[Bonus Chapter 1/8]
(EP-66.2) Shadows #2
066 – Shadows Looming Ark #2
The place where I was heading to right now was where the professors’ labs were located.
I was looking for Professor Balan, a renowned *Witch in charge of teaching ancient Dead Language.
[T/N: *Witch — Previously titled as “warlock” but I realized that warlock is the term used for male dark magicians. Witch is the female term]
I thought that she might know the seal that I found on the zombie’s tongue on Saturday.
Even if she didn’t, there might be clues. It could also be used as evidence to expose the rumors about the necromancer and undead situation that was spreading in the academy right now.
“Is anyone here?”
I stopped in front of Professor Balan’s lab and knocked on the door.
Professor Balan’s lab was in a much more luxurious and splendid building than Professor Belhawk’s lab.
It seemed to be true that among the professors, there was also a division like what was caused by the students’ brooches, regardless if it was an unspoken rule or official.
Anyway, having a tropical fish aquarium in the hallway definitely said it best.
Duk duk.
“Is anyone here?”
I knocked again.
Was her lunch break over? Could she be in class? After waiting for a reply, a woman carrying a heavy load came up to me and said.
“Professor Balan had already gone to the faculty meeting…!”
It appeared to be a blue-haired Nymph working as a teaching assistant under Professor Balan. I believed this one was ‘Miris’ based on the line written on her nameplate.
“Assistant Miris, do you know when Professor Balan will return?”
“I don’t know…! The professor is busy because of the undead that’s been causing a ruckus lately…! She has a pile of documents to take care of…!”
That was true…
As an expert in dark magic and necromancy, there must be a lot of people looking for Professor Balan in the current situation besides me.
I had no choice but to turn around.
I would see the professor tomorrow anyway.
And so, the next day.
I headed to the classroom to attend Tuesday’s lecture about Dead Language.
As I opened the door and entered the room, the chatting students suddenly shut their mouths. It felt like I was being ostracized…
Anyways, I put my things down on the old, familiar table in the corner and waited for the lecture to start.
Speaking of which, was Mirna not here yet?
As I looked around, it was already 9 o’clock. Finally, the door swung open and a woman with a fairly large chest entered the classroom.
Dark blue hair paired with a black dress. It was Professor Balan. Though, she seemed much paler than last time. The deeper contrast between her shiny red eyes and dark eye circles only added to the effect.
She looked around then slammed the table with her palm.
“Alright, everyone, sit down! We’ll start the lecture….”
I glanced at the only empty seat next to me. Mirna still hadn’t come to class yet.
Could she be late?
“Ah, today’s agenda will be practice. And there are also some tasks. Both will be done near Gracia. Explore the ruins and note down your findings on the scroll.”
[T/N: The sudden periods (“.”) are intentional, that’s her speech quirk or something]
Lectures proceed regardless of any absences.
It seemed that the second topic for Dead Language was practice, which included going out and exploring ancient ruins.
At this time, someone raised their hand.
“Professor, I heard that there are undeads roaming in the suburban ruins. Would it be okay?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. There were some fellas who were a bit wild. But our professors cleaned it all up. Only go to the places I designate. Then there won’t be any problem.”
Professor Balan began to draw something on the blackboard.
It was a kind of map that depicted a large site of the ‘Old Castle Ruins’ existing above the northern part of Ark.
“The number of students attending this lecture. Tw, twenty people. By pairs. Ten teams in total. Ten zones each. You’ll investigate together. I’ve also hidden a mark. If you can find it, I will give you extra points.”
2 people, 1 team?
The longer her words went on, the colder I felt.
It was a group task…
And I had no one by my side…
“The, Theo. Do you have a friend or partner?”
In the end, I was left alone, suffering in shame.
I was the only one who didn’t have a pair.
If this was a class with Aira and Elga, the situation would have been better. But it wasn’t and the only person I knew here was Mirna Draco.
“Okay, then, pair up with Miss Draco. What I said today. Relay it to her.”
Thus, I ended up with Mirna, who was absent from class.
“Un, until dawn of the deadline. All marks and info you find. Please submit it to my lab. Then, goodbye.”
After the lecture, I decided to go find Mirna. I had to let her know that we were a pair.
I knocked on the door of her luxurious dormitory.
“Are you there?”
━Ugghh….
A painful groan came from the inside.
“Lady Mirna, are you there? This is Theo Gospel.”
Duk, kieeeek.
The door wasn’t locked.
Beyond the slowly opening door, I could see the gorgeous interior of this single-person dormitory. On the soft-looking bed was a lying Mirna, slowly getting up.
She looked very disheveled, unlike her usual clean and noble appearance.
Her bare legs and breas†s were visible under a long shirt that looked like a pajama, but Mirna didn’t seem to care.
“Are you ill? There was no reply, I’m sorry for intruding.”
“These past few days, I haven’t been able to sleep…. Why did you come to my room, commoner?”
“I am here to inform you that we have a task to do. Today, you’re coming with me to the ruins of the old castle in the North.”
“Euuu….”
Mirna’s face was very red. Without having to touch it, I could already feel that her face was boiling.
“What can I do to help you?”
At that, Mirna pointed at something with a wrinkled forehead. It looked like kelp on the table. Dried kelp, perhaps?
“Give me that thing. It makes me feel better….”
“Alright, no problem.”
Mirna Draco then put the kelp in her mouth. However, chewing the tough kelp seemed very difficult for her, as if there was no strength in her body.
“Pweh.”
Eventually, she spat it out.
As I picked up the hard kelp lying on the floor, I inquired.
“What caused you to be in this state? What’s the reason you couldn’t sleep….”
At this time, the rumors going around students suddenly came to my mind.
Rumors about an evil necromancer, who appeared last Sunday night, causing trouble by raiding people and indiscriminately spawning undead.
The current Mirna definitely looked like a necromancer who couldn’t sleep at night…
Mirna then said while slowly exhaling a very hot breath.
“I’m sorry, I really don’t want to say this either, but there is no other way. Commoner, can you wipe my body with a cold towel…?”
Mirna then flopped onto the bed. It seemed that she could no longer keep it together.
I nodded, looking at the wash basin and towel next to her.
“Okay.”
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