Meanwhile.

As students were returning to the academy after their school trip, a blood-curdling scream echoed through a cathedral located on the outskirts of the Empire.

“Ah, gah, kuh, ugh...!”

“Aaaaaah!!”

“God, oh God...!”

“We... we must escape... cough.”

Liszt.

A conclave of clerics dedicated to safeguarding the region. These devout believers, once the guardians of their city, were now shrouded in darkness so deep that their faith seemed almost meaningless.

The vast corridor was strewn with unconscious priests. Each one lay in a pool of blood, twitching.

“Huff, huff...!”

A woman ran, gasping for breath. She appeared to be fleeing from something. The air was thick with a putrid stench, and her face was painted with terror as she forced her legs to move.

Faint music reached her ears.

“Ugh...!”

The enchanting melody dulled her senses. Her mind felt like it was melting. The woman gripped the rosary in her hand tightly, forcing herself to regain focus. The faint glow of divine power sharpened her vision, but only temporarily.

“Ugh, huff...!”

Even as she groaned, she kept running. She had to alert the outside world about the danger.

Liszt was on the brink of annihilation.

Corpses, partially eaten, littered the ground, blood covered every corner, and the pitch-black darkness obscured sight within the cathedral. Every priest exposed to the music had changed, their white robes now stained black as they turned into monsters that feasted on human flesh. The woman was the only one still in her right mind.

“I must... inform them...!”

Covering her ears, she continued to run, driven by sheer will to spread word of this peril. But soon, she was forced to halt.

A shadow stood in her path.

“Ah.”

Then, figures emerged from the surrounding darkness, one by one. Each one was draped in robes. Silhouettes that seemed to have been waiting for her.

Her legs gave out involuntarily.

Thud.

“Dear God.”

She dropped to her knees, clasped her trembling hands around her rosary, and closed her eyes in prayer. A final meditation.

“Deliver us from evil...”

The next moment, the overwhelming melody engulfed her.

---

### The Busy Return to the Academy

The school trip had been eventful. A few days had passed since the students returned from the lively vacation, and they seemed ready to dive back into their rigorous routines.

“Time really flies.”

“Right? It feels like we just had the entrance ceremony yesterday... and now finals are coming?”

“It’s daunting already. Just looking at the syllabus gave me a headache.”

“I wish we could go back to the trip...”

With finals now only a month away, students were bustling around the library, training grounds, and classrooms, reclaiming their academic focus. I was no exception. Although confident in my grades, excelling in the academy meant more than just good exam scores. One needed to fulfill their roles in all aspects of academy life.

While others were studying, I spent my time in the lab.

“Hmm.”

Scratch, scratch.

The pen's nib made a crisp sound against the paper as it moved, tracing lines that turned into neat writing in black ink. I shifted the stack of documents next to me.

“Master? Here are the papers that need reviewing.”

“Thank you, Yuda.”

I was helping Selena with her paperwork. Sorting through the towering stack of documents, I organized and filtered out less significant content. This kind of administrative work was typical for senior assistants.

“If there’s more administrative work left, feel free to pass it to me.”

“I appreciate your help, but you really don’t have to go out of your way like this.”

“I don’t mind.”

Although I didn’t need to be as involved after our prior agreement, I still felt I owed some assistance. It seemed unfair to reap the benefits of my position without contributing. Besides, Selena had covered for my three-day absence during the school trip, so this was a gesture of thanks.

‘It’s only right to give back when you’ve received something.’

That’s how things worked among adults. I twirled the pen lightly. Just as I resumed writing, Selena’s voice, void of emotion, interrupted.

“Regarding the school trip, I’ve filed the records as directed. I reported that you were gathering research materials per my orders. If other professors inquire, answer accordingly.”

“Thank you for handling that, Professor.”

“It was nothing.”

“I thought you might ask why I was absent, but it seems you’re not that curious.”

“Even if I were, I don’t intend to ask. That was part of our arrangement.”

Selena replied with a detached look, her red eyes blinking. As always, a bottle of alcohol was in her hand. She took a few sips before running her violet hair back, leaving a brief warning.

“I won’t pry, but I’d advise against taking unnecessary risks.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“You are my student, after all.”

“You’re quite kind, Professor.”

“...That will be all for today’s paperwork. You may go.”

Selena’s expression was hard to read. She tilted her bottle in silence, seemingly lost in thought. I caught a whiff of the alcohol as I stepped out of the lab, leaving her behind.

‘I guess getting close won’t be easy.’

Selena maintained her distance. Building rapport would make handling upcoming events easier, but progress was slow.

‘It’s fine… there’s still time.’

I pushed aside the lingering thoughts as I walked out and saw a few familiar faces waiting in front of the building.

“Lord...!”

“You’re finally out.”

“Well done.”

Regia, Emilia, and Irene. The trio had been waiting for me to finish. They waved as soon as our eyes met, and I approached them with a smile.

“Sorry I’m a bit late.”

“You’re ten minutes late! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”

“W-we came out of the library too early… We had more time, but the Lady insisted we leave...”

“Commoner! Stop saying unnecessary things!”

“S-sorry…”

Regia shrank under Emilia’s glare. The villainess silenced the protagonist, and Irene, who had been quiet, added in her usual tone.

“The pink-haired one is right.”

“Miss Irene?”

“The blue-haired one suggested we wait here. She dragged us out.”

“Y-you be quiet too! A servant shouldn’t speak out! And use formal language—I’m the legitimate heir of the great Vanity family—”

“Yes, the legitimate heir. We’ve heard it enough for today.”

“You insolent...!”

Emilia’s voice rose in irritation, clearly provoked. Since spending more time together after the trip, they seemed to have formed some sort of bond. While calling it friendship might be a stretch, it was no longer the awkward silence of before.

“It’s nice to see everyone getting along.”

“How can you say that?!”

“I don’t need such things. One human is enough for me.”

“A-are we not getting along? Was I mistaken...? Oh no…”

The responses were varied. The noble lady fumed, the fox remained indifferent, and the navigator looked disheartened. The atmosphere was lively, to say the least. Chatting away, we crossed the broad plaza. A sudden question made me pause.

“You… you said you wouldn’t be going to the lab starting tomorrow, right?”

“Finals are coming up.”

“Then what about studying together? I think the commoner and I will be in the library.”

“Impressive dedication. Preparing so diligently for exams.”

“Well... if you want, I suppose I could let you join.”

“Yes, yes! The Lady said she’d help explain the difficult parts!”

“Hmm.”

It was a tempting offer. The academy’s curriculum was familiar, so studying alone would be more of a bore than anything else. Group study sessions sounded more enjoyable, like our past homework gatherings.

But there was one issue.

“I’ll gladly accept the offer.”

“Then...”

“But I can’t join tomorrow. I’ll join you starting this weekend.”

“Oh? Do you have other plans tomorrow?”

“Yes.”

I nodded, taking Irene’s hand and interlacing our fingers as I waved it lightly. The other two girls watched us closely.

“We’re planning to go out together. You could call it a date.”

The casual remark widened the eyes of the two listening girls.

______________________

TL NOTE: Please don't skimp on the stars for the translation - it inspires me and gives me the strength to write more. Thank you~!

If you want to buy me a coffee ko-fi.com/santos_28