Doggone Academy

Chapter 123 The Phantom of the Guardian Tree (2)

Professor Candinella dismissed Hubert and Sion first. They both bowed lightly in greeting before leaving the lecture hall.

Damian, follow me.

I quietly followed behind her as we left the lecture hall and walked down the small path in the campus garden, surrounded by silence. While it felt somewhat awkward, she didnt seem to mind.

We were not heading towards the dormitory, suggesting that she had something personal to discuss with me.

While we walked, Candinella suddenly asked an unexpected question.

Do you know of the Lady of Gaius?

It had been a while since Id heard that name but I did remember it was a bIgwig who attended this years Eternia entrance ceremony.

Ive heard of her.

That woman seems to be showing interest in you.

Really?

Its probably because of your master. Just keep it in mind for now. Well need to observe for a while longer.

Afterwards, she fell silent again.

When we reached the faculty area, she led me into her office.

The bookcase along one wall of the office was full of ancient books with titles I couldnt read, and by the windows, there were couches and a table for receiving guests.

Sit down.

She pointed to the couch with her finger and began rummaging through a basket on her desk.

Do you like cookies?

If available, yes.

How about candy?

Yes.

Dried apricots?

Theyre fine.

She filled a bowl with a variety of snacks and didnt stop there; she even brought a bunch of green grapes.

She then placed them on the table and pushed them towards me. There was so much that it was enough to skip dinner.

She sat opposite me, crossing her legs and propping her chin up, looking at me with a burdensome gaze.

Eat, eat.

I thought we were just going to have a brief chat, and there was no need for this. Was she expecting something from me?

Not to your taste? Wait, I could get some Ponturian goat cheese and bread for you

No need, this is plenty.

I hurriedly took a cookie and put it in my mouth.

Dont feel pressured. I wanted to say thanks for taking the initiative during the exercise on behalf of the faculty.

In that case

Yeah, I know all about your dual identity. Quiet noble by day and masked rogue by night, right?

There were some strange alternatives to phrases, but theyre saying I maintain two identities, which is the main point.

Did you call me here because of the Lady of Gaius?

Well, actually, I called you here to give you your reward, but I guess I should talk about that matter too.

She placed a piece of black stationery on the table. It bore the embossed golden seal of the duchy.

This was sent to Eternia. The Lady of Gaius wants to take you on a bodyguard mission.

I had heard that sometimes students are selected for external missions by the combat department. It seemed this was what she was referring to.

Why?

Is there a reason theyd choose me? After all, I was only ranked mid-tier.

As the permafrost thaws and winter ends, the nobles who took refuge in Rigved to escape the cold start heading home around this time.

Attaching a student to their already impressive entourage is unlikely to make much difference. They must have taken note of you as Silveryns disciple and want to establish a connection; its quite common in Eternia. External missions sometimes even count as credit towards ones studies.

A noble lady would already be accompanied by high-ranking knights and mages. As someone she had never even met, they must have a different agenda for wanting me.

Do I have to go?

Its certainly an honorable affair to establish connections with high nobility. Typically, we recommend this, but your case is different.

Eternia will decline on your behalf. Connections are not what youre lacking right now.

Perhaps Eternia deemed it too soon. My thoughts aligned. I was still not well-versed in noble etiquette, and getting involved with a successor of the duchy was more than I could handle at this point. It was unpredictable.

Its also worth contemplating, especially if theyre only interested due to Silveryns fame rather than my abilities.

Understood.

Candinella squinted, closely observing my expression for a moment before speaking.

Youre not protesting at all, I see. Then, its time to talk about the reward for the Circulatory System exercise, yes?

She took out a potion bottle, about the size of her middle finger, from within her garment.

It was the same love potion that Professor Rakam had previously displayed at the podium.

Candinella smiled slyly at me.

I dont know who taught you, but its clear you completed the mission quite splendidly. Youre one of the few students who have earned the favor of a summon.

Thank you, but I havent actually come face to face with a summon.

I know. Just stepping into that realm is recognition enough. You had some ambition, didnt you?

Indeed, I had my ambitions. I had hoped to witness a creature close to the embodiment of the Circulatory System.

Yes, I regret not achieving what I had hoped for.

Seeing a summon is not always a good thing. Adapting to the Circulatory System means you are under the influence of the summons powers. While the summon of Sodderton is harmless, radiating a pure and clear energy, not all are friendly towards humans. Some see humans as a rich source of magic to feed on, and others may even try to rule the area as a deity.

Candinella was referring to the territorial deities Zverepr had mentioned. She didnt seem to view them favorably.

Ill keep that in mind.

Good, anyway, you did well.

She offered the potion to me.

As I reached out to take it, she hesitated as if second-guessing, and withdrew her hand.

?

With a twinkle in her eye that contradicted her typically aloof demeanor, Candinella proposed.

You know, its not too late to join the drama club. If you sign up now, Ill give you a better present than this

Ill have to respectfully decline.

Upon seeing my perplexed expression, she grinned playfully once more.

Im just teasing, here you go.

At last, the potion was in my hands. A thrilling sense of achievement surged through my body. I had no intention of using it, but its value was undeniable, and I felt satisfied.

Thank you.

She seemed reluctant to end the conversation there, continuing to chat.

So, uh, anything bothering you about academy life?

Theres nothing in particular.

Has living with Silveryn led to any grievances?

No, not really.

She looked at me with a hint of skepticism.

Hm thats unlikely. That woman isnt exactly known for her warmth.

She quickly waved her arms, changing the subject.

Ive made unnecessary comments. Anyway, if you ever have any concerns or problems, feel free to come to me. Ill be glad to help.

Thank you.

Now go and check on your dormitory.

I stood up and bowed slightly.

Thank you, Ill take my leave now.

As I was about to leave, she suddenly grabbed my coat and sat me down again.

Oh, wait, take these snacks with you. Ill package them for you.

I wonder why the professor insists on taking care of me. Its appreciated, but after all her kindness, I still have no interest in the drama club.

***

By the time I arrived at Witthrush Hall in the afternoon, the atmosphere was generally chaotic. With the box of cookies, enough to last a week, under one arm, someone tapped my shoulder and rushed by.

The hurried woman had sweat-soaked hair and was carrying buckers of water in each hand. She seemed too busy to even apologize.

Marigold Hall, where the upper-tier students resided, looked different from usual.

Several windows were shattered, and some were smeared with green slime. Mournful noises echoed from one of the rooms.

Only then did I grasp how dreadful the welcoming ceremony could be.

Damn, if Hubert, Sion, and I were called out, what happened here might be worse than I thought.

Im getting nervous.

I quickly made my way to my own dormitory at Witthrush Hall.

Stepping into the entrance, I felt a slight relief. Thankfully, this place was unlike the others, maintaining a tranquil ambiance.

There was Sion, sitting as usual in front of the hall fireplace, leisurely sipping tea.

I went up to the third floor. On the opposite side of the hallway, two girls walked by; our eyes met.

?

They were faces I hadnt seen in the dormitory. Typically, the end of the third floor corridor where my room was, had no other occupants. What was going on?

The girls flinched when they saw me, quickly bowed their heads, and rushed past me.

The door to my room at the end of the hallway was wide open. This didnt feel right.

Something white was hanging on the doorknob. Up close, I could see it was someones underwear.

An indescribable odd smell came from the corridor. Could it be coming from my room?

I rushed over to my room and upon inspection, I dropped the box of cookies.

Oh no

I had never known there were so many kinds of underwear. The floor was a mess, with undergarments even plastered over the window. As for the bed, it was covered densely with underwear, obscuring the white linens.

On the wall, the invaders had written a guest book with green slime.

I slowly perused the sloppy writings.

If you want reimbursement, visit the dance department.

No, come to the literature club!!

Forget that and join our family estate. Well make sure youre entertained for life.

Well come back for the underwear. Keep it safe.

Dont act so aloof; its annoying.

I know a secret about you.

Lets elope together, sister.

Why are you a disciple of Lady Silveryn, its so infuriating I want to stuff panties in your mouth.

Theres someone under the bed.

Immediately, I checked under the bed. Fortunately, there were no people, just a few neatly arranged pieces of underwear.

The guest book was a feast of the subconscious. Graffiti similar to what I had seen in the orphanage.

I had heard that noble ladies value dignity and etiquette, being strictly educated from a young age to maintain a decorous demeanor like their lives depend on it. Today, my illusion of that had completely shattered.

Perhaps, like Trisha, they were discharging their repressed desires in Eternia after being overly controlled.

I brushed the undergarments off the chair and collapsed on it, drained.

Now the question was, when would I ever finish cleaning all this up? It seemed like several baskets would be necessary.

***

Down in the first-floor hall, a maid approached Sion, who was taking a rest.

The door has been fixed, you can enter now.

Sion stood up and replied in a calm voice.

Thank you.

Sion moved toward the staircase. Her room had been tampered with, rendering the doorknob inoperative. This prevented her from changing clothes properly for a whole day.

With no friends to borrow clothes from, she had no choice but to wear the basic practice garments provided by the maid.

Reaching the third floor, she stood in front of her room and turned the doorknob. With a click, the door opened.

Her keen sense of smell was instantly overwhelmed by a terrible odor.

The room was smeared with green slimebedding, curtains, wardrobeall in disarray. The floor bore messages of contempt written in black ink.

Do the seniors really seem that easy to you?

You think everyone else is a joke.

Dont live your life like that.

Do you need attention by dressing so modestly?

But for Sion, who had gone through much tougher experiences, these messages left no significant impression.

She passed over the nearly insulting messages with a numb gaze and walked straight to the dresser.

Opening the drawer, she froze.

its gone.

Not a single piece of underwear was leftthey had all disappeared.