Chapter 115

Summer.

The season when life, awakened in spring, begins to move vigorously.

Like other seasons, summer tends to make people’s hearts flutter more than any other. It is the season when one feels a strong desire to suddenly take off somewhere — to the fresh mountains, the cool valleys, or the wide-open sea.

As the adventurous summer returns, it is bound to coincide with something like summer vacation.

And for the students of Caldera Imperial Academy, that time has come.

“During this summer vacation period, please take pride in being students of our esteemed Caldera Imperial Academy….”

It is that time when one must listen to Principal Damian’s tedious long-winded speech.

Elin could not shake off her bored expression. What was the big deal about summer vacation? It was just a chance to set aside the busy studies at the academy and relax comfortably.

“…So, this is the opportunity to make the most meaningful memories of your life, which should not be squandered or wasted lying around. This is what I mean. Opportunities for growth and achievement do not open to everyone….”

Listening to Principal Damian’s boring admonition, Elin nudged Chloe, who was dozing off beside her. Chloe’s half-closed eyes snapped open.

“Wha…! Is it already over?”

“Not yet. More importantly, you’re really obvious when you’re dozing off.”

“R-really?”

“Yeah. Wipe your drool a bit. Professor Antorelli has been staring at you for a while.”

“Ah…! Professor Antorelli?”

Chloe turned her head toward where Elin pointed. Among the faculty members sitting behind Principal Damian on the podium, she spotted a man who looked particularly grim.

It was Professor Lucio Antorelli, who was in charge of the Theology department for the first-year A class. Seeing him made Chloe shiver.

As Elin had said, his deep, dark eyes were fixed squarely on Chloe, making it seem as if they could look straight into her soul. Chloe quickly straightened her back and began to look at Principal Damian instead.

“Uh…! How long have you been watching me?”

“Um… Quite a while. About 30 minutes?”

“Wha…! You should have told me sooner!”

“You shouldn’t have dozed off from the start.”

Elin shrugged and pretended to whistle. Chloe glared at her for a moment but then gave up and glanced at Professor Antorelli again.

‘He seems a bit different today.’

Unlike usual, he had neatly combed his hair and taken off his glasses, but perhaps due to the shadowy spot he was occupying on the podium, the unique somber atmosphere he exuded remained unchanged.

Especially his black eyes. Those inky, dark orbs provided a mysterious feeling as if one could not guess at all what he was thinking.

‘It feels like I might get sucked in….’

Like the night sky. A night sky without twinkling stars.

Chloe stared vacantly into Professor Antorelli’s eyes. His gaze, which had been on her as she was nodding off, had switched to another direction. Chloe’s eyes naturally followed that way.

The place he was looking at. At the end of the gaze….

‘…Lady Adelheit?’

Breaking a long silence of two weeks, Lady Laura von Adelheit was present at the academy. Chloe looked back at Professor Antorelli.

At first glance, it seemed like he was looking at Principal Damian who was giving a speech at the podium, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that his focus was fixed on Laura von Adelheit.

“Elin.”

“Yeah? Did you call for me?”

“I mean, Lady Adelheit. Haven’t you heard any news?”

“News?”

“She hasn’t attended the academy for two weeks. Do you know why?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“…Is that so?”

The two-week gap. The professor, Antorelli, who hadn’t been conducting classes over that similar period, and his outing that Chloe had seen briefly the previous Saturday.

“Hmm….”

Laura fell into deep thought. Quietly, yet fervently, a myriad of possibilities began swirling in Chloe’s mind.

In the meantime, Principal Damian’s admonishment was nearing its end.

“The theme for this summer vacation is effort and growth. I hope you all achieve meaningful growth during this time. That is all.”

— Clap, clap, clap—!

As Principal Damian bowed his head, thunderous applause erupted. Chloe also began to clap along, but her eyes remained on Laura.

While clapping, Chloe whispered to Elin.

“Professor Antorelli has been staring only at Lady Adelheit since a while ago.”

“Really? Just a moment ago, he was watching you dozing off… Oh?”

Elin looked at Chloe with a surprised expression as if she thought she had misheard.

“Are you… planning to speak informally to Lady Adelheit now?”

“Yeah. It seems like it.”

“Didn’t you say you’d stop doing that once you surpassed her?”

“…The situation has changed.”

Laura herself did not know what feelings she held. But….

“It feels like I need to bring the time to surpass her a little closer.”

One thing was certain: a faint sense of discomfort surged from within her.

That alone was an undeniable dark emotion.

* * * * *

Summer vacation had begun at Caldera Imperial Academy.

Which also meant the end of the first semester. This didn’t apply to the first-year students who had no exams, but for second- and third-year students, it could not have been a relaxing six months.

Although there were no exams, the first-year students had not exactly enjoyed a carefree time.

Trying to adapt to the academy, training to keep their skills from rusting, and completing assignments from other departments, including the Theology department that I taught.

Repeating such things even in the sweltering summer is madness. With the arrival of summer vacation, students were frequently heading back home to cool their heads for a bit.

I quietly watched the long line of students streaming out through the Academy Gate, visible outside the window of my office.

“There are many students going back home…”

It was the comment from Sofia, the Sub-priest, who was quietly gazing out the window beside me. I answered her quietly in response to her resting her chin on the window frame.

“I hope they all return well-rested.”

“Right. The Grade-by-Grade Duel must have piled up their exhaustion…. It’s better not to go outside during summer.”

“…Ah, yes. That is correct.”

Sofia, who was particularly sensitive to heat, also seemed to appreciate summer vacation. I, feeling the refreshing breeze from the air conditioner while looking at the relaxed Sofia, cautiously spoke up.

“Sofia, has the duty roster for the vacation period come out?”

“Oh, the duty…”

Sofia’s once-bright expression slightly changed. It seems that pulling an all-nighter for work is something everyone dislikes.

“The roster will come out today. It might already be posted on the main building’s bulletin board by now.”

“Should we go check it now?” Sofia asked, so I nodded and turned my body.

“That seems like a good idea.”

“Let’s head out right away!”

We exited the professor’s office. As students who had filled the academy began to flow out like a tide, the halls of the main building were indeed deserted.

“By the way, have you seen the activity plan for the summer vacation?”

“The one from the Occult Research Club?”

“Yes. The plan submitted by Daniel.”

Clubs at Caldera Imperial Academy must submit activity plans in advance to conduct club activities together during the vacation period.

This is an effort to minimize dangerous club activities, as well as to help those clubs that create excellent plans in terms of academics and club affairs by providing them with activity funds under the name of vacation period support.

Since significant funding is provided to students under the name of activity funds, a detailed description must be submitted without fail.

Simply submitting would not guarantee support, as the Treasury would block anything that seemed unreasonable and would favor activities that would foster students’ academics, dreams, and futures.

Viewing it from such a standpoint, the plan that Daniel submitted to me….

“Daniel’s submitted plan will likely be rejected, right?”

“…It seems difficult for him to receive funding.”

“It should also state whether the club activities are approved on the bulletin board.”

The plan that Daniel had submitted to me bore the grand title of “Occult Research Club’s Mystery Investigation Activity,” which was indeed outrageous.

“Even so, it seems a bit much to enter a remote mountain during this hot summer….”

To go to the lodge owned by Vivian’s family, who is a member of the Occult Research Club, and investigate mysterious happenings there.

To put it simply, it would be quicker to say they were merely ghost hunting.

“Why would they do such a thing… Ugh…”

Sofia sighed and shivered. I too had not expected Daniel to suggest something like “ghost hunting” for the club’s summer vacation activity.

“Anyway, have you researched the activity location?”

“Yeah. Still, I thought I should investigate, so I read books about geography and consulted other professors.”

“What kind of place is this mountain?”

“Um…. They say it’s called Hangman’s Mountain?”

“Hangman’s Mountain, huh?”

It was an unusual name. Did it get that name because the shape of the mountain resembles a long rope?

“Yes. They say it received that grim name because many people used to hang themselves there.”

“…….”

I was left speechless. My suspicion was confirmed; it was a reckless plan typical of Daniel, the golden boy of the Occult Research Club.

“As a fortunate point, it seems that, thanks to thorough management by the Balueger family, the frequency of such incidents has notably decreased recently.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“But still… it will probably be rejected, right?”

“…I hope so.”

No, this plan absolutely must be denied. I should hint to Daniel to consider revising the plan.

It’s not because I want to avoid going to such a grim place, but merely because I worry it might negatively influence the younger students.

“Oh, we’ve arrived.”

“Hmm….”

As I pondered what to do with the golden boy I was in charge of, we had already arrived at the bulletin board in the center of the main building. I began to carefully scan through the posted materials with Sofia.

“Hmm… Not this one, not this one….”

“I’ll start looking from over here.”

“Alright, then I’ll… Oh.”

“…?”

Sofia’s body abruptly stiffened. I leaned forward to check the materials attached to the bulletin board alongside her.

And what was posted there was….

[ Caldera Imperial Academy Summer Vacation Activity Approval List ]

1. Gluttony Club’s Three Meals a Day

2. Self-Made Club’s Secrets to Making It Big

3. Culinary Exploration Club’s Delicacies Found in Nature

4. Nature Ecology Club’s Environmentally Friendly Food Found at Restaurants

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16. Occult Research Club’s Spooky! The Perfect Mystery Investigation

All heads of the aforementioned clubs are asked to visit the treasury with an academic advisor before July 3rd to receive their activity funds.

“…….”

Have they lost their minds? I began to seriously wonder if Principal Damian had gone senile.

“Uh, uh…?”

Suddenly, Sofia staggered and leaned on me. I hastily caught her by the shoulder.

“Sofia, are you okay?”

“Head Priest….”

“Damn it. I’ll head to the administration department right away….”

“Please look at the post beneath it….”

Following Sofia’s trembling finger, I shifted my gaze to find that there.

[ Duty Roster for the Summer Vacation Period ]

7/1~7/2 : Professor Johanna Ritz, Professor Esther Garrett

7/2~7/3 : Professor Alan Madison, Professor Ivan

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7/16~7/17 : Professor Scarlet Underwood, Professor Lucio Antorelli

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If there are unavoidable circumstances requiring cooperation with the duty roster, please visit the administration office in the main building. Additional notices will be posted should there be any changes to the duty roster.

There, an avalanche of misfortunes hit me hard.

“…Ah.”

I felt as if I had turned into a stone.