Chapter 13 : Another Beginning (5)

Chapter 13: Another Beginning (5)

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine.”

Without even the slightest hint of hesitation, Cecilia answered immediately.

It was clear to anyone that she was on full guard.

At that, Rahma let out an awkward laugh, as if flustered.

“Ah, hm. It seems I’ve somehow put you in an uncomfortable position, Miss Everglenn.”

He waved his hand dismissively, as if to say he meant nothing by it, and took a step back.

“I had no intention of making you uncomfortable. I just thought you might be troubled about something.”

“It’s true that I am troubled, as you say, Professor.”

Cecilia’s voice was clear and firm, drawing a straight line in the sand.

“However, it’s nothing I would particularly tell you about, nor something I would seek help or advice for.”

“I see.”

Rahma nodded slowly.

“It seems I was being hasty. After so many years as a bishop, it’s become something of a habit… hohoho.”

Even as he chuckled, embarrassed, he never once lost his kindly smile.

“I suppose this is meddling you didn’t ask for, but should you ever feel you might need my help, please come to me at any time. Nothing brings me more joy than being of help to students in need.”

To this, Cecilia replied in an extremely businesslike tone.

“Yes, I will.”

“I hope your troubles are resolved smoothly, Miss Everglenn. Well then…”

Watching Rahma get flatly turned down in a way that could make a bystander feel awkward, I couldn’t help but click my tongue.

She was utterly merciless.

I almost wanted to ask myself if I was out of my mind for having tried to approach her so casually just a moment ago.

‘Well…’

I was reminded of her in my previous life—mocked and ridiculed by countless students, yet never once shrinking back.

Back then, I thought she was just pretending to be strong…

But seeing her now, perhaps she truly hadn’t cared in the slightest.

Maybe the reason she avoided others after leaving her seat was nothing more than the thought, ‘The dog’s barking, how noisy.’

‘Approaching her clumsily would just be a waste.’

Better to leave than to raise unnecessary suspicion, I thought, just as I was about to slip away.

“Excuse me.”

Cecilia, who had been alone, was now looking straight at me.

“Weren’t you waiting because you had something you wanted to say to me?”

It seemed she had already noticed.

Seeing no benefit in pretending ignorance, I stepped out from behind the bookshelf where I had been hiding and spoke in a slightly defensive tone.

“Believe it or not, I wasn’t intentionally hiding.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I came to return a borrowed book and was looking for something to read. Then I saw you talking with the professor and was waiting for a chance to leave quietly…”

I showed her the return slip I’d just been handed, and thankfully, she nodded as if satisfied.

Or maybe she simply didn’t care enough about me to press further.

She wasn’t even trying to hide the books in her hands, as if it didn’t matter at all.

That made me speak in a tone more cautious than usual.

“You seem interested in a rather difficult field.”

She said nothing.

At least she wasn’t openly on guard against me like Rahma had been—that was something.

After staring at me in silence for a long moment, Cecilia suddenly shifted her posture and hugged the books to her chest.

The awkward silence dragged on, making me think I should just say goodbye and leave.

“In this field…”

Just when I thought she’d walk away without a word, she spoke quietly.

“…you seem to know it well.”

Her reaction was so different from Rahma’s that I couldn’t help but be taken aback.

‘…What’s going on?’

The Cecilia I knew didn’t start conversations unless there was a very good reason.

And even when she did, she kept them short and avoided long talks as much as possible.

‘I have no idea what’s gotten into her…’

But since I’d been given the chance, I decided to be a little greedy.

“Yes, I’ve picked up a few things here and there.”

“Picked up?”

At her puzzled reaction, I paused briefly before speaking quietly.

“My mother was a magician.”

That was also the reason I had wanted to join Wands in my previous life.

Though in the end, my father, Count Gwendil, had opposed it so strongly it was practically a threat, and I had to give up.

“A magician? As far as I know, the Countess Gwendil isn’t one. Was I mistaken?”

I gave a bitter smile and replied in a lower voice.

“She was a mistress.”

At that, Cecilia’s body flinched ever so slightly.

“And she passed away some time ago, so it’s understandable you wouldn’t know.”

“Oh.”

For once, Cecilia looked genuinely flustered.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it. I really didn’t know… I’ve made a mistake.”

Secrets have a strange kind of power.

Sometimes they are a person’s reverse scale or weakness, but other times they impose a sense of debt and kinship—half by force—on the one who learns them.

And if two people share similar secrets, that effect only grows stronger.

I hadn’t planned it, but I’d known since my past life that Cecilia Everglenn had a similarly complicated family background.

‘It feels a bit like I’m manipulating her… but…’

Would it ever be heavier than the nearly two hundred corpses?

Telling myself that, I waved my hand as if it didn’t bother me.

“No, I should apologize. I brought up something unnecessary and made you uncomfortable.”

As I spoke, my eyes carefully skimmed the titles of the books she held.

“So this might be a sensitive question, but… have you been hearing voices or seeing things?”

It was indeed a sensitive and rude question.

I could even see the wariness rising in her eyes.

So I quickly followed up as if it were the most natural continuation.

“Necromancy, shamanism, exorcism… all of these involve beings from the spirit realm. And when one perceives these spirit-realm entities, it’s usually through hearing or sight—that is, by seeing or hearing them.”

“…It’s similar.”

Only then did Cecilia ease her guard slightly and give a slow nod.

The fact that the cause was due to a spirit was something I already knew well, but I had absolutely no intention of bringing that up recklessly here and now.

‘It’s only that the public doesn’t know, but as for the cause itself… she must already know it well herself.’

And that fact was being kept a strict secret at the present time.

If I said it here, it would be the perfect way to draw suspicion.

All that was publicly known around this era was that ever since she was young, unpleasant incidents had continuously occurred around her, and that she had lived alone in a secluded villa, as if in exile.

That officially mentioning her existence was no different from declaring war on them.

‘And that she was openly called the Everglenn family’s vengeful ghost.’

It was so well-known that even I had heard about it.

‘For now, here….’

After a brief moment of thought, I decided to speak to her in a roundabout way.

“When interacting with beings from other worlds, such as those of the Spirit Realm or mental entities, my mother used to say that willpower was the most important thing above all else.”

A story I had heard countless times instead of bedtime fairy tales when I was young.

As I forced myself to recall those and strung the words together, Cecilia began to listen quietly.

“She used to say that when dealing with such beings, it was common for people to lose themselves.”

“I think I know what you mean.”

Perhaps something clicked with her, as she slowly nodded her head.

“She also said it was similar to the feeling of losing your way. The weaker the person’s will, the more easily they would be swept away and forget themselves. And that leaving behind some sort of guidepost for such times was a good method.”

“A guidepost….”

After mulling over my last words for a moment, she slowly lifted her head and stared straight at me.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what did your mother say one should use as a guidepost?”

“She mentioned various things. Memories, people, objects, places. It didn’t matter what it was, as long as it was something precious or intense for oneself—in short, a memory that could never be forgotten. She told me to make such things my guidepost.”

Cecilia silently looked down at the book she was holding in her arms.

And then, a moment later, she dipped her head ever so slightly toward me.

“Thank you sincerely for the good advice.”

With those words, she said she would excuse herself first and passed by me.

As I watched her quiet footsteps fade away without a sound, I briefly wondered if I should have been a bit more forward….

‘No, I shouldn’t get impatient.’

Someone like her would only retreat if approached too hastily.

It was best to narrow the distance gradually, just like I had now.

‘Come to think of it….’

I discreetly checked the time.

There wasn’t much left until my appointment with Allen.

Had that much time already passed?

“I’d better hurry a bit.”

It was the moment I muttered that and tried to take a step.

A very brief instant.

Literally, a moment in the blink of an eye—but I sensed an odd disturbance from the brand.

The brand pulsed.

A subtle throb, almost as if it were a heart.

I could clearly feel it.

By the time I reflexively placed my hand on my collarbone, that strange sensation had long since vanished.

I stood rooted to the spot for a moment, then slowly turned my head to look around.

…There was no one.

There was absolutely no one around me.

It was the first day of classes, so there should have been many people gathered and bustling about, yet strangely, not a single presence could be felt in my vicinity.

‘Hoo.’

I let out a silent sigh and lowered the hand I’d been holding to my collarbone.

And then.

“…I really should hurry.”

I spoke the same words as before, but this time they carried a different meaning, as if reaffirming them to myself.

“I didn’t expect you to come visit on the very first day.”

“Was I being a bother after all?”

After parting ways with Allen, I headed straight to none other than the cathedral.

“No, it’s not that you’re a bother. It’s just….”

Sister Roberta moved the hand covering her cheek to hide her mouth.

“To be honest, I’m doing this because I’m happy.”

Letting out a small laugh, she slightly lifted her head to peer outside the cathedral.

Seeing the gradually darkening sky, she gave a small nod.

“But it’s far too late now. For the two of us to be… wrestling would be a bit—oh my, ahem, excuse me.”

Sister Roberta cleared her throat and glanced around.

There were a few people inside the cathedral, but seeing that no one was paying attention to this spot, she let out a small sigh of relief.

“You’re with the Crooks, aren’t you, Lian Gwendil?”

"Yes, that’s correct, Sister. And I’d appreciate it if you could speak comfortably to me."

Sister Roberta nodded.

"I shall do so. More importantly, Lian, do you know how the classes will proceed from now on?"

"Yes."

For one month, the five dormitories would conduct joint classes.

In other words, a schedule like today’s would continue for the entire month.

But after that—

More precisely, starting from the end of the first dungeon practicum class, the format of the lessons would change entirely.

The daily joint classes would be reduced to one subject per day, and instead, students would freely choose from a wide range of specialized classes suited to their dormitory and future career path.

"I also know that you teach the Crooks combat methods, weapon skills, and the control of holy power, Sister."

"I see."

Roberta smiled with satisfaction.

"So you came to seek me out despite the fact that, when the time comes, you’ll naturally receive lessons. Is it because you’re in such a hurry, or perhaps because you won’t be satisfied with the regular classes?"

I chose silence instead of an answer.

Even so, Sister Roberta kept nodding as though she found me increasingly likable.

"Very well, it’s late, but I can still impart a few teachings to you."

"Is that really true?"

"Yes, though it will only be theoretical."

Sister Roberta, who had turned to lead the way, suddenly turned her head to look at me.

"Come to think of it, I forgot to ask you this, Lian."

"Yes, Sister."

"What level are you aiming for?"

"What do you mean by that?"

She still had a gentle smile in her eyes.

"I mean, knowing the realm you wish to reach will help me guide you."

To her question, I answered with one of my own.

"How strong are you, Sister?"

"Hmm."

Even at the sudden question, she showed no sign of being flustered.

"Well… I’d say I’m not the sort to die a meaningless death somewhere, at least."

Hearing her say that, I replied in a calm voice.

"Then, until I win."

"Pardon?"

She tilted her head as if she had misheard me, and I repeated myself once more.

"I will, Sister."

Sister Roberta silently looked at me, her eyes glinting.

Looking straight back at her, I finished my words.

"Until I win."