Chapter 139: Dragon’s Blood (5)
When I came to my senses, a whole week had already passed.
During that time, life at the Academy had seemingly continued as usual, yet I could easily point out several changes that were distinctly different from before.
The most significant change was the absence of Yul Runberg.
Officially, after his sudden resignation due to an urgent mission, the Crowns class was being taken over in rotation by professors who had relatively more spare time in their schedules.
‘Well, most of them were new professors…….’
Lian gave a bitter smile.
Although this was said to continue only until a replacement arrived or the curriculum was restructured…
He knew all too well that it wouldn’t be that easy.
After all, Yul Runberg’s stature had been overwhelmingly immense.
It would be virtually impossible to find someone who could replace him in such a short time. As a result, the new professors were the ones suffering most.
Perhaps because the students’ enthusiasm had noticeably diminished, they seemed even more strained.
‘Professor Windy May and Master also suddenly went away on a business trip.’
Was it because the power remaining in her Duplicate had completely run out?
Only after a notice was posted that she would be away due to an unexpected trip did Lian realize her absence.
Come to think of it, it wasn’t so strange. Her—more precisely, her Duplicate’s—power had been visibly depleted.
‘I thought she could hold out for a few more days…….’
He had estimated based on the remaining energy, but apparently, his calculations had been off.
Anyway, her classes were also being handled in rotation by other professors.
One notable thing was that Headmaster Yeriel had, albeit only once, personally stood in for her and gave a lecture.
For the extremely busy Headmaster to directly substitute in the middle of preparations for a major event—it was quite unusual.
Yet surprisingly, the students didn’t question it much. In fact, the general mood was one of acceptance.
Since Wands required a high level of specialization and Windy May, being an Archmage, had taught it, most agreed it was only right for someone of a similar level to take over.
And if there were anyone on a similar level, it would naturally be Yeriel.
‘…And frankly, he was the better lecturer too.’
In fact, not just Lian but most of the other students had the same opinion.
The main reason Headmaster’s class received such high praise was that he had wrapped up the topic about the paper that could reveal the nature of mana—something Windy May had mentioned during her first lecture.
‘Tch.’
Lian couldn’t help but feel a bit sour.
If Windy May had heard about it, she’d have glared and grumbled furiously.
Saying she’d prepared everything and taken it all the way, only for the ending to be stolen from her.
As a side note, the paper that had been torn to shreds in Allen’s case indicated that his mana was sharper and more acute than most, and if one had to assign an attribute, it leaned toward the wind element.
Meanwhile, on Lian’s result sheet, written clearly in Windy May’s handwriting, was the short phrase, “You already know.”
In Cecilia’s case, the message read, “Just like this! Keep it up!”
‘And…….’
Lian paused, glancing at the students passing through the hallway.
Watching them, he recalled once again the most significant change over the past week.
It was the fact that a new Archbishop had been appointed to replace Archbishop Rahma, who was now officially declared “missing.”
Archbishop Onnime.
He always maintained a neat and tidy appearance with a calm demeanor, and he was a man of few words.
In a way, he even seemed a bit delicate.
However, everyone knew he had once served as an Inquisitor.
Perhaps because of that eerie and disturbing past, he was not nearly as welcomed among the students as Rahma had been.
No, if anything, they seemed extremely reluctant around him.
In fact, it wasn’t rare to see people instinctively keeping their distance whenever he passed by on campus.
“……”
Lian was no exception when it came to disliking the Archbishop’s presence.
Not only had he been repeatedly warned to be cautious around him…
Lian himself had no fondness for Inquisitors to begin with.
He knew from firsthand experience just how horrifying and persistent they could be.
Yet contrary to his expectations, Archbishop Onnime had made no particular move toward Lian so far.
Only once had their eyes met, and Onnime had slightly bowed his head in greeting.
But amidst all these changes, the most striking shift was in the overall atmosphere within the Academy.
‘Well, there’s not much time left now.’
The reason for the students’ excitement was simple.
It was because the Departure Festival was just around the corner.
This was also the period when the freshmen began to receive more freedom to go out.
Perhaps because of that, small groups could be seen here and there preparing to leave the campus or chatting about the upcoming festival.
In truth, the Departure Festival only kept the royals and participating students particularly busy.
Each dormitory had its assigned roles—Crooks, for instance, often performed as the choir—but for Lian, it had nothing to do with him.
At most, he had been called in once or twice to help with simple labor tasks.
“Whew, finally done. We’re heading out now, Gwendil!”
“Yeah. Good job, everyone.”
Still seated, Lian gave a casual wave of his hand.
During preparations for the Departure Festival, he had come to know a few students from his dorm. It was a minor change, but a change nonetheless.
Although ‘acquaintance’ was a bit of a stretch—it was more like exchanging greetings in passing—it was still a significant improvement and encouraging progress for Lian.
“Hoo.”
Lian let out a small breath as he sat in his chair.
Thud.
At that moment, someone naturally sat down next to him.
“……”
It was a man with a gloomy look.
He had a somewhat sorrowful impression and an unkempt appearance, as if he didn’t care about his clothes.
Yet contrary to his shabby look, his presence was surprisingly intense.
Perhaps it was due to the fatigued expression combined with an oddly sharp aura.
‘This guy…….’
And Lian immediately knew who he was.
An aide to Princess Velita and a well-known agitator of the Dots dormitory.
A man who had gone through so many aliases that no one even remembered his real name anymore.
“Nice to meet you.”
The man with the somber impression spoke first.
“Let’s say… yeah, call me Rot. That’ll do.”
He didn’t even bother to reveal his real name, asking instead to be called something convenient.
It was hard to say whether he was being careless or indifferent.
Rot shrugged lightly and said,
“Her Highness sent me. She told me to assist you in every way possible.”
“Ah.”
“Did you perhaps find out something?”
Lian stayed silent for a moment.
Even in that moment, Rot was scrutinizing every part of Lian’s expression.
“Not at all. Nothing.”
At that plain reply, Rot nodded.
“Hm. Same here.”
Then he glanced around and spoke in a low voice.
“It’s not confirmed, but there are two peculiar details.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“Onnime—he was supposed to arrive much earlier, but only got here recently. They say it was because of the Cultists of the Evil God.”
“That’s just a rumor going around the Academy, isn’t it?”
Lian’s response suggested that wasn’t much of a revelation.
“Yeah, but you probably haven’t heard the second part. The problem is, he came back empty-handed. Whether the cultists fought among themselves or ran into something like a bear… anyway, they only found a bunch of corpses.”
At that, Lian straightened up in his seat.
Rot added quietly, as if after some consideration.
“Of course, this hasn’t been verified yet. It’s still just a ‘so they say’ situation, so keep that in mind and take it with a grain of salt.”
“…And the other thing?”
“That soldiers are gathering in large numbers.”
Lian slightly furrowed his brows.
Since it wasn’t some other festival but the Departure Festival, it wasn’t particularly strange for many soldiers to attend.
However, if Rot went out of his way to mention it, then clearly there was more to it.
‘Could it be…….’
Lian, struck by the sudden image of Anguster that flashed through his mind, spoke first.
“Are a lot of retired soldiers gathering?”
“…Yes, and more importantly.”
“That they all belonged to the same legion.”
Rot looked at Lian with a slightly deflated expression.
“What, so you already knew? You’ve got more connections than I expected.”
“I happened to hear it somewhere.”
“Hm… it’s a bit anticlimactic, but at least it saves us time.”
Rot mumbled as he rolled his shoulders slightly.
“They’re both just suspicions for now, so I’ll try to gather more intel. I don’t know if you’re aware, but Her Highness despises half-baked guesses and assumptions. If you don’t handle things properly, she’ll come down hard.”
He said that with a faint, almost helpless smile.
“…Anyway, if you ever need anything, just come find me. I’ll help however I can.”
“Then can I ask you just one thing?”
“As much as you like.”
“Why are you the one helping me?”
Lian asked again.
“What I mean is, when Her Highness said she’d assign me a helper, I expected someone from Crooks. It would’ve made secret meetings and cooperation a lot easier.”
“Ahh……”
Rot nodded.
Then muttered, a little awkwardly.
“I don’t try to know more than I’m allowed to… so I don’t know the answer to that question, and I don’t really want to know either. I hope you understand.”
“……”
Lian nodded.
That response reminded him once again of what kind of person Rot was.
“…Oh, and someone’s heading this way. I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, he nonchalantly got up and disappeared quietly.
Lian, who had watched his back for a moment, immediately rose from his seat.
It was to greet the person approaching.
Not long after, someone appeared.
It was Cecilia.
“Lian.”
She spoke with a faint smile.
“Sorry, did you wait long?”
“Not at all. I just got here myself.”
A week ago—
Ever since she had opened up about what she’d been holding in, the two of them had started meeting more frequently again.
Though their meetings were no more than training or casual conversation like before.
“Um, Lian……”
And as soon as she saw him, Cecilia hesitated, looking somewhat guilty as she cautiously watched his reaction.
“If it’s alright… would you come with me to meet someone right now?”
“Right now?”
“Yes……”
She looked apologetic even as she said it.
“It’s just that… my sister just arrived at the Academy.”
Cecilia muttered softly.
“…And for some reason, she insisted on seeing you right away, even pushing me to bring you to her.”
To be precise, she’d said she needed to see “that man’s” face immediately, but Cecilia had no idea why her sister had looked so serious when she said it.