章 56: Chapter 56 – Mauve Dreams (1)
If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02
On an early morning, the first class of the day was an outdoor practical lesson in basic biology, and there I sat with Ellie towards the back of the students.
Even after the demon summoning incident, the students of the academy continued their daily lives unchanged.
In addition to learning that similar incidents had occurred outside, the academy was even more peaceful than before due to the strong measures taken by the principal to prevent further damage.
—POKE! POKE! POKE!
"Hmm…"
Although Ellie didn't outright strike up a conversation, she playfully poked me in the back with her finger, avoiding the gaze of others.
At first, I debated whether to stop her mischief, but after a night of restless dreams, I found myself dozing off and opted to let it be, hoping it might help.
I have realized one thing lately.
On the days I see Iris, I always have bad dreams.
Even if I don't go as far as talking to her like last time, as long as I just recognize her existence from afar, I will inevitably be tossing and turning throughout the night.
Even though I only caught a glimpse of her passing by yesterday, it led to my current sleepless state.
"Wow, look at that."
As I followed Ellie's pointing finger, the students in the front row, who were previously dozing off, erupted in admiration. In the center of the academy's forest clearing, a huge beast appeared, led by Professor Priscilla with reins in hand.
At first glance, it looked like just a big horse, but if you looked closely at its appearance, you could see several unusual features here and there.
It was about 1.5 times larger than a normal horse, had a jet-black muscular body, long horizontally slit blurry pupils, and a pair of horns that grew in a curved shape on both sides of the head.
It was a bizarre beast that looked like a cross between a horse and a goat.
"Oh, my, that's then…"
"But it seems to be following Professor Priscilla so well…"
Most of the students just gasped, but some of them seemed to have figured out its identity; they each whispered in a low voice to their friend sitting next to them, and the students who heard them also opened their eyes and looked surprised.
As the students' whispers showed no signs of calming down, Professor Priscilla, who had waited patiently, stepped forward to calm them down.
"Okay, I know you feel curious, but now it's time to focus. This beast in front of you is the subject of today's lecture. It may be unfamiliar, but it doesn't seem like there are no students who know its identity. Who would like to answer?"
"Me!"
"Yes, Harper. What is the name of this beast?"
"It's a Unicorn, Professor!"
When Professor Priscilla nodded at Harper's answer, a commotion began to break out among the students again, even more than before.
"Quiet! Why is the atmosphere so chaotic? I will penalize students who continue to make noise."
However, Professor Priscilla once again silenced the students and continued the lecture as if nothing had happened.
Although it looked ferocious in appearance, Unicorns were beasts that followed humans very well, their strength was so strong that it could be used more efficiently than horses in many ways, their horns and leather could be used as ingredients for valuable potions, etc.
As the long lecture neared its end, each student had time to ask Priscilla their own questions; and near the end of the Q&A, a female student raised her hand and asked a somewhat unique question.
"Professor, as far as I know, unicorns are extremely rare, so I'm curious how the academy was able to secure this one."
"It was donated to the academy by Miss Evangeline for educational purposes."
"No way…!"
"Oh my god…"
Professor Priscilla's answer stirred up the atmosphere among the students. Shocked male students and blushing female students were scattered throughout, displaying a mix of emotions.
However, unlike the silence that followed earlier, Professor Priscilla, this time, raised her voice and sternly addressed the students.
"Enough. I was wondering if I should say it, but it seems like it would be better to make it clear. I'm sure you're all aware of the bad jokes that are going around about unicorns, but as intellectuals, you should never be swayed by such rumors, or spread them around. The personal preferences regarding unicorns vary widely among individuals, and any association with inappropriate jokes or behaviors is strictly forbidden."
Professor Priscilla began her long explanation again, but the two male students a little in front of Ellie and I paid no heed and were still talking among themselves.
"I heard that the current head of the Monster Academy is covering up the truth about the unicorn. Do you know what kind of rumors that person has? Last time…"
"Derek. I told you so, but you still haven't come to your senses? You will get 20 penalty points. And after class, follow me to the office."
"Ah…"
However, Professor Priscilla did not miss the small whispers of the students, and in an instant, several students piled up penalty points.
And in the last hour of the practice, the students had a chance to give hay to the unicorn, and the unicorn, which had maintained a calm attitude, approached some students as if it was almost hugging, and there was a commotion.
And when it was Ellie's turn, the unicorn spat on her and then showed signs of kicking her with her hind legs, prompting Professor Priscilla to take control with the reins.
* * * * *
"I can see it…"
Late at night, deep within the deserted mountains on the academy grounds. Before me, something resembling fluffy white tufts was floating gently, changing its trajectory around me as if defying gravity.
As I poked the tuft with my finger, it was startled and leaped into the air, gradually becoming translucent and disappearing beyond the empty space; the tuft was gone, but its warmth still remained at the tips of my fingers.
"I finally see it… Oh my God, is this a spirit?"
Except for the days I rested due to demonic mana, I've consistently continued practicing handling Lakisia's Eye in this place. But in the past few days, I have been feeling a strong feeling of something coming up, and it seems that I have finally awakened my spirit eyes today.
Once the spirit eyes are awakened, there is no need to use mana to draw it into the eyes as before, and the ability is always activated.
Now, of course, I can see the spirits, and all abilities related to the eyes have been permanently improved.
—BOUNCE!!!
Suddenly, I feel warmth on my palm. Looking down, the white tuft that had fled earlier has returned. Once again, I touch it with my finger, and this time, it doesn't escape but instead gently brushes against my finger.
From the empty air, numerous tufts gradually take shape, becoming dozens of spirits. They vary in size and color, from small bird eggs to large duck eggs, appearing in shades of white, brown, and blue.
It seems like the spirit from earlier didn't run away but went to call its friends. Perhaps they recognized a human who could see them.
However, as far as I know, the spirits' colors depend on their attributes—white for air, brown for earth, and blue for water. But what about fire? I can't seem to find any red-colored spirits. Maybe I need to go near a blacksmith or forge to find fire spirits in a place like this mountain.
As I take a step, the spirits hop and bounce, following me. Sitting down on the ground, they jostle for space on my lap, playfully bumping into each other.
"They're really cute… but can they communicate…?"
It's funny that they do something that makes me laugh out loud, but anyway, I have to use them somehow.
Once I master spirit magic, I can surpass my mana limits and cast spells related to their attributes.
But I can't ask this to anyone…
"Should I at least look for a book at the library…"
Whether or not they understand my thoughts, the spirits keep hopping around on my lap.
After trying for hours, I couldn't find a solution and eventually, I decided to settle for today, content with my eyes having awakened.
While I was groaning and thinking, the spirits were repeatedly gathering and dispersing among themselves, forming several large clumps.
When I tapped one of them with my finger, the spirit did not run away but instead came into my arms; the warm, fluffy sensation brought an overwhelming sense of tranquility and peace.
As more tufts rushed towards me, I found myself surrounded by soft fallen leaves below and warm tufts above. Unintentionally, I closed my eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep.
* * * * *
—BAMMM!
"Really… how much farther is this… this is the opposite direction from the main building…"
—KRKKK!
"Ugh… I wasn't even listening… what a hassle, seriously."
In the ambitious night, a girl was walking along a narrow forest path, relying on the faint moonlight. The girl's verdant green hair and eyes reflected the moonlight, creating a mysterious atmosphere. Floating in front of her, a small tuft seemed to guide her, maintaining a distance as it led the way.
"If I get caught by the dorm mother, it'll be a big deal… Should I turn back now?"
—KRKKKK!
"Okay, okay, I get it. Why are you so stubborn today…"
When the tuft insisted, the girl shook her head, reluctantly continuing her steps. Normally, even if a spirit were to be stubborn, it wouldn't lead her to such antics. However, the girl's heart has been full of loneliness and uncertainty lately, prompting impulsive actions.
Thinking back on what happened earlier, the girl pouted and muttered to herself.
"Hmph, Eugene is such a fool. Why would he follow Hailee like that just because girls from good families are looking for him? Fine. It's enough if I have new friends."
Contrary to her words, the girl's heart was filled with uneasiness.
Even after entering the academy, she had only been with her childhood friend Eugene, so she didn't have a decent social circle, which was the most important thing at the beginning of the semester.
Now, even if she tried to get to know other people, they already had their own groups, so she was left alone in the middle.
Her introverted personality made it impossible for her to break through that barrier.
Come to think of it, it was annoying.
While she has been following Eugene just for the sake of their childhood friendship, Eugene has managed to befriend the refined young ladies of good households.
Lately, she can't recall when she saw him privately outside of class. Left alone at the academy, her only solace comes from the spirits.
"…It's too much. Seriously, this is too much. What kind of childhood friend is he…"
Perhaps feeling a touch of melancholy, the girl's voice became increasingly moist. Wiping her eyes with her hands, she saw a large rock up ahead, and the tuft was bouncing on it as if guiding her.
It seems that the place where the tuft wanted to take her was right there.
But why did it bring her here?
…..Since I've come this far, I should find out the reason for sure.
If she just goes back, she'll feel even more depressed and won't be able to sleep properly.
After gathering her thoughts, the girl hurried her steps and approached the rock with the tuft.
"If you're playing around again, I'm going to get really angry this time…"
However, the girl's words couldn't be finished.
As she approached the rock, the back, which had been hidden by the shadow, became visible, and a very unrealistic-looking landscape unfolded before the eyes of the girl who had forgotten what to say.
There, in the middle of the fallen leaves and spirits, was a person who was deeply asleep, buried in them.
If you want to read the first 25 chapters for free and read up to the final chapter for a cheap price patreon.com/Makima02
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット