Doggone Academy

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***

Upon arriving at Rigved, we set foot on a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops.

It wasnt noon yet, so there seemed to be enough time to take a leisurely stroll.

Liria, with a nervous expression, continuously scanned the surroundings.

Liria?

Ah, yes?

I handed her the paper listing the ingredients for the fast-acting griffin potion.

We need to track these down by today. If we fail, well have to skip dinner together.

She skimmed through the list and nodded.

Okay!

The narrow streets were teeming with peoplenobles, knights, drunkards, clerics, and herbalistsall passing by us so closely our shoulders nearly touched.

I noticed girls around my age here and there. Most of them were dressed in elaborate garb, accompanied by a few armed escorts.

Seeing them, Liria seemed to feel somewhat inferior comparing their outfits to her own modest clothing.

She was visibly startled every time someone barely brushed against her, even more so because her slight frame was easily pushed around by the crowd.

Are you okay?

Yes Im, Im okay.

The plan was originally to split up and look for the ingredients separately, but seeing her current state made me think twiceit wouldnt do to leave her alone.

In such a bustling crowd without the certainty of not encountering someone with ill intentions, it felt too unnerving to let her venture by herself.

Liria. Grab onto the hem of my clothes.

Pardon?

If you let go and we get separated, youll be lost instantly, so make sure to hold on tight.

Oh, okay!

She swallowed nervously and clutched the end of my top.

I navigated through the throng, casting anxious glances back at Liria who followed. A slight nudge and it seemed she would be swept away in the tide of people.

Hold on tight.

Worried about damaging my clothes, she was only lightly holding on with the tips of her fingers.

Feeling frustrated, I grabbed her wrist to ensure she wouldnt be lost.

At my sudden grip, Liria jolted, but there was no helping it. This was far better than risking her becoming a missing person.

I led her through the streets firmly.

***

Silveryn stood quietly by the window, looking down.

Three carriages from the North crossed the estates courtyard and slowly entered. They werent there to check on Silveryns well-being nor had they come to celebrate Gales admittance to Eternia.

They were messengers of death.

Following Northern traditions, Silveryn did not welcome them warmly.

Her heart sank heavily. How many times had this happened now? She barely remembered anymore.

She had retreated all the way down to far Weisel to avoid this scenario, yet the North had a habit of reappearing just when it had begun to fade from memory, once again seizing hold of her.

The butler went out to meet the Northern emissaries and escorted them inside.

Silveryn closed the curtains and changed her clothing.

Shortly afterward, she emerged in an undecorated, achromatic dress and descended the staircase, proceeding to the reception room.

As the door opened, the seven emissaries waiting inside all respectfully knelt on one knee.

We greet the grand sorceress, Silveryn.

With a voice devoid of emotion, she said, Please, have a seat.

Once Silveryn sat at the head of the room, the lead of the envoy group and the adjutant of the Varianne frontier count, Vulkan, moved forward and took the seat across from her.

Silveryns gaze appeared somewhat unfocused.

Northern affairs were typically concluded in the North. There were few people so important as to necessitate direct notification from her.

Kedwen.

She had already learned of his disappearance.

A man who had survived countless brushes with death, earning the epithet of The Immortal, Kedwen was someone all Northerners, Silveryn included, believed would surely come back alive.

But not this time. Just as it had claimed many of Silveryns comrades, the North had also taken Kedwens life.

The North was such a placewhere even the most remarkable geniuses, heroes, and beings of legend and myth could perish abruptly, their lives claimed without fanfare.

An oppressive silence filled the reception room. Silveryn broke it first.

So, it wasnt merely a disappearance.

Vulkan nodded solemnly.

Part of Master Kedwens remains were found near the Falangar Basin, he reported.

What they had found were a left wrist and a right arm, along with a grotesquely twisted right leg. The remaining parts were still being searched for, but due to the beast-infested area, the chances of finding more were slim.

All slivers of hope vanished. The fate of a warrior dismembered on the battlefield was clear.

After a prolonged silence, Silveryn abruptly stood and moved towards the window. Her back to the envoys, she spoke with difficulty.

I had seen him at his graduation, and I was present at his wedding.

Kedwens death was a pain shared by all Northerners and by Silveryn herself.

He had been a junior at Eternia, Silveryns subordinate, and a fellow warrior guarding the Northern front.

He was a legendary figure who had fought his way through life as an orphan, having lost his parents to monsters at a young age. Blessed with a natural talent for swordsmanship, he not only entered Eternia but also completed the Masters class.

He was such a prominent swordsman that, should a vacancy have arisen amongst the continents mere ten Swordmasters, Kedwen would have filled that spot.

Silveryn clenched her eyes shut.

There seemed to be no end in sight. How much more would have to be lost for this tragedy to end?

It was a cruel fate. The young man who had burned his life to avoid the repetition of his parents tragic end left the world just as they had.

In Master Kedwens will, there was a request for you, Silveryn.

The Northerners were always like this. Not knowing when they might die, they would pen their wills as soon as they came of age for battle.

He wished you to find a new owner for these items, someone to inherit his will.

An envoy from behind Vulkan placed a lengthy wooden chest on the table.

Slowly, Silveryn turned around.

Vulkan opened the chest, which contained a sword and artifacts previously belonging to Kedwen.

Why entrust these to me instead of his wife or children?

He desired that someone who will carry on his legacy take these. He trusted you to find a successor, Vulkan said.

She gazed at the artefacts, weariness evident in her eyes.

Kedwens death was torment enough on its own.

But it also brought confusionan inability to fully comprehend and accept the reality at hand.

Kedwens demise made her think of a young boy in her care.

Thoughts of Kedwen and the boy paralleled each other, chilling her heart even further.

Was the boy fated to meet the same end? Had she unwittingly drawn him into a tempest?

Silveryn maintained her silence for some time before speaking softly.

Take them back. There is no one deserving to whom I can pass them.

***

Clutching a bundle of herbs in one hand, I settled by the fountain at Rigved Square. Soon after, Liria joined me, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder.

I extracted a piece of paper from my pocket to review the herbal list. We had acquired nearly everything we needed, yet there was one herb that continued to elude us, despite our searches.

Tears of Puglishi seems impossible to find.

The name could belong to some folklore or legend. Or could it actually be derived from an unknown creatures tears? Every herb store we checked had no clue about it; they had never even heard of such a thing.

Liria cautiously said, I dont think its a herb.

I had my suspicions as well.

Well inquire with the magus regarding the rest.

We moved towards the carriage at the edge of the square and loaded all the collected herbs onto it.

Not much time had passed, and twilight hadnt fallen yet.

Between the leftover funds from the purchase of the wooden sword and the financial support from the Weisel Knights, we had both extra money and time. Yet I felt no desire to squander it.

Time to proceed to our next destination.

At the mention of departure, Lirias gaze wavered.

Theres

She hesitated before speaking.

If we leave now, will we return to the square later?

Perhaps not.

Then theres a place nearby Id like to visit. Could we spare just a moment?

Seeing my puzzled look, she nervously said, It will be really quick uh, if its a nuisance, I can visit alone.

Her fidgeting seemed somewhat pitiable. A simple request would have sufficed.

No trouble at all. Lets go together.

Finally, relief spread across her face.

Yes! Its this way, come on!

Taking the lead, Liria guided me toward a large clothing store.

Her face was livelier than everfilled with excitement.

I couldnt help but smile at her enthusiasm.

So thats how it is. Liria, too, was a teenage girl who enjoyed pretty attire and accessories, just like everyone else.

She opened the door and quickly made her way to a section where dresses were displayed.

It appeared she had had her eye on a particular outfit from a previous visit.

The store seemed to primarily deal in womens wear, though mens clothing was also available. I waited near the entrance.

Inside, noblewomen and young ladies of rank browsed the displayed clothing.

A middle-aged man who seemed like the store manager walked up to Liria with a straight posture and hands behind his back. He then quietly observed her.

Liria spoke to the middle-aged man first.

Excuse me may I try on this dress?

She had chosen a purple linen dress, simple without extravagant details, yet it exuded an air of elegance suitable for daily wear.

The man eyed Lirias dress and said in a rigid tone, Im sorry, miss, but our establishment serves only those who are members of the Songbird Club or those who possess similar, noble qualifications.

Theyre gatekeeping clothing purchases now? That seemed a bit excessive.

At this, Liria shrank back disheartenedly.

Ah yes, alright

Noblewomen glanced over at Liria, smirking condescendingly at her predicament.

It wasnt a sight I favored.

I approached and put my hand on Lirias shoulder, stopping her from turning away and faced the store manager.

Excuse me, I have some questions if you dont mind.

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