Doggone Academy

“Wait, I will change into my outing attire.”

“I’ll step outside for a moment.”

“No, you may stay.”

With that, Vivi sprang up and moved toward the wardrobe. Behind the white velvet curtain of the wardrobe booth, Vivi’s silhouette appeared, hastily discarding her undergarments. She then hummed a little tune while trying on various outfits.

Damian couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter seeing her enjoy herself. After all, thinking he was on borrowed time, it was far better to embrace moments of joy than to dwell in gloom. The notion that his actions had not been meaningless began to settle within him.

“You seem quite happy.”

“I am happy. I used to despise the saying that one must hit rock bottom to appreciate true joy in life. Looking back now, there seems to be some truth to it. I am savoring one of the few pleasures life has afforded me.”

“It’s nice to see.”

“Yes, and you, my good sir, will have to exert a bit more effort for my amusement.”

“…It is my honor.”

Vivi emerged, having changed into a black linen dress with a long skirt that seemed easy to move in, without the help of maids. She had even placed a matching black hairpin adorned with black jewels.

Damian rose from his chair, signifying readiness.

“Let’s go.”

“Indeed.”

Yet, Vivi stood still, just gazing at his face.

“Why do you hesitate?”

“Isn’t this your first outing with nobility? You must escort me properly. Leaving just like this will have the servants clucking their tongues.”

“…”

Damian, realizing what he had missed, bowed slightly as etiquette demanded, then offered his arm while keeping the other behind his back.

A hint of a smile flickered in Vivi’s eyes, and she lightly placed her fingers on his hand as if laying down a feather.

“I thought you only knew how to grab things roughly. It appears you’ve learned some noble gestures as well.”

“…They were taught to me when I was younger.”

Damian was filled with an indescribable feeling. This formality was something he had learned from Liza, used only in their private games. Covered in soot in the forge, he had never imagined he would have the need for it. Yet here he was, preparing for an outing with the second-highest personage in the Duchy.

“You said you had no family. Yet it seems you’ve inherited noble blood.”

“No, my blood has always been of the lowliest kind. And this, I learned merely as a spectacle.”

Vivi smiled kindly and said,

“A man’s worth is not determined by what he possesses at birth. It is forged through adversity, through rebirth. Your blood is no longer lowly. I can vouch for that.”

“…Thank you.”

Vivi then added a meaningful statement.

“And after the trial… you will come to understand this for yourself.”

“…?”

“And… your previously rough gestures weren’t so bad, actually.”

Damian chuckled lightly.

“…Let’s proceed.”

Damian gently took Vivi’s hand and they stepped outside, where a servant was waiting in the hall with a parasol as usual.

Vivi abruptly stopped him,

“It’s alright.”

Then, with a motion that Damian couldn’t see, she signaled behind her back. It was a clear command for no one to follow.

***

On a grassy slope under the shade of an ancient tree, Damian and Vivi naturally gravitated toward that spot. Underneath its canopy, Damian spread out a handkerchief he had brought for them to sit on.

Vivi plopped down on it, stretching her limbs with relish.

“I’ve always missed this weather.”

The sky above was a different shade of blue from what she had seen in Barvisia, with fluffy clouds gently sailing by, bringing peace to her heart.

Damian sat down a step away from her, leaning against the tree.

Vivi then spoke,

“Come closer. From afar, it would look as if we had quarreled.”

“There are quite a few eyes on us. We attracted many stares on our way here. Shouldn’t you, lady, be concerned about scandal?”

Since Kameron Castle was operated like a resort for the nobility, they could see other guests here and there.

“I thought you were headstrong, but at times like this, you’re as cautious as a cat. It’s too late to worry about scandals now, don’t you know?”

“What do you mean?”

“Young man and woman, vigorous with life, were stranded on a deserted island and returned alive. Alone in a place cut off from the world. What do you think people will assume happened between them?”

Vivi turned her head away from Damian, her face showing a hint of bashfulness after saying it.

Damian was momentarily speechless. He was at a loss as to how to explain their past to Silveryn.

“…That place was closer to hell than a deserted island.”

“People won’t care about that. They might not say anything to our faces but will be crafting all sorts of stories behind our backs.”

“If rumors spread, wouldn’t it damage your reputation more than mine?”

“I don’t have much time left to worry about what others think.”

Looking at her now, vibrant with life, it was hard to believe she had just a short time left. Occasionally, Damian would forget she was living on borrowed time.

“…How do you plan to spend the remainder of your days?”

“To devote time to my life. Eat delicious food, visit lovely places, find someone I love and enjoy the rest of my days together. What about you?”

“I need to graduate from Eternia.”

“…Is there a need to stay there? Your abilities have already outgrown the confines of the academy.”

“I’m still lacking. Without what I’ve learned there, I wouldn’t have survived Barvisia.”

“…I understand. If you ever find yourself without a place to go, come to the Duchy.”

“…If the opportunity arises, I will visit.”

Their conversation paused. Vivi glanced at Damian before speaking.

“Don’t just talk about it; set a specific date. And when will you fulfill the picnic promise? Just two days from here, there’s a lake with emerald water and fireflies akin to fairies.”

“If I leave here, I can’t be certain when I’ll be able to return.”

“…You consider even that few days’ time too precious to invest? You’re given plenty of vacation time.”

Vivi’s eyebrows dropped slightly with disappointment.

“…Fine. If you can’t keep a promise, why bother making one?”

Vivi crossed her arms and turned her back in a clear show of hurt feelings.

Damian hesitated before speaking.

“I will come. But… there might be someone else coming with me.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Maybe two more.”

“Two is too many.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good. You stake your life on keeping your word. I’ll trust you on that.”

“Though sometimes, I must prioritize based on importance.”

Vivi shook off her skirt and stood up to look at the view of the city spread out below the hill.

“Stand up. Can you see there?”

She pointed toward a particular place.

Across the city’s center, a military parade snaked through the main avenue. Though distant and not entirely clear to the eye, it looked grand, like a festival.

“What’s that?”

“My father has returned.”

“…!”

“One of the Duchy’s national holidays, ‘Saint Luminas Day,’ always involves grand ceremonies. Father must be on the move for this occasion.”

“Shouldn’t you go to meet him?”

“It’s alright. Father has already given his permission for this.”

“…How significant is this holiday that the Grand Duke personally makes an appearance?”

Vivi smiled slightly and replied,

“It’s one of the few festivals in the Duchy. It commemorates the day Saint Luminas, one of my ancient ancestors and a saint from the past, is said to have subdued all evil spirits in the world and blessed humanity. That’s why significant events are held on this day. House contracts, baptisms for newborns, knighting ceremonies, and even academy entrance ceremonies are all conducted on Saint Luminas Day.”

“I’ve always been curious about the blood of the divine, and you have a saint in your lineage.”

“Yes, although as you know, I am a flawed specimen.”

“…When is this holiday?”

“It’s tomorrow, coincidentally falling on the same day as your trial.”

As they spoke, Stitch cut through the wind and hovered in front of Damian, carrying a scroll sealed with Eternia’s emblem.

Damian cautiously took the scroll and unwrapped it. After reading in silence for about a minute, he spoke.

“How long does it take to reach that parade in the city?”

“If we move quickly, thirty minutes should suffice. Why do you ask?”

“…It seems my guest is also part of that procession.”

***

The duchess’s carriage, flanked by knights, came to a halt in the square. They waited in a secluded corner to avoid attracting attention, but the retinue of escorting soldiers made them stand out regardless.

I watched the grand procession, complete with banners and trumpeters, from outside the carriage.

Vivi stayed inside due to the throngs of people.

She didn’t seem particularly thrilled to be here.

As time passed, the tail end of the lengthy parade started to enter the square, and at the very back was a guarded carriage, the knights surrounding it like a sacred relic.

From the carriage’s black exterior to the horses, and the Eternian emblem painted in an old-fashioned style on the door, everything signified importance.

My heart involuntarily quickened its beat, caught between anticipation and nervousness.

I stepped forward. Standing at the edge of the crowd, the procession of knights, passing in front of me, pulled on their reins, bringing the line of carriages to an abrupt halt, setting them apart from the rest. Suddenly, everything went quiet.

Some onlookers craned their necks, wondering if an incident had occurred.

Though I couldn’t hear it clearly over the murmurs, some command was given, and the knights turned their heads to look down at me.

Then, making way for the carriage, they parted, creating a path straight to it.

The carriage windows were firmly shut with black curtains drawn. Could there be someone inside? How did they spot me?

The crowd and the knights all turned their gaze on me. The scrutiny was intense.

I walked forward, unsure of why I felt so tense. What should I say? These worries never crossed my mind during our time together in Weisel. Had the time apart been too long?

Approaching the carriage door, I took a deep breath, about to knock when—

The door swung open abruptly.

Familiar auburn hair fluttered before my eyes, and my heart seemed to stop.

Then I saw a flash of pale arm.

A hand burst forth from behind the black curtain, grasping my collar and yanking me inside the carriage.

“…!”

Unable to resist the insistent pull, I was drawn into the carriage in an instant.