Doggone Academy

Chapter 124 The Phantom of the Guardian Tree (3)

A dormitory maid hurried to my room.

We exchanged awkward glances before she spoke.

The green slime will gradually evaporate if the room is ventilated, leaving no trace. If it still bothers you I can finish cleaning it up.

Thank you.

Did any of your belongings go missing? Have you checked your drawers?

I realized I had almost forgotten. With countless people using my room as if it were a public space, it was unlikely my possessions would have remained untouched.

I opened the drawers to check for missing items.

All my underwear is gone.

The seniors probably took it in exchange while leaving their own. Thats the fate of someone popular, try not to resent them too much.

I tried to look on the bright side. Perhaps the person who should feel the saddest isnt the one whose room was made a mess but rather the one whose room was left untouched.

Its flattering to receive attention, but its not all fun and games. It means every flaw and misstep I have will be scrutinized more closely. One wrong move and I could face much harsher criticism than others.

The maid began to gather the strewn undergarments into a basket. I joined in, searching every nook and cranny under the wardrobe and the bed, until we had collected about three baskets worth of underwear.

The maid took the soiled bedding, and I grabbed the baskets before stepping out onto the lower floor entrance where Plantara was waiting.

Leave it to Plantara and they will wash it and return it properly.

Once again, Im indebted to Erzebets kindness. Plantara is the best.

Cant I just burn it all?

The maid, aghast at the idea, shook her head firmly, warning that doing so would make me unpopular.

I felt at a loss for what to do with items I couldnt even wear. If I kept them at Silveryns estate, what would Liria think of me? Maybe I should just secretly burn them.

I wondered if Hubert and Sion were in a similar predicament. Sion is a girl; surely they wouldnt treat her to the same underwear antics?

Im curious, are the girls alright?

Generally, female students dont get harassed but sometimes, they do become the target of malicious pranks under the guise of the welcoming ceremony.

Are there any repercussions for such behavior?

Yes.

After leaving the laundry with Plantara and entering the dormitory, I saw Sion sitting rigidly before the fireplace.

Is she really okay?

Having just heard about the retaliations, I couldnt help but feel more concerned. She showed no obvious change in expression, yet somehow she looked lonely. Maybe its just my imagination.

She sat alone, dressed in plain practice clothes, taking bites of a rock-hard piece of bread. Eating without even a sip of water, didnt she find it suffocating?

She always seemed to be without friends to share a meal.

Sometimes, she reminded me of a nun in silent contemplation.

I paused for a moment as I ascended the stairs to the second floor when the sight of a wide-open door at Damians room position caught my eye.

I remembered its location; it was Sions room.

Pulled by anxious curiosity, and unable to avert my gaze, I found myself drawn toward the door.

Standing at the threshold, I was momentarily speechless at the sight inside.

The room was filled with malicious and unpleasant messages. The graffiti was so different from what was written in my room that I instinctively frowned. This was nothing short of unidirectional bullying.

Was this because she challenged the seniors to sparring and brutally defeated them? It seemed she had firmly embedded herself on their bad side.

Do the seniors really seem that easy to you?

Her room was filled with mockery and disdain for her integrity.

Lets see how long you keep your top rank.

There was also a hint of inferiority hidden behind aggressive messages. Its clear now how much envy and jealousy the position of the top-ranking student can invoke.

I felt heavy-hearted thinking that I might have been the recipient of similar slander.

For a regular teenage girl, this would warrant locking the door and crying for days, but was she alright?

I recalled Sion sitting alone, chewing on her bread.

Did her mentor know that she would suffer such humiliation? Since Sion wasnt one to complain or vent to others, she might bear it all silently.

I decided that, if I met Sions mentor over dinner tomorrow evening, I would tactfully bring up the situation, depending on the circumstances.

I wouldnt go in there if I were you.

Startled, I turned around to find Cecil standing behind me, arms folded.

Thats right, she was also from Witthrush Hall like me.

She looked at me with a matter-of-fact gaze and said,

Youre Trishas friend, right? A few senior girls conducted a malicious attack on Sions room, and its under investigation. Be careful not to contaminate any evidence or you might get entangled in this.

What did they do?

You can see for yourself. Its disrespectful to Sion to explain everything here to a guy, but its more than just what meets the eye.

Is there more to it than burning underwear?

I once heard Silveryn mention that it was also some kind of welcome ceremony.

Thats an old Eternia thing. Nowadays they just exchange one piece each, or hang them in the plazas garden trees for display.

Cecil continued with apparent disbelief.

Wait, arent you Silveryns disciple? How do you not know this?

What are you talking about?

What does that have to do with Silveryn?

When Silveryn was an undergraduate, she pretty much demolished Southern Village where the upperclassmen stayed, and things changed after that. How could you not know about such a history?

Suddenly, memories flooded of Silveryn visiting my dorm.

Silveryn had jokingly mentioned that she committed such a terrible deed that she ended up on the dormitory blacklist. Now, it all made sense. True to Silveryns nature.

Cecil narrowed her eyes, looking at me as if I were a con artist.

Youre so navely innocent. Anyway, youve been acting pretty suspicious lately. Especially toward our Trisha youre up to something strange

Before Cecil could finish, an uninvited guest arrived.

Cecil, you sly fox!

Marta was standing in the direction of the voice. She walked briskly over, saying,

You promised to go fortune-telling in Rigved with us. What are you doing here? Everyone is waiting.

Cecil twirled her hair, seemingly flustered.

Oh, just had something to take care of for a moment.

Dont you think youre the only one who gets to see the great Prophet of Stone, seer Galliar? This chance wont come again for another ten years. No time for dilly-dallying, get ready now. Immediately! Its chaos in Rigved right now with the crowds.

Marta seemed taken aback when she saw my face.

Ah, you startled me!

Then, as if scared, she kept her distance and moved behind Cecil.

Lets go, go, go.

Whats gotten into you all of a sudden? Feeling weak?

Quiet. Were late, lets go.

Marta thus shoved Cecil away, and they started to distance themselves.

Cecil shouted back at me as she was being pushed.

You, well talk later!

***

The next day, I boarded a carriage to Rigved in response to the Swordmasters invitation.

True to the saying Its a fair day, Rigved was swarming, roads clogged without any space for carriages.

Due to the crowd and many carriages, the central plaza was completely filled with carriages.

Move aside!

Whats so special about that fortune-teller anyway, pah!

I came all the way from the Empire. Make way please, this concerns my wifes life!

Hundreds of people were gathered, desperate, outside one elegant residence. Likely all because of the seer Cecil mentioned. I put on my mask and disembarked amidst the tumultuous crowd.

I left a message with the coachman to find a way through the back streets of Rigved and followed the address on the invitation. Despite the chaos of Rigved, I was buoyed by anticipation.

The fortune-teller meant nothing to me. Let them have their fun. I was about to meet an extraordinary Swordmaster.

I would be lying if I said I wasnt excited. Opportunities like this dont come often in life. I also packed a wooden sword in case there was a chance to test my skills.

A bout would be most welcome. Id gladly accept defeat. Im sure I can learn far more from such an encounter than from beating up a Plantara alone.

Going against the flow of the crowd, I pushed my way through with great effort.

Finally, I arrived at the address written in the letter. As expected, it was located in the heart of Rigved, a home with tall windows and a grand imperial faade.

I took a moment to catch my breath and tidy up my attire. Then I rang the doorbell.

Ding-dong!

I waited maybe thirty seconds. No response.

Just as I was about to ring again, the door swung open.

Who are you?

Ive been invited to

Sion stood in front of me. She was dressed in the neatest and most orderly clothes I had ever seen on her. She seemed as surprised as I was to be greeted in this manner.

Wasnt Sion supposed to be at the dorm? Had she come for fortune-telling too?

After a silent standoff, she gave me a probing look and asked,

How did you know where I live?

I received a letter from your mentor.

So it was you who took it.

Ah, right, a gift from saving your life.

Saving me? Dont make me laugh. I would have survived even if you hadnt interfered.

The creatures of the Circulatory System disagree.

So you came to settle things with me? Wait, let me get my sword. Ill face you any day.

Carrying the wooden sword was becoming a regrettable mistake. I quickly corrected her assumption.

No, I am here by invitation from your mentor.

Dont tell me such an obvious lie.

I presented Gesin Greigs invitation right before her eyes.

See?

Sion briefly perused it and then bit her lip lightly.

Lead me to your mentor.

Hes not here.

When will he return?

My mentor is currently in the Holy City and doesnt plan to come back anytime soon.

What are you saying?

How would I know if you just took an invitation and came to our house on your own?

Then why are you here?

A sense of foreboding washed over me as things took an unexpected turn.

Sion seemed to catch on to the odd vibe and spoke hesitantly with a wavering look.

My mentor told me to stay at the estate today.

It appeared I had been thoroughly deceived by the Swordmaster.

Now I began to understand why such a large sum of money was included with the invitation.