”
“Well then…”
“However, it seems I won’t be able to participate tomorrow. I'll join you starting this weekend.”
“Suit yourself. I suppose you have other plans tomorrow?”
“That is correct.”
I nodded.
I take Irene's hand beside me, interlacing our fingers and giving them a shake.
The other two girls are looking at us.
"We're thinking of going out, just the two of us. You could call it a date."
I deliver the line casually.
Following my words, the eyes of the two listening widen.
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