Chapter 48: Calamity

Lily Academy.
Even the name sent shivers down my spine. Perhaps it was Sister’s vivid stories, instilled in me since childhood, that fueled this fear. An institution of learning should focus on academics, not predatory pursuits. This academy’s version of “education” was clearly…different.

“Let’s try separating this inscription into its first form.”

The instructor drew a strange diagram on the chalkboard—complex yet elegant, a true work of art. It reminded me of…

Sister’s old drawings. They were different from the magical diagrams on the board, but equally beautiful. She’d stopped drawing one day, claiming she no longer needed to.

“This isn’t too difficult, is it?”

The students at the front nodded. Such simple exercises…was the instructor even qualified? I questioned this academy’s very purpose.

Even the girl next to me wasn’t taking it seriously. Was she even trying to learn?

I glanced at Linne. Chin in hand, staring out the window.

Typical delinquent.

Annoyed, I glared.

“What?”

“That cloud.”

A cloud? Seriously? I followed her gaze; a small, flat cloud.

“It looks like Ellie.”

It was…flat. Nothing like me. Trying to understand a simpleton was futile.

“Look, the mana is fluctuating.”

“Sure, whatever.”

I tuned out Linne’s ramblings and tried to focus on the lesson, but it was too basic.

“I’ll assign homework on this. No problem, right?”

I froze. Linne stiffened beside me.

Homework?

Had I misheard?

Linne’s equally horrified expression confirmed my fears.

How could I have forgotten? Classes meant tests. And tests meant…homework. I’d been so focused on the lessons themselves, I’d overlooked the inevitable.

“Unable to see the forest for the trees…what have I become?”

Linne’s dramatic lament made me think.

At least the homework wasn’t assigned yet. The other students might protest.

I looked at the front rows, hoping for some resistance, but my hopes were dashed. They all seemed to think it was…reasonable.

Were they all hallucinating?

“Alright then, this is due next class. It’ll be graded.”

A sheet of paper covered in strange symbols landed on my desk. Wasting precious paper on this…I wanted to lecture them on environmentalism. But I was just a student.

****

Break time after that torturous lesson. We had no time for relaxation.

“Sigh…”

“Haaa…”

“Ugh…”

We were united in our shared dread of the homework.

It looked time-consuming and tedious. And I couldn’t just…skim it. I wasn’t confident enough to wing the exam.

“Linne…”

“No.”

She knew what I was going to ask. I stared, dumbfounded.

“What do you mean, no?”

“I don’t know. Just…no.”

Her dismissive tone irritated me. I glared. She seemed to shrink under my gaze.

“It’s no use asking me to do your homework. I don’t get it either.”

“Haa? I wasn’t going to ask you.”

I’d ask someone…competent. Linne’s face turned red.

“And you’re so smart? We’re both screwed!”

“How dare you, you…commoner!”

We glared at each other, then stopped, noticing we were being observed.

“You two are always so close.”

A familiar, annoying voice. Flowing blue hair.

“Sara?”

Sara Drayce. From House Drayce, one of the four great ducal families. A pampered princess, her mind filled with useless knowledge.

“Sara, you’re a lifesaver!”

“Ellie, don’t tell me…”

I ignored Linne’s suspicious look and turned to Sara, the perfect solution to my problem. Her knowledge and status were valuable assets.

“I need a favor…”

****

Tap, tap.—

The rhythmic clicking of her fan.

“So…you want me to do your homework?”

Sara looked at us. I quickly corrected her.

“No, no. I was hoping we could do it…together.”

“Isn’t that the same thing? Well, it’s not a problem, but…”

Sara’s eyes twinkled.

“I’ll need a favor in return.”

She was definitely up to something…indecent.

“Don’t worry, Linne will do it.”

“What? Why me?”

This tactic had worked before. Linne was easily manipulated. I gave her a reassuring look.

“It’s for your own good too, Linne. Please?”

“Hmm…I’ll consider it if you do me a favor.”

“Ew, no!”

“What? Why not…?”

I recoiled defensively, and Linne’s face fell. Her intentions were obvious. That disgusting, perverted…

I ignored her and focused on Sara.

“Don’t worry, both of you. It’s nothing serious.”

“I’ll decide that.”

“If you keep this up, I might just…change my mind.”

“I’ve always wanted to…serve Sara.”

Hee hee hee. Ha ha ha. Amidst the laughter, a deal was struck.

“It’s really nothing. Just…visit my research lab sometime.”

“Research lab?”

“It’s more like a small room I was lucky enough to acquire.”

She said it humbly, but her tone betrayed her pride. She was a first-year, just like me! What made her so special? A pang of jealousy shot through me.

“Anyway, shall we take a look at this homework?”

“Yes!”

A spare research lab wasn’t much to ask from someone like Sara.

We gathered around the assignment.

“So, this is the first form, and then…”

Sara’s voice was soothing, like Sister’s lullaby.

“Huh…”

Slurp. I quickly wiped the drool from my mouth. I’d almost fallen asleep.

I glanced at Sara’s answer sheet, covered in strange symbols. It seemed impossible to copy, but
I wasn’t just anyone. I could easily replicate these childish scribbles.

I picked up a quill and started copying, glancing at her answer sheet occasionally. The blank page came alive under my hand.

Linne’s eyes widened, then she snorted,

“Hee hee, what is that? Did a kindergartner draw it?”

“What?! What about yours, then? I bet it’s even worse…”

I looked at Linne’s drawing, ready to mock her, and froze in shock.

“Did you…trace that…?”

“Not bad, huh?”

Her drawing was flawless, incredibly detailed and precise. Linne smirked, clearly proud of herself.

“Seriously, did you get Sara to draw it for you?”

“Ha ha, flattery will get you nowhere.”

I suppressed my frustration. It was just a drawing, not a big deal.

Sara also marveled at Linne’s drawing.

“I heard you applied to the Art Academy, Linne, but didn’t get in? What a shame.”

“Yeah, well, I wasn’t planning to go anyway.”

Their friendly banter irritated me. All I could do was copy the d*mn homework.