Chapter 3: The Shadow of Summer
Chapter 3: The Shadow of Summer
AS someone repeating her past life, Oriana found some advantages to her situation. Most notably, her academic progress. She didn’t fully understand all the ins and outs, but since she already knew the material, her classes were basically just review. She understood almost everything the teacher said, which meant she didn’t feel panicked and, outside of some inconveniences, she’d even call it enjoyable.
Oriana’s worst subject in her previous life was herbology. Yes, she was only dealing with plants. But they were still living things and she hated knowing her own failings would result in their deaths.
Fortunately, Oriana wasn’t going in blind this time; she’d learned from her prior missteps. Now, she understood the different species’ unique needs—such as where they should be stored or how much water they should be given. She was able to care for them naturally, without undue anxiety.
Herbology lessons were held in the classroom, practice room, field, or the conservatory. The latter was constructed entirely from glass. At night, it looked like something out of a fairytale, lit by lanterns that resembled stars glowing in the darkness.
The conservatory was located some distance from the main school building, and it was surrounded by fields of vegetables and herbs used in a number of different courses. Traveling to the fields and changing into work clothes ate up a lot of time, so field work was generally conducted in half-day intervals, either during the morning or the afternoon.
“My muscles are definitely gonna feel this tomorrow morning.”
They were working in the herb field today, and the one grumbling under his breath as he tilled the earth with his hoe was Derek Turkey. He was a fourth-year and the Special Class president. He was a kind boy, albeit unremarkable—but that was actually part of his charm.
Their class was split into six groups to divide plant roots, but the boys were handling the hard labor. Professor Heinz was the one who’d paired them up. He had disheveled hair, a dark five o’clock shadow growing in, and his white lab coat was covered in stains, hanging loosely off his shoulders. He was easy to talk to but lacked the authoritative presence one might expect of someone in his position. His detached demeanor didn’t do his reputation any favors either.
“Thanks,” Oriana said to Derek, “and sorry about the work. We’ll leave the tilling to you.”
“Nah, it’s okay. You girls have it tough with those weeds too.”
Oriana was in charge of pulling out all the weeds from the area where they were going to transplant these herbs. She rubbed her sore lower back. Beside her, Marina Leroy—a girl from the same group—followed suit.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to stand tomorrow,” Oriana groaned.
“Forget tomorrow, I’m worried about this afternoon!” Marina grumbled.
“I hear you,” Oriana concurred.
When Oriana paused to wipe her sweat with her sleeve, it left a smudge of dirt on her face. She hesitated, debating whether to pull off her glove and wipe it away or not, but finally gave up and turned her gaze back to the weeds. Meanwhile, the other students babbled all around her.
“I want a magical implement that can till, pull the weeds, and dig out rocks on its own. Aahh, a guy can dream…”
“Who knows how much it’d even cost to get magic paper big enough to conjure such a thing! Plus, there’s no way it would be able to do the entire field.”
People used such paper to draw magic circles, which served all kinds of purposes in different fields of study. Sadly, this paper was only good for a single use, and they likely didn’t make rolls of it big enough to cover the length of an entire field.
“Come on, magic! I need you to evolve to a higher level.”
“In the future, it’ll be up to us to make those kinds of advancements.”
“Assuming we did have such a large piece of magic paper, what would you write, Miss Elsha?”
Before Oriana could respond, the other students chimed in.
“Hm… Assuming it’d cover the whole field, maybe ‘Wave.’ That would enable it to till and take out the rocks. Of course, we wouldn’t know for sure unless we tested it out.”
“Isn’t the whole premise of needing an enormous sheet of magic paper a bit too restrictive in the first place?”
“Well, then what would you do? Use your magic instead to move it until you run out of mana?”
“No, I don’t mean you should move the paper. I mean you should attach the paper to something that already can be moved.”
“What, like a hoe or something?”
Despite still holding farming implements in their hands, Oriana’s classmates were launching into a magic debate. It wasn’t exactly surprising behavior for a class full of elite mages, but it was definitely something Oriana had never seen before in her previous life with Class 2.
They sure do have a lot of energy.
Oriana’s chest tightened as she remembered her friends from back then. Occasionally, she’d overhear them in the courtyard laughing among themselves, and her heart would ache. Oriana wanted to laugh along with them like she used to, but she didn’t have the time to meet them and cultivate friendships all over again.
Right now, she wanted to pour all her effort into Vincent.
“So what would you write on your hoe then, huh? ‘Feet’? Then all we’d have is a walking hoe!”
“Wonder if there’s another Kahn rune that might work better. Y’know, something to make it dart around more, give its movement a bit more oomph.”
The debate was getting heated.
Oriana only really knew the basics of the subject at hand and had no ambition to learn more, so she’d no desire to participate in these types of conversations.
As she listened to their quibbling, she thought to herself, But if I were to write something, maybe the rune for “Sway.” Oriana didn’t bother voicing her idea, however. Fourth-year students hadn’t yet been taught about those kinds of magic circles.
While she silently kept weeding the field, the other students eventually went back to work.
❦❦❦
ALL of the students were busily working, the sun beating down on them, when cheers suddenly erupted from one of the other fields.
Something must have happened, Oriana guessed.
She looked up and immediately figured out whose group was involved—the one with Vincent and Miguel.
“Wonder what that’s all about.”
“Don’t tell me they’re already finished?”
“Let’s take a short break,” Derek said, flopping back onto the ground.
The five boys in their group were overseeing all the tilling, and despite it being a small field for medicinal herbs, it was still exhausting work. Not many mages were brawny warrior types, mainly since magic required no physical strength.
“I just went and asked what’s going on and get this: they said they found something in the ground!” Marina came racing back to report, having slipped away at some point to snoop for answers. “From what I can tell, Mister Tanzine was the one who discovered it. Seems it’s like a rock, but it may actually be something special. Professor Heinz said he’d go ask Professor Wilton about it later.”
“Maybe a relic from the dragons?”
“Possibly, since he said it seems like a rock.”
“Wait, does that mean this’ll become huge news and the herb fields will be sectioned off?”
“What, seriously? After all the tilling we’ve done?!”
“You’ve gotta be kidding me.”
The boys hung their heads, leaning their weight against their hoes.
“Professor Heinz said we might see more like it pop up in the other fields, so we should keep an eye out,” Marina said.
“What?” Derek gaped. “No way. We don’t have the time or energy to waste on that.”
Telling them to keep an eye out really meant he wanted them to go back over the work they’d already done. The students had pulled out any rocks they came across while tilling and randomly tossed them aside. It’d be impossible to tell which rocks had come from which field at this point. Nonetheless, they would have to comb through all the rocks near their respective fields.
“Mister Tanzine sure is incredible,” someone blurted out, triggering a slew of people who shared the same sentiment.
“Yeah, we may be in the same class, but he’s a step above the rest of us.”
“And he’s even nice to commoners like me!”
“I know exactly what you mean, but he is kinda hard to approach. It’s like he’s from a different world.”
“Oriana, you’re pretty incredible yourself, doggedly pursuing him the way you do!”
“Ahahaha…”
Doggedly pursuing… Well, her classmates weren’t mistaken about that, at least. There was no denying how persistently Oriana went after Vincent.
“You don’t find him intimidating?”
“Huh? Intimidating?” Oriana echoed. “No, not in the least! Vincent isn’t the type to get mad at someone simply for striking up a conversation with him.”
“Well, it’s not like I think he’d get mad, but he’s hard to approach…”
Oriana was shocked. She knew the underclassmen found Vincent scary, but she never realized that even his fellow classmates felt the same. Although, prior to becoming acquainted with him in her original timeline, Oriana had thought the same thing.
While they were in the same year, there’d been few opportunities for them to interact since they were of opposite sexes and in different classes. She’d no personal interest in him back then either, so she hadn’t gone out of her way to approach him. People only ever spoke positively about him. The way they’d built him up made him seem like a distant star, shining far beyond her reach.
“Oh, I see,” said Oriana, “but I don’t think Vincent’s any different than the rest of us. He’s just like any other seventeen-year-old boy.”
Perhaps she only had that impression of him now because she’d lived through this all once before. Unconsciously, she’d started viewing her fellow students from a distance, as if from a birds-eye view. It was an isolating experience, but Oriana had accepted it as a natural consequence of this being her second life.
“He’s no different from the rest of us. The reason he’s able to keep up with his studies and show such kindness is because he’s put in the effort,” Oriana stated confidently.
Vincent had outstanding grades, but he wasn’t born with that knowledge. Admittedly, he wasn’t like Oriana; he didn’t pore over books to obtain knowledge several years ahead of his current level. But he did work hard. Oriana knew that because she’d spent the last four years at his side.
If only I had put in more effort back then…
In her previous timeline, Oriana thought she could get away with only doing what was required. She’d never felt the need to push herself.
I never dreamed that being in the same class as him would change everything.
It wasn’t until this second time around that she’d learned how enjoyable it was being able to walk to classes together.
Back then, he would go out of his way to visit me during our short breaks.
Oriana never realized then how much effort he’d expended in their relationship, and as she looked back, her heart filled with guilt. Inwardly, she clasped her hands and apologized to him.
You really did love me…!
Although there were many things she could no longer experience, her new life did afford her opportunities she’d never had before. For instance, Vincent actually acted his age in front of her and Miguel. In her previous life, he’d only ever shown her his affectionate side. Part of that could be attributed to how much work he put into their relationship. He wanted to be kind to her—to look good in her eyes—so he did his utmost to be gentle.
It is sad that he doesn’t put in the same amount of effort now, but I am pleased—no, maybe even way happier—that I get to see his genuine self!
Ultimately, as long as she could be close to Vincent, nothing else mattered.
“I bet if you invited him to ramen, he’d be happy to oblige,” Oriana said to her classmates.
“You’re kidding! I can’t imagine Mister Tanzine eating ramen!”
Ramen was a new item on the cafeteria menu that had recently grown popular. A chef who’d only just returned from a trip abroad invented the dish. It’d become a fast favorite for Oriana, since she loved all noodle dishes.
The only downside is I have to avoid Vincent after I eat it because of the smell.
Food was just as important to her as love, especially since Oriana had waited four whole years for ramen to finally come to the cafeteria.
“No, I do not eat ramen.”
“Oh, huh. So he doesn’t eat it— Wait, Vincent?!” Oriana’s hand froze as she pulled out another weed. She whipped her head around to find Vincent staring down at her. “Oh wow! You look super cute in your work clothes!”
“Whatever you say.” He glanced at her briefly and shook his head.
When Oriana rose to her feet, he faltered, retreating back a step. Undeterred, she pressed closer and peered into his face, tilting her head.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “You’re not getting close to heatstroke, are you?”
“What? Why would you say that?”
“Because your cheeks are a bit red.”
His cheeks flushed even more, an embarrassed look flickering across his face for only a moment before he lifted a sleeve to wipe the sweat from his brow.
“It’s nothing,” he said.
“It’s not nothing! Let’s drink some water. This isn’t good! Not when your body may already be weak.”
“My body is not weak,” Vincent huffed. “How can you even look at me and say that?”
Because I saw your corpse firsthand, Oriana thought, but since she couldn’t say that, she simply furrowed her brow.
She peeled off her glove, which was caked in mud, and slipped a hand into her pocket. After pulling out a handkerchief, she dabbed it against Vincent’s forehead to mop up the sweat. Threadbare and frayed as the fabric was, Vincent didn’t knock her hand away. Instead, he patiently stood there.
“Just be careful,” she warned. “Let’s at least go get you some water to drink.”
“Later. I came here for a reason and I need to see that through first.”
“Oh, that’s right. What did you come here for?”
Vincent turned toward the other students. They all flinched, nervously staring back at him. He offered them a graceful smile as he gently explained, “Professor Heinz sent me to deliver a message. He asks that you all keep on your guard since you may run across unfamiliar items while tilling your field.”
The group exchanged looks. Marina had already shared that information with them after she’d snuck off to snoop.
“All right, we will.”
“Very well; I must be off to inform the other groups.” Vincent spun on his heel and started to walk away.
“Vincent! Water! Drink some water before you go!”
“Please don’t follow me.”
In contrast to his polite attitude with the other students, Vincent curtly rebuffed Oriana. It did nothing to discourage her. Oriana continued after him, having no intention of relenting until she saw him take a drink.
❦❦❦
AFTER Oriana left, Marina and the others began whispering among themselves.
“When all the fuss started, a bunch of people slipped away to see what was happening. I’ll bet everyone else already knows the situation.”
“You don’t seriously think Professor Heinz would send Mister Tanzine around to all the groups just to deliver that message, do you?”
“Nah, if he was gonna have anyone act as errand boy, he’d pick another student, I’m sure.”
“But don’t you kinda get the feeling that he came to our group on purpose?”
“Speaking of which, when Miss Elsha started saying that stuff about Mister Tanzine being a normal seventeen-year-old, he was standing right there!”
“No way! You should’ve said something sooner!”
“Like I could say anything! I mean, his face was bright red!”
Their faces flushed, they all squealed quietly to themselves, squirming around until Oriana returned.
❦❦❦
NIGHTS are always the worst. Probably since I was so certain I’d be able to see him again…
After jumping back through time, Oriana had found herself back in her seven-year-old body. She hadn’t reentered the Academy until she was thirteen. All through the six years in between, she’d dreamed of her reunion with Vince—of the day when he’d gently wrap his arms around her once more.
Moonlight poured in from the window, stretching its fingers toward her bed. Yana occupied the top bunk, Oriana the bottom one. Judging by her deep, rhythmic breathing, Yana was already fast asleep.
Oriana slipped out from her bed and wandered over to sit in a chair by the window. She pulled some perfume from her shelf and sprayed it on her sleeve. The aroma of cedarwood enveloped her. No matter how similar, it didn’t smell the same as Vincent.
Her longing for him only deepened on nights like this.
I miss Vince! I knew you could never be reunited with someone once you lost them, but when I got this second chance at life, I couldn’t help hoping. I thought…maybe I could be with him once more.
No matter how much she loved him, this Vincent wasn’t the same as her Vince. This Vincent didn’t share her memories and didn’t possess the deep love for her that Vince had. Their lives and relationships with her were completely different.
But…I still find myself wanting to sit beside him.
She wanted to fix his tie for him when it was crooked. To bury her face in his neck when she felt embarrassed. To pay him back for all his acts of kindness.
All of that’s beyond my reach now.
Oriana’s new relationship with Vincent involved constant tension and a sense of responsibility. There were nights when she couldn’t help and desperately wanted to return to the time when he showered her with affection.
I want him to hold me. To tell me everything’s okay. To tell me I’ve done a good job. I want him to stroke my head and…
Her fingers brushed across her lips. The cedarwood smell flooded her nose and her eyes filled with tears.
“Vince…” she whispered softly into the darkness.
❦❦❦
AMANECER was a country protected by dragons. In ages long past, these same dragons had given their blood as a blessing, and it was only their descendants who could hold the prestigious title of duke.
There were eight dukedoms, one corresponding to each dragon, and Vincent was the oldest son of the Amethyst Dragon Duke. He’d one day inherit his father’s property and title and with it, the duty of managing the land and its people. Gaining the relevant knowledge for managing a region was already difficult enough, but as the son of the Amethyst Dragon Duke, Vincent also had to undergo a rigorous magical education.
Prior to attending the Academy, he had a tutor who taught him the basics in agricultural and woodland management, finances, and the ins and outs of commerce as well. After entering Lagen Magic Academy, he’d spent most of his time learning magic, but his longer breaks were dedicated to studying regional administration.
Vincent was quick to absorb knowledge and needed only a little experience to fully comprehend a topic, making it easy for him to meet everyone’s expectations. He had no difficulty sussing out what people wanted from him, and traveling the path his parents had laid out for him proved to be no challenge. Vincent obeyed their commands and received the education they wanted for him.
Having had the rules of the aristocracy impressed upon him from an early age, Vincent didn’t find true freedom until he came to the Academy, where he’d walk about freely, like the whole place was his vast garden.
Vincent could sense a presence approaching from the other side of the wall. How long had it been since he’d first noticed it anyway?
His eyes were closed as he lay stretched out across the sofa, but he pried them open slightly.
Currently, he was in a small lounge in the eastern building. He’d discovered it by accident as a first-year. It’d been covered in dust at the time, meaning it’d been disused for many years.
When he wanted to be alone, Vincent came here. If he frequented the place too much, he risked it being discovered, so he limited his visits. Yet, at some point, he’d started sensing a presence outside his tiny lounge. The person in question had to be listening quietly because they would flee at his slightest movement. He had managed—just once—to successfully sneak a peek at them.
The snooper was—of course—Oriana Elsha.
There were two questions that gnawed at him: Why was she coming here? And why did she never try to come inside?
Vincent was always wary of prying eyes when he came here. He found it hard to believe anyone could’ve followed him since he was always so cautious, but that was the only explanation.
She followed me all the way here?
Like any normal person, he found that unsettling.
Vexed, he’d tried to find another oasis, but it annoyed him to have to change his habits just because of Oriana. He decided to ignore her instead. For a while, he waited on tenterhooks, wondering when she’d brazenly burst through the door and welcome herself inside. But over the past four years, she’d never once intruded. The fact that she fled the moment she sensed him moving indicated she didn’t want him to know she was ever there.
I suppose it doesn’t matter, as long as she doesn’t try talking to me.
But that thought had only lasted a short time, and gradually, he’d begun wondering: Is she really never going to come inside?
If she did intrude, it’d be just the two of them.
This would be the perfect opportunity for her to make a move, given she claims to have feelings for me.
Today was like all the others. He’d stilled his breathing and waited, but there was no sign of her even so much as putting her hand on the doorknob. Instead, she listened quietly on the other side, as if checking to make sure he was there.
Maybe she’ll change her mind and decide to come in today.
Vincent laid completely still, waiting for the doorknob to turn. Although he was irked at himself for so eagerly anticipating her intrusion, he continued pretending to sleep as he waited.
Like every day before, the door never opened.
❦❦❦
“Viiiinceeeent!”
Oriana barely finished calling his name before flying into Vincent from behind. He normally never even flinched at the impact, but today, he actually lost his balance. Panicked, Oriana peeled herself away.
“Are you all right?! Are you hurt somewhere?” she asked, face growing pale as she began examining every inch of him.
The other students in the hallway watched sidelong as she felt him up. They dismissed it as her usual antics.
“Enough, Elsha.”
“B-But you’re…”
Oriana had both hands cupped around his cheeks and was trying to press their foreheads together when he snapped at her again.
“I said enough!”
Reluctantly, she pulled away. Vincent grimaced and glanced at her for a moment before sighing.
“I simply lost my balance. Don’t embarrass me like that.”
“I’m sorry,” Oriana murmured. Despite her apology, she wasn’t satisfied with his answer.
Did he really only stumble because I caught him off guard?
She was far more sensitive than most when it came to Vincent and his health.
“You really aren’t hurt anywhere? You don’t need to go to the infirmary?”
“He’s fine, Oriana. Just a little fatigued from the summer heat,” Miguel said with a laugh as he stood beside Vincent. There was a lollipop stick jutting out between his lips as usual, and it bounced up and down as he spoke.
“Vincent has summer fatigue?” she echoed.
Oriana had never seen him fatigued like this in her past life. Perhaps he was careful to hide it around her.
“Miguel, I thought I told you not to say anything,” Vince reminded him.
“Aw, come on! She wasn’t gonna accept your excuses anyway. Plus, as your friend, I’d be real torn up if I had to watch you get carried off to the infirmary by a girl.”
“You needn’t put it that way…”
“Nope, I worded it like that on purpose.”
Vincent’s forehead wrinkled as he glared at Miguel.
“Adorable,” Oriana gasped. “I love that expression on your face.”
“Do you understand now, Elsha? As you heard, I am a bit fatigued due to the heat. I’d appreciate it if you’d let me rest in peace.”
But that, Vincent thought to himself, was like telling water to stop being wet.
“Are you okay? Do you need to lean on me for support?” Oriana slid closer, trying to loop her arm through his, but he brushed her off.
“No need. If you’re that concerned for me, then please cease your usual antics.”
Even his attempts to shake her off had less bite than usual.
Oriana paused to think before meekly nodding. Surprised she was so willing to oblige him, Vince stared at her wide-eyed.
“What time are you planning to eat dinner?” she asked.
Without missing a beat, Miguel answered, “About seven or so.”
“All right. I’ll be waiting for you then. Take care.” She waved at the two before heading to the cafeteria.
❦❦❦
ORIANA owed her second life thanks for many things, and one of those things was her intricate knowledge of Vincent’s preferences.
When Vincent and Miguel entered the cafeteria at seven as promised, Oriana hurried over to them with a tray in hand.
“Heya, Oriana.”
“Miguel, thanks for earlier. Are you okay sitting here?”
“Yep. Wherever is fine. Let’s grab some open seats.”
Oriana generally ate with Yana, but it wasn’t like she took her eyes off Vincent completely. She always had a general idea of where he was sitting.
As Vincent and Miguel took their seats, the latter motioned for her to join them.
“You don’t mind me sitting here too?” she asked.
“It’s a bit late to ask that now,” Vincent said, shooting her a look. “You’ve already brought your meal with you.”
“No, this is for you.”
Seated on the silver tray in her hands was a deep dish full of spaghetti.
“I’d like you to try this today.”
“Unfortunately,” said Vincent, “I don’t feel like eating anything other than fruit lately.”
That sort of diet would only exacerbate his fatigue. Vincent was surely aware of that already. The main issue was that the school menu only offered three options each day, and since the students were still growing, all the food was a bit heavy. Oriana could understand why he didn’t want to eat any of that in the summer. But that was precisely why she’d requested to be let into the kitchen, knowing full well she was asking for the impossible.
Thankfully, the Elshas had donated enough money for her to have some pull here, and she’d managed to push her request through without any trouble. Oriana had then asked for a few ingredients and put together a light dish she thought would suit Vincent’s taste.
After her mother passed when Oriana was younger, she’d grown close to the head maid, who’d always looked after her. Since she’d always followed that maid around, Oriana had gradually taken a shine to cooking. Her father graciously gave her the freedom to experiment, and while she’d nearly gave the head maid and the chef panic attacks, she did at least manage to polish her skills to a point where she could make basic meals.
For this dish, she had added thin pasta to chicken stock with slices of lemon. She’d also broken some nutrient-packed chicken breast into bits and sprinkled it over the dish. Since she’d chilled it with her magic, it was sure to be refreshing and light.
“If you refuse to eat it, I’ll just have to kiss you instead.” Oriana’s expression gave no indication she was joking.
Vincent scowled and begrudgingly picked up his fork. He spun the cold noodles around the end of the fork and lifted it toward his mouth, pausing to grumble, “I wish you could at least do something about the aesthetic.”
“What? Aw, it’s cute! See, I cut the lemons up into round slices.”
“Seeing lemon in a dish like this is…off-putting, to say the least.”
Oriana stared at him in disbelief. She’d seen Vince eat this same thing countless times in their previous life. He would often order citrus-flavored items from the menu when they were available. Naturally, she assumed that was because he liked it.
“Hm? I don’t think I remember there being anything on the menu with lemons today,” Miguel remarked as he stared at Vincent’s plate. He must’ve seen the menu already.
“That’s because there wasn’t. I pulled some strings and made this myself,” Oriana admitted. “Sorry. I was under the impression you liked citrusy flavors, Vincent. I can eat that dish instead then. I’ll see if I can find something else for you.” She turned to head toward the food counter, but Vincent stopped her.
“I never said I wouldn’t eat it.” He lifted the pasta the rest of the way to his lips. His movements were so graceful that Oriana watched in awe. Come to think of it, this was the first time Vincent was eating something she had made in either of her lifetimes.
To think the first thing I would ever feed him would be something he doesn’t even find appetizing…
Oriana couldn’t mask her shock. Her shoulders slumped as she watched him swallow down the first bite and quietly scoop up a second helping. Vincent continued eating without making any other complaints. Miguel and Oriana were so entranced that they completely forgot to retrieve their own meals.
By the time Vincent polished off the last bite of pasta, Oriana had sunk into the seat beside him.
“Thank you for the meal,” he said.
“I…hope it wasn’t too hard to stomach…?”
Vincent reached for some water. Perhaps the rich soup had dried out his throat. Oriana stared at him, still flabbergasted. Once he finished swallowing his drink, he awkwardly fiddled with his glass.
“I can see it was wrong of me to judge prematurely.”
“Hm…? Uhhhh?” Oriana tilted her head, confused.
His eye twitched in annoyance, as if he thought her an idiot for not immediately catching his meaning.
“He’s saying it was delicious,” Miguel interjected. “Good for you, Oriana.”
Oriana’s face instantly lit up. “Seriously? Vincent, you really thought it was that good?”
“It was…edible.”
“It must’ve been, for you to be able to eat it in your current state. What a relief! That means you’ve no trouble eating that type of food, right? I’ll let the head chef know.”
It was great that he was able to get something down today, but it wouldn’t have much effect if he went back to barely eating anything tomorrow. While Oriana didn’t know how much compassion she could hope for from the kitchen staff, it wouldn’t hurt to bring up the matter. She shot out of her chair, eager to speak to them about it, but Vincent stopped her before she could leave.
“Elsha.”
“Yes?”
“…I…appreciate what you did.”
Oriana’s whole body trembled. The boyish, embarrassed look on his face was overwhelmingly adorable. It hit her like an arrow to the heart. She turned her gaze to Miguel, hoping he might understand her elation.
He gave her a tepid smile and nodded encouragingly.
“Oh, I can’t take it, Vincent! I just adore you!” She wrapped her arms around his head and squeezed. He didn’t even try to shake her off. Perhaps that was his way of thanking her for the meal. Oriana pulled his face to her body, inhaling his scent. She continued to hug him tight until she finally had her fill.
The cafeteria menu changed the next day to include one citrus-flavored option among three. Vincent wasn’t the only one who benefited from this; it was widely popular with the female students as well.
❦❦❦
THERE were five volumes on herbology lined up beside each other on the shelf. Oriana plucked them out one-by-one.
She was well-acquainted with the library, coming often for books. In her last life, she’d only come here when she had a report due. Things were different this time; she came with a purpose and was immensely grateful for the information the library provided.
Oriana had asked her father to buy her a number of different books the moment her second life began. While she actually really disliked reading, she’d cut no corners when it came to protecting Vincent. Unfortunately, her father had refused a number of books on the grounds that they were “too disturbing.” He was delighted at how ambitious and self-reliant she was, but there were some things even he couldn’t abide by. Specifically, tomes on poison and homicide.
Well, can’t say I blame him. Anyone would be concerned if their seven-year-old daughter suddenly asked for Death by Poison, The Complete Edition: Countless Methods of Murder!
Oriana had quickly given up on having her father buy that particular book for her. She figured she’d be able to seek it out in the Lagen Magic Academy library anyway. Thankfully, her hopes weren’t dashed. One of the best things about this library was that it carried nearly every book ever written.
Still, the tome in question did cover a disturbing topic, so she’d need permission to borrow it. Oriana put in a special request with the librarian, like she’d done countless times before. Approval came even more swiftly than it ever had before—likely because she was always borrowing such books. Since she was forbidden from taking it out of the library, she settled down at a table, cracked it open, and began scanning the text.
Almost all of the herbs used for poisoning were difficult to obtain. Some of them grew natively around the school, but Professor Heinz had transplanted any with deadly toxins to where they were kept under strict control.
Oriana looked over the ingredients for poisons and their characteristics.
These past seven years, she’d found a number of poisons that could have caused Vincent’s death. There were so many in the world, but the lethal ones always left some kind of trace on their victim. But in Vincent’s case, he’d looked like he was merely sleeping.
In all of Oriana’s research, she hadn’t found any poison that could take someone’s life and make them look sound asleep. Moreover, the few rare possibilities she did find had all involved ingredients too difficult for a mere student to get their hands on.
Only an adult would be able to obtain these things, and it’d have to either be someone in a position of power or someone involved in medicine.
These ingredients all involved precious herbs or rare magical creatures, none of which one could obtain through money alone. A person would need a source and connections to be able to access them.
Oriana was deathly terrified of Vincent’s phantom killer—someone she’d never seen and couldn’t even imagine—and yet hated them with every fiber of her being.
This isn’t the right poison. Nor this… Rather than trying to learn how they killed Vince, it might be better to search for the culprit.
Oriana had exhaustively combed through all the information she could find from the moment her second life began, including the four years she’d spent here at the Academy.
Although the Elshas were neither well-trusted nor popular, they did have money. Oriana was able to hire a detective who’d been making a name for himself lately around town. While a bit stalkerish in nature, she assured her father she wouldn’t go overboard. Her father was put off by her overwhelming (and clearly futile) love for the duke’s heir, but he gave her the freedom to do as she saw fit. As far as he was concerned, it was better for her to hire someone else than doing the stalking herself.
The detective informed her that there were a number of people around Vincent that might hold a grudge, but none of them were students. Students needed a permit to leave the grounds of the Academy, but guests couldn’t enter without observing proper procedure. Even alumni and relatives weren’t allowed to freely come and go as they pleased.
Although the detective gave her a list of names, Oriana couldn’t recall any of those people going through the rigorous procedures to visit the school and make contact with Vincent.
Rain started pelting against the window.
Oriana had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t even noticed the storm rolling in. She absently gazed out of the window. Thick gray clouds painted the sky.
A familiar figure suddenly appeared in her periphery.
It’s Vincent!
He’d plopped himself at a table neither too close nor too far from where she was and had buried his nose in a book. Vincent always kept a rigid posture, even when reading. In front of others, he never slouched or rested his chin in his hands.
He’d surely noticed her already. She had spent this entire life chasing after him.
His death had come in the spring, a few days after the ball. Oriana cursed herself for not being able to remember exactly how many days after—whether two, four or even five.
But I remember the thunderclaps.
She’d never forget the sound, and until they safely passed that day, she could never let her guard down. Not even for a moment.
Oriana turned her attention back to her book.
Whatever it takes, I’ll make sure that Vincent lives this time around!
❦❦❦
THE rain started coming down harder.
As she gazed out at the deluge, Oriana’s impatience grew. She slid her book shut, careful not to make any sound as she hurried out of her chair, cradling the book she’d borrowed against her chest.
The librarian was nodding off when Oriana arrived at her desk. She kept her voice low as she said, “Excuse me, I’d like to return this.”
“Oh, done already?”
“Yes. Sorry for all the trouble I put you through with the paperwork.”
Once she finished returning the book, Oriana slipped out of the library. She speed-walked as soon as she made it out into the corridor.
Rain continued pounding on the windows. The smell of it crept in around her, sending a chill that spread through her body. Oriana’s pulse quickened as she picked up her pace.
She thought she was walking, but at some point, she was going so fast, she was practically running. She couldn’t afford for a teacher to catch her and scold her. If her poor conduct led them to switch her into a lower class, she wouldn’t be able to stay at Vincent’s side anymore.
Oriana knew she should slow down, but she couldn’t. She was racing to escape from the rain outside. When she descended the stairs, she took two steps at a time.
Lightning flashed outside the window. It was so powerful, her vision went white for a moment. Moments later, the ground trembled as thunder roared.
“Ah…!”
Oriana cradled her head in her hands and crouched along the edge of the stair landing. If she kept her back to the windows, closed her eyes, and clamped her hands over her ears, she could escape the lightning.
The thunderclap was deafening and stretched on for what seemed like forever. Once she sensed it was over, Oriana tried to move, but all the strength had left her legs, and she couldn’t even pick herself off the floor.
The thunder crackled again.
“Eek…!”
She no longer had the will to stand. Instead, she leaned on the wall, hugging her arms around herself as her legs trembled beneath her.
Right now she was in the west building. The girls’ dormitory was on the other side of the east building. If she had moved before the lightning and thunder started, she could have rushed out through the rain and returned to her room. Now it was too late for that.
If Oriana continued cowering here, someone might find her. The last thing she wanted was for someone to see her pathetically quivering, terrified of the storm.
I need to find somewhere to hide.
At least if she was in the eastern building, she could retreat to her and Vincent’s lounge. There were lounges in this building as well, but they were always bustling with people, since there was also a library and study hall nearby. Oriana definitely didn’t want to be in one of them.
Whatever the case, I need to stand and get moving. Then…
Then what? Where would she go?
It doesn’t matter where I run. It’s all the same. Vince is already—
“Elsha!”
She flinched as the one voice she didn’t want to hear called out to her from above.
“What is it? Did you trip?” Vincent flew down the stairs toward her.
Oriana was still crouched, her face in her hands. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
He finished his reading that quickly? But he’d only barely arrived when I left.
“Are you not feeling well? Can you stand?” Vincent’s voice was full of genuine concern. Despite how much trouble Oriana caused him daily, his moral compass wouldn’t allow him to abandon her in a time of need.
Oriana slid down, wrapping her arms around her knees. She squeezed them tight and shook her head.
“Nothing to worry about,” she answered in a sing-song voice. “Give me just a few minutes and I’ll be right back to my normal self!”
“So I was right. You aren’t feeling well. Give me your hand. I’ll take you to the school infirm—”
Oriana put on a brave face and said, “Seriously, I’m fine. It’s nothing like that. You don’t have to—”
Another clap of thunder echoed through the building. It must have been close, given the volume. Oriana’s shoulders jumped.
“…What? You’re scared of thunder?” The concern left Vincent’s voice as he teased her. He chuckled, probably thinking her childish for being frightened by a storm.
Oriana couldn’t blame him. Anyone else who saw her like this would have the same reaction. Even her father, who always doted on her, teased her about being a big baby when he saw her trembling because of a sudden storm.
So it’s not Vincent’s fault. I know that. I can make it through this.
“Yeah, you got me. Ehehe! I’m like a kid, I know. Pretty pathetic, right?” She curled her body tighter.
Once Vincent knew she was all right, she was sure he’d leave. There was no reason for him to waste his concern on her, now that he knew she wasn’t sick or injured. If he enjoyed teasing and wanted to poke fun at her for her exaggerated reaction to the storm, then maybe he’d stick around after all, but Vincent wasn’t that type of person as far as she knew.
Although, I am always causing him trouble. There’s no guarantee he won’t use this opportunity to get back at me.
Whatever the case, it was no different than the storm. All she had to do was hold out until it was over.
Vincent suddenly sat down beside her. She barely had a chance to register her surprise before he draped something over her head. Startled, Oriana lifted her eyes to discover it was his robe.
“Oh?” echoed a male student’s voice. “What’s going on here?”
“Nothing,” Vincent answered. “I merely found a girl who wasn’t feeling well.”
“Oh, uh…is she okay?”
“Should I call a professor?” asked another voice.
“No, that’s all right. I’m looking after her. I’ll take her to the infirmary later,” Vincent replied.
“Oh, okay. Well, we’ll be off then.”
“Very well. If you see anyone else coming this way, could you please tell them to be quiet as they pass through?”
“Nah, I’ll just take a different route instead.”
“I’ll let the other people coming in behind us know.”
“I appreciate it.”
Several sets of footsteps faded into the distance as the male students left. Even after they were gone, Vincent didn’t try to strike up a conversation with her, nor did he remove his robe or stand up to leave.
When she inhaled, the scent of cedarwood filled her nose.
He helped hide me from the other students.
Her arms grew wet from her tears.
See, Vince—I mean, Vincent—really is kind!
Her chest swelled with a gratitude she couldn’t put into words. As Oriana hid beneath his robe, she clutched tightly at her own.
“There was thunder that day,” she mumbled as the rain poured in the background, beating against the windows. “The day someone precious to me died.”
Vincent swallowed hard.
That day she cradled his cold body in her arms, she’d listened for what seemed like forever to the thunder in the background. It’d sounded like a dragon’s angry cry.
“I hear they sometimes call thunder ‘the Dragon God.’ It really was like a dragon’s curse that day.”
His body had been so deathly cold that she’d known calling for help would be pointless.
There was nothing I could do…except burst into tears and listen to the thunder as it roared in the background…
Oriana associated thunder with Vince’s dead body and the god’s curse. It was a symbol for how powerless she was.
“I realize I didn’t know your circumstances, but I apologize for laughing,” said Vincent.
Oriana shook her head, causing the robe he’d draped over her to sway.
“Next time you hear thunder, you can seek me out,” he offered.
Surprised, she lifted her head. His robe slid down to her shoulders.
“I can at least sit beside you like this,” he said gruffly, turning his face away.
An enormous weight lifted off Oriana’s heart, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. She choked in a breath as happiness filled her.
“Vincent, I adore you!”
“Oh, enough.”
Oriana tried to fling herself at him, but Vincent turned away and dodged her. She broke into laughter and took her seat beside him again.
So…he’ll actually stay with me!
Oriana pulled his robe off her and up to her nose and took a deep inhale. As she enjoyed his scent, she folded the clothing up and handed it back to him. She’d recovered enough now that she didn’t need to hide anymore.
“Thank you, Vincent. I’m all right now.”
“…But it’s still raining,” he mumbled, implying he wasn’t going to leave yet.
That was her cue to cheer and do a happy jig, but her heart ached too much for her to show such excitement. Instead, she turned away and muttered a quiet, “Okay.”
I wish the rain would never stop.
Oriana was no longer worried about the sound of the rain or the thunder. All she could focus on was Vincent’s presence beside her.
❦❦❦
“YANA, you’re getting married?”
“Only if there’s a man out there who can beat Azraq!”
The cafeteria where all of Lagen Magic Academy’s students assembled for meals was filled with clamor. People jabbered, laughter echoed, forks and spoons clattered, and chairs scraped against the floor as people left their seats. All of the deafening hubbub blended together in the background.
Oriana, Yana, and Azraq occupied one table at the corner of the room, eating together. Oriana was having spaghetti with clams, twirling the noodles round and round with her fork.
No matter how many times I have to do this, it never gets any easier.
Anyone who’d lived through the same timeline once already—which, as far as Oriana knew, was only her—would have trouble producing the same reaction as they had the first time. It was especially challenging when she had to do it for every conversation. Since she already knew of the trials Azraq and Yana had had to face thanks to her previous life, she stuffed her mouth full of pasta rather than try to feign shock at the news.
“A princess of the desert is given two choices: marry a man chosen by the king or undergo a trial.”
Under this trial, the man who defeated the princess’s chosen bodyguard could make her his bride. It was mostly a formality nowadays, but in times long past, countless warriors were summoned to the desert nation to fight for a princess’s hand. Ete Karima, Yana’s home country, was a rich land full of strong warriors and beautiful women.
“And that’s why you came to the Academy?” asked Oriana.
“Yes. It was my first time ever leaving my homeland, so I surely caused you a lot of trouble our first year.”
“It was entertaining! I remember you giving me commands—like telling me to open the door for you.”
Yana shook her head. “I really was stuck-up and entitled. I’d like to think I’ve grown to be a better person now, thanks to you.”
The two giggled as they recalled their younger selves. Azraq quietly watched them.
“I said I’d marry whoever can beat Azraq, but of course, that merely gives the victor the right to wed me. They are free to decline.”
As long as there were challengers, a bodyguard had to be ready to fight anytime, anywhere. Duels were conducted one-on-one, but people could challenge the bodyguard consecutively. Although it was technically forbidden for people to team up as a group and use underhanded means to achieve victory, not all were above stooping to such lows.
A bodyguard had to be enough of a veteran battler to be able to handle even the most brutal of situations. There were even those who, out of loyalty, died during a fight. Apparently, there were also those who lost purposefully in order to end the trial quickly.
Political motives naturally came into play, since it was a marriage involving a princess. Those in power would not sit idly by when presented with a legitimate opportunity to wed royalty. Any bodyguard who lost purposefully likely had a fitting reward offered to them in return. Ultimately, it was a fixed race from the very beginning where the palace had already chosen the victor.
Since the whole point of the trial was for the bodyguard to lose at some point, his defeat was not considered dishonorable. The number of bodyguards who’d fought off all challengers and spurned any under-the-table offers could be counted on one hand.
The princess could not dispute the outcome of her trial, no matter how unjust. If her bodyguard refused to offer his loyalty during the process of the trial, that was also considered a failing on her part. Thus, just as it was a challenge to the bodyguard, so too was it an ordeal for the princess.
“Although magic and real swords are not used during one of these duels, there’s still the risk that other students may be dragged into it. I made sure to properly explain the rules of our country’s traditions prior to enrollment, and after negotiating, the school gave me permission to attend. So please be at ease. I am sorry for worrying you over Azraq’s injuries, though.”
The conversation first began when they were bringing their food over to the table, and Oriana brought up how concerned she was after noticing Azraq’s bandages before.
“So there was a good reason for him getting into a fight,” Oriana surmised.
“Yes. Those not apprised of the situation probably mistake him for nothing more than a thug. As for me, I don’t know a man more loyal than him.”
The details of the trial had spread among the male students, but very few of the female students were aware of the situation. Most of them thought of Azraq as an unruly hooligan. He often had cuts and bruises on his body, and he frequently engaged in fights. It made sense, given the frequency of the duels.
Not only did this trial give a man the opportunity to enter the Ete Karima royal family, but it also meant they could wed Yana, a girl so renowned for her beauty they called her the Desert Star. Those confident in their physical strength were eager to challenge Azraq.
“Why did you decide to do the trial?” asked Oriana.
“It’s a princess’s duty to bring someone strong back to her home.” Yana grinned.
It couldn’t be easy for a sixteen-year-old girl like her to treat marriage as a tool. As a commoner, the odds were in Oriana’s favor that she could marry for love. Her father had earned a favorable position for himself, but he still yearned for proper status. If she wanted to be useful to him, it was probably better for her to marry whomever he desired for her.
In truth, there actually was someone her father and others hoped for her to marry, but Oriana wasn’t particularly worried about that ever becoming a problem. Her father may’ve climbed his way up from nothing, but he wasn’t the type to force her into a marriage she didn’t want. Since the beginning of her second life, she’d been staunchly against a union with her father’s apprentice, whom her father had hoped she’d marry. All talks of engagement had since disappeared.
Yana’s issue couldn’t be dealt with quite so easily; hers was too complex and layered. It was on a completely different scale. Oriana would never be able to fathom how much determination and will it required of Yana.
“You’re amazing,” said Oriana.
“No, the real amazing one is Azraq.”
Oriana turned his gaze toward Azraq, who was sitting across from Yana. He was scooping up food with his spoon, looking utterly bored with the conversation, as if he were listening to a math teacher drone on.
“You have a point,” Oriana conceded. “He must have it tough. Since you said he can’t use real blades, I assume wooden swords are okay?”
“Nothing about it is tough. Yana’s future is on the line,” said Azraq.
Yana smiled gently at him. “I was blessed to be able to pick you as my bodyguard.”
“It’s more honor than I deserve.” His voice was shockingly soft, but it was proof his words were sincere.
Oriana felt like she was seeing something she shouldn’t, and she quickly averted her gaze to her plate. Judging by their conversation, Azraq couldn’t be chosen as Yana’s partner. After all, it wasn’t physically possible for him to beat himself.
But it seems pretty clear to me…
She lifted her eyes from her pasta, sneaking a glance at Azraq.
“Lady Yana, please eat your tomatoes.”
“No need. I can get the same nutrients from other vegetables.”
Azraq remained steadfast despite her protests, and Yana reluctantly stabbed her fork into her tomato. The uncomfortable atmosphere that had settled over the table moments before was completely gone now.
I mean, it’s clear that Azraq likes her, right?
In her last life, she’d never noticed his feelings for Yana, but this time around, she was fairly confident in her assessment. Azraq was always clever at hiding it, but Oriana still caught glimpses. There were moments when he’d call Yana’s name and his voice would swell with pride. There was a gentleness to his gaze, and his hands were always so meek when he touched her.
Oriana had watched them closely. She noticed the slight change in his reactions with Yana, but she never spoke a word of it to anyone. Yana showed no indication that she knew of his feelings. Likewise, it didn’t seem likely Azraq would ever tell her. His love for her was unrequited and would likely stay that way.
As Oriana spun her pasta around on her fork, she couldn’t shake the thought that she and Azraq had something in common.