Damn Academy

In the Embrace of the Master (2)

The imperial reconnaissance ships began to enter the harbor of Claridium.

The dark clouds that had covered the long sea route stretched ominously over the sky of Claridium.

The soldiers waiting on deck could not tear their eyes away from the ruined city.

On the water floated the bodies of citizens who had not managed to escape the city, bobbing like driftwood, tapping against the hull with each wave as if beating a drum. The scene was so horrific it felt like a nightmare that would haunt them in the days to come.

Before arriving here, the imperial soldiers had been skeptical of the rumors that Claridium had fallen. The idea that such a thriving city could be reduced to ruins overnight was hard to accept.

Only after witnessing the devastation of Claridium with their own eyes did they come to terms with the grim reality.

Two ships, each carrying forty soldiers, docked, but no one dared to speak carelessly.

These were hastily assembled troops summoned from the imperial naval escort that had been guarding trade vessels. They had come solely at the command of their superiors, devoid of any sense of mission or justice.

Regilion, the head of the imperial investigation team, clenched his teeth as he surveyed the scene of Claridium’s ruin.

A repugnant green liquid flowed like a stream among the debris of buildings, trickling down to the sea.

Fortunately, the outsiders who had come to the ruined city were not alone. At the opposite dock, four large ships, each bearing different banners, were anchored in the harbor.

As the ships docked and the gangplank connected to the land, the supply officer was summoned.

“How many magical tools have we secured?”

“Fifteen magic stone detectors, along with thirty identification reagents. Seven spirit identification orbs.”

“Spirit identification orbs? Where did those come from?”

“They were provided additionally by the Magic Society.”

“What use is it?”

“It was originally intended for detecting spirits, which are impossible to perceive with the naked eye, but it has proven to be far more effective for Doppler detection, and thus is used more in that capacity. It is said that the royal archivists also utilize the same gem for Doppler identification.”

“Ring the bell to gather everyone, distribute the supplies among the squads, and we will proceed with the operation immediately.”

“I will relay the order at once.”

Soon, the bell in the center of the deck rang, and all those scattered across the deck, along with the soldiers waiting in the cabin, assembled in formation.

Having completed the preparations for departure, Commander Regilion stood with his hands clasped behind his back and addressed the soldiers.

“As you can see, the situation is dire. This mission is not for Claridium, but for the Empire and the entire continent. If the information about the Doppler occupying the city is true, then the Empire, bordering this city, is certainly not safe either.”

The southeastern area of the city, visible now, lay in ruins, but reports indicated that the northern part was relatively less damaged. Thus, their objective was to estimate the extent of the Doppler’s encroachment and their numbers.

Regilion led the soldiers toward the land. Near the harbor, while the walls and roofs of buildings were damaged, their shapes remained intact, but beyond that, there were hardly any structures left standing.

No signs of life could be felt. Not even a crow was in sight, adding to the eerie atmosphere. It would not be surprising if ghouls or malevolent spirits emerged from the rubble at any moment. The eyes of the soldiers, tense and waiting, were laced with fear.

Regilion pulled out a piece of parchment from his cloak. It contained the directives from the higher-ups regarding the response to the Doppler.

“Here are the precautions! Even if you discover survivors, do not approach or speak to them recklessly. You must never separate from your squad members and act alone. Even when you need to relieve yourselves, you must move together. And… and…”

Regilion stumbled slightly over his words. Even he, a veteran who had served in the royal knight order for ten years, felt a tremor in his voice. In the face of an unprecedented disaster, maintaining composure was a challenge.

“Squad leaders, keep the Doppler detection equipment you’ve been assigned operational at all times. Report immediately if any reactions are detected. Squads 1 and 2 will head northwest towards the carts. Squads 3 and 4 will patrol the central road in the free development zone. The rest will inspect the harbor under my command. That is all.”

With the orders given, each unit set off to carry out their missions. A short while later, the adjutant who had been inspecting the harbor returned to report to Regilion.

“One cog ship docked at the harbor belongs to the Marcaponia family of the Empire. The purpose of their landing is still unclear.”

“What about the others?”

“The trade ship from the Claridium Mebwatch Guild, the Brotherhood of Clodinas. The last one is suspected to be associated with the Empire, but it has not been confirmed yet. It is certain, however, that they are not hostile forces.”

“Make contact with the troops stationed on each ship and propose cooperation. Find out if there has been any contact with the Guardian forces remaining in the northern part of the city.”

“Understood.”

“Is there any Doppler response at the harbor?”

“None so far.”

“Hmm, continue the operation.”

It was strange. According to the information from above, there should have been Doppler scattered throughout the city.

Regilion led his soldiers up the partially collapsed lighthouse. He scanned the surrounding area with a telescope, but nothing remarkable caught his eye.

Not even an hour had passed since the reconnaissance was sent out when the soldiers on outer patrol returned.

One soldier who had climbed directly to the lighthouse reported.

“In the free development zone on the outskirts… we found something.”

“What is it?”

“It’s… it’s…”

The soldier opened his mouth, yet the words failed to escape. His pupils were dilated, and his body trembled ever so slightly.

“W-well… there are signs of battle… no, of massacre. A large-scale slaughter.”

*

The imperial investigation team advanced, ready for combat, along the outskirts of Claridium.

This place had relatively fewer destroyed buildings, but sadly, there was nothing of particular value to preserve. The structures, plastered haphazardly with a mix of mud and mortar, bore the unmistakable marks of pioneer life.

They were traversing one of the areas deemed the slums of Claridium. The roads, partially collapsed from the force of explosions, were pooled with a murky, dark green liquid. The soldiers grimaced at the stench, some gagging or taking deep breaths to steady themselves.

In the midst of this, Regilion, leading the way, came to a halt.

The soldiers following the winding path soon stopped as well. Without a word, they collectively exhaled a sigh of despair.

“…Damn it.”

Before them lay countless corpses, sprawled out in grotesque disarray.

Severed limbs and flesh. Bodies piled up with no place to step. And in their necks, swords stood like grim monuments.

“It’s horrific.”

“Oh, my God.”

“What kind of madman…?”

Among the dead were some with adequate weaponry, but most appeared to be ordinary citizens, unrelated to any battle.

Regilion’s aide spoke up.

“It seems someone deliberately ambushed a group of civilians who had gathered during the evacuation.”

Most of the corpses were severely contaminated with an unidentifiable dark green liquid.

“It could be Dopplers; check the skeletons and organs of the bodies.”

The most intuitive and certain way to distinguish between a Doppler and a human was to cut open the abdomen. Dopplers could mimic human skeletons and organs poorly, but they could never truly resemble a human.

The soldiers grimaced as if they had bitten into a bug, plunging their knives into the corpses’ abdomens, beginning their grim task. A few with weaker stomachs had to step aside to vomit.

“The strange liquid has seeped into the subcutaneous tissue, causing severe contamination, but the organs and skeletons are human. It doesn’t seem to be a Doppler!”

“Who knows? Let’s finish the Doppler identification process.”

The soldiers rummaged through their pockets, pulling out reagents and began spraying them over the bodies one by one.

There were tales that if a corpse was left unattended for a fortnight, it would revert to its original Doppler form, but there was not enough time to wait for that.

Regilion examined each body marked with the reagents.

None reacted to the Doppler test. He turned to the forensic officer and asked.

“What has the highest accuracy?”

“The forensic gemstone and the spirit-use orb.”

“Is there any reaction among those?”

“…There is none.”

The investigators pressed their stones against each corpse that caught their eye, but nothing responded. That meant these were not Dopplers, but innocent citizens.

Then a soldier shouted.

“Outsiders approaching!”

From across the street, a dozen men were walking toward them.

They wore leather armor like hunters, crossbows and swords strapped to their backs. As their gazes met, they raised their hands, as if to show the imperial scouts they bore no ill will.

“…All units, stand by.”

Regilion stepped forward.

They approached, hands raised, swaying slightly as they walked. They widened their strides to avoid stepping on the corpses, making pained sounds as they did.

“Ugh, to think I’d see these again.”

“State your affiliation.”

“Ah, I’m not sure whether to welcome you or not. Given the circumstances…”

Regilion shot a glance at his lieutenant. The lieutenant pulled out a Doppler detection stone and shook his head. Having confirmed they were not Dopplers, he spoke.

“I will ask again. State your affiliation.”

“We are Rangers of the Mebwatch Guild. We heard the imperial soldiers had landed and came to investigate.”

“Why have you come to see us?”

“The city council ordered us to gather all available forces.”

“It’s surprising that the city council still exists in this hellscape.”

“Right? Those stubborn ones rushed to secure the treasury as soon as trouble broke out.”

“….”

“I see you’re conducting a Doppler investigation. Hmm… Is that a Red Snail reagent?”

“….”

The Ranger scratched his head and asked again.

“Isn’t it a reagent made from the helmet flower and Red Snail extract?”

“I have no obligation to answer you.”

“Yes, but that won’t matter. That combination has low reactivity, so it’s not used in Claridium. To put it simply, it’s outdated. Well, using something better wouldn’t really change much anyway.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You came here because you heard intelligence about a Doppler appearing, didn’t you?”

Regilion found himself at a loss for words as the mention of the imperial investigation team’s intelligence was brushed off as trivial.

“How did you acquire that information?”

“Is there truly a fool who steps into the fray without a shred of information, not even like the barbarians of the north? We were just the same. All forces that landed in Claridium last night are scouring Doppler as if hunting for vermin, yet not a single trace has been found. Not one.”

“…Are you saying the reports of Doppler having seized the city are false?”

“The provisional city council established in northern Claridium believes so. Other investigation teams from outside seem to share no dissenting opinions. Who spread such information to sow confusion, we do not know.”

Regilion found it strange that the magical tools, capable of sensing within dozens of meters, showed no response.

The soldiers of the Empire stood dumbfounded, blinking in disbelief.

“Then has the cause of the current situation been identified?”

“We have concluded the identification of the instigator based on the survivors’ testimonies.”

“…Is this group one with a grudge against the Empire?”

The ranger shook his head.

“Unlikely. As hard as it may be to believe, it appears to be an academy student.”

Regilion momentarily doubted his ears. The scale of the chaos was far too immense for the actions of a mere student. A few soldiers listening from behind glared at the ranger, spitting in disdain. They too seemed unconvinced.

“…Is that accurate?”

“They say the massive explosion in the city center, along with the massacre that occurred here, is all linked to a student from Eternia. There are so many witnesses that there’s no room for counterargument.”

“The scale is absurd for students to orchestrate.”

“They say it’s a prized pupil of a grand sorcerer. Apparently, they possess considerable skill. They managed to halt a rampaging sky galleon with some remarkable technique. But the fact that such a person is still lurking in the city is nothing short of chaos. The city council plans to hastily issue a condemnation statement and a bounty across the nations.”

“Are you saying… all of this was caused by a teenager?”

“I reiterate, the verification has already been completed.”

“If it’s a grand sorcerer, it might be a name I know.”

“Grand Sorcerer Silberin; you cannot possibly be unaware of that witch’s name.”

“Silberin, Silberin…”

He placed a hand on his waist and surveyed the corpses once more. It was a scene filled with incomprehensible elements. Until he confirmed it with his own eyes, he did not wish to jump to conclusions.

“Is there a possibility that the grand sorcerer is involved?”

“Not a chance. If they were in their right mind, they would draw a line. Strictly speaking, they have no blood ties to this. Why would they risk their reputation to defend someone? Sorcerers are far too calculating. This is a grave sin that no one can bear. They would treat it as a child they’ve cast out. If the grand sorcerer is involved, they would cut ties and flee.”

The ranger’s expression hardened.

“If it’s just an academy student, it shouldn’t take long to catch them.”

“Exactly. To think they would put all remaining forces into capturing that damned brat and offer a bounty that could buy an entire border territory of the Empire… They don’t seem like an easy target.”

The soldiers behind them stirred at the mention of the hefty bounty.

“Is the source reliable?”

“The mayor of Claridium addressed the survivors and remaining troops directly. He was shouting as if in a frenzy, insisting they must be killed. Well, with that kind of money on the line, it’s only a matter of time before that madman is caught.”

The ranger’s words were interrupted as a thunderous sound filled the sky, drawing their attention upward. Soon, other soldiers sensed the anomaly and looked to the heavens as well.

Wiiiiiing—

The sky was cloaked in darkness. Black objects, flying fiercely like a swarm of locusts, filled the air—Stitches, they were. There must have been thousands, at least.

“That’s….”

It seemed certain that these Stitches were carrying the proclamations and bounties the Ranger had spoken of. They circled the sky in large groups, then suddenly spread out in all directions—north, south, east, and west.

“They’re already scattering the bounties. They’ve turned every faction connected to this city into an enemy; that rookie’s life won’t last long.”

*

A group of paladins was running as if their feet were on fire.

Despite their bear-like physiques and imposing armor, they dashed forward in a panic, as if being chased by a beast.

In the fog-laden maze, it was a principle that Eternia forbade the entry of paladins into the labyrinth, but this time, it was an exception.

“This way! Hurry!”

After running for a while, a faint shape of a mansion finally emerged from the mist.

They paused for a moment, panting, assessing the situation. The outline of the mansion shimmered like a reflection on water.

Aurelius, the captain of Azelis’s guard, steadied his breath and closed his eyes, then opened them again. It wasn’t a trick of dizziness; the space around the thorn garden dormitory was indeed trembling.

It was the worst possible scenario.

Aurelius, tense, felt his mouth go dry and gulped water from his canteen.

As they ventured deeper into the fog, the figures of the librarians surrounding the thorn garden came into view.

They were casting a barrier to seal off the strange magical energy emanating from the thorn garden.

One of the librarians, spotting the paladins, rushed over, urgency in her voice.

“The situation is very dire.”

“Can you explain in detail?”

The role of the guard was to secretly protect Azelis when she was outside of Eternia. It was a principle that they did not interfere with matters occurring within Eternia itself.

“Azelis has been discovered while secretly seeking passage to Claridium and planning to stow away. She has been placed under house arrest.”

“….”

Aurelius felt his mind whirl, squeezing his eyes shut.

“She seems quite angry that things did not go as planned.”

Bang! Bang!

Just then, a heavy thud echoed from inside the mansion, striking the front door.

Soon after, Azelis’s voice rang out.

“Open the door! I said, open it!”

Bang bang! Bang bang!

Azelis’s fury surged forth, palpable and raw. To those who did not know her, it might seem like the rebelliousness of a small, delicate girl, but to those aware of her power, it was a situation that gnawed at the very edges of sanity.

The captain of the knights unfastened the sword at his waist and laid it on the ground, signaling his subordinates to stand by.

Aurelius had long memorized the manual for handling such situations.

He then pushed his body into the barrier. Slowly, he ascended the mansion’s staircase and stood before the front door.

“Azelis.”

No response came, but the sound of his knocking abruptly ceased. She was definitely listening.

“I am Aurelius, the one who has guarded you for the past three years.”

From beyond the door, Azelis’s sharp retort sliced through the air.

“I’ve never had a guard like you!”

It was no surprise that Azelis did not know their names. The guarding had always taken place outside her line of sight.

“This measure is for your safety, Azelis. I hope you can understand.”

“Your circumstances are none of my concern.”

“If you have any requests, we can….”

Azelis shouted fiercely from within.

“Bring me Damian!”

“…In order to ensure Lord Damian’s safety, the Eternia side is doing everything in its power….”

“Stop babbling and just bring him!”

“Your safety is paramount, but if you go there, it will only cause more trouble….”

Azelis’s voice erupted, filled with rage.

“If you can’t let me go, then you must bring him by any means necessary!!”

Kugugugugu—

The air shimmered, bursting forth like a shockwave. Aurelius lost his balance, staggering, and barely managed to steady himself by placing a hand on the ground.

Her power had not even fully manifested yet, but its force was terrifying.

Turning back, he saw the librarians who had been blocking Azelis’s magic collapsing one by one, beginning to vomit.

Those fallen librarians were immediately replaced, reinforcing the barrier.

Azelis’s spatial magic spread far and wide. If the waves reached beyond the labyrinth, her existence could be discovered. That was why the librarians had to desperately maintain the barrier.

If she learned to fully control her power, the next time, even the professors would have to stop what they were doing and rush to her aid.

“We have no other options.”

“Bring him! If Damian dies, I’ll kill you all, and then I’ll die too!”

With that, she began hurling various objects at the front door, creating a cacophony of noise.

“Bring him here!”

It was not a mere bluster. Azelis was a child unhesitant in realizing the words she spat out.

“I will convey your wishes to the Order immediately, my Lady.”

Aurelius felt as if he had been struck by a shockwave, his insides twisting painfully. He barely managed to suppress the turmoil within as he staggered down the stairs.

As he emerged from the barrier, his subordinates rushed to support him.

“You wish for your friend to be brought.”

“I heard you loud and clear, with that booming voice of yours. I thought perhaps you had changed a bit, but it seems you remain the same.”

“Isn’t this form more familiar to us? It’s just that it has been unusually quiet lately.”

Azelis’s guard recalled memories of the past. Though they had nearly forgotten since entering Eternia, this current demeanor was closer to Azelis’s true self.

“What do you intend to do about Azelis’s friend? Should we send support from the Order?”

He shook his head.

“There’s nothing we can do. If it’s a real problem… the Order doesn’t hold your friend in the regard you think they do. They might just leave him to die.”

The Order would simply believe that when a mishap occurred, they could provide a replacement. They had done so when a cherished doll went missing and when one of the nurses had perished.

The chances of Damian surviving in Claridium were slim. Seeking a substitute might be the most pragmatic alternative.

“Will Azelis accept that?”

He found it hard to answer. Damian was treated similarly to other beings Azelis had grown attached to, yet there were clear differences as well.

Perhaps she would accept it without a fight, or conversely, she could unleash an unprecedented fury. Azelis’s whims were beyond anyone’s prediction.

“…I don’t know. I truly don’t know.”

—