Doggone Academy

Chapter 81 The Shadow (4)

Liria and I briefly expressed our gratitude before we lastly approached the upperclassman who had led me to the training grounds.

Thank you. Im not sure how to repay you

She crossed her arms and smirked.

Cute.

Pardon?

No need for repayment. More importantly, have you decided on a special skill activity?

Not yet, Im still looking into it.

If you really want to repay me, then come hang out at the arts department. Ah, and this isnt me pressing you to join. Just come and visit.

May I ask your name?

No need to know. Im off. Bye!

The enigmatic upperclassman left as swiftly as she had appeared.

Maybe I should have offered her a piece of candy.

Liria, who had been standing by somewhat absentmindedly, seemed to remember something and tugged at my sleeve.

Excuse me Damian, I have something Im curious about

What is it?

Liria cautiously asked.

Your expression looked so down Was it because you were mad about other guys approaching me?

She looked up at me rather slyly. The look in her eye seemed to hold more expectancy than concern for my feelings.

Yes, I was very worried.

Upon hearing this, Lirias face brightened, seemingly thrilled.

Really?!

Of course.

Then could it be that

What is it?

Ah, um, are you jealous?

Liria drew a deep breath and looked at me with sparkling eyes.

I avoided a direct answer, feigning not to hear. It seemed better to leave the rest to her imagination.

Lets get moving. Ill show you around the dorm and campus. Dont want you getting lost again next time.

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But Liria was unfazed. She seemed contented just to have put me on the spot and sported a sunny smile.

Thats wonderful!

***

After moving the items Liria brought into my room at Witthrush Hall, we went for a walk around the living hall area. Several students cast curious glances at the sight of a young girl in a maids uniform strolling alongside me.

Neither Liria nor I were particularly concerned. Liria lamented not wearing prettier clothes but soon forgot about it, chatting cheerily with me throughout the walk.

And the stroll was beneficial for me as well. With Lirias help, I was able to discharge the lingering malice from my battle with the dark mage and find some emotional respite.

While walking past the central fountain of the living hall, someone called out my name loudly from behind.

Damian!

A girls voice I recognized. I turned around with Liria to see where the voice came from.

From a small garden lined with multicolored flowers, Trisha was smiling broadly and waving her hand at me. She quickly glanced around her and then hastened towards me.

And at that moment, Liria clung closely to me, subtly grasping the fabric of my clothing as if she had just encountered an alien creature and was frightened.

She cautiously asked me,

Do you know her?

Yes.

As Trisha came to a halt before us, her eyes widened at the sight of Liria. For a brief moment, their gazes intertwining uncomfortably silent. I didnt expect the normally lively Trisha to be silent.

I broke the silence.

What are you doing here?

Well I heard you were discharged, so I was waiting to show you around the drama club. But who is this person with you?

Oh, this is Liria, a maid from the professors house where I reside.

Then I also introduced Trisha.

And this is a classmate from the same dormitory

As I hesitatingly described Trisha, she interjected.

A friend, Damians first friend he made at Eternia.

Thats right. This is Trisha, the first friend I made after enrolling.

Strictly speaking, Cecil was first, but thats not really significant.

The word friend seemed to trigger Liria, who then gripped my clothes a little tighter.

Trisha was the first to curtly greet Liria.

Um, nice to meet you.

Liria responded with a nod and opened her mouth.

Hello It seems youre close with Damian. You both speak so casually

Yeah. It just happened.

L-Listen How did you become friends with Damian?

Caught off guard by the question, Trisha blinked several times before replying.

We ended up in the same hospital room. I was discharged early, but he was lying there all alone without anyone coming for him. So I took care of him and nursed him until I left; thats how we became friends.

Liria mulled over her words before bowing slightly and saying,

Thank you for taking care of Damian.

Its almost like were best friends.

Just in case something similar happens again to Damian, could you call me? Its my duty given by the professor to care for him, and Im well aware of the herbal medicine and potions he requires, as well as his sensitivities.

Lirias tone was a tad stiff. Trishas lips twitched faintly in response.

I can also take care of him well, so dont worry too much. I know his body just as well. I could recite from memory just where his moles are.

Both Liria and I fell silent, words failing us.

The hand Liria had on my clothing now trembled with tension. Seemingly embarrassed by her own reaction, she quickly let go and hid her hands behind her back.

Trishas demeanor seemed to have struck a nerve with Liria. This sensitivity was new to me.

Both Liria and Trisha were acting differently than I was used to, with different tones and atmospheres.

Feeling an odd tension between them, I intervened.

Are we done with intros? I dont have much time, I actually want to check out the drama club now. Shall we go?

Ah, yes. Wait here too long and some dance club seniors might drag me away. They told me to wait and said theyd be back. Lets make a quick exit.

Did you do something wrong?

As Trisha coiled a lock of her hair around her finger and shot Liria a side glance before turning towards me and giving a playful wink, she said.

No. They want me to join the dance club. Im popular, thats why.

She seems more confident nowadays, perhaps from meeting so many people. And somewhat enjoying it, too.

Come on! Ill be your guide.

With that, Trisha turned and started walking ahead.

Moving to follow her, I felt an emptiness at my side Liria hadnt followed. Looking back, I found her standing miserably in place with a sulky expression.

Liria?

Whats wrong?

Its nothing

Her expression and demeanor said otherwise, suggesting there definitely was something.

Womens moods seem to fluctuate even with the smallest discussions. Truly complex creatures.

I sighed softly and approached her, taking her wrist.

Well talk later. For now, lets explore together. Itll be fun.

***

Trisha gave me a tip beforehand.

You have to speak super quietly here.

The stage was abuzz with rehearsal. The theater had opened to general students for a while as part of promotion for the drama club to allow observation of the rehearsals.

We took our seats close to the stage at the front of the auditorium. Others were scattered sparsely throughout as well.

Inside the theater, not a single ray of sunlight penetrated.

Instead, the strong light of a magic crystal beamed down on the stage. The refracted light gently spread below the stage and precisely cut off at the point reaching us in the audience.

The seating area was plunged into complete darkness, which made it feel as if everything else was erased, leaving only the stage floating in this world.

On stage, the actors rehearsed, holding their scripts in one hand and reciting their lines.

Although it is unclear what mechanisms were involved, sounds from the stage, no matter how subtle, carried to the audience as if whispered in the ear.

One could even hear actors breathing, the rustle of fabric, and footsteps, assuming ones senses were attuned enough.

It was my first time attending a theater. The somewhat exaggerated gestures and tones pulled me into the performance, adding to the novelty and engagement.

Liria seemed even more profoundly impressed than myself. She was engrossed in every gesture of the actors like she had discovered something new and wondrous.

Soon, more people trickled into the theater, and the audience seats slowly filled up.

There are quite a few people here to watch.

In response to my casually tossed comment, Trisha, seated to my right, whispered back.

The drama club and the dance club are both really popular, so its always fiercely competitive to get in.

That made sense. Having seen the stage once, I could understand why society so adored actors. They seemed to become the protagonists of the world. This was impressive enough for just a rehearsal, so a full performance must be extraordinary.

Trisha hesitated before adding one more thing.

And both of those clubs made a big fuss about wanting me to join.

I looked at Trisha intently and said,

Was all this just to brag in the end?

Her eyes curled into crescents, and familiar dimples appeared on her cheeks as she laughed. Then she turned my chin forward and whispered in my ear again.

Your first friend here is really popular.

It sounded almost as if she was proud. Not sure why her popularity should be my concern, but it wasnt unpleasant.

I played along appropriately.

I wonder whatll happen once they see your true form.

Trisha laughed silently and lightly hit my shoulder before whispering excitedly.

Theyd die because Im so pretty.

Had I been unaware and heard that, I might have thought it terribly narcissistic, but knowing the basis of her confidence, I somewhat understood.

Mulling over how to respond, Liria, seated to my left, tentatively tugged at my clothing.

Turning my head, I saw Liria, who previously had been focused on the stage, now staring at me with a look that bore all the sorrow in the world.