Chapter 124: At the Academy (6)
Airos disappeared somewhere with just a word to wait a little.
Windy May and I, following his instruction, were quietly waiting for him a short distance away from the mausoleum.
Sitting in place, I glanced sideways at Windy May.
“…….”
Even though Airos had shattered the bottle right in front of her eyes, Windy May didn’t seem bothered in the slightest.
“Hm, hm…….”
She even hummed a little tune, looking completely nonchalant.
Watching her like that, I thought to myself.
‘Did they have some kind of bad history together?’
Windy May, who usually behaved differently, was oddly provocative in her words and actions this time.
And Airos, who was usually polite and composed, had been nothing but sharp and on edge.
They both were completely unlike how I knew them to be.
More than anything, it was clear that they recognized each other.
As if they had known one another for a very long time.
‘A bad history, huh…….’
If I had to name a reason, the most obvious one would be that Windy May was a Dragon Slayer.
Naturally, someone who had killed her own kind wouldn’t be well-liked.
But still, I couldn’t shake the feeling.
That it wasn’t just that.
“……Come to think of it.”
Just then, Windy May suddenly opened her mouth.
“Did you ever go to that child of Garusol, like I mentioned before, and ask about the Sky Guide?”
“Yes, I did. Just as you said, she agreed to help me without hesitation.”
I nodded.
It was a topic I had been meaning to ask her about anyway.
“She first told me to clean my eyes, ears, and tongue, then begin meditating.”
“Hmm, that's by the book.”
Windy May nodded and, as if deciding to explain properly while she was at it, adjusted her posture.
“To connect with beings from another world, of course, the first thing you need is the ability to see, hear, and speak with them. And the Sky Guide requires all three of those abilities. They're considered the basic requirements. So……”
She continued her explanation in a calm voice.
I straightened my posture and listened attentively.
“……In other words, that entire process is essentially a ritual in itself. And since it's the standard method, it's best to take your time and build it up gradually. Another way would be……”
Windy May, who had been explaining for a while, suddenly glanced in the direction Airos had disappeared.
Clicking her tongue softly, she muttered.
“We’ll have to continue this another time.”
Not long after her words, Airos reappeared.
In his hand was the sword, now fully and flawlessly repaired.
“Here. Take it.”
“……Thank you.”
I calmed my trembling voice and carefully received the sword.
Upon checking it, I saw that not only the handle but even the tiniest nicks and scratches had completely vanished.
“I made sure to restore it without altering anything unnecessarily. Since it’s an item aged by time, it took a bit more effort than I thought. I apologize.”
“No, not at all. I truly… truly appreciate it.”
I thanked him repeatedly.
Thanks to him, I could finally face Cecilia again.
As I let out a relieved sigh, Airos scratched his chin.
“No need to keep thanking me. That’s enough. Now, take this too.”
He handed me something that clinked faintly.
“It’s armor. Just something I made to pass the time, so it’s not particularly impressive.”
What Airos handed me was more like a shirt than actual armor.
I accepted it reflexively, and he nodded.
“Wear it underneath. It won’t block magic, but it should protect you from arrows or blades.”
“Oh……”
I stood there, blankly holding it.
“Is it really okay for me to accept something like this……?”
“It was just gathering dust in the storage anyway. Better for someone to use it. Like I said, it’s not anything special, so don’t feel pressured.”
Airos added,
“As you can see, there’s no magical enchantment on it. It’s just a tough and durable piece.”
“How awful.”
Windy May muttered in a sulky tone, but Airos simply shrugged, ignoring her.
“Still better than nothing, right? From what I know, the people of the Holy Sun Church aren’t allowed to wear armor unless they’re Holy Knights……”
“……Yes, that’s true.”
He was right.
And I had already been thinking of finding some kind of armor or protection. I didn’t expect it to be resolved like this.
“Thank you so much, Airos. I’ll wear it with gratitude. If it’s alright… may I put it on now?”
“Suit yourself.”
Right there, I took off my outerwear and put on the armor Airos had given me underneath.
The armor was so light that I could barely feel its weight.
Once I had finished, Airos pulled something else from his coat.
A black-threaded necklace.
Not just one—four of them.
The same number as the people who had faced Airos earlier.
“While you’re here, take these too.”
“These are……”
“Compensation. Keep one for yourself, and give the remaining three to those who faced me.”
Generously handing over even the necklaces, he let out a deep sigh, as if relieved to be done with a bothersome chore.
“With this, the enmity between you all and me is resolved. So now……”
“Yes. I won’t bother you anymore.”
“Good. I like someone who understands quickly.”
Airos smiled in satisfaction at my reply.
“But that doesn’t mean you have to stay away completely. If you bring a decent gift…… I’ll be your conversation partner now and then.”
“That’s more than I deserve, Airos.”
“Even if it’s just a polite reply, I’m honored as well, Lian Gwendil.”
With those words, he glanced sideways at Windy May.
“As long as you don’t bring some trashy soda no one’s heard of, I’ll always welcome you as a guest and give you proper treatment.”
“……What is he on about.”
Windy May looked utterly exasperated.
Airos still gave no reaction.
“Well then……”
He murmured, sounding tired.
And indeed, his voice was soaked with fatigue.
“I’d appreciate it if you returned now.”
A clear dismissal.
Again, with just a blink of an eye, the surrounding scenery changed in an instant.
“Phew.”
As I caught my breath and looked beside me, Windy May was casually dusting off her clothes like nothing had happened.
‘It really was instant.’
Yeriel was impressive, but Windy May’s abilities were on another level entirely.
And wasn’t she currently just a split-off copy of herself?
Even so, she didn’t show a hint of fatigue—just calmness.
“Hmm, I suppose it’s about time I go too.”
She said that and looked at me.
“It’s a relief that things worked out, right?”
“Yes. It’s all thanks to you, Master. I truly appreciate it.”
“Hehe.”
She chuckled softly.
Then motioned for me to lower my head.
Silently following her gesture, I bowed.
Tap tap, her hand gently patted my head.
“Whenever you need help, don’t hesitate to come to your capable, reliable, and versatile Master, alright?”
“Yes.”
“Good, very good.”
She nodded, clearly pleased.
“Don’t skip any classes and attend them diligently. As for the Sky Guide… once I return to my original form, we’ll proceed with it properly.”
She raised her index finger as if to emphasize her point.
“Until then, don’t mess around unnecessarily. Just focus on diligently honing the basics I mentioned earlier. Understood?”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Good. Then……”
She weakly waved her hand at me.
“Byyye.”
It was an oddly limp farewell.
Immediately after, she vanished like the wind.
As if she had never been there in the first place.
“Phew……”
I stood there for a moment, glancing between the two items in my hands.
Cecilia’s sword.
And the necklace Airos had given me.
‘I’ll meet with Cecilia first.’
And on the way back, I could drop by the infirmary and check on Yuran and Lancia, while also handing over the necklaces.
Just as I decided that—
― Screee.
A light tapping sensation, now familiar, brushed against my shoulder.
Looking down, I saw the spider.
It was pointing in a direction, as if to say, “Over there.”
“Cecilia’s that way?”
― Screee!
The creature gave an energetic bounce.
I nodded and began walking in the direction it indicated.
“This place is……”
The place I arrived at shortly after was unexpected.
A riding arena.
‘Riding arena? Really?’
The academy had several riding arenas of various sizes.
Riding was part of the regular curriculum, so it made sense for students to visit the arenas.
But……
‘Of all people, Cecilia at the riding arena?’
The founder of the Everglenn family, Siren Everglenn, was famous as a Dragon Knight.
Perhaps because of that, it was tradition for every member of the family to learn to ride a wyvern.
But Cecilia couldn’t even ride a horse properly, let alone a wyvern.
It was a well-known story that she was shunned within the family because of it.
In fact, I recalled that even in my previous life, she neither rode a wyvern nor a horse.
She simply rode on spirits.
‘Something’s off…’
Even with that doubt lingering, I stepped into the riding arena.
And as soon as I entered, I came face to face with someone familiar.
“Lian Gwendil, sir……?”
“Miss Artemia?”
It was none other than Artemia, the Head Maid in charge of the freshman dormitory.
However, her appearance and clothes were covered in grime, showing signs of having just been doing dirty work.
“It’s been a while, Miss Artemia.”
“……Yes, Lian Gwendil sir. Have you been well?”
She stopped what she was doing and greeted me politely.
Even in rugged work clothes rather than a maid uniform, her movements were full of grace.
“Yes, I’ve been well. But… what brings you here?”
“Well……”
At my question, she bit her lip slightly.
Then bowed her head once more.
She bowed so deeply it almost looked like she was performing a full prostration.
“……To atone for my mistakes, I’ve been taking charge of the riding arena and stables.”
“Mistakes?”
“Yes. And it is something deeply related to you as well, Lian Gwendil sir.”
Only then did I begin to understand what she meant.
Still with her head lowered, Artemia apologized to me.
“I have no excuse. Lyslin… I never imagined she was doing such things. I have no idea how I should atone for failing to realize it.”
“……It’s alright. It wasn’t your fault, Miss Artemia.”
Honestly, that was the only thing I could say.
Because it truly wasn’t her fault.
“But…”
“I say this because I’m uncomfortable with it. And how could that possibly be your fault, Miss Artemia?”
“……”
Artemia slowly lifted her head.
Her expression was filled with a mix of emotions.
“If you’d like, I’ll even accept lashes……”
“Please don’t say something so horrible, even as a joke.”
I let out a wry smile.
At times like this, the best way to handle it was to casually ask for a favor in return.
“Just help me out once when I really need it. That’s more than enough.”
“……”
She remained silent for a moment.
Then spoke quietly.
“……Lady Everglenn should be practicing riding inside.”
She proceeded to give me the exact location.
I offered my thanks and was about to leave when—
‘……Wait a second.’
A question flickered through my mind.
How did she know that Lyslin was a spy?
‘Didn’t they say that was being handled as top secret……?’
As soon as that thought occurred, my body tensed, ready to leap into action at any moment.
“Lian Gwendil, sir.”
As if sensing my alertness, she took a step back.
Then, she slowly pulled something from her coat and held it out to me.
Her movements were slow and deliberate, as if to prove she held no hostility.
“Please, accept this.”
I couldn’t respond immediately.
Because the item in her hand was all too familiar.
A Mercenary Token.
Simply put, it was proof of mercenary status.
And the one she held shimmered with a platinum hue, signifying the highest grade.
“This is…”
“……For the day you may need my help.”
Artemia whispered softly.
Her voice was quiet, but firm.
And she still held herself with strict composure as she looked straight at me.
“Return that to me when the time comes.”
With that, she excused herself and bowed to me again.
“……”
Watching her walk away briskly, I could only stare blankly at the platinum Mercenary Token in my hand.
“What the……”
By now, I wasn’t even dumbfounded anymore—I just laughed under my breath.
‘……Well, makes sense.’
I thought, staring at the platinum token.
‘If a dragon is working as a librarian, then what’s stopping a top-tier mercenary from playing maid?’
Honestly, at this point, it took a lot more to surprise me.
Aware of how numb I had become, I could only chuckle dryly to myself.