21. The Road to Hell (3)
No sooner had Lorenzo exited the hospital than he placed a cigarette between his lips.
As soon as he lit it, a pale gray smoke rose, and the distinctive spicy yet refreshing aroma of the magical tobacco spread around.
“Not even a cigarette allowed nowadays; hospitals these days lack all flexibility.”
He deeply inhaled the smoke and then let it out with a sigh, feeling a renewed vigor coursing through his body.
“Instructor, Instructor—!”
Just as he had smoked halfway through his cigarette, he heard someone calling him. Lorenzo quickly stubbed out the cigarette in a portable ashtray and turned around.
“Ivan, what is it?”
It was Ivan.
He appeared to have been running at full speed; his face was flushed, and his breathing was labored.
Lorenzo waited for Ivan to catch his breath.
“By any chance… Aunt Al… Al… Albina?”
“…Aunt?”
The fact that Ivan called Albina ‘Aunt’ could imply several things. Lorenzo instinctively cast a questioning glance at Ivan, and Ivan seemed to realize his slip.
“It seems you have a personal relationship with Albina. She’s not at the age where she should be called aunt yet, right?”
“Ah, well. I’ve known her since childhood, so it kind of stuck. I’m sorry.”
“Hmm.”
You’re quite respectful when apologizing.
Though he is a commoner, his upright nature shows through.
Increasing his liking for Ivan, Lorenzo spoke.
“Well, sure. It is possible, but aside from what I’ve already told you, I know nothing else regarding Albina’s situation.”
“Then… Is it inevitable that she’ll face disciplinary action?”
“Hmm.”
Should I say it? It might cause trouble, but it should be fine.
“Most likely, she’ll be dismissed, and she won’t be allowed to teach again… Excuse me, may I have a cigarette?”
“Yes, of course, that’s fine.”
Lorenzo took out another cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
As flames sparked from his fingers, attaching to the tip of the cigarette, the pale gray smoke rose again.
“Being an instructor… is about being responsible for students.”
“But it’s not the fault of Instructor Albina, is it? The attack wasn’t Academy’s…”
“The Academy will bear its own responsibility. I didn’t say the Academy would avoid responsibility. Also, an incident that happened during class is something Albina should be held accountable for. I’m not trying to decide who’s right or wrong. Albina was in a position where she had to take responsibility, and thus she will.”
“…I see.”
Ivan visibly deflated.
At barely twenty years old, just stepping into adulthood, he still doesn’t understand the world of adults.
You could say he’s still too young to fully comprehend it.
“So, before… You said ‘most likely.’ Does that mean there’s still a small chance it won’t result in dismissal?”
“That’s right.”
After flicking off the ash into the ashtray, Lorenzo sighed again.
It’s odd in itself to be having this conversation with a student.
“The reason why Albina needs to remain your instructor despite everything, you would need to persuade the Academy of that. … There’s nothing I can do for that. It’s the Academy’s decision.”
“…I suppose…”
Lorenzo lightly patted the deflated Ivan on the shoulder.
“Stay strong. I’ll… try too.”
“Yes, Instructor. Thank you.”
With Ivan bowing deeply, Lorenzo turned and left.
He had finished his business with Ivan, but it was partly because he noticed a girl standing behind Ivan and watching carefully.
As Lorenzo quickly rounded the wall, Regina approached Ivan.
“Ivan.”
“A, Regina.”
“I hurried to follow you when you suddenly ran.”
Heehee, Regina smiled widely.
Ivan also managed a forced smile as he looked at Regina.
“I had something to say to Instructor Lorenzo.”
“What was it about?”
Regina asked as she stepped closer.
She had a bright, rosy smile.
Ivan took a step back and replied.
“I was concerned about Instructor Albina. She was trying to protect us, after all.”
“Ah, I see. Judging from your expression… It seems our Ivan didn’t get the answer he was hoping for?”
“It seems that way.”
“Hmm…”
Ivan was feeling dispirited.
Regina was worried about him. They had been friends since they were young — although even though Carla was originally Carl, the past they shared couldn’t simply be erased.
“Ivan.”
Ivan flinched as Regina suddenly grabbed his hand, attempting to retract it.
“Don’t let go.”
“Uh, oh…”
A warm, soft feel.
It was very different from Carla, who always kept her distance and pushed him away. The warmth and softness of Regina’s hand transferred through Ivan’s.
“Carla’s situation is not your fault. And the reason she’s so angry…”
— Honestly, even Regina finds it hard to understand.
Even so, it wouldn’t be wise to tell Ivan outright.
“Maybe Carla’s worried that you’ll blame yourself. Carla… has always been like that, hasn’t she?”
“True, she has always been like that…”
“Our Ivan is so kind.”
Regina smiled generously as she stroked Ivan’s head.
Her gentle hand smoothed his hair, taming the wind-tangled locks.
“So, understand Carla. And Instructor Albina will surely be fine.”
“Mm…”
Meanwhile, Lorenzo leaned against the wall and smoked his cigarette while overhearing Ivan and Regina’s conversation.
“What a nice age they’re at.”
It’s good.
Young love indeed has a fresh flavor to it, and just watching it makes your heart feel warm.
Unconsciously, Lorenzo smiled widely as he turned away.
—He turned.
And stopped in surprise at the sight of more than a dozen men in front of him.
They were dressed in black hooded robes covering their entire bodies, and their faces were mostly concealed, leaving only their chins visible.
“Seems like I have quite a few visitors today. Too much popularity can be a problem, huh?”
“Don’t get cocky, Lorenzo.”
“Ah, you’ve made an appearance, which means you were sent by some noble lord, right?”
Lorenzo shrugged as he spoke.
Truthfully, he hadn’t sensed their arrival at all.
Even if he were to charge at them now, he wouldn’t have a chance against them.
Besides, these were clearly skilled individuals who could casually roam the Academy like this.
“Agent Lorenzo, stop involving yourself or digging further. This is beyond your reach.”
“…So, you can read minds now, huh?”
Albina.
The attack.
Carla.
The Academy.
—These are matters that Lorenzo couldn’t simply leave alone.
Also, Emil’s strange reaction after Lorenzo left the hospital room earlier—there’s definitely more to explore if he wished to investigate.
“This isn’t something you, a low-class noble, have the capacity to understand. This is a matter of grave importance concerning the future of the empire, even the survival of the continent. It’s not something someone like you should involve yourself in.”
“…”
“Warnings have been sufficient. Do you get it?”
“Understood. A mere pseudo-noble like me will stay quiet. Do as you please.”
With Lorenzo’s curt reply, the men turned away.
One by one, they disappeared from sight. In response, Lorenzo gave them the middle finger and then quietly made his way off.
*
KUNG.
Carla wobbled and, eventually, smacked her head against the side of the carriage.
Sharp pain shot through her head.
“Can’t you drive this carriage straight?!”
Her sharp yell was met from the driver’s seat with an apologetic “Sorry!” in a timid voice.
Truth be told, Carla knew this was just her irritation speaking.
Since losing one arm completely, even the slightest movement in her seated position could cause her to lose her balance.
She had never realized how significant limbs were to bodily balance.
And now, the large and heavy mass right in front of her, constantly swaying, only added to her irritation, driving Carla to the verge of madness.
‘Is a woman’s body meant to be this useless…’
Everything annoyed her.
When she fought, the increased speed and flexibility were favorable, but now that she can’t fight, everything is just annoying.
Let’s start with her hips.
The protruding pelvis and bottom make the seat seem narrower.
And what about her chest?
A second heavy burden, one could say. Her body’s vibrations cause the breasts to sway, endlessly irritating her.
Therefore, a woman’s body is riddled with inconvenience…
—Miss, we’ll reach the mansion soon!
Upon hearing the driver’s voice, Carla snapped out of her thoughts and looked out the window.
Indeed, the fading evening light revealed the silhouette of the Cascata mansion.
‘…The old man and that brat will surely mock me endlessly. Hmm…’
She cared little for being the heir originally.
Nonetheless, knowing that they would surely have something to say now that she had returned in a body incapable of fighting brought forth a rising irritation in Carla.
Meanwhile, the carriage steadily drove toward the main entrance of the mansion.
“Move aside. I’ll open it.”
‘Here comes the old man’s voice.’
Before Carla could do anything, the carriage door was opened by a middle-aged man—Enrico della Cascata.
His gaze was peculiar, not directly at Carla, but at the sleeve of her left arm fluttering in the evening wind that streamed in from the carriage door.